Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

SHORT SUBJECTS reviews and synopses (Running times are those quoted by the distributors.) killer is of a kind to make his identity familiar to the public later on. Previeived at the studio. Reviewer's Rating : Average. — W. R. W. Release date, May 16, 1945. Running time, 64 min. PCA No. 10738. General audience classification. Vicki McGuire Mary Beth Hughes Larry Craig Hugh Beaumont Edmund MacDonald, Claudia Drake, Emmett Vogan, Edward Howard, Dewey Robinson, Carol Andrews, Ruth Brande, Barbara Slater, Jack George, Jerome Root, Edwina Patterson. Rough, Tough and Ready Columbia — Underwater Comedy The rambunctious team of Chester Morris and Victor McLaglen move swiftly but get nowhere in this story of deep sea divers that attempts to salvage some comedy out of the time-worn yarn about two pals who always are scrapping— mostly about women. Some time ago, it will be remembered, McLaglen used to go through the same routine in a series with Edmund Lowe. When the Government takes over the salvage company, the battling buddies find themselves clearing Pacific waters of Jap shipping debris, as members of Uncle Sam's Army. The dramatic climax is reached when the rivals rescue one another undersea during a Jap air attack. Considering the limitations of the story material, both Morris and McLaglen turn in pleasing performances, aided by Jean Rogers, who, as a pretty VVac sergeant, eventually domesticates Morris. Del Lord, directing from Edward T. Lowe's original screenplay, keeps things moving briskly, with stress on comedy in slapstick vein. Alexis Thurn-Taxis produced. Seen at the Rialto theatre, New York, where an afternoon audience chuckled with mild satisfaction. Reviewer's Rating : Fair. — Mandel Herbstman. Release date, March 22, 1945. Running time, 66 min. PCA No. 10673. General audience classification. Brad Crowder Chester Morris Owen McCarey Victor McLaglen Jo Matheson Jean Rogers Veda Ann Borg, Amelita Ward, Robert Williams, John Tyrell, Fred Graff, Addison Richards, William Forrest. Dawn Over France Famous International — Saga of Freedom This French film presents a story of courage, romance and sacrifice. The action is laid in the eighteenth century, shortly before the French Revolution, but it takes on a character of universal appeal for the liberation of the common man. The French dialogue will restrict this film to the art theatres but it has an important theme. Patrons who follow the foreign pictures should find the picture interesting and worthwhile. As the story unfolds a group of men, suffering under tyranny, band together and fight for their freedom. The characterization given by Raimu seems overdramatic, yet his death scene manifests first-rate acting ability. Berval, playing the second lead, is convincing as the captain of the army fighting the oppressors. Technically, the picture is very interesting. There are unique fadeouts, each employing a different geometrical design. The photography is good and the exterior scenes are picturesque. A remarkable feature of the film, directed by Andre Hugon, are the mob scenes, which are handled with skill and effectiveness. Charles Clement again has written English subtitles that are satisfactory. Seen at the World theatre, New York, where a matinee audience showed mild interest. Reviewer's Rating : Fair. — M. R. Y. Release date, March 15, 1945. Running time, 72 min. General audience classification. Sanplan : Raimu Gaspard Bouis Berval Balpetre, Pierre Feuillere, Nicole Vattier, Jacqueline Sylvere, Pierre Juvenet, Paul Amiot, Dorival. SKI GULLS (RKO) Sportscope (54,307) As the season for winter sports moves further north, here is a last look at skiing and a glance toward next season. For the expert there is championship form on steep slopes with record jumps. And for the novice, some elementary pointers to keep you on your feet. Release date, February 23, 1945 7j4 minutes 2382 SNOOPER SERVICE (Col.) Brendel (6430) El Brendel and Harry Langdon fancy themselves detectives and set up their own agency. Their first case is an attractive one — to find out how a show girl spends her time. The only trouble is that they have a little trouble with her address. The hunt and pick method turns up several wrong numbers and more trouble than they had bargained for. Release date, February 2, 1945 14J4 minutes SCREEN SNAPSHOTS NO. 7 (Col.) 6857 Two former screen favorites, whose careers were landmarks in the history of the motion picture, are featured in the latest issue of Screen Snapshots. Tom Mix and Will Rogers are the subjects, along with their families and friends and their horses, Tony and Soapsuds. In addition to shots from their early films, the release includes pictures of the men with such Hollywood personalities as Charles Rogers, Leo Carrillo, Ruth Roland, Johnny Mack Brown, John Charles Thomas and Governor Earl Warren. Release date, February 25, 1945 9 minutes KICKAPOO JUICE (Co!.) Li'l Aimer (6602) Mammy thinks that Li'l Abner should make up his mind to marry Daisy Mae. The big obstacles are his two heroes, Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe, both bachelors. Her scheme is to marry them off, if she can ever get their minds off Kickapoo Juice, and set the good example. It's a hard fight against stiff competition, but she wins out. Release date, February 23, 1945 7 minutes BOOBY DUPES (Col.) Three Stooges (6404) The Three Stooges decide they are fishermen and try to prove their prowess with the aid of some tackle, bait, a boat and, unfortunately, a Naval captain's uniform. They proceed somehow without swamping the boat and even manage to catch a few pieces from the sea. Their triumphant return is, however, marred a bit by the appearance of the captain on the dock. Release date, March 17, 1945 17 minutes HATFUL OF DREAMS (Para.) Puppetoons (U4-6) This is a fantasy of Punchy and Judy and a magic hat. The hat will enable the wearer to achieve his secret dreams as it did for an old nag who wore it and became a Derby winner. Punchy wants to collect things to impress Judy and the people who try on the hat want to be anything from Indians to ballet dancers. Only Judy remains the same in it. It's finally decided to return the hat to the horse who looked best in it anyway. Release date, not set 9 minutes BEHIND THE MEAT BALL (WB) Merrie Melodies (1704) The dog has been dining on vegetables for some time and starts to dream of steaks and lick his chops. He sees mirages and reaches for them hungrily so often that when a real steak appears he passes it by. The bulldog is less skeptical and the two of them have a quite a good battle over possession of the first real meat in weeks. While they're at it a fresh pup sneaks up and picks it off. Release date, April 7, 1945 7 minutes THE EGG-YEGG (Col.) Fox and Crow (6752) The Fox and Crow are back at their old quarn this time with variations. The bone of contentic is double — two eggs which are in the process of b coming members of the bird family. The Cro considers that authority properly rests with hi and fights for his prerogative. But the Fox not to be outwitted. Release date, March 2, 1945 7l/2 minut, ROUGH AND TUMBLE (Col.) Sport Reel (6806) The honored profession of wrestling has won new place in the country's sport picture. It's better show now; in fact it's almost all show, ; this reel will attest. There are some single matcli with no holds barred and even a four party fre for-all, catch as catch can. Release date, March 2, 1945 9 minuU OFF AGAIN, ON AGAIN (Col.) Howard (6431) Shemp Howard has had a small altercation wii a gangster and his moll, and it's the last straw f( Mrs. Howard. She insists that their marriage off. Shemp desperately contemplates suicide, bi can't quite hit on the surest and most painle method. His wife changes her mind in time. Release date, February 16, 1945 16 minut, THE KORN KOBBLERS (Col.) Film Vodvil No. 4 (6954) Three vaudeville specialty acts are included this reel with top billings going to the Korn Kol biers. They offer two old favorites, "Little Brow Jug" and "Casey Jones." Following them are tw young women of unique talents. Frances Urb plays the violin while dancing, and Cynda Gle billed as the Eccentric Comedienne, presents hi comedy act. Release date, February 2, 1945 11 minut. SWING FEVER (RKO) Headliner Revivals f 53,204) Dr. Van Loon's Melody Clinic prescribes mus rather than pills for general healing. The nursi sing and the internes play the violin. The trea ment proves particularly effective in the case i Spratt whose dislike of music has led to difficultif with his girl. A little number called "Don't L Your Love Go Wrong" does the trick. Release date, March 16, 1945 19 minutt IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD (WB) Featurette (1108) This short drama is pointed at racial intolerani and offers a demonstration of the Springfield Pis in action. The introduction shows a typical Amer can town in which a known trouble-maker plays c ignorance and suspicion to incite his fellow town: men against their foreign-born citizens. A soldif returns on leave to find his father badly hurt. H learns from a Springfield teacher, however, th; strong forces are at work to combat this evil. Ai drea King, Warren Douglas, John Qualen, Wi Ham Forest, Charles Drake and Arthur Hohl pla the featured roles. Crane Wilbur wrote the scri] and directed the film. Release date, March 31, 1945 20 minuU PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION, MARCH 31, 194