Variety (Jun 1941)

20 PICTURES Wednesday, June 23, 1941 FILM BOOKING CHART (For in/oma«on o/ theotr* ond fiXm exchangt boofcers Vawett present* a complete chort o/ feature release* o/ all the American distributing com- fonies /or the current cuarterly period. Date of rewlews as olven In Vambty ond the running time of print* are included.J COrTBIOHT, MM, Bl VABIKTX. INC. AIL BIGHTS BESEBTXD Key to Type Abbreuloflons; M—Melodrama; C—Comedy; CD—Comedy Drama; W—Western; D—Drama; RD—Romantic Drama; MU—Musical. Fiffures heretoifh Indicate date of Variety's review and runntnu time. WEEK OF BELEASE—5/9/41 Bee Flnt Bean (Col) 1/7 CD A Woman's Face (M-G) S/7 » Boose of Myitery (Mono) 6/4 M Gay Vagabond (Rep) 5/21 .,5 Great American Broadcast (ZOth) 4/30 D Affectionately Yours (WB) S/7 o 76 J. Cooper-J. Withers MS i. CrawfoT4-M. Donglaa 61 K. Kent-J. KeUy 66 R. Karns-B. Donnelly BO A. Faye-J. Payne 82 M. Oberon-D. Morgan WEEK OF BELEASE—5/16/41 She Knew AO the Answers (Col) B/21 I'U Walt tor Ton (M-G) S/14 King of the Zombies (Mono) There's Magic In Mnslc (Par> Desert Bandits (Bep) 5/a Cowboy and the Blonde (20th) 4/23 Prlioner of Zenda (UA) 9/1/37 Tom Sawyer (UA) 2/16/38 Singapore Woman (WB) S/U C M J. Bennett-F. Tone D 73 M. Bunt-V. Weldler M C7 D. Purcell-J. Woodbnry D' A. Jones-S. Foster W 56 D. Barry-L. Merrick BU MM. HDghes-G. Montgomery RD 100 M. CarroU-R. Colman CD 93 T. Kelly-E. Patterson D 63 B. Marshall-D. Brace WEEK OF BELEASE—S/23/41 Naval Academy (Col) 9/28 Love Crazy (M-G) 8/14 Bedhead (Mono) Pirates on Borseback (Par) 8/21 ScattergoodPnllsthe Strings (BKO) S/14 Angels With Broken Wings (Bep) 6/4 Saddlemate; (Bep) • Great Commandment (2vth) Too Many Blondes (C) 8/21 The NnrsCi Secret (WB) 6/11 6S 97 64 69 69 72 F. BarthoIomew-1. LydoB W. Powen-M. Loy i. Lang-J. Downs ■W. Boyd-B. Bayden G. Klbbee-D. Tront G. Roland-B. Barnes ' 3 Mesqnlteers J. Beal-M. Moscovtch R. Vallee-B. Paizlih L. Patrlck-B. Toomey WEEK OF BELEASE—5/30/41 Adventnre In Washington (Col) BlUy the Kid (H-G) S/28 Silver stalUoB (Mono) 6/18 I Wanted Winn (Par) >/2« Bonny (BKO) 8/21 Blood and Sand (20th) 8/21 Abbott-Costello In the Navy (C) 0/4 HllUon Dollar Baby (WB) 8/28 D 84 V. Broce-B. Marshall W 94 B. Taylor-B. Donlevy W 60 D. 8harpe-J. Waldo D 131 B.Mllland-V.Lake MU 97 A.Ncagle-B.BoIger D 123 L. Daraell-T. Power C 85 Abbott-CosteUo CD 102 P. Lane-J. Lynn WEEK OF BELEASE-«/e/41 Mata Bari (M-O) • JS .. Wrangler's Boost (Mono) 0/25 7. ' il Saint's Vacation (BKO) 0/18 H 61 For Bcanty'B Sake (20th) 6/29 CD 60 Hen of the Umberlands (O) M Devil Dogs of the Air (WB) 2/U/3S D 90 SUnlai Victory <WB) 8/28 D 78 G. Garbo-B. Novano B. Corrigan-J. King S. Gray-B. Sinclair M. Weaver-N. Spark* R. Arlen-A. Devlne J. Cagney-P. O'Brleii t. stephenson-O.Tltxgerald WEEK OF BELEASE—6/13/41 The 43et-Away (M-O) 0/11 D 88 BUheit Han in Town (Col) 0/12 CD 70 Gang^ AU Bere (Hono) 0/2$ C 63 One Night In Lisbon (Par) 8/14 D 96 Cydon OB Horseback (RKO) 6/18 W 98 Bride Wore Cratches (20th) 7/24/40 CD 94 I^lght Shoes (U) 0/11 C 67 Broadway Limited (UA) 0/18 D 75 Oat of the Fog (WB) 0/11 D 85 R. Sterllng-D. Adams F. Craven-J, Todd F. Darro-H. Uorcland H. Carroll-F.'HaeMnrray I. Holt-R. Whitley L. Robcrts-T. North J.Boward-B. Barnes V. McLaglen-M. Woodworth J. Garfleld-L Lnplno - WEEK OF BELEASE—6/20/41 Time Oot .for Rhythm (Col) 5/28 Bands Across the Rockies (Col) The Big Store (H-G) 6/11 Bowery. Blitzkrieg (Mono) West Point Widow (Par) 0/11 Behictant Dragon (BKO) 0/11 Nevada City (Bep) Man Bant (20th) 0/11 San Antonio Bote (U) 0/25 Passage' from Bongkong (WB) MU 74 B. Vallee.B.Lane W BUI ElUot-M. Dally C 84 Harx'Bros.-T. Martin D L. GoTCcy-B. Jordan CD 03 A. Shirley-B. Carlson . 73 Disney Cartoon W B. Bogers-G. Baycs D 100 J. Bcnnett-W. Pldgeon MU 02 B.Palge-J.Fraice D K.-Donglas-L. Fslrhanki WEEK OF BELEASE—6/27/41 Sweetheart of the Campos (Col) 0/25 BfU Medico of PalnUd Springs (Col) 6/Z5 W Wanderers of the West (Mono) W They Met In Bombay (M-G) 0/25 D The Parson of panamlnt (Par) 6/25 W (nngle Cavalcade (BKO) M A Very Toong'Lady (20th) 4/30/41 CD Poddln* Bead (Bep) C Kansas Cyclone (Bep) W Bit the Road (U) D Undergronnd (WB) 0/25 D R. Keeler-tf Nelson C. Starrett-T. Walker T, Keene-B. UUes C. Oable-R. Rnssell E. Drew-C. Baggies F. Bock J. Wlthers-N. KeDy J. Canova-F. Ledcrer - D. Barry-L. Menlck G. George-B. MacLane t. Lynn-K. Verne WEEK OF BELEASE—7/4/41 I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island (Col) D 70 Barnacle Bill (M-G) CD Caoght In the Draft (Par) 8/28 C 82 Tom, Dick and Barry (BKO) C Moon Over Miami (20th) 0/M MU 92 Gangs of Sonora (Rep) W Bachelor Daddy (D) \ C Kisses for Breakfast (WB) C - D. Woods-S. Eilers W. Beery-V. Weldler B. Bope-D. Lamonr G. Rogers-G. Murphy D. Ameche-B. Ghible 3 HesqnlteeTS Babv Sandy-E. E. Borton D. Morgan-J. Wyatt WEEK OF RELEASE—7/11/41 Two In a Taxi (Col) Blngslde Malsle (M-O) City Limits (Mono) Forced Landing (Par) They Meet Again (BKO) Accent on Love (20th) BeUo, Sncker (U) Bride Came C.OJ>. (WB) D A. Lonlse-B. Bayden C A. Sothern-G. Murphy ' D F. Albertson-L. Grey M B. Arlen-E. Gabor D J. Bersbolt-D. Lovett D G. Hontfcomery-o. Massen C H. Berbert-T. Brown CD B. Davis-J. Cagney WEEK OF BELEASE—7/1S/41 Blondle In Society (Col) Son of Davy Crockett (Col) Dance BaU (20th) Balders of the Desert (U) BoIIeU for O'Bara (WB) C W D W D P. SIngleton-A. I.ake B. Elliott-L Meredith C. Bomero-C. Landls B. Arlen-A. Devlne i, Perry-B. Pryor Glorify Pix Biz? -Continued from page 7; hibitors) is a picture which would centre around a theatre and drive home to the fans the many benefits of attending a picture show. Some studio that will come along with a picture devoted to the exhibition business is going to do all right In selling that picture to theatres, ac- cording to the trend of thought indi- cated by the exhibitors at the meet- ing. Nabes' Plea Allied nabe members also jumped to their feet to ask why the distribs evidently spend more time in co- operation with the downtown ex- hibitors than they do with the nabes. Outlying houses claimed that, in aggregate, they spend as much money in papers as do the downtown houses and rate similar brealis with th^e papers. Forthwith a suggestion was made that Allied take on a press agent and work with the member- exhibs on exploitation. This received such good response from the assem- blage that it U likely that Allied's leaders, may go Into this item seri- ously. Bill Bishop, defending the distrlb exploiteers, spoke as a Metro p.a. to state that It is impossible to obtain breaks for all nabe exhibitors on pictures, since papers print news and when a picture hits the nabes it's no longer news. Also the advertising expenditure of the nabe theatre can- not hope to compete with the down- town theatre. Nabe exhibitors, however, did come up with a plea for unity among the business associates and some spoke up for a need of educating the public on the benefits of going to a nabe house instead of running down town. Complained that there has been a whispering campaign that pictures are cut for nabe showing; and asked that the papers be asked to print running time on their piC' ture reviews so that the nabe eX' hibitors could point opt that the run' ning time of tiie picture is the same in the nabe as downtown. Klraoh .On Duals Klrsch himself came tiirough with the most forceful of the addresses, and for the most part spent his time in pounding home the point that the Allied , members are against double features, and .asked for an open poll which revealed-all Allied members present 100% against doubles. This open voting, stated Kirsch, was to impress others that,, despite some statements that the small exhibitors are in favor of double features, the Allied members in Chicago are flatly opposed to tl)em. Klrsch stated that Allied members would return to singles^ as soon as the 'big fellows' (Bslaban Si Katz) did, and said that business is simply terrible now with daylight saving. It is Incongruous, said Kirsch, when a customer walks up to a theatre boxofflce in daylight at 8:4$ p.m. and asks if he can still see the entire show. Kirsch complained against running time of double features which break the final show at after 1 ajn. and said that it is impossible to ask a workiiigman, who must be up early in the morning, to sit through some four hours of show. WEEK OF BELEASE—7/26/41 The Officer and the Lady (Col) . D The Deadly Game (Mono). D Shepherd of the Bills (Par) ' 0/U D Bony, Charlie, Hurry (BKO) C This Woman Br Mine (U) D .p«4. Hw>of.HUsonri. jVB) ■ D R. flodson-B, Pryor J. Lang-C. Farrell J. Wayne-B. Field L. ErroU-K. Howell F. Tone-C. Brace J. Wyman-D. Morgan Previews -Continued from page 5; set for release After Sept. 1, when the distribution provisions of the U. S. consent decree become effective. . Theory of the fortnight's handi- cap was a convenience to the fan .mags due to their press schedules. Also, they argued, why have some 135 special correspondents in Holly- wood covering the film front, if no special consideration is accorded them. It is the consensus in the east that published reviews in daily news papers and lay weeklies will defeat the .very purposes of the consent decree by the influence they might exert on prospective exhibitor buy- ers. The entire Intent of the decree, It Is pointed out, is that the theatre operators of the country, particularly those unaffiliated with any national distributing organization, shall Jiave complete free'dom in the. selection of films for their own communities, ex- cept for such guidance and aid as has been long established within the trade Itself. Recognition of the Im portant part which the film trade press occupies was given legal significance In the decree, which makes it mandatory thiat notices of exhibitor territorial tradeshowings shall be advertised by the distribu tors. The advertising manager of one of tho majors declares. The arrange- ment* which our own and other studios have made for advance show- ings of the films to Hollywood news- paper and magazine correspondents were entered into without any con- sultation In advance with the New York office. This might be expected in the light of the trend of the past few years during which the studios have taken the initiative in hiany trade matters, but the understanding with tho press is ill-advised con- sidering the newly Imposed con- ditions of film selling contained In the consent decree. It is my opinion that an early re- vision of tho agreement with the press will have to be made. This Is obvious considering that it is the Intent of our own and other majors to obey the decree to the letter and hold exhibitor trade showings of all the new product in advance of sales negotiations. One can Imagine the confusion and resistance that our sales organization would have to overcome If daily newspaper re- views of films bnd radio criticisms were permitted to .ante-date the tradeshowings. An exhibitor, armed with a Syndicated lukewarm news- paper criticism published . in bis home town in advance of the trade- showing, would meet every sales ar- gument by merely flashing the,clip- ping. "The "Hollywood agreement with the press is very unwise and un- business-like. There is little use in telling them out there in advance what is the likely effect of their moves. They will see the light when the salesmen and branch managers all over the country start to holler.' 'Stiek to VaMng Flotares> In much the same tone another advertising manager summed up the situation as follows: , 'We are having a meeting of di- visional sales manage^ this week and one of the flrst things to be taken up Is a.'demand—Fd better say request—that the studio stick to making pictures and leave to us here in New York the framing of policies and relations with the lay press. It is my contention, after many years' experience, that advance newspaper and radio reviews are very harmfuL It is not', a question whether the criticisms aro fovorable, or unfavor- able, it Is a matter of timing. The .greatest asset of a theatre is main- tenance of audience anticipation In coming attractions. The cleverness of advanco fllm trailers Is evidence of this -essential In exploitation. If the public knoivs, or thinks It knows, all about a picture before it ^ played locally, gate receipts-are sure to -fall below standard.' Goodwillers -Continued trom page 3 „^ feels Inimical to good will In event of a dlflerenbe of opinion with a writer, director, producer or. other exec, the question is to be referred by the studio to a-panel of experts set up by Whitney's organization. This panel's word Is to be final, ^Difficulty in the. past that has thus been eliminated is that, despite Latin experts In the studios, pro ducers were won't to skip their ad- vice when it was "felt, that it in' terfered with the story. Whitney, RKO chief George J. Schaefer, Metro boss Nick Schenck, Columbia v.p. Jack Cofan and tiie others at the meeting agreed that the Idea of making one version of a, scene for South America and an- other for 'United ^States is no so- lution and should not be used. 'Aside from Eeing hypocrisy,' Whitney de- clared, 'that gives a false impres- sion of South America to people in this country and it la as necessary as anything else for Hollywood to give North Americans a true picture of their neighbors to the south.' - Friddy's exec huddle was attended by Ken Thomson, Whitney's Coast rep, who arrived In New York early last week and pulls out on Friday (%7). He came in to meet State De partment and other Rockefeller com- mittee members in New York and Washington. Whitney Is slated to leave on Aug, 19 for a three-month tour of S. A TITLE CHANGES , Holljrwood, June 24. 'Carnival of Rhythm' release tag on "La Bahiana' at Warners. Two Steps to Heaven' at Warners becanie Here Comes the Girls.' Metro switched from 'Young Amer leans' to 'Down In San Diego.' ' 'Right Shoulder Anits' Is release tag on "You're In the Army Now' at Warners. •Bold That Ghost' Is the final tlUe for 'Oh, Charlie' at UoiversaL Film Reviews —Continued from page 18^ Lo8 Martes, Orquideas Latin-America and a very good pos- sibility for the U.S„ not only for foreign-language audiences but for Yanqui fUm-goers. If any of the Inter-change committees are looking for an Argentine pic that would go in the States—and the suggestion has been getting louder and louder here that such moves should be made—i this seems to be It. Pic supposedly stars Enrique Ser« rano, one of the best known of Ar- gentine comics and one of the few who doesn't depend on double-en- tendre to get accross. But a 15-year- old appearing for the flrst time ob the screen, Mirtha Legrand, steals the honors. She's more than a little like Deanna Durbin, blonde, very attractive and with the kind of sim- plicity that flts exactly with the story. Definitely not what the aver- age North American thinks a Soutii American is like, but, from-all indi- cations. Just what tfiey want here. Story Is simple. Family of four daughters. One Is just married and the two next in line- have their f u« tures assured.: One is engaged and the other is so attractive that she htls more than enough suitors to choose from. But the youngest lives In t world of Illusion, stars and the moon and waits for a Prince Charming who doesn't appear. The father, , on ■ the advice of friends, decides to send her orchid^ every Tuesday, letting the girl be- lieve they come from an unknowi^ admirer. The trick is successful, the girl blossoms out and all goes well until one Tuesday, the father for- gets. That brings on the complica- tions, but it all ends well regardless. Simplicity of the plot, avoiding all the melpdrama so regular in Latiit Diets, is so well handled by Director Francisco MuJIca that It becomes .both charming, and touching. Situa^ tlons are good, dialog excellent and Mujica has taken the script by Slxtd Pondal Rios, one 'of Argentina's leading writers, and Carlos Olivarl and handled it with intelllgencej sagacity and the tone of elegance that has always marked his previous productions. Photography by Rlc<> ardo Conord and background muslQ by Enrique Delfino, radio star, arO excellent. Ray. THE PIONEERS (WITH SONGS) Honosram reloase of Edward Finney groduotion. Stars Tex Hitter. Directed y Al Hennan. Boreenplay by Cbarlea Andersen, based on Junes Fenlmore Cooper's novel of same name; comsrsi Uarcel A. Leplcnrd; editor, Fred Bain. At New York, N. T,; week Jane 18, '41. Run- ning time, B8 MIN8. Tex : Tex Rlttejp Slim ArUansa* 'Slim' Andrew* Red Red Foley Doyo Doye O'Delt Susanna , Wands McKay Wilson George Chesebi^ Ames >....Dol Lawrence Benton Poet Pork Carson Ksrl Baoketl Jingo ' Lynton Breni Pete Chick Hannaa Sherlir Qene Alsace Judge Jock Smitp Waroloud .....Chief Manny Treaties Lonedeer Chief Soldanl Routine western. Though It's stocked with more than the usual amount' of gunplay and sundry battles, 'Pioneers' never gets out of the ordinary. Inspired by James Fenimore Cooper's series of novels which outlined settler trouble with Indians, the story is necessarily trite. There have been innumerable yarns written and filmed concern- ing the spread of this country. Roy Rogers, another western satellite, uses a. bearded stooge In his epics who collars giggles with his exploits. In .an attempt to In- ject the same sort of character to aid Tex JUtter, star of this piece, the writers have developed one who is laughable from all angles. C^st as a scout, and dressed for the part," the character is asked to ride the hills with Rltter on a mule, is decked out in. a comic mustache and handed the most Insipid lines and situations that ever flickered for the enjoyment of kids who take their westerns seriously. Imagine pur- suing, or being pursued ' by scalp- hot InJunS—aboard a mule. Ritter himself handles his assign- ment as a protector of a wagon train of settlers looking for new territory, In proper style, just oozing confi- dence in- anything he tackles. He succeeds In breaking up a gang of white hoodlums which had been egging the redmen into preventing the wagon train from reaching a certain rich valley. Hot and heavy action, in the few fights depicted, Is the only thing that saves the whole thing from the doldriuns. Direction Is loose, but not much could be done with the material. Red Foley's Saddle Pals kick in with a few trail times,, none of more than passing interest Wanda Mc- Kay's the femme interest She handles herself with considerably more ease than the average. • Wood.