Canadian Film Weekly (May 12, 1943)

= ® IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER WHEN GOOD SHOW MEN AND GOOD SHOWS GET TOGETHER! VOL. 1 (ADVT.) SAVE FATS... and BUY WAR BONDS om A amount /UUE The Lowdown on the Production and Distribution of the Best Shows in Town! EXTRA oe) PLAYING TIME IS THE ORDER OF JHE DAY WITH PARAMOUNT PRODUCT! NO. 12 “China’=Ladd Combo Top BO Draw ‘Rhythm’ Sets New Record Paramount’s star-riffic “Star Spangled Rhythm” started on its run in the Imperial Theatre in Toronto by breaking all house records and hanging up a new one that will take some beating. Men, all up and down Film Row, argued that a picture just couldn’t do that kind of business. But news of equal import flowed in from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. From Halifax, London, Ottawa, Hamilton, Edmonton, Victorla, the story was always the same, unbelievable but true. Results on all runs of “Star Spangled Rhythm” have been phenomenal. From all key indications to date, “Star Spangled Rhythm” will be an all time grosser for Paramount in Canada. In all the engagments so far, “Star Spangled Rhythm” has beaten the records established by “Reap the Wild Wind,” “Road to Morocco” and “North West Mounted Police.” “Star Spangled Rhythm” has been presold to the public through radio, press and magazines. The countries leading dance bands have been feeding the dancing youth of the country with the smart musical numbers. Leading radio shows across the Dominion have. been giving the song hits feature spots in their programs. Press and magazines have been riding heavy with material and pictures on this top musical. In “Star Spangled Rhythm,” exhibitors have their chance for the greatest “star spangled” grosses they have ever rolled up. Paramount Acquires "The Hitler Gang’ The picture that gives every indication of being one of the most startling, as well as one of the most important dramatic screen offerings in years is “The Hitler Gang,” which Paramount has acquired and will film with the co-operation of the State Department and the Office of War Information. In every one of its potential elements, it spells BIG BOX-OFFICE! John Farrow, who indicated in Timely Boxoffice Is "5 Graves’ In “5 Grayes to Cairo,” Paramount has one of the most timely pictures of the year and one destined to do outstanding business at the boxoffice. It is a gripping drama of adventure and heroism played against the background of the North African desert war. It is the fast moving story of a group of people whom fate throws together in a sun-baked little Egyptian hotel which becomes the headquarters of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel of the Afrika Korps. Anne Baxter as Mouche and Franchot Tone as Corporal Bramble of the Tanks turn in splendid performances. Plenty will be heard in future of Anne Baxter. Erich von Stroheim as Rommel is fascinating, his likeness to the Field Marshal is nothing short of startling. Akim Tamiroff as Farid, owner of the Empress of Britain Hotel, turns in his usual letter perfect role. In “5 Graves to Cairo,” Paramount have a picture that is tied up to the front page of every newspaper in the world. The exhibitor has a vast presold audience from those very front pages. What more can you ask? Up-to-the-Minute With two pictures, “And the Angels Sing” and “The Hour Before the Dawn,” slated to roll right away and eleven pictures, including the epic Technicolor production “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in the cutting rooms, Paramount studio bustles with activity. “Three on a Rainbow” will be the title of Paramount's forth “Wake Island” his showmanship | coming picture adapted from Mil ability to translate living drama; to the screen, will direct. ton Holmes’ original screen story, “Salty O'Rourke.” ‘Red’? Kann Reviews ‘China’ We started to cull highlights from a review by “Red” Kann on the Alan Ladd-Loretta Young-William Bendix picture— CHINA—but the more we tried to boil It down the more we realized we should give it to you as It was written. In every one of its sentences the review polnts up the boxoffice qualities of this outstanding production. You would do well to digest and assimilate the “meat” that “Red” puts before you. “Paramount has one for the money in ‘China.’ For verification, please note boxoffice reports in ‘Motion Picture Daily’ in days to come. This attraction ventures into territory Jargely virginal in Hollywood in that it portrays with sympathy and some understanding implications in the gigantic struggle China has been waging against Japan during and since the years that preceded Pearl Harbor. “The Chinese are shown for what they are: a courageous and dogged people against whom pillage, bombing, devastation and rape merely serve to re-fabricate their determination to drive the enemy from their land. In view of world events and the shape of history, this is fundamental stuff. In these days when the visit of Madame Chiang Kai-shek is re-fastening the attention of America on the calibre of her country’s resistance and the need for aid, ‘China’ automatically takes on an added boxoffice value. “But this is background. What makes the picture a strong drawing card Is the personalized story of adventure played off in front of that background. It is a story of action and love. Im ft are Alan Ladd, who seems to be knocking "em Inte loops around the nation; Loretta Young and Willlam Bendix. Ladd {s an oil runner, servicing the Japanese between Shanghai and forces in the field because they pay well. With him, it’s straight commerce. Miss Young, American girl born in China, is a teacher devoted to the Chinese, a stalwart champion of their battle and enlisted in the ranks of any maneuvers which will reduce the brutal force of the Nipponese invasion. Bendix fs again the rough-and-tumble one, assistant to Ladd and endowed with a heart of gold. “The adventure strain shows how Ladd comes into head-on collision with Japanese atrocity. As he falls in love with Miss Young, his calloused viewpoint which bore no resemblance to democracy and the rights of little people swings completely into the channel of direct action for the very things he failed to recognize at the outset. “Thus, he fights as he drives his truck loaded with young Chinese girlstudents toward safe Chinese strongholds. He is the instrumentality through which a Japanese division is removed from its supply of dynamite, subsequently used to blow up cliffs overhanging a ravine and allowing a threatened Chinese army to deploy to safety. This costs him his life, but audience very definitely will get the feeling he sacrifices himself in an ennobling cause. “Top performances are very good. Directions by John Farrow, who made ‘Wake Island,” is thoroughly abreast of the possibilities which is a fancy way of observing it is highly competent. Richard Blumenthal produced.” A Tense Moment in ‘China’ Alan Ladd fans are certain to get the thrill of their lives!