Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1951)

THE DESERT FOX' INTERESTING BUT COLD BIOCRAPHY Rates • • -r generally 20th Century-Fox 91 minutes James Mason, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Luther Adler, Everett Sloane, Leo G. Carroll, George Macready, Richard Boone, Eduard Franz, Col. Von Stauffenberg, William Regnolds, Charles Evans, Walter Kingsford, John Hoyt, Don de Leo, Richard Elmore. John Vosper, Dan O'Herlihy, Scott Forbes, Victor Wood. Lester Matthews, Mary Carroll, Paul Cavanaugh, Jack Baston, Carleton Young, Freeman Lusk. Directed by Henry Hathaway | Like the biography from which it is adaptLd, "The Desert Fox" is an interesting, but cold biography of the life of Field Marshall Rommell, with a questionable appeal to mass Ludiences. Although the production and [screenplay by Nunnally Johnson attempts Bo utilize those portions of the narrative hnost likely to interest American filmgoers, tan overemphasis on dates and places and Ihe episodic character of the film tend to [detract from what should be the prime Factor — to entertain. Individual scenes produce the effect of looking across the fence into enemy territory lor the first time. The frankness of von Rundstedt, Hitler's delibrate repudiation of Rommell, the attempts of important Germans to rid themselves of Hitler, the bravery of those involved in the bombing of <ler Fuehrer — these produce engrossing individual scenes, aided immeasurably by the competent hand-picked cast and directed with a Strong air of authenticity by Henry Hathaway. However, the sum total impression of "The Desert Fox" is thai of an impersonal documentary. The story icold, passionless. It lacks sympathy for the principal character, necessarily so. The story's numerous time lapses arc bridged with vocal narrative, and the running time is tilled out with newsreel shots of memorable points in the progress of World W ar II. W ith James Mason as the only marquee name, and vvord-of-motith apt to be spotty, the 1?. O. outlook is not a very promising one. S |'( >RY: The film begins with the author's meeting with Rommell and his investigation after the war into the life of the German military genius. From South Africa, Rommell returns to Germany for conferences. then back to the desert where he disobeys Hitler's orders to sacrifice his army in a last ditch stand. Instead Rommdl's men surrender. Rommell, back in Germany, is injured in an automobile accident after which his name is dropped from the public |>rints Disgusted with Hitler's \ ;ivj ari» and defeatism, Rommell joins in schemes to rid (■crinany of the dictator. An eminisarv arrives with an indictment for treason — Rommell quickly agrees to stand trial. Bat he is told that Hitler then will offer no protection to his wife and son. The Field Marshall decides instead to accept the poisotl capsule conveniently at hand. lames Mason plays Rommell with ^reat authority. Sir Cedric Hardwicke is tine as a civilian leader in the oust Hitler movement. Jessica Tandy plays Frau Rommell with stark, effective simplicity. Probably the best reading of Hitler ever given on the screen is that of Luther Adler who visualizes the Fuehrer as a madman, but still sufficiently intelligent to be powerfully prepossessing. Leo G. Carroll is superb as the witty von Rundstedt. Players in the large supporting cast are thoroughly good. HANNA (Hollywood) THE LADY FROM TEXAS' PLACID TECHNICOLOR WESTERN Rates • • as a dualler 'Universal-International 78 minutes Howard Duff, Mona Freeman, Josephine Hull, Gene Lockhart, Craig Stevens, Jay 2. Flippen, Ed Begley, Barbara Knudson, Chris-Pin Martin. Directed by Joseph Pevney I Although "The Lady from Texas" sounds like, looks like and plays like a western, It is much more a gentle little family film, jnuch too placid for the action fans. Filmed In Technicolor by producer Leonard Goldstein, the picture records the adventures of ( wandering buckaroo and a zany, but Iov ible old lady, who resist the conspiracy of ureedy ranch owners to take over the vidow's land. Except for a few stirring moments, the script is slow, plodding and ontrived and the characters only fleetingly Interesting. Situations are repetitious and the action never reaches the point expected in a film with this one's trimmings. With its lightweight cast and general debility in the action department, only the color and title will give this a draw beyond the program picture quality in most locations. It will, no doubt, frankly disappoint the sagebrush devotee, but may prove a pleasant surprise to some who come in expecting to see the routine western. Its strong ending is another credit factor which may cause audiences to feel that it's a better picture than is actually the case. STORY: Howard Duff is the Galahad, a likeable Joe on the prowl for work. Mona Freeman succeeds by a ruse in having him fired from her father's ranch in order to acquaint Hovvan' with the problem of Josephine Hull, a bird-like woman whose ranch has been depicted through the years. She speaks of her dead husband as though he were alive, pays her bills with confederate money which people accept. Members of a nearby family are trying to force Miss Hull to sell out in order to expand their own interests. They try to force a court ruling of insanity. It doesn't work, thanks to the intercession of Duff and Miss Freeman, and Miss Hull's moving reading of a letter from Abraham Lincoln about her husband's death as a i ero with the President's admonition to keep her husband's memory alive. Howard Duff is likeable as the ranch hand; Mona Freeman, pert and charming as the girl. Josephine Hull is her gay, bright self as the little old woman but the part is hardly a match for her considerable talents. Gene Lockhart. Craig Stevens, Jay C. Flippen and othe i,'ood character players round out the supporting cast. Joseph Tevney's direction is just fair. JAMES THE CLOUDED YELLOW ABOVE PAR BRITISH MYSTERY Rates • • 4 in art houses Columbia (Rank) '6 minutes ean Simmons, Trevor Howard, Sonia Dres|lal, Barry Jones, Maxwell Reed, Kenneth vfore, Andre Morell, Gerard Heinz, Lily Cann, Geoffrey Keen, Michael Brennan, Eric Jholmann, Sandra Dome, Gabrielle Blunt, C C. Ooi, Marianne Stone, Richard Wattis, vlaire O'Neill, Anthony Oliver, directed by Ralph Thomas I "The Clouded Yellow" is a better than Iverage British mystery melodra. While it Is necessary, the J. Arthur Rank production for Columbia release holds interest and should do well along the art circuit. Other locations can use it satifactorily to round out a bill. Piece is typical English mystery stuff, abounding in atmosphere, underplayed me'iodramatics, and the effect of the long arm of coincidence. Ralph Thomas' direction holds a suspenseful note and does a remarkable job of sustaining interest considering the fact that the plot is simple to an extreme. STORY: Discharged by the Secret Service, TrevOr Howard takes a job in the country cataloguing butterflies. Adventure comes his way when a hired hand is killed and suspicion is fastened on Jean Simmons, pretty but strange young niece of his employers. They decide to flee the country but just as they are about to leave her memory clears and some untold facts about the socalled murded and suicide pact come to life. It turns out that a homicidal killer is at large and is tracked down in the nick of time. The English actors do full justice to the story. Howard is splendid as the investigator and friend. Jean Simmons is charming as the young girL TAMES OCTOBER 8. 1951 9