Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

SHORT SUBJECTS reviews and synopses Reviews and synopses of sborf subjects printed in Product Digest are indexed in the Short Sub/ects Chart, Product Digest Section, pages 3357-3352. Running times are those furnished by the distributor. OPERATION UNDERGROUND (Telenews) French Underground Documentary In dramatic style, the subject pays tribute to that unsung army of men and women who, through daring and danger, rescued many an allied airman from the Nazis during the war. Produced by Telenews Productions, with the assistance of the editors of Newsweek magazine, the documentary is said to be "the first authentic film of the French resistance movement's activities during the German occupation." Inserted are captured enemy footage and some remarkable shots of allied airmen strolling through the streets of Paris with underground workers right under the unsuspecting eyes of the Gestapo. It makes a highly absorbing film of wide interest. Release date, December 11, 1946 18 minutes SON OF ZORRO (Republic) Chapter Play (691-703) Jeff Stewart, a cavalry officer, returns to his home in the West at the close of the Civil War to find a ring of crooks operating in the important offices of the county government. To fight these men, Jeff puts on a black mask, jumps on his horse and, as Zorro, rides to the rescue, defeating the gangsters in the course of 13 chapters. The serial features George Turner, Peggy Stewart, Roy Barcroft, and Edward Cassidy. It was directed by Spencer Bennet and Fred C. Brannon. The first episode runs 20 minutes, the remaining 12 run 13 minutes each. Release date, January 18, 1947 DIVE HI CHAMPS (Paramount) Sport lights (R6-2) All types of high diving performed by many different groups of divers are illustrated here. Shown are New York City boys diving into the river, a three-year-old boy in a series of slow-motion dives, a group of girls diving 50 feet from the top of the gates of the Panama Canal locks, and a group of professionals performirg at Miami Beach. Release date, November 1, 1946 10 minutes THE GYPSY (Columbia) Community Sing (8651) With Dick Leibert at the organ, and the Song Spinners handling the vocals, the following songs are offered : "The Gypsy," "Cynthia's In Love," "Don't Be A Baby," "I'm A Big Girl Now" and "Prisoner of Love." Release date, September 12, 1946 91/, minutes LOVE IN TUNE (Paramount) Pacemakers (K6-2) The subject stars Hal Mclntyre and his Orchestra, with Nancy Reed singing "HooptyDoopty Blues," Frankie Lester handling the vocals on "With Every Breath I Take," and Bobby Guyer trumpeting "Thirty Miles an Hour." In addition to the music the short carries a sub-plot showing the effects of music on a boy and girl in love. Release date, November 1, 1946 9]/2 minutes IT'S A PITY (Columbia) Community Sing (8652) Don Baker at the organ teams up with the Song Spinners to present some current favorites. Included are "It's a Pity to Say Goodnight," "I Don't Know Enough About You." "Laguna," "Laughing on the Outside" and '.'Coast Me a Little Bit." Release date, October 10, 1946 10 minutes MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946 MACHITO AND ORCHESTRA (Columbia) Thrills of Music (8952) This first sepia short in Columbia's history features Machito and his rhumba band. The short opens with "Machito Yego," followed by "Tambo," Betty Reilly singing "Tierra Va Tamble," and a dance team dancing to the tune of "Thrill of a New Romance." For the finale, Machito plays the Spanish riff tune, "Nague." Release date, October 17, 1946 10^ minutes LOOKING AT LONDON (MGM) Fitspatrick Traveltalks (T-717) A Technicolor tour through post-war London with Fitzpatrick cameras, showing ruins caused by war. Such well known landmarks as Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London are also visited. Release date, June 1, 1946 10 minutes FLICKER FLASHBACKS (RKO Radio) No. 2. (74202) Turning back the pages of time, the subject has to do with King Henry III of France who is out to capture a vacant castle. It has its hairbreadth escapes and thrilling adventures and it's all in good fun. Release date, October 25, 1946 9 minutes NORTHWEST HOUNDED POLICE (MGM) Technicolor Cartoons (W-739) Sgt. McPoodle, always get his man. He chases an escaped convict half way around the world and gets him — of course. Release date, August 3, 1946 8 minutes JERRY WALD AND ORCHESTRA (Col.) Thrills of Music (8951) Jerry Wald, clarinetist, and his orchestra are featured, playing "Moon's on Fire," "Take Five, Boys" and "Clarinet Hi-Jinx." Stan Walker, harmonica virtuoso from New York's Carnival Club, plays Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody," and the Mack Triplets, formerly with Phil Spitalny's Orchestra, sing their USO favorite, "Ah, Ooh!" Release date, September 12, 1946 10 minutes BATH DAY (RKO Radio) Walt Disney Cartoon (64,112) Figaro, the dainty little kitten, is bathed and spruced up by Minnie Mouse, but it is not long before she registers her dislike of cleanliness. Going into the backyard, she meets Lucifer, a tough alley cat. A squabble ensues, and sure enough, Figaro winds up in the bathtub again. Release date, October 11, 1946. 7 minutes THE MILKY WAIF (MGM) Tom and Jerry Cartoon (W-736) Jerry gets a homeless little mouse to help him make life difficult for Tom. Their mischievous antics make an interesting short. 7 minutes STUDIO VISIT (MGM) Pete Smith Specialties (5-758) A tour of Pete Smith's backyard shows Lena Home recording one of her latest songs. Louis Zongone puts on a magic act and three-year-old Helen Sue Goldy rehearses her unusual balancing stunts. 10 minutes SCREEN SNAPSHOTS (Columbia) No. 1 (8851) This one-reel film features for the first time on the screen popular radio characters, such as Dr. Horatio Birdbath of Spike Jones, Jeanne Roos, Jack Benny's telephone operator; Pat McGeehan of Red Skelton's show; Dave Willock, Tugwell of the Jack Carson program; Mel Blanc of the Judy Canova and Joan Davis shows; Jane Eberhardt, the B-O-O-0 Girl. Release date, September 5, 1946 10% minutes JOHN HENRY AND THE INKY-POO (Paramount) George Pal Puppetoons (U5-6) John Henry, legendary figure of American folklore, goes to work for the C. & O. Railroad, which, shortly thereafter, buys an automatic steel-driving engine, called the Inky-Poo. John Henry matches his strength against the InkyPoo, saying that any man can beat a machine because a man has a mina'. John Henry wins but drops at the finish line, never to rise again. Rex Ingram is narrator and the voice of John Henry. The_ Luvenia Nash Singers provide the choral musical background. In Technicolor. Release date, September 6, 1946 7 minutes THE HICK CHICK (MGM) Technicolor Cartoons (W-737) An inconsistant hen is recipient of competing gallantries from a couple of hep chicks. The city slicker gets the gal for keeps. Release date, June 15, 1946 7 minutes LOOKING DOWN ON HOLLYWOOD (Columbia) Screen Snapshots (8852) Here's a thorough view of the highlights of Hollywood, including the CBS and NBC broadcasting studios, the Palladium, Earl Carroll's, the studios of all the companies, Grauman's Chinese theatre, Griffith Park Observatory and well known hotels, restaurants and night spots, all concluding with an air view of crowded Hollywood Park race track. Release date, October 3, 1946 10 minutes SOLID SERENADE (MGM) Tom and Jerry Cartoon (W-740) Tom Cat is interrupted while serenading his lady love by an ally cat. Thanks to Jerry Mouse's ingenuity, all three are embroiled in a free-for-all in which Cupid takes a beating. Release date, August 31, 1946 7 minutes POPULAR SCIENCE (Paramount) No. 1 (76-1) Fibber McGee and Molly open this Magnacolor short with an unveiling of "Sleepy Joe," a robot which breathes and which was used during the war to test oxygen masks in high altitudes. Then follows an illustration of new types of equipment useful for barbecues, such as revolving grills and gadgets to cook hot dogs. Release date, October 11, 1946 11 minutes TRAP HAPPY (MGM) Tom and Jerry Cartoon (W-738) Endeavoring to rid himself of his perennial enemy, Jerry Mouse, Tom Cat hires a mouse exterminator. Accompanied, however, by much hilarious mayhem, Jerry outwits Tom. Release date, June 29, 1946 7 minutes 3349