Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

"DRESSED TO KILL" (Continued) interest and the usual Lloyd Nolan playing Detective Shans. Despite all these usual elements, the action in "Dressed to Kill" is zippy enough and the dialogue smart enough to sustain the interest of most audiences. Further, Mr. Nolan is a very natural and pleasing actor. This should serve ably on dual bills generally, while action spots might find it satisfactory on its own. Ntolan, about to marry Mary Beth Hughes, burlesque entertainer, stumbles upon the double murder of an old-time legit producer and his one-time leading lady. After making deals with a newspaper for scoops on the story, and with several suspects to clear them of suspicion, Shayne proceeds to unravel the case, which has police inspector William Demarest and his homicide squad 'WILD GEESE CALLING' ENGROSSING OUTDOOR DRAMA Rates • • • generally 20th Century -Fox 77 Minutes Henry Fonda, Joan Bennett, Warren William, Ona Munson, Barton MacLane, Russell Simpson, Iris Adrian, James C. Morton, Paul Sutton, Mary Field. Directed by John Brahm 20th Century has given a fine production to this film version of Stewart Edward "White's popular novel, "Wild Geese Calling," and it should enjoy a good measure of boxoffice success. The film story is told rather episodically, but the dramatic highlights are all there set against the background of the magnificent Northwest. The story of the twofisted lumberjack and the dance hall gal he unknowingly steals from his best friend should engross all classes of filmgoers. Henry Fonda is splendid in the central role and is ably supported by a well-balanced cast. The storm climax is done on a grand scale and it furnishes a thi'illing punch to the picture's close. Above average grosses will be realized on "Geese" in all locations. Fonda, the dreaming, two-fisted lumberjack, is filled with wanderlust to follow the wild geese flying overhead. Going to Seattle to meet his friend, Warren William, Fonda meets instead Joan Bennett, a saloon dancer. Unknown to him, Joan had once been William's girl. She is now being pursued by Barton MacLane, an unscrupulous character, who is out to even an old score with William. Fonda marries the girl and when WJliam later comes upon the scene, he pretends to meet Joan for the first time. Urged by his friend, Fonda decides to go to Alaska with William. Joan insists upon going along. Before they leave, they have a battle with MacLane, who swears vengeance. In Alaska, 'PRIVATE NURSE' WEAK QUICKIE IN FIRST FOX BLOCK Rates as secondary dualler in cheaper spots that others were as confused as we. Jane Darwell and Brenda Joyce strive valiantly with their nurse roles, but the plot and the dialogue simply prove too much. Cheap naborhood spots can use this as a second feature. Not much anywhere else. Brenda Joyce, stranded in the big city, breaks into a nursing job the hard way — by stealing a call for nurse Darwell. Joyce has her hands full with drunken sot of a playboy Robert Lowery, but Darwell comes to her assistance and gets her a job taking care of Ann Todd, daughter of reformed gangster Sheldon Leonard. Learning that Ann's 20th Century-Fox 60 Minutes Jane Darwell, Brenda Joyce, Sheldon Leonard, Robert Lowery, Ann Todd, Kay Linaker, Frank Sully, Ferike Boros Claire Du Brey. Directed by David Burton This is pretty bad. After fully half of the picture has gone, this reviewer found himself still wondering what it was all about, and the steady trickle of exhibitors out of the screening room during the showing indicated 'SUN VALLEY SERENADE' DIVERTING MUSICAL Rates • • • — generally HOLLYWOOD PREVIEVV 20th CenCury-Fox. 86 Minutes. Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller, Milton Berle, Lynn Bari, Joan Davis, Nicholas Brothers, William Davidson, Dorothy Dandridge, Almira Sessions, Me. Ruick, Forbes Murray, Ralph Dunn, Chester Clute. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Rhythm and romance, thrills and spills and lots of fun make "Sun Valley" pleasant entertainment. Outstanding are the ski scenes which delightfully combine the alban Sun Valley scenery and some new film thrills. Sonja Henie is thinner and more graceful than she has ever been and her ica-skating numbers are superb. Milton Berle is a riot — finally coming into his own as a screen comedian. The Nicholas Brothers, those dancing chocolate drops, stop the show as they have done in every picture that has boasted their presence. For swing band enthusiasts, there is Glenn Miller's orchestra. All in all, this stacks up as the kind of picture that has all the ingredients needed to entertain mass audiences. Pianist John Payne adopts a refugee "child" who turns out to be Sonja Henie. She immediately falls in love with her American sponsor thus complicating Payne's newly budded romance with torch singer Lynn Bari. Climaxing difficulties arise when Sonja, with the help of Milton Berle, follows Payne to Sun Valley where he is work WHAT THE NEWSPAPER CRITICS SAY running around in circles. By the time he has settled the case, Shayne finds that his fiancee has tired of waiting and scooted off with another guy. Demarest provides the best support as the psrplexed police chief, but Nolan dominates the action at all times. Eugene Forde's direction is snappy and bright. NONAMAKER. Fonda learns the truth about the past intimate relationship of Joan and William. He returns to lumberjacking, while William goes up into Alaska for gold. Joan informs Fonda that she is soon to have his child and lie insists that she stay with him until alter the birth. On his way to get a doctor, Fonda is attacked by MacLane, but is shot down by William, just returned from the north country. The latter then convinces Fonda that Joan loves only her husband and they are reconciled. Joan Bennett turns in one of her better performances. Warren William has played similar roles before and, as usual, handles it adroitly. Ona Munson rates special mention as another of William's girl friends. John Brahm's direction is colorful and exciting. He holds the episodic tale together compactly. NONAMAKER. mother, whom she has never seen, operates a flower shop the two nurses bring the exgangster, his wife and their child together for a happy finish. And we mean a happy finish! Sheldon Leonard's performance of the reformed mugg is ham from the word go. Young Ann Todd does nicely as the neglected child. Robert Lowery is just drunk all the time. David Burton's direction does nothing to aid the weak script. NONAMAKER. ing with Miller's orchestra. Here she succeeds in winning his affections and a star part in the show — when petulant Miss Bari quits. Miss Henie's graceful skating is substituted for her singing. Miss Henie's personality and skating more than compensate for her histrionic shortcomings. Payne seems more assured and natural than before. The music by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren is good and the dances staged by Hermes Pan fit into the script nicely. There is considerable verve to H. Bruce Humberstone's direction and he guides the slim story through the pleasant musical interludes with grace and charm. CRANE (Hollywood) MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.) ". . .Lively in the modern fairy tale fashion. . .Pleasant bit of fluff." — W'tnsten, J^. Y. Post. ". . .Slick, fast, viclentiy funny entertainment. . .Crisp, fresh and witty." — Boehnel, N. Y. WorlJ-Telegmam. ". . .Obvious and sentimental as this theme is, it always serves to spring considerable dramatic excitement on the screen." — Barnes, N. Y. Herald Tribune. ". . .One of the most formula-made pictures ever to come along. . . Dialogue is sprightly ... Comedy is much too pat and suspiciously familiar." — Crowther, N. Y. Times. "...A little on the silly side ... Healthy quota of laughs ... Amusing in ks own quizzical fashion." — iMurdock, Phila. Ledger. OUT OF THE FOG (Warner Bros.) "...Heavy and dreary ... Doesn't even come close to being a really good film." — Crowther, N. Y. Times "... Beclouded with hooey — but because Jchn Garfield, who often gives himself a whirl over-dramatizing himself, this time keeps his head — ^he becomes a real hero and saves the picture." — Ager, PM. ..."Engulfed in a fog of symbolism ... Has some pungent, poignant moments in it, but for the most part it is heavy-handed, obvious and dull."— Boehnel, N. Y. World-Telegram. "...Rich in character and genuine feeling... A solid achievement... Unusually good set of performances." — Winsteti, N. Y. Post. "...Work of genuine distinction ... Most certainly should be seen... Stirring and exciting film." — Barnes, N. Y. Herald Tribune. 20 FILM BULLETIN