Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

RECENT FILMS REVIEWED IN A FLASH! Y SISTER EILEEN — Columbia. The screen of the long-running Broadway play is long laugh, as it pictures two sisters from dumbus, Ohio, in the Big City their struggles jeceed as writer and actress. Rosalind Russell ires her gayest performance as the big sister, th Janet Blair a bewitching Eileen. Brian Eerae is in it, too. Don't miss this. iORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE— Zrners. Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan prove a int team as Mr. and Mrs. in this amusing kturization of the Kaufman-Hart stage play, nn and Jack, a city couple, run into comic it plications when they buy and remodel an J farmhouse, where Washington reputedly once ';tt. This will give you some hearty laughs. OAD TO MOROCCO — Paramount. Bing and jh are on the road again. This time it leads to ioroeco where they meet Dorothy Lamour, a -ince« and very seductive in Oriental raiment, ho throws over her sheik for Crosby and Hope. vou liked the other "Road" films, don t miss eing this— it's funnier than the first two. Its neful, gay; will put you in a cheery mood. TAKE ISLAND — Paramount. This stirring reen drama of the Marines' heroic stand, based jc i actual records, will move and thJ™s y ^ it sweeps to its terrific climax— the defeat ■ a handful of gallant men which was really triumph of fighting courage. Brian Donlevy id William Bendix head a superb cast. OW VOYAGER — Warners. Women will like ,i drama of suppressed desires, in which the Kibited daughter of a domineering mother Ats for the freedom to live her own life. It rhe best Bette Davis movie in a long time, laid Henried, as the lover, Claude Rains, as her >x:or, and Gladys Cooper, tops m a line cast. •OR ME AND MY GAL— M-G-M. A senomental filmusical about the old vaudeville days, Kh Judv Garland, Gene Kelly, George Murphy I troupers touring the sticks with an eye on Palace. Song-and-danee acts are well done, ill WM favorite tunes will bring back memories to ■d-imers and thrill youngsters. Judy gives a nockout performance as the girl who gives up ovfriend Gene (also a hit in his role) because >e: unpatriotic. You must see this fine film. 1 ■ *RS MINIVER — M-G-M. Jan Struther's book ; at the British wife and mother who could rj |rteke it" has been made into a great motion pic, jure. It's a masterful message of courage and a *ur.damental lesson in fortitude. Greer Garson ises to heights in a poignant performance, falter Pidgeon is splendid as the husband. |*HE PRIDE OP THE YANKEES — Sam Mdwyn-U.A. This splendid screen tribute to a >ne American has deep emotional appeal, stressig the private life of the Lou Gehngs rather nan the excitement of his public career, but the most rabid baseball fan -will enjoy it. Gary Cooper ives a great performance as Gehrig. Teresa 'v-ight, as Mrs. Gehrig, and Babe Ruth, as himlelf. also excellent. The great American sport 'donned. I 'LYING TIGERS — Republic. Exciting meloBxama based upon the exploits of the American SLv.unteer Group, those intrepid airmen who. l'efore Pearl Harbor, patroled the skies over Jhina. A good straightforward story centers on I he courage of the Squadron Leader (John I^Eyne at his robust best), his resourcefulness |m keeping his outnumbered planes in the air |m.: his romance with a nurse, Anna Lee. John arroll is good as the cocky, daredevil flyer. IB HARD "WAY — Warners. Ida Lupino nominates this adult drama of theatrical life in Lhe role of a coldly ambitious girl who craves lame not for herself but for her younger sister. Toan Leslie lends freshness though little dramatic ["ervor to the ingenue role. Dennis Morgan as :he man in the case is sufficiently suave and nandsome to carry off an unbelievable part. TEE POREST RANGERS — Paramount. Spectacular forest fires and a parade in Frontier Day style are the thrilling sights of this story of Forest Ranger who tries to find those guilty of etting fires in Picayune Canyon. Fred Maclurray is seen as the Ranger and Paulette oddard and Susan Hayward as the girls in his life. All performances good. See it. THE MOON AND SIXPENCE — United Artists. W. Somerset Maugham's famous novel of the great artist who lived and loved so ruthlessly, has been made into an absorbing motion picture, with George Sanders in the role of the middle-aged painter and heart-breaker who finds fulfillment at last in Tahiti with a native girl. Herbert Marshall and Doris Dudley also give outstanding performances. WINGS AND THE WOMAN — RKO-Radio. This biographical film, portraying the life of Amy Johnson, is a cavalcade of aviation from 1931 to January, 1941, when the noted flyer lost her life while ferrying bombers to the front. It shows what women are doing in the air to help win the war. Anna Neagle is excellent as Amy and Robert Newton is seen as Jim Mollison, her husband. ICELAND — 20th Century-Fox. The Marines land in Iceland and Sonja Henie, as Katina, does everything to "land" Corp. Murfin. She takes his flirtation seriously even though he's not the marrying type, but Sonja skates right into his heart. Sparkling, exquisitely costumed skating sequences with Sonja at her best make up for a weak story. John Payne, fine as the handsome Marine. Jack Oakie on skates is a howl. HOLIDAY INN — Paramount. This Bing Crosbv-Fred Astaire musical romance is swell escape from the doldrums. It is a grand show with new Irving Berlin tunes and inimitable performances by co-stars and cast. Crosby plays a crooner who converts his farmhouse into an inn open only on holidays. Marjorie Reynolds sings and dances charmingly. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY — Warners. This story of the late George M. Cohan's life is a great screen show. A triumph for Jimmy Cagney, perfectly cast as the showman, coloring a clever role with his own inimitable zest and humor. AilAmerican entertainment to stir you to tears and excite you to cheers. Walter Huston, Joan Leslie. Jeanne' Cagney. Rosemary DeCamp, Irene Manning, Richard Whorf in cast. BAMBI — Disney-RKO. Young and old will love, laugh, and cry over Bambi, the deer, Walt Disney's latest cartoon character creation, in this beautiful full-length picture filmed from Felix Salten's famous story of animal life and love in the forest. BETWEEN US GIRLS — Universal. Diana Barrymore, daughter of the late John Barrymore, proves she has acting ability in this hilarious farce -which gives her a chance to play a 21-year-old actress who poses as a child to aid her mother's (Kay Francis) romance with the handsome John Boles. The many character changes make the tempo of the story uneven. Robert Cummings is excellent. THIS ABOVE ALL — 20th Century-Fox. Here is a picture to tear your emotions to shreds. It's the film version of Eric Knight's best-selling novel about England in this war. Joan Fontaine gives a beautiful performance as the girl who joins the W.A.A.F. and falls in love with a Handsome Stranger, played by Tyrone Power. TALES OP MANHATTAN — 00th CenturyFox. Tricky, but terrific. The tale of a top coat told in a series of short, punchy episodes with some of Hollywood's brightest stars — Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers. Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton and Edward G. Robinson— at their best. THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR — Paramount. Don't miss this! It's the gayest, most original comedy in months, with Ginger Kogers giving a grand performance as a wise gal who crashes a military academy disguised as a 'teenager and creates a sensation among cadets, not to mention the Major, Ray Milland. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR — 20th Centuni-Fox. First of a series that brings Sherlock Holmes. Sir A. C. Doyle's famous sleuth, out of retirement to combat activities of saboteurs directed by a mv-terious broadcasting station. Basil Rathbone. as" Holmes, and Nigel Bruce as his pal. Dr Watson, pursue clues and expose the Nazi behind the spy ring. Has mystery and suspense, and acting is good. MANILLA CALLING . Century-Fox. A thrilling, action-filled movie about a handful of American radio men who are caught in the Philippines by the Jap invasion. It's exciting, even though the story doesn't always ring true. Lloyd Nolan, as the leader of the group gives a good performance. Cast also has Carole Landis, James Gleason and Cornel Wilde. SOMEWHERE I'LL FIND YOU -M-G-M. Clark Gable's final film before he enlisted in the Air Corps presents him as a dynamic war correspondent. The role is tailored to his lusty talents, and with I.ana Turner as the girl whom he alternately browbeats and embraces it's a fie'dday for Gable fans. It's timely, tense and tough, and you'll enjoy its melodramatic escapes and rescues from Indo-China to the Philippines. FOOTLIOHT SERENADE — tOth Centv Fox. If you like musicals, here's one you must see. It's a lavishly produced song and dance film about the leading man of a musical show (Victor Mature), who falls for a chorine (Hetty Grable). makes her a star, and then learns she's married to another actor (John Payne). It's gay, has catchy tunes and spectacular dance routines. Fine work by its stars. DESPERATE JOURNEY — Warnert. The adventures of five RAF flyers, who escape when they are shot down over Germany, are recorded in this exciting film. The cocky, amusing way the boys (Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan, Arthur Kennedy, Alan Hale, Ronald Sinclair) mow down the Nazis is great stuff. Kids (and a lot of grown-ups, too) will cheer them. All fine performances. ORCHESTRA WIVES — 20th Century-Fox. A treat for jitterbug and jukebox addicts, this filmusical has the colorful background of a touring "name" band (Glen Miller's) plus the human interest of the trials and tribulations of a trumpeter's wife to provide authentic atmospher . George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford as the young couple, Lynn Bari as a siren, and Cesar Romero as a suave pianist, give good performances. THIS GUN FOR HIRE — Paramount. Lusty melodrama about a ruthless killer and how he atones by catching up with fifth columnists. Plenty of excitement. Its fast and furious action will have you on the edge of your seat. Veronica Lake does her best acting so far. but newcomer Alan Ladd steals the show. Don't miss it. THE PIED PIPER — 20th Century-Fox. A war story which concerns itself chiefly with the experiences of an old man (Monty Woolley), who is asked to act as convoy to some children, to help get them out of the war zone. Woolley is excellent as the grumpy old Englishman ; Anne Baxter, good as the girl who helps him : Roddy McDowell, splendid as one of the boys. You really should see this. PANAMA HATTIE — M-G-M. The film version of the Broadway hit musical has Ann Sothem as Hattie, Canal Zone entertainer. The story doesn't hold well together because it's presented as a revue of separate vaudeville-type acts and specialty skits. Red Skelton, Rags Raglur.d ar.d Ben Blue are funny as Hattie's sailor pals, but more of Red's own brand of nonsense would have snapped it up. THE BIG STREET — RKO-Radio. Damon Runyon's sentimental tale about a bus boy (Henry Fonda) who worships a selfish nightclub entertainer (Lucille Ball), has human interest, good comedy by typical Broadway characters and Runyon-type dialogue, but it's an unconvincing story. Fonda and Miss Ball make the most of their roles. Cast also has Barton MacLane, Eugene Palette, Ozzie Nelson's orchestra. BELLS OP CAPISTRANO— Republic. Gene Autry's farewell film for the duration. (He's in the Army Air Corps now. ) It's about the rivalry between two traveling rodeos, both ambitious to get the contract for the Capistrano festival. This doesn't have as much action as most Autry films : but that won't matter to Gene's fans — not when he sings five songs. It has a rousing patriotic finale ; and Smiley Burnette clowns, as usual. CAREFUL — SOFT SHOULDERS — tOth tury-Fox. An espionage drama which concerns itself with the activities of Nazi agents in America. Virginia Bruce is cast as a flighty girl who becomes involved with spies and gives them valuable information, believing them to be Uncle Sam's men. James Ellison plays Virginia's boy friend. Cast works hard, but fails to make story convincing. Has suspense, excitement and a few laughs. HERE WE GO AGAIN — F.KO-Radio. This is definitely aimed at radio fans and it's doubtful if others will find it entertaining. Fibber McGee and Molly. Edgar Bergen. Ray Noble, Ginny Simms and other stars of the air waves appear in it as themselves and as characters they portray on the radio. Most sequences are separate skits. It tells about how McGee gets involved in a shady deal which accidentally turns out okey. 51