Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Five bombardiers, inspired this story which was filmed with the cooperation of the Army. The picture’s beginning, set in the days before Pearl Harbor, shows a contest between the pilot of a close range dive-bomber and the crew of another plane employing high altitude, precision bombing by means of the newly perfected American bomb sight. The greater success of the latter results in the establishment of a school on the desert in New Mexico, where the cadets take the oath of service, swearing to protect the secrecy of the bombsight with their lives if necessary. Then follow hours of schooling alternating with physical training, tests of each man’s ability and accuracy in using the sight and his emotional stability in the air. The importance of the bombardier, who is actually in command of the ship when nearing the target, should make the public realize that each man on a plane has an essential part in the success of a mission. The romantic interest is slight, which is an advantage in this type of picture. There are various sequences with examples of high courage and great sacrifice, culminating in the final adventure when a squadron is sent on a bombing raid over Japan, and one of the finest fliers gives his life for the benefit of his comrades. This is an excellent war film, informative and entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Fine Good, but too ex citing for some CONEY ISLAND O O Betty Grable, George Montgomery, Cesar Romero, Charles Winniger, Phil Silvers, Matt Briggs, Paul Hurst, Frank Orth. Original screen play by George Seaton. Lyrics and music by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger. Dances by Hermes Pan. Directed by Walter Lang. Produced by William Perlberg. Twentieth Century-Fox. This is light, gay, escapist entertainment of the type men of the armed forces on leave find diverting, but it is not so well done as some others of its type. Period costumes lend themselves to the uses of Technicolor which is poster-like and brilliantly effective, and the old songs are pleasing in addition to a few of the newer numbers. As for the plot, while a lack of ethics may be condoned in a musical, seldom does one view such an array of double crossings as the hero and his competitor inflict upon each other. They are rivals not only in Coney Island concessions but for the affections of the singer and dancer, Kate Farley, played by Betty Grable. She is first seen as a cheap, atrociously garbed, little entertainer, and later her career is followed as she developes under the guidance of Eddie Johnson, (George Montgom ery) until she becomes an artist worthy of the attention of the successful producer, William Hammerstcin. An excellent performance is turned in by Charles Winninger as a barfly, and also by Phil Silvers as Frankie. Some of the ensembles are attractively and elaborately staged. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No ❖ COWBOY FROM MANHATTAN O O Frances Langford, Robert Paige, Leon Errol, Walter Catlett, Dorothy Granger, George Cleveland. Direction by Frank Woodruff. Musical direction by Charles Previn. Universal. This is a light, refreshing musical show with a strong flavor of Texas in the songs and settings. Frances Langford and Robert Paige are delightful in the leading roles as a variety actress and a cowboy. The latter, financed by a group of hotel men, buys all the tickets for a musical comedy as a publicity stunt to start a rush for the box office. Seasoned with tuneful melodies, plenty of laughs, and a large order of human interest, it is wholesome and spontaneous entertainment. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Yes, if interested ❖ CRASH DIVE O O Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, James Gleason, Dame May Whitty, Henry Morgan, Ben Carter, Charles Tannen, Frank Conroy, Florence Lake, John Archer, George Holmes, Minor Watson, Kathleen Howard. Screen play by Jo Swerling. Original story by W. R. Burnett. Direction by Archie Mayo. Technical advisor, M. K. Kirkpatrick, Commander U.S.N. Produced by Milton Sperling. Twentieth Century-Fox. Remarkably fine Technicolor enriches this thrilling picture of Navy action. We first meet Tyrone Power, as Lt. Ward Stewart, when he is in action on a PT boat which skims through the water in a glorious scene of speed and beauty. He then reluctantly accepts transfer to submarine duty, and the plot is devised in two superbly exciting sequences of sea detail to give us a fine understanding of the important and hazardous contribution of this branch of the Navy. The final scene ends in a Commando raid on a Nazi North Sea submarine refuelling base, and the action is credible and exciting. The romantic side of the plot is subservient to the action and provides balancing humor and lightness. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Informative but possibly too exciting under ten