Motion Picture Reviews (1943)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Five trast to the crimes and to the guilty person in their midst, whose history is a tragic com-' mentary on warped emotions. In spite of a complex plot, it is well directed and acted and is entertaining of its type. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Over 14 No ♦> FALSE COLORS O O William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Claudia Drake, Jimmy Rogers, Tom Seidel, Douglas Dumbri lie. Bob Mitchum. Original screen play by Bennett Cohen. Direction by George Archinbaud. Harry Sherman Productions. United Artists. A brother and sister, separated since childhood, are about to be reunited on the family ranch when the brother is killed by men who seek to secure the water rights of the region. Chivalrous as always, Hopalong Cassidy arrives to fight the cause of the oppressed, and by substituting one of his men for the littleknown boy who has been shot, manages to beat the evil-doers at their own game. Fine horsemanship and a beautiful background of snow-capped mountains and open cattle country add to the quality of the film. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Entertaining ❖ THE GANG'S ALL HERE O O Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, Phil Baker, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Eugene Pallette, Charlotte Greenwood, Edward Everett Horton, Tony De Marco, James Ellison, Sheila Ryan, Dave Willock. Screen play by Walter Bullock. Direction by William Le Baron. 20th Century-Fox. Enriched by Technicolor, the camera is used to catch superb tropical beauty in spectacular and original dance compositions. Often the effect is like the changing patterns of a Kaleidoscope, a riot of color and rhythm. The costumes are beautiful and exotic, and the settings elaborate. The story is slight, just a romance between a chorus girl and a soldier, but for entertainment the film offers many favorites with their varied talents. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Good ❖ GOVERNMENT GIRL O O Olivia de Haviland, Sonny Tufts, Anne Shirley, Jess Barker, James Dunn, Paul Stewart, Agnes Moorehead, Hardy Davenport, Una O'Connor, Sig Ruman, Jane Darwell, George Givot. Screen play and direction by Dudley Nichols. R.K.O. Smokey, a “Government Girl,” long famaliar with the devious ways of war-time Washington, is assigned as secretary to Ed Browne, the new Head of the Bomber Division. Browne, whose only desire is to join the Marines, is so determined to get the production job on its way that he cuts red tape right and left, to the indignation of his secretary, who ends up by getting him before a Senate Investigating Committee. It is all designed for comedy, but it fails to reach the desired height of hilarious farce, possibly because too many incidents are obviously included solely to provide laughter. Then, too, it is difficult to know which side to be on — for or against red tape, but if you just relax and take things as they come you’ll find it quite amusing. Girls will admire de Haviland’s smart and unlimited wardrobe, but they may wonder whether she needs a new shoe fitter or just is short on ration coupons since she kicks off her shoes all the time. And girls will certainly envy her her boss. Sonny Tufts is quite a lad. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Yes If interested GUADALCANAL DIARY O O Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan, Richard Jaeckel, Roy Roberts, Richard Conte, Anthony Quinn, William Bendix, Minor Watson, Ralph Byrd, Lionel Stander, Reed Hadley, John Archer, Eddie Acuff, Harry Carter. Screen play by Lamarr Trotti from book by Richard Tregaskis. Direction by Lewis Seiler. 20th Century-Fox. Possibly any Marine who has had the terrible experience of being in the first landing party on Guadalcanal had better avoid this film. It repeats the terrors of that travail, the first faltering steps of an attack upon an enemy for whose methods of warfare no previous experience had prepared the men. It suggests the terrors endured during bombing, the natural fear, the fatigue, the strain of waiting for supplies and reinforcements, the unimagined trickery of the enemy which made it necessary for the Americans to become brutal killers without trust or pity. Then comes relief for those who could still march away, leaving their dead behind. It is a restrained, great war film. It does not emphasize the savagery in detail, and since the Marines are not particularly individualized, audience sympathy goes to the group rather than to characters. It is an epic of average Americans, young men who are not spectacular in looks or ability, who started from San Diego on the great adventure, ignorant of their objective, excited, laughing and kidding, interested in home affairs more than in what lay ahead. They arrive at the island in an ominous calm which seems to intensify the terror of the unknown. Slowly they gain contact with the enemy, the battle grows in intensity until the objective is accomplished and relief arrives. Many of the horrors of jungle fighting are omitted, but enough reality is suggested to make the film tremendously impressive to the layman. Through it all is the indomitable spirit of our Marines who still have the courage to