The Film Daily (1948)

fhursday, January 15, 1948 3*5s :< R6VI6UI Of TH€ H€UJ flLfllS ft "Open Secret" with John Ireland, Jane Randolph, Sheldon Leonard Eagle -Marathon 70 Mins. MEEsfcfcAMA OF ANTI-SEMITISM HAS STORY INTERESTINGLY DEVELOPED BUT NOT TOO WELL PLAYED. Producer Frank Satenstein has taken the problem of intolerance as it exists in the lower strata and, via a fictional work that probably stems from the real thing, sheds more light on what would be if it were not combatted. The point is capably made and served. The story is interestingly developed, if not too well played. John Reinhardt's direction has a few fine points which are overshadowed by other and mediocre moments in which the cast gets out of hand. Also, the final scene is imitative of the forerunner of recent i treatises on anti-Semitism. A young couple become involved with a vicious, ignorant collection of humanity. [There is murder. Enlisting the aid of Sheldon Leonard, a local cop, they get to the bottom of the affair which reveals itself to be the outgrowth of a campaign against 'foreigners" in general and Jews in particular promulgated by a power-hungry individual. John Ireland investigates the demise of his friend. At length he gets the evidence ; he needs in some photos and aided by Leonard the mess is cleared up. It is a yarn of mock violence and overblown histrionics but it does manage to make sense and con' tributes to the form. • CAST: John Ireland, Jane Randolph, Roman Bohnen, Sheldon Leonard, George Tyne, Morgan : Farley, Ellen Lowe, Anne O'Neal, Arthur O'Connell, John Alvin, Bert Conway, Rory Mallinson, Helena Dare, Charles Waldron, Jr., Leo Kaye. CREDITS: A Marathon Pictures Production; Produced by Frank Satenstein; Director, John Reinhardt; Screenplay, Henry Blankfort, Max Wilk; Original story, Max Wilk, Ted Murkland; Photography, George Robinson; Musical score, Herschel Gilbert; Art direction, George Van Marter; Film editor, Jason Bernie; Set decorator, Earl Wooden; Sound, Hugh McDowell. DIRECTION, Fair. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. MPF Finance Com. Reports Progress at First Meeting (Continued from Page 1) mulate recommendations to the MPF board on Foundation financing, was closed. The statement issued last night noted that "a number of suggestions were discussed, some of them discarded, some of them were tabled for further consideration and others met with our enthusiastic approval." The substance of the discussions, •it was said, will be submitted to committee members unable to attend "for their further consideration and suggestions." The committee plans "periodic" meetings until it is readyto submit a full financial program to the board and to the industry. Vermont In Old Post, Leggewie to Europe (Continued from Page 1) post as head of its foreign versions department. Edward Leggewie, who held the post during Vermont's leave of absence, will shortly be promoted to a new assignment in a European territory by Murray Silvertone. "Jenny Lamour" with Louis Jouvet, Simone Renant, Suzy Delair Foremost Films 102 Mins. VERY GOOD GALLIC FARE; SEXY, SNAPPY, INTRIGUING; FIRST RATE FOR FOREIGN SPOT. One of the latest French numbers — it was produced last year — to reach this country, "Jenny Lamour" is a first rate number for the operator of the foreign and art spot and might even fit in specialized regular spots. Picture was and is still known in France as "Quai des Orfevres." Under that title it was awarded the International Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival last Summer. It is still playing in Paris, recent information discloses. Scenario is a brisk, sexy compilation of show people, show business, theatrical ambition, murder and police work. Few if any punches are pulled or telegraphed with the ultimate result that surprises of a sly, Gallic nature constantly pop out. Fair portion of the doings take place backstage. Action also ranges around Paris, from Menilmontant to Passy to Enghien and then to the local jug. First third of the yarn is a display of the hectic married life of a songplugger who is married to a talented singer. She aspires for the big time and infidelity is merely a stepping stone to success. Her husband is insanely jealous. She keeps a rendezvous with a senile film producer. Her husband comes tearing in on the scene determined to avenge his honor with a bullet. He finds the old joker dead. His car is stolen at the scene. Returning home he suspects and expects the worst but is restored to his senses somewhat by the turn of events. The body is found. Louis Jouvet, a police inspector lately returned from Africa with a lame arm and a dark complected son, enters the scene. Methodically he tracks down clues. The one that led him to the would be killers abode is a routine matter of investigating some nude photos found at the producer's place. The photog, a woman, lives on the ground floor of the suspects' address. Action then concentrates on Jouvet's poking and prowling. This accounts for some gay doings backstage at music halls and thereabouts. In good time, after susDicion points at every one, and just about all of them are innocent, by adding up the shebang, Jouvet gets his man. It might be called a whodunit. "Qui faire la?" But it has the content that draws the numbers. Suzy Delair has all that Viviane Romance has and more. She sings charmingly, if a little loudly. Jouvet never gave a bad performance. Support is uniformly effective. A good job of translating the argot Parisienne from Gallic Variety talk into English subtitles has been accomplished here. In this respect many of the pointed gags and high humorous spots register. Subtitles smartly pace the dialogue. It is probably one of the best examples on current display. Henri-Georges Clouzot directed. CAST: S'moie Renant, Suzy Delair, Bernard Blier, Charles Dullin, Louis Jouvet, Rene Blancart, Dauran, Pierre Lauquey, Claudine Dupuis. CREDITS: Produced by Majestic FMms; Production snoervisor, Louis Wipf; Assistant, Serge Vollin: Photngraohy, Armand Thirard; Sound, Sivel; Sets. Max Douv; Costumes. Jacques Fath; Enalish titles. Noel Meadow, Harry L. Ober; Technical ed;ting. Charles Clement; Music by Paul Toscano's orchestra. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. "Beauty and the Beast" with Jean Marais, Josette Day Lopert 85 Mins. DIVERTING FRENCH IMPORT HAS FANTASY ELEMENT THAT WILL ATTRACT ADULT PATRONS. French Poet and surrealist Jean Cocteau's first venture into big-time Gallic cinema is a creditable work with highly imaginative treatment bolstered by a series of finely played roles. It is not for children. The fantasy treatment would be beyond their comprehension. In a prologue Cocteau asks the adult audience to try and once again imagine themselves children. The audience must certainly give over to this request in view of what follows. The plot of the film was adapted from a fairy tale by Madame LePrince de Beaumont. It bears considerable resemblance to the Cinderella story. Beauty is the household drudge with two sisters who are always pressing her into menial service. One day their father is lost in the forest, encounters Beast, and is threatened with death unless he sends him one of his daughters. Beauty is elected, goes to an eerie chateau on Magnifique, a white horse. Beast is a frightening character at first sight but soon the spectacle becomes one of pity. His rages are monumental. Just when he is about to rant and storm he cautions Beauty to lock herself in, otherwise their relations are Platonic and she only sees him in the evening. He gives her magical gifts. She grows fond of Beast and one day he permits her to visit her home for a week. She stays overtime. Her family pumps her about her strange life and spurred by treasure they seek out Beast. Ludovic, a hunter, invades Beast's Temple of Diana and is killed by the huntress. At that moment Beast sheds his bestiality and emerges a handsome Prince. He and Beauty forthwith fly away. Josette Day is lovely to watch, Marais is a handsome chap and accomplished actor with compulsive bearing. CAST: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Marcel Andre, Mila Parely, Nana Germon, Michel Auclair. CREDITS: Story, dialogue, direction by Jean Cocteau; From the fairy tale by Madame LePrince de Beaumont; Decor, Christian Berard; Music, Georges Auric; Wardrobe, Escoffier executed by Paquin; Producer, Andre Paulve; English titles, Irving Drutman. DIRECTION, Capable. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fairly Good. Senate May Study Pix O'Seas Coin Problem Loew's Liguidates Claims Against 3 Key Theaters Mortgages on its Pitkin, Kings and Valencia Theaters have been purchased by Loew's from Allied Properties, Inc., for $4,380,000. Funds were borrowed for 10 years from several banks at two per cent interest, resulting in considerable savings from the $75,000 annual charges formerly paid for interest and liquidation. 4 E-L Pix in February Eagle Lion will release four features during February, A. W. Schwalberg, vice-president and general sales manager, announced yesterday. Pix and their release dates include "Adventures of Casanova" (7), "Open Secret" (14), "Tornado Range" (21) and "Take My Life" (28). (Continued from Page 1) overseas, and "I am doing all I can now to work out a formula" which will enable it to realize profits from these foreign operations. An overall study of the pix industry in its relationship to the international program is in prospect, Smith said, but such a study would be undertaken on the initiative of the State Department by a special group called together for the purpose. Authority for such studies is in the law as it now stands, Smith explained, and he mentioned the importance of pix in the program. At the same time, he said, there is still a feeling that some films emphasize too heavily "the seamy side" of life in this country. The senator stressed the freedom of his bill from any hint at censorship or subsidy. He added that there is authority in the bill which carries no stipulation regarding budget for the State Department to buy films and publications for showing and distribution abroad, but the industries involved "definitely do not want that, or anything that looks like subsidy." He maintained that pix and publishing groups want no direct grants and have indicated their willingness to operate overseas in the public service rather than for large profits. He said, "They just want to know that they can come out even. I want to pay those people the greatest tribute. I know they have actually taken losses to help our foreign information program." ACLU Reps. Will Protest Action on U-I's "Senator' (Continued from Page 1) sphere of fear engendered by the recent hearings of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee," Elmer Rice, Council chairman, stated. "Their action is the first direct result of these hearings." ACLU representatives are urged to protest to local newspapers, the theater owners involved, and in any other way to combat the action. French Use 2 "Verdoux" Versions Paris (By Air Mail)— Two versions of Charles Chaplin's "Monsieur Verdoux" will be used here. Picture will open in one Paris house in its French language version, to be followed in a few weeks by the original English with French subtitles. | Send (Birthday, | | QreetingA Uo — | :': Jan 15 ♦': *.» Lloyd Bridges Chauncey Brown J[J ••J Elaine Riley Karl Freund M J"; William Beaudine ;'j