The Film Daily (1942)

Monday, October 26, 1942 # & R6VICUIS Of TH€ nCUl flLfllS # ft "Army Surgeon" with James Ellison, Jane Wyatt, Kent Taylor RKO 63 Mins. WAR PICTURE HEAVY WITH DRAMA r ^ SHOULD DO NICELY AT THE BOX Drama which on occasion prods deeply into the emotions is the prime stock in trade of "Army Surgeon," which has World War 1 as its background. The film, opens and closes on a Red Cross ship accompanying a convoy during the present conflict. The flashback method is used to tell a tale of valor and loyalty under fire in which the chief characters are two members of the personnel of the hospital ship. It is a tale that holds a few tears for the women in the audience and a lot of robust action for the men. The producers have been smart enough to inject a little humor into the drama, which is effective despite the routine pattern to which it has been fitted. The two persons who are the chief motivation of the story are an army surgeon and his wife, who also is a member of the medical profession. The story traces their meeting at the front in 1917 and their subsequent romance — a romance brought to a happy culmination in the face of strong rivalry offered by a cocky and dashing aviation lieutenant. As is to be expected, the flyer gallantly bows out of the picture for the sake of the woman's happiness. The story places the three characters in jeopardy of their lives before the romantic problem resolves itself satisfactorily. Bert Gilroy produced the film from a screenplay by Barry Trivers and Emmet Lavery stemming from an original by John Twist. The authors, although they have turned out a generally acceptable script, have not been able to avoid all the familiar cliches suggested by a tale of this type. A. Edward Sutherland's direction is forceful. James Ellison and Jane Wyatt play the medicos, with Kent Taylor essaying the role of the third party. All perform commendably. Others worthy of note are Walter Reed, James Burke (he provides most of the comedy relief) and George Cleveland. CAST: James Ellison, Jane Wyatt, Kent Taylor, Walter Reed, James Burke, George Cleveland, Lee Bonnell, Jack Briggs, Cyril Ring, Cliff Clark, Dick Hogan, Eddie Dew, Ann Codee, Russell Wade, Richard Martin. CREDITS: Producer, Bert Gilroy; Director, A. Edward Sutherland; Screenplay, Barry Trivers, Emmet Lavery; Based on Story by John Twist; Cameraman, Russell Metty; Special Effects, Vernon L. Walker; Art Directors, Albert S. D'Agostino, Walter E. Keller; Film Editor, Samuel E. Beetley; Musical Director, C. Bakaleinikoff. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Screen Club to Eat Game Denver — The annual Wild Game dinner of the Rocky Mountain Screen Club -will be held Thursday in the Silver Glade of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Entree will be venison and other game shot by nimrods of the film and theater industry. "Bad Men of the Hills" with Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards Columbia 58 Mins. WESTERN STREAKED WITH ORIGINALITY RATES AS GOOD ENTERTAINMENT ON ALL COUNTS. Set this down as an intelligent little western touched with originality. "Bad Men of the Hills" has all the commotion, all the sound and fury one expects of a western, plus an extra something. Absorbing in its story twists and interesting in its telling, the film is excellent entertainment for lovers of western pictures. Credit for the fine script goes to Luci Ward, whose dialogue is much superior to the usual brand of talk one hears in saddle sagas. The direction of William Berke does complete justice to Miss Ward's screenplay, being extremely simple and direct and never slackening its pace. And the cast has not let either author or director down. Charles Starrett in the leading role has never acquitted himself in a manner more becoming a hero. His is an engaging performance that owes much to the sturdy competition offered by Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Luana Walters, Alan Bridge, Guy Usher and Joel Friedkin. The story has to do with Starrett's endeavors to bring to justice a gang that is running the town, forcing decent folk out after seizing their property. The success of Starrett's work bring happiness to a number of the gang's victims, among whom are Hayden, Edwards, Miss Walters. Producer Jack Fier can well feel proud of this film. Benjamin Kline has contributed some excellent photography. CAST: Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Luana Walters, Alan Bridge, Guy Usher, Joel Friedkin, Norma Jean Wooters, John Shay, Dick Botiller. CREDITS: Producer, Jack Fier; Director, William Berke; Screenplay, Luci Ward; Cameraman, Benjamin Kline; Film Editor, Richard Fantl; Art Director, Lionel Banks. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Levey's "Jacare" to Have Premiere at N. Y. Globe Jules Levey's "Jacare" will have its premiere at the Globe Theater, Broadway, following the run of "One of Our Aircraft is Missing." The picture, which will be distributed by UA is said to be the first authentic feature-length production to. be made in the jungles of the Amazon River Valley and, as a result, will derive the benefits of an official tie-up with the Office of Inter-American Affairs. Frank Buck is featured in the prologue and does the commentary. The New York engagement will be the first of four pre-release dates, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and possibly St. Louis. Current schedule calls for release at Thanksgiving time. — Scrap Socks Japs — Lorch. Chi. RKO Sales Mar. Chicago— H. S. Lorch has been named sales manager of RKO's Chicago exchange. "Moonlight in Havana" with Allan Jones, Jane Frazee, William Frawley, Marjorie Lord Universal 63 Mins. FAIRLY DIVERTING MUSICAL COMEDY BUT LACKING STRENGTH FOR THE 10P BRACKET OUTLETS. Like most celluloid musical comedies, this one's story is fashioned for diversion alone, and without recourse to credibility or consequence. But it has pep and some catchy tunes, and thus keeps interest sustained. Audiences generally will find it entertaining, although it lacks strength for the top spots. Yarn recounts the romance 'twixt a suspended baseball player, who is so broke that he sings for his supper in a small restaurant, and a femme entertainer, who is the protege of a theatrical producer. The latter hears the diamond star warbling in the kitchen and signs him up. The trio heads for a Havana booking, — the city where the swain's ball club is in training. Romance outcrops between the young performers, — Allan Jones and Jane Frazee, respectively. Then there is a lot of volatile business about Jones being torn betwsen reinstatement with his team and filling his obligation to the theatrical manager. Before the finale comes around, the daughter of the ball club's owner makes a play for Jones, but finally finds out that she loves her steady boy friend, — and so Jones and the comely Miss Frazee, after misunderstandings are patched up, apparently live happily ever after. He goes back to the ball club at the wind-up. Anthony Mann directs the offering well, getting all he can out of the shallow material. Photography is top-flight. Most of the comedy springs from the oddity that Jones can't sing unless he has a cold, and can't play baseball when he has one. CAST: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee, William Frawley, Marjorie Lord, Wade Boteler, Don Terry, Sergio Orta, Gus Schilling, Jack Norton, Grace and Nikko, Aaron Gonzales Rhumba Band. CREDITS: Associate Producer, Bernard Burton; Director, Anthony Mann; Cameraman, Charles Van Enger; Art Director, Jack Otterson; Film Editor, Russell Schoengarth; Original Screenplay by Oscar Brodney; Dance Director, Eddie Prinz; Songs, Dave Franklin. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Top-Flight. Associates Fete Spinrad As He Leaves for the Army Leonard Spinrad, Warner Bros. publicity staff member, who reports to Fort Dix tomorrow for Army service, was given a farewell luncheon on Friday at Toots Shor's by his publicity department associates. Spinrad was presented with a wrist watch. Mort Blumenstock, in charge of advertising and publicity in the East; Mitchell Rawson. Eastern publicity manager; John Harkins, Larry Golob, Will Yolen, Sid Rechetnik, John Fitzgerald, Morton Gerber, Frank Armstrong, Bill McCormick and Don Gillette were among those present. "In the Rear of the Enemy" Artkino-Anglo-American 57 Mins. DUBBED-IN ENGLISH DIALOGUE ADDS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE OF RUSSIAN FILM. In "In the Rear of the Enemy" the Soviets try for the first time an experiment new to them which, if repeated in all future product of theirs to be shown on these shores, should win Russian films a much wider market than they have been able to enjoy up to the present. The reference is to the dubbing in of English dialogue. The Russians have succeeded so well in synchronizing the English voices with the movements of the actors' lips that one can scarcely believe that this represents their first venture of the kind. The only complaint is that the voices are much too British for the Russian types. Excitement and suspense of a high order are to be found in "In the Rear of the Enemy," which pays homage to Russia's ski troopers in a manner that is wholly satisfactory. It is a record of simple heroics executed with dramatic power. The actions of the trio of heroes around whom the film is built are real and believable — not at all like those commonly met in screen entertainment. The story deals with the exploits of the three men, who have been trapped behind the enemy lines. The action has to do with their efforts to establish communication with headquarters to warn of an assault planned by the Nazis. The men succeed gloriously, although one of them is forced to sacrifice his life. The snow scenes are excellent. Much of the credit for this goes to the two cameramen, Alexander Shelenkov and Nikolai Prozorovsky. In fact, the photography throughout is much superior to that usually found in Soviet films. The screenplay of Rudolph Bershadsky is a sound piece of work marked by simplicity and straightforwardness. The film, which was produced by Sergei Yutkevitch for Soyuzdetfilm Studios of Moscow, has received fine direction by Eugene Schneider. Little fault can be found with the acting. The chief acting honors go to Nikolai Kriuchkov, Pavel Springfeld and Alexander Grechani, who play the trio of heroes. The English dialogue is credited to K. H. Frank. CAST: Nikolai Kriuchkov, Pavel Springfeld, Alexander Grechani, Alexei Baranov, Peter Sobolevsky. CREDITS: Producer, Sergei Yutkevich; Director, Eugene Schneider; Screenplay, Rudolph Bershaosky; Cameramen. Alexander Shelenkov, Nikolai Prozorovsky; Art Director, Ivan Stepanov; English Dialogue, K. H. Frank. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Excellent. Elliott McManus Promoted Elliott J. McManus has been promoted from adsales manager of the 20th-Fox exchange here to film salesman for the lower New York State and Long Island territory. He replaces Seymour Florin, who quits the company this week to become buyer-booker for the Island Theater Circuit.