Harrison's Reports (1946)

March 16, 1946 HARRISON'S REPORTS 43 Stanton sees an opportunity to get out of debt when not be deported to France. Stanton agrees, stipu' lating that there must be a quick annulment. After the marriage, he discovers that Osa's one asset was her fur coat, valued at $20,000, which she hands him to sell. While Stanton is out trying to sell the coat, Sheldon Leonard, a gangster, escapes with $20,000 from a dice game in the hotel, and in an effort to evade the police he throws the money into the nearest room, which happened to be Stanton's. Osa, finding the money, believes that Stanton had sold her coat and uses it to pay his bills. As a result, Stanton finds himself in trouble with the gangster and is compelled to make him a partner in his new show, which Hillary had agreed to finance. Stanton's troubles mount when Hillary, learning that he was married, withdraws her support, and when Osa leaves him after he misses her hint that she was to become a mother. It all turns out for the best, however, when Leonard, employing strong-arm methods, makes Hillary his new girlfriend and sees to it that Osa is returned to Stanton. Robert Wyler and Richard Weil wrote the screen play, Alexis Thurn-Taxis produced it, and George Sherman directed it. The cast includes Frank Sully, Shemp Howard and others. Unobjectionable morally. "To Each His Own" with Olivia de Havilland and John Lund (Paramount, no release date set; time, 122 min.) A strong emotional drama, well acted and skillfully directed. Based on the unwed mother theme, the story of a self-sacrificing heroine, who, to insure her illegitimate son's happiness, allows another woman to rear him, is the sort that will exert a powerful appeal for women. Generally, it is a collection of situations that have proved dramatically effective in similar dramas. Some of these are highly emotional and will bring tears to the spectator's eyes, especially during the scene where the heroine parts with her baby, and again, years later, when the young man discovers that she is his mother. Olivia De Havilland's portrayal of the mother, from a young, eager girl to a middle aged woman, is exceedingly good, and she has the sympathy of the audience at all times because of her willingness to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of her child. Although the delicate theme has been handled inoffensively, the picture cannot be considered as suitable entertainment for children. Beginning in 1918, the story, told in retrospect, opens in a small town where Olivia worked as a clerk in her father's drug store. Bill Goodwin, a traveling salesman, and Phillip Terry, a local boy, vie for her hand, but without success. Peeved, Terry marries Mary Anderson, a local girl. At a bond rally, Olivia experiences a one-day romance with John Lund, an army aviator, and months' later, following his death in action, she bears his child. Olivia and her father, to keep the . townspeople from learning the truth, devise a scheme whereby the baby would be found on a neighbor's doorstep, after which they would adopt it. But through an odd series of circumstances the baby falls into the hands of Terry and his wife; Olivia is compelled to remain silent when they decide to adopt the baby as their own. She eventually reveals her secret to Mary, but the foster mother refuses to part with the child. Despondent, Olivia goes to New York, where she becomes successful in a cosmetic business. By putting financial pressure on Terry and his wife, Olivia is enabled to gain possession of her child, but she soon returns the youngster to his foster parents when she sees that he was unhappy with her. She goes to London to forget her sorrow. Years later, during World War II, Olivia learns that her son (also John Lund) was a flight officer and that he was to arrive in London on a furlough. She meets the young man at the railroad station and, posing as a friend of his family, showers him with attention. Through Roland Culver, an English friend of Olivia's, the son comes to the realization that she was his mother. He embraces her tenderly, and both look forward to a new life of happiness. Charles Brackett and Jacques Thery wrote the screen play, Mr. Brackett produced it, and Mitchell Leisen directed it. "The Green Years" with Charles Coburn, Tom Drake and Dean Stockwell (MGM, no release date set; time, 127 min.) A fine human interest drama. Based on A. J. Cronin's best-selling novel, the story is a tender, heartwarming tale about the experiences of a poor Irish lad, from the time he is orphaned at seven until he grows into young manhood. The boy's determination to worship in the Roman Catholic faith of his father, in spite of the fact that his adopted Presbyterian family looked upon that faith with disapproval, and his struggle to fise above the environment of a small Scottish mining village so that he could realize his desire to study medicine, are inspiring. Dean Stockwell, who plays the child character, gives a remarkably sensitive performance; the natural way in which he interprets the emotions of childish joys and disappointments marks him as a child actor of unusual ability. Tom Drake, as the boy in later years, does very well. A most lovable, colorful characterization is that of the boy's great-grandfather, as played by Charles Coburn. His deep understanding of the lad's problems, and their mutual affection that lasts through the years, provide the film with many stirring, as well as humorous moments. The expensive settings are in perfect harmony with the story, and the direction and acting of the other cast members are of the highest order: — Orphaned at the age of seven, Robert Shannon (Dean Stockwell) is sent from Ireland to live with his maternal grandparents (Hume Cronyn and Selena Royle) in a Scottish mining village. From the very start he suffers the meanness of his tight-fisted grandfather, the prejudice against his Catholic faith, and the taunts of his schoolmates. But with the help of his great-grandfather and of his kindly schoolmaster (Richard Hadyn) the lad overcomes his youthful discouragements and wins the esteem of his schoolboy friends. Grown to manhood, Robert (Tom Drake) graduates from school with high honors and with a burning desire to pursue a medical career. Lack of funds, however, coupled with his grandfather's insistence that he help support the household, compel him to work in the coal mines. Sympathizing with Robert's desire to better his station in life, the schoolmaster secretly tutors him for a scholarship, which Robert fails to win only because of an untimely illness. In the end, however, Robert, through insurance money left to him upon the death of his great-grandfather, achieves his ambition to go to college. Robert Ardrey and Sonya Levien wrote the screen play, Leon Gordon produced it, and Victor Saville directed it. The cast includes Gladys Cooper, Jessica Tandy, Beverly Tyler, Wallace Ford, Henry O'Neill and others. Suitable for all.