Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1961)

"Ada" BccUkcm "RetfiM? O O O Rousing piece of commercial entertainment, with Susan Hayward, Dean Martin as political team. Color. Good grosser in mass markets. "Ada" is loaded with the sweet smell of boxoffice success. With Susan Hayward and Dean Martin providing solid marquee power, this Lawrence Weingarten production for M-G-M is off to a fast start at the boxoffice. The fast-paced direction by Daniel ("Butterfield 8") Mann of a robust plot about a puppet governor and the ex-prostitute he marries, plus a handsome Metrocolor mounting, add up to a strong attraction for all markets. Discriminating filmgoers probably will find the Arthur Sheekman-William Driskill screenplay (based on the best-seller "Ada Dallas") a bit too corny and superficial, but the mass audience will find "Ada" exciting stuff. Miss Hayward brings dramatic gusto to the part of Ada, a sharecropper's daughter w ho helps smash the machine when she becomes acting governor, while Martin is effective as the guitar-playing hillbilly governor who eventually overcomes the powerful political machine that backs him. Strong support is supplied by Wilfrid Hyde White, as the evil, cold-blooded machine boss; Ralph Meeker, the chief of police who keeps trying to edge Miss Hayward into bed, and Martin Balsam, Martin's childhood buddy who writes the crowd-pleasing speeches that put Martin into office. Director Mann has spiced his meller with political rallies, murder attempts and a climactic battle in the state legislature, and there's a rousing sequence in which Miss Hayward verbally destroys a gathering of social snob*. The plot finds Martin almost losing the election after marrying ambitious Miss Hayward during the closing weeks of the campaign, and White saving the day with some under-the-counter punches. Miss Hayward begins falling in love with Martin and criticizes him for being only a front man. She also pretends to be on White's side and has him get rid of the lieutenant-governor and appoint her in his place. When Martin begins to question some of White's bills, the latter has a bomb planted in Martin's car. Miss Hayward becomes acting governor while Martin recovers, and White, realizing he's been double-crossed, tries to blackmail her with her past. During the legislature battle, Miss Hayward forces through reform measures, destroys White's rule, and gives all the credit to Martin. M-G-M. 108 minutes. Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, Wilfrid Hyde White Produced by Lawrence Weingarten. Directed by Daniel Mann. "The Pit and the Pendulum" Handsomely produced, suspenseful version of Poe's classic tale. In color. Strong attraction for all classes. A first-rate dramatization of the Edgar Allen Poe classic chiller, this Eastman Color-CinemaScope production from American International shapes up as a big moneymaker for action and ballyhoo houses. Because it has been made with taste and imagination, it should be as eagerly embraced by discriminating patrons. Producer-director Roger Corman has skillfully created an atmosphere of ever-mounting tension, allowing camera and performers to extract maximum impact from Poe's classic tale. The concluding 20 minutes, climaxed by the torture of the pendulum, are as gripping as any sequence of its kind. Kudos are also in order for Dan Haller's ornate re-creation of the Spanish castle and its sinister torture chamber with its Inquisition paraphernalia, the pit and the pendulum; Pat Dinga's weird and effective special effects; and Les Baxter's eerie symphony of horror. Vincent Price gives his usual robust performance as the castle master who, as a child, watched his cruel father bury alive his adultress mother, and now fears he may have buried alive his young wife. John Kerr is effective as the dead girl's brother who helps unravel the mystery of her passing. Luana Anders, as Price's sister, and Anthony Carbone, the family doctor, lend good support. Barbara Steel makes a brief appearance as Price's supposedly dead wife. Richard Matheson's script has Price tormented by a number of unexplained occurrences, and finally driven insane when he sees a very much alive Miss Steel step from her coffin. Carbone appears and Price realizes Miss Steele is in love with the doctor. Price assumes his father's identity, pushes Carbone to his death in the pendulum pit, and locks Miss Steele inside an iron torture box. He now grabs the unsuspecting Kerr, lashes him to the table and sets the razor sharp pendulum in motion. Miss Luana saves Kerr, Price tumbles into the pit, and the camera fades out on Miss Steele (believed dead by the others), locked alive inside the iron box. American International Pictures. 85 minutes. Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele, Luana Anders. Produced and Dircted by Roger Corman. "Dondi" Sututete TQatcKf Q O Sugary yarn about a waif and his army pals. For kids. The popular comic strip orphan Dondi has been brought to life in this Albert Zugsmith production for Allied Artists release via a series of slapstick and sentimental vignettes. Unfortunately, much of the humor is weather-worn, and the sentimentality a bit too saccharine for any but the naive. The strip's popularity, coupled with an aggressive AA promotion campaign should attract the youngsters and a scattering of parents. Some talented personalities have been utilized here, but most are hampered by the weak material. David Janssen is cast as a playboy millionaire G.I. who becomes attached to the waif while in Europe. His army buddies include Mickey Shaughnessy, a tough, child-hating top sergeant; Robert Strauss, a Brooklyn wise-guy, and Arnold Stang. Patti Page is on hand as Janssen's stateside singer-sweetheart, as is Walter Winchell, portraying himself. David Kory debuts as Dondi, and thought there are moments when he is genuinely amusing, his naivete often becomes a bit hard to take. The script finds ragged Dondi wandering into Janssen's barracks on Christmas Eve. The G.I.'s adopt him, but are forced to leave him behind when shipping home time rolls around. Dondi hides on the boat, but becomes separated from his "buddies" in New York. Janssen, Miss Page and Winchell launch a nationwide search for him, plus a campaign to have him declared an American citizen. Congress gives Dondi the ok to stay. Janssen and Miss Page plan to marry and adopt him. Allied Artists. 100 minutes. David Janssen, Patti Page, Walter Winchell, Mickey Shaughnessy, Robert Strauss, Arnold Stang, and David Kory. Produced and Directed by Albert Zugsmith. BULLETIN Reviews provide the pertinent details and opinions to aid exhibitors in judging values of the new films Page 10 Film BULLETIN August 7, 1961