Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

'DESIRE ME' WEAK GREER GARSON VEHICLE Rates • • • — in first-runs on star's na M-G-M 91 minutes Greer Garson, Robert Mltchiim, Richard Hart, Morris Ankrum, George Zucco, Cecil Humplireys, David Hoffman. (No director listed) Reports of Metro's difficulties with the production of "Desire Me" were noted in our Studio Size-up department over a twoyear span; now the evidence is at hand for all to see. This is an unfortunate, an unhappy Greer Garson vehicle, despite the star's heroic effort to make it worthwhile. Her own performance is good, but the two male leads are atrocious, while the story is confused and poorly directed. All in all, it is far from a gratifying picture and the box-office returns will depend solely on Miss Garson's personal draw. Grosses in firstruns probably will be slightly above average, but unfavorable word-of-mouth is bound to take its toll in the subsequents. None of the three directors who had a hand in the production deemed the credit worthy of note, so no director is listed. Unfortunately for Robert Mitchum and Richard Hart, their participation could not be so simply concealed and they must take their me; much less in subsequents medicine. Mitchum is lucky to come upon the scene only in the film's last ten minutes, but Mr. Hart, unhappily, has about one full hour in which to twitch his moustache and portray one of the hammiest movie villains of recent seasons. EXPLOITATION: Play up the Enoch Arden angle. The local Inquiring Reporter can ask: "How long should a woman lemain true to her supposedly-dead husband?" Limitless tie-ups possibilities in the title: "Women 'Desire Me' for My Delicate Fragrance (perfume)," etc. Mention Gieer Garson's past great performances. Sturdy, simple-hearted Breton fisherman Robert Mitchum, captured by the Nazis, spends four years in a prison camp, makes a bosom companion of fellow-prisoner Richard Hart, Paris-born thief, describing to him in detail his village, his home and his faithful wife Greer Garson. The two attempt to escape; Mitchum is shot and Hart, heedless of his pal's plea for aid, leaves him to die, cravenly returns to the camp. Following France's liberation, Hart goes to Greer, tells her Mitchum is dead, gradually wears down her resistance until she lets him supplant her husband. Later he intercepts a letter from Mitchum announcing his impending release from hos 'THE UNSUSPECTED' ONE OF YEAR'S BEST KILLER-CHILLERS Rates • • • generally Warner Bros. 103 minutes Joan Caulfield, Claude Bains, Audrey Totter, Constance Bennett, Hurd Hatfield, ^Dchael North, Fred Clark, Harry L,ewis, Jack Lambert, Nana Bryant, Ray Walker, Walter Baldwin. Directed by Michael Curtiz. From its first scene to its final fadeout, "The Unsuspected" is sizzling, suspenseful melodrama, certain to startle and thrill mass patronage in all situations. Backed by showmanship, this can get off to a good start, but the resulting word-of-mouth advertising should send grosses soaring in subsequent runs. Charlotte Armstrong's story, adapted by Bess Meredyth and scripted by Ranald Mac Dougall, despite a few weak spots, has an abundance of action, mystery, novelty romance and surprise twists. Acting honors go to Claude Rains as a radio narrator-turned-killer and to personable newcomer Michael North as his nemesis. Joan Caulfield and Audrey Totter acquit themselves creditably in the leading feminine roles. Michael Curtiz' direction is up to his customary high standard, production quality, photography and recording are first-rate. EXPLOITATION: To your mailing list send cards reading: "You May Expect 'The Unsuspected' on (Playdate) at the Theatre." For teaser: "Tune In on Station KILL Next Week at the Theatre— You'll Hear 'The Unsuspected'." Play up Claude Rains' masterly performance as the Kilocycle Killei. Herald the screen debut of newcomer Michael North, a film find of the first magnitude. Stress the sinister plottings of a maniacal mastermind, the breathtaking pursuit of a ruthless killer by a cordon of baffled police, the dynamic climaxes and the hair-raising last-second rescue of Joan Caulfield and Michael North from the clutches of an archfiend. Use radio spot announcements to the limit! Beloved and prominent radio narrator of murder bysteries Claude Rains comes home from his nightly broadcast, phones the police to report he has found his secretary a suicide. One week later Rains' surprise REVIEWS in This Issue Desire Me 18 The Unsuspected 18 Exposed 18 Unoonquered 19 The Foxes Of Harrow 19 Bury Me Dead ..20 My Father's House 20 Shoe-Shine 20 The Devil's Envoys 20 Schoolgirl Diary 21 The Great Dawn 21 pital. He persuades Greer to sell Mitchum's fishing business and come with him to Paris, promising to marry her upon their arrival. Mitchum arrives on the eve of theii departure, learns of Hart's duplicity. Unarmed save for a knife, he stalks the pistoltoting Hart through a gathering fog along a high cliff, corners him. Wounded by the last of Hart's bullets, Mitchum comes to grips with his betrayer. Ensues a death grapple, ending in Mitchum hurling Hart off the cliff. birthday party is crashed by Michael North, purporting to be the husband of the narrator's ward Joan Caulfield, reported arowned in a shipwreck off Rio. Joan's step-sister Audrey Totter is attracted immediately to North, but Rains suspects he's a fortunehunter after the drowned girl's millions. Word comes that Joan, rescued and alive, IS on her way home. She arrives, but has no recollection of marrying North, a total stranger to her. Rains overhears Audrej tipsily telling North she suspects he (Rains) killed his secretary. Later he murders Audrey, throws suspicion on her sottish husband Hurd Hatfield who meets with an "accidental" death, arranged by Rains. North discovers proof of Rains' guilt, warns Joan of her guardian's character. Fearful of exposure Rains poisons Joan, has North slugged by professional killer Jack Lambert and taken in a trunk aboard the latter's truck to be burned alive in the city dump. Detective Fred Clark arrives in time to revive Joan and, following a terrific chast, through the congested streets, rescues North. Rains is captured, convicted and executed. 'EXPOSED' POORLY-PLOTTED LOW-GRADE WHODUNIT LACKS NAMES Rate as supporting dualler for Republic 59 minutes Adele Mara, Robert Scott, Adrian Booth, Robert Armstrong, William Haade, Bob Steele, Harry Shannon, Charles Evans, Joyce Compton, Russell Hicks, Paul E. Burns, Colin Campbell, Edward Gargan, Mary Gordon, Patricia Knox. Direx!ted by George Blair. Devoid of plot twists and lacking marquee names this low-grade melodrama will provide a minimum of entertainment to all but the most avid of mystery addicts. It is earmarked by nominal production quality for the lower slot in minor action and naborhood houses. Of the large and undistin^'uished ca.st, only William Haade gives a memorable performance in his role of dumb minor spots assistant to a private detective. Despite her top billing, Adele Mara displays neither looks nor talent in depicting a woman detective. Robert Armstrong is wasted on a thankless part — that of a police sleuth. Screenplay by Royal K. Cole and Charles Moran, based on an original story by Moran, is synthetic, unimaginative and routine throughout. Direction by George Blair is undistinguished. Photography and recording are OK. EXPLOITATION: Have Inquiring Photographer explain that Adele Mara plays a private-eye in "Exposed," then ask: "Can Women Make Better Detectives than Men?" Arrange counter and window displays at camera shops and drugstores with cards reading: "Blackmail and Murder Are 'Exposed' at the Blank Theatre — Have Your 'Exposed' Films Processed Expertly at Liggett's." Wealthy Russell Hicks hires Adele Mara, private-eye, to investigate his stepson Robert Scott, whose large withdrawals from his account and removal to a secluded apartment have aroused the old man's suspicions. When Adele calls on Hicks at his home that afternoon he's dead, a paper knife through his heart. Adele's father, police detective Robert Armstrong arrives, derides her contention Hicks was fatally poisoned and then stabbed, and orders her to leave the crime's s&lution to him. She ignores his warning and, aided by her not-too-bright aide William Haade, contacts Scott, learns he has been secretly financing some dipsomania cure experiments with Hicks' enemy, Professor Paul E. Burns. She later discovers Hicks was murdered by his attorney Charles Evans who has blamed his own embezzlements on Scott. Cornered, Evans dies by his own hand. IS FILM BULLETIN