Canadian Film Weekly (May 7, 1947)

THE PICK OF THE PICTURES | Vol. 12, No: 19 Smash-Up with Susan Hayward, Leo Bowman Empire-Universal 108 Mins. THIS WANGER PRODUCTION STANDS TO GO PLACES ALL ALONG THE LINE; REALISTICALLY SOCKS ITS MESSAGE ACROSS; SHOULD RAKE IN BIG “TAKES.” Walter Wanger gave this production the care and attention that is at once associated with his name. Stuart Heisler’s direction gets the most out of the story. It is decidedly a story with that “different” element. There is to be noted, however, a certain lack of creative inventiveness in the story. Living in New York, Miss Hayward is a night club singer. Married to Lee Bowman, she shortly thereafter becomes a mother. Bowman, from humble beginnings on an early morning sustaining spot, becomes the idol of the bobby soxers, via the tunesmithing of Eddie Albert. Miss Hayward quits her career and is isolated with her child. . Miss Hayward’s predilection for the bottle soon becomes habitual and it’s one bout after another, during Bowman’s presence at home and while he’s on the road. Their child develops pneumonia while Bowman is away. Miss Hayward tries to inform him but to no avail. A party is in progress. The child recovers. To the bottle again goes Miss Hayward. Finally in disgust, Bowman arranges a separation. He gets the child. She attempts to straighten out and is making progress. She tries to resume her singing career. By mere chance she gets a load under her belt once again and winds up in a sordid mess which might have been quite serious. She locates her child, now in Bowman’s custody, and takes her to the country. Being together stirs her emotionally. After putting the baby to bed she takes a few snorts. A misplaced cigarette ignites the bedroom. Miss Hayward saves the child, is herself severely burned. She recovers. Conclusion points up the misunderstanding of Bowman, the sacrifice of his wife to his career, and indicates a rosy future. CAST: Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, Marsha Hunt, Eddie Albert, Carl Esmond, Carleton Young, Charles D, Brown. OREDITS: Producer, Walter Wanger; Director, Stuart Heisler; Screenplay by John Howard Lawson from an original by Dorothy Parker and Frank Cayett; Cam¢eraman, Stanley Cortez. DIREOTION, Good. Splendid. "Dream Girl’ In Work Shooting has started on Paramount’s “Dream Girl.” PHOTOGRAPHY, ESS. IE: NETS POLES LPIA REVIEWS FROM FILM DAILY, NEW YORK Sweetheart of Sigma Chi with Phil Regan, Elyse Knox, Phil Britto and Ross Hunter Monogram 716 Mins. COLLEGIATE ROMANCE WITH MUSICAL NUMBERS RATES AS PLEASING ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE FAM. This offering delivers much entertainment and should do nicely in its market. It has many pleasing numbers, with Phil Regan, Phil Brito, the latter of radio, and Fred Colby handling the songs. The Slim Gaillard Trio score with their medley of “Cement Mixer,” “Yep Roc Heresi’’ and “Putti Putti.” Frankie Carle registers nicely with his piano and orchestra. “Five Minutes More,’ by Sammy Cahn and Jules Styne; “Penthouse Serenade,” by Will Jason and Val Burton; the title song and “It’s Not I’m Such A Wolf, It’s Just You’re Such A Lamb,” by Merle Maddern and Lanier Darwin, are among the songs used. A large credit goes to Edward Kay for music direction. Director Jack Bernhard, who guided ‘‘Decoy,” a hard-boiled drama, shows his versatility with this musical. Jeffrey Bernerd functioned as producer. Although Ross Hunter, who may develop into bobbysoxer favorite, plays hard to get, Elyse Knox wins him. His college rowing crew, coached by Tom Harmon, the football star, almost loses the big race, when Paul Guilfoyle, a racketeer, tries to wreck his craft. Guilfoyle seeks to win some “easy money” on the race, but his plans go awry and he and his aide, Edward Brophy get their just desserts. CAST: Phil Regan, Elyse Knox, Phil Brito, Ross Hunter, Tom Harmon, Paul Guilfoyle, Anne Gillis, Edward Brophy, Fred Colby. CREDITS: Producer, Jeffrey Bernerd; Director, Jack Bernhard; Author, George Wagener; Screenplay, Michel Jacoby; Cumeraman, L. W. O’Connell, DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Sign Curb Opposed By Theatre Men The Joint Committee on Sign Legislation, made up of representatives from Toronto business firms, is studying the report of the Toronto City Planning Board recomending eliminations of overhanging signs and canopies. The Motion Picture Theatres Associations of Ontario, a member of the committee, joins in opposing unnecessary curbs. The Sea of Grass with Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy MGM 131 Mins. SKILLFULLY DIRECTED, POTENT, IMPRESSIVE HEPBURN-TRACY STARRER SHOULD ROLL UP EXCELLENT TAKES, Probing deeper into the dramatic possiblities of the western scene, Pandro Berman’s production of Conrad Richter’s novel is a profoundly compelling story, at once admirably suited to the talents of Miss Hepburn and Tracy, and played by them and other members of the cast to telling effect. Primarily it is a western. Thematically it concerns the rivalry for open range between cattlemen, personified by Tracy and the farmer, whose champion is Melvyn Douglas. The screenplay has dynastic overtones. God placed the “Sea of Grass” on a plateau in New Mexico and Tracy feels he is carrying out the plan of Providence in holding it for pasture land. He has built a cattle empire when Miss Hepburn comes from St. Louis to marry him and take her place by his side, bear his children, deceive him, try to understand his feelings in regard to farmers. Tracy knows and understands the force and intent of nature in relation to his land. He gives in at first to Miss Hepburn’s wish to accommodate a farmer and his expecting wife. In an ensuing disagreement over the policy of Tracy and his fellow ranchers, Miss Hepburn has a falling out and goes to Denver. She meets Melvyn Douglas there. Despairing and confused she gives herself to him, later returns to Tracy in an effort to restore her marriage. A son is born—Douglas’. Tracy is aware the baby is not his. The marriage collapses and Miss Hepburn departs. Tracy prepares a campaign toe oust every farmer in the vicinity. Meanwhile Douglas grows in stature and importance while the Tracy dynasty weakens. Farmers deplete the soil. The “Sea of Grass” becomes badlands. Basic stuff constantly, the story is woven of strong threads of passion, violence and the everpresent threat of nature. COAST: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Melvyn Douglas, Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Walker, Edgar Buchanan, Harry Carey. QREDITS: Producer, Pandro S, Berman; Director, Elia Kazan; Screenplay by Marguerite Roberts, Vincent Lawrence; Based on the novel by Conrad Richter. DIRECTION, Skillful, PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine, REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS == BE ss Te ee eee oe $2.00 Per Annum WEE ECA a SO California with Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck Paramount 97 Mins. TECHNICOLORED DETAILING OF PARLY STATE HISTORY WITH MILLAND AND STANWYXCK IS ROUSING ENTERTAINMENT. Wagon trains, The Gold Rush, big-stake gambling and a halfdozen other facets in the story combine to give “California” a great many exploitable angles in addition to players. “It is a good outdoor pic with settings that range from lush Spanish haciendas to: the initial introduction of the grape industry, which, the story indicates, was instigated by Fitzgerald and his “sticks.” Milland leads a wagon train that picks up Miss Stanwyck en route, just as she is being run out of a town for her activity with cards. It is against Milland’s wish but the humanity of Fitzgerald overcomes the objection. Word of the gold strike reaches the convoy and it is broken up. Wiith the exception of Milland and Fitzgerald, the entire personnel takes off for Sutter’s Mill. Eventually the pair arrive to find Miss Stanwyck holding sway at a raucous dive. George Coulouris is the owner, Albert Dekker his strong arm mate. Coulouris got in by virtue of his fast ships and he intends to impose a monopolistic reign on the struggling pioneers. A movement to set California up as a state for eventual union with Washington gains strength. Fitzgerald goes to Monterrey as elected representative of the citizenry and defeats Coulouris’ plans. Coulouris, however, insti ‘gates a short-lived rebellion after murdering Fitzgerald in his vineyard. Milland arrives with loyal ists to knock the move out. Cou louris loses his mind and is killed by Miss Stanwyck whom he had intended to make his wife even though she did not love him and who nurtures a strange sort of love-hate for Milland. This last reaches fruition and Milland is last seen leaving to serve out a sentence for desertion. Miss Stanwyck will be awaiting his return. OAST: Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Fitzgerald, George Coulouris, Albert Dekker, Anthony Quinn, Frank Faylen. CREDITS: Producer, Seton I. Miller; Director, John Farrow; Screenplay by Frank Butler, Theodore Strauss; Original story, Boris Ingster; Cameraman, Ray Rennahan, DIRECTION, Fine, Good, PHOTOGRAPHY,