Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1947)

Opinions on Current Productions ; Exploitips for Selling to the Public L FEATURE REVIEWS The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer F Comedy RKO Radio ( ) 95 Minutes Rel. At this intermediate point in her career, Shirley Temple seems destined tor delineation of adolescents who fall madly in love with mature bachelors. Despite its repetition, that basic theme herein becomes the peg for one of the most joyful and refreshing comedies to roll from Hollywood's laugh assembly lines in many months. The members of a star-festooned, energetic cast knock out themselves and each other in scrambling for a brimming measure of acting honors, which sweepstake ends m multiple photo finish. They are aided and abetted in their fun-making by a brilliantly contrived script which oozes hilarious dialog and sure-fire situations. With a galaxy of top names to choose from for the marquee, a theatre playing the film will have to post a smallpox sign to keep from doing capacity business. Skillfully directed by Irving Reis and produced personally by Dore Schary. Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple, Rudy Vallee, Ray Collins, Harry Davenport, Johnny Sands, Don Beddoe. Seven Keys to Baldpate F Mystery RKO Radio ( ) 68 Minutes Rel . of the venerable whodunit— which found its way into celluloid on three previous occasions — the picture adroitiy blends the standard quota of chills and thrills with an alleviating dosage of comedy and romance to earn appraisal as above-average supporting fare. While the cast is none too heavy m marquee magnetism, it still boasts sufficient established names to add appeal to programs on which the Him appears. Performances are entirely acceptable and the story is unfolded at a speedy clip to assure attentive audi-Ust *or those whose memories fail, it's the yarn about the old inn at Baldpate and the sinister surroundings created there to frustrate an author who has wagered that he can turn out a mystery novel in 24 hours. When a pair of real murders develop, he is supplied with plenty of material but doesn t have time to write the book. Directed by Lew Landers. Phillip Terry, Jacqueline White, Eduardo Ciannelli, Margaret Lindsay, Arthur Shields, Jimmy Conlin, Tony Barrett. The Long Night p1 Drama RKO Radio ( ) 97 Minutes Rel. So eager were the creators to establish moods and background characterizations that the film resembles more a surrealist painting than a motion picture. Perhaps those who recognize and appreciate its possible artistry will find it a source of pleasure but average ticket buyers will find the offering more confusing than entertaining. Its story is hysterically, noisily and vertiginously told and is unusually difficult to follow because of the use of flashbacks within flashbacks within still other flashbacks. The feature's best asset, both as to initial draw and its possibilities of satisfying customers, lies in its cast, most especially in the interest in widely touted Barbara Bel Geddes who herein makes her screen debut. While her performance displays promise of a successful career, the part was far from propitious to showcasing her ability at its best. Directed by Anatole Litvak. Henry Fonda, Barbara Bel Geddes, Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, Howard Freeman, Moroni Olsen, Elisha Cook jr. Undercover Maisie F Detective x Comedy MGM (722) 90 Minutes Rel. May 1G, '47 s!ets a Policewoman's job in this latest link of MGM s long-lived Maisie chain. The idea is a mine of comic situations. The police training, for instance, which includes marksmanship and wrestling, is very rough on Maisie, and great fun for the customers. As the film opens Maisie. is trying to get on a train to New York where she has a job as a bubble bath demonstrator. A motorist offers her a ride, then robs her. When she reports the crime to the police department, she is offered a job as an undercover investigator. Ensues the training, and then her first case, which she botches up. To regain the department's favor, she tackles a tough gang of housing racketeers, brings the bad men to justice after a furious wrestling battle. As light entertainment, it's good enough for the top spot at most neighborhood theatres. Harry Beaumont directed. Ann Sothem, Barry Nelson, Mark Daniels, Leon Ames, Clinton Sundberg, Dick Simmons, Charles D. Brown. ) 826 BOXOFFTCF, Living in a Big Way F Comedy MGM ( ) 103 Minutes Rel Treating lightly with the postwar housing and marital problems of ex-GIs, this is a thoroughly delightful and wholesome comedy which apparently cannot miss scoring a bull'seye in critical acclaim and audience appreciation. It's an ideal starring vehicle for Gene Kelly whose considerable talents. toward tongue-in-cheek comedy delineations is the picture s thespic highlight. While his even greater talents as a dancer are incidental to the motivation, they too are displayed in sufficient quantities and with noteworthy originality. Throughout he is given support by a wisely selected cast which romps through a screenplay rich in engrossing situations and glittering dialog. Producer Pandro S. Berman mounted the feature tastfully and unstintingly. Directed by Gregory LaCava who collaborated on the screenplay also. Gene Kelly, Mane McDonald, Charles Winninger, Phyllis Thaxter, Spring Byington. Jean Adair. Clinton Sundberg. Possessed A Drama Warner Bros. ( ) 108 Minutes Rel. July '47 Joan Crawford has another magnificent opportunity to run he gamut of emotions in this dramatic entry in the psychological film cycle. Her fine portrayal of a possessive, frusrated woman is matched by Van Heflin's convincing performance as an attractive heel and by Raymond Massey, who adds power and dignity to the role of a middle-aged suitor. The tragic theme will exert a special appeal to women patrons and. the three stars will insure strong grosses generally. As in The Seventh Veil," the film deals with a mentally ill heroine who is placed under narcosynthesis while doctors question her about her past life. Director Curtis Bernhardt skillfully maintains interest during a series of flashback sequences. A nurse to the jealous, ailing wife of a wealthy man is spurned by the devil-may-care architect she is madly in love with. She eventually kills him. Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, Raymond Massey, Geraldine Brooks. John Ridgely. Stanley Ridges, Moroni Olsen. Winter Wonderland p1 Drama Republic (614) 71 Minutes Rel. May 17, '47 Here s another illustration of how a film maker, confronted with a limited budget, turned to the beauties of nature for enhancement of productional values and found that those beauties became the star of his picture — an entirely happy development for all concerned. Highlighting this picture, resultantly, and qualifying it as supporting fare which should prove generally pleasing are the many thrilling skiing sequences, against which background the story is told. True, that yarn leaves much to be desired, but its obvious weaknesses are considerably glossed by satisfactory performances. The story concerns a crotchety ruralite whose land adjoins a fashionable winter sports resort whose management and guests constitute the farmer's pet peeve. But a romance between the rube's daughter and the ski instructor straightens out all difficulties. Directed by Bernard Vorhaus. Lynn Roberts, Charles Drake, Roman Bohnen, Eric Blore, Mary Eleanor Donahue, Renee Godfrey, Janet Warren. That's My Gal T? Comedy x A With Music Republic (609) 66 Minutes Rel. May 15. '47 What might have been developed into considerable of an asset, to-wit, a refreshing new slant on the inevitable film musical boy-meets-girl-back-stage situation, is completely discounted through lack of persuasiveness of most performances. Don Barry was an unfortunate choice for the male topline, and the comedy content, at which Pinky Lee and Frank Jenks make a futile pass, rates no better than Barry's fumbling contribution. In the femme lead, Lynn Roberts is reasonably effective, but the support and unskillful direction combine to hamstring her best efforts. On the asset side are a sprinkling of acceptable specialties, Jan Savitt's band, a lush, production number and Trucolor photography which herein attains a new high of efficiency. Weighing its vices against its virtues, the picture assays as nothing better than a tail-ender on double bills. Directed by George Blair. Lynn Roberts, Donald Barry. Pinky Lee, Frank Jenks, Edward Gorgon, Judy Clark, Paul Stanton, John Hamilton. 10 An