Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 11, 1956)

Saini oot ng THE PICK OF | THE PICTURES || REVIEWS INFORMATION RATINGS Vol. 21, No. 28 USA AND UK REVIEWS Page 7 A TOWN LIKE ALICE (From To-Day’s Cinema, London) with Virginia McKenna, Peter Finch. Directed by Jack Lee. J. Arthur Rank 113 Mins. This is a story of war, and its impact on ordinary people. It is not a story of heroism in the battle-line, nor of thrilling escapes, but of the quiet courage of defenceless women and a dauntless love which survives wretchedness and constant humiliation. It is a searing account of the ordeal of a group of British women and children captured by the Japanese in Malaya in 1942, their sufferings on the interminable marches, and the strange love affair which develops between one of them and an Australian POW. Realistic reconstruction of place and period is achieved by profuse use of location material, but attention is concentrated more on the characters and reactions of the women themselves than on the warfare element. Performances are direct and largely very credible, direction succeeds in building up a high degree of tension and poignancy, though development is somewhat slow in the opening stages. Despite the rather harrowing nature of the story, there is a certain amount of gentle character comedy, and the central love theme is made the more affecting by the background of suffering against which it is conducted. Photography and technical work are highly proficient, This is human drama with a firm romantic interest, a strong star team, and overwhelming women’s appeal. This is a film without bitterness; it contents itself with telling a story of human endurance and love poignantly and forcefully and with absolute sincerity. It is bound to move audiences everywhere. ‘King And Four Queens' Eleanor Parker, Barbara Nichols and Sara Shane will star with Clark Gable as three of the queens in UA’s The King and Four Queens. Mai Zetterling Cast Swedish Mai Zetterling has been signed to team with Tyrone Power in Copa _ Productions’ Seven Waves Away, CinemaScope-Technicolor drama which Ted Richmond will put before the cameras, with Richard Sale directing from his own script and John R. Sloan producing. THE ANIMAL WORLD (From The Film Daily, NY) Warners (Technicolor) 82 Mins. A TRACING OF THINGS EARTHLY FROM MOLECULES TO HUMANS, COMBINING ANIMATION WITH REAL-LIFE. SHOULD APPEAL TO ALL AGES, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION. Calculated to attract and hold audiences of all ages. The Animal World is a review of things earthly from the molecule of two billion years ago, to the human being of today. Written, produced and directed by Irwin Allen, the footage is a combination of the work of animators Willis O’Brien and Ray Harryhausen, special effects supervisor Arthur S. Rhoades, photographer Harold Wellman and naturalist lensmen throughout the world, Their combined efforts have turned out an interesting film which alternates between solemn affirmations and humorous quips, picturing different stages of the animal world as it unfolds. Having decided educational value in addition to entertainment, the production should prove an asset to those interested in luring children’s trade. With so few features aimed specifically at youngsters, The Animal World should be highly successful in this respect, although its appeal need not be limited to this group. Beginning with the lifeless earth of two billion years ago, the film traces the growth of one-celled animals through oceanic beings, the lizard and dinosaur age, the termites and ants which survived volcanic eruptions, animals which we know today and the human animal, whose soul distinguishes him from _ other creatures. CREDITS: A Windsor Production; Written, produced, directed by Irwin Allen; Production associate, George E, Swink; Music composed and conducted by Paul Sawtell; Photography, Harold Wellman. DIRECTION: Very good. PHOTOGRAPHY: Fine. THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (From The Film Daily, NY) with James Stewart, Doris Day. (VistaVision-Technicolor) Paramount 120 Mins. RANKING WITH HITCHCOCK’S BEST, THIS SHOULD DEVELOP AS ONE OF PARA.’S BIG MONEY-MAKERS THIS YEAR. IT EMBODIES ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF A SOLID HIT. Another that will most certainly be termed a “Hitchcock success,’ The Man Who Knew Too Much is a showcase for the talents of its creator. Building his story casually, the director has injected mounting interest and suspicion leading to the tensest of situations and wringing anguish from the coldest of audiences. This perfectionist in the art of suspense has achieved another piéce de resistance for his legions of fans. Starting with an excellent cast headed by Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day, the film also boasts expert lIenser Robert Burks and a topnotch screenplay by John Michael Hayes and Angus MacPhail. The setting is at first French Morocco, later London. Photographer Burks has captured some unusual market place backgrounds in the former, adding to the film’s entertainment value. Peopled with the kind of unusual faces found in most Hitchcock pictures, the better known members of the cast include Brenda de Banzie, Bernard Miles, Ralph Truman and Daniel Gelin. Every member is exceptionally good, with rave notices going to Miss Day. Her portrayal of a mother torn between mixed emotions is one that is certain to be remembered, while Stewart, as her husband, is admirable. CAST: James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda de Banzie, Bernard Miles, Ralph Truman, Daniel Gelin, Mogens Wieth, Alan Mowbray. : CREDITS: Director, Alfred Hitchcock; Screenplay, John Michael Hayes, Angus MacPhail; Based on a story by Charles Bennett and D. B. Wyndham-Lewis; Photography, Robert Burks. DIRECTION: Masterful. PHOTOGRAPHY: Excellent. FORD FOUNDATION IN CANADA When the Variety Clubs International recently gave its Humanitarian Award to Henry Ford II, it aroused curiosity in Canadian minds about Canadian benefits from The Ford Foundation. The Canadian Film Weekly, seeking information, got some from Louis Breglio of the Office of Reports. Among the Canadian institutions which received grants from the Foundation are the Canadian International Student Service (World University Service of Canada), the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning (McGill University, Montreal), the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, (Kingston). The grants are used for special projects within the institution’s activity. The 1955 annual report of The Ford Foundation will be out soon. 23 PACES TO BAKER STREET (From The Film Daily, NY) with Van Johnson, Vera Miles, Cecil Parker. (CinemaScope-DeLuxe Color) 20th-Fox 103 Mins. FINE PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT THIS MYSTERY MELODRAMA SET IN PRESENT DAY LONDON. TENSION MOUNTS ALL THE WAY. GOOD BOXOFFICE PROSPECTS. An effective and suspenseful picture has been made from Philip MacDonald’s novel telling of a blind author’s search for certain individuals whom he has overheard planning a crime. The Henry Ephron production was effectively filmed in London by Milton Krasner in CinemaScope and DeLuxe color, and makes good use of the city and its well known fog in unfolding the tale. Although Van Johnson is the only top boxoffice name in the cast, his co-star, Vera Miles, is a talent to watch. She plays her role in fine style under the guidance of direcor Henry Hathaway. The supporting cast, including Cecil Parker, Patricia Laffan, Maurice Denham and _ Estelle Winwood come off well. Johnson, in the difficult role of the blind man, should win a whole raft of new fans with his fine performance. Producer Ephron’s production values are high and measure up accordingly. The screenplay by Nigel Balchin is tightly worded, leaving a lasting impression of sustained danger as the script comes to a close, CAST: Van Johnson, Vera Miles, Cecil Parker, Patricia Laffan, Maurice Den ham, Estelle Winwood, Liam Redmond, Isobel Elsom, Martin Benson. CREDITS: Producer, Henry Ephron; Director, Henry Hathaway; Screenplay Nigel Balchin; Based on a_ novel by Philip MacDonald. DIRECTION: Able. PHOTOGRAPHY: Very Good. RKO Signs Arthur Lubin Arthur Lubin has been signed by RKO to an exclusive producer-director contract that calls for his services for a period of three years. Nairn's FPCC Report Wins Mag's Award Merit Award, one of 100 given after examination of 500 annual financial reports, was given James R. Nairn, head of public relations for Famous Players, by the Financial World, a USA publication. Award noted “Distinguished Achievement” and stated that it was “In Recognition of the Excellence of Its 1955 Report to the Shareholders.”