Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1953)

CALL ME MADAM' MERMAN, BERLIN & FOX HIT THE MUSICAL JACKPOT ates • • • • )th Century-Fox 17 minutes thel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Verallen, George Sanders, Billy De Wolfe, [elmut Dantine, Walter Slezak, Steven eray, Ludwig Stossel, Lila Skala, Charles •ingle 'irected by Walter Lang' 20th Century-Fox's version of Irving erlin's Broadway hit musical, "Call Me ladam", is a lulu of a musical, sure for nash business. Actually improving on the onderful original, with the redoubtable thel Merman giving the type of fireball perirmance that made the stage show an SRO traction, and Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen id George Sanders co-starring, here is boxffice personified, a Technicolor extravauiza calculated to light up the industry ith all the brilliance of an aurora borealis. Ihis lavish Sol C. Siegel production has i.erything — the Berlin music, laughs galore, -stful singing and dancing, and a spritely ory about a happy lady-ambassador who lays havoc with a mythical duchy in urope. Essentially, it is Merman's show, he powers it to a zenith in movie entertainlent. Smack from her opening number, The Hostess with the Mostes' on the Ball", ie sets a dazzling pace. As she runs the amut, employing subtle satire and pratfalls, rama and farce, and, of course, the hearty • POOR • • FAIR • • • GOOD • • • • TOPS voice that has kept her on top of the lungpower entertainers, Miss Merman provides a warmly human and earthy character that will register strongly with all audiences. But the others, while overshadowed by Mermanpower, add considerably to the proceedings. George Sanders, particularly, is due to be a happy surprise to those who haven't been exposed to his fine baritone. It's all solid entertainment, the entire 117 minutes of it, and very possibly earmarked for the musical of the year. Miss Merman socks across the now familiar "You're Just In Love," "The Best Things For Me Would Be You," and a swell new number, "International Rag", as well as other lesser-known songs for one of the truly fine musical scores for a film. Her treatment of these numbers are as delightful as the brash handling she gives the ladyambassador portrayal. Her co-stars are also in fine fettle. George Sanders, in addition to his usually polished performance, uncorks a first-rate voice. It is also refreshing to see him in a sympathetic role, and he carries it off beautifully. Vera-Ellen and Donald ( ''Connor provide the young romance as well as carrying several song and dance se quences, "It's A Lovely Day Today", "What Chance Have I With Love" and "Something to, Dance About". In supporting roles, Billy De Wolfe, Walter Slezak and Steven Geray add to the gaiety. Director Walter Lang has kept the show bubbling and made good use of the many little subtleties, as well as the broad comedy, in Arthur Sheekman's script, taken from the Howard Lindsay-Russell Crouse book. STORY: Ethel Merman, wealthy and uninhibited Washington society matron, is appointed American ambassador to the small European duchy of Lichtenburg. Unemployed reporter Donald O'Connor talks Merman into hiring him as her press attache and accompanies her to her new post. On arriving in Lichtenburg, Merman learns that the ministers are trying to obtain a loan from the \J. S. The money is to be used as a dowry for the royal princess Vera-Ellen and Merman has instructions to refuse the loan. She does so successfully, until she meets the Secretary of State, George Sanders, with whom she falls in love. Meanwhile, O'Connor meets Vera-Ellen and their romance also blossoms. Before long, there are complications over the money, and both romances appear on the rocks when Merman and O'Connor are recalled to Washington. All ends happily, however, when Sanders is appointed ambassador to the U. S. and VeraKllen renounces her royal title to marry O'Connor. NEIL fROUBLE ALONG THE WAY' SURPRISE HIT, ANOTHER GOING MY WAY1 ates • • • + generally /arner Bros^ )1 minutes shn Wayne, Donna Reed, Charles Coburn, herry Jackson, Lief Erickson, Marie Winder. •irected by Michael Curtiz; A delightful combination of heart-interest, mtball ethics and the lighter side of the atholic Church, "Trouble Along the Way" i one of those rare films that will have >mething for everyone and very much for lost. Blessed with an unusual story, a ealth of titillating dialogue and John Vayne, there is little doubt that Warners <as the best boxoffice attraction in many a noon, one that will build on critical acclaim nd word-of-mouth, just as did "Going My Vay". It has many of the down-to-earth .lements of that distinguished film — the liimor, the human interest, the importance f sound principles. It has, also, excellent botball action, the sure-lire dramatic factor iherent in a well-played parent-child relaionship, and a logical climax that throws no ops to the lovers of the clinch at the fade'iit, while leaving an aura of happiness and ood will about the picture. Interweaving he plight of a small Catholic school, deep ii deht because of its rector's open-hearted ness, with a situation involving a famous but disreputable football coach, attempting to retain custody of his 11-year-old daughter, the plot combines the two into a heartwarming tale that will strike deep into the emotions. With John Wayne as the coach, Charles Coburn in a hearty role as the father rector, and Sherry Jackson precocious as all get-out as the youngster, it all whips into a film that everyone will like. Give this one plenty of push. Your patrons will appreciate it — and they'll tell their neighbors. As the ousted football coach who seeks sanctuary in a small Catholic school to keep his young daughter, John Wayne is excellently cast and does one of his best jobs. Charles Coburn makes the most of the juicy role as the aged head of the college, combining wisdom, principles and naivete to delightful effect. Young Sherry Jackson is a scene-stealer all along the away and gets off adult lines like a veteran. For decorative value, Donna Reed makes the grade and manages the romantic angle in effective manner. Michael Curtiz' direction is paced for a well-balanced blend of laughs and heart-throbs that will send them out talking it up. STORY: Long-time rector of a little Eastern college, St. Anthony's, Charles Coburn is told the school must close unless he meets a deficit in its operation of $170,000. He feels that a winning football team may be the solution and seeks out John Wayne, a coach who has been tossed out of several colleges for unethical practices. Wayne refuses the offer, but when he is threatened with losing custody of his daughter, Sherry Jackson, by Marie Windsor, his vengeful exwife, supposedly because of unwholesome living conditions, he takes the job at St. Anthony's When Coburn, with the aid of the Cardinal, lines up a schedule that includes Holy Cross, Villanova and Notre Dame ("Couldn't you get even one Protestant school?"), Wayne enlists a team of huskies and whips them into a squad that arouses the nation's interest. Policewoman Donna Reed, however, feels that the child belongs with the mother and presses the mother's custody suit, although she feels attracted to Wayne. On the day of the opening game, Windsor gets a court order for Sherry to attend a party at her home. When Reed sees how unhappy the child is, she takes her to the football game, which is won by Wayne's team. Coburn learns of Wayne's methods of recruiting the team and abolishes football at the school, but the hierarchy decrees that St. Anthony's will continue in existence, despite the debt. In a court trial. Reed establishes that Sherry's only need is a proper mother and Wayne indicates that Donna's it. BARN FILM BULLETIN March 23, 1953 Page 9