The Decision of Christopher Blake (Warner Bros.) (1948)

“THE DECISION OF CHRISTOPHER BLAKE”? Publicity a a a ee (Prepared Review) WarnerBros. Film Dramatic H, ul, ‘Decision of Christopher Blake’ One of the most challenging films ever produced in Hollywood, Warner Bros.’ startling drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” co-starring Alexis Smith and Robert Douglas, premiered yesterday at the Strand Theatre. In its screen telling, this celebrated Broadway stage success, provides profound film fare which audiences approved of heartily. The story itself is simple. A married couple decides to get a divorce after several years of ALEXIS SMITH Still 687-Lex 1140 Mat 687-14 Robert Douglas Bows As Statue low would you like to play a marble statue? Robert Douglas, co-star with Alexis Smith in Warner Bros.’ widely-diseussed drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” does just that in one particular ‘trick’ sequence. He had to spend two hours in the makeup chair each day to get ready for the role. Seyeral coats of heavy white paint were applied to give that stony effect! TED DONALDSON Still 687-503 Mat 687-1C New Warner Film Moss Hart, whose vivid drama of discord, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,’ has been filmed by Warner Bros., is one of Broadway’s top-flight playwrights. First teamed with George S. Kaufman, he turned out musical comedies and revues, and later embarked on drama. married life. The main problem however is the young son, played by Ted Donaldson, who is bewildered by the move. He cverhears certain conversations between his parents, learns there is another woman in his father’s life, but is still completely puzzled by the sudden course of events. His father takes him to the theatre one day, and during the performance the lad falls asleep and dreams about his parents. These dreams crop up periodically, and each time his parents appear in different roles. Young Blake is lifted to the skies in these lapses and tries to solve his problem, but when he awakens he is still befuddled. Miss Smith’s role demands a quiet poise and command which she handles with marked skill. She also demonstrates wide versatility in the ‘trick’ stanzas, jumping from a femme fatale to a fluttering girl. Douglas, new to Warners’ roster, is the father, and conveys that certain depth of character which the role requires. Young Donaldson has a meaty role. Especially in the flash sequences, is he able to project the scope of his rounded talents. John Hoyt also figures in the scenes, practically running the gamut of characterizations. Mary Wickes, delivers dead-pan cracks which accent the penetrating drama. Cecil Kellaway plays the kindly judge, whose human approach proves so valuable to the young son’s happiness. Warner Director Experi Wiagician Magic is Peter Godfrey’s second love, next to films. When not busy on a sound stage, the director of Warner Bros.’ sensational drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” which stars Alexis Smith and Robert Douglas, he devotes himself to the practice of the legerdemain. During the war, he presented his act in hospitals and canteens. Did you know— That Alexis Smith goes all out in Warner Bros.’ “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” appearing in one of the film’s fantastic ‘bit’ scenes as a femme fatale, a black wig ‘covering her own blonde hair and wearing a form fitting black sequin gown slit up the side for ample leg display? That, in the same picture, Alexis is flown through the air on wires and was required to do the stunt 21 times during the actual filming of the scene? That, in her off screen moments, Alexis haunts auctions and antique shops looking for furniture for the San Fernando Valley home she and _ hubby, Craig Stevens, have bought? That Alexis has resumed daily ballet lessons now that her broken foot has healed? That her ambition is to get away from roles in which she has to cry and turn to musicals in which she can dance and sing? That Alexis Smith is her real name and she refused to change it at the start of her career for something more glamorous than “Smith”? Peter Godfrey’s direction is tops. He has directed the ‘trick’ sequences all in black-and-white, which while bizarre, demonstrate rare imagination. Both Miss Smith and Douglas appear in these unusual bits, also enacting a series of varied roles. As for the ‘decision’ which is made... that would be giving away too much. Patrons will have to see the film to find this out for themselves. It carries a punch. Moss Hart wrote it. Alexis Smith Is Femme Fatale For one ‘trick’ sequence in Warner Bros.’ much-discussed drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” Alexis Smith en acts the role of femme fatale. She wears a ravenblack wig, a black sequin gown and puffs on a cigarette holder, nearly two feet in length. The entire bit is done in startling blackand-white color motif. ROBERT DOUGLAS Stull 687-RD 8 Mat 687-1B COLUMN CHATTER Facts About Alexis Smith and Robert Douglas Did you know— That Robert Douglas, who is making his American motion picture debut opposite Alexis Smith in Warner Bros.’ “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” spent six years in the Fleet Arm of the British Navy during the war and held the rank of Lieutenant Commander when demobilized? That he was starred on the London and New York stages at the age of 21 and was known as “London’s youngest actor-producer’’? That temporary blindness, at the age of 15, from a gas generator explosion was _ responsible for his taking up acting when the doctor suggested, that for nerves, he should mingle with people and a course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art was suggested? That he is married to the sister of the Countess of Warwick and is the proud father of a baby daughter? That he isn’t afraid of playing “a typical American father” in “The Decision of Christopher Blake” because he explains he has more of an American than British accent? CLEAR-CUT BEAUTY. Alexis Smith, one of Hollywood’s natural beauties, most plays her strongest dramatic assignment to date. as the mother in Warner Bros.’ drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,”’ Still 687-Lex 1140 ALEXIS SMITH GOES BRUNETTE Alexis Smith, caught between takes on the set of Warner Bros.’ dramatic film, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” which is now finished and opens tomorrow at the Strand, has something special to say regarding blondes vs. brunettes. Says Alexis: “Here I am, a blonde, going all out sexy in front of the motion picture camera, but as a raven-haired brunette! “All right, my blonde sisters everywhere, you can take it from here. But direct your outraged screams of being insulted to Hollywocd, not to me. I merely work there. However, I’ll admit I’m on the blondes’ side. “In ‘The Decision of Christopher Blake,’ the studio’s picturization of Moss Hart’s Broadway stage success, I play an out and out slithering vampire in cne of the trick sequences. I’m my own rival for my husband’s affections in the picture. The rival appears only in the dream. Our story concerns discord and in an earlier scene Robert Douglas, my husband, explains to our son, Ted Donaldson, why he has fallen in love with another woman. ‘Because she reminded me of your mother,’ he says to Ted. So when Ted dreams of the woman who is ruining the happiness of his home and parents, I, the mother, become ‘the other woman’.” Transfers Stage Hit to Celluloid Ranald MacDougall makes his bow as a producer with “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” Warner Bros.’ much-discussed drama, which comes soon to the Strand Theatre. He also wrote the screenplay of Moss Hart’s celebrated stage hit. MacDougall is also known for his scripting of “Mildred Pierce,” “Objective Burma” and “Possessed.” with Robert Douglas opposite. Due Friday at the Strand. Mat 687-2D AT STRAND ALEXIS SMITH, lovely Hollywood blonde, goes brunette as a femme fatale in Warner Bros.’ new drama, “The Decision of Christopher Blake,” with newcomer Robert Douglas opposite. Due Friday at the Strand. Still 687-76 Mat 687-1D Il