Motion Picture Reviews (1944)

Eight MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS prising lack of decency. When war strikes again, he becomes a Nazi official and returns for vengeance with the power at his command. The film outlines the characteristic Nazi disregard of righteousness. It is an extremely interesting and powerful picture, directed with artistry by Andre De Toth. Alexander Knox is notable as the Nazi, and among other fine performances is that of Richard Hale as a Rabbi who exhorts his people to fight rather than submit. It is an important contribution to standards of post-war thinking. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Strong — but good Too strong PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE O O Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Michele Morgan, Philip Dorn, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, George Tobias, Helmut Dantine, John Loder, Victor Francen, Vladimir Sokoloff, Edward Cianelli. Screen play by Casey Robinson and Jack Moffitt from a novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. Direction by Michael Curtiz. Music by Max Steiner. Photography by James Wong Howe, A.S.C. Warner Bros. The action begins and ends at an air base of the Free French in England, a garden spot by day and a bristling bomber field by night. There Cap/. Frcycinct recounts to an American correspondent the adventures of a group of convicts who have escaped from Devil’s Island with one motive, regardless of past records, to fight for the liberation of France. Their experiences are told in a series of thrilling, realistic flashbacks. It is a virile production marked by swift action and strong character delineation, containing particularly fine work by Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good action film of Too strong the war ❖ PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE O O Elsa Lanchester, Gordon Oliver, Lenore Aubert, Lionel Royce, Fritz Feld, Joseph Vitale, Gavin Muir, Lloyd Corrigan, Anita Bolster, Lydia Bilbrook, Hans Schumm. Screen play by Val Burton and Muriel Roy Bolton. Direction by Ray McCarey. RKO. Elsa Lanchester gives dignity and delicious humor to the characterization of a gallant little English charwoman whose belief in her passport of invincible security takes her on the most amazing adventure. It is hard to think of any one else in the role, for Miss Lanchester's unexpected and unconventional “business,” her asides, and the naivete of her lines provoke many laughs Moreover, she convinces us that faith makes almost all things possible, and when in the end her primary objective is not achieved, we know that fate alone has cheated her. In the meantime her experiences have given us an intriguing hour of fantasy and an added re spect for the courageous women of London who exemplify that intangible quality of stamina which the English have displayed throughout the war. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very entertaining Possibly too mature to interest 4*« PHANTOM LADY O O Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, Aurora, Thomas Gomez, Fay Helm, Elisha Cook, Jr., Andrew Tombes, Regis Toomey, Joseph Crehan, Doris Lloyd. Screen play by Bernard C. Schoenfeld, based on the novel by William Irish. Direction by Robert Siodmak. Associate producer, Joan Harrison. Universal. A crazy hat is the pivotal clue in one of the best mystery pictures of the year. A man estranged from his wife spends the evening with a half dozen oddly assorted people, and when he learns that his wife has been murdered and that he is accused, none of these companions can be found to establish an alibi for him. Superbly shaded delineation of both normal and psychiatric characters in connection with the smoothly coordinated action holds the audience spellbound. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 For those over 14 Unsuitable RATIONING O O Wallace Beery, Marjorie Main, Donald Meek, Dorothy Morris, Howard Freeman, Connie Gilchrist, Tommy Batten, Gloria Dickson, Henry O'Neill, Carol Ann Beery. Original screen play by Willian R. Lipman, Grant Garrett and Harry Ruskin. Direction by Willis Goldbeck. M-G-M. Since it is easy to fall into ways of selfpity in regard to rationing, it is good for all of us to be brought to account now and then, especially when the ribbing is administered is good humored form. In a more serious vein this picture emphasizes the cumulative effect of self-indulgence in hoarding, unnecessary use of gas, and other practices which lead to the growth of black markets. Wallace Beery and Marjorie Main are at their best, and Dorothy Morris and Tommy Batten are delightful as the young lovers. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Yes ❖ SONG OF BERNADETTE O O Jennifer Jones, William Eythe, Charles Bickford, Vincent Price, Lee J. Cobb, Anne Revere, Roman Bohnen, Ermadean Walters. Screen play by George Seaton from novel by Franz Werfel. Music by Alfred Newman. Photography by Arthur Miller, A.S.C. Direction by Henry King. Producer, William Perlberg. 20th Century-Fox. Franz Werfel’s book of the life of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes has been adapted to the screen with added beauty and spiritual significance. Jennifer Jones fills the part of the young peasant girl to perfection. Although she radiates human warmth, the