Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

SHOWMEN'S REVIEWS SHORT SUBJECTS ADVANCE SYNOPSES SHORT SUBJECTS CHART SERVICE DATA THE RELEASE CHART This department deals with new product from the point of view of the exhibitor who is to purvey it to his own public. rhis Man's Navy MGM — Service Comedy-Drama I Wallace Beery has the benefit here of a story ar better than he's had in a long while and of a |-ole that retains the best of his mannerisms while [lispensing with the others. Unlike some he's had, jhis is a vehicle that has merit of its own, a wellwritten and excellently directed presentation of the part lighter-than-air craft plays in the war, a relaively little known and genuinely exciting subject. Beery plays an officer in the lighter-than-air [jranch of the Navy. He's a known braggart, beloved none the less by his service associates, but lis whoppers have a way of turning out to be_ facts. When he boasts of having a son, however, his pal, ilayed by James Gleason, puts pressure on him to irove it. He does so, in effect, by virtually adoptng a crippled youth whose infirmity is corrected ind who becomes, after exciting complications, a jilot and a hero. Backgrounding the story, written by Borden Chase from an idea by Commander Herman E. Holland, are the scenes of lighter-than-air craft operation and training, filmed with the cooperation 3f the Navy. Producer Samuel Marx makes sterling use of his material. Direction by William A. Wellman is superb. Previewed at the Village theatre, Westwood, Calif., where it was set in between showings of 'Since You Went Away" and played very well. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — William R. Weaver. Release date, not set. Running time, 98 min. PCA No. 10257. General audience classification. ^fed Trumpet Wallace Beery Jess Tom Drake fames Gleason, Jan Clayton, Selena Royle, Noah Beery, Sr., Henry O'Neill, Steve Brodie, George Chandler, Donald Curtis, Arthur Walsh, Will Fowler, Frank Fenton, Paul Cavanagh, Richard Crockett. rhe Two Orphans Clase-Mohme — Epic of French Revolution Set in the period of the reign of terror during the French Revolution, this newly-arrived Mexi:an film is an ambitious spectacle, acted and directed with considerable skill. Although it runs two and a quarter hours, the story moves smoothly and is engrossing. It may be recalled that the picture, based on Kate Claxton's play, was proluced in this country over a score of years ago Dy D. W. Griffith as "Orphans of the Storm," starring Dorothy and Lillian Gish. Susana Guizar plays the role of Louisa, abanioned after having been kidnapped from her countess mother. Adopted by a kindly couple, she grows up with their daughter, only to be orphaned by a storm which leaves her blind. Journeying to Paris for treatment, the step-sisters are .swept into the suction of a city that is unbridled and licentious from aristocracy to beggardom with alternating scenes of squalor and splendor. Some of the portrayals are finely etched, from the powdered dandies born to purple to a vile, old :ackling witch of a beggarwoman played by Anita Blanch, and the poor, exploited hunchback who shields Louisa, portrayed by Julian Soler. There ire several other excellent character studies of creatures whose lives were discolored by the social maladjustment and revolutionary ferment of the time. The film often achieves a brutal realism and integrity of photography. Memorable among the vignettes of the revolution rampant are scenes of freedom-crazed mobs surging forth to engulf the aristocracy which oppressed them, the Bastile being stormed, a blood-stained guillotine working feverishly. Although the picture lacks English titles, the plot communicates itself successfully to those who do not understand Spanish. Jose Benavides, Jr., did the direction as well as the screenplay, achieving the maximum result under comparative limitation of budget. Gregory Wallerstein produced for Filmex, Mexico. Seen at the Belmont theatre. New York, with an audience audibly awed. Reviewer's Rating : Excellent. — Mandel Herbstman. Release date, December 25, 1944. Running time, 135 min. General audience classification. Louisa Susana Guizar Pedro Julian Soler Maria Elena Marques, Rafael Baledon, Virginia Zuri, Victor Juiico, Rafael Banquells, Anita Blanch. Sheriff of Las Vegas Republic — Western Director Lesley Selander has done a fine job on the latest of the "Red Ryder" series. There's plenty of action, some comedy, and a flavoring of romance. Wild Bill Elliott, Alice Fleming and Bobby Blake are present in their usual roles of "Red," the "Duchess" and "Little Beaver." Peggy Stewart lends charm to the feminine lead and Jay Kirby is excellent as her ne'er-do-well suitor. Norman S. Hall's screenplay presents Kirby as the town drunk, about to be disinherited by his father. Before the will can be altered, however, the father is shot, and suspicion not unnaturally falls upon the son. His fiancee turns to Ryder, who comes to the rescue of the star-crossed lovers, exposes the real murderer, and a gang of his unsavory henchmen to boot. Stephen Auer was associate producer. Previewed at Hollywood's Hitching Post theatre, where a holiday audience appeared pleased with the offering. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — Thalia Bell. Release date, Dec. 31, 1944. Running time, 66 min. PCA No. .10333. General audience classification. Red Ryder Wild Bill Elliott Little Beaver Bobby Blake The Duchess Alice Fleming Peggy Stewart, Selmer Jackson, John Hamilton, William Haade, Jay Kerby, Kenne Duncan, Bud Geary, Jack Kirk. Marked for Murder PiJC — Western with Music Once again the guns of Tex Ritter and Dave O'Brien, as the indomitable "Texas Rangers," bark for justice. In this one they pit themselves against a group of villains, who, for designs of their own, foment hostility between the sheepmen and the cattlemen. The action of Elmer Clifton's screenplay is the usual blend of galloping hoofs and slashing fists against a background of scattered gunplay. The Western fans should find it appealing to their appetites. The performance of Guy Wilkerson provides the balancing note of comedy as he saunters clumsily in and out of scenes. Marilyn McConnell, pretty and pugnacious, adds the feminine touch, and the voice of Ritter rendering two tunes will heighten the pleasure of those who like music with their Western entertainment. In the finale,_ of course, the crimes of the badmen lead them into the hands of the law. Elmer Clifton also directed, with an eye to keeping the action rapid. Arthur Alexander produced. Seen in a New York projection room. Reviewer's Rating : Average. — M. H. Release date, February 8, 1945. Running time, 56 min. PCA No. 10542. General audience classification. Tex Haines Tex Ritter Dave Wyatt .Dave O'Brien Guy Wilkerson, Marilyn McConnell, Edward Cassidy, Henry Hall, Charles King, Jack Ingram, Bob Kortman. Under Western Skies Universal — Western with Songs Martha O'Driscoll and Noah Beery, Jr., here are cast in roles differing from those they generally portray. Miss O'Driscoll, in the costumes of the '70s, looks lovely and sings in a pleasing, though small, voice. Beery is attractive as the peace-loving school teacher who, in a burst of homicidal enthusiasm, kills seven bandits. Action fans may be disappointed in the fact that there are comparatively few of the hard-riding, hard-shooting sequences usually stressed in this type of product. For interest, Producer Warren Wilson and Director Jean Yarbrough rely chiefly upon the screenplay by Stanley Roberts and Clyde Bruckman, which gets a bit talky at times. Miss O'Driscoll and her father head a troupe of traveling players, whose attempts to put on a show in the town of Rim Rock meet with opposition not only from the prudish townspeople, but from the local bandit chief. The latter, played with gusto by Leo Carrillo, takes a fancy to Miss O'Driscoll, and has her kidnapped. She makes her escape when the bandits turn on their chief, and the two principals ride off into the future in a buckboard. Seen at the studio. Reviewer's Rating: Average. — T. B. Release date, Jan. 19, 1945. Running time, 56 min. PCA. No. 10490. General audience classification. Katie Martha O'Driscoll Tod Noah Beery, Jr. Leo Carrillo, Leon Errol, Irving Bacon, Ian Keith, Jennifer Holt, Edna May Wonacott, Earle Hodgins, Shaw and Lee, Dorothy Granger, Jack Rice. JIVE BUSTERS (Univ.) Name Band Musicals (9124) The music of Sonny Dunham, whose orchestra has been gaining steadily in popularity in the past few years, is heard in a selection of favorite ballads, some new and some of a few years back. Last year's "Poinciana" is followed by "Don't Blame Me," "I'm in Love with You, Honey," "I'm Comin', Virginia" and "All I Do Is Dream of You." Paul Carley, Carolyn Gray and the Tailor Maids share the vocal numbers. Release date, January 17, 1945 IS minutes MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JANUARY 6, 1945 2257