Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Six DESERT VICTORY O O Produced by the British and Photographic Unit under the supervision of Lt. Col. David MacDonald. Commentary by J. L. Hadson. Music accompaniment by William Allwyn. Fox release. “Desert Victory,” taken by Lt. Col. David McDonald and his staff of photographers, is the factual history of the rout of Rommel’s Afrika Corps by the British 8th Army which began at El Alamein on November 23, 1942. It was photographed so close to the battle front that four camera men were killed, seven wounded, six captured. In seeing the film the onlooker feels that he is part of the war; he hears the orders issued, sees the men and tanks advance, the planes overhead, and hears the shattering noise of explosions; sees death and the clash of gigantic forces. The campaign is clearly outlined, and the advance is slow, almost inch by inch across the desert terrain. Many of the pictures can never be forgotten, such as those of the sand storm, of Rommel becoming more desperate under heavy fire. The odds are so close that one has the feeling that the history of a century hangs in the balance. It is the greatest picture of actual warfare ever filmed. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Remarkable No DR. GILLESPIE'S CRIMINAL CASE O O Lionel Barrymore, Van Johnson, Keye Luke, Alma Kruger, Nat Pendleton, Margaret O'Brien, Donna Reed, John Craven, Michael Duane, William Lundigan, Walter Kingsford, Marilyn Maxwell, Henry O'Neill, Marie Blake, Frances Rafferty. Original screen play by Martin Berkeley, Harry Ruskin and Lawrence P. Bachman, based on characters created by Max Brand. Direction by Willis Goldbeck. M-G-M. This is a story about the various types of cases found in a large general hospital, an epidemic in the children’s ward, the rehabilitation of a wounded aviator, and the final adventure of the mental case to whom we were introduced in a former episode in the series. The dear old doctor is still trying to choose his permanent assistant, and we suspect it will take a war emergency to take the matter out of his hands, as both engaging youths seem equally capable of filling his requirements. The story is told with a nicely balanced mixture of broad humor and human interest, and the film is entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Exciting in parts and possibly of less interest DU BARRY WAS A LADY O O Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Virginia O'Brien, Zero Mostel, "Rags" Ragland, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. Screen play by Irving Brecher, adapted from play by Herbert Fields and B. G. De Sylva. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Direction by Roy Del Ruth. Produced by Arthur Freed. Photographed in Technicolor. M-G-M. The sophistication of the original stage production has been toned down for general patronage, and the film is loud, tuneful, tastefully set, lavishly (and frequently exquisitely) costumed. It is a gay, gorgeous musical extravaganza. New songs have been added to bolster up a thin, threadbare plot. The star-studded cast offer some good specialty acts, notably a dance routine by Gene Kelly and a burlesque of Charles Boyer by Zero Mostel. The younger audiences will enjoy the closeup view of Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra in action. As escapist entertainment it fills the bill. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Amusing but no value No FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO O O Franchot Tone, Akim Tamiroff, Erich Von Stroheim, Fortunio Bonanova, Anne Baxter, Peter Van Eyck, Konstantin Shayne, Fred Nurney, Miles Mander, I. Keith. Screen play by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, based on an unpublished play by Lajos Biro. Direction by Billy Wilder. Musical score by Miklos Rozsa. Paramount. The story is based on the supposition that in 1937 Rommel visited Egypt as an archeologist and selected five graves in strategic positions as depositories of oil, water, and ammunition to be used on a future drive across Africa. Franchot Tone plays the part of Bramble, sole survivor of a British tank crew after the fall of Tobruk. He is forced to assume the identity of a club-footed waiter in an outpost which has fallen into German hands, and as this waiter had been a Nazi spy, he is in the difficult but opportune situation of obtaining vital information about the location of the secret caches. He is aided by a young Alsatian servant girl who adds a note of romance. Although at times the scenes shift too rapidly for a smooth effect, on the whole the film is well directed. It is an entertaining and convincing film of espionage. Franchot Tone gives a good performance as Bramble; Anne Baxter shows a depth of understanding of her part, and Akim Tamiroff provides a welcome touch of humor as the Turkish innkeeper. While many of the Italian soldiers are caricatured, Von Stroheim’s portrayal of Rommel is excellent. The settings are very interesting, and the musical accompaniment is effective. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature but No entertaining