Canadian Film Weekly (Nov 21, 1956)

i a | ' i k CANADIAN FILM WEEKLY November 21, 1956 Review THE BURNING HILLS (From The Film Daily, NY) with Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood, Skip Homeier. (CinemaScope-Technicolor) Warners 94 Mins. PLENTY OF ACTION IN THIS OUTDOOR WESTERN. STARS SHOULD GO BIG WITH TEEN-AGERS. FAST ENOUGH PACE TO INTEREST ALMOST ANY AUDIENCE. Producer Richard Whorf has come up with one that’s solid entertainment in the Western field. A provocative opening points a question that’s answered half-way through the story line, but the story never lags. Its pace is fast and sure; always aimed at getting the most of each sequence. Stars Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood, both tops at the moment with teen-age fans, should spell big boxoffice on this one, and promise even more in the future. They work well together. The geod supporting cast includes Skip Homeier, Eduard Franz, Earl Holliman, Claude Akins and Ray Teal. Homeier, in particular, comes through powerfully in his role of the “heavy.” Ted McCord has captured some beautiful outdoor locations in the CinemaScope-Technicolor footage; another selling point. The screenplay by Irving Wallace, based on Louis L’Amour’s novel, has a sharp, clipped appeal nicely underscored by the music of David Buttolph. There’s two-fisted action a’plenty for those who want it, as well as the thread of romance that develops between Miss Wood and Hunter. CAST: Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood, Skip Homeier, Eduard Franz, Earl Holliman, Claude Akins, Ray Teal, Frank Puglia. CREDITS: Producer, Richard Whorf; Director, Stuart Heisler; Screenplay, Irving Wallace; Based on the novel by Louis L’Amour; Photography, Ted McCord. DIRECTION: Very Good. PHOTOGRAPHY: Fine. AA Buys ‘Rio Bravo’ Producer Lindsley Parsons of Allied Artists has purchased the screen rights to Rio Bravo, a Fawcett Gold Medal novel by Gordon Shirreffs, and will star John Ericson in the adventure romance. Much of the CinemaScope and color film will be shot at Kanab, Utah. Glenn Ford Cast In Columbia Film Glenn Ford returns to Columbia in a completely off-beat role as the star heavy in Three-Ten to Yuma, a cold-blooded killer, leader of a band of desperadoes, with a nimble mind and a subtle sense of humor. Delmer Daves will direct the outdoor drama, which will have an Arizona location. David Heilweil will produce, from a screenplay by Halstead Welles. 12-Month Business (Continued from Page 1) Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada were described as out of line with actual attendance and much higher than those for indoor theatres. The Capac charge is for three passengers per car but Frank Kershaw, drive-in circuit operator, said that a check showed the per-car figure to be 2.6. Here are some of the problems of the industry, as discussed: Amusement Tax—E. R. Hughes, deputy provincial secretary, told the meeting that the government was aware of the exhibitors’ troubles, as shown by its recent reduction of the ticket tax, and that it was giving consideration to its elimination. Film entertainment is now part of our way of life, he said, and this led the government to the steps it had already taken. It was his opinion that few municipalities would ask the government for the right to collect an amusement tax, mainly because of the high cost of collecting. Joe Godfrey of Picture Butte pointed out that films coming into Calgary on TV weren’t taxed and this was unfair. Projectionists—H. Burkell, chief inspector of theatres, explained that it had become hard to stay in touch with projectionists because many found they could make more money in some other line and moved away. A single Efficiency Certificate may do away with the present three grades. Safety Film—The statements of some exhibitors that safety regulations can be changed because all film was now acetate stock was disputed by Burkell, who named theatres using nitrate films. Licence Fees—There is an unwarranted difference in the licence fees of drive-ins compared with indoor theatres. Dan Boyle, Fort McLeod, said that his indoor theatre, open 12 months, paid $40 but his drive-in, open four months, cost $100. Mr. Hughes took note of this. Censorship—Gordon Brewerton, Cardston, spoke of the Calgary Herald’s criticism of Col. P. J. A. Fleming’s work and a resolution endorsing his high standard of censorship was passed. Press—The matter of overcriticism of films by a reviewer whose work appears in several Alberta papers was discussed. It was agreed that little could be done about him. High Rentals—A committee of three was appointed to interview members who felt that their film rentals were too high. Some members agreed that the individual and not the association would have to handle this problem. Publicity—There was much talk of the need of attracting support for the industry from the newspapers and of other ways of maintaining public interest. Giveaways—Their legality came in for discussion. Suggestions that a lawyer be hired and a special fund created were not acted on because the federal government may table a report on them at the next sitting of Parliament. ‘This Could Be The Night' Jean Simmons, Paul Douglas, Joan Blondell and Anthony Franciosa star in MGM’s This Could Be The Night, now before the cameras. Review THE SEARCH FOR BRIDEY MURPHY (From The Film Daily, NY) with Teresa Wright, Louis Hayward, Nancy Gates. Paramount (VistaVision) 84 Mins. TIMELY, TOPICAL EXPLOITATION FEATURE BASED ON BERNSTEIN BESTSELLER. SHOULD CAUSE INTEREST AND CONTROVERSY IN MOST COMMUNITIES. Based on Morey Bernstein’s best-seller which has cause excitement and controversy nation-wide, Pat Duggan’s production is a natural for all forms of exploitation. In this respect, the picture should sell well and interest those who’ve heard previous reference to the Colorado housewife whose strange tale is revealed herein. Noel Langley directed from his own screenplay and has done a creditable job on both counts. Using flashbacks, the director is able to illustrate many of the events recalled by Mrs. Simmons during her hypnotic trances. This adds considerably to the interest and enjoyment of the picture. Teresa Wright, as Mrs. Simmons, Louis Hayward, as Bernstein, who hypnotizes her, and Nancy Gates, as his wife, head the cast. Their performances stand up well, with special applause going to Miss Wright. Her slight Irish accent when she believes herself to be Bridey is just right. Hayward becomes interested in hypnotism and experiments with several of his friends. One, Miss Wright, is particularly receptive. One evening, while in a trance, Miss Wright’s voice takes on an Irish quality and she becomes Bridey Murphy, of Ireland, circa 1800. Activities and events are recorded which substantiate her revelations while under hypnosis. Hayward begins his book, and Miss Wright settles down to normal routine again. CAST: Teresa Wright, Louis Hayward, Nancy Gates, Kenneth Tobey, Richard Anderson, Tom McKee, Janet Riley. CREDITS: Producer, Pat Duggan; Director, Noel Langley; Screenplay, Noel Langley; Based on the book by Morey Bernstein; Photography, John F. Warren. DIRECTION: Fine. PHOTOGRAPHY: Good. Review LUST FOR LIFE (From The Film Daily, NY) with Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, James Donald. MGM (CinemaScope-Metrocolor) 122 Mins, EXCEPTIONALLY FINE AND ABSORBING DRAMA FASHIONED FOR MASS APPEAL AND ALSO TO ATTRACT THE DISCRIMINATING FILMGOER. IT OFFERS A BEAUTIFUL PARADE OF COLOR CANVASES. The stormy, eccentric, lovespurned life of the great painter Vincent Van Gogh has been turned into a picture of outstanding merit and appeal. In the role of Van Gogh, Kirk Douglas does a beautiful job of capturing the fire and beauty of the old master. The production was filmed in towns and countrysides in Holland and France where Van Gogh actually lived and it comes off with striking effect. The settings are of such beauty that the viewer gets the feeling he is looking at a great canvas itself. The film has the unique quality of possessing mass appeal, yet it has all the endowments to draw the discriminating theatregoer. It is the type of picture that can be brought back and be seen again and again. As such it is sure to reap good returns. The screenplay by Norman Corwin is based on the best-selling novel of the same name some years back by Irving Stone. Van Gogh’s was the painful tragedy of the artist who goes unrecognized in life and is acclaimed in death. Vincente Minnelli as director, John Houseman, producer, and F. A. Young and Russell Harlan, directors of photography, can well be proud of their work. _ Anthony Quinn turns in a strong, impressing performance as Paul Gauguin the artist who shares an apartment with Van Gogh for a brief and fiery period; while Everett Sloane, as a doctor friend, illumines the role with his usual brilliance. CAST: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, James Donald, Pamela Brown, Everett Sloane, Niall MacGinnis, Noel Purcell. CREDITS: Producer, John Houseman; Director, Vincente Minnelli; Associate producer, Jud Kinberg; Screenplay by Norman Corwin; Based on the novel by Irving Stone; Director of photography, F. A. Young, Russell Harlan. DIRECTION: Excellent. PHOTOGRAPHY: Excellent. Borgnine Signed For United Artist Film Ernest Borgnine has been signed by the Hecht-Hill-Lancaster Companies to star with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in Sweet Smell of Success, which starts shooting soon on location in New York under the direction of Alexander Mackendrick for United Artists release. Borgnine will play the role of a Broadway theatrical agent whose maneuvers mesh with those of Burt Lancaster, a newspaper columnist, and Tony Curtis, a press agent. at ft \* ‘oe