Variety (May 1952)

N Ineptly produce* attd confyriiigly •■-- <coXoiu ■■ written. : . lUlph »nd Lt*U« C»roo Filrly ftaqr outdoor feature. topline as the 'principal character* Mh iiwr-hcdul and flip** in Art Cohn's- mixed-up screen in Australia. Amtfe returns. story, their work,. that of. tha V -^ ~ r other cafct members, or l^oul Hollvwood Mav 20 Walsh's direction are able to make Mth-Fo* nhu. Jniiwt H..L*pro- “»« h °l th ,*. Auction. star* M*ur**n o'h*m, p«ter Jure* the writing and Nicholas rjfay- Lawfo^; r*atuw» P&fcgr Currt*,. Ria»*|td wnce ption, Boone,., Chip* a«(«nr> utiy craraan,. *> ■ - ■ .• ■ ■ * . * .. Chari** Tin*w*n. piicMtad It * a yarn about a prizefighter MU*«toh«. ^?* r ' and other’characters who hang out from atory by Martin. B*rk*l«y, camera ■ Craebttieolor), Charjtca C. Clarka: editor, ill a fjfW Orleans WUe Stiver Mieit Pe MascioMmiak, s«iL.Kaplf^ knovft u Glory Alley, story line £*w*4*ay. U, m ***** M apparently deals with t]he, Illey's Pell. McGuire .Maureen O'Hara reaction t6 ^ Bichard Connor Peter Lawford and runs from the ring seconds be- Michael McGuire..-XinUy Currie fore' he.is to .start a fight for the JS?- ; Kathleen...:.,..... Letty Craydon reasons have something to do with Matt Charier i^wcu ^ 0 ld head scar, but the alley’s Bnrk« r ‘ ’ *. V. *.V..' ‘ - John ^Feian denizens figure he’s a coward and pleader ,..<?uy Doiemaa treat him as such,^ particularly §ft?n 0ffIwr juniirn Kurt Kasznar, blind hanger-on in, AWalrve .’stocicmVn.’.\\\“ Clyde Combo the saloon-training gym run by Gil-. Black Tracker-. Henry Murdoch bert RolAnd. " . Since Kasznar is the father of Australia's wide-open spaces, not mi ss Caron, this attitude doesn’t unlike the states’ own west, get ^p Meeker’s romance, so he en- tire Technicolor treatment in lists in the Army to fight in Korea "Kangaroo.” The locale-provides an( j >v in the Congressional Medal a fresh background .for the runoff 0 f Honor to prove he’s no coward, of what is a standard westernTea- Back borne again, Meeker coasts ture plot that is not particularly ai on g 0 n hero worship for awhile distinguished m the writing or u nt,U it wear* thin, then finances an presentation. However, the Down operation for Kasznar that turns: Under scenery, sorne rugged cat- 0ll £ unsuccessful, but he does win tie-drive action and glimpses of him over. Story, then falls com- Australian fauna are points that pi e t e )y f 0 pieces, revealing that can be used to exploit the picture Meeker’s * walkout' on a promising and help it rate average grosses. • r j n g career 1$ because he doesn’t -Maureen O’Hara, as a redhaired want people to see . the huge scar daughter* of the Australian bush, on his head. He conquers this comi- does an acceptable job of the plex though, goes on to become femme "lead. Peter Lawford por- champ, winning the friendship of- trays an English adventurer paired Glory Alley and the gal. With unscrupulous Richard Boone Meeker doe* what he ran with ta » to th^loMcly-diaped character!'Mss Snrtimf thL? ton F foursome sir such 'Caron is npt much on the acting AnitrnUan 7rf Sef as Chios end ' but l * U P the writing of Haffe?tv Le P ttv C?avdon Charles therole i She does shine brightly T?nawen andothers °Within a the in son }« Worried ballet-terp stints, limits of the s—ipt’a. potential they wSl gl fl? v6 r t^toe H n bu ^cf all are satisfactory. ‘ Loui? Blu«"' a ,^eiras vo5imng Lewis Milestone’s^ direction of it with anL ass i 5 t fr6m Jack Tea- Bassler production ex- garden. She also sings and dances hiblts a strong action hand m the a French tune, Louis "Satchmo” cattle drive sequences, T>ut he s Armstrong figures in .for a role as not able to endow the Harry Kasznar’s helner and «intr* and Kleiner screenplay, from a story blows \he tittenumber and ^‘That’s by Martin Berkeley, with any par- the Man Srid” 1 ticular dramatic merit. Some of « i ^ ’r t. „ T . the plot ahd character motivations Kasznar, Roland, John McXntire, are obscure, and - the continuity is vv f 10 narrates the story, Dan Sey- jerky. Camera work of Cnarles G. mou f *ud the others provide as. Clarke is worthwhile, adding some ^ ue b kelp as possible. William salable values in depicting the Daniels camera work and the ighTrcMoii exploitable assets. °u? er credits are accept- Lawford and Boone take It on ab e * Brog. ■ the lam to the Australian bush 1 after an abortive attempt to hold Apache Country up a Sydney gambling spot. They v J trick Currie, aging bwner of a Mild Gene Autry ^tarrer: okay drought - stricken cattle station *„ twin ^ (ranch), into thinking Lawford may ” 8CUl ^ be his long-lost son and convince _ , .. O'Hara thev want to helt) her Columbia relea** of Armand Schaefer miss liaia. tney want 10 ueip nti production. Star* Gene Awtry. Directed father save his cattle. The adveh- by George Archalnbaud, Screenplay. Nor- turers go along on a drive to bring n ““ s - H* n J camera, William Bradford; in the rattle from the hush to the » tor 'v.Sweeney; musical super- in tne cauie irom me ousn to uie yisor. Paul Mert*. Tradeshown in N. Y., ranch waterhole, and these se- May ic, '52. Runnin* time, 42 mins: quences, when plot doesn’t- get Gene Autry..'. Gene Autry in the way, are colorful and inter- £ nt Buttram...: Pat Buttram esting. A stampede, a bush fire and dSS Suter a devastating dust storm provide Laura Rayburn. Mary Scott dangerous excitement to the foot- jy alter Rayburn .....Sydney Mason age t and helps hold the picture &!"t together. Naturally Lawford falls Rdtche* Tom London in love with Miss O’Hara, under- e?5vl. eU ♦.Byron Fouiger goes a change and, at film's end, Tom Rin*o‘. V. '.V. ’. *. '.Mickey Simpson it’s established he wUl get off - y slmpaon lightly with the law and wed the ~ ... girl. This is one of Gene« Autry’s, There are a couple of senti- wea ^ e r pix. He sings less, fights mental songs sung by Currie dur- l ess > rides less—-and less occurs ing a "drunken spree and a rain than in his other films. Film has dance by a group of Australian too many closeups and too many aborigines to make up the few mu- side issues. ii Ca ionn ll iSSf ; f 1,01 ? has white conspirators sup-' 2“ %gS^^ A "Sfa t 32S? ™d k/eptog t h^S Sing le !Sn S R dcrs Range and cent settlers. Indian raids are a cer t*uit. arog. coverup for far-flung bandit activi- Apaehe Country Mild Gene Autry Trtarrer; okay in twin setup*. Glory Alley (SONGS) Poorly done drama of prize- fighter with New Orleans background; for lowercascrs. Hollywood, May 16. M-G-M release of Nicholas Nayfack pro- ties. Of course, the U. S. Govern- ment sends Autry with" his horse, Champion, to round up the gang while working undercover. How- ever, his identity is tipped at the outset by an agent for the gang in Washington, and the vehicle only becomes a contest to see which gunman will write finis to Autry’s career. Autry looks bored with the ductlon. Stars Ralph Meeker, Leslie Ca- whole thing. He still sincx in frm ron; features Kurt Kasznar, Gilbert Ito- wiSJrn livl*. JSSt v° P land, Louis Armstrong. Directed by }^ e fj ^5 With Melt Your Raoul Walsh. Story and screenplay. Art Cold,. Cold Heart his best effort. Cohn; camera, William Daniels; editor, Carolina Cotton ax a Gene Rmrgiero; musical direction, Georcio SnX Stoll; choreography. Charles O’Curran, fnow DailadlSt and Sharpshooter, Previewed May 14, *52, Running time, 78 fits the gal role nicely. But 1 Mary c v K s , c °tt as the vlllainess, acts as AurtU rosa LcSfe Caron though shc b * d beep trained in The Judge !.'* ‘ ‘.*.* Kurt KwSmar ? oa P operas and has never f orgot- Pcppi Donnato Gilbert Roland ten it. Pat Buttram, as Autry’s ! ld * 1 S*^ spa S?5i whenever given Jack Teagarden Himself a chance, which is not often Sal Nicixois (The Pig) Dan Sejmour enough. Francis X. Bushman is j.bb ??. 1 ". 1 ; 1 :::::::::: gowL s huned in the minor role of u. s. Spider ...; John indrismo Commissioner. Domingo Mickey Little George Archginbaud’s direction v ^«lgh Treason,”- Britlfh Im- port .. which preemefi it tlio Tram-Lux 52d. St. Theatre, N,’ Y., yesterdiy (Tuei.), wai reviewed from London, by , Variety in the issue * of Nov, l 21, 1951. "Devoid of name val- 1 ues,” Myro wrote, -picture is ; a natural jtor speeiil exploits- tioR on its strong sabotage* angle.” > *» Script outlines a. ,ruthles* ■subversive machine-at work in a varirity of undercover activi- ties, ?Ii* convincing Style ” the 'reviewer opined, "the sabo- teurs are brought to justice.” Director Roy Boulting "keeps the., film moving at a steady pace” and "good, all-roUnd thespmg is achieved.”- Pacemaker Pictures is dis- tributing the Paul Soskfn pro- duction In the U. S. Cannes Festival Shows Offbeat Pix OK for U.S. Arties or Programmers Cannes, May 12. With the Cannes Fest curtaining Saturday (10) and the prizes given' out, a recap reveals that yarlous offbeat pix were in evidence on the outer fringes of the fest. Though these pix may not have been kudosed, most of them have some appeal that may make them of in- terest, stateside, in small arty the- atres, or as offbeat programmers. Not all the pix were of adequate length for full stop billing, but could probably do if paired with a similar or counterpoised pic. Japanese showed "Walkers On the Tiger’s Tail,” which is a film in- terpretation of the classic Japanese theatrical style. Made by the man who did' Rashomdn, Akira Kuro- sawa, pic is pf - interest in treatment and thesping. It deals with 12th century Japan and concerns how a group of Royalists guarding their Prince infiltrated the enemy lines disguised as monks. Film has the typical classic characters: the clown, the great wily bodyguard and the royal, splendid-looking prince. With name of Kurosawa this might do as a dualer. Alexandre. Astruc, young Gallic director, showed his first pic here, “The Red- Curtain.” Running an uneven 50 minutes and extremely literary in conception with only a commentary and no dialog, film still exerts an interest in the mood and atmosphere created by deft cutting and pacing. It concerns a young officer billetdd in a bour- geois home during the French Revo- lution. There is a beautiful girl there but nobody ever talks to each other. Then one night the girl takes his hand under the table and this leads to many passionate Jlove trysts in his roopi. One night the girl dies in his arms and he in ter- ror drags her all over the house before fleeing. Extremely stylized and epicene, it is strictly for the offbeat artles. Luis Bunuel, director of the brutal "Young And The Damned,” submitted an uneven but gratifying fantasy, "Mountihg To Heaven,” a satire on all the Mexican films of passion and fury. It recounts a fan- tastic bus ride interspersed with dream sequences, political disturb- ances, fiestas and a seduction. This is another for offbeat pairing and runs a tight 70 minutes. An interesting Spanish entry of Juan Condes called "Surcos” looks like a likely entry for Spanish-lan- guage nabes Pic is an extremely realistic attempt to show the ef- fects of a farm family when it goes to the big city and falls into cor- ruption and decay. Pic soon be- comes overweighted and melo- dramatic but its preponderence of good scenic bits and some interest- ing thesping might put this.over. Roger Lecnhardt has made a fine evocation of the life of "Victor Hugo,” using paintings, drawings and illustrations from his books. Running 40 minutes and expertly edited and commented, this would make a good adjunct for any sort of art show. .. (COLO*) ; ,i-. * r ■ ♦ • Okay r prfT Bim actfcfter fieaUa* vrltfc wlM cavalry u4 IwiMi * *- ' — Hollywood, May 15. Monoarxw ot Walter Mirlfteli reduction. Star* Ben Jaihn— 1 *. Edcar Uchanan, Mtrttia Hr«r; .'faatura* H*ydt* I.fjya:rrnrv • “ i I » T - lfsa* Don IMr*ctad *y L«wta D. CpV Una. Screenplay, Dan Tillman; camera (Clnecolor), Harry Neumann; editor, Wil- liam Austin; ’ uuik.. Marlin S fci l n a Pre- viewed May 13, '92. Runnier - - time, 7» MINI. D*tt Light,. ........k*R Johnaon .Wintergreen, ...Xdgar Buchanan Caroline....^.............. Martha .Hyer Major Callen Hayden Rorke Capt. Wilmurt*.Beauaaont Young Dan............. .Orley Llndgrnn Sgt. Reach...... ...Don Haggerty Caroline (ax a child) Suwua Odin Rill Cole....... Stanford .Jolley Mr*. Light Barbara WoodeTl Mr. Light John Halloran This is a routine outdoor action- er of the love of a man for a wild horse ahd should "prove satisfac- tory-in the regular dual bill mar- i ket as a supporting feature. As the star, Ben Johnson gives the horseroundiip and riding sequences authority,- and the plbt is run off with enmigh action .to fill release intentions. The . Cinecolor lensing j is good. ~ i ' The early-west plot fin.ds John- son orphaned as a kid when his parents are killed by marauding Indians. His pet colt escapes and takes up with a wild herd and grows into a magnificent stalUon. The orphan is taken in hand by Edgar. Buchanan, wild horse ’hun- ter, and raised at a cavalry post. Grown to manhood, Johnson’s prin- cipal interest is on recapturing his old .pet steed. He does* but plot contrivance has him lose the horse to the cavalry, which returns it-to him after he saves a group of sol- diers from Indians. Johnson then joins the cavalry and marries the commander’s daughter. Main plot. is told in flashback, but without interruption of t.he time period after once* started. Lewis D, Collins’ direction' is, gen- erally capable in keeping things Oii the move. Johnson’s riding abil- ity and retiring presonality help his role. Buchanan is good as the grizzled old outdoorsman. Martha Hyer is adequate to the light de- mands, of her ingenue assignment. Hayden Rorke, Orley Lindgren, playing Johnson as A boy;-Don Haggerty, a cruel-sergeant, and the others are acceptable. The Walter Mlrisch production rates okay Cinecolor lensing from Harry Neumann and , other tech- nical assists^ fulfill budget aims. Brog. Othello 'Cannes, May 13. Marceau release of Orson Welles-Mog*- dor production. Directed by Welles. Adaptation from play of William Shako speare by Welles. Stars Welles; feature* Suzannes Cloutier, Michael McLeanor, Fa ^BTOllI Ufilif I T«ry ' Wnulker .7.\7.Y.Y.VJPa* vSZ is U P *° P a f* Cashlug in on wh*tr Frank, the PoUceman David McMahon ever the trite story has to offer. Newsboy Addams George Garvcr 1 William Bradford’s camera work . . is okay. Wear. "Glory Alley” barely gets* by as « — A lowercase programmer for the Isabel Withers celebrating- her general market. It is a hapless - 30th year in show biz with a role showcase for the talents of the cast, : in "Tonight We Sing” at 20th-Fox. Swedish documentary, "Hindu Village,” by Arne Sucksdorf, is an excellent study of a small Indian town and how progress finally gives it the water it needs. Life and mores of the town are well defined and film is expertly lensed and edited. Mosk. Michael Lawrence; camera, Brlxzl Fxnto. At Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, May 10, '52. Running time, M MINS. OtheUo Orson Welles Desdemona Suzanne Cloutier ..Michael McLeanor Roderlgo Robert Coot Cawlo Michael Lawrence Emilia Fay Compton Bidnca Doris Dowling After three years in the makingj Orson Welles unveiled his “Othello” at the Cannes Film Festival to win the top award.' Film is an impres- sive rendering of the Shakespear- ean tragedy. But because of the cerebral cutting and liberties with the original, this* is strictly for the art house set. Proper placing and price prestige plus probable favor- able crix and word-of-mouth should help this. Beginning is catchy in lensing, plasticity and eye appeal, but a bi( murky m development. After the marriage of Othello and Desde- mona over the protests of her father, the film takes a firm dra- matic line and crescendos as the warped lago brings on th^ ensuing tragic results. The planting of the jealousy seed in Othello is a bit sudden, but once it takes, hold, the Pic builds in power until the final death scene. Michael McLeanor is good as lago, the jealous, twisted friend whose envy turns to hate and murder. Orson Welles gives the tortured Moor depth and stature. Suzanne Cloutier is a weak note in the proceedings, making Desde- mona a simple, empty character. Supporting roles are adequate. Lensing is fine and of a good contrasting quality in recording the palaces, baths, bedrooms and dank halls. Editing is dynamic and exciting, making the points by contrast and shock effects to get over the internal torment of Othello. Footage shot In Italy and Mo- rocco is well matched photograph- ically. Standout scenes are the murder of Roderigo in a Moroccan P a *h as the chase weaves through the steamy air and ends in general T«* .. ji . WUnMjtr, 'M*i *Zi, * 1952 Sloped i» ** likely ttJ lead to 4 ^ ?>ttOV * r,y * 0r Umd pub " i^oslc« Geisha Girl • ,J^r jfceUfiv Needs, exploita- * * C Broakston. erpeuetlon.* Stars Martha , WJUlam Andrew*, Archer Mac. by. Breakston anrt Schoenbek-*; earner*, Ichiro Hoshiiima- mitslc. Alb.a GUa«er, At Rialt? F5ttW M Burjta ^ ‘ MINS. rj^ - wiiwn:; iwiiiinm^dS Aicnu,,......Archer MacDonald vr’if'Ll** **"♦»*,*- -.. Kekao Yokoo N»k*hiur*; .Teddy Nakamura t^'^vector-, Henry OkawJ »♦•*»»»••»• .....Tatsuo Salto Bettb.....,., Ralph w a Kara IfSHv 1 .Shlnzo Takada Strlptewer, Pearl Hamad* "Geisha Giri,” which indie .pro- ducers George* P. Breakston and C Ray -Stahl filmed in Japan last sum- mer, is a feeble effort, an excuse to work in some native backgrounds. Acting is weak', direction poor and photography far from firstrate. But despite its many faults, the picture is .an exploitable piece of merchandise. . If exhibitors stress the "night in a geisha house” angle, play up "GIs on the loose in Nip- pon,” etc., some curious and un- wary patrona'may be lured past the wicket. However, ‘there will be scant word-of-mouth. William Andrews and Archer MacDonald, two Yank soldiers fresh from a year in Korea, run in- to a series of misadventures in Tokyo prior to returning to the States. Also involved in the goings- on is'airline hostess Martha Hyer. In some,manner the trio gains pos- session of some ."explosiye” pills which a Japanese ring has devel- oped for purposes, of sabotage. Before the-police collar all the heavies, the story takes the partici- pants on -a tour through a geisha house, a kabuki theatre and a na- tional shrine. With the wealth of natural backgrounds that Japan has to offer, it’* obviou^ that some day a Hollywood production unit will make good use of them in a well- made . picture. Unfortunately, ‘.'Geisha Girl’” muffs it? opportu- nities in a cloak pf, "quicKie” at- mosphere. Performances are mediocre. Mjartha HyCr, although pert and winsome, fails to convince as the Airline hostess who turns detective. -Andrews and MacDonald are equal- ly unimpressive. Balance of the cast, with Exception of several American M-P.s, are Japanese. Breakston and Stahl directed er- ratically. Film's physical values in- dicate a slim budget. Gilb. ¥all of House of Usher OBRITISH) Sub-standard Version of the Edgar Allan Poe tale. • * ■ L., Barry Bernard 4c Arthur Manson presentation of GXB. Films production. Produced and-.directed by Ivan Barnett. Screenplay, Kenneth Thompson and Dor- othy. Cattr adapted from story by Edgar Allan Poe;'music, De Wolfe. At Squire, N„. Y„ May 1«, ’82. Running time, 70 MINS. Lord Roderick Usher Kay Tendetcr .Lady Usher......... .Gwendoline Watford Jonathan .Irving Steen The Ha*....*. LUcy Pavey Dr. CordweU.. ..........Vernon Charles The BUtler Gavin Lee Richard .Tony Powell-BrlstoW Louise .Connie Goodwin Grevllle Robert Wolard Geor*e...................Keith Lorraine This Edgar Allan Poe chiller has been converted into a sub- standard film. Acting, direction, photography and other technical aspects seem almost amateurish. Commercial chances, even as a dualer, are negligible. Except for Edgar Allan Poe, no name value* are connected with this effort Perhaps the trouble is that one man undertook too much. Ivan Barnett is credited with the production, direction and camera. Femme lead is played by Gwen- doline' Watford, who appeared earlier this season on Broadway m the short-lived English legit im- portation "Women of Twilight. Kay Tendeter, Irving Steen and Vernon Charles are also seen m leading roles. Waxman Buy* ‘Watch* Bhilip A. Waxman, indie pro- ducer of "The Big Night,” which United Artists released, has pur- chased "The Night Watch.” Thomas Walsh novel published by Little Brown fc Co. . v Waxman, who had been in N. x., left for the Coast yesterday (Tae ?;' to line up a director and cast gr his pictqrlzation of the hook, plans to lens it in Gotham late t summer.