Canadian Film Weekly (Apr 17, 1946)

THE PICK OF THE PICTURES eee ee the CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS Vol. 11, No. 16 REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY, NEW YORK $2.00 Per Annum The Madonna’s Seeret with Francis Lederer, Ann Rutherford, Gail Patrick Republic 79 Mins. INTRIGUING PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA SPUN WITH AN INTERESTING CAST AND GOOD PRODUCTION. Chalk up an unusual bit of screen fare funneled from an or iginal screenplay by Bradbury Foote and William Thiele; the latter handling the _ director’s chore as well. The film could have emerged as a real “sleeper” if the sequences were bridged with closer editing to prevent any faulty jar of continuity. Nevertheless, there is much to enjoy in “The Madonna’s Secret.’’ The cast is both mature and bright; and the element of surprise as a climax to who was responsible for the murders committed is refreshing. Francis Lederer’s charming voice and manner adds much to his role as a painter who suffers from the illusion that he may be unconscicusly committing murders on his models. After a series of incidents which seemingly point an accusing finger in his direction, Lederer’s mother, Leona Roberts, is caught as she is about to do away with his latest model, Ann Rutherford. The reason being that she was selfish to the point of not wanting to share her son’s fame with any of the models he was apt to fall in love with. Ann Rutherford turns in a notably good performance in posing as a model to avenge her sister’s death. Gail Patrick is beautiful and well cast as the wealthy widow who also finds a desire to pose for Lederer. Edward Ashley’s ability in this one should make the producers sit up and take notice in considering him for more potent roles. CAST: Francis Lederer, Gail Patrick, Ann Rutherford, Edward jAshley, Linda Stirling, John Litel, Leona Roberts, Michael Hawks, Clifford Brooke, Pierre Watkin, Will Wright, Geraldine Wall, John Hamilton. CREDITS: Associate Producer, Stephen Auer; Director, William Thiele; Cameraman, John Alton; Original Screenplay, Bradbury Foote. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. Rank Now Partner In Aussie Chain The deal whereby J. Arthur Rank acquired a partnership in the production, distribution, exhibition and service activities of Greater Union Theatres of Australia called for $5000,000 from him, Meet Me On Broadway with Marjorie Reynolds, Fred Brady, Jinx Falkenburg Columbia 78 Mins. A-*LJVE “SLEEPER” FOR SWELL ENTERTAINMENT: MERITS TOP FEATURE EFFORT FOR DESERVING BO GROSSES. Exhibitors everywhere will do, wisely to get behind this one. The cast is bright and fresh and delivers the crispy dialogue and musical numbers in _ top-notch fashion. Leigh Jason’s direction captures the youth, spirit and entertainment values written into the George Bricker-Jack Henley musical screenplay. However, much credit is due the co-stars of the film and Allen Jenkins, in his comedy role, for giving the film pace and.warmth. Spring Byington is delightful with an intimate song routine to inject a nostalgic note of former vaudeville days at the Palace. The story deals with ambitious Brady who angles for a break on Broadway as a producer. His girl friend performer, Reynolds, wants him te give up the effort and get a regular job. Brady gets a request to put on a charity show at a country club, and feigns a job as manager of the club in order to bring Reynolds and songwriter Jenkins out to the place to help him put the show on. Brady selects Jinx Falkenburg from the surrounding home talent to fill in a spot in the show and plans to induce her father, Gene Lockhart, to sponsor Jinx in a real Broadway production. A few jealous words from Reynolds has Brady throwing the direction in her lap and walking out on the deal. Byington induces Brady to return and finish the important charity affair. Brady, believing that Reynolds is in love with Byington’s wealthy son, Loren Tindall, leaves to catch a train immediately after the affair, but Reynolds stops him and encourages him to go after Lockhart and pursue his theatre career. CAST: Marjorie Reynolds, Fred Brady, Jinx Falkenburg, Loren Tindall, Spring Byington, Gene Lockhart, Allen Jenkins, William Forrest, Jack Rice. CREDITS: Producer, Burt Kelly; Director, Leigh Jason; Story, George Bricker; Screenplay, George Bricker and Jack Henley; Assistant Director, Jame Nicholson. DIRECTION, Very Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. The Bells of St. Mary’s with Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman RKO-Rainbow 126 Mins. McCAREY TURNS OUT ANOTHER PIC BIDDING FOR TOP HONORS; CROSBY, BERGMAN BO COMBO. Leo McCarey has scored again with a film that is one of the high points of the year. Once more he has brought his talents to a sentimental comedy so well balanced that one cannot help but respond.to its appeal with lavish enthusiasm. Done in the spirit of “Going My Way,” “The Bells of St. Mary’s” m&tches that other McCarey masterpiece as entertainment in every respect, and it should prove no less of a boxoffice triumph. The picture seems:far shorter than its 126 minutes. That is its supreme test as entertainment. The film is so generously stocked with material of universal appeal that no audience can conceivably fail to relish every second of this precious offering. The production is amply blessed with all the qualities that made “Going My Way” such a staggering success. Human, warm, heart-gripping, tender, the picture covers a wide emotional range in relating its story of a parochial school in search of better times. The tale is often moving to the point of tears. McCarey has produced and directed the film brilliantly. The production details are notable, to say the least, while the direction has feeling and intelligence and gets the most out of every scene. Under McCarey’s guidance some of the sequences become truly priceless. In the top roles the film has the combination of Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. That alone has the makings of a boxoffice whiz-bang. And neither of the two has ever shown to finer advantage. Crosby repeats the role of the priest which he played in “Going My Way.” This time he helps a parochial school out of a financial jam. Crosby and Miss Bergman have a superlative supporting cast. The former has a number of chances to sing. CAST: Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers, William Gargan, Ruth Donnelly, Jozn Carroll, Martha Sleeper, Rhys Williams, Dickie Tyler, Una O’Connor. CREDITS: Producer, Leo McCarey; Director, Leo McCarey; Screenplay, Dudley Nichols. DIRECTION, Tops. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine, Adventure with Clark Gable, Greer Garson MGM 125 Mins. GABLE RETURNS OPPOSITE GARSON IN VIRILE PRODUCTION CERTAIN TO MOP UP AT BOX OFFICE DESPITE EFFECTS. That “Adventure” will clean up ta the boxoffice cannot be argued against. The reason for this prediction is self-evident. Not only does the film celebrate the return of Clark Gable to the screen after an absence of three years, but it teams him with Greer Garson, a star who by herself is a potent drawing card. To combine the two stars means doubly indemnifying the exhibitor who plays the film. The strength of “Adventure” as an attraction iles chiefly in the lure exercised by the Gable and Garson names. While there is no question that the picture will bring a rush to the ticket window the production frankly is an undistinguished affair with an extremely ordinary story. The film is not one to bring Gable back in a blaze of glory although it does give him an opportunity to work his he-man appeal to the limit in a virile, two-fisted role that will make his admirers rejoice. Quality definitely was not the goal in this instance. The yarn is the old one ‘about the rcugh guy and the nice gal who seemingly have nothing in ccmmon and are constantly at odds only to wind up very much in love with each other. Miss Garson, a librarian, is the girl in this case. She and Gable call it quits after but three days of married life, but the two are back in each other’s arms for keeps when our hero undergoes a change of heart. A baby arrives at the right moment to help cement the union. The direction of Victor Fleming is generally competent although he allows Gable to overdo it a bit as a blustering and extremely vocal seafarer. Miss Garson is her usual assured self as his top romantic interest. Joan Blondell adds to the fireworks as a pal of Miss Garson who mementarily captures Gable’s fancy. As a member of Gable’s crew, Thomas iMtchell is a big help to the film. CAST: Clark Gable, Greer Garson, Joan Blondell, Thomas Mitchell, Tom Tully, John ae Richard Haydn, Lina Romay, ip Merivale, Harry D t Tito Renaldo. fete sein: CREDITS: Producer, Sam Zimbalist; Director, Victor Fleming; Screenplay, Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Vincent Lawrence. DIRECTION, Good, PHOT ; OGRAPHY,