Variety (November 1954)

Vahiety Wednesday, November 10, 1954 Sign of the Pagan (C’SCOPE—COLOR) Topflight costumed actioner on Atilla, the Hun, with; enter- tainment values for hearty b.o. possibilities* Hollywood, Nov. 9. , Universal release of Albert J. Cohen production; Stars Chandler,. -Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tchctlna,. Rlla^ Cant, features' .Iol'f Morrow, George\ DoLenz, Eduard Franz, Allison Hayes, AleXandci a Scourby. Sara Sliane, Pat Hogan, -Howard Petrie, Michael -Ansara.’ Directed-, by Douglas Slrk; Screenplay. Oscar Brodney, Bar re Lyndon; camera (Technicolor), Rus- sell Mctty; editor. Milton Carrutlv, Al Clark; choreography, Kenny Williams; .music, Fraiifc Skitjner, Hans. J .Salter; music supervision, Joseph Gershcnsoir. Previewed Nov. 1, ’54, Running ti 'MINS. Track of the Cat (C’SCOPE—COLOR) Grim, outdoor melodrama with only 60 - so entertainment values. Marcian Attila Princess Pult’hei'i Kubra Paulinus .. Theodosius Astrologer lldico " ....;. ■;.. ChrySaphSIs" Myra Snngiban . ;. Gundahar Edecon Bleda 'Tula Mlrral- .. . .. Ult Pope Leo .. Chilothe. .,..... Herculnnus Valentinian ....., Jeff Chandler ...... Jack Palnnec ,; . Ludmilla ’ Tcherina ......... Rita Gain ,... Jeff Morrow George Dolen/. ■ Eduard FrahZ ...... Allison - H '.yes Alexander Scourby ........ Sara .Sh»ne : Pat Hogan .Howard Petrie ichael Arisaia Leo Gordon Rusty .AVescoatt ,.... Chuck Roberson .Charles Horvath. ....... Moroni .0'*en Hobo Beehi : , Sim Incss Walter Coy Hollywood, Nov. 9. Warner. Bros; release of Wayne-Fellows production.. Stars Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright; co-stars Diana Lynn., Tab Hunter, features Btcula Bondi, Philip Tongc, William. : Hopper. Carl Switzer* •Directed by! William A. Wellman, Screen- play, A. I; Bezzerides; from the novel by Walter Van Tilburg. Clark; camera (War* ncrCpIori, William H. Clothier; editor, Fred MacDowell; mtislc, Roy Webb. Pre : •C ". J \Ti.. ’. I viewed Nov MINS. Curt Grace Owen .. • Harold .. .. SI a .Bridges Pa Bridges Arthur- .,.. Joe Sam '54. Running time, 102 i -Robert: Mitchum ... Teresa Wright Diana Lynn ...... Tab Hunter Beulah Jibndi ... Philip Tongo .. 'illiam Hopper ,... .Carl Switzei; (Aspect ratio: 2.55-1) Universal has . good action Spec- in this topflight Cinem - Scope feature. It . should register heartily at the bokoffice generally. Unlike most screen spectacles, “Sign of the Pagan’s” running time ; .is a, tight 91 minutes- in which the flash of the Roman Empire period is not. permitted to slow down the telling of an interesting action story. Plot deals With Atilla, the Hun, the Scourge of God, and his sweep across Europe somtj 1,500 years ago. Particularly noteworthy is the treatment of the barbarian in writ- ing and direction, and in the man- ner in which Jack Palance inter- prets the character. Instead of a straight, ail-evil person, he is a. human being with sortie good; here and there, to shade and make; understandable the bad. This single touch, almost alone, makes the Albert J. Cohen production, strong screen entertainment, frosting what is. otherwise, a, good combina- tion of action dramatics and heroics that has been attractively packaged in Technicolor. Douglas Sirk’s direction of the excellent script by Oscar Brodriey and Barre Lyndon catches the sweep of the period portrayed with" out letting the characters get lost in spectacle. Representing good in the plot is Jeff' Chandler, centurion made a general by his princess. Ludmilla Tcherina. to fight off Atilla’s advancing hordes and save Rome from a sacking,. It’s not the might of the sword that fells the barbarian, but the might of the Lord, the one force Attila feared most. Picture handles this angle of, Christian spirit: exceptionally well. Scope of the lensing by Russell Metty sharpens the mass action scenes of Attila and his followers on their ruthless march and has just: as much impact in the more individual sequences; keeping the footage a constant visual treat. Abetting, too, is the score by Frank Skinner and Hans J. Salter, even, though the stereophonic sound is so misused that it keeps up an un- relenting assault on the ears, par- ticularly from the surround horn tracks. With Palance scoring so solidly in his role of Attila, he makes the. other performers seem less color- ful, although Chandler is. good as Marsian and Miss Tcherina pleas- ing as Princess Pulcheria, even with a dubbed speaking voice. Femme standout is Rita Gam, as the daughter of Attila who turns Christian and is killed by her father. Allison Hayes, the abused slave Wife of the Hun, does well as the instrument of his death at the climax.- Also, impressing in their parts are Jeff Morrow. George Dolenz, Eduard. Franz, Alexander Scourby and others. .... .. Milton Cat-ruth and A1 Clark share the credit for the tight edit- ing. The art direction by Alexander Golitzeh and Emrich Nicholson, the set decorations by Russell A. Gaus- man and Oliver Emert, costuming and other, technical - ^contributions re firsl.vate. Brog. (Aspect ratio : 2155-1) The novelty of lensing, in color, a picture, designed to reproduce black-and-white is rather dissipated in this Wayrie-FelloWS production for Warner Bros. If there had been some entertainment impact to go with the photographic treatment, the combination might have paid Off. strongly. The; outlook is : not forte. , William A. Wellman is respon- sible for the novelty idea and di- rected in a. manner to achieve some rather startling effects. Only color seen is the flesh tones of: the ehaiv acters, the green of the trees on the snow-covered, Mt. Rai ier loca- tion; site, a red and black mackinaw and a light-colored blouse. Every- thing else is in tones of black and whiter It gives the right “mood” to the Walter Van Tilburg Clark story, which is a -’moody” piece, at best. A. -1. Bezzerides scripted, getting the. characters involved in a lot of dreary talk that serves to emphasis what unpleasant persons most Qf them are. Story deals with a farm family of three brothers, an old-maid sister,- a drunken father and a vindicative, Bible : reading mother, plus a girl from neighboring farm who is the intended of the younger brother. As the melodrarha un- folds, first, the older brother, Wil- liam Hopper, is killed by a moun- tain lion. Then the middle brother, JRobert Mitchum dies ' & fall while out looking for the “cat.” At the finale, the younger' brother, Tab Hunter, comes into manhood when;he kills the lion and claims his girl, Diana Lynn. The lion is never seen in the picture and sym- bolizes the; “cat” every man carries on hi$ back and Which must be thrown off before he. is a man. The performances are very good in realizing on the demands of di- rection and the story characters. Had these people- been less un- p 1 e asant characters audiences would warm up more to the show, but as it is, there’s little' to keep them engrossed for the long 102 minutes. Each of the players named have, their big scene, well done, as do Teresa Wright as the drab old maid; Beulah Bondi, the warped, mother; Philip Tonge, the alcoholic father, and Carl Switzer, a wizened, old, superstitious Indian. ■ The C’Scope-lensing by William H. Clothier is effective and the other technical assists equally, good, although the editing lets,the footage run long. Brog < Cannibal Attack Young Whipped up a fanciful tale of cobalt. mysteriously disap bear- ing in a crocodile infested river. There are numerous fights be- tween Weissmuller, white men, na- tives and crocs but just* what it’s all about is rather confusing until shortly before the finale. Eventually it develops that Judy Walsh,- a lialf-caste native gal, mine owner Stevari Darrell arid his henchman, Bruce Cowling, are swiping the cobalt for a foreign government... Their plot is exposed by..Weissmuller- after he foils the opposition with familiar heroics. Weissmuller, although little beefy, is still adept in the Water. Miss Walsh wears a sarong With the. best of ’em but her thesping is another matter. David Bruce is fair as Weissmuller’s aide While so-sdi support is provided by Cow- ling, Darrell and Charles Evans, among others. . ■ Lee Sholem’s direction couldn’t do much with this one, apparently the implausible story was. too mur). of a handicap. Camerawork of Henry Freulich. is okay. Much of the background, however, consists of stQCk shots of jungles and ani- mals. Mischa Bakaleinikoff’s score and Edwin Bryant’s editing are par for the course. Gtlb. Snow Creature Science fiction entry for strict- ly minor situations. United . Artists release of W. Lee Wilder production: Stars' -Paul Langton, Leslie Denison, Teru Shimada, Rollin Moriyana. Directed by; Lee Wilder. Screenplay. Myles Wilder; camera 1 , -Floyd D;.. C.rosbjJ; editor, Jodie Copelari; music • composed and conducted by; Manuel Cornpinsky. Nov. 5, *54. Running Tradeshpwn..N.Y time; 80 MINS. Frank Parrish . . ... Peter Wells Subra ;....-......... Leva' .... .... Inspector Karma ... Airline Manager . ■. . Joyce Bartish ....... Coifey. Jr Fleet . Dr. Dupont Lt. Dunbar Edwards .......... Guard in Warehouse ;. Paul Langton . Leslie Denison .. Taru. Shimada Rollin Moriyana Robert Kino . .- Robert Hinton _. Darlene Fields George Douglas ... Robert' Bite - Rudolph Anders Bill Phipps ..., Jack Daly Rusty Westcott Johnny Weissmuller action en- try for the secondary situa- tions. Columbia release of Sain Katzman pro* duction. Stars Johnny Weissmuller; fea- tures Judy Walsh, David , Bruce. Directed by Lee Sholerh. Screenplay and story, Carroll Young; camera, Hfenry Freulich;. editor, Edwin Bryant; music, Mischa Bakalelnikoff, Tradeshown N.Y. Nov. 4, ,’54. Running time, 69 MINS; Johnny Weissmuller. .Johnny Weissmuller Lbora ,.......,-. Judy Walsh Arnold King ......... David Bruce Rovak .;......;.,.., Bruce Cowling Commissioner ... Charles Evan John Ki Stevan Darrell- Jason ........... Joseph A. Allen Jr. ( Aspect-ratio: 1:854) “Snow Creature” is bush league science fiction. Produced on a minimum budget, picture discloses an amateurisH . script, pedestrian direction, repetitive footage, and uniformly unconvincing perform ances. It may contain a. few kicks for the kids but hardly ranks with the kind of stuff moppets get for free on video. Yarn Wanders from Tibet to Hol- lywood While, going nowhere al- though open in g promisingly enough with an expedition of an American botanist questing - some offbeat species of mountain .flofa in India, This, however, is only the’ takeoff point for 'sdme unim- aginative meandering into .the w.k. myth of “the abominable snow man” of the Himalayas. In this pic, the snow creature is a shaggy, and barely scarifying, giant who is captured and trans- ported to America in a refriger ated cage. Absurdities crowd fast on each other after the U S. immi- gration office refuses entry to the creature because he’s not on: quota. The snow man eventually escapes in Hollywood and the manhunt through the sewers.of the city is of a piece with the rest of the pro- duction in its lowercase execution and lack of suspense. Paul Langton, as the botanist Leslie Denison, as his assistant and Teru Shimada, as a Tibetan guide, walk through their roles in color- lessly deadpan style, as does the rest of the supporting cast. Herm.: Derek Busy ' Hollywood,. Nov. As far as- John Derek- is con corned, business is picking up since j ho became a Paramount paCleo. On t)io .same day- he Was assigned to co-star with. Kathryn Grayson and Oresle Kirkop in “The Vagabord King” he Was: also set for the role of Joshua in “The Ten Command- ments!” ' A Johnny Weissmuller . starrer, “Cannibal Attack” is standard ac- tion-adventure material for juve- nile audiences. As such there’s nothing pretentious about this Sam Katzman production but it will o mfortably fill demands of the secondary situations. “Attack,” incidentally, original- ly was. intended, as another entry in Columbia’s “Jungle Jim” series with Weissmuller portraying the title role. However. Col recently turned oyer the “Jim” rights to Screen Gems, its vidpix subsidiary, and as a result , the star is cast as himself instead of. the comic strip adventurer. . For that matter, it’s understood that producer Katzman has only two more Weissmuller pictures coming up after the current re- lease. One is completed and the - Al_ ._ > • A . * * _ 1 _ __ .!•* « • « « Dni-oVc fil'd innp’iiriiiwi* -ivlll k A • .vwmpi-cusu auu me ^o f« P rf a r? Q n , C? i A ! other ls to roll shortly.. Reportedly, King, stalling Dec. 10. I c ; (j ie onetime swim champ prefers by tossing a coin into the well One is a top-wealthy widow, bored With her idle existence; another has lost her husband in the war; and the third finds life difficult with her husband after he had been away on military duties Madaiue Dn Bgrry (FRANCO-ITALIAN—COLOR) Paris, Nov. %. Cinedis release of Arlane-Fllmsonor- Francinex-Rizzoli production. Stars Mar- tine Carol. Directed by Chriatian-Jaque. Screenplay, Albert Valentin; adaptation* Valentin* Henri Jeanson* Chrlstian-Jaque; The vam has a leisurelv Welsh- dialog, Jeanson;- camera (Eastmancolor), Christian Matras; editor. Jacques Desag. chaun, mainly derived from tne neaux. At Le Paris* Paris. Running time* homely philosophy of the village no Mins. postman who • believes that he can, Madame Du Barry ..t. Martine Carol solve other people’s . jproblenis. ^^^-^i-;iv^S8a.KgSa. There IS; also the romantic Side Madame Gramont.... .Anna Maria Canale . issue of the innkeeper’s paralyzed choisoui Majamo seriito son Who feels that his. impending Lebed -1 ‘ marriage to a local girl is a major Madame "..., mistake. Brenda de Banzie, Pet.ula Guiiiamei Clark, Donald Houston and. Pa .-■: Jean Paredes. Gabriel Dorziot. Noel R.oqueyert tricia. Cutts head the cast in com- Martine uaroi continues m ner petent fashipn .while the author gallery ot great courtesans of. hjs- makes a promising screen debut in tory as she essays the shopgirl who the role of the postman. Maurice became Lpuis XVs last mistress.. Elvey has done a straightforward job of direction. Other credits are up to standard. The World Dances (SONGS-r-COLOR) IntOpnational folk dancing ex- hibition interlaced With songs and.'scenic shots. Could catch on in specialized situations. Coproduction obviously, had U.S. in mind for nary a bosom shows in this, the. first time for Miss Carol. And the offbeat and shock aspects are held to the corrupt aspects of the court as the mistresses fight and struggle for the bed of the king. Lushly mounted and directed, I this may have some appeal' for the U.S. in special Situations because the action is confined to the boudoir intrigues of the reign. Du Barry is picked up as a shop- girl of easy virtue who is invited to the most famous bagnio of the era by its sharpeyed rnadame. Here she is discovered by the scheming mian.. Reviewed at the 55th St, Playhouse, Count Du Barry Who makes hef N.Y., Nov. 7, ^54. Running time. 70 MINS. . Hanlilp wnrthv of the king Featured perfotmers by country: a paupie wonny Ol. ine. King. America: Carolina Cotton, Meric Travis,. When they gO to introduce her the jb Osgood & His Hill Bfillles; Cuba: AVra king doesn’t show, and she gets Sari Juan,. Ramon; Talavera, George Dal* -.. n vuchpc nff lrinkine her vos* Tao Porchon; Spain; Antonio & Luisa lea Up ana lUSnes Olt lOCKHlg .net Triana and the, Spanish Mountain. Girls; mentors, m R TOOm. She runs mt.0 Armenia: Ruth St. Denis Dancers with the king Whom she goes for imme- ; Karoun Tootikian and Eric Ward:- Fran«: ; diately^Shc is WOri' by het fresh- Festlvai. Pictures ‘ release of a Brooke L. Peters productiori; Directed by Peters; camera (Colorama),. W. Merle Connell; music, Alcix.' Alexander; art direction, Daniel Hall;, research; Chet L. Swital; editor. . Connell; narrator, George Fennc- Mme, Etierine’s French Dancers Pauline Parrel; Hungary: George and Katrine Tatar, Ripia Rudina on Gypsy Violin;. Mexico: Lourdes Chavez; With Louis .Gonzales jind -Pat .Lugo Singing; Italy: Sy Melano, The- Village Dancers; Lead by Phillys Bloorii; Ireland; Barry O’Hara, The Irish Rovers; Lead- by Edward Masterson; Israel: . Israeli Folk Dancers;. Lead by Barry.. Denovitz with . Dvorr Isralow; 1 Africa: Bob Lee House and -Group with Louis P. Brown on Congo Drums; Bavaria: The Mountain Dancers; Lead by WilliarivReordan, Ernest Muster;- England: Richard Dehr. - Audrey Share's English Folk. Dancers; Japan: ’Mrs.. Fuji* ma’s Japanese Dancers; Directed by Mrs. Ftijima. Kansurria; Philippines: Lucas Philippine -Folk Dancers; Directed by Andre Lucas:.. Poland: The Gandy Dane* ers; Lead by Edmund L. Szablowski; Scotland: Scottish Dance Group; Lead by -Jean MacDougall, Margaret Montgomery; Ukrainia:. Konstantin Hopfer and Jane ness. Then fallows ihtrigue to get her, introduced at court, the sud- den death of the King and her abolition and final beheading at the hands of the revolutionists. Pic is told in a sort of flashback method by a barker using lantern slides at a fair. Director Christian-Jaque has played this very much tongue-in- cheek and still has given it . measure of royal lushriess in the court scenes. Miss. Carol, plays thi in a pouty mannqr and gives little evidence Why the king went so madly for her. while the sultry, bosomy Gianna-Maria Canale Was Mueller; the Malentjew Sisters singing; .nightly Waiting for him. Daniel Sweden: --Vasa Folk. Darice Group; Di- - Tirpfnpl ic a bvnAinip rsniHlv mov— rected by Andrew H. Wendell; Greece: fvernei IS a aynamiC, rapiaiy mpv^ Creek Folk Dancers with Alexandria mg Du Barry while Andre Luguet Kappas. — is fine as the aging, lecherous king. ... .. . , Lensing is fine but colors have a An interesting idea has bqeii car- -. tendency to unbalance in certain s om6-success in- The interiors with flesh tones going ^ ai \ C r S ;, a feature-length bluish. Editing is good and the rich collection of folk music and. dances production dress is also an .asset, from some 20 nations. Full of . short this ctuurt and bedroom earthy grace and rhythm, , it should, charade will depend bn the drum- appeal : both to terpsichorian en- beating that accompanies it on thusiasts and to; the various na4 * t « .-..v.-- - — -•- ra- tional groups that are represented here: ' . . The Happiness of Three Women (BRITISH) Modest Britisher given small chance in U.S. market. London, Nov. 2. Adelphi Films release of David Dent production. Stars' Brenda de- Banzie, P.etula Clark, Donald Houston. Directed by Maurice Elvey. Screenplay, Eyrion Evans, based on .his story. "Wishing Well’’: editor, Robert Jordan Hill; cainera; Stan Pavey;.music, Ted Astlcy. At Studio 1, London* Nov,. 1, *54, Running time. Produced and directed by Brooke L. Peters, the film makes a serious attempt to provide each dance team with its Whys and wherefores. ... Apart.. from that, Peters, has spiced his lineup with refreshing location shots from various countries and this tends to relieve the sense of mohbtony which creeps into the pic after a while. Colorama process used here setves its purpose, but its hardly the best tint variety. Although the lensing work is generally good, the images aren’t all sharp, particu-. larly when there is a lot of move- ment. Color registration also is un- even and hues change from scene to scene. Various folk groups, are introed by tv and radio announcer George Fenneman who has a pleasant and authoritative mariner of delivery. Color is particularly unkind to him. Elaborately costumed performers from the various countries go through their routines with zest U.S* dates. There is talk that its corrupt eye-view of 17th century France may ban this for exporta-:. tion which would be ironic because of its obvious attempt to avoid any excuse for a U.S. nix. Mosk: Sauerhruch (GERMAN) Berlin, Oct. 19. SchorcM release: of Corona production. Stars Ewald Balser. Heidemarie HathCvcr arid Maria Wimmer. Directed by Rolf . Hansen.: Screenplay* Felix Luetzkendqrf; camera,' Helmut Ashley; music, Mark Lothar. At Gloria Palast, Berlin. Running' time, 109 MINS. Professor SauerbruchEwald Balsef Frau Sauerbruch ...... Maria Wimmer Olga Ahrends.... Heidemarie Hathcyer Secretary ...... Edith Sclvultze*Wostrpm Wendlandt . Paul Biidt. Hindenburg ... ........ Frlederlch Domin Professor Mikulicz Kurt Horwitz Sister Liria Carstens .. Hilde Koerbcr 79 MINS. Jane Delith John * ,.....; Irene ..;... Arios Ann Peter' Amelia Morgan David Minister Blodweri ..... Busdviver . Mary Lewis Nancy :. Hannah ... . Ben renda der Banzie Petula Clark. Donald Houston . Patricia Cutts ;,,'Eynon Evans. Patricia • Burke : Bill O'Connor Gladys Hay lyn. Houston i‘ya Leyshon Hugh Pryse .... Jessie Evans .... John. ;Lewis :.... Mary Jones' Julie Milton ..... Elra-Griffiths ,.. Ronnie' Harris There is. a pleasant Welsh at- mosphere about this modest British production with a strong local cast which will prove a valuable selling factor for the home trade. It is a light prospect for the U.S. market but should have some appeal as .a dualer. Film is based on Eynon Evans’ stage, play, “The Wishing Well.” *' -lOifit .i ip ^ something le$s strenuous now that'Action ocf;yrs in a Welsh village in 1955 \yh.en Cecil B, DeMille re* he's somewhat older. j wire re a trio of unhav)D,v vvomori turns lrom Egypt. I As for “Attackj”.scripter Carroll * hope, their problems .will be solved Sister . .. . Songstress Edith Plat* “Sauerbruch,” biopic of the famous German surgeon who died some years ago, turns out a well- made; entertaining picture With enough emotional impact to please local audiences. Because of Sauer- bruch’s popularity in this country and skill. Every type of folk dance and the excellent cast, domestic is repped—the Cuban rhumba, the b.o. prospects are excellent. Pic Hungarian czardas, the Irish reel, also,may have chances outside Ger- the German “Schuhplattler,” many. they’re all there. Outstanding turns This centers on Satierbruch’s are by Robert Lee House who does life -after the last world war and an African ritual ; dance to the retells in flashbacks sortie of his throbbing ; accompaniment of the most characteristic episodes. A1-: tom tom drum; the Ruth St, Denis though this 1 covers much of his Dancers in an exotic Armenian life, it doesn’t result in an episodic.. “Wedding Fantasy”'. George and jerkiriess r _ j.-• • ' ■ - m . i *«•. • » • i • - ■. » . . ' i - • • Katrine Tatar who Whirl through a fast-moving czardas, with Rinia Rudina ■ making the fiddle sob in an outstanding, Magyar bit; the Lucas Philippine Folk Dancers in an intriguing Bamboo Pole dance, and, best of all, Antonio and Luisa Triana who go through some fast and furious heel work via a group of Andalusian dances. They’re the highlight of the show. . U.S. contribution comes, towards the latter part of the film and in- cludes an . oldfasHidned square dance and vocal numbers by Caro* g A . AM • « * a ■- - and in flat character portrayals. On the contrary, the acting is perhaps the best thing about the film, Ewald. Balser’s characteriza- tion of the title character is almost a masterpiece. The supporting, cast is exceptionally well chosen with many fine performances suiting. Screenplay by Felix . Luetzken- dor.f, based on Sauerbruch’ memoirs recently published in top German magazine; is a routine one. It tends ;to glorify the famous medico a bit. However, ^‘Sauer- lina Cotton and Merle Travis. Con- bruch” still remains as a, pic ahead sidering that the pitch is for Amer- of the German postwar standard, ican audiences, the selection i.s Rolf Hansen’s direction is gen- something less than satisfying. On erally smooth and loses its pace the. whole,: exhibs should find only slightly towards the end. “World Dances” uniquely exploit- Lensing by Herbert Ashley is first- able,, particularly in neighborhoods rate. The musical score " and other where foreign nationalities nre- technical contributions are dominate. ' Hif.t. noteworthy. Hans.