Harrison's Reports (1948)

6 HARRISON'S REPORTS January 10, 1948 "The Flame" with John Carroll, Vera Ralston, Robert Paige and Broderick Crawford (Republic, Js[ov. 24; time, 97 min.) A combination of murder, deceit, and blackmail, this melodrama is good from the production point of view, but as entertainment it is only moderately in' teresting and quite unpleasant at that. The chief trouble with the picture is in the story, which is not only trite but also artificial — at no time does it strike a realistic note. Moreover, it is somewhat demoralizing in that it attempts to build up sympathy for the heroine, a woman who marries her lover's ailing brother as part of a scheme to gain control of his fortune. None of the principal characters, except the husband, arouse any sympathy because of their despicable acts. There is not much suspense and but little human interest: — Having squandered his share of a fortune left by his parents, John Carroll, a wastrel, lives in perpetual jealousy of Robert Paige, his ailing half-brother, on whom he was dependent for support. His bitterness becomes more intense when he learns that Paige had been given but a few months to live, and that he (Carroll) was not mentioned in his will. Lest he be left penniless, Carroll devises a scheme whereby he maneuvers Vera Ralston, his girl-friend, into a position as Paige's nurse, and then guides her into becoming Paige's wife, with the understanding that she would share the fortune with him upon Paige's death. Vera, having been told by Carroll that Paige was cruel and heartless, finds him to be a man of fine traits and falls in love with him. Realizing that he was losing Vera's love, Carroll tries desperately to hold her. Matters take an unexpected twist when Broderick Crawford, jealous boy-friend of Constance Dowling, a nightclub entertainer with whom Carroll was having a secret affair, investigates the cause of Carroll's nervousness and uncovers the plot concocted by him and Vera. Under threat of informing Paige, Crawford resorts to blackmailing both Vera and Carroll. Meanwhile Paige's health improves greatly under Vera's careful nursing, thus assuring him of an extended life. Vera, however, lives in constant fear that Carroll might attempt to murder his brother in order to assure himself of a share in the fortune. But Carroll, by this time aware that he could neither regain Vera's love nor gain part of Paige's money, decides to redeem himself by insuring Vera's happiness with the man she now loved. He shoots it out with the blackmailer, killing Crawford but dying himself. Lawrence Kimble wrote the screen play from a story by Robert T. Shannon, and John H. Auer produced and directed it. The cast includes Henry Travels, Blanche Yurka, Hattie McDaniel and others. Strictly adult entertainment. "The Prince of Thieves" with Jon Hall and Patricia Morison (Columbia, January; time, 72 min.) Being a tale about Robin Hood, the renowned bandit of Sherwood Forest, this Cinecolor romantic melodrama has all the swordplay and excitement one expects to find in a picture of this type, but it is a rather juvenile melodramatic concoction that does not rise above the level of fair program entertainment. The avid action fans, particularly the youngsters, should find it to their liking, but most adults will probably find it wearisome, for the plot is totally lacking in subtelty, the direction is ordinary, and the performances barely adequate. The Cinecolor photography, which enhances the scenic background, gives the picture some added value: — Sir Allan Claire (Michael Duanc) and his sister, Lady Marian (Patricia Morison), are attacked by an unseen bowman as they ride to Nottingham Castle, where Sir Allan intended to claim his betrothed, Lady Christabel (Adele Jergens). They are rescued by Robin Hood (Jon Hall), who informs them that Lady Christabel is being forced by her father into a marriage with Baron Tristram (Gavin Muir). Robin Hood offers his aid to Sir Allan and, together, they break into the castle, rescue Lady Christabel, and escape to Sherwood Forest. The Baron, however, recaptures her, while his nephew, Sir Phillip (Lowell Gilmorc), kidnaps Lady Marian, with whom Robin Hood had fallen in love. Robin Hood gathers his forces for a frontal attack, but changes his mind when a message from the Baron demands that he give himself up lest harm befall Lady Marian. Two soldiers, sent by the Baron to escort Robin Hood to the castle, arc overpowered by two of Robin Hood's lieutenants, who don their victims' garb and take Robin Hood to the castle. Just as Robin Hood is about to be hanged, the two lieutenants free him from the gallows while his other men storm the castle's gates to forestall the double wedding of the Baron to Lady Christabel, and his nephew to Lady Marian. Robin Hood slays both villains, after which he arranges with Friar Tuck (Alan Mowbray) to perform a double wedding of himself to Lady Marian, and Sir Allan to Lady Christabel. Just as the ceremony is concluded, word comes that King Richard had returned to England. The doughty warriors kiss their brides and ride off to join their King. Maurice Tombragel wrote the screen play, supposedly adapted from a story by Alexander Dumas. Sam Katzman produced it, and Howard Bretherton directed it. The cast includes H. B. Warner, Robin Raymond, Walter Sande and others. Unobjectionable morally. "Mary Lou" with Robert Lower y and Joan Barton (Columbia, Jan. 23; time, 66 min.) Although the story is decidedly thin and obvious, this run-of-the-mill program musical should serve fairly well as a supporting feature, for the popular type music is tuneful and several of the dance numbers engaging. Joan Barton makes a personable heroine, and her singing voice is pleasant. Glenda Farrell and Frank Jenks handle the comedy, but most of it is so forced that it falls flat. It is the sort of picture that will appeal mainly to the younger set, for in addition to the popular music it features also the piano playing of Frankie Carle, accompanied by his orchestra : — When air hostess Joan Barton sings to calm her passengers during a stormy flight, she is discharged by Chester Clute for being "undignified." She is consoled by Frank Jenks, publicity man for Frankie Carle's band, who invites her, together with Robert Lowery, her boy-friend, to the night club where the band had an engagement. They arrive at the club just as Abigail Adams, Carle's vocalist, quits the band cold to accept an offer for a screen test. Joan, encouraged by Lowery and Jenks, sings for Carle and is engaged by him as the band's new vocalist, with the requirement that