The Exhibitor (1962)

May 16, 1962 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 4935 involved in the smuggling and ha is seized, but escapes with the aid of Cushing, who marries the young couple. Allen and his men accuse Cushing of being the pirate who was supposed to have died, and he admits his identity. He says he turned straight and tried tp help the villagers. He escapes, aided by the villagers, but is fatally woimded by Reid, who is also killed. Cushing is buried in the empty grave that bore his headstone over it. X-Ray: There’s a bit of everything to be foimd in this entry for the program, includ¬ ing pirates, smuggling, ghostly riders, swordsplay, gun fights, romance, as well as intrigue. Loaded in this way, it should do okay as part of the show, with a yarn that holds interest adequately and with okay performances by the cast as well as adequate direction and production. Except for Peter Cushing, the cast is relatively unknown here. The screen¬ play is by John Elder. Ad Lines: “His Secret Was Guarded By A Townful of People”; “A Pirate Tries To Re¬ form — The Result Is Thrilling Adventure.” That Touch Of Mink Comedy U-I (Color) (Panavision) Estimate: Highly amusing comedy. Cast: Cary Grant, Doris Day, Gig Yoimg, Audrey Meadows, Dick Sargent, Alan Hewitt, John Astin^ John McKee, Jan Burrell. Execu¬ tive producer, Robert Arthur, produced by Stanley Shapiro and Martin Melcher, direct¬ ed by Delbert Mann. Story: Wealthy, handsome, and single busi¬ ness tycoon Cary Grant is enroute to his office when his limousine splashes imemployed Doris Day. She has just been through a session with imemplo5nnent office clerk John Astin, who has designs on her. Grant tries to find her to apologize, but she is gone. He later sees her enter an automat across from his office and sends assistant Gig Young to apologize and offer her money for her clothes. She is indignant and threatens to throw the money in Grant’s face given the opportimity, which Young delightedly pro¬ vides. Her anger is extinguished by Grant’s charm, and he takes her out after having her clothes cleaned. She enjoys covering several cities in his private plane, and at the eve¬ ning’s end, he offers to take her on a trip to Bermuda and Emope on a non-platonic basis. She is determined not to go, but when he doesn’t call her, she calls him and informs him she has agreed. He provides her with a lavish wardrobe and they go to Bermuda, where everything is fine imtil night fall when she breaks out in a rash. A doctor gives her a sedative and prescribes uninterrupted rest. Back in New York, she is annoyed with her¬ self and goes back to finish the rendezvous, summoning Grant from a date. She fortifies herself with liquor imtil she becomes dead drunk and tumbles out the window, sustain¬ ing only bruises. Young feels that Grant really loves her and sets up a plot to make him realize it and want to marry her. She goes along, arranging a motel rendezvous with Astin which Grant is supposed to in¬ terrupt. He does, and they are married. In Bermuda, Grant breaks out in a rash and is ordered to have a night of complete rest on their honeymoon. X-Ray: That money-making combination of Doris Day and Cary Grant have been suc¬ cessfully combined in this comedy of errors and romance amid lush surroundings. What results is a crowd-pleaser of a film that should make quite an impression at the boxoffice. The pace proceeds at an interest hold¬ ing pace, and a sneak preview audience seemed to have an enjoyable time with the film. Performances are uniformly good, and direction and production are in the expert category. Incidentally, extras include the numerous gowns made up and exhibited for Day in a fashion show. The balance of the cast provides some added enjojnnent, per Audrey Meadows and Gig Young, and the use of color gives the film added stature. The screenplay is by Stanley Shapiro and Nate Monaster. (6216) Tips On Bidding: Higher bracket. Ad Lines: “When Cary Grant And Doris Day Become Romantically Inclined — Stand Back”; “One of the Funniest Comedies of the Year.” WARNERS Merrill’s Marauders (165) 98m. Warners (Technicolor) (Filmed in the Philippines) Estimate: Good war action entry. Cast:, Jeff Chandler, Ty Hardin, Peter Brown, Andrew Duggan, Will Hutchins, Claude Akins, Luz Valdez, John Hoyt, Charles Briggs. Produced by Milton Sperling; directed by Samuel Fuller. Story: In 1944 in Burma, 3,000 American soldiers commanded by Brigadier General Jeff Chandler (Frank Merrill), known as Merrill’s Marauders, are behind the Jap lines headed to destroy a strategic village. The way is tough and the men are tired but reach their objective. Chandler sends Lieutenant Ty Hardin and his platoon to create a diversion while the others go in and destroy the in¬ stallation. They expect to be flown out but instead are ordered to help assault Mitchina, 500 miles away, to prevent the Japanese and German armies from merging in India. Chandler protests but knows that the job must be done in these days of peril, even though his own doctor tells him he shouldn’t be getting this involved because he has a heart condition. Taking another village en¬ route, the men become walking “dead” men too tired to eat and beaten physically and mentally. Headquarters keeps pressuring that their goal is most imperative. The men are reluctant and refuse to continue on. Chand¬ ler finally collapses while trying to start the column walking again. Hardin, seeing his commander down, vu-ges his men on, and they do the impossible, taking Mitchina. X-Ray: The valiant efforts of a small group of American soldiers who made quite a name for themselves in World War H is effectively detailed here in interesting fashion. Perhaps the public ought to be reminded that this entry was the last film made by Jeff Chandler prior to his death, and his performance is very good. He receives fine support from the others in the cast, while direction and production values are also quite capable. Where better war films are accepted, this will enjoy reception, and it should do well as part of the show. Some of the directorial touches of Samuel Fuller, an ex-infantryman, come off very well, particularly where battle se¬ quences are called for with the attack and defense patterns making, sense for a change. The screenplay by Milton Sperling and Fuller is based on the book by Charlton Ogbum, Jr., which details the true life exploits of Briga¬ dier General Frank D. Merrill and his World War II command. Tips on Bidding: High bracket in some sit¬ uations. Ad Lines: “Action Behind the Enemy Lines”; “The Thrilling Tale Of Merrill’s Marauders In Action.” MISCELLANEOUS Capture That Capsule Melodra^ Riviera Estimate: For the lower half. Cast: Richard Miller, Dick O’Neil, Richard Jordahl, Pat Bradley, Carl Rogers, Dorothy Schiller, Ed Siani, Doug Hughes, Wylie Carter, Michael David, Larae Phillips Jack Treacy, Ed Gangel, Richard Twohy, Miriam Wilson, Ron Wright, Lee Fortner, Gene Garner, Web Smith. Produced and directed by Will Zens. Story: Government agents Richard Miller and Pat Bradley and the F.B.I. outwit Communist conspirators Richard Jordahl, Dick O’Neil, Carl Rogers, Doug Hughes, and others in their attempt to recover a capsule returned from an orbiting rocket. The capsule sup¬ posedly contains space data both on film and tape recording, but unknown to the spy ring, the F.B.I. has substituted a fake container with worthless blank film and a recording of scientific double talk. After a lengthy chase in fast boats and motor cars and several kill¬ ings, the Commies unwittingly lead the F.B.I. boys to their leader and are rounded up. X-Ray: Produced entirely on location along the Pacific coast, this actionful chase is con¬ cerned with a timely enough subject and is adequately produced, directed, and enacted in acceptable quickie fashion. It is logical enough and will get by with the none too sophisticated as lower half filler in the action spots. The frustrations, obstacles, and blun¬ ders encountered by the spies are at times amusing and always interesting. Story and screenplay are by Jan Elblein and Will Zens. Ad Lines: “An Exciting, Timely Drama From Today’s Headlines”; “Government Agents Outwit Spies.” FOREIGN The Devil’s Wanton drama 72m. Embassy ( Swedish-made ) (English titles) Estimate: For the art spots with Bergman name. Cast: Doris Svedlund, Birger Malmsten, Eva Henning, Hasse Ekman, Stig Olin, Irma Christenson. Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman; produced by Lorens Marmstend Terrafilm; executive producer, Allen Akelund. Story: Motion picture director Hasse Ek¬ man is visited by his former mathematics teacher, who was an inmate in a mental in¬ stitution until recently. He presents Ekman with an idea to make a film about how Hell is placed on earth and ruled by the devil. Ekman and an actor laugh at it, and the actor later recalls the tale to alcoholic writer friend Birger Malmsten. The latter then re¬ calls a conversation he had with young street walker Doris Svedlund, wherein the latter fold him part of her story. It seems that she is in love with Stig Olin, who forces her to continue with her life of prostitution upon the promise that he will marry her. When she is pregnant and gives birth to a child, she wants to keep it, but Olin and his sister, Irma Christenson, convince her that the re¬ sult will be nothing but trouble. She gives it to them and they have it killed. She leaves Olin, taking up with Malmsten, who has had a serious disagreement with his wife, Eva Henning, whom he leaves. They find love and hope together while Henning takes up with El^an. When Olin threatens trouble, Sved¬ lund goes back to him rather than cause Malmsten any trouble. Eventually, Svedlimd commits suicide. Malmsten returns to Hen¬ ning. The teacher returns and shows Ekman that perhaps there is a Hell on earth and that the story should be told. X-Ray: Once again, Ingmar Bergman turns to the sordid for his material and this time his players are in modern dress and up-todate. The result is a film that will appeal primarily to the Bergman following and/or to the art house patrons who can best ap¬ preciate this type of unpleasant entry. There is an excess of conversation which needs translating, and this slows down the end re¬ sult. The acting, direction, and production are competent, and it is presumed that the Bergman “name” can be used to advantage. Ad Lines: “Another Ingmar Bergman Tri¬ umph”; “The Tale of A Street Walker Who Gels Involved With Romance.” Complete hack seosows of this pink re¬ views sections are available to subscribing theatres at $1.30 per set.