National Box Office Digest (Jan-Dec 1945)

BOX OFFICE DIGEST 7 “The Suspect” . . Quality Mystery Yarn (UNIVERSAL) The Digest’s Box Office Estimate : 115% Producer Islin Auster Director Robert Siodmak The Players: Charles Laughton, Ella Raines, Dean Harens, Stanley C. Ridges, Henry Daniell. Rosalind Ivan, Molly Lamont, Raymond Severn, Eve Amber, Maude Eburne, Clifford Brooke, Photography Paul Ivano Time 85 minutes Recent months have shown that there is current box office money in pictures of the type exemplified by “The Suspect.” For quick identification we might say, pictures of the “Alfred Hitchcock type” — suspenseful to a high degree, intelligent in characterization and writing. “The Suspect” meets all the requirements of the group. It provides Charles Laughton with a made-to-order role, and under Robert Siodmak’s incisive direction Laughton and a top scale supporting cast make it a tense, and frequently breath-taking, evening of entertainment. We hope the premise will not excite henpecked husbands to dire thoughts. Laughton is seen as the normal, kindly husband of a wife who is a shrew, to put it mildly. In Laughton’s mind, and almost in that of the audience, it seems perfectly natural that he eventually kills her. Later there is another murder that appears just as normal, or at least inevitable, that of a blackmailer. The suspense is achieved by the fact that Scotland Yard is on the job — and both spectators and audience are on continuous tension as they bear down on “the suspect.” Bertram Millhauser’s script is aces in making the most of every possible opportunity in this situation— Laughton with his fears, the law weaving its mysterious, but methodical ways. It is a top performance for Laughton, and advances the career of Ella Rains, seen as the girl from whom Laughton seeks com panionship in his loneliness after the disruption of his family. Stanley C. Ridges, as the Scotland Yard man, makes the most of a fine opportunity. Supporting roles provide many sharply-cut characterizations that are in able hands, with Henry Daniell and Rosalind Ivan standing out. Robert Siodmak has directed with craftsmanship plus those unexpected touches that make the utmost of this type of screen fare. He can join with producer Islin Auster to accept congratulations on a top offering. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion : Quality attraction in the mystery field. . . Previewed Dec. 2i. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “Sound, fascinating story which has been given brilliant screen interpretation.” VARIETY: “Suspenseful screen tale of a murderer, strongly dramatic and painted with broad showmanship strokes.” “The Missing Juror” . . Packs Excitement (COLUMBIA) The Digest’s Box Office Estimate: 75% Producer Wallace MacDonald Director Oscar Boetticher, Jr. The Players: Jim Bannon, Janis Carter, George Macready, Jean Stevens, Joseph Crehan, Carole Mathews, Cliff Clark, Edmund Cobb, Mike Mazurki, George Lloyd. Photography L. W. O’Connell Time 65 minutes They kill ’em off right and left in this package of murder mystery entertainment from Columbia, but they do it in very workmanlike manner to wrap up a bundle of satisfactory program fare. The reason for the promiscuous killing is that the meanie has set out to erase all the members of a jury which had convicted him of murder. He was innocent of the original crime. Considered insane, he escaped the death penalty, and eventually gained release. Then he sets out on his job. His nemesis is Jim Bannon, as a newspaper reporter. The killer is clever, and Bannon’s job is a tough one for quite some celluloid footage, but he manages to stop the killings before the entire jury has passed to Forest Lawn. It is a hectic thriller that sometimes reaches pretty wildly for its plot mechanics, but on the whole a good entry in its class and a satisfactory credit for the lists of producer Wallace MacDonald and director Oscar Boetticher, Jr. It is the first directorial assignment for Boetticher, and he serves notice that he has something on the ball. Bannon, in the key role as the reporter, registers effectively and is worth watching for the future. Support is excellent, with Janis Carter doing a nice job of carrying the romantic interest. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion : Safe program mystery booking. . . Previewed Dec. 22. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “A top drawer example of the entertainment which capable creators can inject into a program picture.” VARIETY: “A tight little melodrama that will do a good job of pleasing in the secondary position.” “Gentle Annie” Has Its Values (MGM) The Digest’s Box Office Estimate: 85% Producer Robert Sisk Director Andrew Marton The Players: James Craig, Donna Reed, Marjorie Main, Henry Morgan, Paul Langton, Barton MaeLane, John Philliber, Morris Ankrum, Noah Beery, Sr., Frank Darien, Robert E. O’Connor. Photography Charles Salerno, Jr. Time 81 minutes “Gentle Annie” is a mild offering in the current scramble for box office money. Produced by Bob Sisk up to the quality MGM standard, it will not disappoint those who see it, and many may find it a heart-warming evening’s entertainment. Marjorie Main is seen as the lady of the title role. She is an Oklahoma mother of the lawless days, with two sons, Henry Morgan • • » « and Paul Langton. She yearns for luxuries of the frontier sort, and for the Missouri home she had left as the widow of a Confederate guerrilla. The desire of her sons to meet her every request leads them into lawlessness — which can be condoned because they only steal from Yankees. That’s the background into which two strange characters drop — Donna Reed, former saloon waitress, and James Craig, apparently a hobo kicked off a train. Spectators can readily guess that Craig is a detective seeking the perpetrators of a certain train robbery, but that is nothing against the author or director, it is the element that makes the situation. The picture moves leisurely for most of the route, but builds to a smashing gun fight climax. Miss Main gives trouper shading to the key role, with James Craig continuing to impress as to his future potentialities. Miss Reed’s performance is appealing, and the two sons are well portrayed by Henry Morgan and Paul Langton. Support has been well chosen, top moments going to Barton MaeLane and the late John Philliber. Direction by Andrew Marton is adequate to the type of material, making his characters humanly interesting and going to town when his action moment arrives. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion : Standard budget entry with many fine angles of audience appeal. . . Previewed Dec. 19. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “Completely winning in its warm humanness.” VARIETY: “Has considerable character appeal and some spectacular action encounters which will assure it favorable reception in the secondary runs.”