Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1948)

'TARZAN AND THE MERMAIDS' FINE FOR APE-MAN'S FANS Rates • • for action houses; OK dua Rl\U-Kadio | on Minutes. Johnny U'cissniuller, Brcnda Joyce, Linda Christian, John Laurenc. Fernando Wagner, Edward Ashley, George Zucco, Andrea Pahna, Gustazo Roja, Mattheic Bolton. Dirrciea by Robert Florcy. This new edition of the Tarzan adventure carries some entertaining new wrinkles. Aimed at audiences that enjoy this kind of juvenilelevel fantasy, Sol Lesser has assembled a satisfying collection of scantily-clad gals, evil tribal gods and lurking sea-monsters, everything a Tarzan fan desires. It is quite an elaborate job, liaving been filmed at the Churubusco studios with Mexican technicians and utilizing some magnificent coastal scenery. The cast is not o\er-burdened with acting chores — Tohnnv Her elsewhere W'eissmuller does most of his under water, and Breiida Joyce and Linda Christian are suitably decorative. Comedy relief "is supplied by John Laurenz, a sort of jungle Sinatra, and b\ Ciieetali, the monkey. The picture lacks smootii continuity, but does contain some effective high sputs. Credit for its merits go to director John Florey, who knows his way around Tarzania, :!nd to cameramen Gabriel Figueroa and Raul Solarcs for contributing some fine under-water sequences. EXPLOIT.-\TIOX: Dress up the lobby and marquee with fantastic masks representing weird jungle deities. Catchline : "Tarzan . . . Lord of the Jungle . . . Battles Mighty Octopus under tlie Sea." Distribute Tarzan comic books. Tarzan is hauling in his fishing net and is surpi ised to discover Linda Cliristian in it. She I'.ad escaped from a forced marriage with Balu, grxl of the Aquatanians. She finds refuge with Mr. (Weissmuller) and Mrs. (Brenda Joyce) Tarzan, but Balu sends men after her and takes liL-r prisoner. Tarzan follows through water and jungle and discovers that Balu is being impersonated by Fernando Wagner, an evil pearl smuggler. Meanwhile, Mrs. Tarzan, comes to the rescue with a Calypso singing postman, the government commissioner and the girl's boyfriend. They are all captured by the high priest, George Zucco. Tarzan appears, wearing the robe and mask of Balu, and orders their release. There follows a big wedding celebration for the young couple. The bogus god interferes again and in an impressive climax, which includes an under-water battle with an octopus, Tarzan unmasks the phony Balu. The natives heave liim into the sea and peace reigns again in Aquatania. D.W. 'MAN FROM TEXAS' WELL-MADE WESTERN IS SLOW-PACED Rates • • f for action houses; less elsewhere Eagle-Lion 71 Minnies. James Craig, Lynn Bari, Johnnie Johnston. Una Merkel, H'ally Ford, Harry Davenport, Sara Allgood, I'ic Cutler, Reed Hadley, Clancy Cooper. Bert Comvay, King Donovan. Glen Arthur, Susan O'Connor, t Directed by Leigh Jason, t This saga of six-gun banditry in the early days of the Lone Star State boasts more of a plot than most sage-brush epics, and is set at a somewhat slower pace. Scripters Joseph Fields ^ ?.nd Jerome Chodorov have provided a well int-"valed frame-work for the picture and Bryan Foy has given it a careful production, but director Leigh Jason hasn't given it all the flash and speed action fans crave. However, "Man from Texas" will satisfy Western addicts and otter fair entertainment for general audiences. Featuring virile James Craig as the notorious El Paso Kid, who eludes the law in hairbreath escapes and is finally converted to righteousness, this should have some appeal to the feminine trade. Lynn Bari is his patient wife in crinoline and Una Merkel, as the lonely widder, adds some zip and humor which is conspicuously lacking in the other performances. -A novel effect is captured by the Earl Robinson ballads sung by troubador Johnnie Johnston to accompany the narrative. Sara Allgood, Henry Davenport and Wally Ford adequately fill m tiie supporting roles. There is a price on the head of James Craig, reckless leader of a gang of outlaws. His marauding activities keep postponing the church wedding he has promised his wife, Lynn Bari. Sl^e threatens to leave him, so he settles down as a store keeper under an alias, borrowing $500 from banker Henry Davenport. He and his faithful sidekick, Johnnie Johnston, use the money to extricate the widow Una Merkel from the banker's mercenary schemes upon her propertv. Returning to the bank to repay his debt, he learns that he is more feared than respected. Tiiis hurts his pride and be blows up the safe. He escapes the law, but is finally betrayed by one of his men into the hands of the U. S. Marshal. On the way to the penitentiary, the train is held up by his traitorous followers' Craig breaks away, shoots down the raiders and then calmly replaces his handcuffs. This makes him a hero and only a short prison sentence intervenes before the happy church wedding. ^ ORK. 'MAN OF EVIL' IMPORTED MELODRAMA NOT FOR U. S. AUDIENCES Rates as supporting dualler I ':itcd .'rtisis (Gainsborough) 90 Minnies. Phyllis Calbert, James Mason. Stewart Granger, li'iifred Lau'son, Jean Kent, Margaretta Scott, h'ora Sii'inburne, Cathleen Xesbitt, Helen Haye, John Laurie, Stuart Lindsell, Amy J'eness. Ann V.'Ul'-'n, Guy Ic Feuvre. Ann .'Stephens, Gloria Sxdney. nirccled by Anthony .4sqnith. In an attempt to casli in on James Mason's current popularity, the British have sent us this four-year-old melodrama and edited it considerably to fit our Code requirements. It would have been no great loss if they had forgotten all about it, for "Man of Evil" is not for American audiences. .\nd the feminine devotees of -Mason's scowling villainy will be disappointed l)> the in frequency of his appearance in this X'icloiian costume piece. It's mostly Phyllis Cnlvcrt, suft'ering beautifully, and l-.er nobleiicarled lover, Stewart Granger. Adapted from the novel "Fanny by Gaslight" (which title has been fortunately changed), it is all veddy Briti'ii and at times downright confusing. The story wanders dismally through some lachrymose scenes invohing a dissolute nobleman, highminded politicians, affairs of honor and the sjiectre of illegitimacy. The acting is of a high caliber, especially a humorous bit by Wilfred Law.son, and the production quality is good. EXPLOITATION: The big selling point is ^lason. Play him up as "a cad who uses women as pawns in his evil game of love." 'ARIZONA RANGER' ANOTHER GOOD TIM HOLT WESTERN Rates • • In western houses RKO Radio f?'' Minutes s Tim Holt. Jack Holt, Steve Brodic. Xan Leslie. Richard Martin. Jim Xolan. Robert Bray. Jason Rohnrds. Richard Benedict. Jl'illiani Phipps. Har'-\ J^arvey. Jjirecled by John Razi-lins. On a par wit'' ^'^-hv--^ in the suneri'-r Tim Holt western series for RKO, ".Arizona Ranger" IS given an added boost by the appearance of Jack Holt, father of the young western star, who assu'ncs the paternal rf)le on the screen. The father-son combination is used to excellent ^(l\antage in an actionfu! st )ry and the routine nrocecdings are enlivened by an interest-liolding script and performances that far outshine the usual western standard. The capable and handsome X'an Leslie again appears with Tim, althougli this time he lias to separate her from a villainous husband before he can lay claim to th" lovely's hand. Richard Mart'n j'dds iiis unique brand of humor as the Iri.sh-Mexican sidekick. Director John Rawlins has handled the proceedings with verve and pace, inserting, the normal quota of fist-fights and gun-smokev and keeping matters interesting^ in between.. . Gold for western houses, performance' a'H''stoiy rate this as a satisfactorv dualler in nabor Phyllis Calvert is tiie illegitimate daughter of a British statesman. He takes her into his home after her supposed father is killed by Mason in a brawl. His wife wants to divorce hiai to marry Mason and threatens to expose his past. He commits suicide and Phyllis is on her own again. Granger, the politician's secretary, finds her and, against the wishes of his snobbish family, persuades her to go with him to Paris. Tiiere, they again meet with Mason, who now has a ballet dancer in his evil clutches. The two men settle their feud with a duel in \diich Mason is killed and Granger seriously wounded. His sister trys to keep Phyllis from his bedside, but the lovers are united in a tearful scene which promises inarriage and devotion. DAV. Iiood.> and small towns as well. Conflict in the story arises when Tim Holt ii\d father Jack fall rut as to methods of dealing with rustlers. Tim. joining the .Arizona Rangers, attempts to halt the nefarious doings b\ due process of law while Jack feels the only law lliey understand is that of the gun. Leader f the rustlers, Steve Brodie. meets his fate after the customary raids on stagecoaciies and cattle, at the hands of Iwith Tim and Jack, after lie lias the former trapped and Jack rides to the rescue. Brodie's death releases Xan Leslie frpni her, -unhappy marital bond, wl'ile father and son are reconciled. , r'> . PHIL. APRIL 12. 1948 1