The Exhibitor (1959)

August 26, 1959 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 4617 REVIEWS The famous pink paper SA VIABLE SECTION in which Experienced Trade Analysts evaluate coming product fublithud •*«ry i«cond w««k, a* a separately bound and easily savcable section of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, this exclusive 24 year old service is both numerically more complete, and Informatively more candid, than any similar trade analysis. Cumulatively numbered by film seasons (September to September), It is recommended that readers consecutively save all REVIEWS sections in a permanent file. The last issue of each August will always contain a complete annual Index to close the season. Combined, the every second week yellow paper SERVISECTION indexes to the past 12 months' product, and the alternating every second week pink paper REVIEWS, represent a unique informative service to theatremen. Please address all inquiries or suggestions about these two service features to the Editors pf MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, 244-4* N. Clarion St.. Philadelphia 7, Penna. ALLIED ARTISTS The Bat Melodrama 80m. Allied Artists Estimate: Mystery for duallers. Cast: Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, Gavin Gordon, John Sutton, Lenita Lane, Elaine Edwards, Darla Hood, John Bryant, Harvey Stephens, Mike Steele, Riza Royce, Robert B. Williams. Produced by C. J. Tevlin; directed and screenplay by Crane Wilbur. Story; Writer Agnes Moorehead, compan¬ ion Lenita Lane, and staff rent “The Oaks” despite rumors that a killer, the Bat, roams nearby. Dr. Vincent Price has murdered banker Mike Steele in order to get the mil¬ lion dollars Steele has embezzled. The money is believed to be hidden in “The Oaks.” Price, chauffeur John Sutton, and housekeeper Riza Royce are suspected by policeman Gavin Gordon of numerous killings. Late one night, however, the Bat makes his way into “The Oaks” despite a police guard and begins to search for the hidden booty. The sounds of his search awake the resident women and one of them is killed when the Bat makes his escape. Moorehead discovers the hidden money and sets a trap for the Bat. Mean¬ while, Price is killed by the fast moving murderer. The butler, a prime suspect by now, disappears. The Bat is about to open fire on the defenseless Moorehead and com¬ panions when three shots ring out and the Bat drops to the floor. It wasn’t the butler. It was the cop. X-Ray: This is a fair mystery with some mellow melodramatics by Vincent Price and appropriate screams by the supporting cast. In order to explain why the villain was who he was, the thing gets pretty involved. Miss Moorehead gives a good tongue-in-cheek per¬ formance, but it’s fairly old stuff and gets bogged down by an excess of plot. There is a market for this as part of the program for the undiscriminating. Ad Lines: “Action, Terror, Suspense”; “A Thrill and Horror Excitement.” Little Rascals Varieties comedy 66m. Allied Artists Estimates: Cute compilation for kiddie shows. Credits: Spanky MacFarland, Darla Hood, Buckwheat, Alfalfa, and other “Little Ras¬ cals.” Produced and directed by Hal Roach. Story: A number of old shorts with the kids who used to be known as “Our Gang” have been put together, with the talents of the little ones amply displayed. S X-Ray: A number of subjects featuring the youngsters have appeared on television, but this will hardly be a deterrent with the very young for a matinee. The youngsters seem to have fun watching the antics of their counterparts on screen. Making up the fea¬ ture are “Little Rascals Follies 1936,” “Little Rascals Follies 1938,” “Bored of Education,” “Fishy Tales,” and “Glove Taps.” IMPORTANT Data carried in this issue of REVIEWS, as it pertains to the 1958-59 season, will not be carried in complete detail again. Subsequent issues will be compiled as of, and after the issue of Sept. 2, 1959, and will start the only complete reviewing record of the 1959-60 season in any motion picture trade paper. Additional data on the 1959-59 season will continue to be carried in REVIEWS until the record is completed. Back issues of REVIEWS are available for purchase on request at The Exhibitor Bookshop. Ad Lines: “America’s All Time Favorite Kids In A Hilarious Full Length Feature”; “A Musical Revue Packed With Juvenile Comedy And Gay Songs.” MCM For the First Time MGM Musical 92m. (Technirama) (Technicolor) (Filmed abroad) Estimate: Entertaining Mario Lanza entry. Cast: Mario Lanza, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Kurt Kasznar, Johanna Von Koszian, Hans Sohnker, Peter Capell, Renzo Cesana, Sandro Giglio. Produced by Alexander Gruter; di¬ rected by Rudy Mate. Story: Mario Lanza, unpredictable Ameri¬ can tenor, keeps an audience waiting at the Vienna Opera House while he entertains out¬ side in the rain for a group of fans unable to get tickets. The people walk out, and manager Kurt Kasznar insists he go into hiding until the adverse publicity dies down. On Capri, he meets Johanna Von Koszian, who can’t hear him sing because she is deaf, and he falls in love with her. Her uncle warns him that she may never hear, but he gets a list of the best specialists in Europe and books concerts in every one of these cities. A doctor in Salzburg agrees to try. The operation is successful but Lanza is warned it may be temporary and could be nullified by infection, etc. He and Koszian go on a fun tour of Europe while wedding plans are made back in Capri. She catches cold and is rushed back to Capri deaf again. The specialist assures them after an examina¬ tion that the set-back is temporary, and they can go ahead with their plans to wed. X-Ray: Mario Lanza sings again and to many people this will be welcome news. Not only does he sing, and often, but what’s more, he is in fine voice. The story is welltailored to present the Lanza voice and the beauties of some of Europe’s most famous cities and settings. The use of color en¬ hances the release, and the filming is sharp and well done. The picture was filmed in ™no™° AUGUST 26, 1959 I II II Rome, Naples, Capri, Salzburg, Vienna, and Berlin, and has absorbed a continental flavor that makes the entry all the more attractive. If Lanza fans are still as numerous as be¬ fore, then this could do real good business. The acting is good, and direction and pro¬ duction are efficient. The story is the weakest factor. Screenplay is by Andrew Solt. Music heard includes “La Donna E Mobile,” “Come Prima,” “Capri, Capri,” “O Sole Mio,” “Vesta La Guibba,” “Ich Liebe Dich,” “Cosi Fan Tutti,” “Death Scene from Othello,” “Ave Maria,” “Pineapple Picker,” “Ritorna Vincitor.” Tips On Biddings Higher bracket in many situations. Ad Lines: “Mario Lanza Sings . . . And Everyone Loves To Listen”; “A Treat To The Eyes And Ears”; “Mario Lanza At His Best In A Wonderful Story of Song And Romance.” It Started With a Kiss Co^DY 104m. MGM (CinemaScope) (MetroColor) Estimate: Cute comedy has names, mass appeal. Cast: Glenn Ford, Debbie Reynolds, Eva Gabor, Gustavo Rojo, Fred Clark, Edgar Buchanan, Henry (Harry) Morgan, Robert Warwick, Frances Bavier. Produced by Aaron Rosenberg; directed by George Marshall. Story: Showgirl Debbie Reynolds is out to marry a millionaire and snares a booth at a charity affair hoping to follow through. One of those she attracts is Air Force sergeant Glenn Ford, who buys a chance from her on a custom-made car. She agrees to date him when he persistently insists and agrees to marry him after a one day court¬ ship and a powerful kiss. Twenty-four hours later, he is on his way to Spain and his Air Forte base, not knowing that he has won the car in the raffle. When Reynolds writes him of a surprise, this is misinterpreted to mean she is going to have a baby. When she joins him, she begins to have doubts about the marriage and decides a 30-day trial period of marriage-in-name-only is in order, which almost drives him crazy. Mean¬ while, the car creates a sensation wherever it appears. Wealthy bullfighter Gustavo Rojo spots Reynolds and the car and decides he would like to have both. He gets his friend Eva Gabor to arrange a meeting. Ford is faced with the problem of keeping an eye on Reynolds as well as satisfying the Treas¬ ury Department, which claims he owes $17,500 in taxes on the car. He decides to sell the car to Rojo which gets him in more hot water with the authorities. He also de¬ cides to give Reynolds her freedom. A week¬ end at Gabor’s straightens everything out, and a new Reynolds commences married life. DO SAVE . . . pink REVIEWS! They provide a permanent evaluation of all features and shorts, as caught by our skilled reviewers, all cumula¬ tively numbered and indexed, and punched for a standard ring binder. Establish your seasonal set!