The Film Daily (1946)

Monday, January 7, 1946 DAILY b^ REVIEU) OF THE REUI flLfflS^^ 'I Ring Doorbells" 'ifh Anne Gwynne, Robert Shayne, Roscoe Karns. RC 65 Mins. FILM VERSION OF BIRDWELL BOOK L RATED ACCEPTABLE DIVERSION FOR ^JORITY OF PATRONS. "I Ring Doorbells" is a melodrama with newspaper background with much that ill capture the fancy of the ordinary picjregcer. Under the high-pressure direcion of Frank Strayer the screen version of ubiicist Russell Birdwell's book, "I l^ing )ells," emerges as fast-moving enterlinment in which comedy is mixed with lelodramatics. Martin Mooney produced the Im in an exciting tempo that will help \ie offering to curry favor. Although the story is shot full of holes nd doesn't possess too much credibility, it as been tcid in a way that will claim the ttention of a large body of film patrons, he hero of the proceeding is one of those o-getting newspaper men of whom the screen SD fond. The fellow finds himself con-onted with a juicy murder mystery when he mercenary fiancee of his boss's son is Dund murdered. There are a number of uspects, among them the boss himself rho disapproves of his future daughter-in^w. The reporter, with the help of a news hctographer, establishes the identity of |ie murderer via photographs taken by a liniature camera hidden at the scene of he murder with the original intention of jetting evidence to convince the boss's in that his fiancee is no good. Rrbert Shayne plays the newspaper man. [n the romantic spot opposite him is Anne iwynne, a free-lance newspaper woman, jhayne's photographer buddy is played by oscoe Karns. CAST: Anne Gwynne, Robert Shayne, Roscoe arns, Pierre Watkin, Harry Shannon, John Elredge, Harry Tyler, Doria Carcn, Jan Wiley, 5el McCinnis, Charles Wilson, Hank Patterson, ugene Stutenroth, Roy Darmour. CREDITS: Associate Producer, Martin Mooney; liector, Frank Strayer; Screenplay, Dick Irving lyland; Adaptation, Dick Irving Hyland, Raylond L. Schrock; Based on book by Russell irdwell; Cameraman, Benjamin H. Kline; Art lirector, Edward C. Newell; Musical Score, Erody; Set Decorator, Glenn P. Thompson; Sound, en Winkler; Film Editor, George McGuire. DIRECTION, Okay. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. "Whistle Stop" v/ith George Raft, Ava Gardner, Victor Mc Laglen, Tom Conway. UA 85 Mins. MELODRAMA STRONG IN MOOD SHOULD SATISFY THE NEEDS OF MAJORITY OF FILMGOERS. A tale of murderous passions arising from the rivalry of two men for the love of a girl is dished up in "Whistle Stop," produced by Seymour Nebenzal capably enough for a film that makes no pretense of being anything but a melcdrama providing standard entertainment. The film has been invested with much tenseness and suspense largely by virtue of deliberate direction by Leonide Moguy that makes much of mood and dramatic, low-ke/^camera work by Russell Metty. Despite the banal quality of most of the material that has gone into the film, "Whistle Stop" manages to arouse the interest better than might be expected. The vivid presentation of the screenplay that Philip Yordan extracted from the Maritta M. Wolff novel is responsible in great measure. It must be admitted the Yordan script is for the most part pedestrian writing. Gerrge Raft and Tom Conway are the men battling for a woman's love. The woman is luscious Ava Gardner. Raft, a shiftless failure, and Conway, bar owner possessed of power and money, each conspires to dispose of the other. It is Victor McLaglen, Conway's bartender, who puts Raft's rival out of the way but not before he himself is mortally wounded. For the mcst part, the film has been well acted. The soundest and saltiest performance is that of McLaglen, who is the most believable of all the characters. CAST: George Raft, Ava Gardner, Victor McLaglen, Tom Conway, Jorja Curtright, Florence Bates, Jane Nigh, Charles Judels, Jimmy Ames, Charles Drake. CREDITS: Producer, Seymour Nebenzal; Director, Leonide Moguy; Screenplay, Philip Yordan; Based on novel by Maritta M. Wolff; Cameraman, Russell Metty; Film Editor, Gregg Tallas; Dance Director, Jack Crosby; Sound, Gordon Sawyer; Art Director, Rudi Feld DIRECTION, Okay. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. 'Snafu" Stale Dept. Again $ with Robert Benchley, Vera Vague, Conrad Janis Columbia 82 Mins. MODERATE DIVERSION IS DISHED OUT BY FILM VERSION OF GEORGE ABBOTT STAGE SHOW. The readjustment of an under-age war veteran to the ways of civilian existence is productive of a fair amount of entertainment in the screen conception of the George Abbott stage production. The screenplay, which was done by Louis Solomon and Harold Buchman, authors of the play, has been produced and directed by Jack Mess in a manner that is a little too listless for a film of this sort. While the picture has much that is ordinary about it, it can be depended upon to get its quota of laughs, especially from patrrns who are not overdemanding. The film should enhance its appeal from the fact that it poses a problem which the parents of many young" returning servicemen have been faced with. The parents in "Snafu," the mother in particular, find it difficult to realize that the son sent home because cf his being under military age is not the same boy he was before he lied himself into a uniform. Insistence of the boy to carry many of his army ways and habits into civilian life is made the subject of much of the ccmedy. The direction of Moss doesn't always succeed in getting the best out of his players. Robert Benchley and Vera Vague cope with the roles of the parents, while Conrad Janis essays the boy with a good deal of spirit. The best impression perhaps is made by Enid Markey as a spinster. CAST: Robert Benchley, Vera Vague, Conrad Janis, Nanette Parks, Janis Wilson, Jimmy Lloyd, Enid Markey, Eva Puig, Ray Mayer, Marcia Mae Jones, Winfield Smith, John Souther, Byron Foulger, Kathleen Howard. CREDITS: Producer, Jack Moss; Director, Jack Moss; Screenplay, Louis Solomon, Harold Buchman; Based on play by Louis Solomon, Harold Buchman; Cameraman, Frank F. Planer; Art Directors, Stephen Goosson, Walter Holscher; Sound, Howard Fogetti; Set Decorator, Frank Kramer; Film Editor, Aaron Stell. DIRECTION, Fair. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. Washington Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Again emphasizing the important role of motion pictures in the State Department's plans for exchange of cultural and informational expressions between the United States and other nations, Assistant Secretary of State William Benton warned against trusting solely in the "paraphei'nalia of physical progress." "There was a time not so long ago" he said, "when some of us trusted in the rapid development of communications and transportation to make America known everywhere as we wished to be known and should be known just as we are. We no longer pin -such hopes upon the paraphernalia of physical progress. We have seen the arts of planned destruction leap far ahead of the peaceful arts of communication and friendly pi'ivate interchange." Posing the question of who is going to carry out the proposed program, Benton said "We in the State Department know that private interests are eager to do more than they have done. They are seeking world markets. The total volume of their efforts represented by news carried by commercial wire services, by foreign editions of magazines and books, by movies, tourists and commercial contacts will amount to vastly more than the Government's contribution. The Government's job will be merely to fill the gaps." Alec Moss Heads Scouts Drive Publicity Comm. "ox, Beniamin to Confer Dn Sales Chief for UW Matthew Fox, president of United iVorld, and Robert Benjamin, presilent of J. Arthur Rank Organization, "nc, left over the week-end for Holywood for parleys with William joetz and Leo Spitz, heads of Interlational, and Nate Blumberg, presilent of Universal, owners of UW. Among the matters to be dismssed will be a sales manager for [Jnited World. It is understood that i conference has been held with one kales executive but no decision will pe made until the Coast meetings. lims Opening New Sun Kenesaw, Neb. — J. W. Sims is opening the new Sun Theater with a seatng capacity of 295. Western Theiter Supply Company of Omaha proided all equipment. RKO To Distribute Riskin's Productions West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — RKO Radio has signed a distribution agreement with Robert Riskin Productions, Inc. The Riskin corporation, which has scheduled three major pictures on a $5,000,000 budget, will move its offices and staff from the California Studios, where it had been operating, to the RKO Radio Gower Street lot during this week. Riskin's first production, for which the script already has been completed, will be "The Magic City." Besides "The Magic City," a romantic comiedy, the new company has scheduled the story of Johnny Appleseed, fighting father of American orchard, and a melodrama, "Impact," a sociological story of big business and American society. Fine Files $100,000 Suit for False Arrest Chicago — Charles Fine, member of the Chicago Operators Union, who was arrested and subsequently released, for trying to sell a print of "Going My Way," which he said he bought at an express auction, has sued J. H. Stevens, Paramount exchange manager, FBI Operative Hugh Gordon, Assistant U. S. Attorney Edmund Johnson and the Paramount exchange, for $100,000 damages for false arrest. He expects to transfer the case from the state court, where it was filed, to the Federal court for hearing. Thomson Joins "U" West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Kenneth Thomson, formerly executive secretary of Screen Actors Guild, and more recently with the William Morris Agency, has resigned from the Morris organization to join Universal as a member of the studio's executive staff. Alec Moss, Paramount exploitation chief, will head the motion picture publicity committee for the annual drive of the Boy Scouts of America, Greater New York councils, having held the same post last year. Moss said a goal of $800,000 had been set and should be attained with the assistance of the film industry. Other New York showmen on the committee are Arthur Gale, Willard Pictures; Harry Mandel, RKO Theaters; Ernest Emerling, Loew's; Erwin Gold, Randforce; Walter F. J. Higgins, Prudential Playhouses; Joseph Ingber, Brandt Theaters; Stanley Kolbert, Interboro Circuit; Samuel Rosen, Fabian Theaters; Joseph R. Springer, Centui'y Circuit, and ]\|onte Salmon, Riyoli Theater. The drive will be launched at a "Dawn Patrol Breakfast" tomorrow morning at the Waldorf Astoria. Attorney General Tom C. Clark and Mayor O'Dwyer will be among those present. Emil Friedlander, president of Dazian's, Inc., and George Feinberg, vice-president, are co-chairmen of the amusement division. Tacoma Telenews Closes Tacoma, Wash. — The Telenews Theater has closed. Theater, fonnerly the Beverley, was leased to Telenews several months ago. BB wm