Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 29, 1942)

Page 4 Canadian FILM WEEKLY July 29th, 1942 Paramount I LIVE ON DANGER Payoff: An uncommonly good story and plenty of action. A top spot film for the second category. What Goes On: Chester Morris is the news broadcaster with little conscience who discovers it after helping railroad Jean Parker's brother to jail for a story. He risks his life to right things. Sizeup: Excellently played by everyone, including Ralph Sanford, Elisabeth Risdon, Roger Pryor, Eddie Norris, Dick Purcell and Douglas Fowley. Esquire THIS IS THE ENEMY Payoff: A series of episodes, each unrelated to the rest but all part of the same idea—that of exposing Nazi ruthlessness in Poland, Jugoslavia and Russia. A cartoon introduction shows Hitler tramping on other nations and sneaking up on Russia, which pummels him. This Soviet production has intense power, helped much by fine acting, and it certainly generates hate of the invader. It has been strongly received across the border. | What Goes On: The episodes deal with known phases of the war. One shows the Nazis shooting people for refusing them a glass of milk; another pictures the treachery of the Nazi character when a wounded doctor lying in a shell-hole with an injured Russian and a nurse tries to shoot the nurse; a third pictures the rebellion of Jugoslav hostages who attack the Nazis and join the guerrillas. And so on. Sizeup: It should meet the popular welcome Soviet documentary films have been getting of late. United Artists Short Subjects CHINA STRIKES BACK (“World in Action” series) This National Film Board subject reveals the plans and background of the Japanese attack on China, its effect and the growth of the Chinese defence. To put so much into a short subject without crowding the material is an accomplishment in itself. The result is a film full of power and pathos as well as information. The producers did not shy from reality and even the cruelty of the Japs is pictured. THIS IS BRITAIN Made in England, this subject pretends to be nothing more than an honest revelation of how the British live under the blitz and what it has done to their vities. The constantly travelling camera took in dozens of scenes in every mood. They have been put together without continuity devices and provide a simple and sincere look at Britain today. FIVE MEN FROM AUSTRALIA Though not unusual in its treatment or subject matter, this film does have freshness and novelty for Canadians. The Australians have occupied much newspaper space but little film footage. The fresh faces and voices are enough to interest the patron. Much of it is devoted to Aussie training methods but there is a fine human side to it too, showing how volunteers from various social crusts overcome peacetime barriers in their devotion to the common cause and each other. There’s a touch Columbia FLIGHT LIEUTENANT Payoff: Well-played air drama with good names. Its story is pre-war USA. What Goes On: Pat O’Brien is the ex-army aviator who keeps his questionable history hidden from his son, Glenn Ford, also a flyer. Complications enter when Ford learns that O’Brien was in a way responsible for the death of his sweetheart’s father, who was on the plane piloted by O’Brien. The father vindicates himself by pinch-hitting a test flight for his son and being killed to prove what the army must know. Sizeup: Evelyn Keyes, Jonathan Hale, Minor Watson, Frank Puglia and Edward Pawley. 20th Century-Fox THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES Payoff: Fair murder mystery. What Goes On: Opens in a classroom with Frank Craven lecturing to law students on circumstantial evidence and relat ing the case. There are two confessions to a murder for which & man who claims innocence has been convicted. Sizeup: Nice cast—June Walker, Donald Woods, Mary Howard, Jerome Cowan and others. Louis B. Mayer Helps Arrest Extortionists Director J. Edgar Hoover of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced the arrest at Los Angeles of two men who allegedly attempted to extort $250,000 from Louis B. Mayer, motion picture executive. The men arrested were identified as Channing Drevel Lipton and Meyer Philip Grace. Mayer, according to Hoover, received a letter postmarked at Beverly Hills, Cal., June 25, signed “spokesman for six,’ demanding payment of $250,000 under threat of death. & XHIBITORS Stars' War Bows 3,198 in Six Months Hollywood players have traveled 788,895 miles the past six months to make 3,198 appearances as voluntary contributions to America’s and Canada’s war effort. The mileage was run up by 723 players using planes, trains, bus, their own cars and even motorcycles. In addition, 422 radio broadcasts were made by Hollywood actors and actresses likewise working without charge to help win the war. “BOOKING _ASSOCIATION A thoroughly reliable, tried and of romance also and some pretty lively action. ( . proven buying and booking service for Independent Theatre Owners. Producers Releasing Corporation BOMBS OVER BURMA @ Payoff: Filler for action fans. What Goes On: The villain is no Jap but a Nazi agent who 21 DUNDAS SQUARE keeps the Japs informed about convoys on the Burma Road. A Toronto Chinese schoolmistress, Anna May Wong, is there to counter him. The action takes place in a monastery. Sizeup: Supporting players are Noel Madison, Leslie Dennison, Dan Seymour and a number of Chinese actors. Phone: Adelaide 4316 Frank Meyers, Manager ee