Variety (Sep 1939)

14 VARIETY FILM REVIEWS Wednesdayi September 6, 1939 I pace, highlights all the comedy and < finlire points en route, accentuating ' the feminine attributes and short THE WOMEN Hollywood, Sept. 1. Metro-rtoWwyn-.Mnyer roiTO»e of Hum comings with keeness in execution. ';L'fr'Vr.::?,,.^™.l"^S'l^,l:^';^^/l".':'!l? l^.r;'.:i::: I Plcture-s running time ot 132 mm- Jonn Cniwfgnl, Itosalhul llusAcU; fonluro.t Mftry noJnnil, rhyUls I*ovnh, YlrKlnt.'i 'W&Ullor, l*nulotlo OuOtl.tnl, Jonn Kiinlalno. IjUcIIo WntHon. l^lrei'locl by *.SPor»:<* *'uki>r. i^creenpiay Uy Anltn L<io« onO Jnno Murtin; from pliiy by Clure llootho. (Hy nri-^niKi- mont wlHi Mnx tionlon IMnys v'i IMiiiirt's i.'or)>.); ciimcra. oiivi-r T. Mainh Bn,i .Imsi-pu cvenmg gowns and wraps, sequence utcs holds passages that slow move- ment down to a walk. Most ap- parent is inclusion of a fashion show in Technicolor. A gorgeous display of fnshions, from bathing costumes to ituttonborR; i'«liutr, Hiiborl .1. Kfln. KJwnl-U Wanl ftntl I)iivl,l S?u-U. lu-vlt-wr.l in Projet-ltiin Ilooni, Aug. 31. '3:'. . Hun- nlnu time. 134 .MI.NS. Mary (Mrs. Ilnlnos)... i.'ryaml Allen Sylvia (Mrs. Fowii.i ).. <^iunl<>HA ]>u l..iv<^.... Mtrlnin A.irnns EdUll (Mrs. J'.iHiM)... PoSKy (.Mrs. Day) Jvan l-^unialn' LUUC .Mary Vh;;lnl;l WcliUi r >lr». Mari'hcaa l.n. llf W.n.-,.n '^anry. Itlake I'lon-ni-r N.ij^'.i Jano Mdrlol Uiil.-hk'ti i Inmlil KMhir D.ilv Instrueuvss \nn .Morrl.-s Miss Walls ^ Utith llusHi-y Olgft '. Pontile .M'liiri' MapRlc Mary I'iM-il Mls3 Trlinnu'rbavk .Mary lIuirhOH Pat Vlrt:lnla Crrv Lucy Mrs. Van .\ilains. runs for five minutes without inter^ i-uption. It's a dazzling appeal to the women, but even here it stops ...Norma .<iii>ari'r ctiomatic progress, and switch back . .loan >"'a«for [ (q black and white photography, M "oHn'.i «"hcn thread of the story is picked . 'aiiii'tio c.oii.iar.i up acain. requires several minutes I'hNiiis riivaii for audience adjustment to the change. Reno ranch episode might have been trimmed deeper to main- lain even pace. .Mif!! Shearer is on the delivery end of some poignant scenes. Most impoytaiit are her telephone conver- sati:ins with her erring husband, and explaining to daughter Virginia , Weidler the reasons for a divorce. Marj.n ii- Main ' Rosalind Russell supplies numerous ...c.pr;-. \vuii,-rs|innn ; catlv remarks that are easily under- Duiiy J- ivysier iioj.ia Hopper I stood, while her rough Bncl tumble battle with Miss Goddard is a honey. Picture is lops in all technical de- Adventures of Sherlock Holmes ■Jinh-Fox release of Gene Markey proiluc- lliiii. Kenturen Itasll Halhbone, Nigel 1frui-e. Kla Luplno. Directed by Alfred BaMC Worker. Screenplay by Edwin Ulum and - , K.*«i- t^^^^ „ ' - I William Drake: based on piny 'Sherlock premise Of back fence gossip among I |,y wiiiinm ciiictte from the 'The Women' is one of the sma.^h hits of the season. Extended runs. „-,.imont<: holdovers and top grosses will.be the imenis. rule, with deluxers in metropolitan centers garnering particularly hefty biz. As title indicates, it's a strong woman entry but still has plenty of spicy lines and situations for the men. Picture contains plenty o£ enjoy- able ingredients for all Ise of back fence Park Avenue pampered wives will I c.nan Doyle original; editor. Robert Bls- be easily understood by women of I <-iinfT: nmsicni direction, cyrii j. Mock- cvery station. They will get a boot rl-'i-r.; <^""'""^„l!^""i ^.^!i'"'''i?',-.„„^^' 'Jrn'ii' out of comparison of Characters; ,VinS " ^ with friends or neighbors they ! .«heiocii Holmes..,. Basil Rathbone know. Men will enjoy the broad , Hr. watson Mgei Bruce sketching of predatory females who I f iiiS'vh'i^h"™'; ^»«u a^wa. ««j ^ 4« J^t-rold Hunter • Alan Marshal scratch each other and connive to ! muy Terry Kiibum snatch the males. It's topflight adult ' I'rof. Moriariy.'.'.*.'.'.'.'.'..George zucco entertainment P^'r Ronald Ramsgate. ...Henry Stephenson _ , 1. . L J J >. »T Injpeetor Bristol E. E. Oll've Socko cast IS headed by Norma ! iiaysuk Anhur Hohi Shearer, Joan Crawford and Hosa-J>irs. Jameson , .iiay Beatty lind Russell. As in the play, no^"'"'' »'""""■ man appears—it's a field day for the gals to romp intimately in panties, SCanties and gorgeous gowns. -Most - l.'tdy Cunynham Mary Forbes of the members of the cast (studio I • ■ ;*:[■,'',"'« ^''^fi" claims 135 speaking parts) deport ^^^'.-^'//-///////Xmhi^V'K^^^^^^ Co^pi^ themselves -jn a- manner best de- scribed by Joan Crawford at the Latest screen treatment of Sir end, 'There's a name for you ladies, j Arthur Conan Doyle's super-sleuth but It's not used in high society out- : is about the neatest package in sev- sitle of kennels. ! eral attempts to make Sherlock Story is essentially lightweight Holmes exciting on the screen. It is and trivial, held together throughout' considerably better than the last in l.loyd Brandon ...,*,.Peter Wllles .Mrs. Hudson • Mary Gordon Justice Holmes Herbert .Mateo George Regas by excellent sketching of satirical episodes and dialog, punchy lines, and the intimate chatter of the women. Latter covers a wide range of fem conversations—barbed shafts at friends, whisperings of husbands' indiscretions, maligning gossip and catty asides. Picture script basically maintains structure of the play but ilirects more sympathetic appeal to the marital problem of Miss Shearer. Bialog has been toned down to pass inspection of the sapolio squad. After consuming considerable foot- age which establishes the gossiping attributes of the women, picture gradually steers into the main narra- tive. This concerns the domestic this group and should prove a healthy buildup for others in this line of detective yarns. Picture,^will enjoy moderate crosses' despite'the handicap of weakie predecessors and absence of marquee draw. Choice of Basil Rathbone as Sher- lock was a wise one. Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson is equally expert With the two key charaiiters thus capably handled, the film has the ad ditiohal asset of being well con ceived and grippingly presented. Plenty of ingenuity is concentrated into two concurrent mysteries with the impossible clues not made too absurd or too obvious for mystery devotees. The 'elementary, my dear problems of Miss Shearer and her, vjratson' type of dialog is" soft first intimation that a loving husband , pedalled for more modern phrases has acquired go ddigger Joan Craw- ■. understandable patter, ford as a sideline. Catty ^yomen ^he Holmes character seems tail- friends give her sympathy in re- ; j^^ed for Rathbone. who fits the con- v^rS=.hM^?&4'^h.n%^l^fl^ the famed book sleuth, vorce but triumphs when she finally , Bru-e-^ Watson at times is made a r/':«^n*°Ji''^^';lU"*'" Crawford I Br"'4„* Watson |t^^t^e|^;^ "{f^e.a ' liMn^r. Hi^oifv=^i,n« in*im,ip I "ic main is generally good. George n,fpnnJ*.,inrpf «/^^ offers a Splendid characteri- ^itti K.,? r^nlt Utfpi!^f mnn" the arch-criminal and Ida orate, but most matter-oi-iact man- - . . ■v,;„i,i„ ner. Wherever two or more gather LuP'"»JsJ>.'ehl^^ it seems natural to generate a hen f"'*/""!^"' lU?J'^^^Tn*^ party to discuss either the absentees I 'a^le. Both in the lighter moods and or the impossible-but necessary-1 ^.^^ ♦fV?''', males. There's a swank bawth setup "'"l.y- Alan Marshal is too stiff and that would dazzle De Mille, witli the strange lover antJ the Joan Crawford under a sufficient s solicitor. E. E. Chve furnishes cluster of bubbles and suds; all de partments of a beauty salon and women's gym; tea parties; whisper- ings and dramatics in a night club ladies' lounge; and a Reno ranch rendevous for gay divorcees. When- -■rer or wherever the huddle, it's a a trim bit as a Scotland Yard in- spector. Realistic . production marks the vehicle. Leon Shamroy has supplied several notable camera angles. Al- fred Werker's direction is nicely paced and clear-cut. He never al- Miniatnre Reviews The Women' (M-G). Smash hit of solid proportions for ex- tended runs and heavy profits. 'Sherlock Holmes' (20th). Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Ida Lupino in slickest thriller of this super-sleuth group. 'Anecis Wash Their Faces' (WB). Melodramatic actioner, sequel to 'Angels With Dirty Faces.' ■These Glamour Girls' (M-G). Inane college comedy-drama helped by Lew Ayres and Lana Turner; mostly dualers. ■Everythlne's on Ice' (RKO). Introducing Irene Dare as child skating exhibitionist. Moderate programmer for duals. '5 Little Peppers' (Col). Ex- cellent comedy-drama for the family and juvenile trade. New family series gets fine launching, 'Wall Street Cowboy' (Rlep). Roy Rogers starrer slated for the duals. Weak story. 'Fighting Renegade' (Vic). Unimpressive Tim McCoy west- ern. Weak filler for actioners. 'Girl From Rto' (Mono). Mo- vita in a Latin-American night- club setting, fair duajer. meller pace makes it the sort of fare the average audience will eat up. Surefire boxoITice in spots where they like Ann Sheridan and the 'Dead End' kids, and doubtlessly will do sturdy biz in other houses. Ann Sheridan doesn't have much chance to advance as a glamorous figure but this film proves that she is a first-rate little thespian, with or without the 'oomph'. tag. Cast in- cludes a number of capable players. Originally known as "The Battle of the City Hall,' this story has the Dead End Kids generally in a re- served mood although a Termites Boys Club holds the band together. 'Angels Wash Their Faces' gets its monicker because of this reform. Once the 'Dead-Enders' get into office for a week, they successfully clear a framed pal, Gabe Ryan, and expose an arson ring. Auditors may find fault with the high-handed methods they use but it's in keep- ing with the blatant methods of the crooked politicians. Ray Enright has directed with an eye for the spectacular, including a thrilling fire scene and a dramatic coiu-troom sequence. He never lets the swift pace ease. The screen- play holds no voids in the rapid- fire plot tempo. Besides the familiar characteriza- tions by the 'Dead-End' group of six, Frankie Thomas and Bonita Gran- ville figure importantly. Ronald Reagan is cast opposite Miss Sheri- dan. Henry O'Neill makes an ac- ceptable d.a., while Eduardo Cien- nelli again is a sinister gang leader. WeoT. gratis. The glamour girls who attend the proms are represented by Jnne Bryan, most effectual of the lot; Anita Louise, ultra-snobbish co-ed; Ann Rutherford, probably at her worst; Mary Beth Hughes, a passably fair newcomer; and Marsha Hunt, in the role of vet prom favorite for five years. Last-named . injects some re.tlism into the warped conception of a college widow (now 23 years old). Dialog is as feeble as the story- Direction is not half bad compared to what S. Sylvan Simon had to work with. Comedy lines get laughs, but the drunk scenes seem in bad taste. Alfred Gilks docs trim camcraing. Wear. continual round of gossip and tear-: lows the atjtion to drag even m the ing absent members apart. ' fubdued epis odes. Weor. Miss Shearer delivers a sparkling I ' : — fovfnTwSrw^o ^'nVKruVaTe Angels Wash Their Faces to cope with both the gossip under- I Wamer Bros, release of First National ";,„„V,i ho,. v.„cV,anrl'c inriicrTP Production. .Stars .\nn Sheridan and the current and her husband s indiscre- !„^„,, j.,,^, ^i^^. f^^tures Ronald Reagan, lion. Miss Crawford is ruthless and B„nlla Granville, Frankie Thomas. Henry tough-shelled as the wife-stealer, O'.N'elll, Eduardo ClanncUI. Directed by >hile Rosalind Russell contributes a "•-</ EvlKh'; Screenplay by Michael Fes- Zi,L\^^^i^T-;,.>t{nT^ «c *h<. civ Mvon Bufch. Robert Buckner from an nighlight characterization as the sly |,,,,^ i,,. „ j„„athan Finn: dialog director, purveyor of maligning gossip, al- Hugh Cummlngs; musical director. Leo F. thOUgh-her part was a little broadly Korlislein; editor, Jnmcs Gibbon; camera. clrBtrhpH Viv direction Lucille Wat- Arihur 1,. Todd. At Globe, -N. Y.; week SKetcnea Oy airetliion. J^cme wai .., .^^ Running time, 86 MINS. Bon IS a sympathetic and male-under-. nv«n Ann sheridan standing mother. Virginia Weidler ! miiy shnfter Biiiy Haiop orovides several human and dramatic '. -siet-iiy Arkellan Bernard Punsley interludes as the child caught in the |-«;„,|;i''n««";- [i^i^'ff^fi divorce maelstrom. -\ i.uigi babi-iei Deii Phyllis Povah (only member of the Hemic iiobby Jordan stage cast carrying over to the film) ■ ''<»■ Renis/.n ..Ronai.i iicog.-in r_ °%T"?, , „ . ° p^., T„_„ TTnn ' I''>:Ry K nncgan Unnltn Granville is a flighty gOS.?ip, while Joan * on- ,;,,„„ n^an... tVnnkle Thomas tame gains attention as a sweet j uomson. sr ...Henry O'Neiii young newlywed out of place in the 1 .Martina Eduardo Clnnnelll catty.crowd.. Mary Boiand, muchly | J!re^.""?l!^;:;::::::::::"£;rn"rd*''N^^^^^ nipk Ulch Jark Scarl Margaret Hnmllton .., .'.Mnrjnrle Main Minor \Vn(son CyruH Kon<1nll Grmly Siitlon ... Aldrlch Powker . .llnbert Stranpo Epon Hrerhfr Siirtili rn<1(lon These Glamour Girls (WITH SONG) Melrrt rflcRR.e of Sam Zlmbnlht produc- tion. hV:iiui-p<i Lew Ayres, Lana Turner, Tom Itrown. Klrhard Ciirlaon, Jane Bryan. Anlia I^iulse. Dlreiled by S. Sylvan Simon. Pcreonplny »py Jane Hall and Marlon Par- fonnet from mac atory by Jane Hull; song, by Edward Ward. Rob Wright and Chet Forrest; wore. Edward Ward and David Snell: armnf;*>menta, Wally Heglln; editor, Harold F. Krons; camera, AKred Gllkn. At Criterion, N. T.. week Aug. 30, '30. Runnlnjc time. ?A MINH. Philip S. (irlHwold Lew Ayres Jane Thoninf> T^nn Turner Homer Tvn Byck Tom Drown Joe Ichard Carlson rnro!.Chrl}i|y Jane Dryan Daphne Uraveft Anita Louise Betty Aln);l>riidKe Marsha Hunt Mary Hose Wllston Ann Rutherford Ann Mary Hetti Hughes («rpg Smith Owen Davh. Jr. 'Rllmpy' Sumner Qetchell SkrI Peter Hayes Jack Don Castle Tommy Torgler Tom Collins EVERYTHING'S ON ICE (WITH SONGS) Hollywood, Sept. 1. nKO release of .Siil I.i-niK'r produi-llun. Star.H Irene Itare; f»-»lurc« IIohcimi KiirnH, Udgar Kennedy. I.ynnc itulicria. l-;rlc Lin- den. Directed by Krlo l'. Kenton. Screen- play hy Adrian l.nndlf* and .^itH-rnian l.owc: camera, llusscll .Mctly; idlliir. Arllnir 1111- ton; milalcill dIri-.-lor, I.Mil llluskin; aunt, director. J<^m Shcr\v,nnl: special i-(Tecl3, Vernon I., Walker; li-o nurnlM-r." singed .Ity D.wo t.ioul-l: Slings. \'It-t4ir Yaung and Tatll WebatcP, .Mllloa Drake and ^"rcd Stryker. I'rovlewi-d at llillKirerl. I.. Aug. 3U. '311 Itunning lime. 6.1 .MIN.S. Irene Irene Pare Kellx Mllli-r Itiwi-ue Karna Juo llarlon....- Kdgar Kennedy Jano Morton I.ynne Itobertu Leopold Kddlngloii Kric Linden Klsle llarton Mary llnrt Krejieh iJ.oiUiy. Watson Harrlwm Gregg (Iciirge Meeker .Miss Tllllfcr Mary Currier Hat fhei-k Girl Maitlne Stewart White Wado Botelor Appearance of six-year-old Irene Dare as a skater in Bobby Breen's 'Breaking the Ice' a year ago is re- spoii2IbI6 for Sol Lessor's decision to give her a chance on her own. 'Everything's on Ice' is a trial balloon picture, and title bids for public ac- ceptance of the moppet for future appearances. When little Irene is displaying her technit^ue on the bladesj' .sKe'.s~inter- esting. But youngster is self-con- scious in reading of lines, and screen presence is obviou.sly . amateurish. Given brief appearances aside from the skating routines, youngster will get by without too much comment being passed on lack of dramatic ability. loppet's initial film story is not too strong a showcase, and indicates Lesser will have trouble getting the right kind of stories as background for pictures exploiting little Irene's prowess on the blades. Youngster pleases with her ability in executing difficult (for a child) ice routines. Production numbers set up as back- ground are limited, with finale for flash too long and not carrying climactic punch. Story is a framework moulded with obvious situations. Interest is maintained mainly by two excellent performances turned in by Roscpe Karns and Edgar Kennedy. Latter, in a straight role as youngster's bar- bering father, is most convincing. Karns dashes breezily into trouble to complicate matters generally as self- appointed manager of the moppet skater. Yarn concerns adventures of a moderate family, with uncle Karns uncovering skating abilities ot Irene, and signing her to appearance at a Palm Beach night spot. Carrying along sister Mary Hart, and niece Lynne Roberts, to the resort, Karns puts on a flash for effect. Main con- cern of the plot from there in. aside from skating exhibitions of the youngster, is attempts of. Karns to marry Miss Roberts off to a phoney millionaire—and his brushofl o( a kid who ju.tt inherited a bundle of coin. Kennedy arrives to clear things up and get the romantic team to- gether for the happy ending. 'Everything's on Ice' will hold up as a moderate program supporter in the subsequent tluals and nabe houses. Elemental in its dramatic setup and comedy trimmings, it will suffice for the family and kid trade in that slot. married and plump matron, and shnriie showgirl Paulette Goddard climb j .^lf^ed naonpiatz. aboard rather late in the proceedings ; ■J"'* Hannnherry. as Reho-bound passengers, but easily 1 m,o;,„^j. slip into, the groove as conniving . 'h.-,i„,s..... felines just as bad as those left be-1 ciiderskeve hind. Marjorie Main, as a tough , Ji'-^jJ^y^ ranch housekeeper, is prominent in ' j,,..' jt|„|,i;;;;;;;;; the Reno sequences. - • - i Production is ultra-elaborate in keeping with the heavy negative! Newest 'Dead End' melodramatic cost. Deft direction by George ■ adventure sacrifices plausibility for Cukor, although geared at a leisurely - action, but Ray Enright's terrific 'These Glamour Girls* is reminis- cent of other recent studio reproduc- tions of eastern colleges for men, but this one lacks the authenticity and fidelity to detail of others. There's considerable mouthing about snob- bishness practiced by wealthy under- grads, but it seldom excites more than pa.s.<;ing interest. And the rather wooden conception of college life and the gals invited to weekend proms is likely to make the average higher scholastic squirm. Title is a misnomer for campus belles. A dualer. Lew Ayres, who has shown re- newed promise in recent stories, struggles hard to overcome the silly situations and mawkish lines. Scripters have a dime-a-dance beauty accept the drunken proposal ot a rich college man to attend a weekend of dancing festivities at his school. Story was her outsmarting the snobbish co-eds, to the extent of winning the ne'er-do-well lad, Phil Griswold. Possibly it read okay but it's wry stuff on the screen. Story also has the college widow taking the suicide route when a young college I lad fails in his promise to marry her. This ajso makes college men wonder whom the producers consulted for authenticity. Lew Ayres is cast opposite the dancehall g.nl (Lana Turner). Tom Brown, Richard Carlson and Owen Davis, Jr., make acceptable undcr- abseoce. Whether or not she con- tinues In future relea.ics of the series —In view of other stories being pre- pared for her—depends on exhib and audience reaction to this one after general release. A little four-year-old, Dorothy Ann Seese, captures attention in her first film try. Youngster, deadpan and inquisitive/example of her age, smacks across her lines with clirect- nc.<;s and plenty of laughs. Cute, but still not a boby doll, moppet can ri.se to featured spot in the scries after the first few pictures. She's a reverse to the pretty and dimpled youngsters around the film colony, but still a typical prototype of the kid playing in the yard next door. Story is simply told, but in very human fa.thion. Dorothy Peterson (Mrs. Pepper) struggles to bring up her five youngsters, with Polly (Edilh Fellows) acting head of the family while her mother works in the factory. It's a typical family, with the youngsters displaying love and respect for their parent at every turn. Polly becomes acquainted with young rich boy, Ronal(i Sinclair, who sneaks over from the mansion on ihe hill to play with the Pepper kids. But Dorothy Ann Seese is stricken with the measles, trapping Jasper and his gruff grandfather, Clarence Kolb, in the quarantined house. En- forced life with the Peppers thaws out Kolb, and when Polly collap.ses from overwork and is seriously ill, Kolb moves the Pepper menage to his own house. Kolb had been seek- ing owners of part of a mine he wanted to control, and finds Polly inherited the share from her father. His original attitude of picking up the interest for a small sum changes to decision to get Polly as much as he can. When he finally explains things to the Peppers, Polly offers lo become a partner with Kolb in the m-ine, and the family is persuaded to remain permanently in the home on the hill. Kolb is excellent as the tough ty- coon who softens up under influence of the Peppers. Dorothy Peterson is motherly and sincere as head of the family. Tommy Bond, Charles Peck and jTimmy Leake are the boys in the Pepper menage. Ronald Sinclair is okay as the caged rich boy. Direction by Charles Barton doe.i much to give warmth and sincerity to a simple tale. He gets the pare into high gear at the start, and main- tains a steady tempo troughout. Bar- ton's handling of the youngsters is noteworthy. Wall Street Cowboy (WITH SONGS) Republic release of Joaeph Kane produc- tion. Stars Roy Rogera; featurcH (;e«Tg« •Gabby' Hoyes. Directed by Kane. .<J, ri-i-n- play,. Gerald (3eraghty and Norman Hall, from original by Doria Schroeder: camera. Jack Marta; editor, Lester Orlebeck; miial- cal director. Running time, 6S SIIXS. Roy Rogers R.iy Itogera gabby.. .aMrK0_'.Gnbl!y' ituyi.-i. churkwalla Raymond llaiti-n Ptggy ; Ann Raldnln Hammond Pierre Walkm Herself Loalslann l.i.ii Tony Craig Itevnolda ^'Xca Ivan Miller BnlnbrlJge Reginald IlarlovT Gillespie Adrian .Morris nucky... ju^.K Roper McDcrinolt. jai-k innrain FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS Hollywood, Sept. 1. rolumbia release nf Jack V'lcr production. Features 1-Mllh Ki-llnws. ])lrei-tett bv Charli-s Barton. .Screenplay by iVallMilla Etucknall and Jeffer.-'nn l'arkt*r. Slory by J. Robert Brcn anil (.ilady.s Alwalir: baved on book. 'Five Llltle I'eppcrs anil llc.w 'Pliev Grew," by Margaret Sldn.-y; cunura. Uenrv Kreu- llch: editor, .lames Sw-t-enev; asst. lilrei-lnr Wllllnm .Mllll. I'ri-vlewi d nt Vantages .Sept. 1. '.ID. Itunning llnio. .1R MINS. roily Vepper k,ii,i, ].-,.iinw., Jir. J->lng Clarence Kolb Mrs. I'eppcr i )„,„| |,v I'clerson i!""" • IKmald Sinclair Den Pepper Cliarles Veck 1?^^,^,".""" ■lamn.y llond Phronrto Pepper Dumihy Ann Peese """■"n U'onard I'arey Here is a neat little package of clean and wholesome entertainment for the family and juvenile trade. Unpretentious and a moderate budg- eted programmer, it will please gen- erally, with its liberal admixture of clean wholesome comedy and home- IP"" l"?""^- ■'^'ve Little Peppers and How They Grew' is first of an in- teniled series of programmers based on the characters presented in Mar- garet Sidney'.s shelf of young girls' books which have had wide circula- tion. Story is naturally modernized, and others will carry similar treat- ment in succeeding pictures Edith Fellows here has the promi- =t^l -IE"* 5^ Polly Peppe-. who man- ages the household in her mother's Outside of Roy Rogers, 'Wall Street Cowboy' has little to merit belter than the duals. Comparatively lack- ing in action, principally becaii.se a locale switch is made, from the cac- tus country to New York's Wall street, film also suffers from stereo- typed situations, with only slight variations from the originals. •Rogers, the tenor, and not Rogers, the actor, gets the principal accolade. He has a couple of good supports in George 'Gabby' Hayes and Raymond Hatton, as oldtimer sidekicks, but thereafter the rest of the cast fails to measure up, though Pierre Wiil- kin, as a tycoon of finance, a typed role for him, is adequate in a limited role. A newcomer, Ann Baldwin, making her screen debut, fails to im- press on her thespic ability in m limited role, though she's a looker. Weak story concerns the threat by a Wall street syndicate again.st Roger!!' ranch, which is revealed as being rich in molybdenum (metallic element used in the mining of sleel). Foreclosure proceedings are under way since Rogers is unable to pay a syndicate aide (Ivan Miller) on the mortgage. Subsequently, there are somo questionable sequences wherein Rogers becomes embroiled with Wat- kin, who would be his financial bene- factor, and the final era.sure of h«rd feeling, with Watkin and Rogers pot- ting together to ultimately defeat (he opposing faction. OKLAHOMA TERROR Mnnogrnm -rolcaso of T.lndley I'avoons praducilon. man Jack Randall. lUii-cud by Spencer Rennett. Screenplay, .Ins'ph ^Veat, from orlglnnl by Parsnns; cann ra, Hert Longenecker; editor, Robert Golden. At Arena, N, Y., Sept. 1, '311. Running lime, 00 MIK8. Jack Jack Rendall l-uzzy Al .SI. John Helen Virginia fjn-ioll I'arlvvilghl Uavldsim t'lark Vucca Nolan Willla Hnddon Glen Sirnnga Don... RIada Reynolds... Mason Reb ./..Warren .Mcfollum P.m Rownn Rrnndun Ite.n-h TrlHtrnnl t'ofrtn Ralph I'eteia Average western with more than the usual amount of action. Ba.sed on a weak story, slightly confusing (Continued on page 19)