Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1948)

28 SHOWMiEN'S TRADE REVIEW, July 10, 1948 BOX-OFFICE SLANTS Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid {Continued from Page 25) adult audiences. It is truly refreshing entertainment that pokes sly and subtle fun at the average married husband — that is, the husband who's been married for 10 or 15 years and is reaching the half-century mark. Wives will be thoroughly amused, and most good-natured husbands, while laughing right altsng with the better half, will probably secretly wish that they could pick up a cute number like Mr. Peabody's mermaid. And a cute number she is, too, (Ann Blyth), so demonstrative, so lovely and — best of all — so quiet and naive (she never talks back — she doesn't know how!). Men will envy William Powell his good fortune, at the same time wondering why the darn fool {they wouldn't be that way) can't appreciate his attractive wife, Irene Hervey. Powell is well-nig-h perfect as Mr. Peabody and proves himself a splendid comedian, .while Miss Hervey is appealingly frustrative as his perplexed wife. Outstanding in the supporting cast is Clinton Sundberg, whose fine performance is responsible for many of the laughs. Producer-Scripter Nunnally Johnson has scored A-plus, both in production and in his adaptation of the Guy and Constance Jones novel, while Irving Pichel has directed the picture with that well-known "touch" that makes so much difference between an ordinary comedy and a really and truly delightful one. It looks like this will make money at the box-office because of the cast and the provocative title, and what's more, it'll send patrons out in a happy mood. If there's an exodus of local husbands, however, you'll probably find them in the Caribbean searching for a mermaid as nearly like Mr. Peabody's as possible. (Miss Jones, get me a reservation on the plane leaving for the Caribees.) Key Largo Warner Bros. Drama 101 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Although it might have been edited a bit to its advantage, this is nevertheless an exciting gangster drama, with Edward G. Robinson and Claire Trevor delivering outstanding performances. Splendidly directed by John Huston, who wrote the screenplay with Richard Brooks. Should please generally. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Considering the huge appeal of the star-studded cast, and the effect of word-of-mouth comment, this should hit the high-gross jackpot in practically any situation. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Claire Trevor, Thomas Gomez, Harry Lewis, John Rodney, Marc Lawrence, Dan Seymour, Monte Blue, Silver Heels, Rodric Red Wing. Credits: Produced by Jerry Wald. Directed by John Huston. Screenplay by Richard Brooks and John Huston. Based on a play by Max Turnabout In appreciation for the loan courtesy by Mr. and Mrs. Lou Rosefield for Sunday services during the past 10 months, the Westdale United Congregation at Hamilton, Ontario, presented the exhibitors with gifts. well Anderson. Photography, Karl Freund. Music by Max Steiner. Plot: A disillusioned ex-Army major, arriving at a small hotel in Key Largo, Fla., finds himself among a gang of desperadoes whose ringleader is a former bigshot who had been exiled to Cuba but now is back in the States for an attempted return to power. At the crucial moment, the disillusioned exMajor regains his ideals, with the help of the wife of his best friend (who had died overseas in combat). The ex-Major fights a gun battle with the gang as it attempts to escape by boat, killing the members. Comment: Although it might have been edited a bit to its advantage, "Key Largo" is nevertheless an exciting gangster drama, with Edward G. Robinson and Claire Trevor delivering outstanding performances. As the cold-blooded gang leader, Robinson carries the plot in handsome style, and Miss Trevor is excellent as his hard-drinking moll. Other fine performances are contributed by Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore and Thomas Gomez. The entire cast has been expertly guided by the splendid direction of John Huston, who also wrote the screenplay with Richard Brooks. The picture benefits from having been adapted from a great play of a decade ago by Maxwell Anderson, well known as one of America's foremost playwrights. Aside from the fact that more judicious cutting might have made it even better, "Key Largo" should please adult audiences generally. Considering the huge appeal of the star-studded cast, and the effect of word-of-mouth comment, this should hit the high-gross jackpot in practically any situation. The Illegals Mayer-Burstyn Documentary 75 mins. Cast: Tereska Torres, Yankel Mikalowitch and "The Illegals" (themselves). Credits: Written, directed and produced by Meyer Levin. Photography, Jean-Paul Alphen. Photography at sea, Bertrand Hesse. Production manager, Paul Cayatte. Music composed by Wally Karveno-Paquin. Comment: This inspiring documentary about the struggle of Jewish people to get to Israel was written, directed and produced by Meyer Levin, who has won a good deal of renown through his books about the plight of the Jews during and after the late war. Levin, through his camera, takes a small group of Jews from Germany, on through Czechoslovakia, Austria, Italy and by ship, first to Cyprus, and then finally to the homeland. The devotional spirit of these folk in their unshakable desire to get to the Holy Land has a dramatic force that builds up a cumulative climax of real strength. It is a sad story of the war which has not been carefully told before. Frankly, it is on the propaganda side and it doesn't seem likely the British will exactly cheer the effort, but as a study of an almost impossible situation "The Illegals" comes up with true documentary drama that will carry conviction to any audience not bound by pre-conceived prejudices. Space in 'Sqiiodron' Arthur Space has been signed for a top dramatic role in Warners' 'Fighter Squadron," a Technicolor saga of the Army Air Forces which Raoul Walsh is directing. Acodemy Foundation Gets $5,000 Grant || Y. Frank Freeman, president of the Academy Foundation, announced last week that the Foundation has received a grant of $5,000 from the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc. The Academy Foundation was organized to sponsor the cultural work of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Among the current projects undertaken by the Foiindation is. the restoration to film of historic motion pictures now available only in the archives of the Library of Congress as 35 -mm. paper photographic records. The paper positives covering the period from 1894 to 1912 have been loaned to the Academy by the Library of Congress. Other recent contributions to the work include $1000 from Charles Edison, son of the famed inventor, and a gift of a one year supply of raw stock from the Eastman Kodak Company. Levey to Produce Frank Buck Picture Jules Levey has announced the signing of Frank "Bring-'Em-Back-Alive" Buck for a picture to be made by a British troupe in Africa. The producer just returned to Hollywood from more than two months abroad, and said he planned to make the Buck feature in color. He said shooting would probably take a half-year. Tentatively titled "Frank Buck's Adventures in Africa," the film will be produced in the South Sudan region, Levey said. He added that Capt. Harry Dibble, British Africa High Commissioner, will come to the U. S. shortly to work on the script with Buck. Levey also advised that a series of television shorts will be made simultaneously, with two camera crews being utilized. Signs Woman Athlete For 3 Golf Shorts Columbia Pictures has signed Babe Didrikson Zaharias, outstanding woman athlete in sports history, for a series of three golf shorts, which will be part of Columbia's "World of Sports" series, with Bill Stern as narrator. Short subject producer-director Harry Foster started production on the films over the Fourth of July week-end at Grossinger's, in Ferndale, N. Y., with release scheduled for the fall. Added to 'Dark Past' Kathryn Card, Broadway character actress who played the cook in the stage play, "Kiss and Tell," and made her screen debut in the same part in Columbia's film version, has been signed by the studio for the featured role of a maid in "The Dark Past." William Holden, Nina Foch and Lee J. Cobb have top spots, with Buddy Adier producing and Rudy Mate directing. Cast as Boxer Paul Lees, Marine war hero, has been cast as Bat Travis, a prize fighter, in Paramount'? next Alan Ladd starrer, "One Woman." Even the Cabots Can't No Parking by anyone in front of theatres was put into effect July 1 by the Boston police who are strictly enforcing the ruling.