Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1952)

Best Performances of the Month Janies Stewart in ‘"Carbine Williams” Ronald Reagan in ‘‘The Winning Team” Laurence Olivier in “Carrie” Best Pictures of the Month The Winning Team Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie Skirts Ahoy! LET PHOTOPLAY BE YOUR GUIDE shadow James Stewart. Jean Hagen re-enact biographical drama of a convicted murderer who, while in jail, invented the carbine gun Doris Day inspires Ronald Reagans triumphs in nostalgic tale of baseball hero, Alexander the Big Leaguer. With Gordon Jones CARBINE WILLIAMS (M-G-M) • This biographical imprint of one man’s life, spent mostly in prison, is told with honesty and conviction. James Stewart portrays Marsh Williams, whose years of confinement led to the invention of the U. S. Army carbine rifle. The story is unfolded by Wendell Corey, prison official, to Stewart's young son. The years served by Stewart for second-degree murder develop into a conflict between the man’s convictions and the horrible prison conditions of the time. At times the overdrawn detail slows the action but. on the whole, this is a story the truth of which is apparent. Jean Hagen plays Stewart's wife and Bobby Hyatt his son. 1 'our Itevinrrr Says: )/ V ( F ) A dramatic life story told with honesty. Program Notes: On hand throughout the writing of the script and the actual filming was David Marshall Williams himself, insisting always that only the truth be told . . . James Stewart returned to his “home” studio, M-G-M. for the first time in two years . . . Jean Hagen stepped from her role of giddy silent star in “Singin’ in the Rain” to this sympathetic role (see page 34) ... M-G-M acknowledges the co-operation of the North Carolina prison authorities for their aid. Conditions existing in that prison have, at the present time, improved over the system depicted in this film . . . Young Bobby Hyatt is becoming a veteran at “son"’ roles, having recently appeared as Fredric March's son in “It's a Big Country." THE WINNING TEAM (WARNERS) • Baseball and the story of one of its greatest heroes, Grover Cleveland Alexander. A fine, gripping story, it is warm and human and as much to be enjoyed by nonbaseball fans as by the most ardent rooters. Ronald Reagan is excellent as the Nebraska lad who rose to fame as a big-league pitcher, fell to the bottom and came back with a wallop. Doris Day is the devoted wife whose presence at the field lent her husband moral and spiritual assistance. Frank Lovejoy plays the famous Rogers Hornsby of baseball history and a friend of Alexander’s. Some eight big-league players are seen in action, lending authenticity to a story that packs a powerfully suspenseful climax in a picture you’ll not soon forget. Your Itevieirer Says: V'V’y^ ( F ) A three-base hit! Program Notes: Doris Day is pleased that Warners have promoted her to dramatic roles. Her warbling in this one consists of one song shared by the cast ... A complete replica of a Nebraska farm, including barn, shed, etc., was erected on the studio lot . . . Movie and baseball stars exchanged autographs during the shooting, each group admiring the other . . . There was considerable kidding when the “big league” boys grew beards for “The House of David” sequences . . . An odd coincidence was revealed when Reagan disclosed he had once lived in Galesburg, Illinois, scene of his discovery in the film. Reagan even pitched on a sandlot in that town — as in the story . . . Mrs. Alexander, the hero’s widow, was a source of invaluable data to the studio, visiting the set many times.