Harrison's Reports (1961)

114 HARRISON'S REPORTS July 22, 1961 "Alakazam the Great" with the voices of Frankie Avaion, Dodie Stevens, Arnold Stang, Jonathan Winters and Sterling Holloway (American Int'l, July; time, 84 min.) Very good. The skillful Americanizing of a featurelength Japanese cartoon, in Magiscope and color, has resulted in an attraction which should prove a solid hit with the kiddies and many adults. It's an actionjammed, tuneful picture about an arrogant monkey, voted king of the beasts, who tries to rule the world; ends up using his Merlin-taught magic in a wise and humble fashion. The re-scored Toei production — music's by Les Baxter — features the voices of such popular artists as Frankie Avaion, in the title role; Dodie Stevens, as his monkey girl friend; Jonathan Winters, as a pig; Arnold Stang as a cannibal; and Sterling Holloway as narrator. Presented against a multitude of fine sets are such attention-holders as a bullfight in a volcano, a bout with Hercules, a duel of prehistoric beasts, a giant scorpion, and a battle of monsters. Modern slang and inventions mixed in with the ancient settings add to the novelty of this expensively mounted production which moves at a merry pace: — All great magicians retire to Majutsoland, lovely isle floating in air off the Japanese coast, ruled by King Amo and his wife, Queen Amas. Their wizard, Houlini sees via a magical telescope, that a monkey has been king of the beasts on earth. The monkey, Alakazam (Frankie Avaion), who has a girl friend, De De (Dodie Stevens), must prove his bravery to the other beasts. He goes over a waterfall, disappears, then finally surfaces, wins the name "Alakazam the Great" from his monkey subjects This adulation goes to his head. He becomes rude, arrogant. Bored, the new king is also irritable. When he learns about the great human magician, Merlin, Alakazam sets off to master the universe's secrets, persuades Merlin to teach him all. When through with his education, the monkey is told to use his gifts with mercy, wisdom and humility. Only then can he become a great monarch and a good man. But, alas, Alakazam becomes more arrogant, taunts his friends, including his beloved De De — even pokes fun at King Amo, who to teach Alakazam a lesson, imprisons him in a cave, until he can learn the uselessness of conceit and selfishness. Only De De doesn't desert him, brings him food during the winter. One day, numbed by cold, she collapses; is rescued by Queen Amas, who agrees to free Alakazam if he will go with Prine Amat, her son, on a pilgrimage to learn humility. Alakazam reluctantly agrees. A poor village girl is to be carried off by Sir Quigley Broken Bottom (Jonathan Winters), a pig member of the McSnarl Gang. The monkey does battle with Broken Bottom, convinces him to join the pilgrimage. They next meet the cannibal Lulipopo (Arnold Stang), who, taught a lesson, joins the growing group. The Prince is kidnapped by King Gruesome, who is aided by his underling, Fester. Almost outwitted, they destroy Gruesome, his mean wife and their unholy kingdom, then rescue the Prince. Fester repents, is set free. At their pilgrimage's end, King Amo and Queen Amas agree that Alakazam has taught himself to use his power wisely, and allow him to return to the animal kingdom wisely, and allow him to return to the animal kingdom. A Toei Production, produced by Hiroshi Okawa. Lou Rusoff produced the U.S. version. Family. "Francis of Assisi" with Bradford Dillman, Dolores Hart and Stuart Whitman (20th-Fox, July; time, 111 min.) Fair. Catholics and those strongly interested in reli gious themes will be about the only ones deriving much satisfaction from this CinemaScope-Color account of the adult life of St. Francis. For this superficial treatment is almost devoid of action and suspense, while being too talky. Dillman is overly stiff in the demanding part of the young 13 th centuryCrusader who puts aside his sword to start an order which has as its primary rule, a vow of poverty. Dolores Hart, as the beautiful rich girl who becomes a nun, and Stuart Whitman, as a soldier-nobleman, do the best they can with weak dialogue. A faw fine scenes of Italy are helpful : — In the little Italian town of Assissi in the early 13 th century, an army is being recruited in the name of Pope Innocent III to liberate Sicily for King Frederick. Among those joining up is Francis (Bradford Dillman) , a handsome youth who at times is aware of the emptiness of his life. He is the son of Pietro (Edouard Franz), a wealthy cloth merchant and Donna Pica (Edith Sharpe). Both are extremely proud of Francis. Newly arrived in Assissi is Paolo De Vandria (Stuart Whitman), an impoverished young nobleman en route to Sicily to reclaim his estates. He and Francis become friends. Before going to war, Francis visits Clare (Dolores Hart), beautiful young daughter of an aristrocratic family. She meets Paolo, falls in love with him. Sicily-bound, Francis thinks he hears a voice. In battle he does well, but as the enemy retreats, he hears the voice again, telling him to go home, wait for future instructions, which he does. But he is denounced as a deserter, thrown into prison. Paolo returns a hero, and moved by Clare's pleas, has Francis released. The Lord's voice again speaks to Francis, commands him to rebuild the church. A church stands in ruins outside of Assisi. Francis takes the stern vow of poverty, goes begging for stones and starts rebuilding the house of worship. Soon he is joined by others, some of whom stay, and Francis begins a new religious order. There are 12 brothers, and they make the journey to Rome to seek the approval and blessings of the Pope (Finlay Currie). After some red tape, they get to see the Pope who grants Francis' request. Although Paolo wants Clare to marry him, she listens to the preaching of Francis, takes her vows to become a nun. Paolo, blaming Francis, ride off to the Crusades with hate and batterness in his heart. As his order grows, some of the monks violates Francis' rule of poverty. The Pope asks Francis to bring peace to the Holy Land where the crusaders are battling the men of the Sultan (Pedro Amendariz) . When Francis courageously starts to walk through a fire to prove his faith, the Sultan is impressed, allows Francis to tour the Holy Land. At the Crusader's camp, Francis witnesses outrages in the conquered city of Damiett. The army engages in orgies of sadism and brutality. At the same time, Francis receives news that some of the brothers in Italy have tried to establish a new order, abandoning his principles of poverty. Tired, sick, Francis returns