Variety (May 1941)

18 PICTURES •Wednesday, May 21. 1941 Film Reviews ^Continued from page is^ A SHOT IN THE DARK thesplan ability, but unfortunately is bumpe<] off too early in film. Mciis Wrixooi cast as the phoney society dame about to wed the nic;ht c'ub bOFS, gets a meatier role. Noel Siadison, as the nitery boss' body- guard. Is an 'example of the deft castilig, which includes superb sup- portinn roles by Th-odore Von Eltz, Donald Douglas, John Gallaudet and Lee Phelps. Picture has unusual stronrr pro- dvciion for ruch a limited b'.'dpet vehicle. Besides the intelligent di- rec{icn, Jrme"-. Van Ti-ees' photo- graphy and Harry Seymour's c'.ialoR direction rate bends. Though not given cr.st credit, orchestra work for Mi'S V.'ynn's songs is way -above average. Wear. Lady From Louisiana Republic r«lenP3 of BPrnnrtI Vorhauii proaurtlon, dlreclea by Vorhaus. .Stars John Wayne. Ona Mnnfton; fentiiirfl Riiy Mlildleton, Henry SuphanRon. Helen . W«»l- ley, Jack Pennli*:c. Jacqueline Dalya. Slory. Erlwiird Jninei and Francla Farniyoh: adnp- tnllon. Vera Cnspnry. Mlehnel Hogon. Guy Bndore; editor, Edward Mann; pholoK- raphy. Jack Maria. At Criterion. N. V.. week May U. '41. Running time, W MINH. John R^ynoldn John Wayne Julie Mlrbeau Ona Munaon Bhickle V.'llllnnis Hay Ml.lclletun Generiil MIrbenu Henry .«»tephenj»on Mia. Brunei Helen Wemley Cuffy f Jack Pennlck Felice Ooriilhy D:tp«lrldpe , GnaKm .<ihlmen Uurkln j pearl. .'. Jacqilellne Dalya JudKe Wllaon Paul Sinrdon Senator Caa-ildy. ..Major S. H. MncNamara Llttlellcld .Inniea C. .Morton Edwnrda Maurice Co*it6llo Republic is straining to get itself Into the major distributor, class and It regarded 'Lady From Louisiana' as a high-bracket 'A' entry, but it's des- tined only for secondary billing in secondary runs. Producer Bernard Vorhaus, who also directed, has given it a lot of production and used flocks of extras for his larger scenes, but even though he has spent moie than the modest sums Rep throws Into its run-o'-the-mill product, it still comes out. a fancy-looking desr cert that lacks taste. The cast includes a number of ex- Serienced and- capable ' performers, ohn Wayne is well chosen for the role of the New Ehglander who tries to reform post-bellum New Orleans, and Ona Munson is also fully up to the task asked of her, but for both, unfortunately, they are riding a car that can't get out of second gear. Wayne and Miss Munson are paired In a story that leans to the obvious and, on occasion, the implausible. Use of the word "Lady" in the tit)e is a misnomer, since Miss Munson nlaya .the daughter of a lottery racket tycoon whose operations Involve other vices. She may not have known about some of tiie ramifica- tions of the racket, but anyone so stupid as not to be able to leairn about if, deep as she's in it after her father has been bumped off, is hardly -worth a film fan's interest Sapolioed for the finish, when she turns' on the racket after learnini; of its iniquities. Miss Munson is still not sqiiared, since she herself bribes a judge in order to cover up mayhem such as became familiar in the' prohibition rftketearing days. Time of the film Is the late 19th century, but Vorhaus* or someone has' thrown' into it the more modern methdds of coercion and intimidation.. Just a slight case of getting eras mixed up. A Mississippi flood which reunites Wsyne and Miss Munson for a su- gary fade is Vorhaus' big scene, but some of the miniatures look eX' tremely phoney. ' ' . . Supporting players . Include Ray Middleton, a conventional heavy of Dixie design; Henry Stephenson, again a thoroughly capable character actor, Helen Westley, excellent as a New Orleans Carrie Nation; Jack Pennlck, a gunner who's good; and Jacqueline Dalya, night club ma- dame. Last mentioned is a type that appears to have something more substantial for pictures than her op- portuiiities afford in this case. Char. THE GAY VAGABOND Republlo release of Robert Nortb produc- tion. Directed by William Morgan. Orlgl- ral acroenplay, Ewart Adamaon and Tay- lor Caven: camera, Bud Thookery; editor, Howard O'Neill; mualc, Cy F«aer. Pre- viewed In Projection Room, N. T,, May IR, '41. Running time: 66 MIN8. Arthur Dixon) Ro*co« Kania Jeiry Dixon ) Kate Dixon Ruth Donnelly A. J. Wilbur Brnegt Truex Agatha . Badger Margaret Hamilton Batmar Abner BIberman Spring Rutherford Bernadene Hayea Betty DIxon Lynn MerrlcV Franfclln Atwater.,,,,. Rod Bacon Bonya Qlorla Franklin IiUClUa Carol Adama Vogel Bynn Foulger Iiobang Paul Newlan c The formula treatment Republic followed In its 'Klggins .Family' 'aeries haB . been continue^ in 'The Gay Vagabond' despite the an- nounced ending . of the 'Higgins' epics. This time Ruth Donnelly and Roscoe' Karns, who were the Hlg- ^aats, are the Dlxons, • name that won't necessarily apply to any future films in which they may be featured as a team. 'Vagabond' leans toward the silly in many spots, but Indica- tions are that it will probably gain standard boxoflice returns in the suburban areas as the lower half of a dualer. This time Karns plays a dual role, that of twins, one being a milque- toast character in a small town, the other a /jay lover-adventurer. The .plot deals with the mixup in which the meek twin becomes involved when his adventurer brother re- turns from escapades in China. The laughs are few and far between for metropolitan audiences. . Karns does as well as tne limited situations allow, while Ruth Don- nelly is inclined to be straining for efiect Erne.«t Truex. Margaret Ham- ilion end Abner Biberman are best of the support, while Lynn Merrick, as the Dixons' daughter, is a blonde looker with little to do but decorate the family scenes, which she- does well enough. nomi. Sheriff of Tombstone (WITH SONGS) Republic reloaao of Joseph Kane produc- tion, directed liy Kune. Star.i ll.'y RoKera; reaturca Oeorgo 'Gabby' Hujes. ■ fclysc Knox. Story, Jamea Webb; adaptation. Olive Cooper; aoncB, Julea Style, ."'ol Meyer. Peter Tlnturln, Bob Nolan; eilltur. Tony Nlarllnelll; photogrophy. WlUlom Noble". .\t .N'ew \ox\!.. "dual, week May IS, 41. Itunnlng timn: B4 MINS. Bret ."'tarr Roy Rogers ■Gabby' George 'Oubby' liayea Mary C'uraon / ..Elyse Knox Mayor Keeler Addfson RIclinrds QueenK .' .?.«>';« Shotgun Caaaldy v Harry Woods Granny Caraon Zerne Tilbury Sinde Hal Taliaferro Joe Martinez j.; Jay NovelUi John .\nderaon j Bill Starr...: .- Jack Ingram There's nothing new under the western sui\, and 'Sheriff of Tomb- stone' is no exception. It's a Roy Rogers starrer that .charts a familiar course, relying on a formula that has ■ been tested and apparently found true. However, accounts using this type of product will find it sat- isfactory. Its shortness, 54 minutes, will enable booking on doubles with a longer-than-average film . for de- sirable turnover. Rogers plays a frontiersman who, with others, leaves Kansas for the wilder Tombstone country to the west. He is accouipanied by the wholly liltable western character, George 'Gabby' Hayes, on whom much of the comedy burden rests. Getting Into Tombstone, Rogers is mistaken for a Kansas toughie known as Shotgun Cassidy, who has been sent for by Tombstone's crooked mayor and henchman that he might be made a sheriff of con- venience. He gets :away with the camoltQage until Cassidy himself shows up, when the fur begins to fly. Robbing a stagecoach of ship- mSnts of silver bullion so' that the owners will be unable to meet tax payments-is the bottom of the story. Cast supporting Rogers does well. Including Hayes, but Elyse Knox doesn't.shine so brightly as a singer. She does two numbers in the set- ting of a saloon in which she works. They are 'Yuh Should a' Seen Pete,* written by Jules Styne and Sol Meyer, and 'Don't Gamble with Ro- mance,' by Peter Tlnturln. Rogers, aided by others, sings 'Sky Bald Paint;' by Bob Nolan, and 'Rldln' on a Rocky .Road,' by Styne-Meyer. He's nothing special vocal'y, either. ■ Char. although director Lesley Selander In- jects several broad comedy passages for juvenile attention, with Arldy Clyde delivering in these episodes. Fresh scenic backgrounds, which characterize the Sherman produc- tions, are credited on the main title as being shot at the base of Mount Whitney. Photography by Russell Harlan of the country is topnotch. Walt. Tumbledown Ranch In Arizona (WITH SONGS) Monogram rele:iBe of C.oorKC W. Weeka proihulliin. K;ars The llun:,c ni;slora. Dl- rei-lid liy P. Hoy Luby. (IrlKlnnl anTOn- plav .Milton Ralaon; oamera. Holiert Ollne; editor. Ray Clnlre; musk. Frank Sanuccl. llevU'wed at Colonial. I Inroln. Xeb.. dual, rtiinnlng lime, 81 MINS. 'CrnHh'..'. ;.Ilny CorrlBon ■Dniily- John KIuk •.\lil)l' .Max Torhune Dorothv .Shello Dnrcy Mother Rogera Marian Kerby Gallop Quin Rnmaey SIoL*um Jiiineff Cniven ^•hl■l•lfr .\\e Jack Ilolmea •tiorly Sieve Clark Xlt.jc Sani DornanI Pirates on ^orseback Hollywood, May Ift ' Paramount rel'eaae "of -vHarry Sherman production; Asbo. Producer,- Joseph W.' Engel. Stars WlUlarfl Boyd*; featurca Rub- Bell Hayden, Andy Clyde.- Directed by Les- ley Selander. Screenplay by J. Benton Cheney and Eltiol La Blanche, based on characters created by Clarepce E. Mulford; camera. Russell Harlan; supervising -edi- tor, Sherman A. Rose; editor, Fr«d Fell', shans, Jr.; Aaat. director, Frederic Spen- cer. Previewed In studio projection room May IB, '41. Running time. 60 MIN1$. Hopalong CaSBldy: '..William Boyd Lucky Jenltlna Russell Hayden California Andy Clyde Trudy Pendleton Eleanor .Stewart Ace Gibson Morris Ankrum Bill Watson 'n'llllam Haade Jud Carter Dennla Moore SherlR Blake Henry Hall By Pendleton Brltt Wood . In 'Pirates on Horseback,' William Boyd and his pals go through fa- miliar adventures — including the usual gunplay, fast riding, fist fights and other heroics—before the villain is frustrated. It's standard western fare that places little tax on the imagination and will satisfy in the action houses. Not too strong a story in comparison with previous en- tries in the Hopalong Cassidy series. This time the Cassidy trio turn up In a virestern town to locate and save a gold bonanza for Eleanor Stewart, nelce of a murdered miner. Gam- bling czar Morris Ankrum simulates friendship for the eirl in order to grpb the mine when it is re- discovered, but IK'ppy unearths the duplicity In time to give Ankrum a going-over-with his fists in a rough- and-tumble scrap, and saves the property lor the girl. ^ Formula script keeps in the groove, ■ The Range Butters get -star billing for the first time in this, their latest outdoor action piece. It's good west- ern stuff and shouldn't have any trouble in the regular action runs. Top trio of John King, Ray Corri- gan and Max Terhune are given a little better production than hereto- fore, and.King's singing adds to an above-average product. Picture uses the familiar trick of having the hero knocked out in the opening sequence and in the rest of the film he dreams while cold. King is a student at Western University and the son of 'Dusty' King who meets up with the son of 'Crash' Corrigan at the Tucson rodeo. King is tossed from his bronc, passes out and dreams the rest of the film. This takes a minimum of footage and the real plot is launched soon enough. Range Busters have three problems on hand: To prevent the railroad from building a right-of- way through 'Molher' Marian Ker- by's ranch; installing Sheila Darcy's tether as judge of the village and stopping Uie crooked dealings of Quin Ramysey, James Craven and Sheriff Jack . Holmes. Ramsey swindles the old lady into signing a permit to lay rails across her spread, then kills Craven after an argument. King is blamed for the murder, but is freed in time to prove his innocence and provide a happy Ending. Three tunes are featured. Tum- bledown Ranch in Arizona' most likely to succeed. Others are 'All Hall. Arizona' and 'Wake Up With the' Dawn.' Robert CUne does a swell job with his lenses, the - opening shots being "made at the Tucson rodeo, the rest on Corrigan's ranch. Art. VOLGA VOLGA (WITH SONGS) Artklho release of Moxflim production. Stars LulK)V Orlova. Directed by Gregory Alexandrov. Music. Isaac O. Dunnyevsky; lyrlCB. V. L XjCtwdev-Kumach; camera, V. A. Petrov. At Miami. N. T.. May IT, '41. Knnning time, 102 MINS. Strelka Lubov Orlova Byvalov '. Igor lllnsky Pilot V. s. Vnlodin Water Carrier Pavel Olenev MUlUaman « Sergei Antlmonov Allosha Andrei Tullshkin (In Russian; tuith English Titles) The old Volga just isn't what it used to be. Where once all the dra- matic pathos that accomt>ahied pro- letarian frustration — and ultimate success—veered with the tide, the Soviet film has now become a me- dium to project gayety, comedy and music. Like in 'Volga Volga,' for example, one of the brighter musi- cal moments to come out of Red Square. Since musical films—and certainly all others, too—are products^.linked primarily to - Hollywood, one can't expect the comparatively infantile Soviet pix inilustry to compare with that of Culver City, ct al. Hpwcvef, there's enough slapstick,, "music, briskness and clever comedy dialog in 'Volga' to suggest' a wide appeal among proponents of the Kremlin. The story is fairly humorous and acted enterprisingly, in the leading roles by Lubov Orlova; an Ama- zonian blonde, and Igor Ilinsky, as the indiscriminate musical-instru- ment maker who gathers a band to represent him in a Moscow festival. A boat race down the Volga is among the more Keystone Koppish situations. Music," direction and acting sup- port are consistently good by Soviet standards. In fact, the general aura is as if the idealogical Soviet had no longer any cause for bureaucratic contention, iVafca. • FILM BOOKING CHART ffor in/ormo(ion o/ theatre ond /tim exelum/ie boofcers Varibtv present* a ccmplete chart of /eaCure releases o/ alt (he ilTnerican distributing com- panies for the current qiiarterlv period. Date of reviews as given in Vadibty ani the running time o) prints are included.) CUPVKIOllT. I»40. IIT VARIRTT INC. ALL KIGHTB RB8BBVBD K«v to Type Abbrewiations; M—Meioaroma; C—Comedv; CD—Comedy Drama; W—Western; H—Drama; RD—ftomantlc Drama; MU—Musical. Fi pures heremith. indicate date of Variety's review and'running time. WEEK OF RELEASE—3/28/41 Nortli from the Lone Star (Col) Thii Bad Man (M-G) 4/2' Lats Vegas Mlelits (Par) 3 26 Mclotly tor Three (RKO) 3/S Vivacious Lady (RKO) 5/4/38 Mr. District AUorncy <Rep) 4/Z Dead Men Tell (ZOth) 3 23 Horror Isl.ind (U) 4.-2 Man-Made Monster (U) 3'Z* Knockout (WB> W & EIUott-D. Fay W 1* W. Beery-L. Barryinor* C VO P. Reean-B. Wheeler D tn J. Hersholt-F, Wray "CD M G. Boeers-J. Stewart D 69 D. 0'Ke«fe-P. Rice M SI S. 'Toler-S. Ryan M 61 D. For«n-P. Horan D K) L. Cluney, Jr.-L. AtwUl D W, Moiru>0. Bradna The Great Swindle (Col) 5/14 Men of Boys Town (M-G) 4/a;. Break tlie News (Mono) 1/S Roajl to Zanzibar (Par) 3/12 The DevU and Miss Jones (RKO) 4/9 Sis Hopkins (Rep) 4/9 Pals of Uie Pecos (Rep) Two Gun Sheriff (Rod)' 4/23 That Nitht In RIo (2(Hh, 3/ia The Lady from Cheyenne (U) 4/1 Pot o' Gold (UA) 4/9 The Great Lie (WB) 4/9 M 62 J. Holt.H. Reynolds D 101 s. Traey-M. Rooney CD ' 72 M. Chevaller-J. Bncbaaan D 69 B. Crosby-D. Lamour CD 92 jr. ATthur>C. Cobnm MU 87 J. Canova-B. Crosby W B. Steele-B. Livingston W 56 D. Barry-V. Carroll MU 90 A. Faye-D. Ameche WD M L. Tounc-R. Preston C M J. Stewart-P. Goddard D IWi B. Davls-G. Breat WEEK OF BELBASE—(/lS/41 Penny Serenade (Col) 4/16 D Washington Melodrama (M-G) 4/23 H Hoosler Schoolboy (Mono) -6 39/37 D Ranch In Arizona (Mono) 5/21 W Border Vigilantes (Par) 4/2 W Robbers of tbe Range (RKO) 4/3« W Rookies on Parade (Rep) 4/3S C Ride on Vaquero (20th) 4/2 W Model Wife fu) 4/l« CD Tbat cncertain Feeling (UA) 1/19 D Strange AUbl (WB) 4/30 D 92 I, Dtume-C. Grant 71* F. Morgan-A. Rutbertord 62 M. Rooney-A. Nagcl 61 R. Corrlgan-J. King 61 W. Boyd-B. Hayden 66 T. Holt-V. Vale 69 B. Crosby-M. Wilson 64 C. Romero-H. Hugbei 76 J. BlondeU-D. Powell »> M. Oberon-H. Donglaa 63 A. Kenneily-J. Perry WEEK OF BELEASE—4/25/41 Under Age (Col) 5/21 ~ D 99 N. The Big Boss (Col) 5/21 D 69 O. Zlfgfeld Girl (M-G) 4/23 MU 135 J. The Invisible Ghost (Mono) H 63 B. Boar of tbe Press (Mono) CD 72 , J. Power Dive (Par) 4/9 D «« R. They Met in Argentina (RKO) S/14 MU 76 M. Lady From Louisiana (Rep) 5/21 D KS J(. Singing Hill (Rep) W 73 G. MaU Train (ZOth) M G. Flame of New Orleans (U) 4/30 D 78 M. That Hamilton Woman.' (UA) 3/Z4 D 1211 v. Wagons Boll at (lUrht (WB) 4/30 D 83 B. Gray-A. Baxter Kmcer-G. Dickson Garland-J. Stewart Lngosl-P. young Paiker-W. Ford Arlen-J'. Parker , O'Hara-G. Baymond Wayne-O. Munson Autry-S, BUmette Harber.p. Calvert , Dletrlcta-B. Cabot Leigh-L. Olivier Bogait-S. Sidney WEEK OF BELEASE—5/2/41 They Dare Not Love (Cnl) 4/30 People vs. Klldare (M-G) 5/7 The Pioneers (Mono) Reaching for the Sun (Par) 4/9 Bringing Up Baby (RKO) 2/16/38 Country Fair (Rep) 5/14 Sheriff of Tombstone (Rep) 5/21 BUck Cat (U) 4/30 Thieves FaU Out (WB) D 75 M. Scott-O. Brent D 76 L. Barrymore-L, Ayrcs W 61 T.Rltter D 90 J. McCrea-B. Drew C 102 K. Hepbnrn-C. Grant C 74 J. Clyde-E. Foy, Jr. W 54 R.-Rosers-G. Hayes D TO H. Herbert-fG. Sondergaard D E. Albert-J. Leslie WEEK OF BEL°EASE—5/9/41 Her-First Beau (Col) 5/7 CD 76 A Woman's Face (M-G) 5/7 D 105 House of Mystery (Mono) M Gay Vagabond (Rep) 5/21 C 68 Great American Broadcast (ZOth) 4/39'D M Affectionately Yours (WB) 5/7 D 12 J. Cooper-J. Withers J. Crawford-M. Donglaa K. Kent-J. KeUy R. Eams-R. Donnelly . A. Faye-J. Payne , M. Oberon-D. Morgan WEEK OF BELEASE—5/16/41 She Knew AU the Answers (Col) 5/21 CM I!U Walt tor You (M-G) 5/14 D 73 King of tbe Zombies (Mono) M 67 There's Magic In Music <Par) / ^ " Desert Bandits (Rep) ^ W Cowbby and the Blonde (ZOth) 4/Z3 RD «B Prisoner ot Zenda (UA) 9/1/37 RD lUO Tom Sawyer (UA) J/16/38 -CD "83 Singapore Woman (WB) 5/14 D 65 J. Bennett-F. Tone M. Hunt-V. Weldler - D. PuTcell-J. Woodbury A. Jones-S. Foster D. Batry-L. Merrick M. Hnghes-G. Montgomery H. Carrbll-R, Colman T. Kelly-E. Patterson B. Marshall-D. Bmce WEEK OF BELEASE—S/23/41 Naval Academy (Col) Love Crazy (M-G) 5/14 Redhead (Mono) Pirates on Horseback (Par) 5/21 Scattcrgood FulU the Strings (RKO) Angels With Broken Wings (Rep) Saddlemates (Rep) Great Commandment (ZOth) Too tfany Blondes (U> ' 5/21 The Nurse's Secret (WB) D F. Bartholomew-J. Lydon C 97 W. PoweU-M. Loy C 64 J. Lang-J. Downs W 6SI w. Boyd-R. Hayden 5/14 C 69 q, KIbbee-D. Trout D G. Boland-B. Barnes W 3,Mes<inltcers O f. Beal-M. Moscovlch C 60 R. Vallee-H. Parrlsh D L. Patrlck-R. Toomey WEEK OF BELEASE—5/30/41 Finney's Monogram Deal Hollywood, May 20. Edward Finney got together with Monogram on a deal to provide three features to replace a trio of westerns he was slated to produce with Tex Ritter in the saddle before the buck- aroo shifted to Columbia. After a lot of wrangling over the old contract, Finney and Mono agreed on 'Carolina Swingtime,' 'Li'l Louisiana Lady' and a third feature, still unUUed. Adventure In Waslilngton (Col) BUly.the Kid (M-G) I WanUd Wings (Par) 3/28 Saint's Vacation (RKO)' Sunny (RKO) 5/21 Blood and Sand (20th) 5/Zl Abbott-Costello In the Navy (U) Million Dollar Baby (WB) D W D M MU D C CD 131 87 123 V. Bruce-H. Marshall A Taylor-B. Donlevy R. MlUand-V. Lake S. Gray-H. Sinclair A. Neagle-R. Bolger L. Darnell-T. Power Abbott-Costello P. Lane-J. Lynn WEEK OF BELEASE-r«/6/41 The Get-Away (M-G) Wrangler's Roost (Mono) Reluctant Dragon (RKO) Cyclone oh Horseback (RKO) For Beauty's Sake (20th) Men of the Tlmberlands (U) ^ DevU Dogs of the Air (WB) Shining Victory (WB) D R. Sterllng-D. Adams W R. Corrlgan-J. King Disney Cartoon W T. Holt-R. WhlUey CD M. Weaver-N. Sparks M R. Arlen-A. Devlne D J. Cagney-P. O'Brien D J. Stephenson-O. Fitzgerald WEEK OF BELEASE—6/13/41 ' Time Out for Rhythm (Col) MU Bargain Basement (M-G) C Ganges AU Here (Mono) C One Night In Lisbon (Par) 5/14 D Tom,-Dick and Harry (RKO) C Bring 'Em Back AUve (RKO) 6/21/32 M The Bride Wore Crutches (ZOth) CD Tlglit Shoes (U) C Broadway Limited (UA) D Out of the Fog- (WB) , , D R. Vallee-R. Lane Marx Bros.-T. Martin F. Darro-M. Moreland '96 M. Carroll-F. MacMurray G. Rogers-G. Murphy 6U Frank Buck Reissue L. Roberts-T. North J. Howard-B. Barnes » V. McLaglen-M. Woodworth J. Garfleld-l. Lupino WEEK OF BELEASE—«/20/41 Hands Across the Rockies (Col) W West Point Widow (Par) CD Dr. Christian No. 3 (RKO) . D Man Bunt (ZOth) D San Antonio Rose (U) MU Passage from Hongkong (WB) O BIU EUlot-M. Dally A. Sblrley-R. Carlson J. Hersholt-D. Lovett J. Bennett-W. PIdgcon R. Palge-J. Frazee K. Douglas-L. Fairbanks