Variety (Aug 1940)

14 FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, Aiigust 7, 1940 6il dd]l<ers who know ail the angles. After teaming up with Gable's short bankroll ancl Triacy's wildcat lease, and hi-jacking - a, drilling"; rig and equiiDment, they hit saltwater—but. on .the second try hit a gUsher,. .They split' and go. sepatate ways, each 1 LOVE you AGAIN , HpliyWoodi Aug. 6,.' • ■ Wetro.GolcXwyti- Mayer- .■ I'eienat: 'of J<nw- if nre; Wt'lngurteri • p|-odu<'tloii'. '.'?liir9 WWi limn ■ Powell, /Mypiiit- J^iiy;; fentiirc.')..: Kr.unk McHu'gh, Htlrnund I.iowft... iJIrecteil by \V,, ,S. Vnn l)yk«;.il, .Orlgliial stnvy by .I.oijri ""^ t—;— -. ■■••-•''■\ ----- <;oiiion iintv Miiuiinc Wntiuins biisod on the ! taking , the bumps bf ric.h^s and, pov- noMi by . Ot'tiivo.s' JRoy. ("ohen; Kciefmiiay. i erty ^ alohg the eight-year stretch. rtisuJcs Lodeier, - r.ooi tftf - OppunhrVnit-iv i ri,,*. fup' I'ui.-r) -intu?nni«!t<! ai-#> still in- H-.ivvy Kuinli/.; came.ia, .ouvcr .'r. m.o'kH-; ' -^ine..ivio aniagonisis are Sim. Jn- ♦Miiior, (jcne «uBxreio. .Picvipweii fit WipPt- wardJy good pals, and .when, .fracy wuoUA'uur Auk. '40. ■ HuiiiiiuK Uiuv, c.riters .iiito • ■ .cDinbine. to ruin Gable- . ..i both go broke agaiiii.-^l'hey .Aniitly .v.AViiii;un iWeir join ;up foV -.ahother wildcat-.opera- ...Myrna;j,uy : Hon in the Calii'ornia fields; . .. : ....Krijiik M.t.uiiji«i; .Picture is full, of r6wdy.dialog and' ;, . ;.\ciiii WriiktV ; Wilt be generally 'oyerlooked by; au- ;,t!aii '.viriiirii'- .Swiiy-l'i- • diehces -:in,.. the 'fast pace .of. the . virir Making, ho t)i:etense of b ing smart, it. sp.eeds alphg merrily in .\:.ai'l'y Wilson ( tit'oi'BP t.'M.rey 1 Kiiy Wilsiin.;;. •iJ.oc' Jtyjiu I>ul<« .."^ItoUlon; , lierbeil...... Kuy'.s. i\li)iher.., J1;ii'k!;pxir,-.»|V.'.. Ml. .S.lin.s...:,.. iVlr. VjUllojohn. Mr, Itt'lf ns(in., BlllinK-'i.. .. ... ..a'roil iSliiiilon -'^viJiii,.. . Mor.s':ir):.-\\'(il|;i,et;. .... .Cbarfcs: ■ Aviu depjcling the saga pf wil.dcattii^g - in .. .Tracy jvrtd C.nble. share promi.iieti^ in .splitihg responpibil ities p£ carry ihg Reuniting Powell and. Loy^: as .a sXarring team in'picture outside the *Thin Mail' series?;, -Love-You Agaiiv' '| the*p along;Little, to.-chPo.se jf top-rankingv' laugh-studded,;..marir . between^ th^ pair^erich. handles. hi,«: tal comedy that .will ■ hi\ heavy i t^iiloV-niade tbie. in exccllent^f^^^^ grosses in ■ keys and .jgeneral: runs. ' The; women .Avill go for Gable's care- Dialog is ;fast, arid at times racvi. but free romahclng arid later haiipy. rtarr always easily under.slood. Picture is. ried life with Miss Colbert,; arid still ■ substantial 'profit-maker and .'.wil.i' will,be equally, iritrigucd by th.e pro-, click for .extdndesd. runs as .rule tec,ti\ e..'aJTecti0.il>ii rather than; exceptiPri.,-. V ; .' . . -if&r the .gifl he Joved::but-who.riiar- Under e:<p^i't- direction of .Van ~ricd his partner. \This. factor^^^ Dyke (at- his best), pidtur6 ?ooms .eQi'aJ. importance^^^-.f^ ;bpxPfl^^rce - along its laugbiiig ' way :with .gag .^oi^lfn^f/^Vitti. the..basi^'clenients. of lines and sequences .tumbling flver ■out^liindin& appeaWpr the male isec-- t-ach other; . .In-'the.: most .capable toiv - - - . ' ^' hands of PPweli; 'Miss- Loy, McHugh.-. Miss . Colbert jiatche.s attention as arid Lowe,' dialog and •situatioris. re- tlie.: sincere . a^^^ wife who ceive expert .attention/ to iri.surp one . shares, his fortunes and misfortunes of the kuigh hits <if .th^ season;. .; : .,i. ;wilh .courage and ,a srnile. Miss La- laugh New twist; and ;decidedly;-^^ ?tory as the New, York siren jng material IS, incorporated jn the ;;^vj^o. is flagged from st6alirig Gable, old amnesia formula. Powell, spur- ,from wife l)y. some effective puss Babbitt on a pleasure, cruise, is mg^ip^jiatjo^s^y Tracy., Frank Mor- dumped overboard when .drunk.en ^ - • maiir is ip'f minor, impoi-tance in the McHugh falls Jntp the sea, and is ac clairii.ed a hieiro; dCracked on the. head by an oar, Powell picks up bis old line of a slick; cpnfidence opera tor, forgetting' his vhinV year^^ as " staid .citizen and reformer in.sriiaJl town^ gan - pro\Mdes, liiimerpus strong corii- .' edy: mPments. as does Chill. Wills, Others in support-include Lionel, At- ,wili,. Marion Martiri, .Minna Gorinbell, • Jo'^ Yule and Horace ;Murphy; . Jack Cpnway prpvides-VigOrous,di>. , , ., j-- . . rection;'in combining the spectaciir At dock Powell disqpy^rs^ his mar^ j^^: intimate :and romantic ingredi- inage. to lioy, . who tries .Jp .refresh ent.<: of the story. In displaying the Powell s memory that; h6 had agreed .p^n^ulum swing between; riches and 14J a divorce so- she. could^ marry .aji^ the . adventurers 'over aii other,/ Only, the; fascination pf .lii?.: eight^year stretch,, 'sto^.y. is -iepeti-. wife and deterjru nation, not to Ipse ^^0^5 jh its Cutbacks to hew oil fields her send,him;;.back^to,;to.wn to.picki gn ^^is fact wiU- be up as best, he can. his unknown-ca- considered unimportant by the cus-. reer and chance o^ply 1 ng a con game , tomers; ■ Deep' cuts were Tequired on. the -natives.: . m^ trim the piclure down to its pres- phpney oil.drscpyery Wth the aid of : ent extended running time of 117 Lpwe - and MeHugh . to;-saddle .on.. .. :v ; .:. : Miniature Reviews •i Loy< Tqa Again; : (MrG). PP.well-Loy comedy-drarnia ; GK ■ fpr .laughs' and abbye-pa? ;b.p.; ' . 'Bpbhi. Town' . (ivrVG). "Sbcko . advent.uVe.drama Avilh four stars,/ > .rGiible, 'TraP.v,' Colbert: ;.ahd. La- . riiarr, -geared- for smash biz.; ' - 'Bu-Miiess Honeyiihoori' tM-G). . ,'';BPbert : Moritgpmery stairirerj V; British^mad^^^ incidental,- • bbxpffice value. ■ :/'- .'.^ ' ^iriie tarty In QuestiW rCpl). '\ . Tl^ema.ke of Frbnch picture, Brian-■ ■ .Ah^i'iiie- ■ ■' niiis't;-; parry;./ marquee ' .- ; vipad^-.'^- ;:■.:■■' :]■ . \/.' '*$iiif.-■OsiiMie;,/./ jPientjr^.! iM*- . ' '(RepK Disappoihtihg filmusic *.Militj».ry\Aiade;niy'-.(Col);. Fair;, _ . -jfive 'prpgrarii'rher,' -;/ -: ■ / tbobmed- tb/Die' (Mono)- Ka.rlr . : off a^ the; super-sleiith^^^^ : :'Wiley.'s Jariies-Lee Wong staries; . ;: for/lpwer-dualling.^ ; . - -,*rm - -NoYjo^y-s/ Sweetheart. ■ -■ Now.' : (U.;)/ '. Ligh.t -.arid- who^l^^ - ; isQitie .entertainrniBnt programmer,; . , desp.He..:iTiode/ate- budget' outlay. ; . .'Capti«iii V-AnUon? :(UA-Rp£ich.X.. - High sea.<; a.dventurip'/fails- tO. gen- ■ erate .enlhu.ciasrii. Filler for .duals^' ;^ahd kid ti-ude;,;/■ . . ■ :./' / . ./■. . :-Broiuile Has Seryant;Trouble' : . (Col,). 'BPst of the Blondies, . .. popr titiis hiding from, public a' high laugh vvolt?i;ge;. ./ -'o, ■.".'■,■;'Mystc,ry;'-.'S('a-;'Raider;'--' (P,a-r•)-,.;, iProgranV mell.er^will provide 'ac-' tiOri .support in -they duals.. .r ■ ': . 'Ooveboy ; frbm; ■ Sundpifrn'' ; (Mono), - Below .standard - Tex ^ ;;'Ri.tter-:western., ■ .-;■.';.'■. ' ■; .'Fujriiiv|e from a Prison ;Gaiiip' ./(Col). Not^^ ■ about : ■ its chance's. a;lsp at'the,.b.o,, 'Giirl trotn CqantryV .. (Rep). /; Another • version .. of ^ .. rugged ■ existence: jn; the Ar.ctic;.. . gpod programmer. . . gullible hativesj Pp^yelI recaptures his wife's love tp; ditch the prpmo: Production mountiiig is. spectacular and elaborate i.n its display of the oil tion arid- settle. .do.w as , biz: and its Workings, but.'directPr a family, man and. sphd citizen. . / j Conway neyer allows the story to :get competent.; if . lacking . in a brisker pace from , the already^ leisurely screenplay. Camera work of F; A. Young ahd the art chore are carried put witl^ practical efficiency .. under associate banner of. Harpld Huth, out of aa ihtimate.gropve. Photog raphy. by Harold Rosson is of high calibre, th'rpughout.-; . ; Wait. :Busman; s Hdneyinooii ../^■■■XBRmSH-5IAPE), ■ ':■ ^ - ; London, .July.,23;. M-G-M-Orillsh) producllon afiil . relea.He. Con ~ rPotvell~ls ill: his ele.merit in a tai ior-made role that, prpvides maxi-/ muni, pppprtunities fpr his. abilities. Miss Loy is excellent as., the wife who finally . deduces there's- some- thing behind his sudden change, arid smartly. • proceeds ,to discOvfei: the secret. - McHugh,'small time corifi- derice .operatPr who tags onto Powell,- provides. many laugh, interludes" in, protecting his sponsor in. the town.-.''lin-.v. KoUi rt Wontemnery; . ir«j;auio.'! Lowe gives a .brief but sttong--per-''r;j'?'^n*i«?*- ^^"J ^'""v'l' ■I-;.,r„-i ' .;,;> >^-„.Z^„:*;„-«~ ^^.^^\^^t^^^ \ ^>y Arinur B. W oods. . Screen jilay.- Mon<:k-- trayal as .; Oll-depositing racketeer, ton -Hoffe. . Angu-s. .MncPhaU uhd Harold While Donald Douglas ahd support Goldinan- from th« rtuVel .and pl.iy; b.v 0or-. fithV-I'!--Sayei-;B. ('«mei-;t- \ A. .Ybun -, . At Cambridee theulrc,. Londo'ii. lliinnl'iK- tlm^'. 1IU jiiNis. --■;-■. ■. ; ; .Robert;Monttfornery .■.■Con.<5l:inre C.uniininKS ..........I>slle !Bankfl .... ..Seymour - lUoks .,.-.,.-. .'HnbiM-t.- Newton ...; ..-.(JooKie Withersl /.'. V.;. Krurilc Peltlnifell .■ .-v. .-Iran Kcnip-WcU-h .. /. '/.lioulse Hiiinpton. are ^neatly set up. Picture , scores-. .throughout . with spontaneous ' laugh sitiiatiohs' and | t.'P'^i J'eff'r AVirn.<!ey lipfs 'wifh^toppers put. over in; Van i-?i,tj;\^V^&/;V.': Dyke 5 best: style. Several episodesi uunfpr. ... incorporated in' Powell's;.re-wooing '/Frank crutchicy.., of his Wife provide strong instruc-.fJ-J'j'j^^^j^ -**^v^-/ - ' lions to husband&in. the. doghouse in . Aijpie .'iVwiVierion -'.' their own households. Walt. Mr.«. nudaie. BOpMtOWN Hollywood, .Aug. 2. Mctro-OoIdwyii-'.VIuyer relpase ot Sam yiinball>>l ijroductton. S.turs.'.Clark ' (iable. ,Spt-iu:or 'l"nicy,-' Claudette - (.'olbert, Hedy I J>ani;ii:r; features JbVanlc Morgan, Lionel ■ AI will. Dli'Licted by ilH<tl^ Conwriiy. Jic:reeii- play 1)y .Icihn .r.,pe; Maliin, based on. ,«!l<)ry by . .laniCH JCdw'ard Grant: c'anieru; llurbid -Kos- . «on; .spec^lal eftect.H; ..\rnold Gllle-ople,' .Tohrl J IdfI'man; editor,-BUinche. S'e\^(»ll. I'revlc'vved ji.t Four .Stiii', Aug-i -li -MO. 'Runninif time,: JI7 Mi'NS; ■ - - -■; • John- Mi'Maslcrs. i..Clark -Gable: .Sijuare .lohn .Sand-..... .,.. .Speiicer Tinoy .Weifjy PiiKlelt.;....Cla.uilette Colbert Karen ' Vannienr.... '. ; Vr...... .-Hedy Xiiinttrr J.uther Aldrjffi. ..Frank. Movsran )larry Compton. ,.;... ....I,|ojiel Atwiir J l.-irmony Jdnps..'....;,.ChII1 WlIle ■Whltf.v-.'...;.. .:. ... -;.... MUriori Martin .Spanish EJVJi:. . .v;/ , j;.. , ... .Minnii Konibell Kil Mnrphji-...;.. .... . .. . ,.7ne Yule Tom; Murpliy,. .;... .■..lloriice -Murpliv. WcCreery. . . ,.. .. .Roy Gordon Ana'f District" Al-lornoy...... .lllchard I.nne T.,lttle/.Tack*.;,... ....1/..-.., r.'Case.v Jnlmson ll,nhy ; Jack....;.."....,.. .Baby Quln.tariilla nUhIbc .............-. ... .,,;. ... .George- ].^k.mpv /Mian Bartie.«)4............ .fsijrn -J-Iadoii Harber-.,..Fran'k :0v\ li Dc-.icon......., iv....... .Frnnk MCGIvhri. .Sr. Kerdle:... ,.. Curt' Jiois Powerhouse boxoflf ice puil Pf Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Cpl-^ bert; and Hedy. liamarri . all in one. cast,, provides ;istrPn'g insurahc6 this picture Will play a. merrj'^^^ .t^^ for. top biz, . FurtherV backing of the- qi^artet- with a 'spectaculat; arid ad- venturPtis. story, and , production outlay Vf . around: $2;000,600; provides impetus that will.''.<5pin the turinstiies; at- a dizzy, pace,. .Unlike many large- ■budgeted t>roductiPris carying' multi.T ■ • .star setups; that .tend either'- to' cPs- *t\ime ;l)ackgr6und or . .Sophistication, fpr, Jimifced aiipeal.- this-■one breaks but ;^ith/ a. • dashing-' rough-arid-: tumble-.ya[rh pf ■ rhodern -advehture that .'carries.^.al 1- elements for widest Audiehice. appeal. . Iriterspeirsed. is ro- ; mance- and love interest of more than rrtihor ihTippttanc;e; 'Boom ToWn- is the tale of wildcat oil - drillihg, ; with fortunes:' won; aind lost just as quickly, as a roller coaster, dips and; rises. :. it ccn.teris around the partnership bf .Gable and'" Tracy.: a ; :coupl6"bf toughj fighting, tWo-fisted: Fourth Pn the schedule of Metro's British prpductv this offering'will not be confused with the . epic qualities of its predecessors. Treatment of an episPde in the debpnair Lord Peter ■Wimsey's career is a light and- un- pretentious vehicle, developed strict- ly lor aydiences that take theii: en- tertainment with ease arid well-wish- ; irig. : With Robert Mpntgomery for mairqueieing, .'Honeymoon' will hold I them. . although making ho. great splash. ■'The Dorothy iSayerS novel didn't create any undue pxciteriient /as: a play. It is riot the right sort of Tnaterial; and apparently tPo epi- spdic as a filrn vehicle, - The M gOmevy-CPnsta.nce Cummings i.iame may spell some b.o. irt the Statesi / Wirrisey is. a fitted tag for the gay fellow, whose yen for. crime detec- liph .has filled many -novels. - In Montgomery's hands, the titled Shei:- Ipck hfeconieis a. definite persbnaiity, pressing, the .rple with that nuance which the-HollySyOodite: has m'^^^^ pwri.. to; hriTi—alprig -with a capable- suppprting. cast that, imipres.ses.all the way—-goes the rriajPr credit for keep- ing the thin material from cracking. Film's obvipus weakness- is in the original base, arid becomes a likely target for critical moviegoers, i. Unf old Ing at slow . pace, tale ear- ries Lord' ^eter. Witnsey and'his noV- -elii=t : bride (Cbnstahce Ciimmings) 'ihtp'a murder case.'.iust as both have swotn off the-bfains : yei'siis. -crime: technique. Graduany bogged dpwn by the case, in self protectioh; mJ uncover-;; the job" , in a few- 'Swrft strPkes^and the ■ rnarriage game is free to-continue/.:;:■:';/ • Long absent'from-.filrtri.S, Ml Cumr niings brings ■.. b-ecptning fi-eshhe.<5S to the qpm.estic angle to give picture exacting. suppbrt. : .lSeyrhbur . Hicks. Frank pettingell. Lpuis<e,^anriptpn and; Leslie 'Banks are; others wh? help hold, featiire togethei'.' -Nota'ble 'in the credited players/aire Joan Kempr Welch, as' the dithery :v-illage. maid, and . Robert Newtoh. the no-good handyman, she. can't land,/, ■. . Direction of Arthur B./' Woods Is LADY IN QUESTION , Hollywood, Aug/1. • ■ Coiumbja-.fip.leflee of- B-.- B'.- -kahanc. pro- ducllqn. 'Slurs Brian - Aherne arid. Rita Hayworth,;; -fealures Glenn .-Fordj- Evelyn Keye.s, .. Irene Rli:b.-. t'urtBols,' Gforife; Coulourip..--' Dire.otpd. . -by ChrirJes . .VIdo'r, Scr^enplfij:;. by I.ewiP . ileltzert; etorjlr • by- •Wttrcel".-AVl)t<ril; camera.' Luclen . Audrlot; editor, .^1 .Clark;' a.opt. .dlreotfir,'C; C, Coler man, Mr. ' Previewed at PRntiiges, Jiily 31.- '40.. .'RunninK time, 78 MlNSi: .Andre .Atoi-eslan.,,..Brian Ahjerne- Xalj<,le Kt.pn'ln.-..,.Rita.-Hay woirt.h l*lerre .Morostan......;..... ...'. . 'iGlenn Ford Michele Morestan.,.;-..Irene .Rlcti Defen.se! .A (Joi-ney. Georjie t^oiiloiiria Hrosociil.inh'. Ailorney..Lloyd ('Orrlga-n Krancoi.'! .-MfirePtHn... . ,. Evelyn Keyes Robert-^^^ I.itCo.'iie ....-;.......Edward . Morris Henri -J-tn-citc, i'v;',.. . .-..Curt Boia PresldwVt: 1...; ............... Frank Rcicher fat Boy. . /... ;,sumnef-(Jctchcll Nicholas Farkar^. • •.,. i...'. > N'Lbhblua Bela' / Rerhake of a Frehch production, 'Gribpuilie,' ' which was shown in foreign language, theatres, under title pf -Heart 'pf Paris,V'js an adequate supportihg' programer. It will gen- erate comment because of. its out-of- the prdinary . stPry factors. Al- though 'this viersion. sticks pretty close to the French picture, deft directiPn; by Charles Vidor incor^ pprates several incidental piieces; of /business that prove Valuable in building up audience, interest. In addltiori;: there'^ a sterling ..per- formance by Brian Aherne who. takes f ullest/ advantage of a par- ticillarly meaty rple. The French version, made a couple of ypairs ago, starred Rairnu. The stPry is simply and humahly told in. a leisurely manner, .seemingly with ho accent atteihpted : pn. the drainatic episodes ' that slip' neatly iiilo the tale along the . way. But it -catches interest frorii:.the start,- arid, maintains a steady pace, thrpughout, at/the .same lime refraining from, in-' idicatirig .developments in ladVance./ ' Aherhe is a small French shopr keeper, who becomes; the fifth, juroi: ait' a' murder - triai .\y.here .Rita Hayr .Wbirth': is thie . defendant.: Aherne successfully-battles for her cpnvicr tiori;- and later brings her. into his horrie arid; store, to work when she is I hom'elGss./ The giri!s past, is; kept from Aheme^s family—wifely Irene Rich,- . dancing daughtier - ; Evelyn Keyes, 'arid .'astronomy-student son Glenn Fprd, The girl.and her bene- fac.tp> gp through. mahy situatidris j tp ke.ep her idc'ntity secret;/arid cPm;-; ! plieatiohs V arise .-vyhen .Ford /falls in j lovei; with Mi.sS Hayworth, her ideri- • tity i.'! disclosed, and: the youth dips' . into his .father's ./till , for >ri elope- ; merit:, But' everything'sqUares:.away j foiv a ;chu<:'klihg finish;. , • j • •; Despite '.confinernent: Pf the actipn i to two locales—the courtropm and! Aherne's stprie-home-T-Vidor prpvides mdvement in unfolding this human dirama with humProuS sidelight^.: Miss .Hayvvpi-th is. capable as the giii. and .Curt; Bois Patches the spot- light/of attcritib.n with- /splendid character portrayal a.s a busybody juror who bobs up- oi^ten to . iipset Aherne with .ai'giiments.; . Miss Riph Is excellent as the wife who knows .her Jhusbarid's /shdrtcomirigs- in al' ways helping people, ..and; Fprd- arid- Miss Keyes, as son iahd daughter, are also prpitVineritr ., ;Wolt.' SirijBf, Dance, Plenty Hot / '-.lilMllSiCA;!:). •/' - Republic r<!l'eai«> [ of Itoljerl N'b'rih proOurr tlon.--. Fe»luV«K n'dih Tdrry.- .lohnny D'owns, Hrtrburii' Allfn . (Mern -' .\'«(tiu). iJMly' G U'. b.ci;l-. ..DIretted -by.; Lew l.nmlferjf.- -.s'l'i'ei'i)- -pliiy' by .Bradford Rdj)??, rvorh . original., by " A'crn.'. C.i.tpary. :Hiid - K<ipes:/adHpted. by Gor- ■ddii- Rjitby; Vai^ieraV .iirneSt' Mllle|-;'.jedl(ur, -Kdward -Mann-; - i"<inB.>s- .lule 'Styne,- fie'orfie R. BVown';: i^iil Meyer.;-datieep, l.,hTry- C^lMilr Ips;. l''rcvlewed 'lh I'lojei-tlon; lt.bnni,' N;/Y.f Aug. -MV.. - RiliinlMK' iliiie, .7« MINS.. Irene:.. . ....; -. I'.-....I'ii^ .Ten-y ilohnny , ..;.- .. ^xyi, . /,'.(lobnny : Downs .SujiiMi .;. . Uarliara- i-'v'i'l-il- \-|'iKMe')' A1U->1 HePtoiv. . . ;; .-. /;;.. .-. . :-.v,i.Hilly /XJIIbrrl- ISvolyn.., .;,-.. . .'t'l.aire-. t'.irleloh ;iUOy...............,,...... .Mi>i-y ];ec Agiitha.- ... i.-.. . .■. ../..-, ,. ... iOlisaliciii Itlfidon-' Sr.ott...:.-;v./., ,.^. l.ester- Mat'tbews JUcii.derSon'.-.. i-./;.. .i.-.... '. v. .. Leonard Cai-ey ' / Primed as 'one of "Repiiblic's big" fti us 1 ca is of : t h e - /y pa iy. 'S i n g, -Da nee, ■plenty: Hpt' is,' an.^ utter PisjippPirit-. merit. : Story is ti-ite and hone too "gopd 'frpni any standpoint, ..\yhich might.everi be .excused in a/miisic^^ The, tunes' have Prity minbr merit, but the..dialGg i^- the: killer. . Its a, i?tring of cliches so ditir; arid/Obvipus- thp'y enrbai-ras.V'the ai.i.dience./; ■- .Story-under the title !Sing, Dance,' Plenty. . Hot'! ; appeared iu; Coilier's early in . the 'year; Republic paid; $500 fpr it; then appareritly; lossied- it out,,saying ohiy:the: label, for.author ■ of the .n)ag tale, Duane Decker, is! given- rib /screen' credit. -iPilm is chalked; iip to; arii original, by Ropes j and-'Vera..Caspary.., ■'■ ■■•.;.•■-■:.■ . RPp; apparently had a gopd idea in casting the picture, using Ruth Terry and Johriny .Down.^ in the rPhiaritic leads arid . Barbara - Allen < ''Vera Vague,^'.of radio). and Billy Gilbert as/the /comedy loyemakeirs..' It would have ;been. fine .had Miss Allen.arid Gilbert beeii; held to the ihciderital chores their roles- called for. liir stead, they take: up an -, pverhcav^. portion of the screen tiriri^; .liePult is similar to an Qv.erdpse df' siigar in your.: coffee. Picture, the second for overworked; Miss Allen (first; was Rep's .'Barn- DancieO, certainly adds nothing to her. prom i.se as a screen comedienne;; Gilbeft likewise is givjeh-tod much although , he carrie.s it oift as well as can be expected. In additiph to a sequence ,as an Griehtal, princess, he does .an abbreviated verision pf his sneezing .fputine.;! Story concerns itself with a-phPriy prompter of.: charity. shows, Lester Matthews, -who inbves into a build- ing .pwned'by; one of NPw: ; Yoi'lc> first old riiaid faniilies, consisting of Elisabeth Risdon, -iWiss 'Alleii. ahd Ruth Terry. In trying to evict the • ■theatrical people,' they; jfirid they might use: Malthews/tb iraise funds for a children's home ih : which they're;'! interested.. Matthews, of course, scrams with the coin at the last mihutCi ■; but' honest, . Johnny Downs.- his assistarit,: sees it through- after aiding copper . Billy Gilbert to -catch his. boss. Supposedly , sbphisr . ticated; wisecracking : of blonde Claire Carleton,; Mfilthews' \viffi in the film, -is'.everi a bit worse than the rest. Examples Of sriappy; stuff: .'I -get put Out. more times thari the family cat.' .And, by .Gilbert,;'Are you-related.; to your siiste.r?'. . .. Ruth Terry is a sati.<;factory in- genue, although Lew Landers' direc- tion-too frequently lets" her down. Downs exhibits slightly too jnuch American boy exuberant persphal- ity, but is: okay at -hoofing and -war- bling. -Mary: Lee, yoiing Rep tract player, does neatly with one/ song. ■ ■ - -. ;. ■"'--■"', ■ Six turies by, Jule Styrie. GePrge Brpwn and Sol Meyer are of varying quality,. 'Tequila.' Latin number, standing out. as . the best. It's SUng by Downs and Miss Terry. Ballads are 'When a Fella's Got a Girl' and ■What Fools The<5e Mortals pel'.Mis* Allen's and Gilbert^s .Ttn Just a Weakie* is airiother Pf-the abortive attempts to be: funny, -with which the picture Is overloaded. Heib. juve players neatly afbund the trap with a strong rein of restraint.. Each of the youngsters topping the cast gives .' an excellent .: drifimatrc account of himself, aided irnnriea.su r-' ably not only b'y the directioh. but by. the natural ahd. undramatib littt-s handed hiin by writers Kai-l Brown and' David .Silverstein, wbrkihg from an original story by'.Richard - Erig- -;lish,^ ;■''■'■'.--■ Tommy Kelly, in the . top':role, gains flUick sympathy for. hirinself a.s gangstiBir's son upon whorii the sin.s of his father are unfortunately: vis- ited; Bobby Jordan,.a.fiigitive from the Dead, iiid: Kids, retairi> .>*ori-ie ol his- fbrmeir chia'racteristics as swell- headed / and; selfish /athlete.- who finally catcKeis up with himself, :\vhile Jackie Searl does \veU 'as the iuve heavy. David- Holi and M'alter Tetley fill out- the cadet rpstei- ably. Warren Ashe - arid Earl Foxe -are. pdtticularly good ; in adult.: . roles. • Joan Brodei; -with a flash-on role, is the'sole ferrime^ ' - .>- A^ the title - indicates, it'.i a mili-, tn;i:y .school baclkgrourid. it's over- weight on the Old hazing stuff at;the getaway, aiid. .'repetitious/ on; the .scenes of the traclc field,' but moves ,6h tO! the dramatic stuff;kaii.«;fac't6rily enough. Kelly is enteredV al the school: under a.; phony. m(>niker id;: i.shield hini. froth , the .igripminy ;heaped'ph his .dadi New.spiapers; find out :^iid the kid is Psti acizQd, but; \Vith the aid of the, cpmriiandaht, fights it .through, Tlii-ni; ::t>ut the: school herb,.as might be. expected,, in at.teriripting-.;^ to. shield the head- master's son from sPme peciilalions.' Jordan, / of .course, also ■ straightens himself into an .upstanding citizen.' An added ch'arrn of the production to'one familiar with the: track airid ; field scenes it depicts is the closenie.ss with, which' it sticks to detail- High school, and cpllege athletes -will favor. tJiat .angle.:-- /! '^e/b. ; i>o6Mfeb to i> ■-•■:Moho'groin'. f«Ienae' of Paul-/Miilv» 1:11 prr- iTurtlon;' .Stura ilorla Kiiriortv-fM'i.virf."- Mar- Jorie Reynoldii, Grnint Wllher»>; I Hi fclvd »V- WililKih NIgfa. - ScVcenplayi. lialpli G. HVt- tinMifi;..: ndapte4 by-. MUdiel -: .^^i^<^l^y fr« .n\. original/by 'Hugh- W'Ip.v; ••a(ri»'r.r;' tfajiy. Neilpiftnn;- . :edlt6r', - Robert; . <W.)i|'rn/. ' . At BiuKo, N. .T,. July 49, 40; RuiltiliiK-iir/H'. 47: MINS. •: ■ -■'.- ,■ -.Tamea -:iieo Won'gf........-. i. .■.Rovi.v; i<si'iV<.ff. Ciipt. Bill ,Street :...... ..t;rai)t . AVir.Vii rs Bobby., .Mar.iorlt-' Rir/vnfi'd.i' AVrniwoi'ih.;......;M.t lviii-l<iiyiK Fleming.,,.;;./.:.-. Gii.v^ mii^r . .< 'y.nlhlii Wfihtw'ortJj .;;.; -..Cjii b'<-riii«-- <-'ra)K' Dick Flcunlng..; \Vill|;ijii fJifVllng v: Taking Hugh Wiley's series of mag stprtes -about the dempri gura.*;l)p<^ James Lee :Wohg, Monbgram. has turned out a' juicy little whodiinit about the murder of a shipping .1y-' Cpon and a inissing cargo of $l,5ao-i' OpO in cbntirabarid bonds. IVs pretty grim goirijg at times, biit; aflipv ev.eVy- pne is under suspicion, thai. old sleuth, Boris Kartpfl, siirivcJy ex- poses aU the angles. Of courisf; he ' uses .some clues that,hadn't; been re- vealed to the )audience^ but probably anything else would be too. much tP^ demand of : ia Class B-niinbr diialer. Flock pf library shots-of the burn- ing Pf the Merro Castle (itV Pallied the Werrtworth Castle here) i^ire used to .- open / the pictiire; ' -which'. then • jumps to owner ■ Wehtworlh. his quarrel . -with rival Fleming and the' letter's ■ son,, who: wants to marry Wehtworth's daughter. :Wheri Wenf- Worth is bumped off; the filih 1 urches into the usual ;Holly\vood conlriv- ances, whiph sorhehpw iail 1o.;Rrouse . much interest despite their .Siolencje." ."There's; eveii a. .semi-con,«ci6i'i.« cop who. slumble.s .over more :fa]se: cU»es than the audiience. . . ; .Production aihd' direction are eqvial to . modest. BVpicture standards. • Karloff strolls thrPugh the maze, of clues as; if it required only- a frac- tion pf his attention.- Grant Withers is pleasahtly realiiitic as the dimwit copper, while Marjorie Reynold* " an appealing ingenue. The cthtrs are all passable.; ; Hpbe. Vm Nobody's Sweetheart MILITi\RX ACADEMY ' Ooluihbla' production nnd . releni^e.;- Feii- ture.V Toin^riy JSeUy : Holt; Bobbv ■JTordart. ; Jackie. Searl. - .pireoted. bv b. Bofk: Ledcriii.th. Screenplay by K«"r)' Brown aii,d ; D.i.vld ;.Silver.«loln iTrohl storv bv Rlchftrd English; raniera. . A Hen; G. .SieKl'er; edilor, .Gone. Mil ford. At vG lobe. N. Y./ wjick of Au(f;. 3; 1940, . Rtinning .tline; .66 MilS'S. 'I'omroy^-Lewls.;;;,...... ., .Tommy Kellv • Dick HUI-......;,......., ,Bobby Jordtifi. Sandy. Blivke:.;.,,. ;..,,•.,;..;.;...... Dtivia Holt Pronrl.<jK, JDover.,,,. /,.,.. i'.Ta'ckle .Searl Marly JiBwls....;...... .libn .Beddbc Cadet Dewey ,.;...,. .linvmy Butler Cadet IBInckburn ..i; ;;• Woltor; Tetlev' Majbr .Dover.. ,... , . ^ .. -Biiri: Fom rB,pt. ;Ken,dall...,.. . . ...Edsvard Dew 1,""'/ B/Jiininif..,.. . .....;/., i.. Warfen Aa»e MHrJoi'fjs Blake.,:/.. , ;..://joan B^o<16j ; Bit . top: moralizing ' and taiky ■ at times, 'Military Schpoi: is neverthe- less a surprisingly gPod drtima of juyenile problerirls. It will- click well in the second Jsibt anywhere and \vill be en joyed by both kids and not-loo- spphisticated adult trade, Mtich of the credit/for the dieft manner in which the' picture avoids the ever- Rresent pitfall Pf .being pver-sac- cha rine goes to dTrector,' D. Iloss Lederrinan. ... In . Virtually. 'every: ih^ stance, he. has steered his -.cast of ■ ;;;.,•.■ .;: -■ (WITH .SipNGS)'- ':-y HollywoPd, Aug. 3. Universal; release of .fosifiph SB«if«ir<l irc- dn<!tl6n. DuecteU by Arthur liubln. t«< rwn- plny by'Scott Darling, Erna, Jjizuriis; »iiid • Hal Block; drlglnaj- by -ifcott BiirlinK •nd. i<na Lazarus; .oameiki Elwood Bre«l*ll; editor. Paul Landres; sbngn/MlMoii Koefn a lid 1 Everett Carter, Prevltwfd Kt rail-: iSf^fU '■Aug'..-2./ '40. B'unnlnk t'iti.*'/ 6* Totl JLowell.,,,....;..; .b*.nnis C K«+f« Betty Gilbert..... . . ,... .Cohtitiince M«ii:e,' Gertrude Mbrgun... v:.;...,;.. Htilrn IwrrJsh. Andy Manson.;. . l.*wl8 HowSri'd Mi-8.-I.owell../ ,........ ;L.fturJt Hope Oi'ewA -Mr. Morgan.;..;........,. ..S.niViut.): $?/ Hindis .?«jiator T-oweir....... . ... ;Berton if-)wn.;biir Mrs.; ThrlfHe...... . ...... ,MHrKnr«-r Hnniilion Mrs. Morgan.'.; ; .Miir.ioi i*' (iiitewn Mr, ThrlrtliB....,..,.-Wuller 8<Hlerlln Elmer..... /........, < . .-NA'iiKer liiildwi Judge .Saunders..; .;■;.........; .,. .Tiriri Ry«n - BedeMji..'. .:. -, ; . ....;....;. H)<ttf* N*'*! ChUf;k....... . . .,,..;. i,. iGuji lord I'etiOltlV n Eddie.,. ;,,. i... .',G*ne 0'P<.'hti«-n Ray..........;......;.. ..lanies Crnltf rarklhs.., .-. v.. i v..:. .Hex; Eviiir.ji : This is .6ne oif those surprise-pro- grammers that come along at,tPd ih- .freijuerit, intervals. • UnpietentioMS in piroductiohPUtlay^ arid rather dint/ for: the. iharq,ueelighting,^ picture - hevertheless i;i spPritaheous .apd if^ fervegciing: entertainment. /It's ' * partiqdlarly strorig supporter for the •key ■ duals ;iand. ;S^ubsequerit hduses,- and will garner high-to tal of book.-, ings, in those'jspbtis; It's gnother .irt iU'&/cycle of films named after yM- teryear- pop song hits. ':Piclu're gjcl- (Gohtinued Ph.page 19) i