Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1946)

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SHOWMEN'S TRADi REVIEW, Ocecmber 28. 1946 41 BOX-OFFICE SLANTS marriage by sponsoring young talent and by drinking to excess. He resents her efforts, even though they further his career, and his affair with her causes an open break with his family. On the eve of his greatest conccert, realizing he needs more than she can give him, the woman drowns herself. In his sorrow, he returns to his family. Comment: Distinguished by exceptionally splendid performances and the finest in production elements, with the name-draw of Joan Crawford and John Garfield for marquee strength, this picture should be a natural in houses that cater to lovers of dramatic fare. The box-office lure of the Crawford name alone should insure plenty of shekels at the ticket windows, but when that is added to the Garfield draw and the film's familiar title, there is little chance that this one can miss. Music lovers, too, will get their share of entertainment, for there are 23 classical numbers, many of them played by a full symphony of 110 pieces, and several popular numbers. Only those patrons who do not go in for heavy, melodramatic fare may not be entirely pleased. There are few light moments in the entire 126 minutes of running time. Excellent casting in supporting roles is another mark in its favor. J. Carrol Naish makes a convincing, believable person of Garfield's father, Ruth Nelson is splendid as his mother and Oscar Levant human, cynical and very able as his friend and accompanist. There are few satisfactory superlatives one can use for the performance Miss Crawford turns in. It must suffice to say that if she was worthy of the Academy Award for the excellence of her work last year, there should be little doubt about her being in the running this year. In the role of the young violinist, Garfield turns in a sensitive, stirring delineation and Joan Chandler is very attractive and very capable as his boyhood sweetheart. For the finest in direction and production, credit goes to Jean Negulesco and Jerry Wald, respectively. The Man I Love Warner Bros. Drama 97 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Ida Lupine not only gives her usual fine performance but also vocalizes in this modem drama that has most of the elements necessary to entertain average audiences. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Title, which comes from the George Gershwin song, plus the name draw and the quality of the picture, should make this a good box-office attraction. Cast: Ida Lupino, Robert Alda, Andrea King;, Bruce Bennett, Martha Vickers, Don McGuire, Tony Romano, Alan Hale, Dolores Moran, John Ridgely, Warren Douglas, Craig Stevens, William Edmunds, James Dobbs. Credits: Produced by Arnold Albert. Directed by Raoul Walsh. Screenplay by Catherine Tumey. From a novel by Maritta Wolff. Photography, Sid Hickox. Plot: This is the story of two sisters and their weakling brother, and of the trouble they all get into because of a small-time racketeer with designs on one of the sisters. The brother lands in jail and is bailed out. There are fights, blackmail and tragedy before all their problems are solved. Comment: With the sure hand of Raoul Walsh handling the direction and Ida Lupino, Robert Alda and Bruce Bennett teamed in top roles, this modern drama turns out to be an entertaining film for average audiences. Not only will they enjoy the work of the cast and the direction, but also other elements. They'll like the background music taken from the title song. The Man I Love, that old Gershwin favorite, and they'll hear other oldies like Liza, Bill, and Why Was I Born? To their pleasant surprise they'll discover that these numbers are displayed vocally by Ida Lupino who does an exceptionally fine job with the presentation. This, aside from the fact that she turns in her usual splendid performance. Main theme of the picture revolves around Miss Lupino and the two men in her life, both played excellently by Bruce Bennett and Robert Alda. In sub-plots Andrea King does very well in the role of a soldier's wife and John Ridgely exceptionally good as her battle-fatigued husband. Martha Vickers, Dolores Moran and Don McGuire are good also in roles that tie in with the main theme. The fact that the song numbers mentioned above were written by George Gershwin and Jerome Kern is information that should be used in exploiting the picture. Entire production was in charge of Arnold Albert. Heldorado Republic Western with Songs 70 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT (Family) Lively western with pleasing songs and plenty of action in the modern manner. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Roy Rogers' pictures have been fine and this one is a welcome addition to the series. Should do well everywhere. Cast: Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Dale Evans, Paul Harvey, Barry Mitchell, John Bagni, John Phillips, James 'Taggart, Rex Lease, Steve Darrell, Doye O'Dell, LeRoy Mason, Charles Williams, Eddie Acuff, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers, and Trigger. Credits: Associate producer, Edward J. White. Directed by William Witney. Original screenplay by Gerald Geraghty and Julian Zimet. Photographed by William Bradford. Plot: During the celebration of Annual Heldorado Week at Las Vegas, Ranger Captain Roy Rogers is enlisted by the local sheriff to aid him in discovering who is behind the passing of large sums of black market money over the gaming tables. Dale Evans has been made honorary deputy sheriff and to Roy's annoyance also tries to solve the mystery. One man is murdered and danger threatens others before Roy, Gabby Hayes and Miss Evans frustrate a plot to pass a half million dollars more in thousand dollar bills, and also find the murderer. Comment: Republic seems to have hit upon a happy formula in the last few Roy Rogers films, placing the locale of his stories in the west of today, rather than in the "old" west of Indians, etc. This story takes place during the Annual Heldorado week celebration at Las Vegas and includes actual scenes of the parade, rodeo and other festivities with Rogers, his horse Trigger, Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes and Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers taking active part in the celebration. Interior scenes have been given the best in production values, the script is artfully contrived and the direction keeps action moving at a fast pace throughout. The Rogers fans will find plenty to be amused and entertained about in "Heldorado," and those who can take their westerns or leave them alone, also will be plentifully entertained. Should do well everywhere. Mr. District Attorney Columbia Mystery 81 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Designated a mystery, this isn't mysterious enough to hold the interest of any but the less discriminating. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should do satisfactorily in average situations. Cast: Dennis O'Keefe, Adolphe Menjou, Marguerite Chapman, Michael O'Shea, George Coulouris, Jeff Donnell, Steven Geray, Ralph Morgan, John Kellogg, Charles Trowbridge, Frank Reicher. Credits: Directed by Robert B. Sinclair. Screenplay by Ian McLellan Hunter. Adaptation by Ben Markson. Story by Sidney Marshall. Based on the radio program created by Phillips H. Lord. Photography, Bert Glennon. Produced by Samuel Bischoff. Plot: A young, struggling lawyer is hired by a district attorney because he overhears him talk about justice and honesty. While on the job the lawyer gets mixed up with a female whom he thinks is okay but who happens to be the villain of all the proceedings. He takes quite a beating, and there are several murders, before matters are cleared up. Comment: This latest picture based on the radio program of the same name differs in one respect to its predecessors: it lacks the suspense and excitement of such mysteries. There are, however, enough top names in the cast among them Adolphe Menjou, Dennis O'Keefe and Marguerite Chapman plus the draw of the pre-sold radio audience to help put it across in its regular market. Main fault lies with the story, which too soon uncovers the fact that the heroine is the troublemaker, and this not only detracts from the theme itself, but makes one lose interest in the proceedings. Menjou has done much better in other roles. His interpretation of the District Attorney lacks conviction, and this holds true of Dennis O'Keefe's portrayal of the young lawyer who keeps switching from one side to the other, in spite of his protestations of honesty and a belief in justice. Marguerite Chapman makes a good villainess, for she's attractive and does well with her interpretation of the role. Among the supporting players, George Coulouris is a standout Direction is by Robert B. Sinclair and production by Samuel Bischoff. London Ealing Studios Set 6 Films for 1947 Six new films, the first of which will go into production shortly after the first of the year, have been announced by the Ealing Studios in London for distribution by the J. Artliur Rank organization. The pictures include "It Always Rains on Sunday," to be directed by Robert Hamer from an original story by Arthur La Bern; "Against the Wind," to be directed by Charles Crichton; "Saraband for Dead Lovers," to be directed by Basil Dearden from the novel by Helen Simpson ; "Toilers of the Sea," an adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel, to be directed by Cavalcanti ; "Scott of the Anarctic," to be directed by Charles Frcnd, and "Eureka Stockade," to be directed and filmed in Australia by Harry Watt and to star Chips Rafferty. To Start in February "The Forty-Niners," a screenplay by Paul Wellman, has been scheduled by Warner.^ for February production with Errol Flynn.