Canadian Film Weekly (Jul 25, 1956)

July 25, 1956 CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY Page 5 Review _ SOMEBODY UP _ THERE LIKES ME : (From The Film Daily, NY) with Paul Newman, Pier Angeli and Everett Sloane. MGM : 113 Mins. A FIRST-RATE DRAMA OF LOVE AND FISTICUFFS. STANDS AS A STRONG BOXOFFICE CONTENDER. PERFORMANCES SUPERB; STORY OUTSTANDING. A highly popular entertainment of the first rank has been fashioned in Somebody Up There Likes Me. This production, based on the autobiography of the former middleweight champion and latter-day TV performer, Rocky Graziano, has been directed and acted superbly. The production has been put together with considerable skill. It moves excitingly all the way, has moments of electric drama, and is touched off with fine bits of comedy. It should score heavily at the boxoffice. Stage actor Paul Newman turns in a perfectly wonderful portrayal in the role of Rocky. He has brilliantly captured the gestures and mannerisms of the fighter and his performance is one that will bring him enthusiastic attention. Indeed Robert Wise’s direction has brought out the finest in Pier Angeli, as the shy, immigrant girl Rocky woos in his unorthodox style and marries; and Everett Sloane, as the trainer. Also worthy of special note is Sal Mineo who plays the street punk and slum buddy of Rocky. The song, Somebody Up There Likes Me is sung at opening and closing by none other than Perry Como. Ernest Lehman _ rates praise for his screenplay as does Bronislau Kaper for the music, and Joseph Ruttenberg for the photography. CAST: Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Everett Sloane, Eileen Heckart, Sal Mineo, Harold J. Stone, Joseph Buloff, Sammy White. CREDITS: Producer, Charles Schnee; Director, Robert Wise; Associate producer, James E,. Newcom; Screenplay, Ernest Lehman; Based on the autobiography of Rocky Graziano, written with Rowland Barber; Director of photography, Joseph Ruttenberg. DIRECTION: Excellent, PHOTOGRAPHY: Imaginative. Wallis To Make New Western For Para Hal Wallis will produce Showdown, a big-scale, off-beat outdoor drama, as a follow up Western to Gunfight at the OK Corral, his newly-completed VistaVision-Technicolor Western for Paramount which stars Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. James Poe has been signed by Wallis to start immediately on the screenplay of Showdown, which was written by Les Crutchfield. It is hoped that Lancaster and Douglas will again be teamed for the film. Short “Shnrows (Continued from Page 1) in front of the drive-in, which has been operating without an IA agreement since it opened in March. The same week Dydzak and Henry Thornberry, head of the Hamilton Projectionists Union, laid assault charges against each other after some trouble outside the former’s drive-in at Clappison Corners. ESTATE of the late Morris Weiss, former Odeon partner, is $672,071. He owned the Colony and Fairlawn theatres, Toronto, which are under Odeon operation, and was a partner in the operation of the Grant, for which he held the lease jointly with Odeon. Almost all bequests were to members of his family. SUCCESSOR to Greig R. Jones as manager of the Capitol and Empress, Odeon Moncton theatres, is John A. Melanson, who was moved from the Capitol, ‘Yarmouth, NS. Jones was pro moted to the post of Halifax supervisor recently. Melanson is a native of Joggins Mines, NS. VETERAN Victoria’ theatre manager J. M. (Jock) Robertson died recently a day after his 80th birthday as a result of a fall down the rear stairs of the Atlas Theatre. He had been moved there while the Capitol, which he had managed since 1931, was being renovated by Famous Players and he would have returned to that theatre when it reopened. Born in Motherwell, Scotland, Robertson came to canada in his 20s, worked in a steel factory and after two years came West. He went into Show Business as a singer, became a _ projectionist and in 1913 became a manager with the opening of the Dominion. He was a member of Famous Players’ 25 Year Club. His widow, Christina, survives. MOTION Picture Centre Limited, Toronto, which Gerry Kedey heads, has been adding staff. New writer-director is Robin Hardy, formerly an account executive with the London office of Foote, Cone & Belding and after that a writer-director with the Realist Film Unit of Britain. Other additions are Russ Heiss and Gerry Farkes as assistant directors. Both just completed the three-year film and TV production course at Ryerson Institute of Technology, Toronto. POPULAR in Canada, Frank J. A. McCarthy has been promoted from Southern and Canadian sales manager of Universal Pictures to assistant general sales manager, it was announced in NY by Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general sales manager. He replaces the late Raymond E. Moon. Henry H. Martin of Dallas succeeded McCarthy as Southern manager but the Canadian part of the former title was dropped, since Universal product is franchised in Canada to Empire-Universal Films, which A. W. Perry heads. McCarthy came into the industry in 1918. CINE-MIRACLE NOT FAR AWAY A new exhibition development that will no doubt reach into Canada is the widespread installation of Cine-Miracle equipment, with which Cinerama productions can be projected from one booth. Elmer C. Rhoden has handled the chief operation post of National Theatres to Frank H. Ricketson, Jr. of Denver so that he can devote himself to Cine-Miracle. This means the production of pictures as well as handling of distribution and exhibition ar rangements. According to The Hollywood Reporter, discussions have also been held with General Motors about turning out truck units whereby Cine-Miracle can be roadshown in tents. James Hardiman, director of advertising and publicity for The Odeon Theatres (Canada) Limited, resigned recently to join National Theatres and he reports September 10. ‘60 YEARS OF CINEMA’ UK EXHIBIT An 18-room exhibition, Sixty Years of Cinema, was recently opened in London to mark the first public film show in Great Britain. The evening before a private reception was attended by prominent personalities, including stage and screen stars. The exhibition was organized by the British Film Institute in association with La Cinematheque Francais and profits will go to British charities. A feature of the exhibition is a modern theatre, outfitted with 16 mm. and 35 mm. projection by G. B. Kalee, Limited. During the day there are hourly showings of The Stars Who Made the Cinema and in the evenings great classics of the screen are offered. The J. Arthur Rank Organization built a miniature studio showing many departments as part of its section. In 22 steps it shows how a film is made, beginning with examination of books for the story. Review ALL FOR MARY (From To-Day’s Cinema, London) with Nigel Patrick, Kathleen Harrison, David Tomlinson, Jill Day. Directed by Wendy Toye. (Eastman Color) J. Arthur Rank 792 Mins. COMEDY: Version of the successful stage play about the effects of the intervention of a dear old nanny in an amorous rivalry at an alpine resort. Some venerable jokes are given a new polish by the well-timed delivery of popular British funny men, characters are of course broadly drawn. The snowy beauties of the mountain settings are always pleasant to look at in Eastman Color, and production values are generous. Camera technique is uncomplicated, direction is generally brisk though unobtrusive. Noteworthy highlights are a very well burlesqued skiing sequence and a riotous hotel fancy dress dance. Love interest is lightly treated, and there is one tuneful musical number. Cosy and endearing British comedy presented in friendly fashion, excellent entertainment for family audiences in all areas. TREATMENT: This is a film which derives most of its comic effect from familiar but well-selected situations. As far as the dialogue is concerned, the jokes are neither particularly new nor particularly subtle. But they are the kind that never fail to get a laugh from mass audiences, and they are put across with plenty of pace. Direction and photography combine to engender an atmosphere of holiday gaiety and comfortable escapism. ACTING: Nigel Patrick and David Tomlinson, as Clive and Humpy respectively, are a very well-matched comedy team. They toss the dialogue back and forth between them like a couple of expert table-tennis players, and make the most of every line. Kathleen Harrison is everyone’s idea of the firm but kindly nursery tyrant, full of homely aphorisms and determined not to recognize adulthood in anyone. As Mary, Jill Day has little more to do than behave nicely and sing prettily. BOXOFFICE APPEAL: Easy, friendly comedy; popular star team; strong family appeal; color. "Seven Waves Away’ Lloyd Nolan has been signed by Copa Productions to star with Tyrone Power and Mai Zetterling in Seven Waves Away, which is before the CinemaScope cameras in London, Richard Sale directs the Columbia release from his own screenplay, with Ted Richmond as executive producer and John R. Sloan producing.