Harrison's Reports (1951)

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March 31, 1951 HARRISON’S REPORTS 51 “Circle of Danger” with Ray Milland and Patricia Roc ( Eagle Lion Classics, March 22; time, 86 min.) The name of Ray Milland may be of some help in luring patrons to this British-made melodrama, but as entertainment it is only moderately interesting. Revolving around an adventurous American who goes to England to investigate the mysterious death of his brother, the story is given more to talk than to action, with the result that the general run of audiences will probably find it too slow-paced. Moreover, it is too contrived and fails to hit a realistic note. There is some romantic interest, and the spectator is treated to a tour of colorful British locales while the hero tracks down numerous characters, but all this does not compensate for the picture's lack of excitement and suspense : — Milland, an American, goes to England to make inquiries about the death of his younger brother, who had served as a Commando with the British forces in World War II. Milland had reason to believe that his brother, killed during a raid, had been shot by one of his own group. He visits the war office in London and obtains the name and Scotland address of Hugh Sinclair, the major who had been in command of his brother’s unit. From Sinclair, Milland learns that, of the original twelve men in the raiding party, only three were still alive, and of these he knew the address of only one — Marius Goring, a London ballet master. During his visit with Sinclair, Milland meets and falls in love with Patricia Roc, whom Sinclair hoped to marry. He returns to London, where Goring proves of little help other than to direct him to Michael Brennan, who in turn gives him a new lead that enables him to meet Naunton Wayne, a shrewd automobile salesman, from whom he obtains a vital clue that leads him to the discovery that Sinclair himself had killed his brother. Milland goes back to Scotland for a showdown with Sinclair, but before he can avenge the killing Goring makes an appearance and reveals that Sinclair had been compelled to shoot his brother because his wild escapades were endangering the whole mission. Milland accepts the explanation and prepares to return to the United States, but just before he departs he is joined by Patricia with Sinclair’s blessing. It is a David E. Rose presentation of a Coronado production, produced by Joan Harrison and directed by Jacques Tournier from an original screen play by Philip MacDonald. Harmless for children, but there is not much in it to interest them. “The Kefauver Senate Crime Investigation” (20th Century-Fox, March 28; time, 52 min.) This is a full length news feature presenting highlights of the Senate Crime Investigation Committee hearings held in New York and Washington during the past two weeks, photographed, compiled and edited by Movietone News. Being an event that gripped the attention of the entire nation as no other event ever has, the photographic record of these sensational hearings becomes one of the most timely features an exhibitor has ever had an opportunity to present to his patrons. It will want to be seen, not only by those who did not see the fascinating proceedings on television, but also by many who did see it, for unlike television, which was prevented from showing more than Frank Costello’s hands, this film shows his face in full and records all his emotions as he testifies. Among the others shown are Virginia Hill, Ambassador William O’Dwyer, the former New York Mayor, Frank Erickson, Anthony Anastasia, James J. Moran, John P. Crane, Jacob (Greasy Thumb) Guzik and others, as each is questioned by Senators Kefauver, Tobey, O’Conor and Rudolph Halley, the committee’s chief counsel. Senator Kefauver, the committee chairman, appears in a prologue and epilogue in which he explains the purpose of the committee’s investigation. The editing is somewhat choppy in parts but on the whole commendable. It was produced by Edmund Reek and has narration by Joe King. “Go for Broke” with Van Johnson (MGM, May; time, 90 min.) A first-rate war melodrama, dealing with the exploits of the 442nd Regimental Combat team, which was composed of JapaneseAmericans (Neisi), all volunteers from the continental United States and Hawaii, who emerged from World War II as the most decorated group in the Army and as one of its greatest fighting units. While the story recounts the unit’s brave exploits on the field of battle during the Italian campaign, making for some very fine battle scenes, it tells without preachment and in terms of solid dramatic entertainment of the problems and prejudices that had to be overcome by the Neisi to prove that their racial origin had no bearing on the genuineness of their loyalty to the United States. The title “Go for Broke,” which is Hawaiian slang for “shoot the works,” was the unit’s battle cry. Although it is essentially a dramatic film, there are good touches of comedy relief throughout to lighten the tension. The direction is expert, and the acting very good, with Van Johnson doing an outstanding job as a second lieutenant who resents being assigned to the 442nd but who becomes proud of the association when the Neisi display their courage and fighting ability. The story has Johnson, fresh from O.C.S., disappointed when he is placed in charge of a platoon of the newly activated 442nd. When his request for a transfer is refused, he becomes a strict disciplinarian and vents his displeasure on the men. The regiment is shipped to Italy, where the men become a crack fighting unit and are widely acclaimed. With the end of the Italian campaign, the regiment is sent to France. The move proves welcome to Johnson, for he is transferred to act as liason officer between the 442nd and the 36th Texas Division, his old outfit. But once away from from the 442nd Johnson feels ill at ease and comes to realize the pride and respect he feels for the men of the 442nd, so much so that he beats up a Texas pal for ridiculing the Neisi. In the course of battle, the 36th, outmanned, gets itself trapped by the Nazis and is slowly being cut to pieces. The 442nd comes to the rescue and, despite the shortage of ammunition and tanks, routs the enemy in a relentless charge at a sacrifice of many lives. Months later, the remaining members of the 442nd stand at attention before the White House to receive their seventh Presidential Unit Citation. It was produced by Dore Schary, and written and directed by Robert Pirosh. Suitable for all. “Kon-Tiki” (RKO, no rel. date set; time, 72 min.) This is a fascinating photographic record of a 101-day voyage on a 40-foot balsawood raft from Peru to Tahiti, undertaken by six Scandinavian scientists, headed by Thor Hyerdahl, who set out to prove the Polynesian Islands were populated from the east by natives of Peru rather than from the west, as many believe. The film records in interesting detail the building of the raft, which was an exact duplicate of those used by the Peruvian natives almost two thousand years ago, and it shows the six men leading a truly premitive life as they keep drifting with the wind and current for a distance of 4,300 miles before they reach their goal. Recorded also are several severe storms and great calms, as well as attacks by vicious sharks and huge whales, which were encountered during the voyage. Despite the amateurish photography, it is an intriguing real-life adventure film, one that seems best suited for specialized showings in art houses and lecture halls, but, in view of the fact that Mr. Hyerdahl’s published account of this voyage became a bestseller, it could, with proper exploitation, be used by the exhibitors as a novel program offering. Many of the scenes are repetitious, and some judicious cutting would be advantageous. The picture is being presented by Sol Lesser, and was produced by Olle Nordemar, with Mr. Hyerdahl himself doing the narration.