Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 23, 1943)

REVIEWS INFORMATION ' RATINGS Vol. 8, No. 26 COAST-TO-COAST COVERAGE dune 28, 19438 Good Ones from Fox. V’graph Universal Offers Ace Summer List (Continued from Page 1) Walter Wanger’s “We've Never Been licked,” George Waggner’s Technicolor, “Phantom of the Opera,” the Abbott and Costello “Hit the Ice,” Felix Jackson’s Deanna Durbin-Joseph Cotten costarrer, “Hers to Hold,” the Edwin L. Marin produced-directed “Two Tickets to London,” starring Michele Morgan with Alan Curtis, and “Frontier Bad Men.” Universal heads feel that production plans for the next season are powerful enough to warrant releasing finished productions on a steady schedule. Its current sales sessions are being devoted to the 1943-44 product. ‘Universal is now in better shape insofar as powerful screen entertainment is concerned than ever before in its existence,” declared Scully, ‘with the result that we are in a position to maintain a steady flow of Class A product to the exhibitors throughout the summer.” The many important pictures to be released during the next 90 days are merely a sample of what exhibitors may expect from Universal during the 1948-44 selling season, “for more of the same type are now in the cutting rooms, on the sound stages, and in the process of preparation for the cameras.” Pickford Has Big Plans Mary Pickford was evidently very serlous when she announced during her Toronto visit that she was working on plans for Girl’s Town along the lines of Father Flanagan’s famous Boy’s Town. Miss Pickford has been in a huddle with David O. Selznick, trying to borrow Shirley Temple for the lead in her projected film, “Girl's Town,” which she intends to make at a cost of between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000. The famed star may make an appearance in the film, her first since 1984. Norma Taurog may be asked to direct. Representatives of all faiths will be called into consultation. ‘Stormy Weather’ (Fox) Full of Joy ‘Atlantic Action’ (WB) Thrilling “STORMY WEATHER” 20h CENTURY-FOX {Running Time: 77 Mins.) The boxoffice power of allNegro films is an open question. But if ever one will make the grade in a big way, that one could easily be “Stormy Weather.” The film is nothing but entertainment unadulterated by attempts to give it a fancy story line. It shouts, sings and dances its way through a nice hour-and-a-quarter of cellulold. Nowhere along the Hne does it let up. It’s a splendiferous production, every big scene well mounted, and loaded with old and new musical favorites handled by entertainers of general popularity. Leading the latter is Bill Robinson, who plays the male lead as well as continuing his symphonies in shoe leather. Opposite him is the beautiful and sultry Lena Horne. Then there’s Cab Calloway and his band, Fats Waller, Ada Brown and Dooley Wilson. Wilson, who will be remembered for his role in ‘Casablanca,” doesn’t sing. The flashback method is used to tell the story. Bill Robinson, retired trouper, is explaining the stories behind the photos in an anniversary issue of 2 theatre magazine. Each photo provides a unit of the film and the net result is the history of modern colored entertainment in America. Robinson’s share is that of an _ entertainer’s struggle for recognition and his unrequited love for a star, Lena Horne. There’s hardly a more amusing way for a film and music fan to spend some _ time. “Stormy Weather” was no simple and uncostly feature to make and it’s a fair bet that it will vindicate the time and expense. “ACTION IN THE “NORTH ATLANTIC” VITAGRAPH (Running Time: 126 Mins.) This story of merchant seamen, the first one that really gives them their due, may be reckoned a little too long for the best results but it’s sure loaded with excitement and grim reality in many places. It tells two stories, one of the hardships along the sea route to Russia and the other about the lives of the men who man the ship. On the whole it is a splendid and revealing account of the mariners who deliver the goods. Most of it is devoted to duels with submarines and bombers. After the main characters are torpedoed and saved after more than a week adrift, the film takes you to union headquarters. The men sign on again, this time for a Murmansk voyage. The effect of bombing and torpedoes is graphically portrayed and some of the most powerful war shots yet offer it to the audience. Humphrey Bogart is second in command of the ship and carries the main role, plenty of the footage revolving around him. Raymond Massey is the hard-bitten, quiet-spoken skipper and Alan Hale and Sam Levene stand out among the crew. Others who help are Minor Watson, J. M. Kerrigan, Ludwig Stossel, Frank Puglia and a score more. Three female characters appear, Julie Bishop, Ruth Gordon and Iris Adrian. Their contribution isn’t enough to make up the variety in sexes necessary to a picture that long. “Action in the North Atlantic” should do a good share of business, since the subject is still quite novel and this is the best treatment of it to date. Valentino Reissue Astor Pictures will reissue the late Rudolph Valentino’s last United Artists picture, “The Eagle,” a Russian story. Sound, synchronization and a musical score have been added. Buffalo Sees ‘Spitfire’ Buffalo was the scene last week of the premiere of Leslie Howard's most recent picture, “Spitfire,” which is being released by RKO. Air Marshal Billy Bishop was | present, Sunday Soldier Shows Carry On (Continued from Page 1) 14th, at which were present J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players; Brigadier James Mess; Col. John A. Cooper, Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association; O. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau; T. J. Bragg, Odeon Theatres; Jules Bernstein; Loew’s Theatre, and representatives of the IATSE. Although Brigadier Mess has not yet consulted with the Honorable J. L. Ralston, Defence Minister, he expressed himself as pleased with the results and said that the Sunday shows would be reviewed again in October. It is likely that the October sum-up may lead to requests for an extension of the shows to other localities. It was stated that managers were quite satisfied with the conduct of those who attended. The military -undertook the job of ushering and policing and not one case of disorder was reported. The various representatives expressed themselves as being happy to continue providing their share of things. The situation in Edmonton has not yet been clarified. The Sunday shows in that city were prevented by an Alberta statute which confines theatre operation to six days a week. At the time of his death the late Premier Aberhart was seeking a solution. His successor may issue a favorable decision at any time. G. Christie, Operator, Passes at Winnipeg Gudmundur Christie, veteran theatre operator, died at Winnipeg last week. He has handled Mac's Theatre for the past 12 years, Mr. Christie, who was born in Iceland, had been a resident of Winnipeg for the past 54 years. He is survived by his widow and one son. Around the Clock In Salt Lake City, USA, theatres are running shows starting at 8 am, and at midnight for the swing and graveyard shift war workers,