Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

bosses have robbed his father; are out to rob him and so forth. By a melodramatic quirk he finds himself the owner of the plant in which he works ; discovers the hard way that it isn't all honey running a giant factory. Maybe director John Harlow and his scenarists don't face up to all the implications in their theme ; maybe, they're just a sight too conscientious in holding the balance between Left and Right. But they have contrived to inject lashings of sly humor and shrewdly quiet observation into the film, which is adorned also by a near-memorable performance by Billy Hartnell as the shoulder-chipped mechanic. Mr. Hartnell promises to climb high some day. He played with inordinate skill the Sergeant in "The Way Ahead." He takes a considerable step forward here. Those two dependable stalwarts of local production, Mary Morris and John Laurie, are also to hand. It's a solid, satisfying 95 minutes of entertainment which won't need its Quota certificate to commend it to neighborhood bookers. Seen in a London projection room. Reviewer's Rating: Good. — Peter Burnup. Release date, not set. Running time, 95 min. General audience classification. Peter Pettinger Billy Hartnell His Fiancee Mary Morris Works Foreman John Laurie Managing Director Frederick Leister Company Secretary J. H. Roberts Strawberry Roan British National Anglo-American — England's Countryside Praiseworthy in its aim, but just lacking in ultimate acheivement is this picture. Much favored British novelist A. G. Street wrote a yarn which centered on the strawberry roan calf of the picture's title. Mr. Street contrived to depict therein not only the lush and placid glory of England's countryside — and thousands of G.I. Joes have lately learned affection for that ripe phenomenon 1 — but the age-old ardors also of the husbandry of land. Unhappily, Maurice Elvey — skilled, experienced motion picture man though he be — fails to translate that gentle flowing rhythm to the screen ; which is precisely the picture's failing. The external facts of Mr. Street's story are here: the young farmer seriously dedicated to the land, marrying a fibbertigibbet from the town, thereby encompassing his own ruin ; the shifty son of the soil who contrariwise achieves success. But there's an uneasiness, a jumpiness, about it all which betokens the film cutter's anxiety and which just isn't redeemed by some exquisite camera work and by the homely and pleasing aphorisms with which the film is adorned. Billy Hartnell, whom British National are rightly intent on making a near-star, doesn't make the grade. It's Walter Fitzgerald's picture, if anyone's. They'll market this one on the score of its agreeable photography, its picture of an England which none can fail to love. Maybe, and oddly, on that count its export to America, too, would be justified. Seen at the Rialto, London, trade show. Reviewer's Rating: Fair. — P. B. Release date, not set. Running time, 78 min. General audience classification. Chris Billy Hartnell Molly Carol Raye Dibben John Ruddock Mrs. Morley Sophie Stewart Mr. Morley Walter Fitzgerald Ellis Irving, Wylie Watson, Petula Clark, Pat Geary, Charles Doe, Gordon Begg, Percy Coyte, Kynaston Reeves, Joan Maude, Joan Young, Charles Paton. The Man from Morocco A. B. P. C.-Pathe— Melodramatic Sermonizing To the picture's credit must be set its high intent; that the Fascist onslaught on this world's liberties was long a-planning, that even with the end of the present deadly conflict freedom-loving folk must yet be wary. All to the good that motion pictures should essay such lofty themes. Unhappily— in the present example — the eloquence is blunted, the aim unachieved, by reason of that old-time, ever recurrent, defect in Britain's films, the weakness, the banality, of the story. Why these things should be passes belief in this time and age. For here is a film with all the essential ingredients ; first rate production values ; ENGLISH FILMS RELEASES "THE RANDOLPH FAMILY" The British picture, originally released in 1943 under the title of "Dear Octopus", has been acquired by English Films for distribution here as "The Randolph Family". Margaret Lockwood, Celia Johnson and Michael Wilding head the cast of a family drama, with a measure of romance and comedy. The review in Motion Picture Herald, issue of September 18, 1943, said in part: "The play is a charming trifle with a gentle spirit. Its dialogue is pleasant and, with a superb cast herein, it emerges as a clean and essentially British piece of escapist entertainment. A conversation piece with character flavoring it throughout, but the conversation and the characters are con vincing. grand camera work and lighting (as well might be seeing that its director is Max Greene, in the view oi many, Europe's finest camera man and choice samples of acting. The action starts with the tatterdemalion remnants of a company of the International Brigade, defeated in Europe's first clash with the Nazis and Fascists, fighting its way out of Spain and into France. Leader of the band is one Karel Langer, a Czech sculptor. Langer carries on his fight for this earth's freedom ; fights, intrigues, worms his way out of a dozen ticklish situations in Vichy France, Morocco, points north and east, finds — not only to his but to the audience's amazement — that the long arm of the Gestapo reaches even to wartime London's most exclusively aristocratic confines. The trouble is that you just don't believe a word of it. Which is a pity, for Robert Clark, production chief of A.B.P.C.; director Max Greene, all their associates — excepting, as aforesaid, the script department — have lavished an ocean of care and thought, not to speak of considerable money, on the picture's making. Which is not to say that "Man from Morocco" won't make a deal of money for A.B.P.C. It will undoubtedly ring the bell in the neighborhood houses, for the reasons here set out. But it could have been so very much better. All the same, Robert Clark is setting his new A.B.P.C. production team a pretty pace. Their future efforts will be eagerly awaited. And Max Greene knows how to conjure excellence out of his actors. Margaretta Scott, Peter Sinclair, Reginald Tate, turn in particularly satisfying jobs. Regretfully we cannot say the same for Anton Walbrook's contribution as Karel Langer. Seen at the Studio One, London, trade show. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — P. B. Release date, not set. Running time, 115 min. Adult audience classification (British). Karel Anton Walbrook Manuela Margaretta Scott Sarah Duboste Mary Morris Ricardi Reginald Tate Peter Sinclair, David Home, Harvey Power, Charles Victor, Sybilla Binder, Josef Almas, John McLaren, Dennis Arundell, Paul Demel, David Baxter, Paul Bonifas. The World Owes Me a Living British National Anglo-American — Odd Flight of R.A.F. Fancy Last of the trinity of pictures which constitute Anglo-American's current season's offering to the local customers, this is by long chalks the poorest. It never makes up its mind whether to be an honest-to-goodness scathing tick-off of Britain's culpable neglect of aviation between the wars, or just a light hearted gather-ye-roses-while-ye-may revelation of how certain of this country's lastwar pilots deported themselves in that uneasy interim. From pub to pub those young gentlemen proceed, from club-bar to club-bar, so that you become convinced it's not gasoline that makes their aircraft go but just plain gin. There's a story intermingled with those odd goings-on, something purporting to concern with the invention (by the gin-happy frater of a new form of glider which helps to Britain in her hour of extremity. But it's explicable to the everyday viewer as the resj the picture's design. Happily for the audience, although not per for her, Judy Campbell takes part. Miss Camrf is a stage actress of repute, hereabouts, who essays a screen career. Miss Campbell is 1 welcome, for she is a young lady of class wl admirably figured looks and easy accomplishrU will afford this film's audiences more than a 1 delight. Seen at the Rialto, London, trade show. — viewer's Rating : Poor. — P. B. Release date, not set. Running time, 90 min. A audience classification (British). Paul "...David Fa Moira Judy Camj Matthews ...John La ■ Sonia Dresdel, Jack Livesey, Jack Barker, Anth'JJ1' Hawtrey, Roy Minear, Alan Keith, Howard Doug Humphrey Kent, Wylie Watson. Amy Veness. Musicians of Heaven English Films, Inc. — Salvation Army "Musiciens du Ciel" or "Musicians of Heav is a stirring French drama with droll com< which tells a story of the Salvation Army, tempo is slow but Rene Lefevre, author of story and the screenplay presents an interest and heart-warming tale of the function of the S vation Army — nourishment of the body and HOI 9 ions ': i The result of good direction by Georges combe is shown in interesting detail and w unusual effects. These qualities plus convinciJL character portrayals and a Florence Nighting;T story should insure its acceptance by art theal | f patrons. Michele Morgan as Lieut. Saulnier, a you -J.] lady who has devoted her life to good works, effective in her portrayal. Rene Lefevre as Vi tor Barthelemy, a former counterfeiter, is co] verted to the ideal of the Army and joins in | service. Mr. Lefevre demonstrates skill as ;; actor as well as talent as a writer. Michel Sim< as a captain gives a vital performance and r counts with a touch of humor the parable of tl prodigal son. French dialogue limits the appeal of the fil but the English sub-titles by Charles Clement coi vey the spirit and the tone. Seen at the 55th Street Playhouse, New Yor where a matinee audience seemed interested at < chuckled now and then. Reviewer's Rating: Fai — M. R. Y. Release date, February 28, 1945. Running time, 94 mi Adult audience classification. Lieut. Saulnier Michele Morga Salvation Army Capt Michel Simc| Victor Barthelemy... Rene Lefevi : Rough Ridin' Justice Columbia — Western Charles Starrett and Jimmy Wakely have th' choice spots in this Western, with Betty Jan Graham adding a decorative touch. Dub Taylo is seen, too, with his not inconsiderable corned; talents. A great many things happen in Elizabeth Beech er's screenplay. In the opening sequences Starret appears as the leader of a gang which preys upoi shipments sent east by the local ranchers' association. One of the ranchers, seeking to stop the constant depredations, hits upon the idea of hiring Starrett as escort for the shipments. Whereupor the cowboy goes over to the side of the law, and turns his talents to the task of rounding up and capturing his erstwhile companions. Several songs are spotted throughout the picture. Production is by Jack Fier and direction by Derwin Abrahams. Seen at Hollywood's Hitching Post theatre. Reviewer's Rating: Average. — T. B. Release date, March 15, 1945. Running time, 56 min. PCA No. 10106. General audience classification. Steve Holden Charles Starrett Cannonball Dub Taylor Gail Trent Betty Jane Graham Wheeler Oakman, Jimmy Wakely, Jack Ingram, Forrest Taylor, Jack Rockwell, Edmund Cobb, Dan White, Robert Kortman, George Cheseboro, Robert Ross. 2362 PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION, MARCH 17, 1945