Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1956)

"The Cockleshell Heroes" Scouted IZcitit? GOO Expertly made, exciting British production about a World War II episode. Jose Ferrer has strong role. Will please both action and class audiences, but requires strong selling. Columbia is distributing this British production (A Warwick Film Production) and it shapes us as one of most promising of recent English imports. Based on an actual episode in World War II, "The Cockleshell Heroes" is charged with excitement, boasts a top-drawer production and fine performances. Boxofficewise, it should enjoy above average returns, with the name of Jose Ferrer for the marauee. However, the title will be of no asset and exhibitors face the problem of selling both the fern trade and the action fans. Under Ferrer's direction the story of a small group of British Marines who, via submarine and then canoe, attach bombs to a German naval force in French waters, is told with mounting suspense, a crisp pace and plenty of thrills. The CinemaScope-Technicolor print is very effective. Ferrer registers strongly as the author of the scheme, and Trevor Howard, as his immediate subordinate, is excellent. Plot concerns the introduction of Ferrer's plan, the conflict of his unorthodox methods with Howard's military bearing, and preparation for the plan's execution. The operation is a success, with only two, including Ferrer, of the original group of eight surviving. Columbia. (Warwick Film Production! . 97 minutes. Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard. Produced by Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli. Directed by Jose Ferrer. "Postmark for Danger" 'Su4i*te4A lR,ctfi*ty O O Well-plotted British-made murder-mystery should satisfy in U.S. market. Terry Moore bolsters cast. This British import is a rather effective suspense melodrama. With Terry Moore in the leading fern role, it should be a fairly good dualler in the market where murder mysteries have an audience. The complex plot unfolds in tantalizing fashion, somewhat similar to "Laura", with Miss Moore supposedly dead until she makes a sudden reappearance. The script nicely conceals its hand, and Guy Green's direction is in the best suspense tradition. The tension builds gradually, then the pace quickens in the second half. Action fans should like it. Terry's performance is good, and she is abetted by a strong British cast, with Robert Beatty and Geoffrey Keen standing out. Beatty, a painter, is told that his brother has been killed in Italy in an auto crash with actress Terry Moore. Inspector Keen questions him as to whether he had received a cryptic postcard recently from his brother. Beatty tells another brother, William Sylvester, about the card. Beatty returns home that night to find the dead body of his model, Josephine Griffin, and is the chief suspect in her murder. Moore suddenly shows up and becomes romantically involved with Beatty. The postcard contained a list of names of all those involved in a smuggling ring. The muddle is straightened out and Griffin's killer is apprehended. RKO. 84 minutes. Terry Moore, Robert Beatty. Produced by Frank Godwin. Directed by Guy Green. ' Slightly Scarlet" 'ScidCH&Xd ^OtiHQ O O Fair action, good exploitables will carry this to average grosses outside of class situations. Based on a novel by James M. Cain, this Benedict Bogeaus production is a flashy and involved melodrama that has j elements of romance, crime, violence. Robert Blees' screenplay is a confused, sprawling narrative and Allan Dwan has directed with a heavy hand. However, the 99 minutes has its fair share of action. Latter factor, plus a variety of exploitables, should help this RKO release to average' grosses in all but class houses. The Rhonda FlemingArlene Dahl billing provides a one-two sex punch that' should sell. The Bogeaus production shows ample expenditure, but the Superscope-Technicolor photography is inclined to be shadowy and unclear. Acting OK, with good jobs from John Payne and Fleming. Miss Dahl, as Fleming's half-demented sister, leaves much to be desired, how-| ever. Story involves Payne, who works against his underworld boss Ted de Corsia, attempts to take over. He meets Fleming, secretary and fiancee to mayoralty candidate Kent Taylor, betrays deCorsia and has Taylor elected, so that he can control the new administration. A romance develops between Payne and Fleming, who has her hands full with kleptomaniac sister Dahl, fresh out of prison. Dahl makes a play for Payne, and, enraged when she is rebuffed, runs into deCorsia who is out to kill Payne. When Payne protects the sisters, he is shot by deCorsia, who is' apprehended by the police. RKO. IA Benedict Bogeaus Production]. 99 minutes. John Payne, Arlene Dahl, Rhonda Fleming. Produced by Benedict Bogeaus. Directed by Allan Dwan. "Doctor at Sea" Sequel to "Doctor in the House" only sporadically funny. Will get by in art and class houses. Republic is releasing this J. Arthur Rank sequel to "Doctor in the House", as they did the original, one of the more successful of recent British imports. But "Doctor at Sea" in no way matches the quality or entertainment value of the former film. It is a contrived comedy, laughs are com paratively few and far between and — to suggest the levelj of the humor — the funniest scene in the film is concerned with doctor Dirk Bogarde's attempts to pull a shipmate's teeth. Ralph Thomas' direction can make little headway against the all-too-bare script for a rather slow 93 minutes running time. VistaVision-Technicolor lensing is fine and the cast is capable with James Robertson Justice contributing another funny portrait as ship's captain. Bogarde, now a full-fledged doctor, escapes from the unwelcome attentions of his landlady's daughter by becoming a ship's doctor. Episodic narrative concerns a variety of exploits and mishaps at sea. When the ship puts in at a South American port it picks up two passengers — Brenda de Banzie, who makes a successful play for Captain Justice, and attractive Brigitte Bardot, who romances with Bogarde. When the doctor signs up for another sea journey, she I agrees to go along. Republic. IJ. Arlhur Rankl. 93 minutes. Dirk Bogarde, Brigitte Bardot, Brenda d« Banzie, James Robertson Justice. Director Ralph Thomas. Producer Betty E. Box. GtuUcte 'Rati*? ©GOO TOPS O O O GOOD O O AVERAGE O POOR Page 10 Film BULLETIN March 5, 1956