Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1950)

u ARIZONA1 TOP-NOTCH HISTORICAL ADVENTURE — r^r action houses; good nines cent Price, Elton Drew, Bsulah Bondi, vladimir Sokoloff, Reed Hadley, Robert Barrat, Robin Short, Barbara Woodell, Tina Ron.e, Margia Dean, Edward Keane, Directed by Samuel Fuller. With "The Baron of Arizona," Lippert Protections takes a big stride forward. There's nothing small about this picture, no sign of skimping; every bit of it testifies to full-fashioned values which would do credit to any studio. While it has only a fair name cast, "Baron" does have serviceable exploitation angles and an intriguing story which should combine to build favorable word-of -mouth and, since it is being launched with a wide-spread promotion, it should climb into a respec SIERRA' WEAK WESTERN IN TECHNICOLOR Rates • • for action houses; fair dualler elsewhere Universal-International 53 minutes Wanda Hendrix, Audie Murphy, Burl Ives, Dean Jagger, Richard Rober, 3irected by Alfred E. Green. "Sierra" is dressed up like a western, rechnicolor and all, but it hardly acts ike one. Action is lacking and a very ninimum of imagination was expended m the conventional script by Edna Anlalt, while the "additional dialogue" by Hilton Gunsburg consists mainly of the nost trite phrases. What action there is omes in short spurts between many dull tretches. There might be some little narquee value In the ex-husband-andvife team of Wanda Hendri and Audie tfurphy, but exhibitors in most situations yiU find this Universal offering a tough ne to sell. It will need the support of , strong accompanying feature. The girlish charm of Wanda Hendrix eems out of place and her role as a lady awyer, no less, further points up the liscasting. Audie Murphy is hardly adeuate as the tough young outlaw, cviently having been cautioned by director |d Green to curtail any show of emotion. Jearded Troubador Burl Ives provides ome pleasant musical interludes. Acaemy award-winner Dean Jagger polishes )ff a small role with ease, while Richard tober and Houseley Stevenson fill in ompetently. STORY: Wanda Wendrix stumbles upn the mountain hide-away of Audie lurphy and his father, Dean Jagger. 'hey have been hiding there for 15 years, iver since Jagger had escaped after bepg convicted of a murder. He Is thrown rom a bronc and breaks his ribs, go Wana and Murphy set out to bring a doctor. »n the way, she is bitten by a rattlenake and he saves her life by shooting ut the wound. Ariving in town, his orses are stolen by Richard Rober and, hen he tries to get them back, Is arrestd for horse-sealing. Wanda tries in vain ) defend him in court, but he is sentencd to hang. Burl Ives helps him escape nd they return to the hills. A posse )mes after them and also the gang of orse-thieves headed by Rober. A stamede flattens Rober and, with his dying 'ords, confesses to the fifteen-year-old mrder. Jagger is cleared and the young ^uple plan matrimony. YORK. ( I A Y 8 , 19 5 0 dualler elsewhere table grossing bracket. Action houses, particularly, should find it a strong attraction. Purportedly a true account of the fabulous James Addison Reavis and his colossal swindle of the U. S. Government, it is a fascinating yarn. It makes ideal movie material and it's a wonder that it has never been filmed before. As both writer and director, Sam Fuller has shaped it into an exciting adventure. He has come a long way from his early Lippert quickies, demonstrating equal competence at the typewriter and behind the camera. Also contributing to this picture's technical merit is Carl Hittleman's smart producing and the agile camerawork of James Wong Howe. STORY: Price, an Arizona land office clerk, develops an elaborate plan to steal the whole territory of Arizona. He builds a phoney landmark in the desert estab lishing a Spanish land grant. Locating an orphan girl for whom he fakes a Spanish ancestry, Price gives her an education to the manor born Then he goes to Spain, enters a monastery and, after three years, succeeds in forging a land grant title. With the amorous assistance of several beautiful women, he enters a castle to forge another necessary document. Returning to Arizona, he marries the now grown-up girl (Ellen Drew), thereby becoming the Baron of Arizona. The Government tries to disprove his claim and finally offers him $25,000,000 to withdraw it. He refuses and goes on to build up his empire. Irate settlers finally take matters into their own hands and start to lynch Price. With the noose around his neck, he talks them out of it and exits meekly to serve his prison sentence. ABRAMS. + * + + ♦ + + ♦ + ♦ ♦ ♦ + * * + + *+*#+**+ + ASTQR PROUDLY Presents TRADE REVIEWS on "MESSENGER of PEACE" NATIONAL RELEASE DATE: JUNE 1ST SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Says: "A very human, often emotion-stirring story of a clergyman, told so straightforwardly, with such easily comprehended characterizations, in such terms of everyday life as to bite so deeply into an audience's emotions that it will linger long in the memory . . . unbelievers and scoffers will feci the film's humanity tug at their heartstrings . . . acting keeps close to reality and faith." HARRISON'S REPORTS Says: "Very Good! The proof that satisfying pictures do not require pretentious stories and budget is furnished by this picture ... it is a deeply appealing drama of a kindly soul, told in heart warming, sympathetic and impressive terms ... all this and more make for emotion — stirring situations that touch one's heartstrings." Excellent for the family. FILM DAILY Says: "An intensely human and warmly dramatic story of hardships, privation, simple happiness and ultimate triumph ... it is most simply and touchingly told with many fine touches of stirring emotion and basic honesty ... a potential patron for "Messenger of Peace" in every churchgoer ... a sound offering for general audiences . . . will leave them better than it found them." THE INDEPENDENT Says: "A warm sincerity in this drama that follows the career of a pastor through a lifetime of inspired and unselfish devotion . . . production values are excellent." THE EXHIBITOR Says: "This drama is touchingly set forth by an adept cast headed by John Beat in a workmanlike performance as the pastor ... an unusual picture, 'Messenger of Peace'." FILM BULLETIN Says: "Commendable . . . well constructed . . . performances are very good." Sincere religious drama. VARIETY Says: "Has a 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips' flavor . . . told simply and obviously . . . hits effective spots in its essayance." BOXOFFICE Says: "Carries a good moral lesson for people of all creeds." MOTION PICTURE DAILY Says: Will find its strongest appeal in churchgoers of all faiths . . . general audience classification. A Challenge that was ACCEPTED! /^TtHE LIFE STORY OF ONE OF GOO'S MINISTERS rfPfACf StMUmf JOHN BEAL with Paul Guilfoyle • William Gould Al Bridge • William Bakewell Edythe Elliott ♦ + + + ♦ ASTOR PICTURES CORP., 130 West 46th St., New York 19, N.Y. + J