Photoplay (Jan - Jun 1941)

THE SHADOW STAGE 0$ Magnificent in scope, epic in theme: Jean Arthur and William Holden in "Arizona" Smart-set comedy: Cary Grant, Kate Hepburn, James Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story" ^ Arizona (Columbia) It's About: Tlie settling in Arizona of the first American woman. MAGNIFICENT in its breadth and scope, epic in theme and stirring in its historical authenticity, "Arizona" emerges not just another super-duper Western, but a symbol of today's great en advancement: a picture that combines history and drama with sacrifice to neither. A gripping hellcat of a story is this movie telling of the coming to Arizona of Phoebe Titus, the first American woman to settle in the territory, of lie: struggles throughout the Civil War, Indian uprisings and outlaw riders to maintain a semblance of order and provide a place for future pioneers to live and work and make their lives. Jean Arthur as Phoebe surpasses anything she ha^ yet clone and proves herself one of the top actresses of the screen. William Holden is mighty good as the young hero and can now take his place among the mint! actors in Hollyv Hut it's the story itself, with its terrific emotional grip, rising into a thundering climax of stampeding cattle, that remains the star. To producer and director, Wesley Buggies, we give the laurel wreath of praise. Your Reviewer Says: Terrific. ^ The Philadelphia Story (M-G-M) It's About: A society divorcee who almost marries the wrong man. LA Y woid, how clever! How very '"• voguish are everything and everyone m this star-littered story of a "smott" ety divorcee (Katharine Hepburn), who admits to no human frailties will tolerate none in others Don't you lathe her'.' Katharine (who brings her New York stage hit to the screen) is about to marry John Howard, a big-league coal miner. But at the pre-wedding party Katie drinks too much champagne, goes swimming at dawn with reporter Jimmy Stewart, gets spurned by Howard for her misconduct (he thinks the worst — tch! tch!) and is grabbed off by the eagerly waiting Mr. Cary Grant. More thrilling people keep springing out of the plot like that. It's too wonderful. Buth Hussey, Virginia Weidler and Boland Young are there, too, to listen to Katie's final admission of her many faults Don't you just love her? Your Reviewer Says: A perfect honey of a picture. ^ Trail of The Vigilantes (Universal) It's About: Murder in the old West. YOU'LL be surprised to find suave Franchot Tone whooping it up in this exciting super Western, but he does all right for himself with the able assistance of Broderick Crawford, Andy Dcvinc and Mischa Auer who provide most of the laughs in this riotous film. Tone, a newspaper reporter, is sent out west to investigate the killing of another reporter Arriving there he gets into a fight with cowboys Crawford and Devine, but they get him a job as cowhand for Charles Trowbridge. Trowbridge's daughter is boy-crazy Peggy Moran who makes a violent play for Tone. Franchot gets in a light with Warren William; rustlers steal cattle, there are violent brawls plus stage holdups; and the whole thing is very exciting indeed. Mi cha Auer is very funny els a cowhand who is alternately a medicine-show Indian and a Mexican matadoi . Crawford and Devine contribute greatly as T< pals. Peggj Moran is very cute. Your Reviewer Says: RiotOUS action out west. ^^ The Letter (Warner Brothers) It's About: A neurotic wife who kills her lover. I N a long succession of triumphs for ' Bette Davis, chalk up still another victory, for in this suspense-packed story of a woman who kills her lover Bette is superb: unbeatable in her repressed fire and amazing in her ability to project her very thoughts into the minds of those watching her. Beholding Bette is a fascinating event, you'll agree. The assignment, to those who remember the performance of the late Jeanne Eagels in the role, is a difficult one. Comparisons are inevitable, but Bette need have no fear. Her performance is in every way the equal of Miss Eagels'. Furthermore, it's one that lingers on in the memory long after the screen has gone dark. James Stephenson, a newcomer, is news in neon type. As the sympathetic lawyer, Mr. Stephenson almost, not quite, but almost, steals several scenes from Pop-Eye the Magnificent, as Hollywood fondly terms Bette. Herbert Marshall, who played the same role (that of the husband) in the silent film, is excellent. It's grownup, dramatic, sophisticated fare and the screen at its best Your Reviewer Says: Drama, haunting and magnificent. v Second Chorus (Paramount) It's About: Tiro perennial college lads who try to go professional. THE dancing of Fred Astaire is. of arse, tops The music is lilting and the performances swell, but — and this must be a greal big "but" the storj is wrong from the beginning and definitely gets weaker as the vat I es No body be! ■ \ taire and Burgess Meredith flunk j ear aftei j ear in See Pictures In The Cutting Room on Page 103. For Complete Casts, See Page 104 1 1 pi v. combined with movif mirror