Screenland (May 1943-Oct 1944)

RECENT FILMS REVIEWED IN A FLASH! STAR SPANGLED RHYTHM — Paramount. Super musical crammed with comedy and celebrities. Victor Moore as the gateman of Paramount Studio masquerading as the head of the film company to show sailor son Eddie Bracken and pals the sights. The studio is turned upside down by Betty Hutton and a big show put on by the greatest stars. Bob Hope as the master of ceremonies ; stars include Crosby, Lamour, Goddard, Ladd, Lake, MacMurray. See it. 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. Susan Peters, brilliant newcomer, gives an outstanding performance. This film ranks with "Goodbye Mr. Chips," in interest and importance. AIR FORCE — Warner Bros. Exciting entertainment. An excellent fictional account of American history in the making. This is the story of the Flying Fortress, nicknamed the "Mary Ann" by her courageous crew. The heroic adventures of the "Mary Ann" after thrilling brushes with the Japs are stirringly set forth by a splendid cast including John Garfield, Harry Carey, Gig Young, John Ridgely. Magnificent photography. THEY GOT ME COVERED — Samuel Goldu-yn-RKO. A nitwit newshawk on the trail of Nazi saboteurs comically complicated by Bob Hope hilariously falling into a nest of spies and safely out again. Uproarious climax has the inimitable Hope rounding up the ring singlehanded, and you rolling in the aisles. Bob, Dorothy Lamour as his long-suffering girl friend. Otto Preminger, Marion Martin, cute Phyllis Ruth are on their toes every minute. ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON — RKO-Radio. You won't want to miss this ! Ginger Rogers teamed for the first time with Gary Grant, and both 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 cupid. 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. IN 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 epic. Coward and fellow players are superb. SHADOW OP A DOUBT — Universal. Alfred Hitchcock's gripping mystery drama is packed with shivers and full of suspense. A daughter of a typical American family idolizes her "visiting" Uncle Charlie until his strange behavior makes her suspicious. She discovers that the uncle for whom she was named is a murderer. Teresa Wright, fine as the horror-stricken girl ; Joseph Gotten, splendid as the charming but terrifying Uncle. COMMANDOS STRIKE AT DAWN — Columbia. Stirring screen drama based on C. S. Forester's "The Commandos," depicting the plight of an invaded nation, with Paul Muni as the patriot who leads his people in revolt against the Nazis and, after escaping, returns to guide the British Commandos in a victorious raid which costs his life. Raids with actual trainees have authentic ring. Forceful war document. Skillful performance by Muni. Capable support by Anna Lee and Lillian Gish. Don't miss it. JOURNEY POR MARGARET — M-G-M. W. L. White's best-selling book about two young British blitz victims, has been fashioned into a fine, 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 outbursts. HAPPY GO LUCKY — Paramount. Gay spontaneous movie fun ! It's one long, hearty laugh from the time Mary Martin and Betty Hutton arrive 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. WHO DONE IT?— Universal. Abbott and Costello appear as soda dispensers aspiring to become radio script writers. Let loose in a radio station where a mystery play is being enacted they crash a real murder with chubby Lou finally tracking down the killer after a bloodcurdling chase. High spot: Costello's telephone booth tantrum. Louise Albritton, William Bendix, Patric Knowles lend good support. Funniest A-C so far ! THE IMMORTAL SERGEANT — 20th Century-Fox. Realistic war drama about the exploits of heroic soldiers lost in the Libyan desert. Henry Fonda is at his best as the Corporal who takes over command when the Sergeant (Thomas Mitchell) dies. The Sergeant's memory helps Fonda in making important decisions and in encounters with the enemy. A man's picture, with a love story for the ladies told in flashbacks, showing Fonda reminiscing back to happier romantic days with Maureen O'Hara. 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 — 20th Century-Fox. If you 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. TENNESSEE JOHNSON — M-G-M. An entertaining and instructive screen biography of Andrew Johnson, only U. S. President ever to face impeachment charges. Van Heflin forcefully portrays the Vice President who became President when Lincoln was assassinated, and who fought to carry out his predecessor's policies. Picture points out that unity must prevail now, as then. Highlights: impeachment trial and fights from Senate floor. Lionel Barrymore, Ruth Hussey in cast. For grown-ups. THE POWERS GIRL — United Artists. Romantic musical glorifying long-stemmed American beauties of the John Powers model agency featuring Carole Landis, George Murphy, Anne Shirley, and Dennis Day, also a collection of Powers pretties. Miss Landis scores as the ambitious model ; Day's melodious voice heard in his song numbers ; but George Murphy over-acts as the photographer. Amusing Alan Mowbray plays the Powers part. SILVER SKATES — Monogram. A musical on ice with entertainment for young and old. The financial problems of an ice show and the romances of its members, introducing spectacular skating sequences and solos by wizards of the blades: Belita, sensational star; her partner, Eugene Turner, champion figure skater ; Frick and Frack, riotous comedians ; and a graceful skating chorus. Kenny Baker, fine as band leader ; Patricia Morison, good as show's producer and girl Kenny loves. Good tonic for tired nerves. 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. I 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 1P42 incarnation of the man (Fredric March), who caused her to be burned at the stake in 1670. It's all fine, imaginative fun. See it by all means. 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. POR 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. Song-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. 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. MRS. MINIVER — M-G-M. Jan Struther'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. 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. THE CRYSTAL BALL — United Artists. A gay, romantic farce in which a beautiful but poor girl tries to win a handsome attorney away from the wealthy widow he is planning to marry. Paulette Goddard pinch-hits for Madame Zenobia, a phony crystal gazer, and gives Ray Milland mystic advice, thereby helping her own romantic campaign. Sparkling performances by Paulette and Milland, and Virginia Field fine as the dashing widow. See it and forget your troubles. 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 f' e fine as the air men. Realistic. Don't miss it. 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. 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, Babe Ruth, as himself, excellent. The great American sport glorified. YOUNG AND WILLING — United Artists. A comedy about would-be actors who plot to interest a producer enough to have him sit through a rehearsal of their show. It turns out to be the producer's own play — his lost manuscript. Susan Hayward, Martha O'Driscoll, Barbara Britton and James Brown splendid as the stage-struck kids. Hilarious scenes with Eddie Bracken and laughs from Florence MacMichael, the prissy girl friend who disapproves of their way of living. ARABIAN NIGHTS — Universal. A screen fantasy about the feud between the Caliph of Bagdad (Jon Hall) and his brother (Leif Erickson) who has Jon spirited away so he can become king. In Technicolor, glittering sands, colorful costumes are beautiful sights. Sabu, acrobat Ali-Ben-Ali, saves the Caliph. Maria Montez plays Shera, Oriental dancing girl made queen of Jon's harem, which has many curve-revealing beauties. Swordplay and slave market scenes supply thrills and action. WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME — Universal. Lively musical with Allan Jones as Johnny, a soldier-hero who. in trying to avoid the spotlight, gives the impression that he is a deserter. Jane Frazee is the singer he loves : Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan and Donald O'Connor are the talented kids who sing, cut rugs, and make merry while trying to bring the lovers together. 16-year-old Donald is a hit as a comic. Phil Spitalny's all-girl orchestra a special attraction. Entertaining. 59