Variety (Sep 1941)

Wednesday, September 3, 1941 THE PITTSBURGH KID (Continued from page 8) as might be Imagined, is his reading of lines. It's one continuous mono- tone. And he has plenty ot lines, too, tot he's. In the Octavus Roy Cohen yarn from beginning to end. He speaks clearly, however, looks okay and handles himself well, albeit B bit stiffly. While the glovesman's limp deliv- ery of the dialog is perfectly ex- cusable, as the guy's obviously a fighter and not .an actor, there seems no apology for the same kind ot single-tone talk from the rest of the cast. It's difficult to tell whether they are just holding themselves down to Conn's level or they are really that bad—and the latter sus- picion seems the correct one. Poor work by the players, trite story line and the spots tiiat direc- tor Jack Townely has frequently al- lowed to slow to a crawl will keep the picture from registering at the b.o. with any more of the public than those to whom Billy Conn is big beans. Its entertaining qualities don't go beyond the young pug from Pittsburgh. Screen play that Earl Felton and Houston Branch have carved from Cohen's Collier's story may dis- appoint some of the ring coterie in that there's not enough exhibition of fighting; there's sufficient for all general purposes, however. Story piclcs up Conn with the death of his manager just as he finds himself a comer. Jonathan Hale, a sharpshoot- Ing manager, thinks the kid's a good bet and sets his flaxen-locked vixen of a daughter, Veda Ann Borg, on Billy's scent. Femme almost has him inked to a pact with her father when daughter of Conn's former manager, Jean Parker, who's in love with the guy, decides. she'U. have him from Hale by Insisting on contractual rights and managing him herself. He resents it, of course, but gives in and the femme builds him, with the help of newspaper columnist Dick Purcell, to a championship bout with the top slug, who happens to be in Hale's stable. Meantime, Hale's daughter has been giving Conn a heavy play and he's falling for it, much to the annoyance of her b.f., Alan Baxter, a smoothie with a rough interior. Baxter's out to plug Conn but gets it himself in- stead and the Pittsburgh kid goes up for a mutder rap in the process. Comes out all right, of course, with the aid ot Miss Borg, who tosses Conn's affections back to Miss Parker to provide the necessary combination when fighter's in the •midst of losing the big bout. Among the sports figures who play themselves—or a semblance of them- selves—in the cast is Arthur Dono- van, who referees'tlw championship tussle; Henry Armstrong, who has an interesting go with Conn as one of his sparring partners; Jack Roper,, the champ whom Conn battles; Sam i Baiter, Mutual sports columnist of' the air, who does a radio announcer stint; Freddie Steele and Dan Tobey. Herb. FIZ.N REVIEWS 17 jectionable in view of the obvious type of audience a pic like this would get. Story, in fact, is better than the screenplay that Michel Jacoby has fashioned from it, with some of its dialog embarrasingly bad. Yarn tells of a public health com- missioner out to clean up an indus- trial and army town of prostitutes and the syphilis they are spreading. He enlists the local paper in his campaign with a gal reporter (that's a bit far-fetched) assigned to aid him in investigating and to write the stories. Interwoven with this are the difficulties of a youth who wants to get married but who finds he has the disease. He goes to a quack who takes his coin and does nothing for him, but tells him that he is cured. Lad then marries the sister of the gal reporter and just before their baby is to be born it iis discovered they both have syphilis. Boy, in anger at being duped by the phoney medico, calls on him and the doc pulls a gun. In the result- ant scuffle the MX), is killed. The lad, up for murder, refuses to reveal reason for the battle because he doesn't want the public disgrace on his wife and coming baby. His at- torney gets the tale out of him, however, and he's cleared. Result is town council's voting of money to the health commissioner for cleaning up the prosties. He had previously been denied it, council wanting the prevalence of the disease played down as giving the community a bad name. Commissioner and the gal reporter in the meantime, of course, have also fallen for each other. There's little punch - pulling. Words 'syphilis' and 'prostitute' are freely used, although not bandied about. Major educational value is in encouraging blood tests by show- ing how painless a Wasserman is and the principles on which it works. Also in stressing that there's a positive treatment for the disease which can be administesed by a reputable physician. Acting, aside from that of the mar- ried boy and girl (George Taggart and Adele Pearce), is rather pro- ficient. Most of the players are Hollywood regulars in indie and major B productions. Leon Ames is the health commissioner and Luana Walters the reporter. William Nigh's direction keeps action at a good pace, although his handling of the tenderer scenes leaves plenty wanting. Herb. fashion, it has topline camera work, and much charm. •A Day in Soviet • Russia' Is a kaleidoscope of activity. Whole of the Soviet Is covered; its industrial life, public facilities, people, occupa- tions, pleasures. Some of the stuff screened will evoke 'ah's'; for example, a quad- ruple-engined plane that sleeps 64 passengers, a mammoth streamlined pleasure steamer transporting at 60 m.p.h., a road-test for the ordinary Soviet auto. Technically there's one aspect of the Aim that falls short- editing is definitely abrupt. •■ A couple of hundred feet or so are devoted to Quentin Reynolds for introing the subject. He handles a cigaret lighter like there was no such thing as. a camera present. Narration is gaily unobtrusive. Queer though is constant reference, when making a comparison of things U. S., to New York City as America; or to put it another way, making Manhattan serve for the States as an example in behaviorism. NO GREATER SIN University Films (Edward Qoldcn) pro- duction and release; JefTroy Bernerd, pro- duction asaoctnte. Features Leon Amo:r, Luana Walters. Directed by William Nlsh. Screenplay by Michel Jacoby from orlRlnal by Mary C. Jlansone; camera, Harry Neu- mann; .editor, Kobert Golden. At Globe, N.T., week Aug. 28, IMl. Running time, n MINS. Dr. Cavanugh Leon Ames Sandra Luana Walters Townscnd Jotin Qallaudet Bill Thome George Taggnrt Betty Adelo Penrco Pa James Guy Usher Ma James Bodll nosing Benton William Gould Br. Raleigh Tristram ColTln Mayor Henry Roquemoro Dr. Hobson Frank Jnquet Scaturo Rolf Hnrolde Jarvls Lee Shumny This is the initial attempt In a non-sexer film to bring into the open the scourge of syphtlTs and rip from It the years-old mask of mystery, ignorance and hush-hush. That would appear to be a commendable aim were the motives of the pro- ducer purely (well, even almost purely) altruistic and were there an assurance that exhibs wouldn't sen- sationalize advertising to turn it Into nothing more than a common exploitation pictured There's no such assurance, of course, and the likeli- hood is too great that it will wind up with the roughest ads newspapers will accept and the wildest marquees and houseboards the cops will allow. Even so, trade will be thin in the limited number of situations that can handle a film of this type. It's too tough and unpleasant a suljject. Pic. is the first from the produc- tion incubator of Edward Golden, former salesmanager of- Monogram. Working with him on it was Jeffrey Bernerd, former chief of the Gau- mont-British distribution setup in England and the U. S. As might be expected on the slim budget with which the pair operated, the corner- cutting is plenty apparent. Photog- raphy .is frequently fuzzy and the cutting and editing (done by Gold- en's son, Robert) often amateurish. Recording is likewise not good, which leaves very little in the way of assets on the technical side. • Mary C. Ransone's original story puts quite a load of meller around the educational stuff, but it's not ob- PRAIRIE STRANGER (WITH SONGS) Hollywood, Aug. 29. Columbia release ol William Berke pro- duction, stars Charles Starrett. Directed by Lambert Hlllyer. Screenplay by Wins- ton Mlllbr, based on book by James L. Rubel; camera. Benjamin Kline; editor, Jamca Sweeney: asst. director, Tommy Flood. Previewed In studio projection room. Aug. .28, 41. Running time, 68 MINS. .Steven Monroe Charles Starrett 'Bone.V Clllt Fdwards Sue Rvans Paul McCarty Jud Evans Forbes Murray Jim Dawson Frank LaRue Barton Archie Tn'ltchell Craig Fr.lncis Walker Dr. AVesLrldge Edmond Cobb Undertaker James Corey Whittling Jones Rusa Powell Lew Preston and Ranch Hands Sunset Murder Case (WITH MUSIC) George Hlrllman production and release. Features Sally Rand. Directed by Louis Gasnler. Screenplay by Arthur Hocrl, Paul Franklin from Harold Joyce atory; camera, Mork Stengler; editor, Martin G. Cohn; music, Hugo RIesenfeld; special music. Sam Coslow. At Stanley, N. Y.. week Aug. 31. -n. Running time, S9 MINS. Katliy O'Connor ."Sally Rand Oliver Helton Reed Hndley Lou Fleming Dennio Moore Penny Sugar Knne Baptl StephanI Paul Sutton Lulgl Stanley Price Martin VInce Barnett I,ora Wynne Esther Mulr Tom O'Connor Frank O'Connor Carlo RoKsmorc George Douglas NItn Mndera Lena Andre Jane BaIrd Mary Rrodel Everett Druco llltchell Rankin Eildlc Gordon Editor Lester Dorr Interne Ttlll Durny Staufer Monte Carter Henry King and Orchestra This one is a thin excuse for an hour's screen time. Picture will find it tough making the grade even on dual setups. This Sally Rand opus has been a long time getting a clean bill of health from the N. Y. state censors. And with its release one wonders what all the shooting was about. Excepting that the film doesn't do right by the fan dancer, 'Sunset Murder Case' stands out only as a mighty sad piece of melodramatic attention here because del Carrll . tripe. Exhibs may get 'em in on the | currently In the States, angling foi idea of seeing a daring Rand dance (which they don't see), but that's all. . Routine gangster murder yarn has been manhandled in casting, acting, directing and scripting.. Miss Rand hints some promise as an actress even though handed a stupid heroine role here in which she has been inanely directed and accorded gosh- awful closeups. '.Not even given the break to show off adequately in the one peacock dance—obviously badly trimmed by censors—yarn is just another gang- ster distortion. Detective-pappy of the nightclub dancer having been shot down in cold blood by mob- sters, she sets out to avenge the deed. As projected, it's all extremely corny. There is a large cast, but it's minutely small on thespian ability! Sugar Kane, who sings with Henry King^s ork (which is okay), shows some promise as the vapld-mlnded femme. Dennie Moore, despite the hammy sequences, shows something. One song, "I'd Rather Look At You,' is fairly good. This production has been nearly two years getting to N. Y. exhibs. It wasn't worth the wait. Wear, Cuando Canta EI Corazon ('When the Heart Sings') (ABGENTINE-MADE) (With Son(s) Buenos Aires, Aug. 20, EFA production and release. Stars Hugo Del Carrlll; features Alda Luz, Jose Olarra, Fellsa Mary, Oscar ValUcelll, Adrian Cueno, Maria Ester ' Games, Julio Scarcella, Blcky Astorl, Eva Guerrero, Jorge Petroslno. Julio Renato, Fausto For- onl. Agustin Barrios, Alberto Terrenes, King Wallace and Emillo Fuentes. Story, R. M. Taboada, R, PIneym and R. de Solana. .Directed by Rlctiard Harlan. At Monumental, Buenos Aires. Running time, — .MINS. Three author credits are tagged on to 'Cuando Canta El Corazon' ('When the Heart Sings'), latest Argentine, made from Establepimlentos Fllma, dores Argentinos while three more are unlisted. That oldie about too many cooks fits the solution ^exactly. Only the presence of'Hugo tiel Car- ril and inclusion of a potpourri of popular tangoes hold it together, at least for the downtown houses in Latin America. It may do better in the nabes, but it's definitely grade B. Picture was watched with particular Resume of Best Shorts^ of the Month Third of new series of Charles Starrett westerns, detailing the ad- ventures .of a frontier sawbones, needs injections of action and riding to survive. 'Prairie Stranger' rolls along to the half-way mark before anything happens—and then it soft- pedals the heroics required by action audiences. It's a weak filler for the action houses. Starrett and comedy sidekick. Cliff Edwards, blow into a Nevada town to set up an office. Opposition of an eastern doctor culls all the paying patients, with the pair taking cow- hand jobs on a ranch. Strange poi- soning of cattle breaks out; Starrett is accused, but he indulges in the formula routines to finally catch the villain of the yarn. Picture drags through the first half, and picks up only nominal speed to the finish. It's an inade- quate actioner, and Columbia must needs hop up future issues of the series for continuance. Edwards and Lew Preston and His Ranch Hands provide several cow- boy ditties with strumming accom- paniment. Interludes provide the best parts of the picture. Waif. A Day in Soviet Russia (SOVIET-MADE) London, Aug. 14. Anglo-Amrrlcan Film Corp. release of Central Newsreel .Studios Production. Di- rected by M. Slutflky, R. Karmcn; scenario by B. Yagllnc, M. Tseltlln; music. Daniel Pokras-s; lyrics. V. Lcbcdev-Kumoch; e<ll- tora, Herbert .Marsh.Tll and Sidney Cole: commentator, Quentin Reynolds: camera. R. Karmen, M. O.shurkov, n. Ncbylltsky. At Phoenix theatre, London. -Running lime. 60 .MINS. Stalin's 'Hour of Charm' would, in normal times, get mere attention as capable celluloidiana slightly over- long. But these are other days and the terrain depicted here has long been built into a first cousin to the mysterious. Thus it's doubtful if many would resist the urge for a look at the Soviet way. Film has all the-looks of natural b.o. It's ex- cellent dramatography, travels on a script that clicks in workmanlike COLUMBIA Tee Up,' World of Sports one- reeler. Patty Berg, young golf champ, doing her stuff on links, aided by Bill Stern's deft corrtments. Partly spoiled by some alleged comedy. 'I'll Never Heil Again,' Three Stooges comedy; 18 min. Trio of roughhouse clowns romp around as top men in mythical kindom of Moronica. Kids the dictators and Axis partners—and it's funny. This'U make 'em forget many of tt'ose 'D' features. METRO 'Glimpses of Florida,' FitzPatrick color traveltalk (1941-42 subject); 10 min. Much overdone subject made appealing by ace color photog- raphy and FitzPatrlck's own neat narrating. Underwater scenes in color reach a new high in camera- ing. 'Coffins on Wheels,' two-reeler in •Crime Does Not Pay' series; 18 mins. Compactly constructed dramatic short story exposing a used-car racket. Gangster short with crim- inals brought to justice. Swell cast. 'Man Who Changed the World,' Miniatures series; 10 min. Carey Wilson relates story of James Har- greaves who invented spinning jenny and did more to change world his- tory than all the wars. Neatly re- enacted. One of better ones in this gi'oup. 'One-Two-Three, Go!' Our Gang one-reel comedy; 10 min. Kid char- acters in safety crusade subject. These laugh pictures go on and on, but are better in single-reel version. Best for juvenile audiences. PARAMOUNT 'Pest Pilot.' Popeye, the Sailor cartoon comedy; 7 min. Spinach- eating job tries to keep Poopdeck Pappy from becoming a . test pilot, unsuccessfully. Maintains high en- tertainment average in series. 'What's LaCrosse?' Grantland Rice Sportlight; 9 min. Ted Husing's nar- ration interestingly traces the origin of old Indian game up to present- day vogue. Skillfully executed ath- letic topic done up brown. 'It's a ■ Hap-Hap-Happy Day.' Gabby cartoon comedy in color; 7 min. This talkative know-it-all talks himself into a ludicrous camp trip. Max Fleischer's studio has done deft animation and colorful background, with numerous original quirks. BKO 'Peace—by Adolf Hitler.' March of Time; 18 min. Documentary type yarn which editorializes along ob- vious anti-Nazi lines. Neat audience package because of world interest in what goes on upon the peace front. 'Information Please,' with Anna Neagle guesting; 9 min. Decided pickup over recent issues, with pro- ducers deciding apparently that more' down-to-earth questions are needed. Truant Officer Donald.' Walt Dis- ney Donald Duck cartoon comedy; 8 min. Most laughj-provoklng piece of business from this studio in a couple of months or more. 20TU-FOX ' 'Winter in Eskimo Land.' Father Hubbard Alaskan Adventure; 10 min. Lowell Thomas' . fine voice lending- balance to superb wintry photography. 'Bringing Home the Bacon.' Terry- toon cartoon comedy; 7 min. Brightly conceived and trimly galted in exe- cution, with typical characters of this series. Universal "The Screwdriver,' Walter Lantz cartoon comedy. Seven minutes. Woody Woodpecker as a Jerk with a jalopy setting a dizzy pace that sends a soft-hearted traffic cop to a padded cell. Built for pop audi- ence appeal, and cllcko results. 'Is Everybody Happy?' Name- band musical, with Ted Lewis and other revue artists. Eight minutes. Showmanlike presentation of Lewis' 'band act, with Kay, Katya & Kay, dance trio; Charles Whittier and Four LeAhn Sisters rating laurels with the maestro. Strong reason for name-band musicals even this long. 'Dizzy Doings.' Personality mu- sical. Eighteen minutes. Novel way of stringing together some song-and- dance acts, spotlighting Mary Healy, Frank Gaby, Rhythm Rascals, the Theodores and Ted Arkin and Dorothy Roberts. Okay for av- erage audiences. Warner Bros, 'Carnival of Rhythm.' Two-reeler in color with Katharine Dunham's dance troupe. Lavish color over- comes jerky direction. Dance num- bers trimmed of sexy tinge by deft cutting. Cashes in on current Latin- American music craze. 'We, the Animals, Squeak.' Looney Tune cartoon comedy. Seven min- utes. Leon Schlesinger's infectious Porky Pig as spieler on animal radio program. Holds to series laugh gait. Hollywood possibilities, and directoi Richard Harlan is the only U. S. di rector on any local lot Story is that old fave about a rich man about town who's confined ti his pop's estancia after he loses i lot of cash running around town When he finishes his year oft the farm he heads back to the brlghl lights, seeks out his singer sweet- heart and marries her without tip- ping off the old folks. The pair seta out with the gal's troupe, goes through poverty and finally makes good. Parents are finally reconciled and accept an invitation for what they think is the wedding. Turns out to be the baptism of the first born with resultant confusion and final settlement. Dialog in spite of its commonplaces is amusing and expressions likely to be picked up by nabe audiences may help build interest - -Plot develops slowly with repetition ot scenes and songs usually looking as - if they'd been shuffled in from - a - deck of cards.. Finale comes with a review of old tangoes presented in an old- fashioned style. Characters, while apparently out of stock, manage to garner laughs. Horserace sequence which provides the punch close ia also rather good. Del Carril's warbling and handling of the guitar, especially in 'Silencio,' a new tango especially written for the pic, are up to standard but his acting is still weak. Alda Luz does well as his chief support Photog- raphy good and musical background better than average. Ray. Se Persona Honrada Necesita . ('Honest Person Needed') (ABGENTINE-MADE) Buenos Aires, Aug. 20. Lumlton Films production and release. Features Francisco Petrone,- Alicia Vlgnoli, Marcelo Ruggero, Pedro Mnrateo, Carlos Morgantl, Rosa Cata, Edna Norrell, Pedro Blbe, Alberto Terrenes, Salvador Mlnal. Jose Ruzo, Rcnee Pocovl, Alfredo Forna- reslo. Story,, SIxto Pondal RIos and Cnr> los Ollvarl. Directed by Francisco Mu- Klca, At Monumental theatre, Buenu* Aires. Running time, 77 MINS. Done with the same writing combo, producer and director as- the smash Argentine hit, 'Tuesday, Orchids,* 'Persona Honrada se Necesita* ('Hon- est Person Needed') rates as a good sentimental fafce without achieving any top ranking.- It's likely to be a good draw at Latin boxofflces, espe- cially in the nabes, and may be ot some Interest for U. S. presentation because of Its backgrounds of city life in Buenos Aires. Story, while conventional. Is given plenty of movement by Director Francisco Mugica, and clever dialog by Sixto Pondal Rios and Carlos Oll- varia adds-to the attractiveness. Sen- timental touches accent the second. half, but the hackneyed' backgroimd has been submitted to a treatment which takes the'curse off by inject- ing Irodic and ingenious episodes carried out with naturalness and con- viction. Story tells of a crook who wins a lottery but can't go to collect because he's wanted by the cops. He adver- tises for an innocent young girl to do the job, wins her trust, but falls in love at the same time. He's inspired by her pure life, gives himself up, returns the money he has stolen and goes for a stretch in the jug. At the end of his sentence he returns to join her. Morality hasn't been stressed, and Mugica kids his plot. Shots at the River Plate football stadium in a football game which highlights the pic are well done. Francisco Petrone is especially good in the title role, playing with understanding not only on the farce portions, but the emotional scenes. Alicia Vignoli is not only easy on the eyes, but turns in a nice perform- ance. Especially noteworthy Is the comic, Marcelo Ruggero, who helps keep the light tone of the piece. Photography good and musical background adequate. Ray. ay. I Frisco SmaU-Seater Testing Single-Bii San Francisco, Sept. 2. The Vogue, 302-seat de luxe nabe, went single-bill Sunday (31) in a test to determine whether or not such a policy can pay out here. House is owned by Sam H. l-evin's San Francisco Theatres, Inc., which is associated with T. Sc D. Jr., which in turn is affiliated with the Golden State chain. Vogue, acquired by S. F. Theatres about eight months ago, was chosen for the test because of its small ca- pacity and fact that the better type of films do particularly well there. HIS TBOUBIES BEGIN Hollywood, Sept. 2. Louie Greenspan, after 15 years in trade newspaper work, wants to learn motion picture production. Starts today in the RKO produc- tion (lepartmeiit