The Exhibitor (1959)

4646 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR October 21, 1959 badly as Bogarde has difficulty remembering details, and the evidence points to the fact that he is indeed an impostor. When a shambling wreck from a mental hospital is led into the courtroom, Bogarde cringes in fear and recognition. Now even de Havilland is convinced that this poor creature is the man she loved and that she has been married to an impostor. Court is adjourned, and Bogarde, broken hearted at his wife’s rejection and his own inability to remember takes a long walk. His memory returns. The next day in court he tells how his lookalike tried to kill him during the escape, intending to take his place. He bested him in a furious fight, and the horror of the situation blanked out his mem¬ ory. Bogarde’s identity is established, and he and de Havilland are reunited. X-Ray: Mounting tension, suspense, brood¬ ing photography, and exciting legal gymnas¬ tics make this courtroom drama fine film fare for discriminating audiences. Perform¬ ances are excellent, with Bogarde fine in a tricky dual role, de Havilland convincing, and Robert Morley and Wilfrid Hyde-White contributing mightily as opposing lawyers. Production and direction are fine, with ten¬ sion and interest kept high throughout. While some may see through the mystery before it unfolds, this in no way lessens the impact. Some interesting camera techniques, partic¬ ularly the use of quick closeups from long shots adds to the film’s effectiveness. This one should please those who like their drama taut and thought-provoking. The screen play is by de Grunwald and Karl Tunberg. Tip On Bidding: Better program rates. Ad Lines: “A Man Battles For His Identity On The Razor Edge Of Madness”; “Who Was He? His Wife, His Friend Cried Fraud, And He Himself Could Not Be Sure”; “A Story Of Mounting Suspense And Haunting Fear.” Tarzan, The Ape Man Drama 82m. MGM (Technicolor) Estimate: New Tarzan should please fans. Cast: Denny Miller, Joanna Barnes, Cesare Danova, Robert Douglas, Thomas Yangha. Produced by A1 Zimbalist; directed by Joseph Newman. Story: Robert Douglas and Cesare Danova flee an African trading post they operate with Douglas’ daughter, Joanna Barnes, as it appears the jungle is about to erupt into warfare. They decide to recoup their for¬ tunes in a hunt for the legendary elephants’ graveyard and a fortune in ivory. Their arduous trek through the jungle is inter¬ rupted by hostile natives and Tarzan (Denny Miller) rescues Barnes and takes her to his tree house. Although the Ape Man speaks no English, she respects him for his gentle¬ ness and idyllic jungle life. She is found by Douglas and Danova and the search is con¬ tinued, with Miller following to protect Barnes. They are attacked by Pygmies and Douglas is killed. Again, Miller comes to the rescue. Danova and Barnes find the ele¬ phants’ graveyard and enough ivory to make them all rich for a lifetime. The bewildered Miller can’t understand the desperate search for money and returns to his jungle home. Barnes realizes that love and happiness are more important than money and joins him. X-Ray: MGM has brought the Tarzan cycle full circle, and the change is a refresh¬ ing one. The civilized Tarzan is gone, and we return to the courageous, unspoiled child of the jungle, who speaks not at all, but whose actions are louder than words. Miller, handsome and athletic, is a fine new Tarzan, and he has a lovely Jane in Joanna Barnes. Techniolor photography is excellent, with the jungle as fascinating as ever. Production credits are good, and direction keeps action uppermost in mind, a factor that should please fans of the series which has proven quite popular through the years. The kids especially should love it, although the old¬ sters will find this Tarzan more like the one they remember from Burroughs’ books and the older films. Screenplay is by Robert Hill. Tip on Bidding; Fair program rates. Ad Lines: “A New Tarzan Finds Forgotten Worlds Of Adventure”; “New And Exciting Adventures For The Newest, Greatest Tar¬ zan Of Them All.” PARAMOUNT The Bridges At Toko-Ri Dr™ (R5906) Paramount (Reissue) v (Technicolor) Estimate: Well-made, interesting entry about Navy pilots. Cast: William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fred¬ eric March, Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss, Charles McGraw, Keiko Awaji, Earl Holli¬ man, Richard Shannon, Willis B. Bouchey, Nadene Ashdown, Cheryl Lynn Callaway. Produced by William Perlberg and George Seaton; directed by Mark Robson. X-Ray: When first reviewed in January, 1955, it was said: “There are a number of scenes to be found here that are touching, others that are filled with action and sus¬ pense, and still others that are highly dra¬ matic, all of which when coupled with highly capable performances and penetrating direc¬ tion results in a superior film worthy of better boxoffice returns. Perhaps there will be some who will claim that the unhappy ending is too realistic or that some of the theorizing is distracting or that the story is slim, while still others will state that movies have grown up and become more adult be¬ cause of the realism injected at the end, and that the feature has gained in stature be¬ cause it has followed the best selling book by James A. Michener faithfully.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “Tomorrow The Deadliest Mis¬ sion — Tonight The Greatest Love”; “A Thrill¬ ing Best-Seller Brought To The Screen Faithfully Makes For Wonderful Entertain¬ ment” The Country Girl (R5905) Dr“ Paramount (Reissue) Estimate: High rating drama. Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, William Holden, Anthony Ross, Gene Reynolds, Jacqueline Fontaine, Eddie Ryder, Robert Kent, John W. Reynolds, Ida Moore, Frank Scanell, Ruth Rickaby. Produced, by William Perlberg; directed and written for the screen by George Seaton. X-Ray: When first reviewed in December, 1954, it was said: “Here is a vehicle that permits three top actors to display talents of Academy Award winning stature. Crosby shows that he is master of things other than the song and comedy patter while Kelly is superb in her portrayal of the wife with a problem, and Holden is the excellent actor he always is. The story itself is powerful drama told forcefully and yet with taste. The direction and production are in the better category. To sum up, this is the kind of dramatic entertainment that will be best appreciated by adults. It is based on the play by Clifford Odets, and there are a num¬ ber of songs heard. Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “A Film With A Heart”; “Three People Had A Problem They Had To Solve — Who Would Get Hurt?” The Jayhawkers (5904) MelodJ^ Paramount (VistaVision) (Technicolor) Estimate: Good action entry. Cast: Jeff Chandler, Fess Parker, Nicole Maurey, Henry Silva, Herbert Rudley, Jim¬ my Carter, Shari Lee Bernath, Leo Gordon. Produced by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank; directed by Melvin Frank. Story: In 1859, the Territory of Kansas is beset by raiders from the south as well as the north. One of the groups raiding, plun¬ dering, and killing are the Jayhawkers from Missouri. In the midst of this, Fess Parker, a Mexican war hero turned killer escapes from prison and arrives wounded at his old homestead to find it is owned by a young French widow, Nicole Maurey, and her two youngsters. She nurses him to recovery and shows him the grave containing the body of his dead wife. He is recaptured by a Federal posse and Governor Herbert Rudley offers him his freedom if he will help in the cap¬ ture of Jeff Chandler, leader of the Jay¬ hawkers, who wants to set up his own king¬ dom in Kansas. Rudley reveals that it was Chandler who stole Parker’s wife, and when he was through with her, he left her to die. Parker agrees and does find Chandler, from whom he discovers that his wife gave her love freely. He is charmed by Chandler and forgets his quest for vengeance as he joins him on his campaign. They take a number of towns. They reach his old home town and during the raid Maurey’s little girl is tram¬ pled. Parker takes her home and resolves to carry on with the apprehension of Chandler. He sets up an ambush and convinces Chand¬ ler to go along. Chandler learns of Parker’s betrayal and the two have a showdown with Parker victorious. The governor pardons Parker and he and Maurey go home together. X-Ray: Action and intrigue are to be found in large quantities in this colorful entry, and interest by the viewer should be ever present. The people play their parts well, receiving good direction and better production values. It should do well as part of the show where this type of film is indi¬ cated. The screenplay is Melvin Frank and A. I. Beszerides. Tips On Bidding: Higher program rates. Ad Lines: “Terror Rode The Night In PreCivil War Kansas”; “Action And Intrigue Hit The Screen With Powerful Impact”; “The Night Riders Had To Be Stopped And Only One Man Could Do It.” Ulysses (R5909) Melodrama 104m Paramount (Reissue) (Technicolor) (Filmed in Italy) Estimate: Filmization of epic work has angles for all spots. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Sylvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podesta, Sylvio, Daniel Ivemee, Jacques Dumesnil, Franco Interlenghi. Directed by Mario Camperini; produced by Dino De Laurentis and Carlo Ponti in association with William W. Schoor. X-Ray: When first reviewed in June, 1955, it was said: “The filmization of Homer’s Odyssey is an impressive work filled with adventure, plenty of action, colorful and un¬ usual settings, and is aided considerably by special effects and unusual situations . . . The cast does well . . . with production and direction good. The Technicolor provides help in the presentation ...” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “A Classic Of Adventure, Thrills and Violent Romance”; “Adventure After Ad¬ venture For 10 Long Years Made A Man Long For Home And His Beautiful Wife.” 20th-FOX The Best Of Everything (931) 20th Fox (CinemaScope) (Color by DeLuxe) Estimate: Sophisticated office yarn is highly interesting. Cast: Hope Lange, Stephen Boyd, Suzy Parker, Martha Hyer, Diane Baker, Brian Aherne, Robert Evans, Brett Halsey, Donald Harron, Sue Carson, Linda Hutchings, Lionel Kane, Ted Otis, Louis Jourdan, Joan Craw¬ ford, June Blair, Myrna Hansen. Produced by Jerry Wald; directed by Jean Negulesco. Story: Hope Lange reports for work at a publishing house, hoping this will be a stop¬ gap until she can marry Brett Halsey on hi*