Harrison's Reports (1949)

166 "Tokyo Joe" with Humphrey Bogart, Alexander Knox and Florence Marly (Columbia, November; time, 88 mm.) A fair melodrama that should do better than average busi' ness on the strength of Humphrey Bogart's name. Set in post-war Japan and revolving around the tough American owner of a Toyko "joint" who becomes involved in a romantic triangle and with subversive Japanese plotters, the story is an obviously contrived affair that lacks conviction and is presented in a more or less stereotyped way. Much of the footage is given more to talk than to action, but it does have enough thrilling and suspenseful moments to satisfy those who are not too concerned about story values. Humphrey Bogart, as the rugged, tough-guy hero, does good work in the type of role that has won him popularity with the fans. Sessue Hayakawa, long absent from the screen, makes a suave Jap villain, but is given too much to leering: Bogart, after distinguished service in the American Air Force, returns to Tokyo after the war to resume operation of a night-club he owned. He learns that Florence Marly, his White Russian wife, whom the Japs had reported dead, was still alive, and 'that she had divorced him and had married Alexander Knox, an important American occupation official. He learns also that Florence had borne their daughter, now seven years old, whom he had never seen. Bogart bluntly informs Florence and Knox that he will not recognize the divorce and that he is determined to get her back. Through Japanese friends,r.Bogart is put in contact with Sessue Hayakawa, former head of the Jap Secret Service, who offers him financial backing to start a new freight airline, for which he, Bogart, as an ex-Gi, could get a franchise. Suspecting dirty work, Bogart refuses, but Hayakawa compels him to apply for the franchise when he shows him documentary proof that Florence had broadcast Jap propaganda to American troops — an act of treason since she had been the wife of an American. Learning that Florence had committed the treason under threat of harm to their daughter, Bogart, to protect her, reluctantly does Hayakawa's biding. In the course of events he learns that Hayakawa-planned to smuggle in from Korea three former Black Dragon leaders to plot a revolution. He gives this information to the Army authorities and arranges to fly the Dragon leaders to an Army field. Hayakawa, suspecting that Bogart might doublecross him, kidnaps his little daughter and threatens to kill he>t unless Bogart delivers the leaders by a specified time. Bogart, however, turns the leaders over to the authorities. With but one hour left before his daughter is to be murdered, Bogart succeeds in locating her in Hayakawa's hideout; .where, aided by U. S. soldiers, he rescues his daughter and kills Hayakawa, but only at the sacrifice of his own life. It was produced by Robert Lord and directed by Stuart Heisler from a screen play by Cyril Hume and Bertram Millhauser. Unobjectionable morally. "Deputy Marshall"' with Jon Hall, Frances Langford and Dick Foran (Screen Guild, Sept. 24; time, 73 min.) Good. Although it has been photographed against a western atmosphere, it is really an exciting action melodrama, with several thrilling situations. As is usually the case in pictures of this type, the hftto comes upon many outlaws who look and act tough, but, hp is able to outwit and out-maneuver them, triumphing in the end. Jon Hall makes an impressive hero, interpreting the character with force and realism. Miss Langford is not bftd, considering the fact that her part is not so strong. Dick Foran and Russell Hayden, as the villains, impersonate, their parts with subdued viciousness. Clem Bevans contributes considerable light comedy. The photography is supofb, particularly because of the use of the Garutso lens, which keeps the distant objects in focus as it does the objects npar the camera: — Just before he/dies in a mysterious shooting, Wheaton Chambers, a railroad employee, hands a map to Jon Hall, a deputy marshall^The circumstances of the shooting cast suspicion on Hall, who does not reveal that he is a marshall. He is questioned by Frances Langford, Chambers' niece, Russell Hayden, her y>usin, Dick Foran, the town's big-shot, and Clem Bevans; a j'ack-of-all-trades. After several run-ins with Frances and Hayden, Hall meets pretty Julie Bishop, Foran's sister. All show interest in the map, including Joe Sawyer, Foran's henchman. Hall finds reason to arrest Sawyer for the murder, but Foran helps him to escape from jail. Meanwhile both Frances and Julie find themselves attracted to Hall, who shows a preference for Frances. When some of her cattle is stolen and one of her men killed, Hall finds the murder rifle. He checks up on the purchaser of the rifle and traces the ownership to Foran. Hayden, the secret leader of the cattle rustlers, offers Sawyer money to kill Foran. Sawyer informs Foran of Russell's doublecross offer just as Russell enters Foran's home. Hall, who had been hiding in a closet to overhear the conversation, shoots and kills Russell before he can kill the other two. He then shoots it out with Sawyer and Foran, killing Sawyer and capturing Foran. It comes to light that the gang wanted the map to cash in on property over which a railroad was to be built. It ends with Frances and Hall being married by Bevans. It was produced for Robert E. Lippert by William Stephens, and directed by William Berke from his own screen play, based on Charles Hecklemann's novel of the same name. Suitable for all the family. "Christopher Columbus" with Fredric March and Florence Eldridge (Umv.-lnt'l, October; time, 104 min.) This British made version of the discovery of America by Columbus, and of his trying experiences in the Spanish Court, is an elaborate production, beautifully photographed in Technicolor. There is no question that it is an interesting subject from an educational point of view and, as such, should be seen by school children everywhere. As a popular entertainment, however, it misses fire, for it lacks action and excitement; it is more a conversation piece than an adventure melodrama. The trouble with the story is that it dawdles too long on the intrigues of the Spanish Court as Columbus seeks financing for his voyage. This part of the film, which takes up almost two-thirds of the running time, is lifeless, and lacking in dramatic punch. The most interesting parts of the picture have to do with the actual voyage, Columbus' troubles with a mutinous crew, and his discovery of the New World, but even these sequences are presented in a static way and are no more than mildly thrilling. The acting of all concerned is competent, and the glittering pageantry of the 15th Century period has been reproduced with painstaking detail, but all this is not enough to overcome the somewhat tedious treatment of a historical subject. Convinced that he could reach the Orient by sailing West, Columbus (Fredric Ivlarch), a famous Genoese navigator, arrives in Spain in 1484 and, through the efforts of a kindly priest, gains an audience with Queen Isabella (Florence Eldridge) and pleads lor funds to make the expedition. The Queen, intrigued by his conviction and determination, orders the Royal Commission to study his petition. Francisco de Bobadilla (Francis X. Sullivan), a powerful influence in the Court, opposes the petition because of his fears that Columbus' success will affect his personal fortune, which was invested in the Mediterranean sea routes. As a result of this opposition, Columbus becomes the victim of numerous Court intrigues, but after six years his patience is rewarded when the Queen backs his voyage with her personal jewels. He embarks from Spain on August 3, 1942, with three ships, the Santa Maria, the AJina and the Pinta, and after weeks of aimless sailing, during which the crews become mutinous, he reaches the West Indies on October 12. After claiming the New World for Spain and exploring the islands, he returns to Spain and is acclaimed. He is given more ships and many men and sent on a new expedition to colonize the islands. After several years, his enemies, headed by Bobadillo, bring him into disfavor by accusing him of misrule in the New World. King Ferdinand appoints Bobadillo as the new Commissioner, and he sends Columbus back to Spain in chains. Prematurely aged and ill, Columbus is exonerated, but he is not permitted to return to the New World. He leaves the Court broken in body and spirit. It is a Sydney Box production, produced by A. Frank Bundy and directed by David MacDonald from a screen play by Muriel and Sydney Box and Cyril Roberts.