Confidential Agent (Warner Bros.) (1945)

Exciting New Drama At Strand Stars Charles Boyer, Lauren Bacall (Prepared Review) Hardy followers of the action-packed, lightning-paced school of drama which has become synonymous with the name of Warner Bros. since that studio produced ‘““The Maltese Falcon,” ““Io Have And Have Not” and other hits of like caliber, will rejoice at today’s news of a new and equally expert thriller, ‘‘Confidential Agent,’ which opened last night at the Strand ‘Theatre. With a cast headed by Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall, and featuring Katina Paxinou, Peter Lorre, Victor Francen and George Coulouris, the film is a worthy descendent of those earlier exponents of murder and intrigue. Just on the odd chance that there remains any doubt about Warners’ unquestionable superiority in the field of melodrama, ‘“‘Confidential Agent” is designed to dispel it for all time, In the first place, “Confidential Agent” relies for its plot on the exciting tale of adventure and espionage as originally set down in Graham Greene’s popular novel of the same name, from which the film was adapted. As readers of Greene’s books can testify, he is one author who can always be depended on for the ultimate in terror and suspense. The screen version happily retains all the interest-consuming qualities of the original and adds a few new ones on its own. Action-Filled Drama The film’s action takes place in 1937 and, in barest outline, concerns the hairraising adventures of one Denard (played by Charles Boyer), ex-musician, now engaged in a secret mission on behalf of Spain’s heroic Republicans. In those days, it will be recalled, the world was a tenuous paradise of isolationism and it was no mean feat for the beleagured but freedom-loving Spaniards to enlist outside aid in their fight to the death against fascism. But Denard, in spite of (or, perhaps, because of) his extraordinary artistic temperament, is immune to physical risk, mental torture and other generally unendurable hardships. When he embarks on a trip to London in order to purchase large stores of coal from the British his purpose is twofold. First, his antifascist comrades can use the fuel to manufacture much needed implements of war; Mat 111 — 15c Still 651-85 Katina Paxinou, Academy Award winning actress, plays an important featured role in Warners’ dramatic story of love and adventure, ‘Confidential Agent," at the Strand. Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall are co-starred in the film. 4 Stall 651-510 Mat 207 — 30c Charles Boyer and Lauren ("The Look") Bacall pool their romantic talents with startling results in Warners’ exciting new melodrama, "Confidential Agent," currently at the Strand Theatre. second, he can at least prevent his enemies, the fascists, from obtaining the coal for the same purpose. Improves Story Credit Hollywood with the added ability to make a good script even better. As proof, “Confidential Agent” also offers, in addition to its wellsustained action, an eloquent and impassioned love story which is patricularly wellsuited to the combined acting talents of Boyer and Lauren Bacall. The latter portrays Rose Cullen, impetuous daughter of an English lord, at first only mildly curious about the mystery surrounding Denard; later, deeply in love with him and willing to risk her fortune and her life itself for his safety. Auspicious casting and excellence of direction have contributed in equal measure to the films success. As Denard, Charles Boyer enacts the most mocing role of his career and brings to it a wealth of acting experience that renders the characterization completely believable and extraordinarily sympathetic. The choice of Lauren Bacall as Boyer’s romantic leading lady is entirely fortuitous. In this, her second screen role, the actress has an excellent chance to prove her thespian prowess and does so with great ability. In addition, she further cements the extraordinary im pression she created when she made her film debut in ““To Have And Have Not.” Others in the generally excellent supporting company turn in fine performances, with particular emphasis on Katina Paxi nou, who COMTEDNES «COP «Mag 109a8 5c employ that Charles Boyer same screen skill which won her an Academy Award in the past. In “Confidential Agent’. she portrays a turncoat Spanish woman who manages the small London hotel in which Denard takes refuge; and her murderous plotting takes on special terror by dint of her expert handling of the role. Also worthy of note is the job turned in by Peter Lorre as the sly, mendacious London contact maintained by the Republicans. Other featurned members of the cast are all good, too. The difficult job, of directing fell, fortunately, into the competent hands of Herman Shumlin who manages to sustain the film’s action and suspense from beginning to end with a maximum of artistic effect. Robert Buckner produced for Warner Bros. while Franz Waxman contributed the film’s stirring music. Tot Steals Scene From Charles Boyer — But It’s All In Family, Says Actor Michael Charles Boyer, eighteen months old, held up a rehearsal on a sound stage at Warner Bros. during the filming of “Confidential Agent,’ now playing at the Strand. More accurately, eight photographs of the young man were the cause for delay when his father, Charles Boyer, rehearsing with Lauren Bacall, George Coulouris, and Victor Francen, pulled the wrong wallet out of his pocket. Lauren, co-starring with Boyer in “Confidential Agent, bk spotted the photographs and, for a few minutes, it was a proud father rather than a great star who reacted as everyone admired the Boyer offspring. “That boy is a scene-stealer. Better not have him in your next picture,” advised director Herman Shumlin. ‘Confidential Agent’ Due Friday At Strand (Advance Theatre Story) Moviegoers of a romantic turn of mind who have felt a decided lack of ardor in the large number of blood and thunder war films that have come out of Hollywood in the past few years will be glad to hear that the pendulum has begun to swing backwards again. The latest example of a return to the pre-war days of sultry and inspired film love-making is to be found in Warner Bros.’ newest drama, “Confidential Agent,” which arrives on Friday at the Strand ‘Theatre. Co-starring Charles Boyer, one of the screen’s foremost lovers, and provocative Lauren Bacall, the “just whistle” girl of Warners’ recent hit, “To Have And Have Not,” the new motion picture promises to incorporate all the important elements necessary to a rousing love story. But “Confidential Agent” doesn’t rest there. In addition, it offers an exciting story of murder and intrigue and, further, boasts a superior company of supporting players, among them Katina Paxinou, Peter Lorre, Victor Francen and George Coulouris. Tells Adventure Story Based on Graham Greene’s best-selling novel of the same name, the picture is concerned with the hazardous adventures of one Denard (Charles Boyer), ex-musician, now employed as a confidential agent in behalf of the Spanish Republican Party. En route to. England on a special mission, Denard meets Rose Cullen (Lauren Bacall), arrogant, impetuous daughter of British nobility. From then on, their impassioned love story becomes inextricably bound up in a series of breathless adventures which include robbery, betrayal and, eventually, murder. Paxinon Featured Lending impressive weight to the abundance of menace contained in the film are Katina Paxinou, who _ portrays a plotting Spanish woman, manager of a small London hotel in which Denard takes refuge; Peter Lorre, as Contreras, London “contact” for the heroic Spanish Republicans; Victor Francen as Licata, suave and undaunted fascist; George Coulouris as Captain Currie, Retired, Englishman and egotistic opportunist; and Dan Seymour as the curiously reticent Mr. Muckerji, Hindu gentleman of mystery who spends his time in the pursuit of an obscure Asiatic philosophy. Still 651-41 Mat 110 — 15¢ Peter Lorre, the screen's little man of menace, is up to his old tricks of treachery and intrigue in Warners’ newest melodrama, ‘'Confidential Agent, currently at the Strand. Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall are co-starred in the film. How Denard meets and recognizes his enemies in the maze of uncertainties, halftruths and real terror which prevail for him everywhere, and how he outwits them by sheer courage and an unshakable conviction of the justice of his cause, makes for an engrossing evening’s entertainment, certain to please addicts of melodrama and romance alike. Moviegoers in both categories will be certain to experience deep satisfaction when, in the end, Denard emerges with his mission artfully accomplished and the girl he loves in his arms. Shumlin Directs Directed by Herman Shumlin, whose skill has, in the past, fashioned other outstanding hits like “Watch On The Rhine,’ “Confidential Agent” was produced by Robert Buckner and was adapted from Graham Greene’s novel. The film’s original music was contributed by Franz Waxman. sone ec I ht mn