Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

Eight MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS comes the evacuation under fire from Mariveles and the last days on Corregidor. Janet has loved a young medical technician so deeply that when she hears he is lost she has no incentive to live. Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, and Barbara Britton are all excellent, but perhaps the most memorable role is played by Veronica Lake with the beauty and inevitable tragedy of old Greek drama. The director has handled his material so well that interest never comes to an ebb. While the subject is grim, the picture is lightened by amusing characterizations, and humor slips in naturally in bits of conversation or individual reactions. One never has the feeling that this is propaganda, because in the quiet, restrained prayer of the chaplain and in the words of the doctors and military leaders, we simply hear the reiteration of our own faith in American aims. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Yes Too mature and THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS O O Humphrey Bogart, Eddie Cantor, Bette Davis, Olivia de Haviland, Errol Flynn, John Garfield, Jean Leslie, Ida Lupino, Dennis Morgan, Ann Sheridan, Dinah Shore, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, George Tobias, Edward Everett Horton, S, Z. Sakall, Hattie McDaniel, Ruth Donnelly, Don Wilson, Willie Best, Henry Armetta, Joyce Reynolds and Spike Jones and his City Slickers. Screen play by Norman Panama, Melvin Frank and James V. Kern, from an original story by Everett Freeman and Arthur Schwartz Musical director, Leo F. Forbstein. Music and lyrics by Arthur Schwarz and Frank Loerser. Orchestral arrangements by Ray Heindorf. Mark Hellinger production. Direction by David Butler. Warner Bros. A collection of specialty acts by wellknown radio and screen stars is bound to provide gay entertainment, and “Thank Your Lucky Stars” is plentifully supplied with headliners. As in all shows of this sort, some acts are better than others but interest is re tained bv the variety of the performances, The whole is strung on a thin chain of plot having to do with the fantastic scheming of the originators of a benefit to arrange for the appearance of Dinah Shore without including Eddie Cantor to whom Miss Shore is under contract. The production is a bit long but you get a lot for your money and the fact that the stars depart radically from their usual characterizations is an amusing novelty. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Long but entertaining THIS IS THE ARMY O O George Murphy, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Alan Hale, Chas. Butterworth, Deiores Costello, Una Merkle, Stanley Ridges, Rosemary De Camp, Ruth Donnelly, Dorothy Peterson, Frances Langford, Gertrude Niesen, Kate Smith, Ilka Cruning, Lt. Ronald Reagan, Sgt. Joe Lewis, T/Sgt. Tom D'Andrea, Sgt. Julie Oshins, Sgt. Robert Shanley, CpI. Herbert Anderson, 1st Sgt. Alan Anderson, M/Sgt. Ezra Stone, S/Sgt. James Burrell, Sgt. Ross Elliott, Sgt. Alan Manson, Sgt. John Prince Mendes, Sgt. Earl Oxford, Sgt. Philip Truex, CpI. James MacColl, CpI. Tileston Perry, Pfc. Joe Cook, Jr., Pfc. Larry Weeks, the Allon Trio. Screen play by Casey Robinson and Capt. Claude Binyon from the Irving Berlin army show of the same title. Direction by Michale Curtix. Warner Bros. Photographed in Technicolor. This is grand, up-to-the-minute entertainment, blending laughter, sentiment and patriotic fervor into a typically American show which is emotionally stirring and appealing to all ages. It is beautifully photographed in Technicolor. Those who missed the Army Show will see the three hundred and fifty soldiers who made the triumphal coast-to-coast tour and many of the highlights of the original production. In addition there is a story in which civilian players appear, tying in with this new Army Show a re-creation of the famous “Yip, Yap, Yaphank” of World War I. All the participants donated their services, and patrons of the film will also contribute, by their attendance, to the Army Emergency Relief Fund. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Excellent ♦ THUMBS UP O O Brenda Joyce, Richard Fraser, Elsa Lanchester, Arthur Margetson, Gertrude Neisen, George Byron, J. Pat O'Malley, Queenie Leonard, Molly Lamont, Charles Irwin, Andre Chariot, The Hot Shots. Original screen play by Frank Gill, Jr., based on story idea by Ray Golden and Henry Moritz. Direction by Joseph Santley. Produced by Albert J. Cohen. Republic Pictures. An American girl with stage ambitions enters a British aircraft factory when she learns that a big producer is going there on a talent scouting tour. Rubbing elbows with people from every class of society, she finally comes to understand that her self-interest is a petty thing in comparison to the goals men and women are fighting for. The English background is very interesting, and there are a number of good performances including those of J. Pat O’Malley and the inimitable Elsa Lanchester as Cockney comedians. It is a pleasant program picture with strong human values. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Yes, if interested