FilmIndia (1946)

Reviewed In New York % P. S. HARRISON [Editor: HARRISON'S REPORTS) "MIT THE HAY" (Columbia, Nov. 29; time, 62 min.) Sixiy-uvo minutes o! unbearable boredom! It Aca demy Awards were handed out tor the duller comedy of the year, this one would undoubtedly win first prize. The story is insipid, tedious, and long drawn out, with very little action. The characters behave in so ridiculous a manner that the spectator becomes impati em with them. The plot is interspersed with songs, several which are operatic arias, which Judy Canova sings in burlesque fashion, but her efforts to be funny fall flat. It is doubtful if even her most ardent followers will find Miss Canova s antics entertaining: — Ross Hunter laces bankruptcy because ai his inability to secure financial backing from Paul Stanton for his civic opera company. Lunching in a food market, Ross finds Judy singing operatic arias while milking a cow. Discovering that she was the daughter of a former opera singer, Ross takes her to Stanton who, after hearing her voice, agrees to finance the opera. Ross enlists the aid ul Doris Merrick, his girl-lriend columnist, who gives Judy a publicity build-up. He soon finds that, although Judy sang well, she was totally lacking in acting ability. Lest he lose his financial backer, Ross, in desperation, conceives the idea ol having Judy sing from the wings while a double played her part on the stage. Gloria Holden, another singer, who was jealous of Judy's success, de mands the leading role under threat of exposing Judy as a fraud. Ross succeeds in thwarting (iloria's scheme, but Judy, stricken with remorse, refuses to deceive the public in further operas. To save the opera company, however, Judy writes her own version of "William Tell." designed to suit her special talents. The novelty of the production appeals to the opera patrons, and Judy emerges a greater success than ever. Richard Weil and Charles Marion wrote the original screenplay, Jed Richmond produced it, and Del Lord directed it. The cast includes Fortunio Honanova, Fran cis Pierlot, Grady Sutton and others. Unobjectionable morally. "THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S" (RKO, no release date set, time, 126 min.) Excellent! That it will be a smash box-office success is assured, not only because of the stars' wide popularity, but also because it is a simple, inspired entertainment, the sort the masses will relish. As in "Going My Way", which he also wrote, produced, and directed, Leo McCare\ has proved again that great pictures do not require pre lentious stories. "The Hells of St. Mary's" tells a simple story, which, in warmth, human appeal, wholeSQmeness and humor, is in every way comparable to "Going My Way". In it we find Bing Crosby cast once again as 'Father O'Malley the youthful understanding parish priest, this lime taking over a new assignment, as pastor of a parochial school which was in a bad state ol repair, and which had inadequate funds. How he helps Ingrid Bergman, the Sis ter Superior, to acquire a new building, despite their good mannered differences over school matters, is told in such a charming and human way that those who will see the picture will leave the theatre with a feeling that they would like to see it again. The story, though simple, is rich in incidents, some of which are highly amusing, and others that cannot help lugging at one's heart strings. For example, there is con sidcrable appeal in Crosby's undertaking to reconcile an estranged couple so that their dejected 'teen-age daughtei could have a happy home life. Another phase of the story that is rich in humor and in human interest is the manner in which Miss Bergman and Crosby, working 111 dependently, soften the heart of a crochety old millionaire and induce him to donate his new office building, ad joining the school grounds, lor a new school. Among thmany delightful highlights are Miss Bergman's efforts to teach a young boy the manly art of self-defense, only to be knocked down flat when she invites him to try to hit her on the chin, and the staging ol a Christmas play bv a group ol kindergarden children, who enact their own Paro makes her screen debut in "Shikari" a picture ot Filmistan Ltd. 59