Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 14, 1942)

a Page 4 January lith, 1942 Canadian FILM WEEKLY en ~ _ — a ry Pa . / . “) Artkino Paramount WINGS OF VICTORY ’ Russian films, long slowed by snail’s-pace footage, seem to be getting over that defect. This picture is the story of the Russ flying hero, Chkalov, who made the across-the-pole flight from Moscow to Seattle in 1937. Main theme is his efforts to build up the Soviet air force. Much of the air action work is every bit as good as Hollywood stuff of the same nature. It has plenty of thrills for everybody and a good love story. PACIFIC BLACKOUT A picture perfectly in character with life in American cities today. A swell look at how things will be in most cities when blackouts are organized with complete effectiveness. Robert Preston is the weapon inventor framed for the killing of his collaborator by Axis pressure on Eva Gabor. Martha O'Driscoll is the telephone operator who helps him keep at large after escape—until he rounds up the villains, staves off an air bombing and proves his innocence. It is informative and thrilling, working up to a highly suspenseful climax. Columbia Chkalov, played by Vladimir Belokurov, is a screwball army flyer canned from the service for his air antics. He becomes a test pilot and, against Stalin’s suggestion, refuses to land his plane until he proves its flyability. For which he gets a lecture and a blessing from the Soviet leader, excellently portrayed by THREE GIRLS ABOUT TOWN Mikhail Gelovani. Much to offer in the way of horsey comedy but mild otherwise. Some good names on hand—Joan Blondell, Binnie Barnes, John Howard, Robert Benchley and Eric Blore. Blondell, as a hostess in a convention hotel, is in love with John Howard, a reporter trying to solve a murder. It moves along with fair clippity-clop. By ‘‘mild’’ we mean some parts of the story’s development. It won’t disappoint in neighborhood houses. Fox SWAMP WATER Love, lust and justice among the hillbillies effectively demonstrated in film form by a strong cast. It could have been better but is still plenty powerful. Walter Brennan is the fugitive from a wrong murder rap who hides in the Georgia swamplands. Dana Andrews is the young hunter who chances on him, wins his confidence, returns to bring the culprits to justice and marries his daughter, played by Anne Baxter. Walter Huston, as the youth's father, does his regular good work and John Carradine is the long and lanky sneak who knows the answer to whodunit. Guinn Williams and Eugene Pallette are in the lineup too. It needs fair support on a double-bill. Empire-Universal BURMA CONVOY A lively little melodrama about the much-publicized Burma Road and the men who go through against Japs and brigands. Spy stuff. Nicely cast with Charles Bickford, Evelyn Ankers, Frank Albertson, Cecil Kellaway, Keye Luke and others. HELLZAPOPPIN’ Olson and Johnson, America’s main madmen, move their amusing insanity to the screen. Nothing gets in the way of their comedy, particularly in the matter of plot. It’s better that way. Film enacts a suggested scenario for them. They run wild for almost an hour-and-a-half and their efforts are highly successful. One series of funny stunts after the other. To help them are Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Hugh Herbert, and Shemp Howard—all laugh-getters who don’t stand a chance against the zany team. It’s a sure-fire audience picture—if the audience knows what to expect. Anyone walking in during the showing would wonder why it’s all happening. SEALED LIPS A good supporter whose story background doesn’t seem as tough as it used to in the light of current events. But it’s a new twist for the audience. It stems from the substitute prisoner racket of some years ago. William Gargan is the detective who makes John Litel replace the substitute doing his time under mob pressure. Litel plays himself and pinch-hitter—a double role. The girl is June Clyde. A better-than-usual B. The picture, having popular ingredients, is certainly less chancey for the exhibitor than most Russian film fare. It has the usual English titles. Republic NO HANDS ON THE CLOCK Has plenty of action but the story plays hide-and-seek with the watcher. Chester Morris is the private detective on his honeymoon with Jean Parker who takes time out to solve a murder mystery so that he can buy his wife a fur coat. Okay as bottom-half prop. Regal BABES ON BROADWAY Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in their best yet. Rooney has let down on his juvenile boisterousness and demonstrates some exact talent in impersonations of stars of the past. Judy is more talented and appealing than ever. Because the plot about kids looking for a break is routine it takes a while to hit its stride. Once it gets going it nails you to your seat with its terrific tempo. To help the kids are such tried and true troupers as Fay Bainter, Jimmy Gleason, Donald Meek and Luis Alberni. On the younger side we have Virginia Weidler, Ray McDonald and Richard Quine. Alexander Woollcott is in it too. This is a sure money-getter. Good Business Anticipated Box-office reports in the United States since the war show that the entrance of that country into the war hasn’t affected patronage in a negative way at all. In fact, grosses are up considerably. The first experience of theatres was a considerable falloff in take, with everyone close to the radio for the mewest doings in the Pacific. The arival of newsreels dealing with the subject started a flow back. When the novelty of being a belligerent nation wore off the public went back to its old habits. Canadian cities were generally strong, with rural houses suffering somewhat. Small town patronage was affected by the 20 per cent federal tax. Also the shifting of citizens to industrial centres for war work. This year should show well what with governmental encouragement of movies as entertaining and theatres as meeting centres. Senator Autry? Gene Autry, the cowboy crooner of movies and radio, is being boomed for the U.S. Senate in Oklahoma., Efforts to get Autry to enter the Spring campaign and July primary developed in southern Oklahoma recently when the town of Berwyn, Okla., changed its name to Gene Autry, Okla., The cowboy singer recently purchase a 20,000-acre ranch in that vicin ity. ‘ Administration critis have been most active in trying to get Autry into the race. A campaign is being waged from Oklahoma to convince the movie industry that it should co-operate in making contract adjustments for Autry.