Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

into the footage from army documentary films. One exciting sequence catches a Russian pilot ramming a German Junker and sending it to flaming destruction by clipping off its tail. Produced at the Mosfilm Film Studios, Moscow. The picture was directed by Yuri Reisman. Seen at the Stanley theatre, New York, where the audience seemed pleased and engrossed. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — Mandel Herbstman. Release date, January 20, 194S. Running time, 80 min. General audience classification. Lieutenant Illya Streltsov Peter Aleinikov Zoya Nina Masayeva Nikolai Bogolyubov, Peter Sobolyevsky, Ivan Kuznetzov. What a Blonde RKO Radio — Rationing Problems How to get additional gas coupons is the problem that confronts Leon Errol who portrays F. Farrington Fowler, a manufacturer of ladies' underwear in "What a Blonde." The result is a light and entertaining film, spotted with laugh-producing ing incidents. The fun which Leon Errol lends to the film is interrupted by a series of confusing incidents which vary from the absurd to the ridiculous. There are many supporting players who do well, but Leon Errol accounts for the major effect. Leon Errol, as Mr. Fowler, displeases the butcher, insults the head of the ration board, loses an important prospective business associate. His cook leaves, and his wife, played by Elaine Riley, is alarmed by his antics. In the end some of the problems are solved; others concerning his manufacturing business will have to wait until six months after the war. The screen play, which is in the familiar comedydrama pattern, was written by Charles Roberts from an original story by Oscar Brodney. Sam Stoloff produced, and Leslie Goodwins directed. Seen in the home office projection room. Reviewer's Rating: Good. — M. R. Y. Release date, Block 3. Running time, 71 min. PCA No. 10488. General audience classification. Fowler Leon Errol Pomeroy Richard Lane Michael St. Angel, Elaine Riley. Veda Ann Borg, Lydia Bilbrock, Clarence Kolb, Ann Shoemaker, C3ief Milani, Emory Parnell, Larry Wheat, Dorothy Vaughan, Jason Robards. Her Lucky Night Universal — Minor Musical Warren Wilson, who produced this picture and is also credited with the original story on which Clyde Bruckman's screenplay is based, starts out with a good idea which gets a bit confused. There is interest in some song numbers by the Andrews Sisters. They sing, among others, "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?," "Sing a Tropical Song," and "Dance With the Dolly With the Hole in Her Stocking." Noah Beery, Jr., overdraws his characterization of the unfortunate hero who is always in hot water. Martha O'Driscoll, who is employed by Beery's uncle, comes to the young man's rescue. A devotee of astrology, she attributes the young man's misfortunes to an unfavorable horoscope. She makes him stay in bed until, presumably, the stars change in their courses, and after that everything turns out all right. Edward Lilley directed the piece. Seen at the studio. Reviewer's Rating : FcUr. — T. B. Release date, February 9, 1945. Running time, 63 min. PCA No. 10344. General audience classification. Themselves The Andrews Sisters Connie Martha O'Driscoll Larry Noah Beery, Jr. Georgie Barbier, Maurice Cass, Marie Harmon, Olin Howlin, Robert Emmett Keane, Grady Sutton, Edgar Bearing, Eddie Acuff, Rita Gould. Eadie Was a Lady Columbia — Musical Comedy Music, drama and melody blend entertainingly in this pleasant little film built around the singing and dancing talents of Ann Miller. Monte Brice's original screenplay is about a society girl who attends a fashionable college during the daytime, while, unknown to her stern guardian aunt, trying to break into the theatre by acting in a burlesque at night. The complications SHORT SUBJECTS reviews and synopses {Running times are those quoted by the distributors,) WHEN I YOO HOO (WB) Blue Ribbon Merrie Melodies (1307) In traditional style, two families in the hills of Kentucky are staging a deadly feud. The suggestion is made that bloodshed can be avoided and the whole thing settled by a cock fight, winner take all. Both sides agree until the decision is made when the whole thing starts all over again. Release date, February 24, 1945 7 minutes DOG, CAT AND CANARY (Col.) Color Rhapsody (6501) This is a three-cornered battle with the cat after the canary and the dog intervening in the chase. At first the dog is tied down and the cat has a more or less free hand, but when he loosens himself the free-for-all is on. The canary watches excitedly from a safe perch and escapes damage. Release date, January 5, 1945 6 minutes BIKES AND SKIS (WB) Sports Parade (1504) This is a nice blend of feminine beauty, southern sunshine and not too taxing sports. At Cypress Gardens, Fla., the color camera catches some very pretty girls riding the waters on skis and exploring the warm countryside on bicycles. Andre De La Varre shot the film. Release date, February 10, 1945 9 minutes OUT FISHIN' (Para.) Sportlight (R4-4) One of the finest fishing grounds in Canada is the place for a scenic and instructive sports reel. Dave Newill, well-known fisherman, goes to New Brunswick for his salmon, demonstrating the technique for attracting the big fish, hooking them and bringing them in. Ted Husing supplies the commentary. Release date, January 26, 1945 9 minutes STRIKING CHAMPIONS (Col.) World of Sports (6804) The continuing popularity of the sport of the ball and pins receives recognition in this presentation of championship form. Ned Day, Marion Lattiwig, Joe Falcaro and Joe Norris give expert demonstrations with the camera slowing up so you can see how it's done. The narrator is Bill Stern. Release date, December 22, 1944 10 minutes and conflicts arising out of this dual life shape the dramatic turns of the film. Hal Mclntyre and his orchestra, lavish dance ensembles and six musical scores enliven the proceedings while Miss Miller's educated feet execute some brilliant "machine-gun" tap dances. As two former burlesque performers who invade the academic world under the hoax of being authorities on classical drama, Joe Besser and Jimmy Little provide rtiost of the slapstick hilarity. The confusions happily resolve themselves when Miss Miller is able to marry the dashing producer she loves, with the blessings of Aunt Priscilla. Arthur Dreifuss directed with accent on pace. Michel Kraike produced. Seen at the RKO Albee theatre in Brooklyn, zvhere an afternoon audience stirred to the swing and sway. Reviewer's Rating : Fair. — M. H. Release date, January 18, 1945. Running time, 67 min. PCA No. 10568. General audience classification. Eadie Allen Ann Miller "Professor" Dingle Joe Besser William Wright, Jeff Donnell, Jimmy Little, Marion Martin, Kathleen Howard, Tom Dugan, Douglas Wood, Hal Mclntyre and his orchestra. POWER UNLIMITED (RKO) This Is America (53,103) Frederic Ullman, Jr., producer of the 2-reel su jects released under the general title "This America" has centered his photographic research on the timely topic of coal, carrying it through tl mining process to its ultimate refinement for hous hold use. Coal for heat and machine power is on part of the story. There are also less famili by-products going far afield. After various tec niques of manufacture, the ore emerges ready f the medicine cabinet, or even the dressing tab Coal tar derivatives form the basis of dyes ai cosmetics, and chemical science is finding mo uses daily. The subject is informational but t: presentation is never one of dry facts. Release date, January 19, 1945 17 minut THE UNRULY HARE (WB) Bugs Bunny Special (1722) Elmer turns up here as a surveyor checkii arrangements for the first run on a new railw; line. Bugs is in his usual role of tormentor. Usir his complicated eqvdpment, Elmer tries to remothe rabbit but only succeeds in setting off a dyni mite explosion and removing himself. Bugs Bum is blown on to the observation platform of tl oncoming train but gets off quickly mindful travel restrictions. Release date, February 10, 1945 7 minute NO. 4 (RKO) FLICKER FLASHBACKS, 52,204 The films included in this reel of early moti< pictures span a five-year period at the beginnii of the silent screen. "Two Paths" is a 1911 Bi graph morality play on the dangers of bad coi pany. The newsreel dates back to 1906, and t melodrama which closes the show, "The Bankei Daughters," is a 1910 epic. Release date, January 26, 1945 9 minui SCREEN SNAPSHOTS, NO. 5 (Col.) 6855 A Wave, a Wac and a Marine are given guided tour through Hollywood for a glimpse day and night life in the film capital. Among tl'i places visited are the local NBC station. La Rue; Giro's, the Mexican quarter and the home Charles Laughton. Many stars appear briel| introduced by Jinx Falkenburg who conducts tl tour. Release date, Decemiber 28, 1944 9J^ minuti TRAP HAPPY PORKY (WB) Looney Tune (1702) After a hard day's travel Porky Pig is tryii to get some sleep in a tourist cabin when rudC' awakened by some mice on a pantry spree. Failii, in his own efforts to get rid of them he calls a cat who accomplishes the feat. But then tl cat is so fond of Porky that he brings around group of friends to serenade him. Porky final joins the chorus in desperation. Releate date, February 24, 1945 6^minuf SHE SNOOPS TO CONQUER (Col.) Vera Vague (6422) Vera Vague is still manless, but she has h\% hopes. The editor of the newspaper where si works as an inquiring reporter has promised consider her suit if she brings in a famous b' elusive German spy. Vera has her troubles wi' him but finally, through no fault of her own, su ceeds in smoking out the whole spy ring. Tl prospective bridegroom can't refuse. Release date, December 29, 1945 17 minut 2298 PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION, FEBRUARY 3, I9l;