National Board of Review Magazine (Jan 1939 - Jan 1942)

18 National Board of Review Magazine responds with the most minute precision to tlie requirements of this part. She has never before seemed to be so entirely inside a part, with every mannerism and physical aspect of her suited to its expression. If she has deserved medals before, in parts of more dramatic A'alidity, she deserves the prayerful gratitude of Dark Victory's authors for putting life into something that must have lookerl pretty improbable on paper. — J.S.H. Bated HonoraWe Mention. Remembering the Alamo SAM HOUSTON is one of the almost epic cliaracters of our national expansion, with a picturesqueness and scope of activity that would supply material enough for a serial — a mighty good serial, too. that would dwarf the Lone Ranger into insignificance. Tn Man of Conquest his exploits have to be trimmed down to feature length, which leaves room for only higlilights and the broadest kind of motivation, Tjut there is broad and sweeping action in it. and vigorous sketches of both the hero and Andrew Jackson. Most of the story deals with Jackson's dream of getting Texas into the Union, and Houston's part — from motives and bv methods of his own — in making that dream come true. The remarkable thing about it, as history, is the almost rmique frankness with which our methods of conc|uest are presented. American expansion was not accomplished by Sundayschool tactics, but by resolute and adventurous men who went after what they wanted without kid gloves. Man of Conquest makes that plain, and is all the better history for it. The Screen Mikado MANY people, no doubt, have looked forward to seeing Gilbert and Sullivan in the movies, and here at last is their most screenable operetta done by the D'Oyly Carte people and Kenn} Baker with all proper reverence and lovely technicolor. It is more of a cinematic curio than a real movie, for no A'ery perceptible eiTort has been made to do more than photograph the .settings and costumes prettily, cut down the acting time to screen proportions, and put over the words and music clearly and agreeably. The physical humor comes ot¥ least successfully — ^the antics of the comedians don't look very spontaneous, or even funny, through the eye of the camera. But it has all the pleasantness of a brand-new photograph of an old friend, and those who love it will delight in seeing it. Instructional Films at the New York World's Fair {Continued from page 12) movements. You should ask for this film if you don't find it on the week of your visit. Other famous documentaries such as A' i gilt Mail and North Sea will be shown, and judging from the list it seems that this theatre will provide an hour or more of good entertainment at least four times every day. The theatre seats 300 very comfortably. The Australians hope to be under way with their showings soon, but as they have no movie house they have decided to show in the British Pavilion next door. Unfortunately this has brought a bit of difficulty and delay, so it may l>e some while before these screenings start. Ask at the Australian desk, as the listed shorts sound full of color and strange interest. No information on the French documentaries was available at their pavillion, but a French mo^■ie-magazine lists a good selection of French and French-Colonial shorts. the Streets of Paris, Life of a Small Toicn, Profiles of France, Young Girls of France, are some of the titles, and some of their best directors will be represented : Rene Clair. Jean Renoir, Jacques Fevder and others. The auditorium will hold 500. Belgium is reported to be sending 21 documentaries : Switzerland a large nuinber of studies of local industries and produce. The Russian Pavihon will have a theatre h dding 700, Siam 250, Belgium 216. Sweden and Brazil each 200, Switzerland 150 and Cuba 100. Do not be led to think that the existence of a theatre in a building automatically means the showing of movies. Many of the theatres will have stage showings and demonstrations ; many, however, are down for