The Exhibitor (1954)

December 29, 1954 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR Griffith, Robert Wilson, Ralph Freud, Tyler McVey, Touch Connors, Toni Gerry, Everett Glass, Lowell Gilmore, Anthony Warde, Peter Whitney. Produced by James K. Friedrich; directed by Irving Pichel. Story: A band of rebels in ancient Judea hope to overthrow the Roman rulers and bring independence to their land. The leader of the rebels, Lee J. Cobb, and his chief lieutenant, James (Judas Iscariot) Griffith, hope to find a leader who will ignite a spark of enthusi¬ asm among the lethargic people. A Galalean Robert (Jesus) Wilson, is seen traveling over the land with his followers, teaching a new doctrine of humility emd love while performing some amazing healing. He captures the people as no one before and Griffith believes that this is the man to lead the revolt. He joins Jesus and becomes one of his chosen followers, hoping to win him over to the movement to free Israel. When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he is greeted with such en¬ thusiasm that he could proclaim himself king, and the people would uphold him. He refuses, though, and Judas’ plan seems destroyed. He, however, hopes yet to rally the people by turning Jesus over to Ae jealous authorities and thereby moving the people to revolt to save their “leader.” The plan backfires and Jesus is con¬ demned to death. His plan a failure and ridden by guilt, Judas kills himself. All his followers are dispairing when Jesus appears to them risen from death. X-Ray: Technically good, this Biblical tale is told in beautiful Eastman Color with settings that are simple but satisfac¬ tory. Produced and acted with sincerity, this purposely avoids lavishness and gaudiness. It tells the New Testament story of Jesus and his teachings simply with the movement for political rebellion a imifying force. What is more, it gives Judas a motivation and purpose rather than just a force of evil. Since its theme is so directly concerned with the telling of the Christian legend, this might have a special religious appeal. In any case, it requires special type of handling. Artluu T. Horman wrote the screen play. It is possible that certain racial and religious sects may be offended by some of the characterizations. Ad Lines: “For The First Time The Full Story Of The New Testament Comes To The Screen In Color”; “Not Since ‘King Of Kings’ Has There Been Such An Achievement”; “A Simple And Sin¬ cere Telling Of The Christian Legend.” rounded up, and the film is entirely clean, despite its dealing with subject matter that is usually of the hush, hush type. The screen play is also by Samuel Newman. Ad Lines: “Illegal Operations Bared In Adult Shock Drama”; “The Film The World Dared Hollywood To Make”; “Wo¬ man After Woman Put Their Reputations, Their Lives In His Shameful Hands.” This Is Your Army Docume™ry (Movietone News-U. S. Army) (Technicolor) Estimate: Interesting documentary on U.S. army. Credits: Produced by Edmund Reek; associate producer John J. Gordon; pho¬ tographed by Jack Painter, A.S.C., and William Storz; written by James Altieri and Joseph Kenas; edited by Bill Kosh and John Hughes; narrated by Joe King. This was produced in cooperation with the U.S. army and is exhibited as a public service sponsored by the Council of Motion Picture Organizations. Story: Answered here is the question, what makes a soldier in the U.S. army. It follows recruits from the moment they arrive at the army installation they are assigned to, and it details his examina¬ tions, training, clothing issuance, drilling, field maneuvers, etc. All of the branches of the army are seen in action, as well as the various types and classes of weapons that must be mastered and the thousands of skills that are taught to newcomers and oldsters alike. Actual battle conditions are simulated. X-Ray: This documentary probably serves a three-fold purpose. It shows the American people exactly what the army is doing and what can be expected of it, and the many fxmctionj that make up the organization; it also shows recruits, volunteers, and draftees what to expect when their turn to serve comes around; it will prove to the world at large that the army is a thoroughly experienced, powerful organization ready for action anywhere and at any time. It is done in¬ terestingly, and audiences should prove attentive. Exhibitors can play this as part^ of the program. Ad Lines: “Here Come The Finest Fighting Men On Earth”; “The BehindThe-Scenes Story Of How America’s Youth Are Trained To Be Ready For Action Anywhere”; “Ready To Serve And Ready To Fight For America.” The Desperate Women Melodrama 67 m. (Samuel Newman Productions) Estimate: Abortion racket film can be exploited. Cast: Anne Appleton, Douglas Howard, Paul Hahn, Ben Deniel^ Samuel New¬ man, Maria Girard, Virginia Leon, Karen Moore, Eve Meyer, Joseph Allen, Jr., Robert Lee, Theodore Marcuse, Richard Risso, Stanley Glenn, Rebecca Young, Karen Wolfe, Raymond Barrett. Produced by Samuel Newman and Louis B. Appleton, Jr.; directed by Louis B. Appleton, Jr. Story: When ’teen age daughter, Vir¬ ginia Leon, dies as the result of an abor¬ tion, newspaper publisher Robert Lee puts his top reporters Anne Appleton and Douglas Howard on the case, determined to expose and break up abortion ring headed by underworld leader Samuel Newman and illegal doctors Paul Hahn and Theodore Marcuse. Police, headed by Ben Daniels, lend a hand and succeed in breaking up the illegal operation mill. X-Ray: Suited for adult showings, this meller with a cast of unknowns will have to -depend on sensationalizing to get by. It is a more or less sincere expose of a touchy topic. There is a good chase sequence as the abortionist gang is 20,000 Leagues Melodrama Under The Sea 122m. (Buena Vista) (CinemaScope) (Color by Technicolor) Estimate: High rating Disney feature. Cast: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Robert J. WUke, Carleton Yoimg, Ted de Corsia, Percy Hel¬ ton, Ted Cooper, Edward Marr, Fred Graham, J. M. Kerrigan. Directed by Richard Fleischer; a Walt Disney pres¬ entation. Story: In 186S, the shipping lanes of the Pacific are terrorized by a strange monster which attacks and sinks ships. The government organizes an expedition to track down the stories, and aboard are Kirk Douglas, a harpooner; authority on undersea life, professor Paul Lukas; and his assistant, Peter Lorre. These three are the only survivors when their ship is sunk, and they come across a strange craft resting on the surface while its captain, James Mason, and crew are bury¬ ing a crew member on the bottom of the sea. He permits them to remain on board figuring he may use them in the future, and they are astounded by the electrically operated marvels that are years ahead of their time, as well as the hatred of Mason for the outside world. Douglas tries to escape once but is driven back to the sub by headhunting natives. He also inserts notes in bottles thrown overboard at every opportunity announcing the event¬ ual destination of the sub. Wounded by a battleship, they head for home, and tangle with a giant squid which almost takes Mason’s life, but Douglas saves him. Douglas’ messages have done their job, and warships and men await Mason. The latter gets ashore to his island and sets off a bomb which will destroy his secrets. He is fatally wounded and returns to the ship to die. He orders the vessel sunk as a tomb beneath the sea. Douglas man¬ ages to escape with Lukas and Lorre and they get far enough away so that the bomb that goes off and destroys every¬ thing and everyone doesn’t affect them. X-Ray: Walt Disney has once again come through with an off-beat subject that emerges as a high-grade and entertaining film bordering on science-fiction, with spe¬ cial photography and effects that put this in the better entertainment class. The story and plot are fantastic; but so well done and so absorbing that interest is held on high throughout. Direction and pro¬ duction are in the better category. The screen play is by Earl Felton, based on the novel by Jules Verne. One song, “A Whale Of A Tale,” is heard as sung by Douglas. Tip On Bidding: Higher rates. Ad Lines: “An Absorbing Tale Of Ad¬ venture ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’”; “An Experience Not To Be Forgotten”; “A Thrilling Science Classic Brought To The CinemaScope Screen In Outstanding Dis¬ ney Fashion. It’s An Entertaining Thriller.” The Short Parade TWO REEL Color Drama A GIFT FROM DIRK. U-I— Special. 19m. Eddie Albert narrates this color short filmed in Holland, which relates the story of Dirk, a youngster who lives with his parents on a canal boat in Holland. Since his mother’s birthday is coming, he wants to get her something special though not too expensive. He hears the story of the beautiful Firebird Tuhp and he decides to give her one of these. At a tour of a huge tulip garden, he sees thousands of varities but not the one he wants since it is too early for this one. A gardener comes to his aid and presents him with one that has yet to bloom, but it does when he presents it to his mother on her birthday. GOOD. (1201). Color Musical CHAMP BUTLER SINGS. U-I— Musi¬ cal Featurette. 15m. A variety show is to be seen here with numbers or specialty acts by the Cheers, Allen and Ashton, Larry Raine, Stan Fisher, Frankie Carle and his orchestra, and Champ Butler. Among the numbers heard are “Blue Moon,” “What Should I Do,” “Dance Of The Comedians,” “Boathouse Waltz,” “I Need Your Lovin’,” “Can’t We Be More Than Just Friends,” “I’m Coming Over To Love You Tonight,” “Cake Walk.” GOOD. (1301). ROAD SHOW. U-I— Musical Featurette. 15m. Johnny Johnston has been requested by his fiancee to abandon singing in favor of acting as an agent so that they can settle down and get married. He arranges an audition of some of his talent for one of the owners of one of the Las Vegas Servisection 5 3893