Canadian Film Weekly (Jan 3, 1945)

OO TIS ee ~ THE PICK OF THE PICTURES h Vol. 10, No. 1 Laura with Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb DISTINGUISHED MYSTERY MELODRAMA STRONGLY FLAVORED WITH ROMANCE IS HUMDINGER. Twentieth Century-Fox has pulled a surprise. This ‘Laura,” based on the Vera Caspary novel, is a most unusual murder mystery strongly marked with distinction. The picture, accorded a polished production by Otto Preminger, to whose deft direction the offering owes much of its success, should prove one of year’s most satisfying pictures of its kind. Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein and Betty Reinhardt have contributed a literate script set in an atmosphere of sophistication. The story heavily flavored with romance, has been intriguingly developed and acted out capitally. While Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews add luster to their acting careers as the stars of’ the film, it is Clifton Webb, who, playing his first role in pictures, rates special attention as a cynical man-about-town who, in attempting to kill Miss Tierney to prevent anyone else from having her, slays another person by mistake. Andrews enacts a detective who, in working on the case, falls in love with Miss Tierney. CAST: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson, Dorothy Adams, James Flavin, Clyde Fillmore, Ralph Dunn, Grant Mitchell, Kathleen Howard, Lee Tung Foo, Cy Kendall, Harold Schlickenmayer, Harry Strang, Lane Chandler. DIRECTION, Fine. Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY, Pete Egan Returned As Calgary Prexy P. D. (Pete) Egan was unanimously returned as president of ' the Calgary Theatres Association at its recent annual meeting. Captain A. E. Goldin is vicepresident, J. K. Randall secretary-treasurer, and Les Litch business manager. Executive members for 1945 are: K. M. Leach, J. B. Barron, L. J. Chown, G. W. Peacock and W. H. B. Sharp. A vote of thanks was given to Egan for his work as president and L. J. Chown, who has resigned the office of secretary-treasurer, which he has held sinte the inception of the organization, was also offered the appreciation of his colleagues. He is secretary of the Alberta Theatres Association and this keeps him too busy. a VOICE of Ine CANADIAN MCTION PICTURE INDUSTAaY REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY, NEW YORK Adventure In Music with Jose Iturbi, Emanuel Feuermann, Mildred Dilling, Vronsky and Babin, and Coolidge String Quartet Alliance Films 62 Mins. EXCELLENT OFFERING WHOSE. APPEAL IS STRONG FOR DEVOTEES OF MUSIC EVERYWHERE. Millions of music lovers, always a very large increment of box-office potential, will enjoy this quality attraction immensely. It is a source of wonder to any professional film reviewer that features of this type, presenting a concert full of contrast and possessing compactness, have not appeared with frequency in the movie marts. Featuring the renowed pianist, Jose Iturbi, along with Emanuel Feuermann, cellist, Mildred Dilling, harpist, Vronsky & Babin, duo-pianists, and the Coolidge String Quartet, “Adventure in Music” gives the theatre patron a perfect close-up of these artists in their respective renditions, as intimately near, in fact, as though he or she were actually at their very elbows. Every motion on Key and string is clearly and intriguingly captured by the camera. Its makers have seen to it that no monotony exists, and to accomplish this a group of four discriminating photographers weave constantly changing camera angles through each sequence. Among the selections by Iturbi are “Sevilla,” by Albeniz, and Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu.” The remarkably co-ordinated Vronsky and Babin, presiding at twin pianos, play Brahms’ “Waltz in A Flat,” Arensky’s “Waltz” and the brilliant novelty composition “Flight of the Bumble Bee,” by Rimsky-Korsakoff. Rendered by Feuermann is a group highlighted by Dvorak’s “Rondo, Opus 94,” and Popper’s “Spinning Song,” and by the Coolidge String Quartet,. “Andante,” by Von Dittersdorf and his “Fugue” from “Quartet in C Major.” Mildred Dilling’s group comprises Zabel’s ‘The Fountain,’ the familiar Welsh air, “March of the Men of Harlech,” and Hasselmans’ “Fireflies.” Widespread bookings will be the good fortune of this film. It has, because of its nature, a high degree of permanence for screens. Direction and photography are thoroughly adequate, and the sound is faithful. DIRECTION, Skilled. PHOTOGRAPHY, Ditto. Mrs. Parkington with Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon M-G-M 124 Mins. GARSON, PIDGEON HAPPILY TEAMED IN WOMAN’S PICTURE CERTAIN OF STRONG B. O. ‘Mrs. Parkington” again unites Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon in a film stamped with quality. Leon Gordon has accorded a superb production to the Robert Thoeren-Polly James adaptation of the Louis Bromfield novel, assembling a cast that matches the impressiveness of the physical aspects of the offering. The picture directs the full force of its appeal to the femmes, who will revel in the drama and emotions set loose in the development of this tale of a social matriarch whose wealth is the cementing power in a family fallen into decadence. It is the strength of Mrs. Parkington’s character that is the dominating force in the picture, to which Tay Garnett has applied a strong directorial hand that helps to make amends for some of the slow passages. The story traces the rise of Mrs. Parkington from mining camp to drawing room, side by side with the man of her heart, a mine operator with an eye for feminine beauty. The relationship between husband and wife has been depicted uncommonly well. As Mrs. Parkington, Miss Garson negotiates the transition from youth to old age effectively. Pidgeon brings a lot of charm to the role of her husband. CAST: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Armold, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway, Gladys Cooper, Frances Rafferty, Tom Drake, Peter Lawford, Dan Duryea, Hugh Marlowe, Selena Royle, For tunio Bonanova, Lee Patrick, Harry Cording, Celia Travers, Mary Servoss. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. Another 16 Mm. ‘Sit?’ Brussels, Ontario, will have a 16 mm. theatre in the near future. Building is being remodelled now. “TEST FILM. 10,000 cycles 35 mm., with easy instructions, so that you can focus your Sound Lens in absolute precision and secure clear sound and the Maximum from your sound System. Just what many theatre owners have longed for! Bargain $6.60.” REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS $2.00 Per Annum Our Hearts Were Young and Gay with Gail Russell, Diana Lynn Paramount 81 Mins. INCIDENTS IN LIVES OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS APPEALING TO WOMEN AUDIENCES. The film version of the Cornelia Otis Skinner-Emily Kimbrough best-seller is a charming easygoing affair of considerable appeal to the femmes. The content of the film is much too mild to interest the men more than superficially. This, the story of two young ladies tasting life in the 1920’s, may profit from its ability to stir in one a2 memory of one’s own youth. The film, without plot structure, is nothing more than a series of incidents in the lives of the Misses Skinner and Kimbrough directed at an unhurried pace by Lewis Allen. These incidents, which occur on a European trip, are depicted with humor. The girl’s romantic experiences lend a note of sweetness to the film. Sheridan Gibney gave the film a good production, succeeding especially well in capturing the atmosphere of the 1920’s. Miss Skinner is played by Gail Russell, while Miss Kimbrough is enacted by Diana Lynn. Both actresses are first-rate. Otis Skinner is played by Charlie Ruggles. Dorothy Gish comes back to the screen in the role of Mrs. Skinner. CAST: Gail Russell, Diana Lynn, Charle Ruggles, Dorothy Gish, Beaulah Bondi, James Brown, Bill Edwards, Jean Heather, Alma Kruger, Helene Freeman, Joy Harington, Valentine Perkins, Georges Renavent, Roland Varno, Holmes Herbert, Reginald Sheffield, Edmond Breon, Nina Koshetz. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Tubman Tells ‘Em Ray Tubman, Ottawa district manager for Famous Players, spoke on “The Moving Picture Industry” before the Hull, Quebec, Rotary Club recently. He discussed television, the theatre of tomorrow and the war effort of the industry. 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