Harrison's Reports (1949)

December 24, 1949 HARRISON'S REPORTS 207 "Mrs. Mike" with Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes (United Artists, Dec. 23; time, 99 min.) It is manifest that the production of this picture was prompted by the fact that the novel on which it is based was a best-seller. It was a Literary Guild selection, Readers Digest published it in condensed form, and King Features serialized it in cartoon form. But it is doubtful if it will prove popular as picture entertainment, for what is shown is so morbid and depressing that few movie-goers will find it pleasurable, even though it does have its warm moments. The story deals with life in the Canadian wilderness and revolves around a Boston girl who becomes the bride of a Royal Northwest Mounted policeman but is unable to ad' just herself to the rugged life led by the trappers and their families, and to the hazards of their existence. From the time the heroine becomes pregnant early in the proceedings, the action places considerable stress on the painful hard' ships and tragedies that befall her and the people who in' habit trading posts, mainly because of inadequate medical care. Her mental anguish when she learns that a neighboring trapper's wife had given birth to a dead baby; her terror lest she suffer a similar fate; her agony while in the throes of childbirth; the amputation of a 12-year-old boy's arm when he is mangled by a wild animal; an outbreak of a diphtheria epidemic that takes the lives of several adults and many children, including the heroine's child, because of the lack of serum— all this is depicted in starkly realistic fashion, leaving one with a depressed feeling. There is considerable human interest in the story and it does have its appealing moments in the genuine love between Evelyn Keyes, as the heroine, and Dick Powell, as the Mountie. Both turn in good performances. There are also some touches of light comedy. But on the whole it is too morbid and full of grief to give one pleasure. The production values and photography are very good. It was produced by Edward Gross and directed by Louis King from a screen play by Alfred Lewis Levitt and DeWitt Bodeen, based on the book by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. Samuel Bischoff was executive producer. Adult fare. "The Amazing Mr. Beecham" with an all-British cast (Eagle-Lion, no rel. date set; time, 85 min.) The English political scene is given a witty satirical treatment in this highly humorous comedy of manners, which was produced in Great Britain and released in that country under the title, "The Chiltern Hundreds." The picture is well directed and deftly acted, but its appeal will be limited to discriminating movie-goers who patronize the art houses. Regular theatre audiences may find the humor a bit too deep for their tastes. Moreover, it is all talk and no action, with the dialogue somewhat unintelligible at times because of the thick British accents. Another drawback, insofar as the regular theatres are concerned, is that the players are generally unknown to American audiences. The play on which the story is based just finished a two and one-half months run on Broadway under the title, "Yes, M'Lord":— When his leave is cancelled for an infraction of military rules, David Tomilson, a young nobleman, turns the tables on his commanding officer by demanding leave to run for Parliament as Conservative candidate for his home constituency, East Milton. Actually, Tomilson had no intention of entering the election, his motive being to get home and marry Helen Backlin, his wealthy American fiancee. But word of his intentions precedes his homecoming, and he finds himself swept into electioneering against his will. But Tom Maculay, the Socialist candidate defcates him, making the first time in centuries that Tomilson's family was without a representative in Parliament. Tomilson and his parents (A. E. Matthews and Marjorie Fielding) take the defeat with fortitude, but his butler (Cecil Parker) and Helen are mortified. An unexpected turn of events occurs when Maculay is given a seat in the House of Lords and a bye-election is required. Tomilson, to get back into Helen's good graces, offers to stand as the Socialist candidate, but Helen revolts at this change of policy and secretly persuades the butler to stand as the Conservative candidate, with her financial backing. The butler wins, and Tomilson, stung by Helen's insults, begins to take a keen interest in Lana Morris, the family's new maid. A crisis is averted when the butler, in love with Lana himself, resigns from the seat in Parliament, thus necessitating yet another bye-election. Tomilson is nominated again and, while he and Helen become reconciled, Lana transfers her affections to the butler, who had resumed his household duties. It is a J. Arthur Rank presentation, produced by George H. Brown and directed by John Paddy Carstairs, from a screen play by William Douglas Home and Patrick Kirwan, based on Mr. Home's play. Adult fare. "Twelve O'Clock High" with Gregory Peck, Dean Jagger and Millard Mitchell ( 20th Century-Fox, February; time, 132 min.) Darryl F. Zanuck, as producer, and Henry King, as director, have fashioned a superior war drama in "Twelve O'Clock High." It is a poignant, stirring account of a Brigadier-General who takes over the command of an Eighth Air Force Bomber Group stationed in England in 1942 in an effort to build up the low morale of the men, disheartened discouraged by their severe losses. That the story comes through with a strong emotional punch, gripping one's interest from start to finish, is due in no small measure to excellent acting of the players, who make their roles real and convincing. Gregory Peck is superb as the BrigadierGeneral, a man who is inwardly sympathetic to the men but who outwardly treats them impersonally and rules them with iron discipline. The manner in which he moulds them into a confident, effective fighting force, gaining their antagonism in the process but eventually winning their loyalty and respect because of his own courage in active combat, is dramatically powerful, with just the right touches of light comedy to relieve the tension. Worthy of mention also is the fine performance turned in by Dean Jagger, as Peck's understanding adjutant. The air combat scenes are highly thrilling, particularly because of the effective way in which authentic clips of American and German planes in dog fights have been edited into the action. The cast is all-male, and there is no love interest, but it is a drama that should appeal to women just as much as to men, for it is told in human terms and with a great deal of compassion. Told in flashback, the story has Peck taking charge of the 918th Bomb Group when its commander, Gary Merrill, shows signs of breaking under the strain of heavy losses in men and planes. Although sympathetic to the men, Peck decides on drastic measures to boost their low morale, lest their failure spread to other bomb groups. He becomes a strict disciplinarian without regard for human frailties, realigning his entire staff by elevating some and breaking others. The men resent his attitude, but he bluntly tells them to transfer out of the group unless they see eye-to-eye with him. He is shocked when all accept his suggestion but does not betray his emotions. Aware of what Peck was trying to accomplish, Dean Jagger, his adjutant, slyly arranges to delay the processing of the transfers to give Peck more time. Meanwhile the men continue to fly, and before long, with Peck personally leading their missions, they become so effective that their losses are negligible. Their morale picks up quickly and they begin to sec Peck in a new light, signifying their loyalty by withdrawing their transfer applications. Peck himself gains a new appreciation for the caliber of his men, and he drives himself unrclcntlcssly to lead them on mission after mission. But the strain eventually proves to be too much for him, causing him to break physically and mentally in much the same manner as the previous commander. But when the men complete a successful mission without his personal leadership he relaxes in the knowledge of a job well done. Sy Bartlctt and Bcirnc wrote the screen play from their own novel. Excellent for the entire family.