The Exhibitor (1959)

4614 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR August 12, 1959 PARAMOUNT That Kind Of Woman Dr™ 92m. (5901) Paramount Estimate: Moderately interesting entry. Cast: Sophia Loren, Tab Hunter, George Sanders, Jack Warden, Barbara Nichols, Keenan Wynn. Produced by Carlo Ponti and Marcello Girosi; directed by Sidney Lumet. Story: In the summer of 1944, paratroopers Tab Hunter and Jack Warden, enroute to New York City, make the acquaintance of Sophia Loren and Barbara Nichols, also en¬ route to the big city under the protective eye of Keenan Wynn, assistant to big-shot industrialist George Sanders. The latter has been keeping Loren as his mistress, while Nichols is an extra friend for others whom he has to influence. Loren and Hunter are attracted to each other. After a night to¬ gether, she tries to break with him, hoping he will go home to visit his family in Ver¬ mont before he is reassigned overseas. He has fallen in love and persuades her to spend more time with him, while Nichols and Warden also get to like each other. Sanders is disturbed at their relationship and even proposes marriage to her. Hunter has also proposed, and he asks her to join him on his visit home so he can introduce her to his folks. Nichols has been propositioned by a general who wants to set her up in an apart¬ ment in Washington , and when Warden doesn’t ask her to marry him, she leaves. Loren, after a tender goodbye to Sanders, rushes to be reunited with Hunter. X-Ray: This story is essentially a film for adults with its down-to-earth dialogue and situations. It is moderately interesting for the most part, offering some torrid romance sequences, attractive background settings in New York City where it was filmed, and capable performances, good direction, etc. It can go in either regulation spots or in art houses. The presence of Tab Hunter may be of some value with regard to the younger set. The screenplay is by Walter Bernstein, based on a story by Robert Lowry. Tips On Bidding: Higher program rates. Ad Lines: “She Was The Kind Of Gal Who Could Love Everyone Until The Right Guy Came Along”; “She Thought She Knew All The Angles.” UNITED ARTISTS Cast A Long Shadow Western ° 82m United Artists (Mirisch) Estimate: For the program. Cast: Audie Murphy, Terry Moore, John Dehner, James Best, Rita Flynn, Denver Pyle, Ann Doran, Stacy B. Harris, Robert Foulk, Wright King. Produced by Walter M. Mirisch; directed by Thomas Carr. Story: Audie Murphy is an illegitimate child who doesn’t know who his real father is. This, plus an unsuccessful love affair with Terry Moore, drives him from the town and to a liking for liquor. He is tracked down one day by John Dehner, foreman of a huge ranch whose owner has died and left the ranch to Murphy. Dehner informs him that he and a number of other employees would like to buy the ranch, and Murphy agrees to return to town to finalize the deal. Murphy is also convinced that the dead man was his father and the bequest is a conscience salver. He decides to keep the ranch and run it himself. He also resumes the romance with Moore, who has missed him and who is more receptive to marriage. Murphy finds that the bank will call in a note on the ranch, and in order to meet the payment and deadline, a hurried cattle drive has to be organized. Helping him overcome many of the difficulties and opposition from angry would-be purchasers is Dehner, who turns out to be his father. He returns all the better for the experience, with the future looking good. X-Ray: This release is a fairly interesting western of program grade with a story that wanders but still contains a number of se¬ quences that should hold audience attention. The cast is adequate, with Dehner particu¬ larly good. Direction and production are okay. There is some action, as well as drama. The screenplay is by Martin H. Goldsmith and John McGreevey, based on the novel by Wayne D. Overholser. Ad Lines: “Action On The Range”; “An Off-Beat Western That’s Different In Action And Story.” The Devil’s Disciple Drama 82m. United Artists (Hecht, Hill, Lancaster) (Filmed in England) Estimate: Filmization of Shaw play has names and angles. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Lau¬ rence Olivier, Janette Scott, Eva LeGallienne, Harry Andrews, Basil Sydney, George Rose, Neil McCall um, Mervyn Johns, David Horne, Jenny Jones. Produced by Harold Hecht; directed by Guy Hamilton. Story: In 1777, during the struggle for independence by the American colonists, a unit of the British Army is headed by Gen¬ eral Burgoyne (Laurence Olivier), who dis¬ likes waging this type of war. The British are in a precarious position in the New Hampshire area and in order to keep the colonists in line, Major Harry Andrews hangs one of them as an example of what could happen to others indulging in treason. Pastor Burt Lancaster is too late to stop the execution, and the British won’t allow him to claim the body for burial. Later that night, the body is stolen by the dead man’s son, Kirk Douglas, a wild and irresponsible char¬ acter known as “The Devil’s Disciple.” An¬ drews decides that another example is in order. Lancaster invites Douglas to his home, fearful that he would be apprehended by the British. When the pastor is called away, the British arrive to arrest Lancaster, and Doug¬ las poses as the pastor despite protestation from Lancaster’s wife, Janette Scott. He is lodged in jail to await a trial. Lancaster joins a rebel band in their resistance. Douglas is sentenced to hang, but Lancaster returns, having defeated the British in a neighboring town and carrying a note from a general held as hostage. Lancaster gives up being pastor for a more active role in the battle for freedom. X-Ray: Much of George Bernard Shaw’s wit is based on words, and therefore it seems that the more successful situations for this entry would be the art and specialty spots, wherein the play on words would best be appreciated. The Shaw work would also have a larger waiting audience there than else¬ where, although it can play in other situa¬ tions. The subject matter is cutely handled; the performances are intense and capable; and the direction and production are ade¬ quate. The star-loaded cast will prove a fac¬ tor in the film’s favor as well. The pace is a leisurely one. The screenplay is by John Dighton and Roland Kibbee, based on the play by George Bernard Shaw. Tips On Bidding: Depends on situation. Ad Lines: “The Best Of Shaw”; “You’ll Have A Devil Of A Time Following This Fun Fest In Times Of Old.” UNIVERSAL-INT. Sapphire u-i Drama 92m (Rank) (English-made) (Eastman Color) Estimate: Well-made mystery with an off¬ beat yarn. Cast: Nigel Patrick, Yvonne Mitchell, Michael Craig, Paul Massie, Bernard Miles, Olga Lindo, Earl Cameron, Gordon Heath, Jocelyn Britton, Harry Baird, Orlando Martins. Produced by Michael Relph; di¬ rected by Basil Dearden. Story: When the body of a stabbed girl is found, the case is turned over to superin¬ tendent Nigel Patrick and assistant Michael Craig. They canvass the schools for a missing student and identify her. Investigation dis¬ closes that she was a Negress passing as white and was engaged to Paul Massie, be¬ coming pregnant by him. Other suspects in¬ clude his father, Bernard Miles, and mother Olga Lindo. There is also a married sister, Yvonne Mitchell, with twins and an unhappy marriage. Some of the clues lead the police to the colored section of London where motives of jealousy and hatred are uncov¬ ered. Detailed and exhausting police work brings them to the murderer, Mitchell, who hates Negroes. X-Ray: This mystery has a fascinating quality to it as well as an unusual theme involving the attempted “passing” of a Ne¬ gress for white, tying in a number of angles, each of which is interestingly treated. There is the conflict of human emotions as well as the “who-done-it” angle to heighten suspense, and there is also some pretty down to earth™ language and philosophy in the proceedings. If an exhibitor takes care and if his situation is of the right nature, more can be made of this entry and better reaction realized. The acting, direction, and production are superior, and it should make up well as part of the show in regulation spots or in the specialty situations. The screenplay is by Janet Green. Ad Lines: “The Story Of A Girl Who Asked To Be Murdered”; “A Suspense-Filled Shocker.” FOREIGN Crisbi Melodrama United Motion Picture Organization (French-made) (English titles) Estimate: Good gangster film for art and specialty spots. Cast: Jean Gabin, Rene Dary, Paul Frankeur, Lino Ventura, Vittorio Sangoli, Jeanne Moreau, Dora Doll, Denise Clair. Pro¬ duced by Robert Dorfmann, directed by Jacques Becker. Story: Jean Gabin and Rene Dary are successful in stealing a huge shipment of gold, and Gabin hides the loot until the furor cools down. Dary informs his mistress, Jeanne Moreau, and she in turn blabs to drug dealer Lino Ventura, who decides some high¬ jacking is in order. He plans torturing the whereabouts of the gold from Gabin and Dary. Gabin is able to escape Ventura and his men, but they do capture Dary. Gabin agrees to surrender the gold for the return of his friend at a remote spot in the country. With the gold in his possession, Ventura tries to eliminate Gabin and associ¬ ates, and there is a battle to the finish. Ventura’s car is destroyed by fire with the gold not being accessible to Gabin. Dary is seriously wounded in the gun battle and later dies. The gold and a dead Ventura wind up in the hands of the police. X-Ray: Action and intrigue in the French underworld are to be found in this import that is fairly interesting. The acting is good, and the direction and production are okay. Fans of the art and specialty spots will find this a change of pace and reaction should be favorable. The screenplay is by Jaques Becker, Albert Simonin, and Maurice Griffe, based on a novel by Simonin. Ad Lines: “The Stealing Of A Fortune In Gold Meant Death In The Paris Under¬ world”; “A Thrilling Expose Of The French Underworld.” THE SERV1SECTION is the only service of its kind giving a full coverage listing, and reviews of all features and shorts in the domestic market. i