Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

Four MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS ing. The plot construction seems labored, and at times the director does not employ the young star’s talents to the best advantage. She takes the part of an American girl, Ruth Kirkc, custodian of eight refugee children from China, whose entrance into this country past the immigration officials can only be effected by the colorful yarn that she is the widow of a shipwrecked Commodore. Once she has established the group in his capacious residence, along comes a grandson to furnish a suitable romance. Many people will enjoy Deanna’s singing, consisting of lullabies with the exception of Puccini’s “Visi D’Arte,” sung at the end of a war relief party. The children are appealing, and while there is an undercurrent of war, it is not sufficient to make the picture at all depressing. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Not much interest ❖ CABIN IN THE SKY O O Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Rex Ingram, Kenneth Spencer, John W. Sublett, Oscar Polk, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, The Hall Johnson Choir. Screen play by Joseph Schrank based upon the stage musical play, book by Lynn Root. Lyrics by John Latouche. Music by Vernon Duke. Musical direction by Georgie Stoll. Director, Vincente Minnelli. M-G-M. This is delightful musical comedy, a folk tale dramatizing the story of a devoted colored woman who wishes to bring her erring husband back to the Church. Just as success is almost in sight, Little Joe backslides and is injured in a brawl over a crap game. As he lies unconscious he dreams that the angels of the Lord struggle with the henchmen of Lucifer for his soul. Eventually the “General” of the righteous army is victorious, and Petunia and Little Joe ascend to their Cabin in the Sky; whereupon the living Joe wakes up, completely shaken and reformed. It is delicious fantasy with Ethel Waters, Eddie Anderson and Lena Horne giving fine performances. The music is beautiful, and while the story does not aspire to the spiritual sincerity of “Green Pastures,” it is a very successful filming of a popular stage success. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 If interested If interested •> CHETNIKS O O Phil Dorn, Anna Sten, John Shepperd, Virginia Gilmore, Martin Kosleck, Felix Basch, Frank Lackteen, Patricia Prest, Merrill Rodin, Leroy Mason. Original story by Jack Andrews. Screen play by Jack Andrews and Edward E. Paramore. Direction by Louis King. Produced by Sol. M. Wurtzel. Twentieth Century-Fox. Stories of the heroic courage and spectacular achievements of General Draja Mihailovitch and his Chetnik band rival the most melodramatic fiction. If we did not know that the daring coups executed in this picture had been verified, we might dismiss them as merely entertaining fantasy. But as real adventure, the plot offers thrilling proof of the ingenious daring and undying patriotism of this unconquerable people and their bulldog defiance of Nazi brutality. Philip Dorn gives an heroic and engaging interpretation of Mihailovitch. The rugged background simulates the mountainous terrain of Serbia, and skilful casting of the natives adds to the natural realism. The Nazi oppressors, on the other hand, run too much to the familiar movie pattern. The film affords exciting, entertaining action, and is informative. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Very exciting •> CINDERELLA SWINGS IT O O Guy Kibbee, Gloria Warren, Leonid Kinskey, Dick Hogan, Butch and Buddy, Helen Parrish, Willie Best, Dink Trout, Pierre Watkin, Lee "Lasses" White, Fern Emmett, Ed Waller. Based on the character created by Clarence Budington Kelland. Direction by Christy Cabanne. RKO. Scattergood Baines again shoulders the problems of his small community. He assists in organizing a show for the USO with the result that a young girl with a beautiful voice is brought to the attention of a larger public. As usual Guy Kibbee gives a genuine, heart-warming performance. This is wholesome, simple comedy, good of its class. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Yes Yes, if interested ❖ FLIGHT FOR FREEDOM O O Rosalind Russell, Fred MacMurray, Herbert Marshall, Eduardo Ciannelli, Walter Kingsford, Damian O'Flynn, Jack Carr, Matt McHugh. Screen play by Oliver H P. Garrett and S. K. 'Lauren from story by Horace McCoy. Music by Roy Webb. Musical director C. Bakaleinikoff. Direction by Lothar Mendes. Produced by David Heampstead. R.K.O. “Flight For Freedom” dramatizes the legend that one of the greatest women fliers of modern times was lost on a military mission. It is a provocative idea which lends itself to an heroic ending. The plot is timely and interesting, but the drama of the theme is weakened by overemphasis on the love story and by the fact that the character of the woman is not well enough defined to make her completely convincing. As a glorification of women fliers this film lacks the sympathetic verity of “Wings and the Woman.” We are not led to respect and understand the character of Toni Carter (Rosalind Russell) as we knew Amy Johnson through Anna Neagle’s presentation. Fred MacMurray in playing somewhat the same type of role which Robert Newton gave us in recreating Jim Mollison leaves a shadowy suggestion but