Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 6, 1943)

Hollywood Sends 4,000 to War (Continued from Page 1.) Sam and the United Nations. From a survey of studio payrolls and guild membership lists, it was shown that 2,586 regular employees and about 1,500 who render periodical service have been inducted. Technicians, in particular, are absent in large number because they are in specia] demand. Among the guilds, the withdrawals reported are 900 actors; 104 directors, assistant directors and unit managers, and 158 writers. No figures on technicians were available, but studios reported that forty executives and producers had been called for service. War industries, as well as the armed forces, have drawn off | some Hollywood labor, but the loss has been small, according to the MPPA because of the film industry’s comparatively high wage scales in laboring and technical jobs. To date, the MPPA concluded, the draining of manpower has had no serious results, although the squeeze is beginning to be felt. There has always been an oversupply of labor Hollywood, particularly among extras. Movements are under way to train women and exempt men as replacements, but industry leaders have declined to comment for publication on the actual needs of their companies, pending a ruling by the War Manpower Commission. Centre, London, Helps Homeless The Centre Theatre, London, Ont., which is managed by Len Herbert, provided a free show for 150 homeless men in that city on Christmas Day. The men were first entertained by London citizens, who gave them a free dinner. Then the Centre topped things off. PRC Drops Pathe Tag, Newly Added PRC, which has been advertis ing itself as PRC-Pathe during the last while, has dropped the dual billing and becomes PRC a " Some kind of legal snag arose out of its use and until unsnagged the old rooster’s name is off the right end. Canadian FILM WEEKLY ad a Ee *ARABIAN NIGHTS (Universal) Though this Technicolor binge retains the magic title and characters of the old fable, it is largely a gorgeous kibitz on it, presenting in place of the familiar twists a steady course of action and excitement much more suited to the tempo of presentday tastes. It is large, lavish and luscious, giving a lift to the libido of those who react to harem wenches, as what male adult doesn’t? For the girls it has swashbuckling adventure and breath-taking backgrounds photographed in heavenly color. For the kids it has everything. All in all, it’s a harkback to the old surefire brand of boxoffice, well done and aided immensely by the improvements of the times. The story is a simple one of the battle between two brothers, Jon Hall and Leif Erikson, as to who shall inherit the kingdom —or caliphate, if you want to be technical. Maria Montez, a dancing girl, is the love interest and Sabu is all through the picture as the pal of Hall. A crackerjack cast helps make it what it is. Billy Gilbert and Shemp Howard provide much laughter and Edgar Barrier, Richard Lane, Turhan Bey, John Qualen, Thomas Gomez and Wee Willie Davies stand out in supporting roles of a minor nature. BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL (Universal) A sprightly musical full of youthful romping and the frantic antics of the Ritz Brothers, with some mystery added to string it together. It’s certainly well staffed, offering also Carol Bruce, Johnny Downs, Dick Foran, Grace McDonald, William Demarest, Richard Davies and Sonny Dunham and his orchestra. The Ritzes have some topically-worded tunes and the’rest of the music is designed to intrigue the ears of jazz lovers of every type. One song, “Mr. Five by Five,’ is a leading hit right now. Story concerns the attempt of a strawhat troupe to keep the show going in spite of the successive murders of two specialty acts. The Ritzes are the third and their fears make the laughs. Universal can probably go right on making these minor musicals forever without any negation of public taste. Offered for what they are and made unpretentiously with the emphasis on music and entertainment, they are always welcome. THE MUMMY’S TOMB (Universal) Another thrilling, chilling horror story, well cast, excitingly developed and expertly photographed. Lon Chaney is the mummy brought to life with a magic brew who sets out to even some old scores. Dick Foran, John Hubbard, Elyse Knox, George Zucco and some others keep it rolling. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (Columbia) This will certainly supply the fans with an evening to remember. It is a fast hour-and-a-half of fun and murder mystery. It offers the lovely Loretta Young and the capable Brian Aherne, both very attractive to fans, and a fast-moving whacky story. Aherne is a writer of murder mysteries who lives in a basement apartment that was a speakeasy during prohibition. Murders happen all the time there and all around them. This is a swell comedy that can hardly miss anywhere. UNDERGROUND AGENT (Columbia) Good solid filler about a telephone trouble-shooter who gets involved in the activities of a spy mob. Bruce Bennett is the guy and Leslie Brooks is the gal. Frankie Albertson and Rhys Williams are on hand to help it carry on 2 good pace and an interesting story. IN THE REAR OF THE ENEMY (Esquire) A thrilling picture out of the snow and‘blood of the Russian front. It tells the story of three comrades, ski troopers who let nothing interfere with the success of their assignment. It is not a documentary but it contains much fine information and scenes of the real battle, since it was shot under fire on the Soviet front. Best of all, it is the first Russian film with English dialogue. The picture ranks high among the leading films to come out of Russia. The current taste for Russian war films fs amply met here, [British Films | Win USA Honors (Continued from Page 1.) ; wood. At the same time Canada’s National Film Board got. honor ary mention in the documenta field for its ‘World in Action™ series, 4 Top place went to Noel Cow. ard’s incomparable “In Which We Serve,” the history of a British destroyer, which has just opened what promises to be a long and prosperous run on Broadway. Next comes what most critics agree is the finest air picture of the ‘war, the British-made “One Our Aircraft Is Missing,” which tells with restraint and tense” drama of the escape of an RAF bomber crew forced down no Holland. Two American-made films of Britain follow: ‘Mrs. Miniver,” a picture of the home front under bombing; and “Journey for Mar garet,” based on War Correspondent -Wm. L. White’s memorable account of how he adopted an English child—he adopts two in the picture—whom he found suffering severely from bomb shock. Fifth to ninth places, inclusive, were awarded: “Wake Island,” “The Male Animal,’ “The Major and the Minor,” “Sullivan’s Trav-" els’ and “The Moon and Sixpence.” In 10th place was “The Pied Piper,” in which an elderly retired British general brings several chil© dren through the horrors of bombs © and machine-gun bullets along the — roads of France to Britain. s Canada’s series of two-reel war _ films entitled ‘The World in Action” was awarded honorable men— tion in the class for best documentary films. ‘Moscow Strikes © Back” was: named best in this _ category. a Warners Reissue ‘Varsity Show’ Warners have reissued the pop-__ ular musical of some years ago, “Varsity Show,” and it is doing much to up the grosses in firstrun houses, in which it is usually paired with a.current film. Rutherford Marries Ann Rutherford, MGM's Toronto-born starlet, was married in © Los Angeles last week to David May, of the May Co. department stores,