Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

'GREAT EXPECTATIONS' DICKENS MASTERPIECE BECOMES MAGNIFICENT FILM Rates • • • generally; more in class an Universal-International ll^ minutes Jolin Mills, Valerie Hobson, Bernard Miles, Francis L. Sullivan, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt, Anthony Wager, Jean Simmons, Ale<' Guinness, Ivor Bernard, Freda Jackson, Torin Thatcher, Eileen Krskine, May Petrie, George Hayes, Richard Geor,^e, Everly Grejg, John Burch, Gra<;e Denbigh-Kussell, O. B. Clarence, John Forrest. Directed by David Lean. Here is, unqualifiedly, one of the greatest films made in England, or, for that matter, any other country. This J. Arthur Rank import is recommended without hesitation to all types of theatres, although grosses will vary from outstanding in class and arty houses to satisfactory in action houses. Abounding in production quality, the film reproduces with startling authenticity the England of Dickens' time. Sets and costumes are realistic, photography and locales are superb, and sound is used with superlative dramatic effect. Based on Dickens' great classic, the film is crammed with action, suspense, melodrama, romance and thrills. David Lean's inspired direction, d arty houses from the shock opening in the first sequence to the final uplifting fadeout, maintains the sweep, pace, movement and heart interest oi' the novel. A brilliant cast, unfortunately unknown for the most part to U. S. audiences, gives magnificent performances. Worthy of special mention are John Mills, Francis L. Sullivan, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt and two youthful finds, Anthony Wager and Jean Simmons. Get behind this one to the limit. Keynote your campaign on: One of the Greatest Novels Becomes One of the Greatest Films Circularize students; and teachers of literature and English history, film appreciation groups, literary societies, etc. Showmen catering to juvenile and action-spot patronage should play up the film's many thrills — a relentless man-hunt for two escaped felons — a jilted bride wreaks mad vengeance on mankind through a beautiful girl — a crazed recluse burns to death in her eerie mansion — a doomed killer defies the hangman — an escaped convict battles the police for his life in a mid-channel boat crash. The film is sensational — let your campaign be likewise. Blacksmith apprentice John Mills is adopted by lawyer Francis L. Sullivan and sent to London to live in luxury, his prince ly income supplied by an unknown benefactor. Mills assumes the latter to be a crazed recluse Martita Hunt, whose adopted niece Valerie Hobson he had loved as a child. He is suddenly confronted by his real benefactor, escaped convict Finlay Currie whom he'd befriended years before. Mills again aids the fugitive to flee, but the police, led by an informer, give chase. The police galley pursues the rowboat whereon Mills and Currie are trying to intercept the packet boat and get the convict aboard. The packet runs down both rowboat and galley, the informer is killed and Currie fatally hurt. Mills learns Currie has a longlost daughter, surmises she's Martita's adopted niece Valerie. He visits Martita, berates her for her deception. As he is about to leave, Martita, .still wearing the age-old bridal finery in which she was jilted, is burned to death. Later Mills returns to the ramshackle mansion, finds Valerie there, beginning to live as Martita had. and for a like reason — she has been jilted when her rich fiance Torin Thatcher learned of her parentage. Mills tells her of his love, takes her out into the .«unshine to start their new lives. 'STALLION ROAD' SURE-FIRE EQUINE CLASSIC FOR ALL AUDIENCES Rates • • • generally; better in rural locations Warner Bros. 97 minutes Ronald Reagan, Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott, Patti Brady, Peggy Knudsen, Lloyd Corrigan, Frank PugUa, Fernando Alvarado, Rory Mallison, Rodric Red Wing, Nino Pepitone. Directed by James V. Kern. Here is a picture destined to bring increased good will and box-office returns to exhibitors in all classes of theatres, especially family houses. It is a heart-warming and thrilling story about horse-lovers for all lovers of human-interest entertainment. It is comparable to "Smoky," "Flicka" and similar money-makers. A strong cast headed by Ronald Reagan, Alexis Smith and Zachary Scott, does full justice to the workmanlike script adapted by Stephen Longstreet from his popular novel; excellent support is vouchsafed by the remaining players, particularly two youthful performers, Patti Brady and Nino Pepitone. The film has plenty of action, suspense, romance, production value and novelty. In directing this moving narrative of equines and human beings, James V. Kern has maintained a well-balanced ratio of laughter and tears. Exploitation angles are numerous. Capitalize on the popularity of Reagan, Scott and Miss Smith. Have your theatre's street officially proclaimed "Stallion Road" and post signs bearing that name on lighting standards along the thoroughfare. Where possible, obtain cooperation of local humane societies, libraries, bookstores, livery stables, riding academies, harness dealers, dude ranch outfitters and pet shops. Successful novelist Zachary Scott, guest at the breeding farm of his friend and expert veterinarian Ronald Reagan, falls in love with Alexis Smith, owner of an adjoin ing ranch, herself enamored of Reagan. Competing for Reagan's attentions is beautiful, predatory, already married Peggy Knudsen, furious because Alexis, astride Sultan's Pride, has beaten her in the horse show jumping contest. A few days later Sultan's Pride becomes ill. Reagan, busy treating Alexis' herd of cattle, threatened by deadly anthrax, ignores Alexis' summons, is ostracized by her and all the other horse breeders. Told by Scott of his impending marriage to Alexis, Reagan plunges into a controlled experiment to find a serum to fight the new anthrax that has since killed Sultan's Pride and is threatening all livestock. Later, anthrax sweeps the range. Urged by the horse breeders, he uses his unproved serum on another of Alexis' stricken horses. The horse recovers but Reagan, kicked while administering the serum, comes down with anthrax. Daringly, Alexis treats Reagan with his own serum, saves his life. Scott, now aware Alexis loves Reagan, relinquishes her to his friend. 'TIME OUT OF MIND' SLOW-MOYING PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA WILL DISAPPOINT Rates • • -| on names generally Universal-International 88 minutes Phyllis Calvert, Robert Hutton, Ella Raines, Eddie Albert, Leo G. Carroll, Helena Carter, John AbtMitt, Henry Stephenson, Olive Blakeney, Harry Shannon, Janet Shaw, Emil Rame^u, Samuel S. Hinds, Lillian Fontaine, Houseley Stevenson, Maudie Prickett. Directed by Robert Siodmak. Although this psychological drama was produced and directed by the knowing hand of Robert Siodmak, of "Spiral Staircase," "Dark Mirror" and "The Killers" renown, it is disjointed, pedestrian, spottily acted and frequently anti-climactic. Based on a novel by the late Rachel Field, the film is devoid of humor, lacks proper characterization, and is overburdened with talk, resort ing to expository dialogue when pictorial action might have been used to advantage. Phyllis Calvert, a British importation, is physically attractive but shows little talent as an actress; Robert Hutton is listless anQ unconvincing as a frustrated composer. On the credit side of the ledger, however, are excellent performances by Ella Raines, EdcUe Albert and Leo G. Carroll. Production values are of a high calibre. Grosses should bo slightly above average in first-runs, but mass audiences will be disappointed and returns will slump in sub-runs as the result of unfavorable word-of-mouth. Excellent music, the psychological overtones and the sombre mood of the film make it particularly suitable for arty and class houses. Stress the previous successful films made by producer-director Siodmak; the advent of the beautiful British star Phyllis Calvert: the currently popular theme of psychoneurosis, and the film's magnificent musical (More Revien's on Page 25) content. Rachel Field's popularity as a novelist should assure library and bookshop cooperation. ,„rvn-. Phyllis Calvert, a servant, borrows $2,000 from suitor Eddie Albert to enable Ella Raines and her brother Robert Hutton, promising composer, to go abroad and escape from their domineering father, ship captain Leo G. Carroll. Following Carroll's death of a broken heart years later, Ella and her brother return, Hutton married to wealthy Helena Carter. Hutton takes to drink. At a concert sponsored by his rich father-in-law, Henry Stephenson. Hutton gets drunk, walks off the stage in midperformance. Helena starts divorce proceedings. Hutton, now a dipsomaniac, is nursed to health by Phyllis, who arranges another concert for him. Phyllis thwarts Helena's vengeful attempt to disrupt the concert and Hutton, winning acclaim as a composer, declares his love for Phyllis. FILM BULLETIN