TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1963)

WHAT? AT THE MOVIES? TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE: GEORGE CUTTINGHAM ANSWERS YOUR MOVIE QUESTIONS The Condemned of Altona 20th century-fox; cinemascope The story centers on a multi-millionaire German shipbuilder (Fredric March), dying of cancer, and his son (Maximilian Schell), a guilt-ridden exNazi who lives in demented seclusion. The other characters — played by Sophia Loren, Francoise Prevost, and Robert Wagner — add little to the drama. (Miss Loren does drop her shoulder straps once, of course.) Two memorable scenes: Franz, in his old uniform, wandering about present-day Hamburg, staring at the affluence and degeneracy . . . and then back in his room the walls of which are covered with sketches of his own atrocities, he screams of his guilt. How successfully the film makes its dramatic point is questionable, but one thing is certain : Schell is an actor with plenty on the ball. The production is enhanced by first-class photography and by the music of Shostakovich (Symphony No. 2) which provides the background. For Love or Money UNIVERSAL; COLOR One of the funniest light comedies of the year. Kirk Douglas, departing from his usual role, proves an adept comedian as he plays a lawyer hired by wealthy Thelma Ritter (who looks great wrapped in money) to oversee the inatch-making of her three daughters : Mitzi Gaynor (a fact-minded advertising woman), Julie Newmar (an Amazonian health maniac) and Leslie Parrish (a clean and pretty beatnik). Many bright bits of funny business, an engaging cast and luxurious backgrounds make this a sure winner. The preview audience howled. The Leopard 20TH CENTURY-FOX; CINEMASCOPE, COLOR A sort of Italian "Gone With the Wind," describing the changing Sicily of 1860, as the old aristocracy gave way to the new middle class. The film is beautiful visually, but seriously lacking in dramatic power. Lovely views of ancient villas and sundrenched hills fill the screen with an authentic sense of time and place, but not enough happens to hold the interest. Surprisingly enough, Burt Lancaster is quite believable as the Prince of Salina, and Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon are also well-cast as the youthful lovers. A New Kind of Love PARAMOUNT; COLOR Paul Newman, as a free-wheeling, funloving columnist residing in Paris, swings with all the local talent and winds up with — of all people — Mrs. Paul Newman (Joanne Woodward) ! Thelma Ritter demonstrates her finesse with funny lines, Eva Gabor does the can-can, Maurice Chevalier twinkles through a few numbers, and the gals get to ogle a gang of new fashions. Pretty good fun. The Small World of Sammy Lee SEVEN ARTS Sammy is a small-time entertainer — an emcee in one of the sleazy stripjoints of London's Soho — who is going to get his lumps if he can't pay off his gambling losses. (A few years ago, this appeared on TV as "Eddie," a half-hour drama for which Mickey Rooney won an award.) Anthony Newley ("What Kind of Fool Am I?") is Sammy, and his frantic attempts to raise the cash add up to an interesting picture of life on the shady side. Of Love and Desire 20TH CENTURY-FOX; COLOR The story of a promiscuous socialite (Merle Oberon) living in Mexico City luxury, her strangely-protective brother (Curt Jurgens) and a nice American (Steve Cochran) who wants to take her away from it all. The actors do the best they can, but every "I love you" is apt to make you fall down laughing. The story itself is within the bounds of possibility, but the casting, the direction and even the photography are sadly wide of the mark. Rampage WARNER BROS.; COLOR Familiar big-game drama: Trapper Man (Robert Mitchum), Hunter Man (Jack Hawkins) and Girl (Elsa Mar tinelli). The animals are magnificent the humans get pretty silly at times Sabu, long absent from the screen, re turns to deliver the drollest line o< the year. As per native custom, he of fers to share his wife with womanless Mitchum: "Plenty for two," says Sabu The Running Man COLUMBIA; PANAVISION, COLOR Insurance companies are having a tough time in this year's movies. Here's another chap (Laurence Harvey) conniving with his wife (Lee Remick) in a life-insurance fraud. The film is pleasantly diverting, if not desperately suspenseful, and the startling views of Spain and Gibraltar may help you to plan next year's vacation. Well, you can dream, anyway . . . 12