Boxoffice-July.01/1950

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Opinions on Current Productions; Bxploitips for Selliog to the Public
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FEATURE REVIEWS
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)
50 Years Before YouT Eyes F """"""'"^
Warner Bros. (931) 70 Minutes Rel. July 29, '50
Unquestionably the best film review of American history
ever assembled. Use of the voices of Arthur Godfrey, Quentin
Reynolds, H. V. Kallenborn, Clem McCarthy, Andrevir
Baruch, Norman Brokenshire, Milton J. Cross, Dwight Weist
and Dan Donaldson, and the introduction of sound effects
and music in historic newsreel shots, gives the film a sense
of immediacy. Some of the old material is so rare few persons
have ever seen it. Successive ten-year periods from 1900 to
the present are treated. It is a remarkable editing job. Alfred
Butterfield wrote the continuity with Thomas H. Wolf and
acted as producer. Robert G. Youngson directed under the
supervision of Walton C. Ament. The picture presents a
selling problem, because it will require the support of educators
and civic groups who must be convinced that it is
interesting as entertainment and invaluable as an education
medium. It's a must-see for everyone.
Where the Sidewalk Ends F
20fh-Fox (017) 95 Minutes
Mystery
Drama
Hel. July '50
Another in the season's abundant supply of whodunits,
this cops-and-killers drama can be assured of at least its
rightful share of boxoffice takes, if not more. It boasts a
hard-working and talented cast—supporting players as well
as topliners—and a screenplay which displays originality
in plot and provides excellent opportunities for fisticuffs
and other action ingredients, though a bit lengthy and, at
times, slow-moving. The photography is an outstanding
asset, capturing some splendid shots of the film's New York
background. Thus, the exhibitor who uses the plentiful exploitation
hooks; the inside view of New York's finest at
work; the drawing power of the stars; and, as an additional
fillip, the fashionable gowns modeled by Gene Tierney,
should help this better-than-average feature. Meticulously
produced and directed by Otto Preminger.
Dana Andrews. Gene Tierney, Gary Merrill, Bert Freed, Tom
TuUy, Karl Maiden, Ruth Donnelly.
Comedy
Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance F
Monogram (4912) 62 Minutes Rel. lune 4, 'SO
Apparently Producer Hal E. Chester has decided to maintain
the emphasis on comedy, rather than on semiserious
dramatics and activities in the squared circle, in his venerable
"Joe Palooka" series based on Ham Fisher's widely
syndicated comic strip. That about-face was initiated in
the last entry ("Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey") and is continued
herein. Slapstick predominates again in this one,
and the rotund Humphrey— in the person of
Robert Coogan
is the figure around which much of the action revolves.
Productionwise it is up to standard; Jean Yarbrough's direction
is competent; and performances are on the same
satisfactory level as in previous chapters. The popularity of
the series to date indicates showmen will encounter no
trouble in merchandising the film for adequate returns in
those situations where audiences hove proved receptive to
the "Palooka" features in the past.
Leon Errol, Joe Eirkwood, Robert Coogan, Lois Collier, Tom
NeaL Jack Kirkwood, Andrew Tombes, Iris Adrian.
Destination Big House
Republic (4918)
60 Minutes
? Action
Drama
Rel. June 3, '50
Despite the misleading title, which suggests a prison
drama, this is a fair action programmer which will fit the
spot for which it was intended—second feature on dual bills.
Although Dorothy Patrick and James Lydon are familiar
names, they are not strong enough to carry the picture alone
in action houses. The story shows how a fleeing racketeer
with stolen money almost ruins the life of a small town
schoolteacher. While there is shooting aplenty, none of the
scenes takes place in jail. Dorothy Patrick is attractive and
convincing as the schoolteacher, but Lydon contributes a
weak acting job as her spineless brother. Richard Benedict,
as the gangster, and John Harmon, as a nearsighted gunman,
stand out. Director George Blair has managed to keep
the audience guessing about a hoard of stolen money until
just before the fadeout.
Dorothy Patrick. Robert Rockwell, James Lydon, Robert Armstrong,
Claire DuBrey, Richard Benedict, John Harmon.
1162
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Treasure Island
RKO Radio ( ) 96 Minutes
F
Drama
(Tectinicolor)
Rel. Aug. Z '50
Every man-jack among potential ticket-buyers who has
read and dreamed over Robert Louis Stevenson's immortal
classic of piracy and high adventure—whether they be the
juveniles who thrilled to the book yesterday or the oldsters
who read it a half-century ago—should bring their doubloons
to the theatre turnstiles in patronage of Walt Disney's
screen version thereof. Filmed in England—and in
striking Technicolor—the picture is done with the meticulous
care and impressive production values that have become
the Disney tradition. While Moppet Bobby Driscoll is the
.only American name for the marquee—and his delineation
of Jim Hawkins is characteristically v/ide-eyed and convincing—all
performances are impressive, most especially
Robert Newton's Long John Silver. Any enterprising showman
can merchandise the offering into a sure winner-
Directed by Byron Haskin.
Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Walter Fitzgerald,
Denis O'Dea, Finlay Currie, Ralph Truman. >
Rogues of Sherwood Forest F
Drama
(Tectinicolor)
Columbia (243) 91 Minutes Rel. July '50
Keeping closely to the tried-and-true legendary tradition
of the Robin Hood stories, Columbia has produced another
screen sword-flasher cut to the same pattern and fitted to
the romantic action fans. As a program picture for the
upper half, it is a neat job even though lacking in original
touches. The archery and the spectacular acrobatic stunts
will please the younger fry and the whole thing has a nevernever-land
quality which appeals to certain types of adults.
However, in spite of Technicolor, good acting, intriguing
episodes, thrills and exciting bow-and-orrow feats from trees,
the picture is too much like other recent ones stemming
from the same legendary figure and often gives one a feeling
of looking at a reissue. It has many possibilities for
exploitation, largely through sports store windows and
with archery contests as well as a Magna Carta lobby display
for adult interest. Gordon Douglas directed.
John Derek, Diana Lynn, George Macready, Alan Hale, Paul
Cavanaugh, Lowell Gilmore, Billy House.
Johnny One-Eye
Drama
United Artists (626) 78 Minutes Rel. May S. '50
This typical Damon Runyon mixture of hard-boiled Broadway
characters and sentimental plot again proves to be
less successful on the screen than on the printed page.
Pat O'Brien and Wayne Morris, as well as the author, are
good selling names but the picture is best suited to the
neighborhood duals or the action houses. Director Robert
Florey is no Frank Capra and therefore is unable to make
such characters as Lily White, a strip-tease dancer; Cute
Freddy, a gunman, or Lawbooks, an attorney, either believable
or amusing. The story in which they are involved
is just as fantastic as their names, but it starts off at a
fast pace and then lets down until the shooting climax.
Much of it deals with a six-year-old girl, played in a toosaccharine
and precocious fashion by Gayle Reed, and her ,2
wounded dog, nicknamed Johnny One-Eye. Donald Wood£„
contributes an outstanding bit.
1147
Pat O'Brien, Wayne Morris, Dolores Moron, Donald Wooc",
1145
Gayle Reed, Raymond Largcry, Lawrence Cregar.
_1145
Ac
Timber Fury
F
1129
Dn
1108
Eagle Lion (066) 63 Minutes RoL June 22, 'i
This is a screen dramatizition of the James Oliver Curwood
adventure story called "Retribution," and stars David
Bruce, Laura Lee and Zoro, the Greenland husky canine
actor. There is not much marquee value to these names
but a dog star can always add interest for certain patrons,
and the picture has some logging interest for those who
like outdoor scenes and rugged action sequences. It is a
double bill filler, of course, to build up the lower half and
as such is only adequate. Certain exploitation possibilities
suggest themselves because of the dog angle and then the
timber industry of the northwest has exploitable features
in some sections. Libraries can be asked to coop>erate vrith
a display of Curwood's books as can local bookshops, by
allowing window cards along with displays. The dog-bear
fight can be emphasized for interest. Bernard B. Ray directed.
David Bruce, Laura Lee, Nicia DiBruno, Sam Flint, George
Slocum, Lee Phelps, Gilbert Frye.
1108
US