Focus: A Film Review (1948-1949)

284 Continent requires a touch of genius if it is to ring at all true, and that touch is not wanting. I do not know Vienna, but such is the sense of authenticity that my first surprise that a priest should recite the creed in German at a graveside was succeeded by the thought that this must be a genuine Austrian ■custom. The music, as soon as it began to accompany the credits, perplexed me with its suggestion of Hawaii. Actually it is a zither solo. This is something new, but its desirability is open to question. The Third Man comes like a breath of fresh air into the used up atmosphere of the cinema. It is first class entertainment for intelligent adults. But it is far from highbrow, and the story of the mysterious death of Harrv Lime also provides plenty of thrills to be relished bv the schoolbov. O. • WINTER MEETING. Starring: Bette Davis, Janis Paige, James Davis and John Hoyt. Director: Bretaigne Windust. Producer: Henry Blanke. A Warner Brothers Picture. Certificate: A. Category: B. Running time: 104 minutes. Here is a film that can be highly recommended, but we should warn you that the opening is not at all promising. You will be tempted at first to think -that it is the old, old theme, run a little thin — but you will be mistaken, for Hollywood has at last decided to face real problems with a view to giving a worthwhile solution. It is sufficient to say that a war hero falls in love with a rich authoress (she writes poetry) ; but ordinary love cannot banish their respective troubles ; it is only when they have learnt true love, love that is willing to make sacrifices, that their anxieties are dispelled. This is a rare film, in that for once the characters •seem to have loyalties to Someone (dare we use the capital letter ?) above themselves. Once more Miss Bette Davis gives us ■sincere acting, and her superb performance is well supported by John Hoyt and James Davis, who is, however, just a little too morose for a conquering hero. We cannot understand why the censors should have given the film an “A” Certificate. To us it seems suitable for anyone over fourteen and our advice is that you make sure you see it vourself. P. MY DREAM IS YOURS. Starring: Doris Day, Jack Carson, Lee Bowman, with Adolphe Menjou, Eve Arden, S. Z. Sacall, Selena Royle. Director: Michael Curtis. Distributors: Warner Brothers. In technicolor. Certificate: A. Category: C. Running time: 100 minutes. The formula of this picture is familiar enough: radio stage cabaret performer makes good in spite of all difficulties, including Jack Carson’s assistance. (A great pity in this case; I much preferred Martha — Doris Day — before she became famous.) The film does not remain on one level. Its highest involves some mild satire, mostly associated with Eve Arden, who thus steals the picture — what there is of it to steal. A dancing sequence, combining live action and cartoon, displays much ingenuity and little taste. The colour I found agreeable throughout. The glamorous singer is the mother of a small boy, a thing common enough in real life, but rare in films. His performance will strike you either as “sweet” (an ejaculation used more "than once by some ladies sitting near me) or as nauseating, according to taste. You need have no other qualms however. We are not disturbed by divorce, still less by illegitimacy. His daddy was killed in the war. I gather that the picture is out to teach us two lessons. ( 1 ) ' If you want to succeed on the radio, cut out hot music and comedy numbers and give them “ballads, love songs and torch toons”. (2) When little Freddie needs a stepfather, marry one like Mr. Carson and not like Mr. Bowman. Q