Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

SHOWMEN^S TRADE REVIEW, November 5, 1949 23 The Box'Otfice Slant Current and Forthcoming Feature Product Reviewed from the Theatreman's Standpoint The Threat RKO Radio Gangster Drama 65 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) This gripping gangster melodrama with a ruthless killer running rampant i suspenseful entertainment for general audiences. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Though it has no name draw, this offering can be considered a minor league "White Heat" and so should bring in satisfactory grosses wherever gangster dramas have a following. Cast: Michael O'Shea, Virg-inia Grey, Charles McGraw, Julie Bishop, Frank Conroy, Robert Shayne, Anthony Caruso, Don McGuire, Frank Richards, Michael McHale. Credits: Directed by Felix Feist, Screenplay by Hugh King and Dick Irving Hyland from a story by Hugh King. Photography, Harry J. Wild. Produced by Hugh King. Plot: A convict escapes from prison and seeks vengeance on the people responsible for his incarceration. Comment: This is a minor league "White Heat" because of lack of names and less costly production values. Otherwise, it is just as gripping a story, has just as tough a leading character and violence running rampant. The well-contriYcd screenplay by Hugh King and Dick Irving Hyland gives the picture plenty of gripping suspense; so much, in fact, that most spectators will find themselves perched on the edge of their seats more than once, as the action unfolds. The title role is played by newcomer Charles McGraw and he does an outstanding job as the ruthless killer. Only here and there does one get the feeling that he is acting. Most of the time his performance is so natural that he doesn't seem to be acting at all. Plight of Michael O'Shea and Frank Conroy, captured detective and district attorney upon whom the ex-con has sworn vengeance, provides most of the apprehension and suspense, and this holds true for Virginia Grey, the convict's ex-girl friend. Supporting players have been well-chosen, each conntributing good characterizations. Capable direction by Felix Feist keeps the story moving and the suspense at a high pitch throughout. Production credit goes to Hugh King, who wrote the story and collaborated on the screenplay. Exploitation possibilities and word-of-mouth should arouse interest and result in satisfactory grosses wherever gangster dramas have a following. Captain China Paramount Drama 97 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT (Family) Cramjammed with action, this typhoon thriller is guaranteed to hold audiences spellbound due to capable production, direction and acting and particularly to the very realistic photography of a typhoon at its worst. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: A good bet for any theatre, with the typhoon the real "hero." Exhibitors should center campaigns on the storm, the several good marquee names and, for the women, the "choppy" love story. Cast: John Payne, Gail Russell, Jeffrey Lynn, Lon Chaney, Edgar Bergen, Michael O'Shea, Ellen Corby, Robert Armstrong, John Qualen, Ilka Gruning, and, as seamen: Lawrence Tibbett, Jr., Paul Hogan, John Bagni, Denver Pyle, Walter Reed, Don Gazzaniga, National Reviewing Committees' Audience Classifications EVERYBODY DOES IT (20th-Fox) FAMILY — Xational Board of Review CLASS A-SEC. 2 — National Legion of Decency PINKY (20th-Fox) FAMILY— National Board of Review CL.VSS A-SEC, 2— National Legion of Decency THE BIG WHEEL (UA) F.AMILY — Xational Board of Review CLASS B — National Legion of Decency Objection : Suggestive sequence Reed Howes, Lee Roberts, Wally Scott and CharUe Regan, Credits: Produced by William H, Pine and William C, Thomas, Directed by Lewis H, Foster, Photography by John Alton. Screenplay by Lewis R. Foster and Gwen Bagni from a story by John and Gwen Bagni. Song, Oh, Brandy, Leave Me Alone, by Josef Marais. Musical score, Lucien Cailhet. Plot: In a typhoon in the China Seas, John Payne, "Captain China," saves the ship commanded by his former mate, Jeffrey Lynn, who swore Payne had set a wrong course and driven his vessel upon rocks. Lynn then promises to tell the truth, that he himself had changed the course when Payne was drunk. On board are two sailors, Lon Chaney and John Qualen, who had locked Payne in his cabin and believed he had perished in the sinking of bis ship. They plan to kill him, but Chaney is crushed to death by an engine in the hold that the storm has loosened. Love story is between Payne and a passenger, Gail Russell, who deserts her fiance for him. Comment: Cram-jammed with action, this Pine-Thomas thriller will hold audiences spellbound with the mighty struggle against a typhoon which threatens to engulf the sailing vessel on which John Payne takes passage to force his former mate, now Captain Jeffrey Lynn in command, to admit having wrecked his own vessel while drunk. The story, while somewhat far-fetched, is made altogether believable by the furious storm, good production, the generally excellent acting, and by the exceptionally good photography which covers every angle of the typhoon's savage strength with such apparent verity as almost to make seasick those witnessing it, though none of the passengers on the ship are so affected. The story, with first aid from the typhoon, keeps interest at a high pitch, and there is a rough-and-tumble fight between Payne and Lon Chaney which makes most land fights pale into near insignificance. Payne acts his role competently and with proper authority and wins audience sympathy which he seems often on the point of losing in his grudge against his former shipmates. Gail Russell is good to look at and acts with considerable charm as the heroine who gives her long-time fiance the go-by for Payne. Capable performances are turned in by Jeffrey Lynn, Robert Armstrong, Lon Chaney, Edgar Bergen, Ellen Corby, John Qualen and Michael O'Shea. "Captain China" is a good bet for every theatre, even for those with land-lubber patrons who shy away from most sea 3'arns. The storm is the real "hero" of the film, just as it was in Joseph Conrad's "Typhoon," to which "Captain China" should make a grateful bow. Exhibitors should play up the typhoon, the savage fight, the several good marquee names and, for the women, the "choppy" love story. The File on Thelma Jordon Paramount Drama 100 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Splendid peformances by a wisely-chosen cast headed by Barbara Stanwyck and Wendell Corey in tense, exciting situations providing edge-ofthe-seat suspense, make this a powerful drama for any audience. Feminine patrons, in particular, will find it appealing, for it has some thrilling love scenes. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should attract considerable attention because of Miss Stanwyck's large following and the drawing power of the top cast names. A fine offering for any situation. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Wendell Corey, Paul Kelly, Joan Tetzel, Stanley Ridges, Richard Rober, Minor Watson, Barry Kelley, Laura Elliot, Basil Ruysdael, Jane Novak, Gertrude W. Hofifman, Harry Antrim. Kate Lawson, Theresa Harris, Byron Barr, Geraldine Wall, Jonathan Corey, Robin Corey. Credits: Directed by Robert Siodmak. Screenplay by Ketti Frings. From a story by Marty Holland. Photography, George Barnes. Produced by Hal Wallis, Plot: A jewel thief makes a play for an assistant district attorney so that he will be in a position to help her when she becomes involved in a planned jewel robbery. Instead, when she is arrested for murder and he ruins his future by weakening the prosecution's case, thus saving her from punishment, ' she dies because of her love for him. Comment: Producer Hal Wallis has made a powerful drama with Barbara Stanwyck in the title role, a picture that should attract considerable attention because of the star's large following. Miss Stanwyck portrays a woman jewel thief whose plans go awry because love unexpectedly enters the field. There are splendid performances by a wiselychosen cast in tense, exciting situations providing edge-of-the-seat suspense. Feminine audiences, in particular, will find the film appealing, for it has some thrilHng love scenes. Co-star Wendell Corey is exceptionally fine as the assistant district attorney who becomes innocently enmeshed and then has to pay for his philandering. Paul Kelly turns in a smooth, capable job as the district attorney and Joan Tetzel, as Corey's wife and the mother of his two children, is appealing and proves herself a capable actress. Stanley Ridges, Richard Rober, Minor Watson and Basil Ruysdael, in supporting roles, impress with their convincing, thoroughly satisfying jobs of acting. Robert Siodmak's direction is excellent, for he manages to arouse symphathy for the transgressors, in spite of their failings. Adam's Rib MGM Comedy 102 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) A screwball, sophisticated comedy no one will want to miss, especially those who enjoy the teaming of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Not only does the exhibitor have a good title and star-names to sell, but there are members in the fea {Continned on Page 25)