Screenland (Nov 1944-Oct 1945)

THE SEA-SIDE, SONG-STUDDED STAR-SHOW OF THE SEASON! More thrills, songs, stars and beautiful girls than there are grains of sand on the beach imm FILMS SetectecC CONSTANCE MOORr^'' BRAD TAYLOR feofur/ng CHARLEY GRAPEWIN • JERRY COLONNA and ROBERT B. CASTAINE • STANLEY ANDREWS and PAUL WHITEMAN & ORCHESTRA LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA with BUCK AND BUBBLES DOROTHY DANDRIDGE BELLE BAKER • JOE FRISCO GALLAGHER & SHEAN (Jack Kenny & Al Shean) VAN & SCHENCK (Guj Van & Chorles Marth) A REPUBLIC PICTURE KISMET— MGM The whole rainbow of color has been tossed with stunning effect into this film version of Edward Knoblock's lamous play with Ronald Colman in the starring role of Hafiz, a rascally beggar by day and fascinating prince by night, whose one ambition is to make his charming dark-eyed daughter queen of the realm. Marlene Dietrich, as Jainilla. dancing girl who queens it over the Grand I 'hicr's ladies, has a fine time spreading allure in a variety of colorful costumes. Joy Ann Page and James Craig provide romance a la Cinderella. Edward Arnold adds some grand moments as villahi. Of course it's strictly a fairytale. You'll find fun, but no greatmessage. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE— Worner Bros. Frank Capra, who produced and directed this film version of the hit Broadway play just before he went to war, must have been in a big hurry ! We admit that a chiller-comedy dealing with so many corpses must have speed, but a little time out to catch a breath would have gone a long way toward a more general appreciation. Cary Grant, whose job it is to straighten out two maiden aunts who like to help lonely old gentlemen out of their misery with arsenic, has himself a time, mugging profusely over each cadaver. Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, as the aunts, are nicely restrained. Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, rival murderers, and Priscilla Lane, as love interest, add many complications. HEAVENLY DAYS— RKO Couched in the fun and merriment ably provided by radio's Fibber McGee and Molly, there are several worthwhile preachments to "the average man," who spends his time griping but doesn't write his congressman about it, who doesn't vote because he has forgotten to register, and many other typical traits which we all know only too well. But we won't feel hurt, because like all the other characters in the film — and in the country — we are "above average." Absurdly comical are Fibber's and Molly's trip to Washington, his speech from the Senate gallery, his simplified questionnaire. Gordon Oliver and Barbara Hale are good as romantics. WING AND A PRAYER— 20t/i Century-Fox There's not a feminine face in the entire footage, but nevertheless many's the gal who will find interest, suspense and real drama in the account of an aircraft carrier and its part in the strategy our Navy played before the battle of Midway when our boys were ordered to dodge combat. It'll stand the scrutiny of a serviceman, too. Dana Andrews, as a squadron leader, and William Eythe, as a former movie star, will add more fans to their following. Don Ameche, a tough flight commander, Charles Bickford, Captain of the carrier, Kevin O'Shea, Richard Jaeckel and Richard Crane are stand-outs, offering a grand array of interesting types. THE CUMAX— Universal Here's a grand mixture of melodrama and mystery by Boris Karloff and Gale Sondergaard, music and romance b)' Susanna Foster and Turhan Bey. The story is slightly reminiscent of "The Phantom of The Opera," but you'll find the maniacal doings of the opera house physician, who hates voices, and strange disappearing acts of the feminine stars enough to keep you interested, especially with Technicolor setting the sinister mood. For the music lovers, Susanna Foster's trilling tremulo is tops. (More reviews on page 15) 8 SCREENL.^ND