Harrison's Reports (1949)

198 HARRISON'S REPORTS December 10, 1949 "On the Town" with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett and Ann Miller (MGM, December; time, 98 mm.) Based on the Broadway musical show of the same name, and photographed in Technicolor, "On the Town" is a jubilant blend of songs, dances, comedy and romance that should leave all types of audiences thoroughly satisfied. Its story about three sailors loose in New York on a twenty-four hour pass is lightweight, but the highly talented cast give it tremendous bounce and vitality by the manner in which they romp through the proceedings. Packed with ten song-and-dance numbers, it offers a musical score that, from the standpoint of melody, syncopation, and bright lyrics, is captivating, and dances that are brilliantly executed by Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen and Ann Miller. Frank Sinatra and Betty Garrett add much to the entertainment values with their singing and clowning, and many laughs are provoked by the comical antics of Jules Munshin and Alice Pearce. All in all, it is a gay and lively show, lavishly and imaginatively staged, well directed, and played by every one in the cast with exuberant zest : — Given a twentyfour hour leave in New York City, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin, sail' ors, set out on a sight-seeing tour of the city. In the subway, Kelly is asked by a photographer to pose with Vera-Ellen, and later discovers from a subway poster that she is "Miss Turnstiles" of the month. He vows to find her and, based on information given in the poster about her activities, starts to search for her with the aid of Sinatra and Munshin. In the course of their search they are picked up by Betty Garrett, a female cab driver, who falls for Sinatra, and later, in a museum, they meet Ann Miller, an anthropological student, who is attracted to Munshin. They all split up after agreeing to meet later that evening. Kelly continues his search alone and eventually locates Vera-Ellen in a ballet dancing school. He makes a date with her for that evening, and meets the others at the appointed place. The three couples have a grand time going from one night club to another until Vera-Ellen suddenly disappears; she was employed as a side-show dancer in Coney Island and did not want Kelly to know about it. Learning where she had gone, Kelly and the others give chase in Betty's cab, trailed by many police cars and motorcycles as they speed madly through the city's streets. A near riot occurs at the side-show when Kelly and the others crash in with the police on their heels. The girls, however, talk the police out of taking disciplinary action against the boys. It all ends with the girls accompanying the three sailors back to their ship and kissing them goodbye. It was produced by Arthur Freed and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, from a screen play by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, based on their own play. Excellent for the entire family. "Johnny Holiday" with William Bendix, Allen Martin, Jr. and Hoagy Carmichael (United Artists, no rel. date set; time, 92 min.) Fine emotional entertainment. It is a juvenile de' linquency story, and many of the situations will bring tears to the eyes of the movie-goers. William Bendix is at his best. As to twelve-year-old Allen Martin, Jr., he can show cards and spades to many a young screen actor. His acting ability, however, is not accidental; he is a veteran actor, having been on the Broadway stage since he was seven years old, appearing in plays with Walter Hampton, Charles Laughton, and Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine. The situation where young Martin visits his sick mother in the hospital is charged with emotion. Many of the scenes where Bendix acts somewhat rough to the youngster but in his heart indicates a fondness for him are likewise touching. The picture has been photographed almost in its entirety at the Indiana Boys' School, at Plainfield, Indiana. Governor Schricker, of Indiana, appears in one scene and makes a speech to the boys of the school. The direction, acting and photography are very good : — Allen, an underprivileged youngster, whose mother, Greta Granstedt, is hospitalized, comes under the influence of Stanley Clements, a young thief. Caught stealing, Allen is sentenced to the Indiana Boys' School, where he is assigned to the stable under the supervision of Bendix, an ex-cavalry non-com. Bendix, discovering that the lad had a way with horses, places Nellie, a mare, in his care. Under Bendix's tutelage Allen changes for the better until the arrival of Clements, who, too, had been arrested. From then on the lad finds himself torn between his devotion to Bendix and his loyalty to Clements. Hav ing become fond of Allen, Bendix conceives a plan for a visit to his mother. Allen violates the rules by purchasing cigarettes for Clements, but Bendix discovers the cigarettes and takes them away. Clements, angry, vows vengeance. He tries to "accidentally" kill Bendix, but Allen's quick action saves his life. Allen's feelings toward Bendix change when he shoots Nellie to save her foal. The lad agrees to join Clements in an escape attempt during the Christmas Eve observance, highlighted by the appearance of Hoagy Carmichael. Bendix, suspecting their purpose, follows the boys when they leave the chapel and trails them to the stable, from which they planned to make a getaway in Bendix's car. Using a gun taken from the car, Clements demands the keys to the car from Bendix. He tells the boys that the keys are in his office. Allen, now won over to Bendix again, goes for the keys, but by lifting the telephone receiver cleverly makes known to the main office Bendix's plight. The school officials rush to the stable and capture Clements, but not before he wounds Bendix. Shortly thereafter, Allen, now completely rehabilitated, is discharged and returns to home and mother. It was produced by R. W. Alcorn and directed by Willis Goldbeck, who collaborated on the screen play with Jack Andrews and Frederick Stephani, based on an original story by Mr. Alcorn. Very good family entertainment. "Tight Little Island" with an all-British cast (Univ.'Int'l, no rel. date set; time, 81 min.) Produced in Great Britain and released in that country under the title, "Whiskey Galore," this is an engaging comedy about the people of a tiny Hebridean island who are plunged into gloom when the island, because of war conditions, runs out of whiskey. Its humor is sly and satirical, but as entertainment it seems best suited for those who patronize the art theatres. The reception it may receive in the average theatre is doubtful, for the story is episodic, stressing characterizations and situations, the Scot dialogue somewhat difficult to understand, and the players, though good, unknown to American audiences. A considerable part of the comedy stems from the tricks employed by the islanders to prevent officials from recovering a cargo of whiskey they had stolen from a wrecked ship: —