Motion Picture Reviews (1941)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Seven SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN O O William Powell, Myrna Loy, Barry Nelson, Donna Reed, Sam Levene, Alan Baxter, Henry O'Neill, Dickie Hall, Stella Adler, Loring Smith, Joseph Anthony, Lou Lubin, Louise Beavers and Asta. From a story by Harry Kurnitz. Based upon the characters created by Dashiell Hammett. Screen play by Irving Brecher and Harry Kurnitz. Directed by Major W. S. Van Dyke II. Produced by Hunt Stromberg. M.G.M. In the “Thin Man” stories we are less concerned with the mystery than the manner in which Nick and Nora and the dog Asta manage to solve it. So no one minds very much when the crime hunt is slow in getting under way because of a very funny episode about a speed ticket, or when Nora holds up the action by giving away a hat labeled “Screwey” by four men, or when Nick is called from other duties by his demanding young son and gets sick on the merry-goround. Nick is drawn into the trouble because he attends the races on the day that one of the jockeys is found shot to death in the showers, and from then on he casually but perspicaciously tracks down the leader of a group of race-track racketeers. The ending is disappointing in that it follows the pattern of many previous mystery films, but the various episodes of the plot are packed with interest and every character is a distinct individual. The whole tenor of the piece is suave and sophisticated, and yet one must be quick to catch the significance of many of the lines, so that while one would not recommend it for young people, it could scarcely do any harm. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Possible Too mature ❖ SMALL TOWN DEB O O Jane Withers, Jane Darwell, Bruce Edwards, Cobina Wright, Jr., Cecil Kellaway, Katharine Alexander, Jack Searl, Buddy Pepper, Robert Cornell, Douglas Wood, Margaret Earley, John T. Murray. Direction by Harold Schuster. 20th Century-Fox. The ugly duckling blossoms out for the country club dance after she has saved her sister’s romance and helped her father on a business deal. This is a typical vehicle for Jane Withers, although not so good a story as some given this popular young star recently. However, it is lightly entertaining and will appeal to family audiences. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Yes, if interested ❖ SWING IT. SOLDIER O O Ken Murray, Frances Langford, Don Wilson, Hanley Stafford, Susan Miller, Branda and Cobina, Skinnay Ennis and His Band. Direction by Harold Young. Universal. A slight story, based on a case of mistaken identity, has been written to serve as a foundation for the comedy and musical accom plishments of a large group of actors from leading variety shows on the radio. Frances Langford plays the part of two sisters, one of whom acts as a stand-in for the other who is anticipating a “blessed event.” The picture will be enjoyed chiefly by radio fans, and while some of them will find that the same jokes do not sound as funny on the screen as on the air, most of the musical numbers are successful. Outstanding is the beautifully staged presentation of “Play, Fiddle, Play,” sung by Ken Murray to the accompaniment of a Hungarian orchestra. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes A little mature and complicated <• SWAMP WATER O O Walter Brennan, Walter Huston, Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Virginia Gilmore, John Carradine, Mary Howard, Eugene Pallette, Ward Bond, Guinn Williams. Screen play by Dudley Nichols from the Saturday Evening Post story by Vereen Bell. Photography by Peverell Marley. Music by David Buttolph. Direction by Jean Renoir. Produced by Irving Pichel. 20th Century-Fox. Into the vast Okefenokee swamp of Georgia wanders a youth, Ben Ragan, in search of his “hound dog” against his father’s orders, and to the hazards of the hideous jungle teeming with wild animals, insects and reptiles, is added the danger from a desperate outlawed man who seizes him and holds him prisoner. Gradually Ben learns that this man, Keefer, is hunted for a crime committed by others, and they form a strange partnership which eventually leads them out to the settlements with another chance for Keefer. This is stark drama well done. The characters are the crude, hard people of the back country with only a few showing the kindlier virtues of humanity. The formidable swamp taken on location in Georgia makes a fascinating background. The plot is well motived and the dialogue excellent. Walter Brennan is able as always; Dana Andrews is well cast; Walter Huston is convincing as the stern but devoted father, and Mary Howard gives a gentle, fine interpretation of the step-mother. Direction shows power in creating an atmosphere of terror and suspense. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too harrowing No. Actually harmful