Motion Picture Reviews (1944)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Nine THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS O O Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson, Peter Lorre, Victor Francen, Steven Geray, Florence Bates, Edward Ciannelli, Kurt Katch, Marjorie Hoshelle,, Georges Metaxa, John Abbott, Adapted from novel "A Coffin for Dimetrios" by Eric Ambler. Direction by Jean Negulesco. Warner Bros. Technically this film achieves distinction, particularly in the field of photography. It tells a story of crime and violence, sombre and drab in details, beginning in Istambul, where in massive and gloomy surroundings the strange Dimitrios pursues his abnormal craving for gold and starts a drama of political intrigue. It is rather heavy fare and will interest few except those who enjoy vicarious experiences in crime. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Matter of taste Complicated and unsuitable ❖ MINSTREL MAN O O Benny Fields, Gladys George, Alan Dinehart, Roscoe Karns, Judy Clark, Gloria Petroff, Molly Lamont, Jerome Cowan. Original screen play by Martin Mooney and Raymond L. Schrock. Music score by Ferde Grofe. Direction by Joseph H. Lewis. P.R.C. This is a smooth blending of song and story, featuring Benny Fields, whose style and personality establish him as a favorite with another generation of playgoers. The music revives the still popular “Melancholy Baby.” Scenes of the old-time minstrel show and the modern adaptation are very well done. Interest is held throughout, and the tuneful score pleases with its nostalgic, melodic character. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Yes ♦ MR. SKEFFINGTON O O Bette Davis, Claude Rains, Walter Abel, Richard Waring, George Coulouris, Marjorie Riordan, Robert Shayne, John Alexander. Screen play by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein from a story by "Elizabeth." Direction by Vincent Sherman. Music by Franz Waxman. Photography by Ernest Mailer, A.S.C. Warner Bro^. In a happier time than the present, this story of consuming vanity would have at least aroused intellectual curiosity. Today it seems trivial and somewhat unwholesome because it is not representative of anything worth preserving. The theme, that a woman is beautiful when she is loved, is weakened by the ending, for Fanny Trellis never earned the right to be cherished. The production is well done except for the preposterous make-up Miss Davis uses to simulate age. The settings are interesting and the musical score very beautiful. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No value Would not interest A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE O O Tom Conway, Audrey Long, Edward Brophy, Louis Borell, Addison Richards, Jean Brooks, Nancy Gates, Russell Hopton. Screen play by Crane Wilbur. Based upon the play "Hat, Coat and Glove" by Wilhelm Speyer. Direction by Gordon Douglas. R.K.O. Novel complications and an intresting presentation of evidence make this a better than average courtroom drama. A noted criminal lawyer acts as defense counsel for a man charged with murder, although circumstances have so involved the lawyer that, if certain facts were known, he himself would be equally suspect. Suspense is maintained by keeping the audience guessing how the lawyer can clear his client without implicating himself. The courtroom scenes are apparently in accordance with accepted procedure, and the characters are well defined. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable though No sophisticated in content ♦ OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY O Gail Russell, Diana Lynn, Charles Ruggles, Dorothy Gish, Beulah Bondi, James Brown, Bill Edwards, Jean Heather, Alma Kruger, Helen Freeman. Screen play by Sheriday Gibney from the book by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough. Music score by Werner Heymann. Photography by Theodor Sparkuhl, A.S.C. Direction by Lewis Allen. Paramount. Even the most modern ’teen ager will have a wonderful time looking at Mother as she was in her youth, and we doubt that she will find her “quaint.” With gentle humor th is delightful picture presents two charming girls of Mother’s generation, eager and naive, off for a European vacation with a natural desire for independence and a hope of appearing utterly sophisticated. Both girls are superbly portrayed; the relationship of Cornelia's parents to their unpredictable charges is healthy and normal, and the situations which arise are deliciously hilarious. It is a film which is unique in design and wholly delightful for all ages. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very good Good ♦ PSYCHIATRY IN ACTION O O Screen play by Stephen Ackroyd. Photography by Cyril Bristow. Direction by Michael Harkinson. Produced by Spectator Films for the British Ministry of Information. Lacking in technical excellence of American films, this nevertheless should be seen because it takes up an important subject of the day: the treatment of the many types of neurotic cases caused by the war. It is a purely objective discussion of the way brilliant physicians and psychiatrists in England are attacking this problem. It takes up in