Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

Thursday, June 17, 1948 Motion Picture Daily 5 Reviews "Man-Eater of Kumaon" (Universal-International) THE exploitation-minded exhibitor is offered in this tale of jungle menace a clear-cut opportunity to exercise his promotional ingenuity _ in terms of old-time spectacular showmanship. "Man-Eater of Kumaon" (title refers to the calibre of tiger which is native to a section of India) is one , of those highly exploitable pictures the grossing strength of which is vested chiefly lhe quality of the customer lures that can be created in its behalf. 5ased on a book of the same title by Jim Corbett, the film recites at an andante pace the mortal rivalry between a hunter from America (Wendell Corey) and a constantly stalking jungle cat which, by virtue of having been wounded, is forced to prey among the less fleet native villagers in the Indian province. What the film lacks in histrionic values is compensated for considerably in the gripping photography of the handsome beast in action. The Jeanne Bartlett-Lewis Meltzer screenplay portrays Corey as somewhat indifferent at the outset to the fact that his initial failure to "finish off" the wounded animal has created a menace to life among the natives of the area, but when he comes to observe first-hand the unhappiness wrought by the stalking tiger he resolves to kill the beast. In so doing he makes secure the future happiness of Sabu and Joanne Page, cast as a young married native couple, but loses his own life in a bloody struggle with the tiger. With the exception of Morris Carnovsky, who lends vigor to his portrayal of a native village leader, the acting is only passable. Monty Shaff and Frank P. Rosenberg produced and Byron Haskin directed. Adaptation was by Richard G. Hubler and Alden Nash. Running time, 79 minutes. General audience classification. July release. Charles L. Franke "Beyond Glory' (Paramount) IN "Beyond Glory," West Point serves as the background for a drama which, while unpretentious in its handling, proves an absorbing exhibit that will gain warm appraisal from the majority of patrons. Its heavy reliance on human interest gives the story ready acceptability as popular entertainment and the film succeeds uncommonly well in creating a sympathetic attitude toward Alan Ladd, a veteran who has the audience with him all the way in an inquiry bearing on his fitness to continue as a member of the cadet corps. In his direction, John Farrow lost little opportunity to give the material as much suspense as possible. The series of moves by which Ladd is saved from expulsion are certain to be followed with heightened interest by the ordinary filmgoer. The problem faced by Ladd in the effort to clear him of charges made against him by a disgruntled youth expelled from the Academy has emotional value which should widen the picture's potential audience. Ladd's story is told, however, with an excessive use of flashbacks which may slow up the film for some. There is no questioning the sincerity of the acting, especially on the part of Ladd and Donna Reed, who are teamed to a romantic advantage. George Macready, George Coulouris and Henry Travers are among others worthy of mention. Robert Fellows produced from an effective script by Jonathan Latimer, Charles M. Warren and William Wister Haines. Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. Release date, Sept. 3. P. E. L. 'Mickey" (Eagle-Lion) LOIS BUTLER, a promising 16-year-old talent of splendid voice and winning looks, makes her screen debut in "Mickey." The vehicle provided for the occasion is a pleasing, homespun, comedy drama in Cinecolor about a small-town tomboy who has a penchant for upsetting the applecarts of convention. Its amiable brand of formula humor and portraiture seems made to order for the family trade, and especially the teen-agers, for whom exploitation angles are facile and many. As Mickey, the central figure in the story, Miss Butler, it seems, would rather play baseball than practice singing, or any other lady-like avocations. As the story progresses, one of Mickey's innocent activities becomes so distorted by the local gossips, that her widowed father, a doctor, comes close to losing his opportunity to head the new town hospital. Things all turn out well, however, with Mickey even successfully turning her father's marital attentions in the direction of an attractive fashion editor. Bill Goodwin portrays the father and Irene Hervey the editor. Others in the cast include John Sutton and Rose Hobart. The screenplay, by Muriel Roy Bolton and Agnes Christine Johnston, is a simple and conventional one, although it has moments of tasty flavor. Aubrey Schenck produced and Ralph Murphy directed. Among the songs are "Father Goose," "Dreams in My Heart" and "Minute Waltz." Running time, 87 minutes. General audience classification. For August release. Mandel Herbstman LOUIS vs. WALCOTT FITE PICTURE VALANCES SIZE: 10x3 FEET $9.75 National Flag Company 43 W. 21st ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. Tel. GRamercy 5-5858 Ansco Promotes Two Binghamton, N. Y., June 16. — William Balch has been named Eastern sales manager for Ansco and Harold A. Edlund has been appointed Western manager by Allan Williford, Ansco general manager. Balch will continue as New York district manager and Edlund as Chicago manager.