Harrison's Reports (1944)

2 HARRISON'S REPORTS January 1, 1944 "Tender Comrade" with Ginger Rogers and Robert Ryan (RKO release date not set; time, 103 min.) A good topical drama. It will undoubtedly do exeeptional business because of Ginger Rogers' popularity, and of the several deeply emotional situations. The story re volvcs around the trials and tribulations of four women, who live together and seek solace from one another while waiting for their husbands to return from the war. The action is slowed down considerably by excessive dialogue, but it has much heart interest, and the characters because of their honesty towards each other, arouse one's sympathy. It has a good share of comedy, and several of the situations will tug at one's heart strings. Although Miss Rogers is cast in a sympathetic role, there is about her portrayal a harshness that tends to detract from the characterization. The ending, where Miss Rogers is notified of her husband's death, is tragic and leaves one with a depressed feeling; in these days, it may remind many women that a similar tragedy might befall them. A good part of the action is in flashback, revealing incidents in the married life of Miss Rogers and Robert Ryan before his departure overseas: — Ginger Rogers and Robert Ryan, a happily married young couple, are separated when war comes and Ryan is sent overseas. Ginger secures employment in a defense plant, where she makes friends with Ruth Husscy, a flighty married woman, who was not above going out with other men while her husband served overseas; Patricia Collinge, a middle-aged woman, whose husband and son were in the service; and Kim Hunter, a lovable young girl who had married Richard Martin one hour before his departure overseas. The four lonely wives pool their resources and live together. Their advertisement for a housekeeper is answered by Mady Christians, an educated German-born woman, who, unable to work in a defense plant because of non-citizenship, seeks to do her part by helping war workers. Moreover, her husband an American, was in the service. The wives accept Mady as one of the family, sharing their wages with her. When Ruth's husband is reported missing in action, the women are drawn closer together. All are delighted when Ginger announces that she is going to have a baby. With the birth of the child they act as if it were their own. To add to the cheerfulness, Ruth learns that her husband had been rescued at sea, and she determines to turn over a new leaf. A surprise visit by Kim's husband gives each woman an opportunity to fuss over him as if he were their own. In the midst of this gaiety, Ginger receives a telegram notifying her of Ryan's death. Keeping the news from the others, she resolves that her son shall emulate his father in courage and faith; she determines to join the others in helping to entertain Kim's husband. Dalton Trumbo wrote the story and screen play, David Hempstead produced it, and Edward Dmytryk directed it. Morally suitable for all. "Sing a Jingle" with Allan Jones, June Vincent and Edward Norris (Universal, January 7; time, 62 min.) A routine program musical, differing little from numerous such pictures that have come off Universal's assembly line. There is very little to the plot, which concerns itself with a famed radio personality who hides his identity in order to do his share in the war effort. The outcome is quite obvious, and there is nothing in the story really to hold one's interest. It should do as entertainment for the younger element, for Allan Jones' singing is pleasant, and the music is of the popular variety. Gus Schilling and Betty Kean provide some mildly effective comedy: — Upon completion of a farewell broadcast over a nationwide hookup, preparatory to his entering the Army, Ray King (Allan Jones), a popular baritone, learns from Wright Andrews (Jerome Cowan), his manager, that he had been rejected from service. Incensed, King reassumes his legal name, Steve Roberts and secures employment in a midwestern defense plant owned by S. P. Crane (Samuel H. Hinds). Because of a housing shortage, Steve is given temporary lodging in the Crane mansion, where he meets Muriel (June Vincent), Crane's daughter, who falls in love with him. Muriel, a spoiled debutante, becomes piqued by Steve's indifference to her. She develops a sudden interest in the war effort, and goes to work in her father's plant. Together with Steve, she plans a war bond show for the employees. Meanwhile Jeffery Abbott (Edward Norris), a wealthy wastrel, who loved Muriel, is moved to jealousy by her interest in Steve. He manages to obtain Steve's personnel record from the company's files, and notifies Andrews in New York of his whereabouts. Steve, to assure the show's success, promises to secure the services of the famous Ray King. When Andrews arrives in town, Steve induces him to publicize "King's" appearance. Steve reveals his identity on the night of the show. Abbott goes on the stage and tries to expose him as a cheap publicity hunter. Andrews takes charge of the situation and, quieting the audience, explains Steve's sacrifice of fame and fortune in order to serve his country. Steve wins the acclaim of the audience, and he finishes his concert with Muriel in his arms. John Grey, Eugene Conrad, Lee Sands, and Fred Bath wrote the screen play. Edward C. Lillcy produced and directed it. Morally suitable for all. "The Heavenly Body" with William Powell, Hedy Lamarr and James Craig (MGM, no release date set; time, 95 min.) An amusing marital farce-comedy, which will have to depend on the drawing power of the leading players for its box-office chances. The story is far-fetched, and none of the characters do anything to arouse sympathy, since most of their actions are ridiculous. The comedy is provoked by the marital difficulties encountered by an astronomer when his wife takes a sudden interest in astrology and believes a prediction that a new man would come into her life. Though some of the situations are laugh-provoking, there is not really one that will remain in one's mind. Miss Lamarr and Powell do their best with second-rate material: — Feeling neglected and restless because William Powell, her astronomer-husband, was preoccupied with a new comet he had discovered, Hedy Lamarr seeks some diversion. Through Spring Byington, a neighbor Hedy meets Fay Bainter, an astrologist, and is told by her that, by the twenty-second of the month, she will fall in love with a man who had traveled widely. Hedy thoroughly honest, informs Powell of the prediction. Upset at Hedy's belief in astrology, Powell leaves her and goes to live in his observatory. Hedy patiently waits for her "man" to appear, but nothing happens. After an uneventful day on the twentysecond of the month, she telephones Powell and, admitting that she was wrong, asks him to return home. Just as midnight approaches, James Craig, an air raid warden, reprimands Hedy for violating a blackout rule. She invites him into the house and, questioning him, learns that he had traveled widely. Hedy feels sure that the prediction had come true. Powell arrives home just as Craig leaves, and senses Hedy's reaction. On the following day, Powell meets Craig and asks him to change his district. Craig, however, admits frankly that he had fallen in love with Hedy. Despite Powell's efforts to keep them apart, fate keeps throwing Hedy and Craig together. Powell decides to employ astrology to repair his marriage. He visits Miss Bainter and compels her to write a fake horoscope for Hedy, in which his own untimely death is foretold. He feigns illness to gain her sympathy, but to no avail for Hedy learns of the fake horoscope. Powell gives up hope and leaves her once again. At Craig's urging, Hedy decides to go to Reno, but she changes her mind at the last moment and effects a reconciliation with Powell. Michael Arlen and Walter Reisch wrote the screen play, Arthur Hornblow, Jr., produced it, and Alexander Hall directed it. The cast includes Henry O'Neill, Morris Ankrum, Connie Gilchrist and others. There are no objectionable situations.