The Exhibitor (1965)

5257 March 3, 1965 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR REVIEWS The famous pink paper SAVE ABLE SECTION in which Experienced Trade Analysts evaluate coming product «“ a separately bound and easily saveable section of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, this exelinlve 26 year old service Is both numerically more complete, and Informatively more candid, than any similar trade analysis. Cumulatively numbered by (Urn seasons (September to September). It Is recommended that readers consecutively save all REVIEWS section in a permanent (lie. The last Issue of each August will always contain a complete annual exhibit 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 ail Inquiries or suggestions about these two service features to the Editors of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, 317 N. Broad St.. Philadelphia, Penna. 19107. S AMERICAN-INT. Conquered City Melodrama 91M. American International (Filmed abroad) Estimate: Wartime meller has names to help. Cast: David Niven, Ben Gazzara, Michael Craig, Martin Balsam, Lea Massari, Daniela Rocca. Directed by Joseph Anthony. Story: When the Germans are chased from the Greek city of Athens, battling political factions try to take over. The resulting civil war finds the British forces in the middle. In the center of the city, British major David Niven is advised by headquarters to hold the hotel he is in at all costs, and failing to do this, to blow it up. It seems that the Germans hid a huge cache of arms in the sub-base¬ ment which the rebels want in the worst way. Included in the group are American Ben Gazzara, who has no desire to get involved; Daniela Rocca, a friendly and romantic girl; Martin Balsam, who worked with Niven in public relations; captain Michael Craig, who arrived too late to evacuate them; and Lea Massari, the hotel owner’s daughter. As the rebels are repulsed, it becomees apparent that there is a traitor in their midst as some of the defenders are mysteriously killed. The rebels invite Niven to discuss the situation under a flag of truce, and he makes plans to blow up the ammunition under the hotel before agreeing. Meanwhile, Gazzara escapes, and everyone thinks he is the traitor. At rebel headquarters, Niven learns otherwise, and Gazzara is shot in trying to help Niven get away. He returns to confront Craig as the traitor, kills him, and blows up the hotel after getting the others out. He and Massari head for the British forces and safety. X-Ray: There is some action and some sus¬ pense to be found in this melodrama dealing with the war in Greece and the uncovering of a hidden spy in a hotel sitting on top of an ammunition supply. The acting is okay, and direction and production are adequate, with the “names” of the cast providing die best selling points to feature. It should do okay as part of the program. No screenplay credits were available. Ad Lines: “A Spy In A Handful of Strang¬ ers, Meant Death To Them All”; “A Sus¬ penseful Adventure Featuring Spy vs. Coun¬ terspy.” Operation Snafu Comedy 93M. American International (English-made) Estimate: Cute British service comedy. Cast: Alfred Lynch, Sean Connery, Cecil Parker, Stanley Holloway, Alan King, Eric Barker, Wilfrid Hyde White, Kathleen Harri¬ son, Eleanor Summerfield, Terence Longdon, Victor Maddem, Harry Locke, John Le Mesurier, Viola Keats, Peter Sinclair, Edna Mor¬ ris, Ann Beach. Produced by S. Benjamin Fisz; directed by Cyril Frankel. Story: Alfred Lynch is out to make money any way he can during World War II, and he enlists in the air force in London to escape a jail sentence. Once in, he is thrown to¬ gether with Sean Connery, a gypsy who wants to do his bit at the fighting front but likes Lynch and goes along with him in his schemes to find a life of ease and profit. Lynch pro¬ vides the brain power and Connery the brawn. First they help out an ineffectual ser¬ geant getting order out of chaos and money for transfers and leave passes. At the next camp, they become butchers, and are not ad¬ verse to supplying fresh beef to local butchers at a price. One, Stanley Holloway, has a daughter, Ann Beach, with whom Lynch be¬ comes over friendly until Holloway discusses marriage. This calls for a fast transfer to a hospital following a near miss in an air raid. Another transfer takes them to an American air base where they take over a derelict local pub run by Wilfrid Hyde White and turn it into a profitable operation. This irks Lynch’s American counterpart, Alan King, who gets them transferred overseas. There, they find themselves inadvertently in action. Connery takes over, and they wind up heroes with top decorations. They return to White’s pub to have a go at civilian life when Beach shows up with a baby, obviously Lynch’s. X-Ray: This must have been filmed sev¬ eral years ago before Sean Connery made a name for himself as secret agent James (007) Bond. He plays an entirely different role here — that of an air force private content to let a buddy do the thinking for both of them. American comic Alan King has a small role, and this may be of some value in the selling It’s got comic situations, a lightweight plot, average performances, and adequate direction and production, and it could serve as part of the program in ordinary fashion. The screenplay is by Harold Buchman based on a novel, “Stop At A Winner,” by R. F. Delderfield. Ad Lines: “Sean (007) Connery And Come¬ dian Alan King All Mixed Up In ‘Operation Snafu’ “Two Privates Take On The Air Force And Come Out On Top In A Madcap Service Funfest.” COLUMBIA Lord Jim Drama 154 M. plus intermission Columbia (Super Panavision 70) (Technicolor) (Filmed abroad) Estimate: Conrad novel makes for fascinat¬ ing adventure. Cast: Peter O’Toole, James Mason, Curt Jurgens, Eli Wallach, Jack Hawkins, Paul Lukas, Daliah Lavi, Akim Tamiroff, Ichizo Itami, Tatsuo Saito, Andrew Keir, Jack MacGowran, Eric Young, Noel Purcell, Walter Gotell, Rafik Anwar, Marne Maitland, Newton Blick, A. J. Brown, Christian Marquand. Di¬ rected by Richard Brooks; a Columbia-Keep Films co-production. Story: Peter O’Toole, after proper instruc¬ tion, becomes a ship’s officer in the merchant marine. He’s an incurable romantic and ideal¬ ist, who yearns for the day when his mettle will be tested and proved. He serves under captain Jack Hawkins until an accident lays him up in a Far Eastern port. Recovered, O’Toole lands a berth aboard a filthy trans¬ port loaded with pilgrims, and during a storm which threatens the vessel, he deserts it along with the other nondescript officers. He makes his peace with officialdom while the others remain in hiding. He is tried for his cowardice, and his papers are cancelled. Getting an odd job aboard a junk, he refuses to abandon the vessel when its cargo of explosives is threat¬ ened by sabotage. Owner Paul Lukas offers him money, which he refuses. He does, how¬ ever, take on a job of transporting arms and ammunition for Lukas to his friends in Patusan for a revolt against the tyranny of war lord Eli Wallach. He hides the arms and munitions and refuses to divulge their where¬ abouts to Wallach under torture. He is aided to escape by Daliah Lavi and others and joins them in their revolt against Wallach and his greedy associate, Curt Jurgens. The latter, after Wallach is killed, persuades Akim Tami¬ roff and villainous James Mason, heading a gang of toughs, to return for Wallach’s treas¬ ure. The forces of right and evil are at a standstill, and O’Toole is all for letting them go, taking Mason at his word that he will depart if allowed to go unmolested. O’Toole also pledges his own life should one native be killed. The son of the chief dies during the doublecross by Mason, and the later and his gang perish in fighting that follows. In¬ stead of running away and saving himself, O’Toole goes to his death at the hands of the native chieftain as Lavi mourns and prays for his soul. X-Ray: Colorful backgrounds, different set¬ tings, an interesting and at times fascinating plot, fine performances, and competent direc¬ tion and production help put this entry across. The story holds audience attention through¬ out with its different quality, and one can’t help but sympathize with hero Peter O’Toole as he attempts to find himself during the tale’s unfolding. Action sequences are in plentiful supply, with the climax an enthralling and absorbing experience. Most audiences should like “Lord Jim” and his adventures. The cast is excellent, and the direction and production values most worthy. Richard Brooks wrote the screenplay, based on the novel by Joseph Conrad. Some of the color sequences are magnificient and a definite asset. Tips On Bidding: Roadshow rates in some situations. Ad Lines: “A Top Thriller And An Out¬ standing Adventure Entry”; “An All-Star Cast In One Of The Screen’s Most Thrilling Adventures.”