Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

Six MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS THE GOOD FELLOWS O O Cecil Kellaway, Mabel Paige, Helen Walker, James Brown, Diana Hale, Kathleen Lockhart, Douglas Wood, Norma Varden, Olin Howlin, Tom Fadden. Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Herman Mankiewicz. Direction by Jo Graham. Paramount. The foreword describes this film as a “fraternal comedy’’ directed to the thirty million members of fraternal organizations in this country. The member depicted is a joiner and convention goer who uses all the family funds to advance himself in the inner circles of his lodge and indulges in chicanery of various sorts to get the better of his rivals. The film makes fun of the situation with farcical humor and is fairly entertaining, although reminiscent of numerous other films and radio serials dealing with the domestic bickerings and financial problems of a small town family. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable Uninteresting ❖ HI DIDDLE DIDDLE O O Adolphe Menjou, Martha Scott, Pola Negri, Dennis O'Keefe, Billie Burke, June Havoc, Bert Roach. Screen play by Frederick Jackson. Produced and directed by Andrew L. Stone. United Artists. Although the plot of this giddy farce is the well-worn one of the interrupted honeymoon, a top notch cast makes it diverting. There are some bright, if sophisticated, moments, the dialogue is amusing, and the ending is particularly novel, introducing an animated cartoon in a cleverly satirical sequence. Without the talented cast, the poor ethics and the thin plot would be more apparent, but sophisticated audiences will find it quite amusing. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommeded No ❖ HIT THE ICE O O Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Ginny Simms, Patrick Knowles, Johnny Long and his orchestra. Screen play by Robert Lease, Frederic Rinaldo and John Grant. Direction by Charles Lamont. Universal. When Lou and Bud become innocently involved in a bank robbery they follow the robbers to Sun Valley to try to clear themselves. It was nice of the villains to hide away in so lovely a spot, for the winter resort adds beauty of setting to the hilarious action. Music by Long's orchestra and the singing of Ginny Simms are drawing cards, and the picture is one of the best of the comedians’ vehicles. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Good HOLY MATRIMONY «> O Monty Woolley, Gracie Fields, Laird Cregar, Una O'Connor, Alan Mowbray, Eric Blore, Franklin Pangborn. Produced and written for the screen by Nunnally Johnson. Directed by John Stahl. Twentieth Century-Fox. “Holy Matrimony” is skilfully adapted from Arnold Bennett’s novel “Buried Alive” which is about a very shy celebrity who sees his valet buried in Westminster Abbey in his place and makes a new life for himself using the man’s name. The unavoidable complications which eventually follow are adroitly satirical and are highlighted by rich humor and the sweet philosophy of a woman who brings peace at last to the sensitive artist. The cast is exceptionally fine and the film delightfully satisfying. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Matter of taste No interest HONEYMOON LODGE O O David Bruce, June Vincent, Rod Cameron, Harriet Hilliard, Franklin Pangborn, Ozzie Nelson and his band, Veloz and Yolanda. Original screen play by Warren Wilson and Clyde Bruckman. Direction by Edward Lilley. Universal. The auspices must have been particularly favorable when “Honeymoon Lodge” was made. It combines an excellent screen play with good acting and skilful direction and turns out to be one of the most entertaining domestic comedies of the season. A young married couple, both playwrights, have quarreled and taken steps to divorce each other, but before the final verdict they decide to try to relive the early stages of their romance and thus to discover where they made their mistakes. The comedy is deliciously light and entertaining but there is a good deal of real significance in the story of how the husband and wife work out their difficulties. Musical numbers and dances are introduced without interrupting the flow of the plot or interfering with the delightful naturalness of the acting. The setting in the High Sierras adds an extra touch to the romantic atmosphere. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Adult problems but Too mature well and tastefully handled HOSTAGES O O Luise Rainier, Arturo de Cordova, William Bendix, Paul Lucas, Katina Paxinou, Oscar Homolka, Rheinhold Schunzel, Frederick Giermann. From the novel by Stefan Heym. Direction by Frank Tuttle. Paramount. The unbearably harsh rule of the Nazis in conquered Czechoslovakia is the theme of this film, with treachery and deceit not only in their treatment of the subjugated people but in their dealings with each other. Although the Gestapo has full knowledge that