The Picture Show Annual (1943)

Whistling in the Dark, " a comedy thriller, has twice been made. The first version starred Ernest Truex, who is seen in circle below with Edward Arnold and Una Merkel. The latest starred Red Skelton, seen on the left with Conrad Veidt and Ann Rutherford in the same sequence of the story. The Maltese Falcon," a murder mystery yarn by Dashicll Hammett, was first filmed with Ricardo Cortez as the no^ too - scrupulous detective. Be is seen above with Dudley Digges and Otto Matieson in a scene from the film. On the left is a scene from the new version, showing, left to right, Humphrey Bogart as the detective, Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Mary Astor. and proves that sentiment will never become old-fashioned—only the way in which it is presented, for till three versions have been outstanding successes. Nor will a comedy whose humour has its roots in human nature ever lose its point, though it may lose its topicality. Take “ Charley’s Aunt," that evergreen farcical stage hit. The boisterous undergraduate high jinks are a complete contrast to the romantic complications of “Smilin’ Through." but this, too, has just had its third film version made. Older filmgoers will recall the first version of it, back in 1925, with Charlie Chaplin’s brother Syd as the star. It was fifteen years before the next “ Charley’s Aunt ” appeared on the scene—this time a British Aunt, sprightly, streamlined and modern, played by ’’ Big-hearted ” Arthur Askey. And now, hard on the heels of “ Charley’s (big-hearted) Aunt ” has come another version, from Hollywood, with Jack Benny in the leading role, reverting to the traditional corkscrew curls and volu- minous petticoats worn by the stage aunts. 114