Harrison's Reports (1958)

July 5, 1958 HARRISON'S REPORTS 107 people. The police investigate the deaths at Boone's request but drop the matter after finding no evidence of homicide. Meanwhile more incidents occur, which seem to prove Boone's power to bring death or foresee the future. Finally, a trap is set by the police, and it is revealed that Bikel had murdered the people marked by the black pins, in revenge against Boone's decision to retire him. It was co-produced by Albert Band and Louis Garfinkle, and directed by Mr. Band, from a story and screenplay by Mr. Garfinkle. Adult fare. "Tarzan's Fight for Life" with Gordon Scott and Eve Brent (MGM, July; time, 86 min.) Photographed in color and given good production values, this latest "Tarzan" adventure melodrama of' fers entertainment values that are on a par with most of the previous pictures in the series and should, therefore, satisfy those who have enjoyed them in the past. The action is fast, and the story, which has a modern science vs. voodooism theme, holds one's at' tention well all the way through. Although it offers little that is new or different, many of the situations are thrilling, such as those in which Gordon Scott, as Tarzan, rides a wild giraffe, swims in crocodile-infested waters and tangles with a gigantic python. The antics of the hero's pet chimpanzee naturally provokes considerable laughter. The jungle scenes, actually filmed in Africa, provide the proceedings with fasci' nating backgrounds. The color photography is fine: — Tarzan and Carl Benton Reid, a doctor who has a research hospital in Randini, Africa, are involved in a desperate fight to prevent the Nagasu tribe, some of them hospital workers, from returning to the evil, murderous ways of James Edwards, their witch doctor. Edwards' opposition threatened the doctor's lifelong work — a fever serum of great value in curing the natives. Jill Jarmyn, the doctor's daughter, hopes that the return of Harry Lauter, her fiance, with more equipment and supplies, will strengthen the situation, but the safari is ambushed by Edwards' warriors who destroy many supplies before they are routed by Tarzan's timely arrival. Different incidents make Edwards a deadly enemy of Tarzan's, and he uses his power in an unsuccessful effort to bring death to Eve Brent, Tarzan's mate. Meanwhile Darrell Harris, the tribe's young chief, becomes dangerously ill with fever and fails to respond to Edwards' witchcraft medicines. Pauline Myers, his mother, secretly sends for fever medicine from the hospital but Edwards' foils the attempt, knowing full well that the success of the serum would cause him to lose his power over the tribe. Instead, he plots to steal the serum and use it secretly as his own, but the messenger he sends to the hospital steals a bottle of deadly poison by mistake. Tarzan, discovering the mistake, sets out to save the young chief, but he is captured by the Nagasu warriors and brought to Edwards, who has him thrown into a dungeon. As Edwards prepares to give the poison to the young chief, Tarzan bursts his bonds, escapes from the dungeon and cries out a warning that the medicine really is poison. Roy Glenn, the tribe's High Councilor, decides that Edwards must drink his magic potion before giving it to the chief. Edwards takes a drink and, within a minute, collapses in deadly paralysis. Grateful to Tarzan, the Nagasu hurriedly speed their young chief to the hospital for the white man's medicine. It was produced by Sol Lesser and directed by Bruce Humberstone from a screenplay by Thomas Hal Phillips, based upon the characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Family. "Your Past Is Showing" with an all-British cast (Ran\ Film Distr., July time, 87 mm.) "Wacky" is the word for this lively British-made comedy farce, which should go over well in theatres that specialize in foreign imports. It should, in fact, prove entertaining in most other theatres, but it presents a selling problem because of the unknown British cast. Centering around a group of unrelated characters who find themselves being blackmailed by a suave but unscrupulous publisher of a scandal magazine, the story itself is featherweight, but what makes it highly amusing is the broad treatment and the nutty concoction of gags and situations concerning the victims' efforts to devise homicidal ways and means of ridding themselves of their tormentor, only to fall into their own traps and play into his hands. The proceedings are completely absurd, but the dialogue is crisp and witty, and laughter is provoked continuously, often reaching hilarious heights. The acting is very good, and so is the photography: — Dennis Price, a suave character, decides to get rich quickly by publishing a scandal magazine called "The Naked Truth," in which he plans to disclose the lurid details in the private lives of several prominent people, whom he proceeds to blackmail. Among his victims are Terry-Thomas, a blustering nobleman famed for his donations to charity; Peter Sellers, a popular television quiz-master and quick-change artist; Peggy Mount, an eminent authoress who had just been awarded a "purity" prize; and Shirley Eaton, a beautiful model. They all try, by various means, to dissuade Price from publishing his scandal sheet, but he laughs at their arguments and pleadings. Worried about the effect of highly undesirable publicity on their various careers, the victims plan to "remove" the urbane blackmailer. One by one they hatch a "foolproof" plot to get rid of him but the wily blackmailer extricates himself each time. Meanwhile, their endeavors serve to expand Price's file of dossiers on their own lives and those of many other public and professional figures. But when this file gets into their hands, the victims enlist nation-wide support by calling on all the "future victims." This leads to the arrest of Price, but a new problem arises lest he tell all at his trial. Banding together, the victims manage to kidnap Price from jail and in the process practically paralyze the London police force. In a looney climax aboard a dirigible, Price inadvertently steps out into space and falls to his death. One of his intended victims shoots off a gun in celebration, puncturing the gas-filled airship and plunging all concerned to their own untimely ends. It was produced and directed by Mario Zampi from an original story and screenplay by Michael Pcrtwee. Family.