Harrison's Reports (1948)

May 1, 1948 HARRISON'S REPORTS 71 "Anna Karenina" with Viven Leigh and Ralph Richardson (20th Century-Fox, May; time, 111 min.) This British-made version of Tolstoy's famous tragic novel, which deals with the illicit love affair of a Russian nobleman's errant wife, is a lavishly mounted period piece that has an undeniable appeal to the eye from the viewpoint of production and technical beauty. Unfortunately, its apappeal to one's emotions falls somewhat flat, in spite of the fact that the story material offered powerful dramatic situations. As presented, the story is extremely slow and talky, making it more tedious than absorbing. Vivien Leigh, as the unhappy heroine, is indeed alluring, but her characterization is rather cold and she fails to get across the mental agonies the heroine suffers because of her separation from her child, and because of the social ostracism to which she is subjected. Consequently, she fails to rouse one's deepest sympathy. Ralph Richardson, as her husband, walks away with the film's acting honors with his credible portrayal of a pompous, ambitious diplomat. But Kieron Moore, as her lover, barely meets the requirements of the role. The story, of course, is heavy and depressing and, at the finish, where the heroine commits suicide, tragic. The action takes place in the Czarist Russia of 1870. This is the fourth film version of the Tolstoy novel, having been made as a silent film twice, once in 1915 and again in 1927, with Greta Garbo and John Gilbert as the stars. The first talkie version, produced by MGM in 1935, starred Miss Garbo and Fredric March. Emotionally, this version suffers by comparison with the 1935 version: — Neglected by Richardson, her husband, Vivien finds joy in the companionship of her eight-year-old son. She meets Moore, a guards officer, while on a visit to her family in Moscow and, despite her efforts to discourage his pursuit, falls in love with him. He follows her back to St. Petersburg, where their open love affair is resented by Richardson, who gives Vivien the alternative of parting from her son or giving up Moore. The ultimatum chastens her. She remains at home and, after giving birth to Moore's stillborn child, becomes reconciled with Richardson. But her thoughts soon go back to Moore, who had given up his army career to be near her, and she leaves her home and child to run away with him to Venice. After a few months of blissful happiness, she longs to see her son. She returns home and learns that the boy had been told that she was dead. Richardson orders her from the house and refuses her request for a divorce so that she might marry Moore. She keeps this information from Moore, but he learns of it from a third party and quarrels with her for hiding it from him. Moore leaves her to go to another city, and Vivien decides to follow him. At the railroad station, she reviews her life and decides that all hope for happiness is lost to her. Dejected and miserable, she throws herself on the railroad tracks and is killed by a speeding train. Alexander Korda produced it and Julien Duvivier directed it from a screen play by Jean Anouilh, Guy Morgan, and Mr. Duvivier. Adult fare. "Rocky" with Roddy McDowall, Edgar Barrier and Nina Hunter (Monogram, March 7; time, 76 min.) A pleasing "boy and dog" program picture, best suited for small-town and neighborhood theatres. The story is simple and there is little about it that is novel, but it offers a nice blend of human interest, youthful romance, and comedy, all revolving around a boy's devotion to his dog, which is wrongly suspected by neighbors of being a sheepkiller. Sophisticated audiences may find it a bit too slow and too homespun to suit their tastes, but family audiences, particularly the youngsters, should enjoy it. The performances are competent, the photography sharp and clear, and the outdoor backgrounds realistic: — While fishing, Roddy McDowall and his father (Edgar Barrier) find a puppy, unaware that it had escaped from a sheep-killing dog's litter, which neighboring sheepmen had destroyed. Roddy names the puppy Rocky, and raises it into a friendly loyal animal. Roddy meets Nita Hunter, a flirta tious youngster vacationing in the sheep-raising country, who invites him to dinner at her father's (Jonathan Hale) ranch. He falls in love with her, despite the attempts of her jealous sister (Gale Sherwood) to break up the romance. To add to Roddy's romantic troubles, however, he is constantly caught by Nita's father in compromising but perfectly innocent situations. Meanwhile the neighboring ranchers start a hunt for a sheep-killing dog and suspect Rocky because of his close resemblance to the animal. Rocky gets into a fight with a wolf-pack and, when he returns home with blood on his fur, Roddy believes that he may actually be the killer. Heartbroken, he turns Rocky over to the sheepmen for trial. Just then, the howl of a wolf-dog is heard. Rocky breaks free and, though chased by the sheepmen, finds the real killer and beats him in a fight. His faith in Rocky vindicated, Roddy turns his attentions to Nita. Lindsley Parsons produced it and Phil Karlson directed it from a screen play by Jack DeWitt, based on a story by George W. Sayre. The cast includes Irving Bacon, William Ruhl and others. Suitable for the entire family. "On an Island with You" with Esther Williams, Peter Lawford and Jimmy Durante (MGM, June 24; time ,107 min.) Good. Like many other expensively mounted Technicolor musicals, this one has a weak story, but the extravagant production numbers, the tuneful music, and particularly Jimmy Durante's comedy, more than compensate for the deficiencies of the script. And not the least of the film's attractive assets is Esther Williams in a bathing suit and sarong. The production may be called a picture about a picture, for it revolves around a Hollywood troupe on location on a tropical island, and deals with the romantic difficulties of the leading lady who believes herself in love with the leading man until a Navy flyer, assigned to the film as a technical adviser, wins her heart. As said, the story is thin, but it provides some amusing romantic byplay between Miss Williams and Peter Lawford. Jimmy Durante, as the assistant director, brightens the proceedings considerably with his brand of humor and sings several songs in his inimitable style. The versatile Richard Montalban ("Fiesta") does well as the third man in the romantic triangle, and his dance numbers with Cyd Charisse are beautifully executed. Several water ballets, headed by Miss Williams, are effectively done. Xavier Cugat and his orchestra furnish the music: — Esther, a picture star, believes herself in love with Montalban, her leading man. Cyd, a featured player, loves him secretly. Lt. Peter Lawford, assigned by the Navy as technical adviser on Esther's latest picture, pursues her despite her efforts to discourage him. When a scene calls for Esther to enter a plane piloted by Montalban, Lawford is substituted at the controls. Instead of circling the field once and returning, Lawford, to the distress of everyone, including Esther, flies out to sea and heads for a small island. He explains to Esther that he had brought her to the island to remind her of a date she had kept with him several years previously while entertaining the armed forces during wartime. As they talk, several essential parts are stolen from their plane by natives, leaving them stranded. They remain on the island overnight and are picked up by a Navy plane on the following day. Lawford is held for court-martial, and Esther, to make his lot easier, intercedes with the commander. Misunderstanding her motive, Lawford accuses her of seeking publicity. His remark causes a break between them but she remains unhappy because of her love for him. Meanwhile, Montalban comes to the realization that he had lost her love. Durante decides to take matters in hand and, with the aid of the commander, brings Esther and Lawford together. Montalban, meanwhile, discovers his love for Cyd. Joe Pasternak produced it and Richard Thorpe directed it from a screen play by Dorothy Kingslcy. Dorothy Cooper, Charles Martin and Hans Wilhclm, based on an original story by the Messrs. Martin and Wilhclm. The cast includes Leon Ames, Dick Simmons and others. Unobjectionable morally.