Box office digest (May-Dec 1946)

6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST The Searching Wind Impressive Hal Wallis-Paramount (WALLIS-PARAMOUNT) The Digest's Box Office Estimate : 155% Producer Hal Wallis Director William Dieterle The Players: Robert Young, Sylvia Sidney, Ann Richards, Dudley Digges, Douglas Dick, Albert Bassernian, Dan Seymour, Ian Wolfe, Marietta Canty. Photography Lee Cannes Time 108 minutes The sincerity of approach and masterful picture-making skill that have been the trade mark of all Hal Wallis productions for Paramount distribution are the outstanding qualities of “The Searching Wind.” It is an impressive picture, and also one soundly grounded for audience entertainment purposes. Porducer Wallis got himself off to the right start by inducing Lillian Heilman to do the screenplay of her own outstanding Broadway stage success, then sealed his bet with selection of William Dieterle for direction. Miss Heilman’s script retains the full importance of the play’s serious message, yet unfolds with the pace and punch of motion picture drama. Dieterle’s direction makes sharp, real personalities of his characters, extracts the last ounce of strength from a story replete with moments of fine “theater.” "Renegades' (COLUMBIA) The Digest's Box Office Estimate: 140% Producer Michel Kraike Director George Sherman The Players: Evelyn Keyes, Willard Parker, Larry Parks, Edgar Buchanan, Jim Bannon, Forrest Tucker, Ludwig Donath, Frank Sully, Willard Robertson, Paid E. Burns, Eddy Waller, Vernon Dent, Francis Ford, Hermine Sterler, Eilene Janssen, Virginia Brissac, Addison Richards. Photography William Snyder Time 88 minutes Add to the list of class westerns — you know, Technicolor, fair intelligence in story, and all that — “Renegades,” with which Columbia now steps into the competition for the sure coin that always awaits a top Western. The picture could be stronger in selling names for the marquee so the selling accent Robert Young heads the fine cast with a performance that ranks with the best of his distinguished career, a career that is only giving him full opportunity in recent years. It’s a far, far cry now to the Young whom Leo was satisfied to keep in smiling personality roles. The Wallis production touch extends to the selection of the entire cast. Sylvia Sidney and Ann Richards in contrasting roles, share stellar billing with Young, and honors also for finely drawn characterizations. Dudley Digges handles a meaty part with skillful relish. Albert Basserman makes a brief appearance the occasion for one of his usual scene-stealing contributions. Miss Heilman’s play was a scathing indictment of the diplomatic attitudes and mental processes that allowed the world to drift — or, rather, be pushed — into World War II. Screen producer Wallis has pulled none of the play’s punches in bringing it to the picture theater. It is the diplomatic career of Young that we trace, placed against recurring canvases that depict the rise and glory of all the dictators. Young is an American ambassador, ingrained in the selfsatisfied attitude of dilettantes who saw few of the storms arising and met those they could not avoid with indeciveness and timidity. Paralleling the broader historical out must be placed largely on the Technicolor and the lusty gun and riding advertising copy betokened by the snappy one word title. After you get the customers in who respond to such a title and such advertising producer Michel Kraike and director George Sherman have a tasty dish prepared for them. This is the West of their desires — outlaws, a stage coach holdup, posses, helter skelter chases, gun play, and all that. It is the Dcmbrow gang that is the center of our interest on this excursion into the hills. They are guided by psalm-singing, hypocritical Edgar Buchanan, and his sons Jim Bannon and Forrest Tucker. There comes mysteriously on the scene one Larry Parks. He turns out to be a son of the same evil brood but has the qualities that make for a hero. He even wins Evelyn Keyes, who was really the fiancee of a he-man medico, Willard Parker. line is the personal story of Young and two girls, the one whom he loves and fails to hold, the one whom he marries but never really loves. At the opening of the picture the Ambassador’s son is returning from World War II after suffering a serious injury. Two other important things are happening, the Ambassador is about to retire from active diplomatic service, and he is at last ready to seek a divorce and return to the sweetheart of his youth. This is the setting from which the story goes into flashback and depicts its history on the framework of his life. Douglas Dick, young player on the Wallis contract list, makes an auspicious debut as Young’s son. Leftist Miss Heilman may find her darts striking a different target today than the ones she originally aimed at, but they are broad targets and that is more her worry than that of the audience. And it does not affect the entertainment. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion : Important picture. . . . Previewed May 2nd. W HAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “A tiling of power and beauty.” VARIETY: “A strongly compelling dramatic piece assured of high grosses.” The stage-coach holdup comes early in the action and from there on it swings at a merry pace, George Sherman’s direction showing true skill at the action stuff, and Technicolor helping all along the route. T rouping is on a very acceptable scale. Edgar Buchanan gets the meatiest role and makes the most of it, but Evelyn Keyes in Technicolor is both a beautiful and pleasing asset, Larry Parks registers effectively in the outlaw-hero lead. Willard Parker makes much of his gun-toting doctor. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Well dressed action number. . . . Previewed May 6th. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “Class western.” VARIETY: “Should enjoy heavy popular response.” Horses, Guns and Technicolor BOX OFFICE Digest Annual GOING TO ^ PDCCCI