The Film Daily (1942)

Monday, July 6, 1942 v :< rcvicuis of TH6 new nuns :< .< 'One Thrilling Night" with John Beal, Wanda McKay, Warren Hymer (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) Monogram 69 Mins. "SWELL COMEDY REPLETE WITH t ^HS SHOULD CLICK WITH ALL T.ri OF AUDIENCES. Here is a great little comedy. It will start you grinning 30 seconds after the credits fade and will have you rolling in the aisles almost all of the 69 minutes running time. It's clever, fast and fautlessly played — as good as anything Monogram has ever turned out. Writer, Joseph Hoffman and director William Beaudine could probably have had the smash hit of the season if major money had been available for the production of "One Thrilling Night." Not that this number lacks anything. Producer, A. W. Hackel has plenty of class background behind his actors and the cast is perfect for the yarn. John Beal, a very clever actor, does a polished job of the yokel on his honeymoon, but his leading lady, Wanda McKay, is the surprise here. She is a newcomer, but she exhibits such poise and is so lovely to look at, as well as being very talented, that if the right people see this she is on her way. Beauty and talent are rare in Hollywood. The story tells of a young couple from upstate, who want to spend their one-night honeymoon in a New York hotel. He is due to report to the Army in the morning and she is due back at work. They check into a swank hostelry in Times Square, leave a six-o'clock call and prepare for bed. Then they find the first body — in their room. From that point on it is almost impossible to keep track of their adventures. Enough to say the adventures take them from one end of the city to the other, into movie houses on Bank Night, to police stations— in and out of custody — and brings them in violent and hilarious contact with the cream of the big-city underworld. Their 'country-cousin' tactics in handling gangsters is a new and very funny slant on an old device. Their yokel acceptance of big-city terrors are good for a hundred laughs. This is like all the vary funny hick stories you have ever heard, superbly written and photographed. In the end, of course, right prevails, but don't worry, it's not a conventional tag. You'll get a last minute belly-laugh to go home on. "One Thrilling Night" is great stuff for all types of audiences — it's a feather in the Monogram cap. CAST: John Beal, Wanda McKay, Warren Hymer, J. Farrell MacDonald, Barbara Pepper, Tom Neal, Ernie Adams, Lynton Brent, Pierce Lyden, Gene O'Donnell, Jim O'Gatty, Tom Herbert, Charles Williams. CREDITS: Producer, A. W. Hackel; Director, William Beaudine; Author, Joseph Hoffman; Screenplay, same; Cameraman, Marcel LePicard; Editor, Martin G. Cohn; Musical director, Frank Sanucci DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. SOPEG Files Loew's Petition The Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild, Local 109, UOPWA, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seek "This is the Enemy" Artkino 68 Mins. POWERFUL PROPAGANDA IS MOVING AND PRESENTS A TRUE PICTURE OF THE FINE RUSSIAN SPIRIT. Presented in episodic form, this film is highly significant, moving and timely. In preparing the script, the scenarists have not over-exaggerated facts, nor have the six directors overplayed their respective sequences in any manner. The photography is great and the most has been made of the material at hand. An amusing three-minute prologue done in cartoon form precedes the events and starts things off with a rather warm feeling. The terrorism spread though Poland and the courage of a couple of women who brazenly defied Nazi officers comprise the first episode. The bitter hatred of the Russian fighters for the enemy and their desire to avenge the atrocities inflicted upon all peoples are excellently put over in the scene covering the 1941 Nazi attack. A vivid picture of the Russian soldier's feelings when he comes face to face with the Fascist enemy, the bravery of a Red Cross nurse in action on the battle field, and a Leningrad air raid are well presented. An event that will hold any audience's interest is the one entitled "Saboteur." In this a Germany spy comes to the home of his former nurse in Russia and seeks refuge. Her shrewdness and bravery plus her young grandson's innate courage make a thrilling and heart-warming story. The final sequence, "100 for 1" is momentous, and filled with spirit, fortitude and the resolution to win. In an occupied town in Yugoslavia a young couple are caught out on the street at night. The two German officers attack the girl and in self defense she and the young man kill them. Two hundred of the villagers are rounded up as hostages for this and as the people are marching out to the designated slaughter field, they plan to attack the Nazis. Word is passed through the whole group and when the shovels with which they are to dig their own graves are doled out they plunge on the Germans and wipe them out to a man. The interest in Russia today would be enough to make this picture a success, but it has merits of artistry and a fineness of purpose that will add greatly, plus some excellent acting. CAST: V. Lukin, Vladimir Gardin, Varvara Miasnikova, Boris Blinov, I. Kuznetzov, Alexander Melnikov, M. Yekatorinsky, Tamara Sukova, Vasya Chekalov, Pavel Sukhanox, Eugene Namohenko, Lydia Yemelyantzeva, Lev Bordukov, Boris Poslavsky, Boris Schlichting, Natalia Petropavlovskaya, M. Yandulski, F. Gehr. CREDITS: Produced by, Lenfilm Studios, Mosfilm Studios, Russia; Directors, Vladimir Feinberg, Victor Eisimont, Eugene Creviakov, Herbert Rappaport, I. Mutanov, Alexei Olenin. Screenplay, Vasili Belayev, Mikhail Rosenberg, Yuri Herman, Voyevodin and Ryss, Leonid Leonov, Johan Zeltner, A. Stein; Photography, Nikolai Kriukov and others; English Titles, Charles Clement; English Lyrics, Phillip Sterling. DIRECTION, Very Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Same. ing the right to represent the white collar workers at the Loew's exchange here. * SHORTS * "Men of the Sky" Warner's 20 Mins. Good This is a "Technicolor Special" made in conjunction with the U. S. Army Air Forces, dealing with the tiaining of Army flyers. Although the material involved is probably quite familiar to average moviegoers the warm and simple treatment will make audiences proud of our young officers. An address and the presentation of wings to a graduating class of flyers by Lieut. Gen. Arnold (with a shot of Col. Jack Warner standing near him) is followed by a moving review of the hard work the boys put into their training period and the pride their families derive from their achievements. A few stirring scenes as to what the young fellows gave up gladly to fight the Axis are presented — leaving jobs that their earnestness and hard work had developed into good futures, leaving young wives, leaving families who wait at home with brave faces for the return of their children. These are some of the things our war effort calls for and the feeling of warmth and sincerity of these youngsters will seep into every American heart. "Victory Quiz" (Pete Smith Specialty) M-G-M 9 mins. Good Audience Stuff Jargon of the Army is the basis for this reel's content. The incorrigible humorist, Pete Smith, presents a number of slang phrases which have to do with the armed forces, their equipment, and military routine. The audience is given a specified time to answer each group of questions. In addition to the entertainment value of the selected queries, the Smith commentary packs periodic laughs. Footage is timely, in addition to its other assets, and will fit well into the programs of all stands. "A Hunter's Paradise" (Sports Parade) Warners 10 mins. Interesting Filmed in swell Technicolor this travel subject takes its audiences to Brazil. Here in the Matto Grosso jungle territory the goal is the capture of a South American tiger. The photographers call upon a Russian who lives in these parts to show his stuff in literally roping the beast. En route to the scene of this feat which calls for strength, courage and persistence, we are privileged to get glimpses of the many strange beasts and birds that inhabit this unusual country. The real excitement comes, however, when the actual catching of the tiger is done by means of sticks and ropes. Nature lovers and kids in general will go for this. "Matri-phony" Columbia 17 mins. Stale Stuff This comedy gives the Three Stooges plenty of elbow room to carry on their customary hijinks — which means that "Matri-phony" is slapstick without relief. There is little that hasn't been done before by the three comics. Their ardent fans may get a kick out of this bit of celluloid, but others are likely to find the goings-on more than slightly boring. The Three Stooges appear as potters in a mythical realm of antiquity. Anachronisms are used as a means of squeezing humor out of the story, which has to do with the three men's efforts to save a beauty from the clutches of the emperor. Marjorie Deanne plays the cutie and Vernon Dent the emperor. Harry Edwards directed the film, which was produced by Del Lord and Hugh McCollum. Credit for the story goes to Elwood Ullman and Monty Collins. "Hold The Lion, Please" (Merrie Melodies) Warners 7 mins. Fair Technicolor is employed in turning out this wacky cartoon based on the good old theme of who wears the pants in what family. There is a big tussle between the bunny and the lion (vying for the title of "King of the Jungle") which is rudely interrupted by Mrs. Lion's insistence that her mate come home. The bunny, victor, is soon taken down a peg by his wife. "Tennis Rhythm" (World of Sports) Columbia 9 mins. Excellent The youthful Bobby Riggs, world's amateur tennis champ, is the subject of this short, an excellent booking, especially for sports-minded audiences. The film takes the fellow apart, in a manner of speaking, and shows what makes him tick as a wizard of the tennis courts. The short provides a good tennis lesson. When the film is over one should know pretty well how Riggs does it, thanks no little to an abundance of slow-motion scenes. Riggs is allowed to flash his whole repertoire of tennis tricks and shots. The commentary is spoken by Bill Stern. "Double Chaser" Warners 7 mins. Funny Here's another one of Leon Schlesinger's funny Technicolor cartoons. This time it involves the cat, dog and mouse tale. There is much auick action on the part of all three due to good animation by Gerry Chiniquy. Incidentally, it's the little mouse who does the outwitting.