Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 5, 1942)

August 5th, 1942 ee e Columbia t THE VOICE OF ACTION (“Canada Carries On” Series) A survey of the CBC; what it means, what it does and where it goes. The camera accompanies the microphone as it visits troops in training, listening posts, Arctic regions, the ministry of information and other places. The subject provides an extremely interesting look at Canada’s great communication system, though it does not name personnei. For Canadian movie patrons it is a first-rate job of information. Revealed here is the fact that Marconi’s instruments of experimentation 40 years ago were the gift of Canada when Sir Wilfrid Canadian FILM WEEKLY s et tt Laurier was prime minister. Columbia Shcrts WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE A Color Rhapsody about a crow that lives in a tree and a fox bent on chopping it down. eartoon for laughs. SCREEN SNAPSHOTS It’s ahead of the usual color Gildersleeve, Lum and Abner, Don Wilson and other Holly wood citizens shown at schedule of these nicely. FIT TO FIGHT work and at play. Fits into the Sports short narrated by Bill Stern showing Gene Tunney and other ex-champs whipping the soldier boys into shape for the great task to follow. UA to Film Story ” Of Aussie Nurse Arrangements have been concluded between Benedict E. Bogeaus, president of General Service Studios, and the United Artists Corporation whereby the life story of Sister Elizabeth Kenny, the Australian nurse who is world-renowned for her 30-year fight for humanity, will be made into a motion picture. Famed as the discoverer of a revolutionary cure for infantile paralysis, Sister Kenny agreed to permit her life to be shown in the films only if the starring role was to be portrayed by ‘Rosalind Russell, whom she met on her recent visit to Hollywood. Just before leaving on a tour of Army camps in the middle West, Miss Russell signed a contract to play the title role. The negotiations were attended by Bogeaus, who will produce the picture, and by Edward C. Raftery, president of United Artists, and Grandwell L. Sears, vice-president in charge of distribution. At the same time screen writer Mary McCarthy was assigned to the drafting of the initial script with instructions to concentrate on Sister Kenny’s intimate life story, emphasizing the romantic, adventurous episodes. so little known to the public, rather than the clinical aspect of her career. Roly Young Pans ‘Miniver Blurbage Right on the heels of the most unusual boost a picture ever moth in Toronto, a full page endorsement from the Robert Simpson Company in local papers, Roly Young, screen critic of the Toronto Globe and Mail, let go a blast at MGM’s manner of campaigning “Mrs. Miniver.”’ In reviewing the picture and awarding it five stars, Young tailed off with: “This review of ‘Mrs. Miniver’ is brief. I found that it left me a bit tongue-tied. You don’t throw adjectives at this type of picture, you just say it is great and let it go at that.” The blast was Roly’s next item: “Personally I regret that the advertising and publicity boys at MGM did not feel the same way about it. It seems to me that the blatantly high pressure method they have taken to insist that this is the greatest film of all time, the bring-’em-back-alive method by which they have corralled “10 Best” lists from any one and every one, have been offensively out of keeping with the dignity and compassion of the film itself. It’s like pasting circus posters across the front of the Art Gallery.”’ Film men were surprised, since the campaign seemed quite in| taste to them and that ads, in particular, were sober and graceful. | Phone: Adelaide 4316 Page 5 r 20th Century-Fox THIS ABOVE ALL Payoff: A fine picture that should do strong business in Canada. The popularity of the book on which it is based and the marquee strength of Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine will cause them to line up. What Goes On: Tyrone Power is the deserter from the lower classes who falls in love with the girl of the upper classes. Power doesn’t want to fight for her class but comes to the realization that first things come first and that the war must be won. Sizeup: Tyrone Power is in his most convincing role to date here and Joan Fontaine shares the lead with him in great style. Actually it is a love story against a background of personal indecision. There are some fine war scenes but these do not dominate. Tiomas Mitchell, as a soldier, serves well and other outstanding players such as Phillip Merivale, Gladys Cooper, Sara Allgood and Nigel Bruce round out the acting demands splendidly. RKO PRIDE OF THE YANKEES Payoff: A sure winner with pull for every kind of customer. It’s an ace job every way you look at it and Sam Goldwyn did himself proud. Gary Cooper, going bigger than ever right now, carries the show in Academy style. What Goes On: The story of Lou Gehrig, the great baseball hero who died a while ago, it shows his career from boyhood to decline. Mainly biographical, most of it is devoted to domestic and romantic aspects. He overcomes his parents opposition to baseball as a way of life and wins the girl, who in this case is Teresa Wright. Sizeup: Never has a more human and relaxing picture been made. It tugs at the heart and makes you pull for the boy. This is the first baseball picture made successfully and it was accomplished in great style. Elsa Janssen and Ludwig Stossel, as Lou’s mother and father, turn in a splendid and sympathetic job. They. stand out in a picture filled with fresh faces. Walter Brennan, as a sports writer, is splendid. Most interesting are the real life ballplayers, such as Bill Dickey, Mark Koenig and others, along with ex-stars such as Babe Ruth. They seem to have caught the spirit of the thing. The baseball market has never been opened up to motion pictures before and this one will push the doors widely apart. & XHIBITORS BOOKING _ASSOCIATION A thoroughly reliable, tried and proven buying and booking service for Independent Theatre Owners. 21 DUNDAS SQUARE Toronto Frank Meyers, Manager