Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1941)

Monday, January 6, 1941 Motion Picture Daily 5 Short Subject Reviews "Western Daze" ( Pal-Par am ount) AN altogether refreshing and novel type of short subject, which is neither cartoon nor live talent, has been produced by George Pal with puppets. Photographed in Technicolor, the reel has all the appeal of lively animation. Pal calls his films j "Puppetoons." v Plastic puppets, which can be made to assume amazing forms, are used on miniature sets which create the effect of third dimension. No strings are used on the puppets, however, and they move with all the ease and grace of cartoon characters. Jim Dandy, the tenderfoot; Prunella, the beautiful milkmaid, and Grabit and Hide, the bad men, have been created with considerable imagination and seem sure to have both adult and child appeal. The story is that of two horse thieves who attempt to plant a theft on the tenderfoot. The series, which will consist of six releases, will be called "Madcap Models." Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra supplied the music, which was written by David Raskin. Running time, 9 mins. "United States Military Academy" (Columbia) The daily activities of the cadets at West Point form the subject matter in this number. While the various phases of study and training are outlined graphically the running commentary extols the institution, its founder, its graduates and the undergraduates. The short is really a documentary presenting the academy as a vital part of the nation's defense. Running time, 10 mins. "Boobs in Arms" (Columbia) Here again is the trio of "Stooges," whose slapstick antics are amusing to many. They enlist in the army; become involved with a tough sergeant who had previously caught them with his wife; get a dose of laughing gas, and so on. There are some moments of outstanding comedy, and on the whole it is entertaining comedy. Running time, 18 mins. "Old New Orleans" ( FitzPatrick—MG-M ) Picturesque New Orleans is portrayed in full color in this FitzPatrick "Traveltalk." After some general views of the city, the camera takes in some of the oustanding eating places in this Old World municipality. Unusual foods and unusual manners of serving them are described. Running time, 9 mins. Hays Office, Hotel Give Refugee Party A reception and entertainment for 200 refugee British children in New York, which was sponsored by the M.P.P.D.A. and the Waldorf-Astoria, was given at the hotel on Saturday. A screening of "Pinocchio" followed a reception under the patronage of the British Consul General. Feature Reviews The Saint in Palm Springs" (RKO) Hollywood, Jan. 5. A/f AINTAINING the high quality of its predecessors in the series, 1V1 "The Saint in Palm Springs" pits the Leslie Charteris character against a gang working for an unnamed foreign country attempting to steal $200,000 in stamps which he is taking to the heir of a slain refugee. Supporting George Sanders, who again plays the title role, are Wendy Barrie, Paul Guilfoyle, Jonathan Hale, Linda Hayes, Ferris Taylor, Harry Shannon and Eddie Dunn. Jerry Cady wrote the screenplay, with Jack Hively directing. Howard Benedict was the associate producer for Lee Marcus. Moving with speed, the tale has "The Saint" robbed of the stamps and in his endeavors to get them back and find the criminals, two persons are killed. The capture is finally made in the usual fictional detective climax. Running time, 66 minutes. "G." * Vance King. "Wyoming Wildcat" (Republic) HpHIS is an outdoor yarn far more potent than the usual Western and its effectiveness is sustained by the capable cast. The story was written by Bennett Cohen and prepared for the screen by Cohen and Anthony Coldeway. It tells of the young cowboy, Don "Red" Barry, who returns from the Spanish-American War with a friend, Syd Saylor, and finds his father, Frank M. Thomas, an outlaw. Because of his father's reputation, Barry is persona lion grata with the townsfolk but the situation is straightened out when Thomas proves himself a hero in a gun battle with his former confederates. Julie Duncan has the feminine lead and the supporting players include Dick Bottelier, Edmund Cobb, Ed Brady and George Sherwood. George Sherman is associate producer and director. Running time, 61 minutes. "G." * "Break the News" (Trio Films) RENE CLAIR produced and directed in England this musical farce with a cast that includes Maurice Chevalier, Jack Buchanan and June Knight. One musical number was written by Cole Porter. The Geoffrey Kerr screenplay has a unique comedy plot concerning two second-rate actors in a musical show. One pretends to murder the other for the sake of publicity. It is the star of the show, however, who is given prominence in the press reports. In an amusing climax, the pseudo murderer is about to be executed, since his partner, who had been in hiding, fails to appear when he is mistaken for a revolutionist in a foreign country and imprisoned. Chevalier, as the "murderer," offers a likeable characterization and provokes many laughs as the story develops. The film rates as amusing comedy only when he is dominating the scenes. At other times it lacks sparkle. Running time, 72 minutes. "G." * * "G" denotes general classification. "Hotel du Nord" (Juno Films) A HEAVY dramatic theme, effectively developed by an expert cast and an able director, this French film, produced by Luca, is strictly adult material, but is well done. Produced at the Billancourt Studios, it offers for American audiences Annabella in the leading feminine role, and she is extremely effective as a young girl about to die in a suicide pact, who still loves the young man although he failed to keep their agreement. Based on a novel by Eugene Dabit, with a screenplay by Jean Aurenche, the film was directed by Marcel Carne. With a touch of the "Grand Hotel" technique, the film is set in a small hotel on the banks of a Parisian canal, and particularly involves Annabella and Louis Jouvet, hiding from pursuing underworld characters. They are two lonely souls, cast up on the banks of the canal, and finding in each other complete understanding of the other's plight. Eventually, when Annabella cannot go away with him because of her love for the boy, for whom she is waiting when he comes from prison, Jouvet goes to meet his pursuers, and dies. Running time, 83 minutes. "A." * Charles S. Aaronson * "A" denotes adult classification. 'Eight O'Clock' Opens At Miller Tonight "Eight O'Clock Tuesday," a play by Robert Wallsten and and Mianon G. Eberhart, will be presented at the Henry Miller Theatre tonight by Luther Greene and James Struthers. Pauline Lord heads the cast, which includes McKay Morris, Bramwell Fletcher and Cecil Humphrej's. Joint Body to Hear English Disputes London, Jan. 5. — Despite complete silence by officials concerning the joint talks late last week between representatives of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association and Kinematograph Renters Society (distributors) it is believed certain that a joint committee will be named to handle disputes. The committee would sit constantly, with equal representation by both organizations. Exhibitors seeking relief or special consideration would present their cases to the committee for decision. The move is seen as eliminating the questionnaire form planned by distributors for exhibitors seeking relief because of war conditions, and to which the exhibitors objected vigorously. The committee action also is seen as ending the present situation of bitter opposition between distributors and exhibitors. 'Liberty' Release Jan. 24 "Land of Liberty," patriotic film made with the cooperation of the industry, will be nationally released by M-G-M on Jan. 24. Profits will be given to soldiers' and sailors' welfare organizations. EXHIBITORS ATTENTION! To SERVE you better, we have moved our headquarters into the heart of the FILM INDUSTRY. EMPIRE STATE MOTION PICTURE OPERATORS 276 W. 43rd St., New York City LOngacre 3-1342-3-4 A. I. KINDLER Pres.