Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

What a Russian Thinks of 'Song of Russia^— a Cable /i CABLED dispatch, representing a A-M miisician^s review of MGM's "Song ^ JL of Russia" which opened recently in Moscow to enthusiastic audiences, has been received from Aram Khachaturyan, Soviet composer, by Quigley Publications. This is one of the first criticisms of an American motion picture ever to come ont of Russia. Most Hollywood pictures, bought outright by the Soviet Cinema Commission, as was "Song of Russia", are not reported upon either commercially or artistically after they are shown. There is no Ministry of Ittformation in the U. S. S. R., but the cable probably cleared through the Soviet Foreign Office when it was filed. Mr. Khachaturyan is a member of the Union of Soviet Composers and is known in American music circles for his First Piano Concerto, First Violin Concerto, ballet suite, "Cayenne", and his Second Symphony. "Moscow, November 6. — Recently I had occasion to see several Hollywrood productions and, being a musician, such films, for example, as "Yankee Doodle Dandy," have had special interest for me. "As to 'Song of Russia', we all waited for this film with p-reatest impatience, knowing that the action is laid in our homeland and that much of the music of our beloved Tchaikovsky and of the modern Soviet composers was incorporated in the picture. "Naturally, We Were Curious" "Naturally, we were curious to see how you Americans interpreted the events of the first period of the war on Soviet territory and how the cast and musicians, headed by such esteemed directors as Joseph Pasternak and Gregory Ratoff, composer Herbert Stothart and conductor Albert Coates, tackled many difficult problems that the production of such a picture entailed. "I must say I liked the film. There was a certain noble and idyllic quality about it that spoke for the warm feeling that is drawing the American and Russian people together. . . . "Music, in its subtle way, is one of the most, ef¥ective agents in disclosing the national traits of people. 'The Great Waltz' was particularly a great success in our country because of its musical charm. "In 'Song of Russia' we find that Tchaikovsky's music has helped to elevate the film to great and noble heights. Robert Taylor as John Meredith and Susan Peters as Nadya Stepanova give superb recitals. Taylor Convincing "Robert Taylor is to be congratulated on his performance in the picture. He is nowhere condescending or sugary, but throughout he plays with restraint and innate tact. . . . "Speaking of understanding, the impact of the war on Russia is particularly effective, I found, in the picture. One of the partisans, when John Meredith looks fixedly at him, assures Meredith simply that he is one of many. This little bit in the film throws a powerful searchlight on the daily heroism of the Soviet people. "Nadya Stepanova, the heroine of the film, 36 is also one of many. There are indeed thousands of Russian girls like her who took up their post in battle as soon as the hour struck. Susan Peters, who impersonates Nadya, gives a laudable portrayal of a simple and charming young Soviet girl of musical and artistic nature. "Scenes where Nadya meets John Meredith are touching and tender and do credit to Susan Peters' acting. I must admit, ho-wever, that I was unfavorably impressed with the scenes of the tractor ploughing where, I think, both the director and the actress forgot that driving a tractor is hard work. An attractively tied kerchief and soft smile are all very well, but it takes more to sow a Victory harvest. . . . "Owe My Rise to Government" 'Tn fact, I, myself, owe my rise to the Government's support. I never took private lessons. While at college my gift for composing music was marked. I was transferred to the State Conservatory. Pm bringing in all this in order to demonstrate that situations, despite their unusualness, are quite plausible. "Only certain episodes suffer from misconcaption, as, for example, the portrayal of the wedding on the collective farm done in the manner of a stylized ballet. Another thing — almost throughout the picture, I noticed that Caucasians, my compatriots, are shown as brunettes, with black moustaches, which isn't at all true to type. "It gave me the greatest pleasure to see Albert Coates on the screen. We all remember his sojourn in Moscow and what a pity that it was so brief. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to thank Albert Coates for his fruitful work in popularizing Russian classical music. "To Albert Coates and Herbert Stothart, whose operetta 'Rose Marie' is widely popular in the USSR, I wish to extend my deep gratitude. "But there are just one or two friendly reproaches. On the whole I think as regards the music and directing the film is an amazingly daring and praiseworthy piece of work. I was greatly impressed, for example, with how two strains of Tchaikovsky's Second Piano Concerto which, by the way, was splendidly rendered, were enfolded. . . . Coates Usual Brilliant Self "In interpreting Tchaikovsky's symphonic works, Albert Coates is his usual brilliant self. However, in certain places, the rhythm and character of the music is distorted, evidently for the benefit of the action. 'T don't really think there was any necessity for doing this nor do I think it was good taste to perform, alongside Tchaikovsky, the Pokrass song in the restaurant. During the war, many gifted song composers have come to the fore, for example, Solovievsedoi and V. Zakharov, conductor of the Pyantnitsky Chorus of National Songs, both Stalin prize winners. "I think the film would have benefited all the more if the rich reservoir of songs born of this great patriotic war was drained and if they were rendered not only through choruses but symphonically developed as well. Music helps to promote friendship among nations. " 'Song of Russia' is a tribute to the cultural collaboration of the American and Russian people." Pull Films Early To Ease Chicago Product Jam Chicago Bureau The latest effort employed by first run house: in Chicago as a cooperative measure in easing thi' product jam is to pull out pictures before theii drawing power has been exhausted. Jack Flynn Western division manager of MGM, said the Bala ban and Katz circuit pulled "Marriage Is a Prv vate Affair" out of the United Artists last weel even though its receipts were strong enough t< continue the picture indefinitely, to make roon for "An American Romance" which has been hel( up for lack of a suitable first run outlet. Mr. Flynn said he was making a deal for a two week showing of "Kismet" in the B&K Chicagi theatre early in December, although a picture o this caliber normally plays the United Artists "We cannot hold up product indefinitely," Mr Flynn said, "for it is of utmost importance to keei the subsequent run exhibitors supplied with a couj stant flow of product." ' In order to make room for top films, the Chicag' theatre will employ the move-over method, usinj its Apollo theatre, which normally runs two "B films, to complete the "A" product runs. Twmove-overs this month include "Double Indemnity and "Laura" which stayed only one week at th Chicago in order to clear up the backlog as speedi^ ly as possible. The product jam, Mr. Flynn explained, woul force the company to sell the "Naughty Marietta reissue to B&K as part of a double bill, and prob ably will play the Garrick following the "Wilson run. For the same reason, the run of "Since Yo Went Away" will not be milked dry at the Stat Lake, to make room for an early showing c "Frenchman's Creek." "Since You Went Away has held up well for five weeks and can remai through the Christmas holidays if given the tim to do so. Pickman Named Aid to Hal Home at 20th-Fox Jerome Pickman has been appointed executiv assistant to Hal Horne, director of advertising publicity-exploitation of Twentieth Century-Fo: it was announced last week. He replaces Bo Montgomery, who recently resigned. Mr. Picl man has been in charge of special events for NeYork openings of the company's product since Ma of this year. He entered the public relations fiel in 1939, after several years on metropolitan new; papers. He served with the armed forces for tvi, years. Prior to joining Twentieth-Fox, Mr. Picl man was associated with Eddie Cantor. Republic Sets Promotion For "Brazil" Premiere Through the courtesy of the Brazilian Goveri ment's trade bureau, a special display of Brazilis products is to be shown in the lobby of the R' public theatre, New York, Saturday, Novembi 18, when Republic's musical, "Brazil," has i' premiere. Literature about the picture is beir distributed by the Pan American Women's Assi ciation at the Women's International Exhibit Madison Square Garden, Wednesday through Sui day. Other promotional tieups have been arrange by the company in connection with the opening. "Romance" Gets Holiday Date in I I New York Spots MGM's "An American Romance," in Techn color, will open Thanksgiving Day, November 2 at Loew's State, New York, and 10 other theatr' in the New York and New Jersey area. Tl other theatres which will play the picture at tb time are : Lexington, Metropolitan, Olympia, 72i Street, 83rd Street, 17Sth Street, Valencia, Par! dise, Newark and Jersey. j MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 18, 19