Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

Ten MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS The theme is stern and uncompromising with no concession to sentimentality, and the fact that the innocence of those who die is established, points the moral more effectively. It is magnificently acted and directed. The film is courageous and impressive and tremendously pertinent today with a world in chaos. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 3 to 12 Not under fifteen No: Mature and tragic ❖ OUR LADY OF PARIS O O Documentary with commentary written and spoken by George A. Hirliman. This excellent documentary was filmed before Paris fell to German domination. It is a complete photographic tour of Notre Dame with the camera catching close views of the sculpture and exquisite architectural detail. The accompanying commentary stresses the historical and spiritual significance of the Cathedral to the French people. It is a symbol of the nation's faith and courage. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Mature but good ❖ POWER OF THE PRESS O O Guy Kibbee, Gloria Dickson, Lee Tracy, Otto Kruger, Victor -lory, Larry Parks, Rex Williams, Frank Scully, Don Beddoe, Douglas Leavitt. Screen play by Robert D. Andrews. Story by Sam Fuller. Direction by Lew Landers. Columbia. “Power of the Press’’ brings out the point that a big newspaper can be subtly manipulated for subversive purposes, but the message is somewhat obscured by the melodamatic turn of the plot which embraces several murders and sinister gangster activities. Guy Kibbee plays the sympathetic and effective role of a small town editor who is bequeathed the controlling share of a New York daily and manages in a shrewd, warm-hearted way to outwit his dangerous, unprincipled enemies. Lee Tracy is very capable as a tough-skinned, but essentially decent, member of the staff. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable No PRELUDE TO WAR O O Produced by Frank Capra. Released by Columbia Pictures. We have here the first in a series made by Lt. Col. Frank Capra for the Army Special Services Division under the general title “Why We Fight.” The film has been shown to approximately six million service men in post theatres as part of their orientation. It is a cinematic “White Paper” presenting the factual incidents which led to the present world war and contrasting the two conflicting ideologies of freedom and force. In the events depicted it is a graphic history lesson; in tone and the use of directorial devices it becomes forceful propaganda. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Mature ❖ PRESENTING LILY MARS O O Judy Garland, Van Heflin, Fay Bainter, Richard Carlson, Spring Byington, Marta Eggerth, Connie Gilchrist, Leonid Kinskey, Patricia Barkey, Janet Chapman, Annabelle Logan, Douglas Croft, Ray McDonald, Tommy Dorsey and Bob Crosby and their orchestras. Screen play by Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman, based on a novel by Booth Tarkington. Musical director, Georgie Stoll. Dance director, Ernst Matray. Direction by Norman Taurog. Produced by Joe Pasternak. M-G-M. Tarkington’s story of Lily Mars, the stagestruck country girl who follows a producer to Broadway and finally makes her way on the stage, is probably done more with an eye to what people expect of Judy Garland than what the writer intended to make of the character. Lily Mars, as played by Judy Garland, is an uninhibited hoyden who romps through the play, getting herself into a peck of trouble until she finally emerges in the final scenes as a very polished, well-groomed performer. In her first appearance on the stage she suffers by comparison with the star of the show, Marta Eggerth, whose beautiful voice and manner win just applause. While the picture is loosely tied together, it is, however, gay and light and musical, and entertaining in its way. There are good band numbers and exceptionally fine ballet dancing. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Yes RIDE, TENDERFOOT, RIDE O O Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, June Storey, Mary Lee, Warren Hull, Forbes Murray, Joe McGuinn, Joe Frisco, Isobel Randolph, Herbert Clifton, Mildred Shay, Si Jenks, Cindy Walker. Screen play by Winston Miller. Direction by Frank McDonald. Republic Pictures. Now that Gene Autry is in the army and thus unavailable for new pictures, Republic is reissuing one of his popular successes. “Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride” is good entertainment. Gene comes in off the range to learn that he has inherited a meat packing business. He runs up against opposition from a young lady, owner of a rival packing house, and this competition results in some exciting and some amusing sequences. Mary Lee plays a precocious adolescent and joins Gene in several musical numbers. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Good