Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 6, 1944)

Record Details:

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THE PICK OF THE PICTURES VOICE of ime IN AA a CANADIAN MOTION PICTUBE INDUSTOY REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS Vol. 9, No. 49 An American Romance with Brian Donlevy, iAnn Richards, Walter Abel, John Qualen, Horace McNally. M-G-M 151 Mins. ONE OF YEAR'S BIG FILMS WITH POWERFUL AND SIGNIFICANT ~ STORY; IS TOP-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. In this distinguished film, MG-M unveils a unique combination of values which may well herald the pattern and function of many pictures in the post-war era. Before pointing out these attributes, “An American Romance” must be put down as entertainment of great power and inspirational worth, and set off in exquisite Technicolor. Chosen with great care for precise interpretation of the story, and for vital box office punch, is the cast which has Brian Donlevy and Ann Richards in the top roles, with Walter Abel, John Qualen and Horace McNally in close support. Now, in the matter of pattern and function, this attraction combines entertainment with a wealth of informative material, plus presentation of a vital social issue. What the film conveys in substance is that -progress under our way of life depends upon the harmonious relationship of labor and management. There are definite documentary facets to the footage, for example the splendid sequences which show how steel is made. The story recounts the coming to America of an immigrant, Brian Donlevy, who literally walks from New York to Minnesota, toils there in the iron mines, marries a pretty Irish girl, has four sons, each named after an American President: rises rapidly in the steel game, and finally becomes an industrial tycoon via manufacture of automobiles featuring multi-suspension motors and steel turret tops. “ Now a millionaire, he judges social values only by his own hard fight from rags to riches, and, when his employees want recognition of their trade union, he takes an inflexible stand against it. When he finds himself the only member of the firm’s directorate to vote against the union, and finding his own son leads the fight for unionization of the plant, Donlevy retires from the business he founded and goes to live in California. REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY, NEW YORK The Rainbow with Natasha Uzhvey, Natalia Alisova Artkino 93 Mins. A WARNING MESSAGE jAGAINST “SOFT PEACE” TERMS WITH THE ENEMY, REALISTICALLY DELIVERED. Portraying the indomitable spirit of the partisan women in their sacrifices for the ultimate freedom of the civilized world, here is a Russian film with English subtitles that will reach the core of hatred against the Nazi rule and the atrocities for which they have earned infamy. The story dwells on the ruthless acts of a Nazi captain, G. Klering, in attempting to learn of the hideout of a group of guerrilla fighters whose families are located in a small Ukrainian village under Boche rule. Highlight of the film is the fiery appeal by Natalia Alisova, as the partisans return to liberate the village, when she stops a group of raving women from killing German prisoners with the warning, “let the Germans see what the future holds in store for them. Those who die now will be getting off easy...” Accenting character portrayals, the film has been effectively directed and acted. CAST: Natasha Nzhvey, Natalia Alisova, Elena Tiapkina, Vera Ivasheva, Anton Dunaysky, Anna Lisyanskaya, G. Klering, Nikolai Bratersky, Vitya Vino gradov, Alik Letichevsky, Emma Pearlstein, Vova Ponomariov. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Vancouver Thieves Get Olympic's $416 Using a strong charge of nitroglycerine, thieves recently cracked the safe of the Olympic Theatre, Vancouver, British Columbia, and escaped with $416, two flashlights and a battery lantern. Robert Harrison, janitor, discovered the loss and damage the morning after. Then comes World War II, and, to be of use—this time in the manufacture of aircraft for Victory, he returns to the company for active duty. It is on this conciliatory note that the picture ends. King Vidor’s masterful direction is in evidence all through the footage. CAST: Brian Donlevy, Ann Richards, Walter Abel, John Qualen, Horace McNally.’ DIRECTION, Aces. PHOTOGRAPHY, Superb, The Conspirators with Hedy Lamarr, Paul Henreid Warners 101 Mins. AN INTRIGUING SPY MELLER, SPLENDIDLY CAST, RICHLY PRODUCED; DEFINITELY PULSATING ENTERTAINMENT. Jack Chertok has spared little in giving Hedy Lamarr a worthwhile production for her first Warner effort. On the other hand, Hedy does well by the producer in breathing glamour into a spy role that adds lustre to the entire offering. However, Paul Henreid will satisfy the femmes as well as the action seekers with his juicy portrayal of a Dutch underground fighter. Jean Negulesco’s direction of a script that gives an array of attractive feature names equal opportunity to share acting honors, is interesting, suspenseful, and arresting. There is much that has been injected to give more to a general audience than they may expect. All of the copious situations have been bound by a thrillIprovoking musical score. The film gets under way when Henreid, known as the Flying Dutchman, escapes to neutral Lisbon, Portugal, after committing several acts of sabotage. There he accidently meets Lamarr at a cafe, and she leads him a merry-go-round until forced to disclose her marriage to Victor Francen. Both she and Francen are also members of the same underground fighters. However, Francen is killed as he attempts to betray his group of conspirators. Affirming their love for each other, Paul vows to meet Hedy again somewhere, sometime, after he completes his present assignment. CAST: Hedy Lamarr, Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Victor Francen, Joseph Calleia, Carol Thurston, Viadimir Sokoloff, Edward Ciannelli, Stephen Geray, Kurt Katch, Gregory Gay, Marcel Dalio, George Macready, Doris Lloyd, Louis Mercier, Monte Blue, Billy Roy, David Hoffman, Otto Reichow, Leon Belasco, Frank Reicher. DIRECTION, Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Showfolk Pay Tribute To Joe E. Brown The entertainment world last month paid tribute to Joe E. Brown, on the occasion of the comedian’s 44th anniversary in show business, with an all-star, coast-to-coast radio show. Jack Benny, Orson Welles, Hedda Hopper, Rudy Vallee and other notables participated, $2.00 Per Annum Sweet and Lowdown with Linda Darnell, Lynn Bari, Jack Oakie, James Cardwell, Benny Goodman and Band. 20th-Fox 75 Mins. TOP BILLING OF BENNY GOODMAN AND BAND MAKES THIS ONE TREAT FOR THE BOBBY SOCK TRADE. “Sweet and Lowdown” is aimed squarely at the bobby-sock trade. Bearing out this view are the importance given to Benny Goodman and his band and the very nature of the story. The adults who are not addicted to hot rhythms are likely to have a bit of difficulty focussing their interest on what transpires on the screen. However, the loyalty of the younger element will more than make up for any possible defection on the part of the older crowd. Goodman and his boys are easily the main attraction in the film, which was given plenty of production values by Producer William Le Baron. They well deserve the top billing on marquees. If is they who are primarily responsible for keeping the proceedings lively and on the credit side. They rise to the occasion in the rendition of four Mack Gordon James Monaco tunes entitled “I’m Making Believe,” “Ten Days With Baby,” “Chug, Chug, Choo-Choo, Chug,’’ and “Hey Bub! Let’s Have a Ball.” James Cardwell, whose first listed role was in “The Sullivans,” has the leading male part. He is a poor lad whose trumpet wizardry lands him in Goodman’s band. His success and the realization that he is of great value to the band swells his noggin, and he deserts his benefactor and organizes an outfit of his own. Proving a flash in the pan, the ingrate is soon back where he started from. But save your tears. When the end arrives he's back with the Goodman band, contrite and wiser. Vying for the trumpeting lad’s favor are Linda Darnell, a sweet young thing, and Lynn Bari, band singer who loses no time trying to take advantage of the romantically inexperienced Cardwell, with the former coming out ahead. CAST: Benny Goodman and _ band, Linda Darnell, Lynn Bari, Jack Oakie, James Cardwell, Allyn Joslyn, John Campbell, Roy Benson, Dickie Moore, Buddy Swan, Beverly Hudson, Dorothy Vaughan, George Lessey, Ray Mayer, Billy Dawson, Harry McKim, Robert Emmett Keane, Hope Landin. DIRECTION, Good, PHOTOGRAPHY, Good,