Modern Screen (Dec 1940 - Nov 1941)

JOAN BENNETT IN THE EDW. SMALL FILM "THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO" MOVIE REVIEWS (Continued from page 11) love story as well. You can't imagine Robinson in a romantic mood? Well, then, just look at him here in the scene where, as a young man, he is madly in love with Edna Best but is afraid to tell her so. You will want to take them both in your arms and hug them, they are so lovable. Though the leads are in the hands of Robinson and Miss Best— and capable hands they are— much of the credit is due Albert Basserman, the 72-year-old gent who has been making a habit of running away with pictures; Eddie Albert, perfectly cast as Reuter's younger brother, a dreamy, flibberty-gibberty youngster who would rather write poetry than attend to business; Gene Lockhart, Otto Kruger, Nigel Bruce and Montagu Love. Directed by William Dieterle.— Warner Brothers. PREVIEW POSTSCRIPTS: The actors and actresses, on an exact reproduction of the Ford Theatre stage in Washington, speak their lines from "Our American Neighbors" just as they were delivered the night Lincoln was assassinated . . . Carrier pigeons used in the film knew how to fly one way only — home — so sets had to be reconstructed at their owner's ranch, duplicating those built at the Burbank studio . . . Largest set of the picture was the wild, wind-swept Irish coast, where laborers struggle to complete the last section of Reuter's private telegraph wire . . . Robinson's make-up, less elaborate than that used for "Dr. Ehrlich," still required an hour and a half to apply ... In honor of his tenth anniversary of employment at Warners, the crew presented Director Dieterle with a bronzecovered book of off-stage and production stills from his old pictures. Spring Parade A few years ago this film would have led the field without any possible quibbling. It is Deanna Durbin's newest film and should rank right along with the marvelous septette that preceded it. But, unfortunately, it bumps up against a strange psychological factor. It is gay, happy, full of life and fun — but it is set in pre-war Vienna. Consequently, the gayer it gets, the more happiness and life it exudes, the sadder you feel, sitting there in the theatre knowing that that carefree, wonderful way of life is dead and gone. Joe Pasternak, the magician of Universal City, produced it, and it has all the usual Pasternak touches; impeccable taste, charm, vivacity. But for once, I am afraid, Mr. Pasternak guessed wrong. There was no reason to transport Deanna to Vienna; she's a good American girl and there are plenty of good American stories that don't have that overtone of tragedy. Having gotten all of which oft our chest, let us proceed to an examination of the many things about this film which are excellent. The story is a scatterbrained little item about a peasant girl (Deanna) who falls in love with a soldier-drummer (Robert Cummings). His trouble is that he wants to be a composer but nobody will let him, and her trouble is that she is just a country-maid who can't get used to city ways. It is that last which saves the day for both of them, for Deanna, with refreshing disregard for convention, goes directly to (Continued on page 17) I. Recently, Joan's hairdresser exclaimed, "At the hairline, your skin is dry as paper!" He advised a Woodbury Beauty Nightcap. Now at bedtime Joan cleanses with Woodbury Cold Cream. Pats on a light film to soften skin overnight. Your skin has its best chance to grow refreshed while you sleep. So every night at bedtime use 3-Way Woodbury Cold Cream. 1. It cleanses . . . safely. 2. It lubricates, releasing rich oils to soften dry 2. As her hairdresser predicted, Joan's Woodbury Beauty Nightcap helps keep her skin like velvet. At a "kid party" some weeks later, Joan took the bow when a toast was raised "To the girl who looks as young as her 'get-up'." skin. 3. It gently invigorates the skin, cooling and refreshing as it cleanses. Get a jar of 3-Way Woodbury Cold Cream today! So little in cost ... so much for your beauty! Only 31.00, 50*, 25*, 10* a jar. MAIL NOW FOR GENEROUS TUBE . . . FREE! (Paste on Penny Postcard) John H.Woodbury, Inc., 6619 Alfred St., Cincinnati, Ohio (In Canada) John H. Woodbury, Ltd., Perth, Ontario Please send me, free and postpaid, a generous-size tube of 3-Way Woodbury Cold Cream. Also 8 smart shades of exquisite Woodbury Powder. Name ■ Address CLEANSES safely Smooths as il LUBRICATES INVIGORATES WOODBURY COLD CREAM THE 3-WAY BEAUTY CREAM Night Time is "Beauty Refreshment" Time DECEMBER, 1940 15