Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1955)

BOGARDE FIRST IN ENGLAND; ALSO TOPS IN INTERNATIONAL by PETER BURNUP LONDON: Dirk Bogarde, by vote of British exhibitors, is the world's finest moneymaker at their booths; for in the MoneyMakers Poll here, he leads by lengths estabshed and much-esteemed personages like James Stewart, Bing Crosby and Doris Day. And, so that there may be no thought of an antic, wayward quality in the suffrage of the country's showmen, it falls to be recorded that three other Britons — John Mills, Norman Wisdom and Alastair Sim — also figure among the Ten Elect. That's a circumstance which has not occurred in the Poll's vagaries since the year 1950 and may well be cited as another witness to the long and gratifying haul of the country's films into pre-eminence at the country's box-office. Mother Was Famed Actress Actor Bogarde comes of a long line of Dutch seafarers, but his mother — Margaret Niven, before her marriage — was a vastly admired Scottish actress, which fact doubt'ess accounts for her son's becoming a Jack-of-all-trades in the theatre at the age of 19. Followed for the young man the accustomed round of Repertory and a spell in the Army and then signature to a J. Arthur Rank long-term contract. Mr. Rank, of a surety, believes that Bogarde business is big business, for the actor ever since has climbed steadily on Fame's ladder. In 1953 Bogarde figured fifth in the division of the Poll I imited to British performers. Last year he jumped to second place in that division and is now hailed by the country's theatremen as Champion of the World. Clearly, there can be no question either of the actor's quality or his staying power. Comedy Key to Success Taking a line through the aptitudes and achievements not only of Bogarde but of the other members of the quartette of the elite (Mills, Wisdom and Sim), it can rightfully be reasoned that comedy — high, low and otherwise — is currently Britain's clue to screen success. Sturdy, dependable Johnny Mills and pawky Alastair Sim are no strangers to the nod of Fame. Both are actors of superb accomplishment who now and again make sorties into more serious fields. Mr. Mills, for example, made distinguished contributions lately to thought provoking exhibits like "The End of the Affair, ' The Colditz Story," and "Above Us the Waves. But both Mills and Sim are essentially practitioners in the delicate art of high comedy. Contrariwise, there can be no doubt of the appointed metier of Norman Wisdom. A year ago he crashed the British division DIRK BOGARDE of the Poll on the strength of one film only. A year later he figures at sixth place in the Poll's principal division by virtue of two other unabashed slap-stick offerings, "One Good Turn" and "Man of the Moment." Showmen here speak of him as the current phenomenon of show business. Fabulous acclamation attends his appearances not only on the screen but on the vaudeville stage and television. But his standing in the Poll is further evidence, if that be needed, of Britain's current success in the field of comedy. Mr. Bogarde undoubtedly owed his success last year to the frolicsome piece, "Doctor in the House." During the last twelve months he was seen in three offerings; one of which was the highly macabre "Cast a Dark Shadow," another ' Simba," dealing with the Mau Mau problem in East Africa. But it was to his "Doctor at Sea" — a sequel to the other "Doctor" romp — to which the populace crowded. There is largely a familiar air among the other names in the exclusively British roster. Kenneth More, who joined the Elect last year for the first time, stands firm at fifth place. Americans have savoured the flavour of his acting in "The Deep Blue Sea." He is heavily committed in roles for the next three years and is obviously destined to remain with the Famed for years to come. Awaiting Vehicles Jack Hawkins — last year's leader — has dropped from first to sixth place due primarily to the circumstance that the biggest film in which he appeared — "The Prisoner — had no place in its proceedings for that famed pro-Consular chin of Mr. Hawkins. But Hawkins, like Alec Guinness — the latter came down from sixth to tenth place — is an actor of vast accomplishment. Both men clearly only await the rightful medium before ascending again to the top of the ladder. The remaining men in the British list — Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave — are likewise actors of high distinction. Both, too, were awaiting the appropriate picture and it came along with rare abundance in "Dam Busters." That film was found wholly meritorious in the eyes of men and women at home and throughout Britain's Commonwealth of Nations. It owed not a little to the sincere and skillful performance of Todd and Redgrave. THE MONEY MAKERS British exhibitors participating in the " Motion Picture Herald” -"Fame” poll vote for three groups: the top ten British players, the top ten international players, including both American and British stars, and Western stars. T.he vote: BRITISH INTERNATIONAL WESTERN Dirk Bogarde Dirk Bogarde James Stewart John Mills James Stewart Gary Cooper Norman Wisdom Bing Crosby Burt Lancaster Alastair Sim Doris Day Audie Murphy Kenneth More John Mills Alan Ladd Jack Hawkins Norman Wisdom Randolph Scott Richard Todd Jeff Chandler John Wayne Michael Redgrave Alastair Sim Kirk Douglas Diana Dors Rock Hudson Rory Calhoun Alec Guinness Humphrey Bogart Jeff Chandler 14 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 31, 1955