The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

THE EXHIBITOR September 1, 1948 gi’am, and the camera observes the men going through their paces. Continuing the tour, the latest agricultural innovations and newest manufacturing processes are displayed fully, and various other of the country’s vast businesses are described. Also seen in this feature travelogue are the country’s schools and its many health resorts. The camera concludes its tour as night falls. X-Ray: Here is a full-length Russian travelogue, depicting life in the Soviet Union during the span of one ordinary day, which will carry special emphasis in the Russian-predominated sectors but will lag elsewhere. The film has been pre¬ sented in a dry style, however, and its repetitious nature will hamper its appeal. Summing up, this should account for itself in the Russian art houses. Ad Lines: “A Panorama Of Life In PostWar Russia . . . Don’t Miss This Thrilling Spectacle”; “If You Want To See Russia As It Is Today, Don’t Fail To See ‘August 14’ “ ‘August 14’ . . . One Of The Best Russian Films To Hit An American Screen In Years.” Champagne Charlie Musical Comedy 71m. (Bell) (English-made) Estimate: Entertaining British import for the duallers. Cast: Tommy Trinder, Stanley Hollo¬ way, Betty Warren, Jean Kent, Harry Fowler, Drusilla Wills, Joan Carol, Billy Shine, Guy Middleton, Frederick Piper, Andrea Malandrinos, Paul Bonifas, Austin Trevor, Peter De Greeff, Eddie Phillips, Eric Boon. Produced by Michael Balcon; directed by Cavalqanti. Story: Tommy Trinder, singing at a cafe owned by Betty Warren, doesn’t make much of a hit, but Warren signs him to a contract. Her faith is borne out as he becomes successful. Warren’s competitor also boasts of a successful singer in Stanley Holloway, who begins to grow jealous of Trinder’s success. A feud is brewing. War¬ ren’s daughter, Jean Kent, meets wealthy lord Peter De Greeff, and he falls in love with her. The two want to get maried but find that De Greeff’s father, Austin Trevor, will not approve. Trevor also heads a committee formed to investigate taverns. It turns out that Warren had formerly been engaged to Trevor, and that his father had stopped the marriage for the same reason that Trevor refuses to allow his son to marry. When Warren accosts Trevor with the information, the latter issues his permission for the marriage. He also discontinues the investigation, and the taverns continue to operate. Trinder and Holloway patch up their feud. X-Ray: Stacking up as pleasant enter¬ tainment, this is a good bet for the art and specialty houses. The film has the English stamp on it, which will detract from its selling power, but for entertain¬ ment value, the film rates rather well. The musical score includes: “Come On Alger¬ non,” “Hit Him On The Boke,” “Strolling In The Park,” “Drop Of Gin,” “Burgundy, Claret and Port,” “Rum, Rum, Rum,” “A Glass Of Sherry Wine,” “Champagne Charlie,” “The Man On The Flying Trapeze,” “Bye And Bye,” and “Hunting After Dark.” Ad Lines: “A Fun-Fest Designed .To Tickle Your Funny-bone”; “Gay Songs, Frivolous Romance, And Plenty Of Laughs . . . Don’t Miss ‘Champagne Charlie’ ”; “An Intoxicating Comedy.” The Honorable Catherine (Distinguished) (English-made) Estimate: Moderate English import. Cast: Edwige Feuillere, Andre Luguet, Claude Genin, Raymond Rouleau, Charles Granval, Denise Grey, Pasquali, Hubert de Malet, Irene Lud, Sinoel Pally, Jeanne Fusier, Gir. Produced by Marcel L’Herbier; directed by Georges Lampin. Story: Edwige Feuillere uses under¬ cover tactics to learn which married man is seeing which married woman, and then proceeds to blackmail them through the sales of a clock to make everything seem legal. Her methods work out until she visits Raymond Rouleau, suspecting that something is brewing between him and Claude Genia. Although she gets the money, she is forced to aid Genia to leave the house without her husband, . Andre Luguet, seeing. In order to do so, Feulliere poses as Rouleau’s sweetheart. When Feulliere leaves the apartment, she finds an invitation from Luguet waiting for her, inviting her to a dinner. Luguet, believes he has broken up a love affair be¬ tween her and Rouleau, and seeks to patch things up. After some more adven¬ tures, during which Feuillere tries to blackmail a young couple, and lands in jail with Rouleau, only to be released to a large estate owned by Rouleau, the two are reconciled, realizing they had been in love. X-Ray: A farcical French comedy which rates as a sub-par French import, this will have to be content with lesser playing time in this country. The film moves along at a rambling pace, suffering from some poor continuity and too much comedy that misses fire. The lone saving point of the film is the comedy stint turned in by Feuillere. Ad Lines: “A Mirthful, Daring French Comedy Guaranteed To Give You A Lift”; “For Fresh And Genuine Comedy, Don’t Fail To See ‘The Honorable Catherine’ ”; “Her Occupation Was Blackmail . . . Her Pastime Was Love.” Murderers Among Us Drama 84m. (Artkino) (German-made) (English titles) Estimate: Suspenseful tale of postwar Berlin. Cast: Hildegard ICnef, Ernst Borchert, Arno Paulsen, Erna Sellner, Robert Forsch and Albert Johann. Written and directed by Wolfgang Staudte. Produced by Herbert Uhlich. Story: Hildegard Knef returns from a concentration camp following the end of the war, and finds Berlin in ruins. The house with her apartment is still stand¬ ing. When she tries to regain her quarters, she finds them occupied by Dr. Ernst Bor¬ chert, who is still affected mentally by the after effects of the war, and who devotes most of his time to drinking, despite the shortage of doctors. She agrees to let him have one of the rooms. She finds among Borchert’s effects a letter addressed to Erna Sellner, to be delivered in the event of the death of her husband, Arno Paul¬ sen. She gets his consent to deliver it, and finds that Paulsen is alive, a wealthy businessman. Borchert, when he hears the news, is determined to kill Paulsen. Event¬ ually, it develops that he was Borchert’s commanding officer, and that he ordered the death of many old men, women, and children. Borchert tried to stop Tt, but failed, so he seeks' to avenge all those deaths now. Knef, who loves him, stops him, and lets justice take its normal course, whereupon Paulsen is jailed, and life looks brighter to the pair of lovers. X-Ray: Utilizing different and effective camera angles, an interest-holding story, and capable performances, this shapes up with the better imports. Where others of ite type have gone well, this should, too. Knef and Borchert are particularly im¬ pressive, and the broken Berlin back¬ ground adds to the value. Ad Lines: “One Of The First Films To Emerge From Post-War Berlin”; “A Dra¬ matic Thriller From The Ruins Of Ber¬ lin”; “Could They Pick Up The Threads Of Normal Living Once Again? Don’t Miss The Touching Answer.” The Shorts Parade Three Reel Topical MOSCOW’S SOOTH ANNIVERSARY. Artkino. 34m. The year, 1947, marked the 800th anniversary of Moscow, and the event was held with enthusiasm and fes¬ tivities. Representatives from the various sectors of the Union gathered to view the different displays and events reserved to celebrate the event. A number of sports events are only a few of the many spec¬ tacles that set this day apart from others. The film’s color shows to good advan¬ tage, and it should be well received in Russian-predominated areas. GOOD. Two Reel Comedy HOME CANNING. RKO— Edgar Ken¬ nedy Comedy. 16m. Edgar Kennedj'^ de¬ cides that his economic stability calls for some home canning in an effort to save some dough. Kennedy is soon disturbed by the painter, who forces him to vacate to the kitchen of an absent neighbor. Things progress smoothly until the pres¬ sure cooker explodes, and ruins the kitchen. Adding to the confusion is the loss of a diamond by Kennedy’s wife. The film winds up with Kennedy paying more than it ever would have cost him other¬ wise. FAIR. (83406) . Color Musical TROPICAL MASQUERADE. Paramount — Musical Parade Featurette. 16m. Sally Rawlinson awaits the arrival of her fiance, Tito Guizar, at a Mexican fiesta. Guizar has gambling troubles, being hunted by one of his debtors, and hires his double (also Guizar), to stand in for him. Rawlinson finds the double much more ap¬ pealing than her fiance, and soon has a crush on him. The fiance finally shows up, arriving in time to take a beating from his pursuer. The film fades with Rawlinson and Guizar, the double, a duo. The three songs heard are “Morena,” “To¬ night Will Live,” and “Rosa.” GOOD, (FF7-4) . Topical GLAMOUR STREET. RKO— This Is America. 16m. New York’s most celebrated Street, Fifth Avenue, is the subject. Vari¬ ous sections of the street are uncovered as a Fifth Avenue bus takes the audience on a guided tour of the thoroughfare. From its beginning at Washington Square, the Empire State building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, etc., are encountered. The film also points out the various special events and parades which help to make the Avenue the show-place that it is. GOOD. One Reel Color Cartoon HALF-PINT PYGMY. MGM— Cartoon. 7m. When a reward is posted for the cap¬ ture of the world’s smallest pygmy, the two bears set sail for Africa to find the prize. Spying what they think is the tiny treasure, they make many vain attempts 2462 Servisection 10