Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

Six MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS shockingly personal. It is well told and well acted and it is good propaganda since we must understand what kind of people we have to deal with in any post war settlement. It tells the story of an American girl of German parentage, who is caught in Germany in 1939, and a German boy who has grown up under the new regime. Their love affair is the natural outcome of childhood association but under the circumstances with their differing ideologies, only tragedy can result. It is strong meat for any audience, but it clarifies any false ideas we may have about the intents and performances of the Third Reich. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Depressing; but No enlightening ❖ HOW'S ABOUT IT? O O Andrews Sisters, Patty, Maxene, LaVerne, Grace McDonald, Robert Paige, Mary Wickes, Shemp Howard, Bobby Scheerer, Buddy Rich, Walter Catlett. Screen play by Mel Ronson from an original by Jack Goodman and Albert Rice. Direction by Erie C. Kenton. Universal Pictures. If you like the Andrews Sisters here they are again with their song and dance acts and comic dialogue. They have little to do with the main plot which concerns a distraught music publisher and a pretty girl who sues him for plagiarism, all rather trivial but perhaps adequate for this type of entertainment remodeled from the radio program. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Matter of taste No value ❖ ICE-CAPADES REVUE O O Ellen Drew, Richard Denning, Jerry Colonna, Barbara Jo Allen, Harold Huber, Marilyn Hare, Bill Shirley, Pierre Watkin, Si Jenks, Sam Bernard, George Byron. Direction by Bernard Vorhaus. Musical direction by Walter Scharf. Republic Pictures. The settings of a wintry New England farm comprise an attractive background for this skating revue. The plot is routine except for the introduction of a hero who is a gangster’s intermediary until his reformation at the end, a tawdry element in a picture which is full of gay spirits, bright young faces, versatile skating numbers and pleasant music. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Passable, if they like skating ❖ THE IMMORTAL SERGEANT O O Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara, Thomas Mitchell, Allyn Joslyn, Reginald Gardiner, Melville Cooper, Bramwell Fletcher, Morton Lowry, Bob Mascagno, Italia De Nubila, Donald Stuart, Jean Prescott. Produced and written for the screen by Lamar Trotti. Direction by John Stahl. Twentieth Century-Fox. The “Immortal Sergeant” is an artistic and articulate production, telling the story of a fine but self-effacing man whose experiences in desert warfare develop his initiative and bring emotional maturity. The action takes place in Lybia during a routine patrol when the squad becomes lost in the sandy waste, is attacked and several men are killed. Leadership falls to Corporal Spence (Henry Fonda), and in his need the spirit of his dead Sergeant seems to stand by to give the commands enabling him to bring his men through with success and no little glory. The desert scenes give a vivid impression of frightful loneliness when the lost group of almost hopeless soldiers wander across the glaring, trackless sands. This key is relieved by flashbacks to the Corporal’s life in England which illuminate his personality. As he sees himself with the clarity of vision which comes in times of stress, the contrast between himself and the self-reliant Sergeant awakens him to action. The film is interesting and rewarding, well written, directed and acted. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature and much of Slow and serious it slow paced ❖ IN WHICH WE SERVE O O Noel Coward, Bernard Miles, John Mills, Celia Johnson, Kay Walsh, Joyce Carey, Derek Elphinstone, Robert Sansom, Philip Friend, Michael Wilding, Hubert Gregg. Written, directed and produced by Noel Coward. Music by Noel Coward. Two Cities N A. Noel Coward calls his picture “The Story of a Ship,” but it is really far more than that, for it also is the story of the officers and the crew who made the British destroyer, “Torrin,” the focal point of their combined loyalties and of their innate patriotism. There have been other inspiring pictures of naval warfare, but this is without question the finest picture born of the present war. Universally appealing in theme, beautifully written and acted, almost documentary in approach, it shows as no other picture has shown, what ordinary men hold dear in life and why they are willing to die to preserve their homes and families, which to them are the essence of their country. It conveys an inspiring message of confidence in the destiny not only of England but of every nation whose men fight not for power but for a vision of the people and the things they love at home. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Exceptionally fine Mature ♦ IT COMES UP LOVE O O Gloria Jean, Raymond Roe, Donald O'Connor, Ian Hunter, Louise Allbritton, Frieda Inescourt, Mary Lou Harrington, Chas. Coleman, Leon Belasco, Beatrice Roberts. Direction by Charles Lamont. Beautifully designed and lighted interiors and smart costumes create a suave New