The Film Daily (1941)

Tuesday, August 12, 1941 ^*? <€ R E V I E CJJ 5»|Canadlan Theaters Feeling 20% Tax The Little Foxes' with Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Patricia Collinge, Teresa Wright RKO 116 Mins. A GREAT STAGE PLAY TRANSFORMED INT==-A GREAT SCREEN DRAMA; SHO#i> PILE UP IMPRESSIVE GROSSES EVERYWHERE. Samuel Goldwyn has given the screen a great dramatic production. Too often, in the transcription of a stage play to the screen, certain values inherently necessary to the development of a play vanish on its way to Hollywood. Not in this case. Nothing is lost. The production has gained in stature and blossomed forth with new dramatic power and beauty. All credit to Goldwyn for treating Lillian Hellman's play with the proper objective reverence and respect. The splendid direction of William Wyler is in large part responsible for a film that sheds its stage trappings with dignity and theatrical magnificience. Lillian Hellman, the author, has made some slight alterations for the screen version and all for the better. Inclusion of the role of the young newspaperman who loves the daughter of the Giddens lifts the screen play above the almost too-realistic happenings of the stage vehicle by adding a much-needed romantic note tf hope to the proceedings. Arthur Kober, Dorothy Kober and Alan Campbell can share praise for their contribution in the way of additional dialogue. While showmen may eye the cast and quickly spot Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall for marquee names, they will discover the film contains a number of superlative performances. Miss Davis' role as Regina Giddens is custom-made for her and she fills it beautifully. Looking as if she stepped out of a Gibson Girl portrait, her portrayal of the scornful, selfish and cruel Mrs. Giddens will win her new honors. Among the newcomers, stardom undoubt edly beckons to Teresa Wright whose act ing is marked by a poignant beauty and grace. From the stage cast, Patricia Col linge should be far in the lead when Aca demy Awards are passed out for supporting performances. Her acting is the kind that grips at one's throat. There is a faded magnificence about her part as the aunt who comes from one of the fine, old families of the South, who suffers a quick disillusionment when she marries into the more commercial Hubbards. Herbert Marshall as the invalid husband who dies because of the calloused indifference of Miss Davis handles his role well. Charles Dingle, from the stage cast, does his role as one of the Hubbards and Miss Davis' brother, with the same degree of excellence. So do Carl Benton Reid, Dan Duryea and Jessica Grayson who are also from the stage cast. Carlson shines along with the rest of the group. Story is a gripping dramatic tale of the efforts of a Southern family to capitalize on the new industrialism which comes to the South at the turn of the century. Regina Giddens and her brothers exemplify the greed of this new materialism. Miss Davis is not to be thwarted in her desire for wealth in getting a cotton factory started. She allows her husband, who opposes her wishes, to die when he begs for medicine which would give him life. What she does (Continued from Page 1) central Canada and the maritime provinces, where one or two centers report theater attendance has gained despite the price increase. In the cities, attendance has held up better in the downtown shows than in the neighborhood theaters, although the decline was general just after the tax went into effect May 19. Largest single exhibitor, Famous Players Canadian Corp. has been insulated from the effects of the tax to some extent by the ability to balance poor receipts in one section against better results in others. Several theaters have been added to the Famous Players circuit and a number removed, with the result that the number of theaters opeated is about the same as at the end of 1940, about 330, or nearly a third of the Canadian total. Nazis Control French Film Prod'n in Occupied Zone Patrons Stringed Miami Beach — Sonny Shepherd, manager of the Lincoln, had a special trailer made calling attention to the short piece of string the doorman had given each patron, with instructions to tie the piece of string to a finger to remind them to see such-and-such a picture due to be presented at the house the following week. (.Continued from Page 1) try. The Nazis also have a degree of control over pictures made in unoccupied zone, demanding a say in the nature of the films produced along with details of the stars and technicians to be employed. Under the regulations in occupied France the Germans will direct film censorship, influencing the type and trend of films made. Pictures must contain nothing to embarrass the German or French Governments or the Nazi military command. Newsreels may not conatin anything against Germany or the ' military command nor make any mention of the German army, navy or air force or the disposition or movement of any troops. No allusion is permitted to General de Gaulle or Great Britain nor polemics about the armistice with France. Any reference to diplomatic news must be confined to those issued by the German official news agency or given on German broadcasts in France. Similar regulations are enforced under the new regulations in theaters and music halls. Jack Goldberg to Make Negro Films in Florida Jack Goldberg, head of International Roadshows, Inc., producers of Negro pictures, will start production next month at his own studios in Miami. "America's Tenth Man," a feature, and "The Crimson Claw," a fifteen-chapter serial, will be his initial productions in the new quarters. Goldberg's pictures reportedly play to a weekly audience of 400,000 in approximately 500 theaters. Joins Warner Staff Miss Josephine Caldwell yesterday joined Mort Blumenstock's ad and .publicity department at Warners' home office to work on magazine and newspaper publicity. Miss Caldwell will work under Mitchell Rawson Eastern publicity manager. Warner-ABC Deal Signed in London (Continued from Page 1) and that the Treasury and Board of Trade have no objections to the transaction which involves a substantial contribution in dollar exchange by Warners. This means that Warners will pay out a large portion of the reported $3,600,000 price in American dollars and the balance in frozen pounds. Proposals for representation on the board of directors by Mrs. Maxwell and Warners will be submitted at the annual general meeting. (Date of the meeting was not mentioned in the cable story — Ed.) Rule 16 mm. Free Shows Subject to Ind. Tax (Continued from Page 1) and are subject to the collection of the state tax of $1 performance. He has assigned R. N. Huffman, assistant attorney general, to take over the collection of these taxes. According to information given out at the office of Allied Theater Owners, the tax is being collected from roadshows at the rate of approximately $30 a month for each set of equipment. of her life and the evil influences which surround her and her brothers. CAST: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, Richard Carlson, Patricia Collinge, Dan Duryea, Charles Dingle, Carl Benton Reid, Jessica Grayson, John Marriot, Russell Hicks, Lucien Littlefield, Virginia Brissac, Terry Nibert, Alan Bridge, Charles R. Moore. CREDITS: Producer, Samuel Goldwyn; Director, William Wyler; Cameraman, Gregg Toland; Screenplay, Lillian Hellman; Additional Dialogue, Arthur Kober, Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell; Original, Lillian Hellman; Music Meredith Willson; Film Editor, Daniel Mandell; Art Director, Stephen Goosson; Assistant Director, William Tummel. DIRECTION, Excellent. PHOTOGRAPHY, tea* **Ca*> re®* •-tver ^oU've JJol ;Ver* 1 * atv^e do'? 9AQS TO Ricus* ■^"..f MS NO CONNECT/ON Wth /" * « W TM * if , THE KAY "FROM RAGS TO V0> not count on is her daughter walking out Excellent. P\tf\ltf ALAN BAXTER • MARY CARLISLE JEROME COWAN » MICHAEL MORRIS • RALF HAROLDE PAUL PORCASI • SUZANNE KAAREN • EDDIE ACUFF Director: Joseph Kane Original Screen P!ay by James Webb A REPUBLIC PICTURE