Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1946)

MR. ACE' SLOW-PACED RAFT VEHICLE WSIL DISAPPOINT Rates © © on name value United Artists (Bogeaus) 84 minutes George Raft, Sylvia Sidney, Stanley Rid?es, Jerome Cowan, Si3 Silvers, Sara Haden, Roman Bohnen, Alan Edwards, Dewey Robinson, Mary Field, Ernest Hilliard. Directed by Edwin L. Marin. This slow-paced, talkative film on a pseudo-political theme will prove disappointing to most George Raft fans. There is little action and the overly-dressy sets give the entire picture a phony gloss that seem to make its weaknesses only more apparent. It does not merit class A playing time, but should attract slightly better than fair returns in the average house. Raft's following in action spots assures good grosses in those situations. The situation wherein a political boss sacrifices his powerful organization to back an independent reform ticket is scarcely believable, and one gets the distinct impression that author Fred Finkelhoffe had in mind a couple of successful Broadway plays when he wrote "Mr. Ace." Raft's role of the p li ical bo:s i; tailormade, but it lacks the punch his fans expect. Sylvia S.dney wears a series of stunning gowns and makes her congr.sswoman an engrossing character. When Congresswoman Sylvia Sidney, an ambitious, politically-minded woman, throws her hat into the state gubernatorial ring, her estranged multi-millionaire husband (Alan Edwards) tries, without success, to persuade her to divorce him. Mr. Ace (George Raft), the power behind the Iriquois Club, an organization of influential politicians, decides that there will never be a woman governor in the state and, 'when Miss Sidney makes overtures to him to team up with her politically, he refuses. Although Mist, Sidney uses her womanly wiles on Raft, he still maintains that "beautiful women and politics do not mix." Her old friend and professor, Roman Bohnen, tells Raft that Mi s Sidney is a spoiled daughter of wealth who must learn the meaning of defeat. However, after she bribes St~nl^y R'dTes, Raft's rival in the Iriquo:s Club, tc c u e a rift in its membership, she is nominated for governor. Edwards then arrives with the new that oing to sue her for divorce and name Raft, who is willing to testify that hi the night with her, as co-respondent. Miss Sidney then announces she is withdrawing from the election to go to Reno to divorce Edwards. When Raft learns from Bohnen that Miss Sidney is sincere in her political beliefs, he secretly forms an independent political party with her as nominee. Only after she is elected does Miss Sidney learn that Raft secretly supported her and swung the election in her favor. She then confesses her love for him and offers to withdraw her charges of fraud against him but he refuses and promises to see her again when he comes out of jail. Roman Bohnen does outstanding work as the honest, gruff political scientist and Jerome Cowan, as a harassed press agent; Stanley Ridges, as a double-crossing politician, and Sara Haden, as a loyal sicretary, are all well cast. Only Sid Silvers, as Mr. Ace's henchman, is lost in the shuffle and fails to inject the expected humorous touches. YORK BRIEF ENCOUNTER' SPLENDID BRITISH DRAMA LACKS MARQUEE VALUES Rates • • © in class houses: much less generally Prestige-Universal 85 minutes Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Hol loway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond, Everly Gregg, Valentine Dyall, Margaret Barton, Dennis Harkin. Directed by David Lean. "Brief Encounter" is a tender, touching and realistically-told drama of middle-aged love, a rare gem of a film which will be appreciated by discriminating patrons in art theatres but hold scant interest for mass audiences. Except for Author Noel Coward's fame, this British-made film has no selling names and its quiet intensity may prove boring to the younger' movie-goers and the action fans. However, it will appeal to mature women, and critical praise and favorable word-of-mouth may eventually attract many adult patrons. Adapted by the author from "Still Life," one of his short plays in the "Tonight at 8:30" group, this is a simple and straightforward telling of the unfortunate love affair that develops from the chance meeting of two happily married people. Both find pleasure in each other's company and realize they have much in common, but when their growing love threatens to lead them into an illicit affair, they bow to the inevitable and part forever. Told in flashback, as the wife hears the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto as an accompaniment to her memories, the film is deeply moving and so completely absorbing that the spectator feels as if he or she has gone through an emotional experience. While the main theme is tragic, the picture has ample comedy relief, deftly brought in through incidental characters and every-day incidents. Celia Johnson, who played in Coward's "In Which We Serve," is splendid as the happily-married matron even if the realistic photography is not flattering to her in close-ups. Trevor Howard is likable and does a fine acting job. Joyce Carey contributes a superb bit as a regal teashop proprietress, and Margaret Barton is outstanding as a talkative dowager. This is an artistic triumph which can take its place with "Henry V," "The Seventh Veil," "In Which We Serve," "Colonel Blimp" and other outstanding British Alms of the past decade. Celia Johnson, a British matron contented with her prosaic life with her husband and two children, has a chance meeting with Trevor Howard, a married doctor, on one of her Thursday shopping trips to town. They continue to meet on succeeding Thursdays and, after going to films and having: drinks together, they both begin to realize that they have fallen in love with one another. Because each is devoted to their respective families, they know their love is hopeless, but they continue to meet until they are almost swept into an illicit affair at the apartment of Howard's friend. When the latter unexpectedly returns, Miss Johnson dashes out the back door and, later, she and Howard decide they must part forever. Howard accepts a post in South Africa and, as they are about to make their last farewells in a railroad station teashop, a talkative friend of Miss Johnson's bursts in. Howard is merely able to press Miss Johnson's arm and leave forever and, although Miss Johnson contemplates suicide, she finally returns to her devoted husband. LEYENDECKER G. I. WAR BRIDES' ENGROSSING HUMAN INTEREST YARN Rates • • dualler generally Republic 60 minutes Anna Lee, James Ellison, Stephanie Bachelor, William Henry, Doris Lloyd, Harry Davenport, Mary McLeod, Robert Armstrong, Carol Savage, Joseph Sawyer, Helen Gerald, Pat O'Moore, Pax Walker, Russell Hicks, Maxine Jennings, Francis Pierlot, Lois Austin, Pierre Watkin, Mary Neivton, Eugene Lay, Virginia Carroll. Directed by George Blair. This timely human interest tale with exploitable angles is first-rate program fare. While strong name values are lacking, the subect will carry a strong appeal to women patrons and the picture should make a good supporting dualler generally. The story unfolds, via flashback, during immigration authorities' investigation of an illegal entry into the U.S. and the stock shots on shipboard and the well-chosen cast, including several familiar British actresses, give it an air of authenticity throughout. Wh le the stowaway heroine's efforts to escape detection engenders considerable suspense, the film also gives ample footage to romance and comedy. Many of the laughs stem from the lone bridegroom of a WAC among a cargo of war brides and Pat O'Moore is very amusing in this role. Anna Lee, who gives a splendid performance as the British heroine, and Doris Lloyd, who does a stand-out acting job as the woman who helps her get into America, are especially well cast and Stephanie Bachelor is excllent as a widowed passenger. James Ellison and William Henry are adequate as the two men in Miss Lee's life and Harry Davenport contributes a rich character bit. Anna Lee. British girl in love with William Henry, an American flyer, stows away on the brideship, S.S. Argentina, to join him in the U. S. She adopts the name and passport of Carol Savage, a bride who no longerloves her husband and has changed her mind about sailing. With the aid of Doris Lloyd, another war bride and sister of Miss Savage, she manages to get past the immigration officers and lands on Americ in soil. Although Robert Armstrong, a news correspondent, has stumbled on her secret, Miss Lee arrives in Los Angeles where James Ellison is awaiting his wife. Miss Savage. Ellison agrees to carry off the deception temporarily while they notify Henry. The latter proves to be no longer in love with Miss Lee but is willing to go through with the marriage. Due to the hotel shoi' Ellison takes them to live with his grandfather in Los Angeles where his young sister soon ferrets out the truth. Meanwhile, immigration officials have summoned Miss Lloyd and learned the truth and Miss Lee is informed that, unless she marries an American, she faces deportation. After she gets on a train for the East, Ellison realizes he loves her and runs after her to tell her that his wife, Miss Savage, is getting a divorce. LEYENDECKER OCTOBER 14. 1916 .■i 11