Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1957)

LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES Continued kVW EXCELLENT V'V'V VERY GOOD VV GOOD V FAIR Rock, a combat pilot, helps Anna Kashfi with a pleasant chore Buttle Hymn u.i. ; cinemascope, technicolor WW Though war is the dominant background, here’s a tender, warm-hearted film, centering on the havoc among innocent bystanders. Rock Hudson has the deeply sympathetic role of Colonel Dean Hess, who lived this remarkable story. As Hess, Rock is a World War II flyer who accidentally bombs a German orphanage. A preacher in civilian life, he can t go back to his vocation with a clear conscience, even with the encouragement of wife Martha Hyer. Recalled to active duty in Korea, he becomes involved in the fate of orphans, victims of the fighting. The lovely Indian actress Anna Kashfi (seen in “The Mountain”) plays a Korean girl who has the aid of ancient Philip Ahn in caring for the children. Dan Duryea and Don DeFore are “tough” Americans. family Using feminine wiles, Susan plans to do a hatchet job on Kirk Top Secret Affair warners VW In a knockabout romantic comedy, Susan Hayward and Kirk Douglas are a handsome pair. Susan's a news-magazine big shot, annoyed because her choice for a top atomic-energy post got the government go-by. So she’s out to ruin Kirk, though this Army general has an outstanding record. Little dictators in their separate fields, Susan and Kirk become t he conventional warring lovers, as she tries to trap the general into undignified poses, to be shot by her candid photographer. There’s expert support by Paul Stewart, as Susan’s too-perceptive second-incommand. and Jim Backus, as Kirk’s befuddled public-relations P officer. But the two stars, accomplished in dramatic roles, seem ill at ease when they’re asked to clown, going at their antics with the determination of good sports. family 10 BEST ACTING: ROBERT RYAN, ALDO KAY In a tough spot, Boh and Aldo forget differences they’ve had Men in War U A V'V'V'V' Any woman whose man has ever gone off to war feels that he has had an experience she can never share or even understand. Direct, honest, full of tension, this picture gives her a chance at least to imagine wdiat might have happened to him. In the bitter days of 1950, during the UN retreat in Korea, Lieutenant Robert Ryan’s infantry patrol is cut off. He is America’s typical “civilian soldier,” thoughtfully trying to do his duty. As a sergeant the patrol comes upon, Aldo Ray is the traditional fighting man, operating surely on instinct. No characters are obvious, yet not one has to be explained. You know them by their actions and words. As Aldo’s beloved colonel, speechless and almost helpless from battle shock, Robert Keith is impressive. family Not bad guys, hut two small hoys have Alan and Edmond covered The Big Land warners, warnercolor VW Alan Ladd makes a fine, dependable hero in a Western that follows a sensible course through post-Civil War history. Leading a cattle drive to Missouri, Alan, along with fellow Texans, gets gypped by dealer Anthony Caruso on the sale price. But, in partnership with ex-drunkard Edmond O'Brien. Alan develops a counter-scheme. He will bring the Texas cattle to the rich grasslands of Kansas, where a new spur of the railroad may pick them up at a new town. Buyers gather to bid for the herd at fair prices — only to be terrorized by Anthony and his henchmen. The romantic angle is handled in a properly subdued manner, as Virginia Mayo turns from railroad tycoon Don Castle to the dashing Texan. Little David Ladd does an appealing debut in his dad's picture. family