Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

RECENT FILMS REVIEWED IN A FLASH! RANDOM HARVEST — M-G-M. James Hilton's great love story becomes a memorable motion picture. Greer Garson and Ronald Colman give splendid performances as the gallant actress and the shell-shocked soldier whom she befriends, iiuan Peters, brilliant newcomer, gives an outstanding performance. This film ranks with "Goodbye Mr. Chips," in interest and importance. ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON— RKO-Radio. You won't want to miss this ! Ginger Rogers teamed for the first time with Cary Grant, and lioth give grand performances — Ginger as an American girl married to a Nazi baron, Cary as a newspaper man. Between them they expose the baron and further the cause of democracy, not to mention eupid. Has witty, original dialogue. Good entertainment. CASABLANCA— Warners. With a front page title, an exciting spy plot, and excellent performances by a superlative cast — this is a "must." Humphrey Bogart plays a cafe proprietor in French Morocco who, under the guise of cold indifference, helps refugees to escape from the Nazis. It's fast, suspenseful stuff with Bogart at his best. Beautiful Ingrid Bergman is seen as the girl he loves. Claude Rains, Paul Henreid in cast. IW WHICH WE SERVE — United Artists. Magnificent war drama — produced, directed, written, starred in by Noel Coward — records the exploits of a British destroyer, Torrin, and her heroic crew in the historic battle off Crete. Tremendously moving, this is truly an inspired opic. Mr. Coward and his fellow players are t,uperb. JOURNEY POR MARGARET — M-G-M. W. L. White's best-selling book about two young British blitz victims, has been fashioned into a line, if weepy film. Robert Young gives his best performance as the sympathetic correspondent whose valiant efforts to bring the children, Margaret and Peter (Billy Severn), back to America with him provides scenes of powerful appeal, particularly little Margaret O'Brien's— amazing emotional— outbursts. 7IAPFY GO XiUCK — Paramount. Gay, spontaneous movie fun! It's one long, hearty laugh irom the time Mary Martin and Betty Hutton urrive on a Caribbean isle and meet Dick Powell and Eddie Bracken. Mary's fortune hunt for Rudy Vallee and Betty's frank pursuit of reluctant Eddie lead to hilarious situations, accompanied by smart new songs, delightfully sung. The Hutton-Bracken team is sure-fire for explosive comedy. See this. 1 MARRIED A WITCH — Cinema Guild-U.A. Triumph for Veronica Lake, this picturization of Thorne Smith's last novel is a rare treat for those who enjoy film fantasy. Veronica, as a lovely ghost, returns to haunt the 1942 incarnation of the man (Fredric March ), who caused her to be burned at the stake in 1670. Its all fine, imaginative fun. See it by all means. Susan Hayward in cast. YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER — Columbia. Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth stage a joyous reunion in this super-duper dance and music show. Rita, as an icy South American beauty, Fred as a Broadway hoofer stranded in Buenos Aires. Jerome Kern tunes, played by Xavier Cugat's orchestra. Tops among the musicals. THE BLACK SWAN — 2'0th Century-Fox. If vou want sheer escapist film fare, here's your picture. Raphael Sabatini's swashbuckling yarn of piratical practices in the Spanish Main make a riproaring adventure movie with Tyrone Power in the lusty role of the daredevil captain. Maureen O'Hara is the gorgeous heroine. ONE OF OUR AIR CRAFT IS MISSING— Korda-U.A. This war film, based on facts, tells the thrilling story of an English bomber crew that is forced to bail out over Holland after a raid on Germany and shows the courageous friendly Dutch people assisting the men in hairraising escapes to England. Eric Portman, Godfrey Tearle, Hugh Williams, Bernard Miles are fine as the air men. Realistic, convincing. Don't miss it. SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES — 2 0th Century-Fox. Gay and glamorous musical, all in dazzling color, will delight followers of this spectacular type of entertainment. The frothy story concerns the efforts of John Payne to persuade his former fiancee, Betty Grable, to team up with him again. Has Carmen Miranda at her merriest; Cesar Romero in smoothest dancing form. Harry James' orchestra plays the hit tunes. WHITE CARGO — M-G-M. Hedy Lamarr in her brief costume as Tondeleyo, little terror of the tropics, is chief attraction of this drama of white men disintegrating in the brutal climate and boredom. Hedy gives a sizzling performance as the halfbreed who drives her victims to distraction. Walter Pidgeon, good as the tough overseer who is immune to her charms. Hedy's dance alone is worth admission price. Richard Carlson, fine. MY SISTER EILEEN — Columbia. The screen version of the long-running Broadway play is one long laugh, as it pictures two sisters from Columbus, Ohio, in the Big City, their struggles to succeed as writer and actress. Rosalind Russell gives her gayest performance as the big sister, with Janet Blair a bewitching Eileen. Brian Aherne is in it, too. Don't miss this. ROAD TO MOROCCO — Paramount. Bing and Bob are on the road again. This time it leads to Morocco where they meet Dorothy Lamour, a princess, and very seductive in Oriental raiment, who throws over her sheik for Crosby and Hope. If you liked the other "Road" films, don't miss seeing this — it's funnier than the first two. It's tuneful, gay ; will put you in a cheery mood. WAKE ISLAND — Paramount. This stirring screen drama of the Marines' heroic stand, based upon actual records, will move and thrill you as it sweeps to its terrific climax — the "defeat" of a handful of gallant men which was really a triumph of fighting courage. Brian Donlevy and William Bendix head a superb cast. LUCKY JORDAN — Paramount. Alan Ladd is featured in this exciting film about the regeneration of a gangster chief who deserts when he can't buy his way out of the Army and gets mixed up with Nazi agents. He hands them over to the FBI and returns to the Army when his dormant patriotism is aroused. Ladd gives a smooth, convincing performance. Helen Walker heads a fine supporting cast. Has suspense. NOW, VOYAGER — Warners. Women will like this drama of suppressed desires, in which the inhibited daughter of a domineering mother fights for the freedom to live her own life. It is the best Bette Davis movie in a long time. Paul Henreid as the lover, Claude Rains, as her doctor, and Gladys Cooper, tops in a fine cast. FOR ME AND MY GAL — M-G-M. A sentimental filmusical about the old vaudeville days, with Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, George Murphy as troupers touring the sticks with an eye on the Palace. Sone-and-dance acts are well done. Old favorite tunes will bring back memories to oldtimers and thrill youngsters. Judy gives a knockout performance as the girl who gives up boy friend Gene (also a hit in his role) because he's unpatriotic. You must see this fine film. MRS. MINIVER — M-G-M. Jan Strutter's book about the British wife and mother who could "take it" has been made into a great motion picture. It's a masterful message of courage and a fundamental lesson in fortitude. Greer Garson rises to heights in a poignant performance. Walter Pidgeon is splendid as the husband. 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. GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE— Warners. Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan prove a piquant team as Mr. and Mrs. in this amusing picturization of the Kaufman-Hart stage play. Ann and Jack, a city couple, run into comic complications when they buy and remodel an old farmhouse, where Washington reputedly once slept. This will give you some hearty laughs. THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES — Sam Goldwyn-U.A. This splendid screen tribute to a fine American has deep emotional appeal, stressing the private life of the Lou Gehrigs rather than the excitement of his public career, but the most rabid baseball fan will enjoy it. Gary Cooper gives a great performance as Gehrig. Teresa Wright, as Mrs. Gehrig, and Babe Ruth, as himself, also excellent. The great American sport glorified. THE PALM BEACH STORY — Paramount. This hilarious film's star foursome — Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Rudy Vallee, Mary Astor— all give sparkling performances, so don't miss it. It's about a wife who leaves her husband because he's not a big success even though she loves him. After much confusion, they're reunited. NIGHTMARE — Universal. A mystery thriller about an American gambler (Brian Donlevy) in London, who becomes involved in a murder and tangles with Nazi spies when he seeks food in the home of a British girl (Diana Barrymore). Donlevy capably handles the role of the gambler. Diana's performance, while good, might have been better if she had been less wooden. STREET OP CHANCE — Paramount. A baffling mystery melodrama about a man who is accused of a murder committed during the time he was a victim of amnesia. Burgess Meredith gives a splendid performance as the man who learns he is a hunted man when he regains hi: memory. His sweetheart of his amnesia days (Claire Trevor) is guilty of the crime. Simply./ told and packed with suspense. ICE CAFADES REVUE — Republic. An ictj revue featuring Ellen Drew and Richard Denning as the lovers; Barbara Jo Allen (Vera Vague) and Jerry Colonna as the funsters ; and the in. ternationally famous skating stars of the "let Capades" troupe in dazzling skating performances. It has Vera Hruba, graceful blonde skater, and Lois Dworshak, whose hot skates just aboul melt the ice when she does her jitterbug number. THE AVENGERS — Paramount. Based on th< Commando raids in Norway, it recounts the ad ventures of an English journalist, who is para, chuted in the vicinity of an enemy sub base tt locate its exact position, so the RAF can bomb it out of existence. It is slow paced and the record ing is poor, but newsreel shots of actual raids heighten the interest of the tale. Hugh Williams. Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr head cast. THE NAVY COMES THROUGH — RKORadio. This film, which pays tribute to the mer of our Navy and Merchant Marine, will stir patri. otic emotions. George Murphy plays a lieutenant who, forced to resign his commission because ol an unfortunate mishap, re-enlists as a gob ant becomes a hero. Pat O'Brien, good as the C.P.O The ship's encounters with enemy U-boats suppl; action and thrills. THE GLASS KEY — Paramount. Like movii mysteries? Then don't miss this film version oi Dashiell Hammett's novel about a political boss (Brian Donlevy) who is suspected of murder, an( his faithful lieutenant's (Alan Ladd) efforts clear him. Ladd portrays a variety of emotion; and does them all splendidly. Suspense is good Veronica Lake is in it, too. FLYING TIGERS — Republic. Exciting melo drama based upon the exploits of the Americai Volunteer Group, those intrepid airmen who before Pearl Harbor, patroled the skies ove China. A good straightforward story centers oi the courage of the Squadron Leader (Johi Wayne at his robust best), his resourcefulnes: in keeping his outnumbered planes in the and his romance with a nurse, Anna Lee. Johi Carroll is good as the cocky, daredevil flyer. THE HARD WAY — Warners. Ida Lupin, dominates this adult drama of theatrical life ii the role of a coldly ambitious girl who crave fame not for herself but for her younger sister Joan Leslie lends freshness though little dramati. fervor to the ingenue role. Dennis Morgan a the man in the case is sufficiently suave am handsome to carry off an unbelievable part. THE FOREST RANGERS — Paramount Spectacular forest fires and a parade in Frontie Day style are the thrilling sights of this story o a Forest Ranger who tries to find those guilty o setting fires in Picayune Canyon. Fred Mac Murray is seen as the Ranger and Paulett Goddard and Susan Hayward as the girls in hi life. All performances good. See it. THE MOON AND SIXPENCE — Vnite> Artists. W. Somerset Maugham's famous novt of the great artist who lived and loved so ruth lessly, has been made into an absorbing motioi picture, with George Sanders in the role of th middle-aged painter and heart-breaker who find fulfillment at last in Tahiti with a native giri Herbert Marshall and Doris Dudley also giv outstanding performances. THUNDER BIRDS — 20i7i Century-Fox. A ro mantic movie about the training of Allied Nations air cadets at Thunder Bird Field. Most of th' action concerns Preston Foster's determination ti make a flyer out of a British cadet (John Sutton) despite fact that the student wins his girl awa: from him. Story is weak, but Sutton convincing Gene Tierney, stunning. 60