The Film Daily (1942)

2i Thursday, December 24, 1942 # ■< Reviews of the new nuns :< :< "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" with Allan Jones, Gloria Jean Universal 74 Mins. GREAT LITTLE MUSICAL CARRIES GR-^ YOUTHFUL APPEAL; SHOULD Gl^oOOD ACCOUNT OF ITSELF. Laying emphasis on fun and music, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" makes the exhibitor a gift of a buoyant, lively and fast-stepping piece of entertainment, the youthful appeal of which is powerful enough to bring those of tender years trooping to the box-office. Film-goers of maturer years will find tiemendous joy in the sight of young people enjoying themselves so wholeheartedly in this bit of jollity. Youth not only carries on with abandon but does it so well that "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" becomes swell diversion of its type. The film offers such attractive young talent as Gloria Jean, Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan and Jane Frazee, each of whom is a gem of a performer. The older members of the cast are topped by Allan Jones, who is the Johnny of the title. The production, on which Bernard W. Burton served as associate producer, is prodigal with its music, which is of the kind dear to the hearts of today's youngsters. The singing burden is shared by Jones and Miss Jean with O'Connor and the Misses Frazee and Ryan carrying off lesser honors. Among the tunes are "My Little Dream Girl." "You and the Night and the Music," "Romance," "Say It With Dancing," "This Is It," "Green Eyes," "One of Us Has Gotta Go," "This Is Worth Fighting For," "We Must Be Vigilant," "Red Sarafin," "Jazz Etude" and "The Yanks Are Coming." Much of the singing is done to the accompaniment of the Phil Spitalny all-girl orchestra, a swell aggregation. Miss Jean sings several duets with Jones. Their singing is something to gladden the ears. Jones plays the role of a war hero home on furlough. Immediately Miss Jean gets a crush on him. The girl is prettv miserable when Jones falls in love with her sister, Miss Frazee. Jones' appearance in civvies creates the impression that he is a deserter. The rest of the film is devoted to his getting himself back into the good graces of everybody. The screenplay of Oscar Brodney and Dorothy Bennett was directed at a fast tempo by Charles Lamont. Charles Previn's mus'cal direction is fine. CAST: Allan Jones, Gloria Jean, Donald 3'Connor, Jane Frazee, Peggy Ryan, Richard Davies, Clyde Fillmore, Maria Shelton, Dlin Howland, Emma Dunn, Four Step Brothers, Phil Soitalny and his Hour of Zharm All-Girl Orchestra. CREDITS: Associate Producer, Bernard (V. Burton; Director, Charles Lamont; icreenplay Oscar Brodney, Dorothy Benlett; Cameraman, George Robinson; Art J'rector, John Goodman; Musical Director, Zharles Previn; Dance Director, Louis Da 'ron. I DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, i jood. ! Mrminqham Theater Fire | Birmingham, Ala. — Five Points • ;heater, nabe house on the Southride, was heavily damaged by fire, laid to be from defective wiring on ;he balcony. "Johnny Doughboy" with Jane Withers Republic 63 Mins. SWELL BOOKING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TKADE IS LOADED WITH FUN AND POPULAR MUSIC. Youthful talent has a field day in this Republic musical, turning in results that should please immensely those who patron.ze the neighborhood houses. The film represents a clever combination of music and comedy that should bring an especially favorable reaction from our jiviiT population. For the most part "Johnny Doughboy" is a fast and furious entertainment rich in production values, for which thanks no little to John H. Auer, who acted as associate producer as well as director. Auer's lively direction helps to keep the film a most interesting exhibit throughout its length. The picture is graced with a first-class cast. Jane Withers carries most of the load like a real trouper. The script calls upon her to do many things and she does all of them well. Her supporting players are of the best. Among them are Henry Wilcoxon, Patrick Brook, William Demarest, Ruth Donnelly, Etta McDaniel. Republic has pumped plenty of solid popular music into the screenplay, which is a skillful job by Lawrence Kimble, who worked from an original by Frederick Kohner. The musical score consists of "Johnny Doughboy Found a Rose in Ireland," "Victory Caravan," "It Takes a Guy Like I," "All Done, All Through," "Give the Kids a Chance," "Baby's a Big Girl Now." The story is the one about the kids trying to put on a show. The youngsters, former topliners in pictures, are anxious to prove to the world that they're not all washed up. Most of the action has to do with their attempt to get Miss Withers, a movie star, to appear with the show so that its success will be assured. What makes their task tougher is that Miss W. triers, rebelling at the life she has to lead as a film luminary, does a disappearing act. She is ferreted out by a resemblancecontest winner who has been covering up for the star. It is the double who prevails upon the star to help out the kids. The show put on by the kids supplies the finale of the film. Among the youngsters are Bobby Breen, Baby Sandy, "Alfalfa" Switzer, "Spanky" McFarland, Cora Sue Collins. CAST: Jane Withers, Henry Wilcoxon, Patrick Brook, William Demarest, Ruth Donnelly, Etta McDaniel, Joline Westbrook, Bobby Breen, Baby Sandy, "Alfalfa" Switzer, "Spanky" McFarland, Butch and Buddy, Cora Sue Collins, Robert Coogan, Grace Costello, Karl Kiffe, Falkner Orchestra. CREDITS: Associate Producer, John H. Auer; Director, John H. Auer; Screenplay, Lawrence Kimble; Based on story by Frederick Kohner; Cameraman, John Alton; Film Editor; Wallace Grissell; Art Director, Russell Kimball; Musical Director, Walter Scharf; Dance Director. Nick Castle. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Canter Hearing Jan. 5 Buffalo — First hearing of the clearance complaint of Ruben C. Canter's Colonial Theater, Skaneateles, against the "Big Five," has again been postponed, this time to Jan. 5. 'Quiet, Pleas* Murder" with George Sanders, Gail Patrick, Richard Denning 20rh-Fox 70 Mins. NOVELTY Oi SETTING HELPS TO GAIN THIS MELODRAMA RATINo AS FAIR ENItRrAINMtNT. The novelty of murder in a library is the only thing that will draw more than passing attention to "Quiet, Please — Murder." This setting may be different, but the proceedings are the same. This is not to say that a melodrama addict will not be intrigued by all the rushing about among the bookshelves. One thing must be said for the action; there is rarely any dearth of it and it allows plenty of guess. ng as to the guiit or innocence of the characters cluttering up the plot. The film has to do with the activity of a criminal who specializes in swiping priceless old books from the library and making forgeries which he sells at fancy prices. Several persons are involved in his dirty business, among them a lovely lady who attempts to strike up a romance with a private dick working on the case. The lady, along with several other individuals, is a corpse before the footage has been exhausted. The private sleuth, hired to solve the theft of a rare book, works out hte solution of this melodramatic puzzle and saves a girl he is in love with from joining the gallery of corpses. The talents of George Sanders, who plays the book racketeer, seem terribly wasted on the sort of entertainment that "Quiet, Please — Murder" purveys. Gail Patrick plays the lady who tries her wiles on the private dick, who is enacted by Richard Denning. Both do no more than fill their roles. Lynne Roberts is the girl the dick is in love with. Sidney Blackmer, Kurt Katch, Margaret Brayton, Charles Tannen, Byron Foulger are a few of the players who figure in the plot in smaller roles. Produced by Ralph Dietrich, the film has capable direction by John Larkin, who also is credited with the screenplay, which stems from a yarn by Lawrence G. Blochman. CAST: George Sanders, Gail Patrick, Richard Denning, Lynne Roberts, Sidney Blackmer, Kurt Katch, Margaret Brayton, Charles Tannen, Byron Foulger, Arthur Space, George Wolcott, Chick Collins, Bud McCallister, Bud Geart, Harold R. Goodwin, James Farley, Jack Cheatham, Minerva Urecal, Bert Roach, Paul Porcasi, Theodore von Eltz. CREDITS: Producer, Ralph Dietrich; Director, John Larkni; Screenplay, John Larkin; Based on story by Lawrence G. Blochman; Cameraman, Joseph MacDonald; Art Directors, Richard Day, Joseph C. Wright; Film Editor, Louis Loeffler. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Ulmer Directing Own Story West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Edgar Ulmer is now directing the first of five features to be made before next July by Atlantis Pictures for PRC release. "My Son, The Hero," is the title of the original Ulmer story made into screen play form by Doris Malloy and Ulmer. Release of the comedy is set for February. "Rhythm Parade" with N.T.G. (N.ls T. Granlund) and The Florentine Gardens Revue (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) Monogram 68 Mins. SWELL ARRAY OF TALENT IN ENTERTAINING MUSICAL, WITH CANDY CAND1DO SCORING. Candy Candido, of the former team of Candy and Coco, is the outstanding performer in this offering, his brand of comedy scoring solidly with the prev.ew audience. Double-talking Cliff Nazarro, Chick Chandler and Sylvia McKay are among the other funmakers in the cast. N.T.G. (Nils T. Granlund) and his Hollywood Boulevard Florentine Gardens revue are featured. Ted Fio Rito and his orchestra, who perform at the Gardens, appear to advantage, as do the dusky Mills Brothers, Peppy Sugar Geise, Jean Forman, tap dancer, Sylvia McKay and Julie Milton among the revue principals. Gale Storm does good work as a singer at the Garden, who is taking care of her sister's baby. Cliff Nazarro, who plans to produce a New York musical show, with the backing of his sister, Margaret Dumont, is interested in signing Gale, but believes she is married. Robert Lowery, a musical comedy star, is romantically interested in Gale, but also believes she is married. Matters are finally straightened out, with Nazarro signing Gale and Lowery proposing to her. Sydney M. Williams, making his bow as a producer, has given the picture excellent duction values. Howard Bretherton and ")ave Gould directed, Dave Oppenheim and Roy Ingraham fashioned three song numbers and Edward Kay and Edward Cherkose wrote "Tootin' My Own Horn." CAST: N.T.G. (Nils T. Granlund) and the Florentine Gardens Revue, Gale Storm, Robert Lowery, Margaret Dumont, the Mills Brothers, Ted Fio Rito and his orchestra, Candy Candido, Chick Chandler, Cliff Nazarro, Jan Wiley, Sugar Geise, Jean Forman, Sylvia McKay, Julie Milton. CREDITS: Producer, Sydney M. Williams; Directors, Howard Bretherton, Dave Gould; Authors, Carl Foreman, Charles Marion; Screenplay, same; Cameraman, Mack Stengler; Production Manager, William Strohback; Editor, Carl Pierson; Musical Director, Edward Kay; Lyrics and Music, Dave Oppenheim, Roy Ingraham; Florentine Gardens Revue by arrangement with Frank R. Bruni. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. PRC Entering 1943 With Record Backlog of 11 West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— PRC will enter 1943 with 11 pictures in its cutting rooms, representing the biggest backlog of product in its history at this season of the year. Leon Fromkess has in preparation a total of 12 features scheduled for production in January and February. •k A Merry Christmas ■*• Rep. Exercises Options West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Republic has taken up the option of Weaver Bros. & Elviry for another pic, and also the option on Jack English, director.