The Film Daily (1945)

10 m DAILY Friday, November 2, 1945 • flLfll DfllLV REVIEWS Of IIEUI PICTURES • "Confidential Agent" with Charles Boyer Lauren Bacall Warner Bros. 118 Mins. BACALL-BCYER TEAMED EFFECTIVELY IN SUSPENSEFUL DRAMA WHICH HAS ROBUST ACTION. This melodrama, stemming from the novel of Graham Greene, will derive its drawing power primarily from the interest created by the teaming of Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall. The linking of B yer, darling of the ladies, and Miss Bacall, a lure for the men, was a smart move — one that provides the exhibitor with his chief justification for booking the production. The film, to which the direction of Herman Shumlin has brought ccnsiderable suspense, has some robust action and a lot of devious turns and twists that keep the audience in a guessing mood. The story has been forcefully projected, and related with a good deal of tension. The intelligent filmgoer, however, cannot escape the feeling that the film, which is much too long for what it is, makes a big to-do over matter of none too great an interest. Bearing on the Spanish Civil war, the film deals with events that carry little weight at the box office today. Yet, for all this, it is doubtful that the melodrama addict will be much influenced adversely. Boyer has the role of an agent for the Spanish Republican forces who slips int: England, entrusted with the mission of acquiring coal from Miss Bacall's father to permit his side from pressing its fighr against the fascists. Miss Bacal.'s pop, a British coal baron, signs a deal with Boyer's enemies but cancels it at the last moment. The Spanish agent patiently takes a cuffing from the villains, but at the end he stands triumphant. At the finale we see him headed for home with Miss Bacall, ccnvert to his cause, who has taken the place in his heart once held by his wife, cruelly killed by his enemies. Robert Buckner has produced the film effectively. The dramatic photography of James Wong Howe helps sustain the mood of the film. Boyer brings deep sincerity to his acting. Miss Bacall fails to repeat the sensation she created in "To Have and Have Not." Katina Paxinou as a villainess, Peter Lorre and Wanda Hendrix as a young drudge who assists Boyer must be credited with some of the best acting in the film. CAST: Charles Boyer, Lauren Bacall, V'ctor Francen, Wanda Handrix, Cecrge Coulouris, Peter Lorre, Katina Paxinou, John Warburton, Halmes Herbert, Dan Seymour, Art Fester, Mies Mander, Lawrence Crant, Ian Woife, George Zucco. CREDITS: Producer, Robert Buckner; Director, Herman Shumlin; Screenplay, Robert Buckner; Based on novel by Graham Creene; Cameraman, James Wong Howe; Art D rector, Leo Kuter; Film Editor, Ceorge Amy; Sound, 01 ve S. Garretson. DIRECTION, Okay. PHOTOCRAPHY, Cood. Joseph Cooper Dies Portland, Ore.— Joseph Cooper, 54, widely known theaterman in the Northwest, died in Seattle following a three-day illness. A native of Canada Cooper was an entertainer on the old Orpheum Circuit, in charge of exploitation for Republic Pictures and at the time of death was publicity manager of Hamrick Evergreen Theaters. He represented Box Office and the Motion Picture Herald. "Dakota" with John Wayne, Vera Hruba Ralston Republic 82 Mins. ACTION-PACKED SAGA OF RAILROAD BUILDING IN THE WEST; WALTtR dRtNNAN LIVES A PRICELESS PERFORMANCE. Director Joseph Kane has fortified himself as associate producer on this stockpremised Western pl.t with such cinema girders as Howard Esiabrook for adaptation, ^nd Walter B.enn3n to hanale an outstanding supporting role. John Wayne turns in an impressive performance with Vera Hruba Ralston as his •vite, in her best acting role to date, but it ,-emains for Brennan to steal the sh.w as Captain Bounce, bellowing, picturesque operator of a dilapidated river boat. Special mention is also oue Ward Bond and Mike Mazurki for their portrayals. All-in-all, the production values poured into "Dakota," with its many speaking parts ■ or familiar feature players, and Joe Nane s action sequences, otters an equitable bid .or good screen entertainment. Vera, in a cute forgiveable manner, is constantly effecting unwitnng situations for Wayne to overcome. The story brings the young c.uple to wheat-raising Dakota where Vera s father is planning to extend his railroad line. Wayne sees through Ward bond's plan to outsmart the farmers for rheir land and cash in on the desirable .ailroad property. After several killings by Bond and his .lenchmen to reach their goal, Wayne has brennan round up an opp.sition party to ward off the treachery. Some spectacular scenes of wheat fields on fire, and gun rights, climax the story and action to favorable results for everyone, including Brennan who gets himself a new river boat. CAST: John Wayne, Vera Hiuba Ralston, Walter Brennan, Waid Bond, Ona Munson, H-go Haas, M.ke Mazurki, 0 .ve Blakeney, N codemus jrewart, Pau. F.x, Crant Withers, kcbe.t Livingston, O.in How. n, Pierre Watkin, Robert H. aarrat, Jonatnan Hjle, Bobby Blake, Paul Harst, -ddy Wailar, Sarah i-adden, Jack LaRae, George -kveland, Se.mer Jackson, Claire DaBrey, Roy ->aicroft. CREDITS: Asscciate Producer and Director, Joseph Kane; Screenplay, Lawrence Hazard; AJaptation, Howard Estabrook; Original story, „arl t-oic.nan Cameraman, Jack Marta; Musical icore, Wa.ter Scharf Fi.m Editor, Fred A.len; Jn.t Director, Yakima Canutt; Sound, Fred Stahl; A.t D rectors, Russell Kimball, Gano Chittenden; .ostumes, Adele Palmer; Set Decorators, John McCar.hy, Jr., James Redd; Special E.fects, Hjward and I heodore Lydecker; Dance D. rector, -arry Cebal.os. DIRECTION, Cood. PHOTOCRAPHY, Very Cood. Humphries Heads Philly MPA Philadelphia — Sixth annual dinner and election of officers of the Motion Picture Asscciates was held at the Warwick Hotel. Every office was hotly contested with the following results: President, William G. Humphries, of 20th-Fox, succeeding George T. Beattie, of Paramount, who now heads the board of directors; vice-president, John J. McFadden, Jr., RKO; treasurer, William J. Doyle, Universal. Members of the board are: Al. J. Davis, Monogram; Joe Engel, Republic; Ely J. Epstein, RKO; Lou Formato, M-G-M; Harry Weiner, Columbia. "Crimson Canary" with Noah Beery, Jr., Lois Collier Universal 64 Mins. MODEST FILM COMBINES MELODRAMA AND MUSIC, WITH LATTER THE MAIN DRAWING CARD. "Crimson Canary," a modestly produced item, attempts to mix melodrama and music to expand its audience appeal, with the hepcats decidedly getting the better of the bargain. If the film deserves any consideration, it is strictly on the basis cf its musical content, its melodramatic story being purely folderol of a familiar pattern. 7 he plot supplied by the Henry Blankfort-Peggy Phillips script strikes one as an intrusion upon the musical reverie of the production. H nors go to Edgar Fairchild, musical director, whose background music in modern tempo, assisted by a number of vocal and instrumental renditions, provides the picture's prime attraction. A special concession to those dev.ted to popular music is a sequence in which Josh White gives his versions of "One Meat Ball" and "Jericho." The story is a lightweight affair about a hot band that gets in a jam with the police when a girl singer is found murdered in the locker room used by the b:ys. The law's attention centers on Noah Beery, Jr., the band's trumpeter, who is in love with Lois Collier, a schoolmistress. With Miss Collier assisting, Beery brings about the apprehension of the guilty party, the murdered singer's employer who was hopelessly in love with the gal. The story has a weak and unconvincing ending. The acting is adequate unto the occasion. CAST: Noah Beery, Jr., Lois Collier, Danny Morton, John Litel, Claudia Drake, Steven Geray, James Dodd, Steve Brodie, Josh White, Esqu re All-American Band Winner, Coleman Hawkins, Oscar Pettiford. CREDITS: Executive Producer, Bob Faber; Associate Producer, Hanry Blankfort; Director, John Hoffman; Screenplay, Henry Blankfcrt, Peggy Phillips; Based on story by Peggy Phillips; Cameraman, Jerome Ash; Musical Director, Edgar Fairch Id; Art D rectors, John B. Goodman, Abraham Grossman; Sound Director, Bernard B. Brown; Set Decorator, Russell A. Gausman; Film Ed. tor, Paul Landres. DIRECTION, Okay. PHOTOCRAPHY, Okay. 'Battle for Music" Loan of $10,000,000 Is Granted GA & F by Banks General Aniline & Film Corp. announced yesterday that it has obtained a $10,000,000 loan from 12 banks, headed by the National City Bank, in connection with yesterday's redemption of $10,000,000 of American I. G. Chemical Corp. 5% per cent debentures. New loan, at 1% per cent will mature $250,000 every six months for three years, $500,000 half yearly for six anc a half years, and $2,000,000 on Nov. 1, 1955. F.f h for "Dolly Sisters" Chicago — Twentieth-Fox's "The Dolly Sifters" is going into its fifth week starting today at the Chicago Theater which is a record that only one other picture in the entire history of the theater has ever equalled or exceeded. I Rose Chi. V. C. Barker Chicago — Jack Rose has been elected Chief Barker of the local Variety Club succeeding Jack Kirsch. Four Continents 74 Mins. FILM FROM ENGLAND SHOULD GAIN FOLLOWING AMONG LOVERS OF FINE MUSIC. In "Battle for Music" the British have sent to this country a production worthy ., of the enthusiasm of persons possessing an! appreciation of fine music. The picture™ comes as welcome relief to filmgoers of taste who are surfeited with the common run of screen entertainment. The fact that it isn't every day the industry turns out an offering catering to the devotees of classical music should helps to draw discriminating audiences to this picture, which was produced at National Studios, Elstree. The film is in a sense a documentary since it is the old story of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in wartime. Recounted is the struggle of the famous musical aggregration to remain alive in the face of insuperable odds. That it did net pass out of existence was due in no small measure to the help of J. B. Priestley, the British author, who appears as himself in the film. The story is a perfect peg on which to hang the music, which is the important thing about "Battle for Music." With Dr. Malcolm Sargent, Warwick Braithwaite, Constant Lambert and Sir Adrian Boult taking turns conducting, the producticn spreads a musical feast, among the delights being pieces by Grieg, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Sibelius and Delius. Several piano soloists further enhance the value of the film as musical entertainment. Since nearly all the roles are played by members of the orchestra themselves, there is no need to comment en the acting. CAST: J. B. Priestley, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, Warwick Braithwaite, Constant Lambert, Ei.een Joyce, Moiseiwitsch, Sir Adrian Boult, Jack Hyiton, Bran Michle. CREDITS: Producer, Donald Taylor; Director, Donald Taylor; Screenplay, Leigh Cowes; Continuity, Joan Wyaft; Cameramen, Moray Crant, Larry Pizer; Film Ed. tor, Erwin Reimer; Sound, Al Rhind, E. Law. DIRECTION, Okay. PHOTOCRAPHY, Okay. Nimrods Take to Field; Tracy Barham in Fall Kansas City— With the hunting season opening in the Northern states, industry Nimrods have been trekking to the pheasant grounds of the Dakotas and other favored spots. Among those making the trip were Herman Illmer, operator of four independents here, who took along a drum of dry ice which came in handy when he made a limit bag; J. Bye Coverston of the Cozy in Gravette, Ark., who passed through in his car with his dogs en route for Canada and a try for a big Canadian moose, and Harold Hume, Fox Midwest booker, who got the limit in pheasants on a well-timed visit to his home folk in South Dakota. Salt Lake City — Deer hunting on horseback proved to be the hard way for Tracy Barham, vice-presidentgeneral manager of Intermountain Theaters, Inc. The saddle cinch slipped, spilling Barham onto some rocks. X-ray examinations failed to disclose any serious injuries.