Harrison's Reports (1939)

April 8, 1939 HARRISON'S REPORTS 55 turning her affections to Lee Bowman, who promises to break up an affair he had been having with Ann Morriss. Carrillo, who worshipped Pidgeon even though he occasionally insulted him, insists on having two of his bodyguards trail him. He invites Pidgeon to his nightclub, where he introduces him to Virginia Bruce, an entertainer. In the meantime, Eduardo Ciannelli, a vicious gangster, who had been Miss Morriss' former lover, learns from her that her affair with Bowman was over ; yet he desired revenge. He arranges to have them both at his home at a party, where he has one of his henchmen kill Miss Morriss, arranging the evidence so as to make it appear as if Bowman had committed the murder. Pidgeon undertakes to defend Bowman when he is arrested. Learning that Miss Bruce had been a friend of the murdered girl, Pidgeon suggests that she stay at his apartment, hoping that she would give him some leads just by talking naturally. She does. Although his life was endangered, Pidgeon goes on with the case and finally solves it. He forces the guilty man to confess. In an effort to protect Miss Bruce, Carrillo, who had been following her, sacrifices his own life in a gun fight with Ciannelli. Bowman is freed. With the case finished, Pidgeon proposes marriage to Miss Bruce and is accepted. The plot was adapted from the story by Arthur Somers Roche ; Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Leon Gordon, and Hugo Butler wrjite the screen play, Edwin L. Marin directed it, and John Considine, Jr., produced it. In the cast are Herbert Mundin, Frank M. Thomas, Edward S. Brophy, and others. Unsuitable for children and adolescents. Class B. "They Made Her a Spy" with Sally Eilers and Allan Lane (RKO, April 14 ; time, 68 win.) A pretty good program espionage melodrama. Although it starts off a little slowly, it gradually develops a fast pace, holding one's attention well. The action, that is, the manner in which the spy ring works, is interesting, and quite often exciting, in spite of the fact that parts of it seem far-fetched. Since the heroine, who is a sympathetic character, becomes a member of the spy ring in an effort to help the U. S. Government uncover the leader's identity, one is naturally held in suspense, fearing for her safety. The romance is pleasant : — When her brother, an Army Lieutenant, is killed, because of sabotage, while demonstrating his new antiaircraft shell, Sally Eilers gives up her position in order to join the U. S. Intelligence Service in an effort to break the spy ring. Through a ruse, she comes to the attention of one of the spy-ring leaders (Fritz Leiber), who is stru:k by her intelligence and daring ; he makes her a member of the gang. During her work she meets Allan Lane, presumably a member of the gang, and works with him on several cases. Eventually, through the work of both Miss Eilers and Lane, the ring is broken and the leader, who, it develops, was a respected business man, together with his men, are arrested. It is then that Miss Eilers learns that Lane was a reporter, who had risked his life to get the story about the ring. Lane, too, is surprised to find that Miss Eilers was working for the Government. But they are both happy for they had fallen in love with each other. George Bricker wrote the story, and Michael Kanin and Jo Pagano, the screen play; Jack Hively directed it, and Robert Sisk produced it. In the cast are Frank M. Thomas, Theodore Von Eltz, Addison Richards, Larry P.lake, and Pierre Watkin. Suitability, Class A. "North of Shanghai" with Betty Furness and James Craig {Columbia, February 10; time, 58 min.) Ordinary program entertainment. The most exciting part of the picture is that portion in which have been used actual newsreel shots of Shanghai bombings. The story is somewhat confused and illogical, becoming particularly far fetched in the closing scenes. Even though one sympathizes with the hero and the heroine because of their bravery in the face of danger, one's interest wanders because of the rambling way in which the story unfolds. The romance is developed according to formula : — ■ Fearing that the articles Betty Furness, a reporter, had written against gangsters would result in injury to her and in damage to the newspaper, the editor insists that she leave the country for a time. He suggests that she go to Shanghai, all expenses to be paid by the firm. Miss Furness becomes acquainted with James Craig, a fellow-passenger, who was on his way to Shanghai to obtain newsreel pictures of the fighting. By the time they reach port they are very much in love with each other. Craig, who was worried for Miss Furness' safety, is surprised when he discovers her identity. Together they work on a case involving the manager of the Shanghai office of Miss Furness' newspaper, for they had learned that he was mixed up with a gang of international agents working against China. Craig and Miss Furness pass their information on to the head of a powerful Chinese society, and they are given aid with which to combat the enemies. They rout them in time to prevent an aerial bombing of an important Chinese arsenal. Craig and Miss Furness leave for New York, there to be married. Harold Buchman and Maurice Rapf wrote the original screen play ; D. Ross Lederman directed it. In the cast are Keye Luke, Morgan Conway, Joseph Downing, Russell Hicks, Dorothy Gulliver, and others. Suitability, Class A. "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire (RKO [1937-38], April 28; time, 92 min.) Very good entertainment ! It is one of the best AstaireRogers pictures, for it has a story with human appeal, romance, comedy, and, of course, excellent music and dancing. Considering that the story has been based on the life of Vernon and Irene Castle, two of the finest and most popular dancers in America during the pre-war period, the public should be curious enough to want to see the picture. Adult audiences should be delighted by the old songs and dances, which will bring back memories of days gone by. And it should prove entertaining to young folk, since it depicts an interesting period in the development of the dance. Both Miss Rogers and Astaire are extremely appealing, and dance the various numbers with grace. The ending, which is in keeping with facts, touches one deeply. The story starts in 1911 and continues through the war: — After his meeting with Irene (Ginger Rogers), who wanted to go on the stage, Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire), who played slapstick comedy, decides to take her advice and give up comedy for dancing. They practice routines together ; after a short courtship they decide to marry. Unable to interest American managers in a dancing act, they accept an offer to appear in a musical comedy in Paris ; again they are disappointed, for the manager expected Vernon to do his comedy act. By chance, they come to the attention of Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver), a promoter-manager, who obtains for them an engagement at a famous cafe. They become overnight sensations, and money starts pouring in. They go back to America, where they make successful cross-country tours. After a time, they decide to retire, and settle down. But Vernon, who was English by birth, is restless and finally, to Irene's despair, enlists in the Aviation Corps. They meet once in Paris, just when America enters the war. Irene later goes to Hollywood, to act in motion pictures ; she is overjoyed when she receives a telephone call that Vernon had arrived in America and was on his way to Texas to teach aviation to young Army students. They plan to meet at a certain hotel. But on that very day Vernon meets with an accident and is killed. The plot was taken from two books by Irene Castle. Richard Sherman wrote the screen play, H. C. Potter directed it. and George Haight produced it. In the cast are Walter Hrcnnan, Lou Fields, Kticune Girardot. Janet Needier, Rolfe Sedan, and others. Suitability, Class A.