Harrison's Reports (1946)

HARRISON'S REPORTS 187 November 23, 1946 "The Mighty McGurk" with Wallace Beery, Dean Stockwell and Edward Arnold (MGM, no release date set; time, 85 min.) In some respects, this comedy-melodrama is similar to "The Champ," in which Wallace Beery was co-starred with Jackie Cooper in 1931, but it does not attain the strong emotional quality of that picture. It is, however, a fairly good entertainment, with enough comedy and human interest to satisfy most audiences, particularly Beery's fans, who will enjoy seeing him in the role of a bragging, ex-champion pugilist, a "trouble-shooter" in a Bowery saloon of the early 1900's. Typical of the stories in which Beery appears, he is shown to have a kind heart beneath his gruff exterior, a trait that eventually brings about his regeneration. Dean Stockwell, as an English orphan in whom Beery takes a mercenary interest that eventually turns to genuine affection, is very good; he acts with ease, arousing laughs or tears as the occasion requires. The closing scenes, in which Beery joins forces with the Salvation Army to fight off a gang of thugs, are quite exciting : — Beery, the main attraction in Edward Arnold's saloon, is sent by Arnold to meet his daughter, who was returning from England. A mix-up at the dock finds Beery in charge of Dean Stockwell, an English orphan, whom he promises to deliver to his wealthy uncle. Unaware that the uncle was a shady investment broker hiding from the police, Beery takes the youngster to his office, where two cohorts, advising him that the uncle was "out of town," induce him to keep the boy for several weeks, promising him a handsome reward. Dean becomes attached to Beery and spends considerable time with him in the saloon, but, when the Children's Society threaten to take the boy away from him, Beery, to protect his anticipated reward, joins the Salvation Army to make an impression. He is permitted to keep Dean, but several days later, when the uncle returns and refuses to accept custody of the boy, he becomes bitterly disappointed over the loss of the expected reward. His attitude compels Dean to leave him and to seek refuge with the Salvation Army. Beery's friends, learning that his interest in Dean had been mercenary, shun him. Meanwhile Arnold, seeking possession of the building occupied by the Salvation Army in order to build a new saloon, orders Beery to start a riot that would force the Army out. When Beery refuses, Arnold threatens to reveal that he had won his championship in a fixed fight. Despondent over his treatment of Dean, and seeking to redeem himself with his friends, Beery joins forces with the Army to beat off Arnold's thugs. He makes a hero of himself, and Aline MacMahon, a pawnshop proprietor who had loved him for many years, induces him to propose marriage to her so that both could give Dean a decent home life. William R. Lipman, Grant Garrett and Harry Clork wrote the original screen play, Nat Perrin produced it, and John Waters directed it. The cast includes Dorothy Patrick, Cameron Mitchell and others. Unobjectionable morally. "Betty Co-Ed" with Jean Porter {Columbia., J^pvember 28; time, 72 min.) Minor program fare. It is a college story, with some musical accompaniment, and the plot is the worn-out theme about a girl of humble family background who finds herself exposed to the snobbery of an exclusive college sorority. Some sympathy is felt for the heroine because of her fortitude in combatting the insults aimed at her background, but this is not enough to hold one's interest, for the story is thin and its presentation is amateurish. Moreover, the audience is never held in suspense, for the outcome is obvious. Jan Savitt and his orchestra appear in one short sequence: — Jean Porter, member of a family vaudeville troupe, interrupts her singing career to enter exclusive Upton College. She gains admittance by falsifying her family background. When William Mason, the school's most popular male, takes an interest in her, Jean incurs the enmity of Shirley Mills, president of the school's only sorority, who does her best to make the girl miserable. Learning of Jean's true family background, Shirley arranges for her to become a pledge and, after inviting her to a sorority party, insultingly exposes her humble antecedents. Many students sympathize with Jean and nominate her to run against Shirley as a candidate for the title of "Betty Co-Ed," the most popular girl on the campus. Aware that Jean would win, Shirley deliberately stuffs the ballot box with votes for her rival, making it appear as if she had won by fraud. The school board takes action to expel Jean, and the girl, fed up with injustices, quits the school and denounces its undemocratic ways. Her tirade is overheard by the chairman of the college board, who prevails on her to remain. As a result, reforms are instituted in the school, the sorority is democratized, and Shirley, seeing the error of her ways, begs Jean's forgiveness. Arthur Dreifuss and George H. Plympton wrote the original screen play, Sam Katzman produced it, and Mr. Dreifuss directed it. The cast includes Rosemary La Planche, Jackie Moran and others. Unobjectionable morally. "Magnificent Doll" with Ginger Rogers, David Niven and Burgess Meredith ( Universal, no release date set; time, 94 min.) Acted with skill, and produced and directed with care, this story about the life of Dolly Madison, although highly fictional, shapes up as a good period drama, with better than average box-office possibilities because of the stars' popularity. Set in the early Colonial days, the story blends romance, drama and some comedy in such a fashion as to appeal to most types of audiences. Moreover, it contains a significant message on democracy and good government, put over in a manner that enhances the entertainment values. Ginger Rogers, as "Dolly," handles her role expertly. Her courage in quieting an unruly mob intent on lynching Aaron Burr, after his acquittal as a traitor, makes for a thrilling sequence. And her romance with James Madison is worked into the plot in an intelligent and appealing way. Burgess Meredith, as "Madison," is just right in a subdued characterization, while David Niven, as "Burr," is properly dashing and deceitful. The story opens with Dolly, against her will, entering into a marriage to please her father (Robert Barrat). She weds John Todd (Horace McNally), a Quaker, and, though she lives happily with him, she canot bring herself to love him. By the time her love has awakened, both her husband and baby are struck down by a yellow fever plague. She opens a dignified boarding house in order to make a living, and included among her guests are Senator Aaron Burr and Congressman James Madison. Both men pay court to Dolly, but she is swept off her feet by Burr's dashing personality. Her interest in him grows cold, however, when she learns of his ambition to overthrow the Government and become Emperor of America. Madison's democratic ideals make her realize that it was he whom she loved, and in due time both are married. Dolly takes a deep interest in her husband's political affairs and, several years later, when Burr, through political trickery, claims the presidency over Thomas Jefferson (Grandon Rhodes), she prevails on him to withdraw his claim for the good of the country. In due time Jefferson makes Madison his Secretary of State and relegates to Dolly the duties of mistress of the White House. Later, Burr, after slaying Alexander Hamilton in a duel, finds himself imprisoned for high treason when his plans for conquest are uncovered. The Court, in accordance with the laws of the land, is compelled to acquit him, but the decision proves unpopular with the pople and a mob gathers to lynch him. Condemning Burr's actions but demanding that the laws of the land be respected, Dolly makes an impassioned plea to the infuriated mob and succeeds in saving Burr's life. Burr is banished in shame to Europe, and years later, when Madison is elected to the presidency, Dolly assumes her position as the First Lady of the Land. Irving Stone wrote the original story and screen play, Jack H. Skirball produced it, and Frank Borzage directed it. The cast includes Peggy Wood and others. Unobjectionable morally.