Harrison's Reports (1945)

98 HARRISON'S REPORTS June 23, 1945 "Captain Eddie" with Fred MacMurray and Lynn Bari (20th Century-Fox, September; time, 107 min.) Biographical of the life of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, this is a heart-warming, human interest drama, the sort that should go over well with most audiences, for it is the story of a man whose fine qualities, devotion to his family and friends, faith in the future, and courage, should prove an inspiration to every one. The producers deserve praise for the manner in which they have handled the story, for Rickenbacker's tenacity, perseverance, and determination to make good, are presented, not by preachment, but by action. It has plentiful human interest, a charming romance that remains appealing even after marriage, and good touches of comedy. The story opens with the crash of Rickcnbacker's plane in the Pacific in 1942, while on an important mission for the War Department. Huddled with his crew companions in three inflated rubber boats, Rickenbacker, whose fatth in their eventual rescue never wavers, relives his life during the nineteen-day ordeal in mid-ocean, without either food or water. Through a series of flashbacks, his life is traced through his early days as a thirteen-year-old mechanicallyminded boy, whose experiment with a home-made flying contraption off the roof of the family barn almost proves disastrous; as a boy-mechanic in an auto shop, shortly after his father's tragic death, when he spent his first week's wages for a ride in a crude bi-plane; as a young auto salesman, during which time he solved some of the flaws in the early automobile, and at which time he romanced with Adelaide, his wife-to-be; as an outstanding auto racing driver, whose fame led to an appointment as General Pershing's chauffeur in France; and as America's flying ace in World War I, when he shot down twenty-six German planes. Shown also is his rise as a leader in the air transportation field. The story closes with his rescue in the Pacific, vindicating his unwavering faith. Through all this there are many strong dramatic and emotional situations, holding one's interest throughout. The acting of Fred MacMurray, as Rickenbacker, is outstanding; he plays the part with ease and conviction. Lynn Bari, as his wife; Mary Philips, as his mother; Charles Bickford, as his father; Darryl Hickman, as Rickenbacker the boy; James Glcason, as a pioneer auto salesman; Thomas Mitchell, as an auto builder, and Lloyd Nolan, as one of the ill-fated plane's crew, portray their individual roles effectively. The production values are good. John Tucker Battle wrote the screen play, Winfield R. Shcchan produced it, and Lloyd Bacon directed it. Christy Walsh was associate producer. Others in the cast include Spring Byington and Richard Conte. Suitable for all. "The Woman in Green" with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (Universal, July 27: time, 68 min.) This is a routine "Sherlock Holmes" program murdermystery melodrama, no better and no worse than the previous pictures in the series. This time the famed detective matches wits with his arch enemy, "Professor Moriarity," head of a blackmail-murder ring, which used hypnotism in the commission of their crimes. The story's development follows a pattern familiar to the series; that is, Scotland Yard finds itself stumped by the crimes, "Holmes" is called in on the case and, through his amazing but far-fetched powers of deduction, solves the murders and captures the criminals. It has a fair share of suspense, and there is the usual comedy provoked by the blustering antics of Nigel Bruce, as "Dr. Watson." Basil Rathbone, as "Holmes," gives his usual competent performance:— Baffled by a series of "finger murders, Scotland Yard calls upon Holmes to solve the crimes. Holmes, aided by Dr. Watson, learns that, in each case, the victim was a young woman whose right thumb had been hacked off. Soon after, Sir George Fenwick (Paul Cavanagh) is found murdered, and a missing thumb is found on his person. Holmes, sifting various clues, somes to the conclusion that the crimes had been committed by a blackmail ring. His investigation discloses that the ring was headed by his old enemy, Professor Moriarity (Henry Daniell), and that one of his confederates was a beautiful young woman, Lydia Marlow (Hillary Brooke), who had been associated romantically with Fenwick. Holmes learns also that Lydia and the Professor hypnotized wealthy men, like Fenwick, planted missing thumbs on them, and then convinced them that they had committed murder while suffering from amnesia. In a desperate attempt to rid herself of Holmes, Lydia lures him to her apartment and attempts to hypnotize him. Holmes, pretending to be mesmerized, follows Morianty's orders when the criminal instructs him to walk along the parapet of a high roof. Just as he apparently prepares to step off into space. Dr. Watson and the police arrive suddenly and seize the gang. Moriarity, in a futile attempt to escape, plunges headlong from the roof to his death. Bertram Millhauser wrote the screen play, based on the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Roy William Neill produced and directed it. The cast includes Eve Amber, Mary Gordon, Frederic Worlock and others. Unobjectionable morally. "Story of G.I. Joe" with Burgess Meredith and Robert Mitchum (United Artists, no release dale set, time, 109 min.) Good. The late Ernie Pyle's "Story of G.I. Joe" comes to the screen as a genuine tribute to the American infantryman, without whom victory could not be achieved. The picture has a documentary-like quality, highlighted by human interest incidents in the lives of a group of foot soldiers, the sort that characterized Ernie Pyle's dispatches as a war correspondent. It is a war picture, but one of the best and, in view of the fact that Ernie Pyle's writings were probably the most widely read of any war correspondent, motion picture-goers who have become apathetic towards war pictures might feel differently about this one, not only because of Ernie Pyle's fame, but because it is an honest, void-ofHollywood heroics account of the rigors, hardships, and heartaches endured by the average soldier, eloquently and realistically portrayed by an excellent cast. The story is concentrated on the fortunes and misfortunes of a group of infantrymen, and it begins during the North African campaign as the men slog through mud and rain headed for their first taste of combat, which ends in defeat as they find themselves forced to retreat. Months later, the men, battle veterans by this time, join in the Sicilian campaign and, from there, fight there way to Cassino where, after being halted temporarily by deadly Nazi fire directed from a monastery observation post, they turn defeat into victory and start along the road to Rome. Through all this Pyle, played superbly by Burgess Meredith, lives with the men and becomes their confidant, but at all times remains in the background, understandingly observing their despair and hopes, and hating the war that caused them untold suffering. The story has its humorous moments, but for the most part it is somber. Robert Mitchum, as the understanding Captain, whose death saddens his men, is exceptionally good, as is Freddie Steele, as the battlehardened sergeant, whose greatest thrill was to listen to the recorded voice of his baby. There are numerous other emotional-stirring incidents, such as the wedding of a Red Cross nurse to one of the men in a battle-scarred church, and their honeymoon in an ambulance; Pyle's rustling up of a turkey dinner for the men on Christmas; the strain of battle causing Steele to lose his mind; and the personal tragedies when buddies fail to return from patrols. The battle sequences are particularly effective. Leopold Atlas, Guy Endore, and Philip Stevenson wrote the screen play, Lester Cowan produced it, and William Wellman directed it. The cast includes Wally Cassell, Jimmy Lloyd, Jack Reilly, Bill Murphy and others. There are some sex implications in one or two of the incidents, but it is doubtful if children will understand them.