Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1958)

p W'VW EXCELLENT k'W' VERY GOOD GOOD V' FAIR get more out of life What’s on tonight? to see the best! Look for these new pictures at your favorite theater oil m l.l 111 n 20th; cinemascope. Rally Round the r lug) Boys deluxe color V'V'V'V' Readers still holding their aching sides from an encounter with Max Shulman’s best-seller had better be warned — the film version is every bit as funny. No one has ever definitely proved there are bats in Shulman’s belfry, but he writes that way and Fox has happily not changed a thing. The place is Putnam’s Landing, Long Island, and Harry Bannerman (Paul Newman ) is fighting a dual battle — trying to persuade wife Grace (Joanne Woodward) that a woman’s place is in the home, and trying to convince the Pentagon’s Captain Hoxie (Jack Carson) that Putnam’s Landing is no place for a guided missile base. Harry’s woes are increased by fire-breathing Angela (Joan Collins) — a sizzling mantrap all set to pursue him to Afghanistan if necessary. On comes the Army, resulting in a pitched battle between the locals and the doughboys for the favors of a local belle named, of all things. Comfort Goodpasture. The hilarious results are ample proof that everyone connected with this gem must have had a high old time making it. Joan Collins provides her siren with a nice comic flair, and as for Paul and Joanne Newman (see picture, top left) — after battling each other in “Long Hot Summer.” they’ve now turned out more of the same, this time for laughs. family .. .. „ 20th; cinemascope, Mardi Crms deluxe color Seems French movie queen Michelle Marton (Christine Carere) is the idol of millions, including four eager-beaver Virginia Military Institute cadets — Pat Boone, Gary Crosby, Tommy Sands and Richard Sargent. (Gary. Pat and Tommy are pictured, below left.) Taking due note of the fact that Michelle is to be New Orleans Mardi Gras Queen, our boys hatch a scheme to raffle her off as a date for the graduation prom. And off they go to New Orleans to get her. But, easier said than done. Along the way there are any number of plot complications, lovers’ spats and some amusing confusion involving Michelle s standin, Slieree North, and publicity man Fred Clark. Location photography both in New Orleans and at VMI is colorful, and the music is bright and gay. Pat Boone’s third outing as the all-American Boy is his best to date, and Crosby’s way with a wisecrack promises well for his film future. Pert Sheree North should by now be on the verge of something big. family The Tunnel of Love M-C‘M V'W' “The Tunnel of Love” admittedly revolves around one question: Will Doris Day and Richard Widmark get a baby? More to the point — how? Weary of waiting, the Pooles (Doris and Dick) decide to adopt an infant. Add a sexy adoption agent (Gia Scala). two screwball neighbors (Gig Young and Elisabeth Fraser) plus assorted complications — and there you have it. With such basically meager material, director Gene Kelly has done wonders. Every situation is carefully contrived, every laugh milked bone dry, most expertly by Young and Miss Fraser, champion milkers from way back. Widmark joyously throws himself into this bit of switch-casting. Doris Day skillfully rounds out the quartet of funmakers. Gia Scala is somewhat stiff, particularly in the face, but she appears only briefly. Better send the kiddies elsewhere, though. The entire film is convincing proof that babies come neither from storks nor cabbages, and the opening scenes contain the kind of dialogue that used to send Mae West to the workhouse. adult 20th; cinemascope. In Love and War deluxe color V'V'V Three marines — at home and at the front — are here given an extensive, generally interesting examination. Frankie (Robert Wagner) is just a big boy dying to learn what makes his big girl (Sheree North) tick. Nico (Jeffrey Hunter) has already learned and is marrying his girl (Hope Lange) just in time. Alan (Bradford Dillman) is disgusted by his loose-living fiancee (Dana Wynter), prefers the company of modest, unspoiled France Nuyen. Watching these characters thrash out their problems makes entertaining viewing but, more importantly, allows several members of Fox’s “young stock company” to trot out their stuff. Wagner plays a smart aleck as well (Continued ) 10