The Exhibitor (1950)

January 3, 1951 EXHIBITOR in a British military hoispital, where he falls in love with nurse Anne Crawford. Hanley is determined to spread the gospel of peace and goodwill. Hanley stays with his only relatives, David Home, Joyce Carey, Muriel Aked, and Lana Morris, a bickering family. His well-meant cam¬ paign leads him from one disaster to an¬ other until it is discovered that he has been awarded the Victoria Cross. A local paper hires him, hoping to use his fame for a shady political venture. Without being consulted, Hanley is chosen as prin¬ cipal speaker at an important political meeting, but a riot results. Discouraged, Hanley decides to give up his one-man campaign, and embarks upon a peaceful married life with Crawford. X-Ray: This amusing entry is handi-» capped by English accents and some rather uneven direction; but, preceded by some exciting battle sequences, it develops into a well-acted comedy that can be used by some art spots. The screen play was written by Jeffrey Dell. Ad Lines: “His Crusade For Peace Ended In A Riot”; “There’s Trouble Brewing When A Hero Speaks Out For Peace”; “A Hilarious Comedy From England.” Shorts HARE WE GO. Warners — Bugs Bunny Specials. 7m. The Bugs Bunny version of how America was discovered may clash somewhat with the accepted, but it does make for a generally amusing cartoon. Going with Christopher Columbus after he proved via a baseball that the world was round. Bugs almost becomes the din¬ ner for the crew until land is discovered, and then, gracefully (so that history won’t be mixed up) he allows Chris to take the credit for the discovery. GOOD. (7720). COUNTRY COP. Paramount — Pace¬ maker. 10m. At the time of the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, Bart Evans, a small boy watching the town policeman in a New Jersey community as he answered report¬ ers’ questions, decided that he, too, wanted to be a policeman. Today, the small town is quiet again, and the cameras follow Evans, now the town’s sole policeman, as he handles the local routine of handling traffic, apprehends felons, and checks on former offenders. Evans’ dream has come true, and he is satisfied. Justin Herman produced this. GOOD. (KlO-3). SKI IN THE SKY. Warners— The Sports Parade. 9m. Once again the skiers get attention, with the Canadian Rockies the locale. The routines are familiar, and the Technicolor scenery beautiful. Although there is some attempt to build up dramatic^ atmosphere, this emerges as a familiar ski short. FAIR. (7504). THE WANDERER’S RETURN. Warners — Technicolor Specials. 16m. Palestine and Israel are getting a share of attention these days, and this rates with the best of the subjects on the world’s newest nation. The commentary is especially good as the camera photographs the cities, the waste¬ lands, the industries, and the ambitions of this infant country. In some localities, it will be ideal for tieups, but anywhere it is one of the better shorts. Good editing has helped give this pace that similar subjects often lack. EXCELLENT. (7003). VACATION WITH PLAY. Paramount^ Popeye. 7m. Popeye and Olive Oyl head for a vacation at I^ke Narrowhead, where he only wants to relax, but she insists on getting in on all the activities, and joins an athletic instimction class supervised by Bluto. He and Popeye compete in the various sports until Popeye is knocked out, and Bluto makes off with Olive. With the help of several squirrels, who pro¬ vide the necessary spinach, Popeye rescues Olive. GOOD. (ElO-4). CANDID MICROPHONE No. 2. Co¬ lumbia — Candid Microphone. 10m. Allen Funt takes his hidden microphone and hidden camera into a gadget store where ■he succeeds in confusing a woman intent on buying a simple nutcracker. Funt also visits a candy shop, where he plays on the sweet teeth of several of the customers. GOOD. (3552). A SNITCH IN TIME. Columbia— Stooge Comedies. 16 %m. The Three Stooges, in the furniture business, take on a job for the owner of a boarding house. As they bring over the furniture to be stained they tangle with several crooks who have robbed a jewelry store, and succeed in subduing them, and collect the reward. FAIR. (3404). A TOUCH OF THE SHAMROCK. BeU. 28m. This nostalgic entry features the Irish tenor, Cavan O’Connor, in a pot-pourri of Irish songs and folklore. While O’Connor sings, the camera ranges over the various beauties of the Emerald Isle, including Galway Bay, Killarney, Dublin, Cork, etc. This should appeal to Irish patrons. Among the songs are: “Come Back To Erin,” “Kil¬ larney,” and “The Bells Of Shannon.” FAIR. IRISH MELODY. Bell. 36m. Ursula O’Riordan asks singer Barry Keegan for the secret of his success. Keegan tells her the story of his life, his wanderings over Ireland, his love for an Irish lass, and his success as a singer. The camera ranges over famous Irish scenic spots, and there are two songs, “Killarney” and “Someday I’ll Come Back To Ireland.” Although the photography is below American standards, there is enough nostalgia here to appeal to Irish audiences. GOOD. MARVELS IN MINIATURE. Australian News and Information Bureau — Great Barrier Reef Series. 8m. This Kodachrome film showing the underwater life of the reef under a magnifying glass is primarily of scientific interest, and has little appeal for 35mm. houses except, perhaps, in cer¬ tain specialty spots. While the photog¬ raphy is exceptionally good, this does not sxistain interest with general patrons. At present available in Ifonm. only, later in 35mm. FAIR. FEATHERED FISHES. Australian News and Information Bureau — Great Barrier Reef Series. 15m. This interesting nature entry deals with the teeming bird life on the coral islands off the Australian main¬ land. Beautifully photographed in Koda¬ chrome, this has some interesting shots, and may interest certain 35mm. houses. At present available in 16mm. only, later in 35mm. GOOD. CORAL WONDERLAND. AustraUan News and Information Bureau — Great Barrier Reef Series. 25m. Expert micro¬ scopic photography reveals the fabulous coral growths on the islands off the Great , Barrier Reef. The Kodachrome comes off to advantage in some fine shots of the reef’s colorful fishes and underwater life. The length and technical nature of this well-produced short, however, makes it an unlikely selection for 35mm. houses. At present available in 16mm. only, later in 35mm. FAIR. TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS. Hyperion — Famous Musical Masters. 10m. The Vienna Philharmonic, under the baton of Josef Krips, gives a fine rendition of Johann Strauss’ lilting music. Filmed out-of-doors near Salzburg, Austria, this should be ideal for the art and specialty spots. EXCELLENT. UNFINISHED SYMPHONY. HyperionFamous Musical Masters. 10m. An excel¬ lent performance of the first movement of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Josef Krips, this suffers from “arty” camera shots which may distract some patrons. GOOD. VIENNA BLOOD. Hyperion — Famous Musical Masters. 10m. This popular Strauss waltz as performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Alois Melichar should go well in most situations. GOOD. SERENADE. Ambassador. 10m. Feat¬ ured are the Vienna Choir Boys in a pro¬ gram of Schubert songs including: “Hark, Hark, The Lark,” “The Old Linden Tree,” “The Wild Rose,” “The Nightingale,” “Serenade,” and “Ave Maria.” While pro¬ duction values are below par, the singing compensates. GOOD. DANGEROUS WATERS. Jam Handy. 9m. Made for the Pennsylvania Depart¬ ment of Health, this Technicolor educa¬ tional film deals with water pollution in the Commonwealth and various measures to remedy it. However well-made, this has little entertainment value and almost nothing of interest to non-residents of Pennsylvania. FAIR. MILT BRITTON AND BAND. Columbia — Favorites Re-releases. 9y2m. When first reviewed in The Servisection in Septem¬ ber, 1945, it was said: “Milt Britton and band are seen in their version of finishing the ‘Unfinished Symphony’; Suzan Carol, Mousey Powell, and others in a rendition of ‘Injun Girl’; Laurett and Clymet in some alleged pantomime dance comedy, and Dixon and Pal, a trained seal. An unbilled commentator, who uses some terrible gags, is no help. BAD.” (3953). DUMB-HOUNDED. MGM— Gold Medal Reprint Cartoons. 8m. When first reviewed in The Servisection in April, 1943, it was said: “Droopy, a weak-looking blood hound, takes after an escaped wolf-killer. Droopy is equipped with a voice which is exactly like that of Mr. Wimple (Bill Thompson of the Fibber McGee and Molly program), and otherwise he is a character with which to be reckoned. Despite every effort of the wolf to escape. Droopy is always there, and is rewarded in the end. EXCELLENT.” (W-264). THE CINEMATOGRAPHER. TheMovies And You — Paramount. 914ni. This was first reviewed in The Servisection in December, 1949 but since it is only now being released it is reprinted for the record. EIxhibitor originally said: “The camera transforms blank film into living entertainment with the help of the cam¬ eraman, more formally known as the cinematographer. He sits in on conferences involving script, budget, costumes, sets, and lighting, and must be more than ex¬ pert with the varied and numerous pieces of equipment including the cameras, lenses, filters, meters, etc., as well as in theory and practice of proper lighting to set different type films. Their problems vary from the simple to the almost im¬ possible. EXCELLENT.” MIDNIGHT FROLICS. Columbia— Color Favorites Reissues. 7m. When, first re¬ viewed in The Servisection in December, 1938, it was said: “This concerns a visit to a haunted house where ghosts dance, play, and sing. There is nothing much to it except an occasional good gag. FAIR.” (3605). Servitecrion 5 3005