Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

tight MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS sistent devotion to the boy. The drama consists in the enforced separation of the two when hard times come to the boy’s family and the beautiful collie must be sold. But the dog cannot accept the strange decision of human beings, and distances make no difference to his instinct that he belongs with his young master. Finally at long last, because the world is full of human kindness and understanding the two are reunited with a happy future before them. The film is a beautiful translation of Eric Knight’s novel. The setting is Yorkshire and the bonnie braes of Scotland, photographed in exquisite Technicolor. The cast is perfectly selected and graciously supports the real star, the remarkable, intelligent Lassie. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Excellent ❖ THE MAN FROM DOWN UNDER O O Charles Laughton, Binnie Barnes, Richard Carlson, Donna Reed, Christopher Severn, Clyde Cook, Horace McNally, Arthur Shields, Evelyn Falke, Hobart Cavanaugh. Screen play by Wells Root and Thomas Seller. Direction by Robert Z. Leonard. M-G-M. A hearty, roistering yarn rambles through enough territory for three films and is distinctly a man's story with drinking, prize fighting and earthy humor. Returning from France in 1918, Jocko Nelson jilts the girl he has momentarily planned to marry but brings back to Australia two Belgian orphans, a boy and a girl, whom he rears to the best of his ability. A rather unpleasant angle develops when the two fall in love, for at that time they believe themselves to be brother and sister. The last scenes contain very realistic and terrible scenes of warfare with the Japanese in the present conflict. It is a picture with mixed moods, broad comedy contrasted with tragedy. Laughton’s fine acting highlights the production. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No. Excessive drink No ing and violence .♦« MY KINGDOM FOR A COOK O O Charles Coburn, Marguerite Chapman, Bill Carter, Isobel Elson, Edward Gargan, Mary Wockes, Almira Sessions. Screen play by Harold Goldman and Andrew Solt. Direction by Richard Wallace. Columbia. Charles Coburn in a Shavian role projects an amusing satire on manners as a caustic tongued English author who starts a good will tour of America in an ugly mood when his own cook cannot go with him. In America his studied indifference to the cultured set and his desire to steal a cook who pleases him, provide light and diverting comedy which in the end offers a plea for mutual forebearance and understanding of divergent national idiosyncracies. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 If interested Little interest ❖ THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA O O Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier, Jane Farrar, Barbara Everest, Steve Garay, Frank Puglia, Hans Herbert, Fritz Feld, J. Edward Bromberg, Hume Cronyn, Gladys Blake, Elvira Curci, Rosina Galli, Fritz Lieber. Direction by Arthur Lubin. Producer, George Waggner. Musical director, Edward Ward. Universal Pictures. The new version of the “Phantom of the Opera” gives more emphasis to music and less to horror than did the old Lon Chaney film, although it presents essentially the same story of the deranged musician who hides among the back drops and cat walks of the Paris Opera House and murders those who, in his warped imagination are impeding the career of the young soprano whom he secretly loves. Gorgeous color, the lovely voices of Nelson Eddy and Susanna Foster, beautifully orchestrated music, and lavish costuming add new lustre to the old story. The acting, as well as the music, is considerably above average with Claude Rains giving another of his excellent performances. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Questionable ❖ PRINCESS O'ROURKE O O Olivia de Haviland, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Harry Davenport, Gladys Cooper, Minor Watson, Curt Bois. Written and directed by Norman Krasna. Warner Bros. In the past there have been many romantic stories about the royal princess of some mythical country who married a commoner, but this is quite up-to-date, for Princess Maria is a refugee from war torn Europe, and where can she find a suitable royal husband today? When Princess Maria does not like the only prospects Uncle submits, we sympathize thoroughly, and when we see the handsome aviator almost as soon as Maria does, we know that Uncle’s jig is up. But even so, marriage into royalty does not offer smooth sailing for Robert Cummings, who plays Eddie O’Rourke. He is willing to learn the routine of being a Prince Consort, to relinquish certain inalienable rights, but he draws the line at losing his American citizenship. In the end Maria concedes a lot. It is all gay, escapist entertainment. The popular cast is excellent, but a little black Scotty playing Fala and representing the President, takes a subtle hand in straightening out the international tangle and almost steals the show. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 A bit sophisticated Little interest but good fun