Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1947)

28 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, May 10, 1947 BOX-OFFICE SLANTS Laugh, Pagliacci {Continued jroni Page 26) written. By American standards, the photography and general technical standards are below par, but the acting and splendid singing are well above average, Alida Valli, brought to America by David O. Selznick for his "Paradine Case," shows by her beauty and acting talent why she was imported. Gigli is a matchless operatic tenor, while Paolo Hoerbiger delivers his part of the tragic ex-clown in fine style. "Pagliacci" will be meat and bones for opera lovers, and foreign-film fans. It definitely has a place in houses catering to those people. Hoppy's Holiday United Artists Western 60 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Another Hopalong Cassidy adventure tale for the followers. Should also please other patrons who like less action and more story. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Quality and story make this latest Hoppy film suitable for almost any bill besides a western program. Cast: William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Andrew Tombes, Leonard Penn, Jeff Corey, Mary Ware, Donald Kirke, Mollis Bane, Gil Patric, Frank Henry. Credits: Produced by Lewis J. Rachmil. Directed by George Archainbaud. Executive producer, William Boyd. Original story by Ellen Corby and Cecile Kramer. Screenplay by J. Benton Cheney, Bennett Cohen and Ande Lamb. Based on characters created by Clarence E. Mulford. Photography, Mack Stengler. Plot: While on a holiday, Boyd and his two pals become involved with a gang of crooks trying to fleece the townspeople. They are selling them a new waterway and everything looks honest and above-board, until Boyd's pal, Andy Clyde, is accused of stealing some money. Clyde is jailed and it's up to Boyd to get things straightend out — which he does. Comment: Another Hopalong Cassidy picture for the followers of this series. It should be readily and enjoyably accepted by his tremendous following, for it has the established ingredients they seek. For those among his fans who want plenty of action and excitement, the film may not live up to their expectations, because there is less action than is customarily found in western fare. Replacing it is a quality of story that will entertain many other folks besides the regular following. And this makes the picture suitable as a second feature on almost any bill besides a western program. William Boyd, Andy Clyde and Rand Brooks all handle their regular roles with ease. Leonard Penn heads the group of villains satisfactorily. Direction credit goes to George Archainbaud and Lewis Rachmil produced. Thunder in the Hills (Czech Dialog— English Titles) General Film Prods. Drama 78 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Excellently produced, acted and directed story of the indomitable spirit of the Czechoslovakian people and of the Partisan underground, during the German occupation. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Probably best for art and studio type theatres. But it might very well be used in other situations as part of a double-bill program. Its entertainment value will stand up. Cast: J. Prucha, J. Kacer, V. Nasova, E. Lenova, C. Hilman, M. Homola, V. Repa, Th. Pistek, B. Zahorsky and others. Credits: Scenario by Joseph Mach, from an original story by Frantisek Gotz. Musical score by Dalibar C. Vackar, played by the Czechslovakian Film Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Otakar Parika. Photography by J. Strecka and J. Holpuch. Produced by O. Sedlack. Presented in America by Harry A. Kapit. Directed by Vaclav Kubasek. Produced by the Czech State Film Productions, State Film Studios, Prague. Plot: There is tense, unrelenting pressure on Czech villagers by its German occupying forces, under the direction of a vicious S.S. Troops Commander. The Partisans are active in the vicinity, harassing the Germans at every turn. A Czech flyer is forced down near the village and is hidden by the village tailor and his daughter. The tailor leads the Germans to believe he is collaborating with them in order to divert a search from his premises. The villagers also believe he is a collaborator, and threaten him. As Allied troops are on the march toward the village, every man takes arms from a hidden cache; the Partisans have been reached and assist in the raid which destroys the German occupying troops. The old man is vindicated and the villagers look forward hopefully to complete liberation by the approaching Allied armies. Comment: "Thunder in the Hills" is marked by some excellent, restrained acting, near-perfect direction, fine production values, good photography and excellent music. All of which add up to a tense, thoroughly entertaining story of the indomitable spirit of Czech people during the time their country was over-run by the German armies. How the Partisans became a harrassing army, and how they were given every assistance from villagers in the vicinity of their operations, and how the German S.S. troops, viciously enforced their will on these people make a thoroughly absorbing 78 minutes. Although the dialog is Czechoslovakian, the action itself, plus thoroughly clear English subtitles, leave nothing that is not understood. Probably the picture is best suited to art and studio-type theatres. But it might very well be used in some other situations as part of double bill programs. The judgment of the individual exhibitors, based on their knowledge of audience tastes in their own vicinity, will be the deciding factor here. In any event, if it is booked^ its entertainment value is good enough to stand up strongly. Northwest Outpost Republic Operetta 91 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Good music, by Rudolph Friml, songs by Ilona Massey and Nelson Eddy, plus a story with overtones of comedy and romance, add up to pleasing entertainment for most audiences. BOX OFFICE SLANT: The Friml music, the names of Eddy and Miss Massey, plus heavy exploitation should deliver fairly good business. Cast: Nelson Eddy, Ilona Massey, Joseph Schildkraut, Elsa Lanchester, Hugo Haas, Lenore Ulric, Peter Whitney, Tamara Shayne, Erno Verebes, George Sorel, Rick Vallin, Countess Rosanska, Dina Smirnova, Antonina Barnett, Lola DeToUy, Myra Sokolskaya, George Blagoi, Sam Savitsky, Igor Dolgoruki, Nestor Eristoff and the American G.I. Chorus. Credits: Associate producer and director, Allan Dwan. Screenplay by Elizabeth Meehan and Richard Sale. Adapted by Laird Doyle from an original story by Angela Stuart. Photography, Reggie Lanning. Special effects. Howard and Theodore Lydecker. Art direction, Hilyard Brown. Original musical score composed by Rudolf FriiTil. Musical direction, Robert Armbruster. Lyrics by Edward Heyman. Plot: At a Russian fort in California in the early 19th century, an American falls in love with a beautiful woman who is fleeing from Russia where her father has been imprisoned by the Czar. Her husband has been sent to the fort as a convict. The husband tries to escape, forcing his wife to use the American as a foil, by threatening harm to her father. In his attempt, he is killed. The girl is free to marry the American and start a new life in America. Comment: This is a story of little known American history with a locale of Northern California in the early part of the 19th Century when Czarist Russia, with dreams of empire, settled the section before the American nation had felt its growing pains and migrated to that vicinity. It is essentially an operetta, following the format of that type of presentation, and is nicely but not opulently produced and directed with a firm hand by Allen Dwan, also associate producer. The singing by Nelson Eddy and Ilona Massey is pleasing, with the background choral work by the American G.I. group exceptionally good. Comedy touches are smoothly added, particularly by Elsa Lanchester, whose portrayal of the understanding wife of Hugo Haas (Royal governor of the Fort set up by the Russians) and who constantly gets him out of his dilemmas caused by his indiscreet flirtations, is probably the outstanding characterization of the picture. Haas' comedy too is deftly intertwined with some sterner moments as the governor. The others are well cast and perform adequately. Music by Friml, which indicate early popularity are: Nearer and Dearer, Raindrops on a Drum, Tell Me With Your Eyes, One More Mile to Go, Weary, and Love Is the Time. With heavy exploitation "Northwest Outpost" should do fairly good business in most situations. The Queen's Necklace (In French— English Titles) Siritzky Int'l Drama 105 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) This builds slowly up to the most horrifying, terrible climax seen on any screen in many a moon. It is so terrifying as to leave audiences limp. Not suitable for children or adolescents, but average adult audiences should find it entertaining. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: The Viviane Romance name has become important in art and studio-type theatres. This fine example of her art should do better than average in such houses, but it is probably not suitable for general audiences. Cast: Viviane Romance, Marion Dorian, Maurice Escande, Jacques Dacqmine, Jean Hebey, Pierre Dux, Pierre Bertin, Pierre Palau, Michel Salina. Credits: Scenario and dialog, Charles Spaak. Music, Maurice Thiriet. Orchestra conductor, R. Desormiere, Produced by He de France Films. Directed by Marcel L'Herbier. Photography, Roger Hubert. Plot: During the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in France, Cardinal de Rohan is in the court's disfavor and thus is amenable to a scheme by which a famous necklace is to be purchased clandestinely for the Queen. The purchase is really a swindle upon the Cardinal by an impoverished gentle(Continued on Page 43)