Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, November 12, 1949 17 in-law. His wife's loyalty to her father causes a rift in the marriage but the story ends happily when the campaign issue, which had led the young husband to accept the nomination, ceases to exist so that he can honorably withdraw from the race. Comment: This is delightful, domestic comedy in the "Dear Ruth" manner and as a sequel, should cash in on the popularity of the previous film. The story, which yields plenty of laughs, is based on the amusing perplexities that arise when newly-married William Holden, living with his wife's parents, is drafted to run against his father-inlaw, Edward Arnold, for state senate. To add to the complications, the movement to draft Holden is started by his young 'sisterin-law, Mona Freeman. William Holden, with his relaxed, easy flair for comedy, gives an excellent performance, while Joan Caulfield is satisfyingly attractive and does a competent job. Edward Arnold is given ample opportunity to display the talent that has kept his name prominent in pictures for many years. Miss Freeman is good as the precocious youngster whose interest in politics precipitates the complications. Billy De Wolfe, as Miss Caulfield's ex-suitor who has never given up hope, adds to the pace of the film. The entire cast does an excellent job and the production values are good. The picture should do good business in all situations. Riders of the Range RKO Radio Western 60 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) One of the best in the Tim Holt series, v(rith action, humor and a hint of romance. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should be able to do anything anywhere that earlier Tim Holts have done. Cast: Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Jacqueline White. Robert Clarke, Reed Hadley, William Tannen, Tom Tyler, Robert H. Barrat. Credits: Producer, Herman Schlom. Director, Lesley Selander. Screenplay, Norman Houston. Photography, J. Roy Hunt. Plot: Two cowboys go to work for a girl rancher whose brother tries to rustle her cattle to pay his secret gambling debts. They straighten him out, incurring the enmity of the gambling impresario and of the desperado who handles his cattle deals. Through a misunderstanding, the desperado kills the gambler and the cowboys are arrested as the murderers. They escape and capture the desperado and the necessary evidence. Comment: The above plot summary only begins to suggest the complications as two separate packets of $3,000 change hands several times. Thus an unusual number of situations are produced, each resulting in violence with fists or six-shooters, on foot or at full gallop. The action fans have been well attended, never fear, but a wider group than that central core will be pleased by fhe strong measure of non-action incidents here. New scope is given to Richard Martin's comedy and his talk of senoritas, romance is hinted for Holt and Jacqueline White and a provocative painting appears in the gambling den scenes. Out front this can only be another Tim Holt western, but audiences inside will find it one of his best. Deadly Is the Female United Artists Drama 87 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) A strong dramatic offering that has the quality, the 'Silent Dust' A war deserter, whose father worships his memory in the belief that the boy died a war hero, returns for money and all the family try to shield the bUnd old man from disillusionment. This, as Jock MacGregor put it (Jan. 29, 1949) after a London trade showing, makes for a human story building to a powerful climax — a useful offering for most houses. Sally Gray and Derek Farr are the strongest names; as the father and son, Stephen Murray and Nigel Patrick excel. It's an Associated British Picture released here by Monogram. Running time, 82 mins. performances and the direction to make it satisfactory entertainment for those who relish film fare on the heavy side. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Though the cast has little marquee strength, there is the provocative title to give the picture some exhibition power. Word-of-mouth will help put it over. Cast: Pegg-y Cummins, John Dall, Berry Kroeger, Morris Carnovsky, Anabel Shaw, Harry Lewis, Nedrick Young, Trevor Bardette, Mickey Little, Rusty Tamblyn, Paul Prison, Dave Bair, Stanley Prager, Virginia Farmer, Anne O'Neal, Frances Irwin. Don Beddoe, Robert Osterloh, Shimen Ruskin, Harry Hayden. Credits: Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. Screenplay by MacKinlay Kantor and Millard Kaufman. From the Saturday Evening Post story, "Gun Crazy." by MacKinley Kantor. Photography, Russell Harlan. Produced by Frank and Maurice King. Plot: A youngster who goes to reform school because of his strange fascination for guns, grows up to be an honest man until he falls in love with a cold-blooded woman killer. After a short life of crime, he is forced to kill her, and is himself killed when she tries to kill his two best friends. Comment: Strong dramatic performances by the cast toppers and the skillful direction of Joseph Lewis, who keeps the suspense and action at a high pitch throughout, makes this melodrama exciting entertaimnent for the average audience. Though the cast has Httle marquee strength, there is the provocative title to give the picture some exhibition power. Once seen, the adroitness and credibiHty of the plot should bring about the kind of word-of-mouth to put it across in any situation. Peggj^ Cummins, as the coldblooded woman killer who has chosen a life of crime because of her desire for "better things," turns in a convincing performance, ^^•l^ile John Dall does an exceptionally fine job as the man she marries, who is constantly torn between his love for her and his innate desire to be honest. In lesser roles are such capable performers as Berry Kroeger, Morris Carnovsky and Anabel Shaw. The film is based on a Saturday Evening Post story, "Gun Crazy," by MacKinley Kantor, who also collaborated on the screenplaj'', and this gives the picture a large pre-sold audience. Entire quality of production by the King Bros, makes this excellent fare for those who relish their entertainment a little on the heavy side. Rusty's Birthday Columbia Drama 60 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) This picture will be liked by the family audience. Its appeal is heavily sentimental. The virtues of simple honesty, understanding and sympathy are deftly displayed. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Like all dog stories, this latest in the Rusty series will draw with the kids and parents alike. It holds up well to the standard of its predecessors. Cast: Ted Donaldson. John Litel, Ann Doran, Jimmy Hunt, Mark Dennis, Ray Teal, Lillian Bronson, Ronnie Ralph, Teddy Infuhr, Dwayne Hickman, David Ackles, Robert B. Williams, Myron Healey, Raymond Largay, Lelah Tayler, Flame. Credits: Directed by Seymour Friedman. .Screenplay by Brenda Weisberg. Based upon the characters created by Al Martin. Photography, Henry Freulich. Produced by Wallace M acDonald. Plot: The dog, Rusty, is found by his owner in the possession of an itinerant farm worker and ,his two sons. A strong attachment has already grown between the younger boy and the dog. The plot then hinges on the contest between the two boys for the affection of the dog. Comment: This little picture is frankly and heavily sentimental. Jimmy Hunt, as Jeff, is appealing as a motherless five-year-old who has had an imaginary dog since he can remember, so that when he finds Rusty he fastens all his loneliness and love on the dog. Ted Donaldson does a pretty good job in the role of the dog's owner and John Litel gives solid support. Picture, because it sells tolerance, understanding and the essential brotherhood of man. Within the scope of smalltown audience, is bound to attract the general run of moviegoers. Several scenes bring audible and sympathetic comment. Used on tlie lower-half of a double bill, it should take care of its running time satisfactorily. The Big Wheel United Artists Drama 92 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) For those patrons who haven't seen the Indianapolis Speedway, and the annual 500-mile race, here is an opportunity. The speed classic is shown with spills on every lap. The story is schmaltzy but the action fans will hardly notice it. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Naivete of story line seems to weaken the picture for metropolitan theatres. However, it should suit well as the action half of a double bill. The Mickey Rooney name may be expected to draw in most situations, and the picture offers exploitation possibilities. Cast: Mickey Rooney, Thomas Mitchell, Michael O'Shea, Spring Byington, Mary Hatcher, Hattie McDaniel, Steve Brodie, Lina Romay, Allen Jenkins. Dick Lane. Credits: Directed by Edward Ludwig. Original screenplay by Robert Smith. Photography, Ernest Laszlo. Produced by Samuel H. Stiefcl and Mort Briskin. A Popkin-Stiefel-Dempsey Production. Plot: A brash j^oungster's ambition is to emulate his father, a famous race driver, who had been killed on the Indianapolis Speedwaj^ years earlier. He goes to California, where he works for a race car mechanic, who had been his father's friend. The boy drives on the midget tracks and becomes a sensation until he accidentally kills another driver. He goes East where he redeems himself with his sportsmanship and courage in the Indianapolis race. Comment: Xaivete of story line would seem to weaken this picture for top spots in metropolitan theatres. However, it should suit well as the action half of a double bill. With the action fans, at least, the realism of the racing sequences, loaded with thrills and spills, will more than compensate for any lack in this respect in characterization. As a thrill fest, this film might well have been called "A Day at the Auto Races," and delivers almost a crash a minute throughout the hourand-a-half of its showing. The love storv (Continued on Pa.oe 19)