Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1947)

Picture Parade [Continued from page 14] ABIE’S IRISH ROSE — AAA — The classic story of the Jewish boy who marries the Irish Catholic girl is the first film from the new Bing Crosby Productions, Inc. Story stands the test of time, with two unknowns, Joanne Dru and Richard Norris, playing the leads in highly acceptable style. — United A rtists, ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER — AA^ — An imaginative fantasy starring Claude Rains, Paul Muni and Anne Baxter about a murdered gangster whose soul goes to Hades and who gets a chance to return to earth. — United Artists. ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM— AAAA— Adapted from Margaret Landon's best-selling biography, this is an exciting and excellent film. Story takes place in Siam during Victoria s reign and revolves around an English widow whose adventures as school teacher of the royal family attected the progress of the country. Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell. — 20th Century-Fox. BEDELIA — AAA — England’s number one actress, Margaret Lockwood, in a psychological film based on the novel by Vera Caspary, author of Laura. This has the same suspense and drama of the former, plus excellent photography. Ian Hunter, Barry K. Barnes. — Eagle-Lion BLUE SKIES — AAA — Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Joan Caulfield, Billy DeVVolfe provide a pleasant evening’s entertainment though the story is rather slight. There are 28 of Irving Berlin’s fine tunes, and it’s all in Technicolor. — Paramount. CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA — AAAA—George Bernard Shaw’s wonderful and witty play comes to the screen as a stunning spectacle, starring Vivien Leigh and Claude Rains. — United Artists. CANYON PASSAGE— AAA — Oregon is the setting for this robust, romantic and radiantly lovely Western done in Technicolor. Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Brian Donlevy, Hoagy Carmichael. — Universal Pictures. CLOAK AND DAGGER— AAVa— This misses be ing a really fine picture because it’s about a year and a half too late. It’s about the atomic bomb and how an American scientist attempts to check on the progress the Germans had ma<le with it. Picture is notable in that it introduces Lilli Palmer to American audiences. She’s a real personality and a splendid actress. Gary Cooper is the scientist. — Warner Bros. DECEPTION — AAA — Women will like it, for Bette Davis runs the gamut. Claude Rains is wonderful as an egotistical composer, but the whole thing is overly theatrical. — Warner Bros. GALLANT JOURNEY— AA '/2 — The story of John J. Montgomery, the first man who ever flew a controlled airplane. Captures the pioneer spirit, but is only fair entertainment. Glenn Ford, Janet Blair. — Columbia. HUMORESQUE — AAA — Joan Crawford doesn’t appear until the film is well under way, but from that moment on, it’s all hers. Rumor has it she may win another Academy Award for her role of the neurotic, alcoholic socialite who sponsors a young East Side musician, adeptly played by John Garfield. Others are Oscar Levant, Joan Chandler, J. Carrol Naish. — Warner Bros, IF I*M LUCKY — AA’/2 — If you’re a Perry Como fan, you’ll like this, for it gives the popular young crooner plenty of chance to croon. Vivian Blaine is in it too. The story is weak and far-fetched, but Como delivers his songs nicely. — 20th Century-Fox. MARGIE — AAA — A film about high school life in the late 1920’s, complete with raccoon coats, rolled stockings, powerful roadsters and songs of that time, Jeanne Crain is fetching as an almost-wallflower who blossoms at the Senior prom. In Technicolor, with Glenn Langan, Barbara Lawrence, Conrad Janis. — 20th Century-Fox. MR. ACE — AAVa — George Raft and Sylvia Sidney are a well-matched pair for this tale of political ambition and intrigue. Unfortunately, the story is rather weak. The women will enjoy the spectacular hats worn by Miss Sidney. — United Artists. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE— AAA>/2— A satire based on the late Booth Tarkington’s famed novel, with Bob Hope as a clumsy barber in the court of T.ouis XV, until his love for a scullery maid (Joan Caulfield) gets him in a spot. Others in the cast are Marjorie Reynolds and Patric Knowles. — Paramount. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE— AAA— This is horse opera, pure and simple, but so well acted and so^ well directed that you’ll enjoy it immensely. Victor Mature will give you a surprise with his fine work. Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell, Cathy Downs. — 20th Century-Fox, 16 NIGHT AND DAY— AAA V2— Warner Brothers chose this lovely, lyrical filmusical with which to mark their celebration of the twentieth anniversary of sound. It’s an excellent choice, being based on the life of song writer Cole Porter. Cary Grant plays Porter, others in the cast are Alexis Smith, Monty Woolley, Jane Wyman, Eve Arden, Mary Martin. — Warner Brothers, NO LEAVE, NO LOVE — AAV2— About two discharged Marines who get into a lot of hot water. Slow going in spite of the teaming of Van Johnson and Keenan Wynn. Newcomer Marina Koshetz shines. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. NOBODY LIVES FOREVER — AA 1/2— The talents of John Garfield and Geraldine Fitzgerald are wasted on this mediocre tale of a con man who falls in love with his victim. — Warner Bros. NOCTURNE — AA V2 — A pleasing detective-mystery which for a change has George Raft on the side of the law as the detective. A Hollywood composer is bumped off, leaving behind a number of angered females, and false clues as to the actual killer. — RKO-Radio. NORA PRENTISS — AA— The most that can be said about this is that Ann Sheridan wears some stunning clothes. She’s a young singer who brings havoc when she falls in love with a married doctor. If Bruce Bennett had been given the role Kent Smith has (the lead) it might have been a better picture. — Warner Bros. NOTORIOUS— AAA Vi — A good Hitchcock thriller which stars Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. It's about a spy ring, but Cary and Ingrid manage to get in one of the best love scenes ever seen in a film. You’ll like this one. — RKO-Radio. SISTER KENNY — AAA — The story of the crusading Australian bush nurse who devoted her life to her treatment for infantile paralysis has been brought to the screen as a moving, sincere story. Rosaliird Russell as Sister Kenny does a fine job. Cast includes Alexander Knox, Dean Jagger, Beulah Bondi. — RKO-Radio. SONG OF THE SOUTH— AAA— Take the whole family to see this latest charming Disney film, which combines live action with cartoons. Highlight is the Uncle Remus tales of B’rer Fox and B’rer Rabbit. — Disney-RKO-Radio. SPELLBOUND — AAAA— This thrilling psychological melodrama, with its unusual murder plot laid in a medical setting, is given intense interest and substance through the skill of the director, Alfred Hitchcock, and the stars, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck. — United Artists. STORMY WATERS — AAAV2— In French (with English titles), this moving drama of the sea was completed four days before the Nazis invaded Paris. Jean Gabin and Michele Morgan are the lovers, Jean Marchat is excellent in support. — MGM1 liter national. TEMPTATION — A A — Merle Oberon looks lovely in this period story laid in London and Egypt, but there’s not much more to be said for it. Charles Korvin scores as a scheming bogus prince, and Paul Lukas and George Brent lend support. — Universal. THE CHASE — AAVz — A psychological story that goes astray, in spite of good acting from Robert Cummings, Peter Lorre, Michele Morgan and Steve Cochran. — United Artists. THE COCKEYED MIRACLE— AA'/,— Keenan Wynn and Frank Morgan try their best, but the old gag of two dead fellows coming back to earth to unravel their family’s problems falls flat. Audrey 'Totter and Richard Quine help out with the romantic interest, but the story is just too much for Wynn and Morgan. — M etro-Goldwyn-Mayer. THE DARK MIRROR — AAA — Olivia de Havilland is excellent in a dual role. She plays identical twins in a film that is a penetrating study of human jealousy. Lew Ayres and Thomas Mitchell. — Universal-! nternational. THE GREEN YEARS — AAAA — Dr. A. J. Cronin’s best seller about a youth’s strong faith in face of opposition is just as tender and touching on the screen. Charles Coburn, Tom Drake, Beverly Tyler, Hume Cronyn, Gladys Cooper, Dean Stockwell all score. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. THE JOLSpN STORY— AAA '/2 — For solid entertainment, this film based on A1 Jolson’s life is hard to beat. Newcomer Larry Parks scores as Jolson, and the songs of Jolson’s era are spotlighted. Evelyn Keyes, Bill Goodwin, William Demarest. — Columbia. THE KID FROM BROOKLYN— AAA '4— A gorgeous Technicolored laugh fest starring Danny Kaye and featuring Virginia Mayo, Vera-Ellen, The Goldwyn Girls, Eve Arden and Walter Abel. The laughs are provided by a milkman who becomes welterweight champion of the orld.— RKO-Radio. THE KILLERS — AAA*/2 — One of the best murder stories ever brought to the screen. From a short story by Ernest Hemingway, it’s packed with suspense, fine acting, superior photography and overwhelming tension. Introduces Burt Lancaster, who’s very good. Edmond O’Brien, Sam Levene, Ava Gardner. — U niversal. THE MAN I LOVE — AA'/2 — Ida Lupino not only has a chance for plenty of heavy e..ioting in this one but she sings several songs too. She plays helpful sister to her troubled family and falls in love with a down-and-out songwriter. Robert Alda, Bruce Bennett, Andrea King, Martha Vickers, Dolores Moran, Alan Hale, Don McGuire. — Warner Bros. THE OUTLAW — AAA— Howard Hughes’ Western epic about Billy the Kid has finally cleared the censors, though some say they were blindfolded. A woman’s bosom gets the play-up but there's ridin’ and gunnin’, too. Jane Russell, Jack Buetel, Thomas Mitchell, Walter Huston. — United Artists. THE PERFECT MARRIAGE — AA'/2 — David Niven returns to the screen in a domestic story that could be better, but it’s nice to have him back. Loretta Young wears magnificent clothes, and Virginia Field and Eddie Albert are in the cast. — Paramount, THE PLAINSMAN AND THE LADY — AA'/2— If you’re in the mood for a Western, you couldn’t find a more pleasing one. Cast includes Vera Ralston, Joseph Schildkraut, William Elliott, Gail Patrick. — Republic. THE SHOW-OFF — AA'/2— If you’re a faithful Red Skelton fan, you’ll like this; otherwise you’ll find it heavy going. About a brash young man who finally gets wise to himself. Marilyn Maxwell, Marjorie Main, George Cleveland. — MGM. THE STRANGE WOMAN — AA 1/2— Those who have had doubts as to Hedy Lamarr’s histrionic abilities will have the score settled — in Hedy’s favor — after seeing her in this robust story of a selfish, scheming woman, from Ben Ames Williams’ book. Louis Hayward, George Sanders. — United Artists. THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL— AA'/2 — Technicolor, lively songs, dance numbers and slapstick comedy, but it doesn’t quite come off. Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan are amusing as a couple of would-be show producers who go looking for a backer, but the story gets beyond them. Others are Janis Paige, Alan Hale. — Warner Bros. THEY WERE SISTERS — AAA— The latest J. Arthur Rank British-made film, released through Universal, stars James Mason and Phyllis Calvert. Mason, in an unsympathetic role as a bullying sadist, continues his stardom climb. — Universal. THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE — AA'/a— Pleasant musical film about three sisters who go out looking for rich husbands. It’s in Technicolor with some good musical numbers and songs. Celeste Holm stands out in a small part. June Haver, George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine, VeraEllen, Frank Latimore. — 20th Century-Fox. TIME OF THEIR LIVES — AA'/2— By now you know what to expect from Abbott and Costello, and this one won’t disappoint you. It’s a ghost story, and Marjorie Reynolds, Binnie Barnes, John Shelton help things along. — Universal. TO EACH HIS OWN — AAAA— Olivia de Havilland scores in this drama about a woman who loved unwisely and suffered the consequences. It embraces two wars and her life from a young: girl to middle age. John Lund, Bill Goodwin, Phillip Terry and Roland Culver are good too. — Paramount. TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST— AAA— The men will like this a lot, but the love story is so slight the girls aren’t going to be too enthusiastic. Based on the novel by Richard Henry Dana, it’s about the wretched conditions of mariners which caused (Congress to pass the Merchant Seamen’s act. Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy, William Bendix, Barry Fitzgerald and Howard da Silva, who is exceptionally good. — Paramount. UNDERCURRENT — AAVz— Robert Taylor’s first film since his release from service is a psychological drama co-starring Katharine Hepburn. It’s too long and bogs in spots but if you’re a Taylor fan, you may like it well enough. Katie wears spectacular clothes. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. WHITE TIE AND TAILS— A A '/2— The fine talents of Dan Duryea triumph over this innocuous tale of a butler who decides to act the gentleman while his employer is away. Ella Raines is stilted in the feminine lead, but wears some gorgeous clothes. — Universal. WICKED LADY— AA— Another of the Britishmade films starring Margaret Lockwood, who appears to keep awfully busy. If there were more of James Mason, it would be better. As is, it’s so theatrical in spots that American audiences are apt to laugh when they shouldn’t. But Lockwood is good. — Universal.