Motion Picture Reviews (1944)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Nine esty of justice meted out in a civil trial to the American fliers who bombed Tokyo still remain a matter of speculation, this is an exceedingly realistic picture. Most of the action takes place in the Japanese courtroom or in the prison cell where the men are returned after being tortured. While the worst scenes of the administration of physical cruelty are dispensed with, the emotional reaction to the film is almost unbearable. It is strong propaganda, very well done, with a fine cast and the best technique in all departments. Such a picture may be necessary to awaken certain elements of our population to the urgency of an all-out war effort, but it should be avoided by those having husbands, sons, or close friends in the Pacific area, or even in the air forces. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too grim No * SEE HERE, PRIVATE HARGROVE O O Robert Walker, Donna Reed, Robert Benchley, Keenan Wynn, Bob Crosby, Ray Collins, Chill Wills, Marta Linden, Grant Mitchell. Based on the book by Marion Hargrove. Screen play by Harry Kurnitz. Direction by Wesley Ruggles. M-G-M. The main impression one gains from this film is that it is genuine. The dialogue, the acting, and the episodes selected to portray the experiences of rookies drafted from civilian life into the unknown world of the Army are all very natural, and the story is told with delightful humor. Robert Walker plays the type of young American we all know, scarcely dry behind the ears, bungling into a maturity which somehow holds the finest standards and requisites of manhood. His associates are varied enough in personality to reveal a cross section of a democratic army. The picture is important as a chronicle of our times and, best of all, it is hilariously entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Fine Yes ♦ SHINE ON, HARVEST MOON O O Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Irene Manning, S. Z. Sakall, Marie Wilson, Robert Shayne, Bob Murphy, Four Step Bros., The Ashburtons, Wm. Davidson, James Bush. Based on an original screen story by Richard Weil. Music adapted by H. Roemheld. Orchestral arrangements by Frank Perkins. Musical direction by Leo F. Forbstein. Direction by David Butler. Warner Bros. To those who remember the old days, and perhaps there are not many who do, Dennis Morgan is very much Jack Norworth and Ann Sheridan is — herself She is conscientiously glamorous, and at times her costumes are too daring and eccentric, although in many scenes she shows more sweetness and strength of character than is usual in her roles. Perhaps the simple, romantic singing of “Harvest Moon,” which once brought down the house would be considered “corny” nowadays, but the picture, which is based on the life story of Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, is a very good revival of the days when vaudeville was in its prime and when to appear on the Majestic stage was the height of any actor’s career. There were good songs in those days, tuneful, rhythmic, haunting, and, thanks to radio, they are familiar enough to sway a modern audience. The story describes the struggles of the now famous singing team, denied big time booking by a jealous woman and the vindictive owner of a theatre chain, until they finally got a spot in the Ziegfeld Follies. Jack Carson and Marie Wilson are sprightly fun makers as the magician and his very dumb stooge. The final sequences of the Follies in brilliant color photography are elaborately staged, and costumes are in the Ziegfeld manner. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Yes, but marred by a Not very inter few details esting ❖ SHOW BUSINESS O O Eddie Cantor, George Murphy, Joan Davis, Nancy Kelly, Constance Moore, Don Douglas, Bert Gordon. Screen play by Bert Garnet and Eddie Cantor. Direction by Edwin L. Marin. RKO. Show Business is tuneful and entertaining. The action gives a panoramic impression of the development of an act from burlesque through vaudeville to the ensemble, which is a short step from the modern spectacular extravaganza. It is an excellent vehicle for Eddie Cantor. His comedy is often colored with pathos which makes it human and lovable, and the film revives many of the old-time melodies he has made popular through the years. The others in the cast also are excellent. The back-stage plot is unoriginal, but it seems relatively unimportant Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Matter of taste ♦ TAMPICO O O Edward G. Robinson, Lynn Bari, Victor McLaughlin, Robert Bailey, Marc Lawrence, E. J. Ballantine, Mona Maris, Tonio Selwart. Screen play by Kenneth Garnet, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Richard Macaulay, from an original by Ladislas Fodor. Direction by Lothar Mendes. 20th Century-Fox. Tampico is a story of the Merchant Marine, set in the days when Nazi U-boats were taking a terrible toll of Allied shipping in the Caribbean. After a tanker is torpedoed, its captain becomes involved in a spy hunt with suspicion turning to a mysterious woman he had married in port. The colorful foreign settings are rather well done, and the