Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1952)

Tuesday, January 22, 1952 Motion Picture Daily 5 I ' . I Millions of teens will see it acclaimed in SEVENTEEN Millions will applaud it in theaters. I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS Named February PICTURE OF THE MONTH by the magazine that builds the movie attendance of America's youth seventeen THE ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR TEENS Review "Bend of the River' {Universal) «*r> END OF THE RIVER" easily belongs among the best of the out-of Jj doors action films of recent years. It is difficult to imagine how more menace, suspense and both large-scale and personalized combat than you will find in it could have been wedged into its 90 minutes of running time. Its pace is almost breathless from beginning to end and, if that were not enough, you can still advertise a swell cast headed by Jimmy Stewart in a different but convincing role of a bad man turned good; with that fine actor Arthur Kennedy ; with Rock Hudson, Jay C. Flippen, Julia Adams, Howard Petrie, and others, not to overlook the old veteran, Stepin' Fetchit, who makes several brief but characteristic appearances. Then you have additionally, mountain scenery along the old Oregon Trail and the Columbia River, with Mount Hood for backdrop, photographed in color by Technicolor. It is a scenic treat which will be worth the price of admission alone, to many. With these lush properties assembled by producer Aaron Rosenberg, and the effective direction of Anthony Mann, full justice, and more, has been done to the Borden Chase screenplay of Bill Gulick's novel, "Bend of the Snake," which relates the trials which beset a group of homesteaders on their way, a century ago, to Oregon's fertile valley lands. Stewart, endeavoring to put behind him a violent past as a Missouri raider, is serving as guide for the wagon train of homesteaders when he saves Kennedy from being hanged. The latter's background is similar to Stewart's but his intentions about reforming are not. Kennedy joins the wagon trail, however, and does his part in saving both it and Stewart from destruction. Temptation overcomes him when Portland becomes a gold town and prices of supplies skyrocket. He aids Stewart in getting the homesteaders' winter supplies aboard a river boat but turns traitor when miners in the mountains of¥er a fabulous price for the supplies. It takes some doing for Stewart to recapture the train, best his old comrade, win Miss Adams and deliver the supplies to the settlement and Hudson to Lori Nelson. "Bend of the River" is grand entertainment of its kind and should be surefire for all audiences that like fast-paced dramas of the great open spaces, well acted, mounted and directed. Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. For February release. Sherwin Kane Christophers Unveil Film on Television An effective plea for wholesome entertainment on home television is contained in the second Christopher film, "Television Is What You Make It." The 30-minute short, distribution plans of which have not been set as yet, stars Walter .A^bel and Ruth Hussey. At its screening here yesterday. Father James Keller, director of the Christophers, also announced a new $10,000 Christopher contest, the prizes of which will go to individuals writing on the theme of "What One Person Can Do." The annual $25,000 Christopher awards for creative talent will be made in Beverley Hills, Cal., on Feb. 14, it was announced. Color for TV {Continued from page 1) system, the letter said it was "of real importance that the scientific advance in theatre projection equipment for color television be not impeded." U. S. Sees {Continued from page 1) Commission would lift the television freeze early this year, and asked $8,075,000 for the agency in fiscal 1953, against $6,605,000 this year. Meet on Guild Merger The five labor unions and guilds that comprise Television Authority have secured the services of industrial and labor relations experts from the Universities of California and Cornell to prepare a blueprint for the merger of the five and Television Authority. Representatives of the five and the Authority will have their first meeting with the University representatives today at the New York State School for Industrial Labor Relations here. Legion of Decency Puts 1 in Class C The latest report of the Legion of Decency places one film, "Latuko," distributed by Irving Lesser, in Class C, condemned, and one film in Class B. The latter is Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth." The report also places the following si.x films in Class .A.-I : "Bend of the River," Universal-International ; "Captive of Billy the Kid" and "Secrets of Monte Carlo," both Republic ; "The Old West" and "Smokey Canyon," both Columbia, and "St. Matthew's Passion," Academy Productions. Rated Class A-II are : "African Queen," United Artists ; "Just This Once," M-G-M, and "Street Bandits," Republic. New Briskin Option {Continued from page 1) Montague, Donald S. Stralem, Henry Crown and Arnold M. Grant. Stockholders will also vote on motions to amend the options of A. Schneider, vice-president and treasurer, and Joseph A. McConville, vicepresident. The alterations are designed to meet provisions of the Revenue Act of 1950. Another amendment will be offered regarding the five-year contract of Spingold, vicepresident in charge of advertising and publicity. It would eliminate a corporation option to place Spingold's service on a part-time basis before his contract .expires in March, 1954. Burn Cross in Yard Of Censor Binford Memphis, Jan. 21. — A cross was burned in the front yard of the home here of Lloyd T. Binford, chairman of the Memphis Board of Censors whose censorship activities have been in the news for years. Yes, showmen will see lots of teens coming to the boxoffice ^when this SEVENTEENpraised picture comes to town... Danny Thomas in I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS also starring Frank Lovejoy and Patrice Wymore A joyful, jubilant musical that's great entertainment for every one... great business for exhibitors! WARNER BROS. Produced by Louis F. Edelman Directed by Michael Curtiz