Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Eleven deals with the brash reporter provides the fun. The music is a skilful combination of old and new songs. Technicolor adds a lavish touch, and Betty Grable will more than please her loyal fans. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes If interested ❖ TARTU O O Robert Donat, Valerie Hobson, Glynis Johns, Walter Rilla. Screen play by John Lee Mahin and Howard Emmett Rogers. Direction by Harold S. Bucquet. Produced in London. M-G-M. A fascinating spy drama tells of the dangerous mission of an Englishman (educated in Rumania and Berlin) into Czechoslovakia to make contact with the “underground” and destroy a Nazi controlled gas factory. Living at the home of a patriot, he falls in love with a lovely Czech girl, who finds his proficiency in impersonating the Rumanian Tartu so perfect that at times she is ready to betray him. This film has many of the good qualities of other English adventure pictures. The restraint used in many sequences intensifies the suspense. Direction is skilful, and the acting very natural. Particularly interesting is the depiction of slave labor conditions found in an occupied country. Possibly the ending is a shade too miraculous for complete credibility, but it is the kind of story which would disappoint the audience if the hero, especially such a versatile and accomplished hero as Robert Donat makes Tartu, were not permitted to escape. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good No. Too terrifying ❖ THOUSANDS CHEER O O Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Mary Astor, John Boles, M-G-M Star parade; Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, Ann Sothern, Lucille Ball, Virginia O'Brien, Frank Morgan. Lena Horne, Marsha Hunt, Marilyn Maxwell, Donna Reed, Margaret O'Brien, June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, John Conte, Sara Haden. Don Loper and Maxine Barrat, Kay Kvser, Bob Crosby, Benny Carter and their orchestras. Screen play by Paul Jarrico and Richard Collins. Direction by George Sidney. M-G-M. In line with current studio “all star parades,” M.G.M offers this contribution. Technicolor, costumes, settings and cast, all add lustre to a production which sets a high standard in light entertainment. The story is human and interesting and is concerned with the adventures of a Colonel’s daughter. The girl joins her father at camp to plan recreational shows for the soldiers, and her romance with a private has amusing ramifications. Into the plot diversified and excellent specialty acts are interpolated. The music spans the scale from jazz to classic, with Jose Iturbi making a most successful screen debut. It is exceptionally entertaining and should delight all members of the family. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Good, if interested A TOP MAN O O Donald O'Connor, Susanna Foster, Lillian Gish, Richard Dix, Peggy Ryan, Anne Gwynne, Noah Beery, Jr., Samuel S. Hinds, Louise Beavers. S creen play by Zachary Gold. Direction by Charles Lamont. Universal. The gay, carefree life of a teen age boy comes to an abrupt about face when his father returns to active Navy service. He becomes head of the family, assumes responsibility, does excellent school work and then encourages his school mates to work after school in an aircraft factory whenever serious shortage of man power has affected production. Their help increases the output and wins the coveted Navy E. Donald O’Connor has a role which suits his personality and talents and allows him dignity. Susanna Foster is lovely, and Peggy Ryan clowns cleverly. The adults play minor roles which demand little effort. The film is expressive of zestful youth and will appeal to pre-college youngsters. It is also entirely wholesome. Adolescents,. 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Yes ❖ TORNADO O O Chester Morris, Nancy Kelly, Bill Henry, Joe Sawyer, Gwen Kenyon, Marie McDonald. Screen play by Maxwell Shane. Direction by William Berke. Produced by Pine and Thomas. Paramount. “Tornado” takes the gullibility of the audience for granted. It seems hollow and insincere, because the characters are neither lifelike nor consistent. For no apparent reason an ordinary mine worker rises to power and oppulence in one years time, and a girl who is sweet and cooperative at the outset becomes a Jezebel. The picture is full of action, and to some the background of a coal-mining town may prove interesting, but there are not enough good points to compensate for a trashy plot. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Waste of time No TRUE TO LIFE O <0> Mary Martin, Franchot Tone, Dick Powell, Victor Moore, Mabel Paige, Wm. Demarest, Clarence Kolb, Beverly Hudson. Original screen play by Ben Barzman, Bess Taffel and Saul Barzman. Direction by George Marshall. Paramount. When two script writers for a radio soap advertising program find their output is going stale, one of them goes out to “meet the people” and revitalize the material. In his