Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

28 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, December 24, 1949 Box-Off ice Slants Side Street (Continued from Page 23) to satisfy the average action fan's desire for this type of entertainment. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Advertising and marquee strength of the Farley GrangerCathy O'Donnell names should help put this across in most situations. Cast: Farley Granger, Cathy O'Donnell, James Craig, Paul Kelly, Jean Hagen, Paul Harvey, Edmon Ryan, Charles McGraw, Ed Max, Adele Jergens, Harry Bellaver, Whit Bissell, John Gallaudet, Esther Somers, Harry Antrim. Credits: Directed by Anthony Mann. Story and screenplay by Sydney Boehm. Photography, Joseph Ruttenberg. Prodticed by Sam Zimbalist. Plot: A young man steals some money so he can give his wife some of the comforts necessary for the arrival of their baby. In doing so he becomes involved in murder, blackmail and other nefarious deeds but clears himself in time to avoid a murder rap. Comment: This involved murder drama gives one an interesting glimpse into the lives of a work-a-day young couple trying to straighten out their economic problems. It moves at a good pace, but has a plot that necessitates an audience's undivided attention, if no points are to be lost. The action addicts should like it, for it is packed with enough excitement to keep them absorbed and satisfy their desire for this type of entertainment. Picture reunites the team of Farley Granger and Cathy O'Donnell, both of whom turn in fine performances as the young married couple who are suddenly catapulted into a dramatic maze of robbery and murder. James Craig gives a convincing portrayal of the ruthless killer and Paul Kelly does a tine job as the Inspector whose business is murder. Film introduces a new personality in lovely Jean Hagen, who turns in an impressive performance in one of the top roles; the kind of portrayal that will arouse interest in her future work. Director Anthony Mann is to be credited with maintaining a swift pace and filling the picture with lots of tough action and some tender love scenes. Sam Zimbalist produced. Jolinny Holiday United Artists Drama 92 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) An interesting and absorbing drama dealing with juvenile delinquency. Filmed against the background of the Indiana Boys School the picture has authenticity, and performances are first class. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Highly exploitable subject matter should help this rack up good business wherever it plays. The William Bendix name on the marquee and the •work being done with the Kiwanis Clubs gives it many a pre-sold audience. Cast: William Bendix, Allen Martin, Jr.. Stanley Clements, Jack Hagen, Herbert Newcomb, Donald Gallagher, Greta Granstedt, George Cisar, Leo Cleary, Leo Curley, Alma Piatt, Jeanne Juvelier, Governor Henry F. Schricker of Indiana, Hoagy Carmichael, Buddy Cole and the Staff and Boys of the Indiana Boys School. Credits: Directed by Willis Goldbeck. Story by R. W. Alcorn. Screenplay by Willis Goldbeck, Jack Andrews, Frederick Stephani. Photography, Hal Mohr. Produced by R. W. Alcorn. Plot: Influence of an older boy turns a youngster into a thief and he is sent to a school for rehabilitation. There he transfers his idolatry from the crooked boy to the man in charge of the farm and the 'Give Us This Day' "A connoisseur's piece with undeniable popular appeal" were the well-chosen words of our London correspondent in his review (STR, Oct. 22, 1949) of this film version of Pietro Di Donato's novel, "Christ in Concrete." Director Edward Dmytryk has projected, now with soft warmth, now with harsh power, the life of an Italian bricklayer in Brooklyn in the 1920s: his family, his fellow-workmen, the depression, an unsafe but desperately undertaken building project. Performance of the leading roles by American Sam Wanamaker and Italian Lea Padovani (wonderful, both), plus the setting, remove this film from its "British" category. It's an art house "must" with the human drama and woman's angle to commend it to any situation not absolutely banking on starnames. Runs long — 120 mins. An Eagle Lion release. horses. Trouble starts when the other boy also lands at the school. However, all ends well, for the older boy is sent to prison and out of the youngster's life when he tries to kill the man who won the youngster's affections. Comment: "Johnny Holiday" is an interesting and absorbing drama. It is highly exploitable, for the subject is woven around the rehabilitation program instituted at the Indiana Boys School, where delinquent boys are sent for another start in life. Entertaining throughout, it gives an informal glimpse into the work done there, withedeviating from the main story of the youngster turned criminal under the influence of an older, psychopathic boy. The competent cast, headed by William Bendix and young Allen Martin, handle their assignments in first-class manner. Young Martin deserves special credit for his work, for this is his first appearance before a motion picture camera. Stanley Clements gives a strong, vigorous portrayal of the older boy. Hoagy Carmichael, Buddy Cole and Governor Henry F. Schricker of Indiana are also in individual sequences, while the staff and boys of the school are utilized for background. "Johnny Holiday" should rack up good business at the box-office because of the Kiwanis Clubs sponsorship throughout the nation. They have already held the world premiere in Indianapolis for the benefit of the National Kids Day Foundation, and plan on holding many more showings through their organization. Other local civic organizations should cooperate in bringing this film to the attention of the general public, for it is an entertaining, informative attraction. Producer Alcorn displays a thorough understanding of the characters, backgrounds and situations which he wove into his story and which Director Willis Goldbeck, with his fine direction, iM-ought to life. Tlie Rocking Korse Winner (RcN'iewed in London) Rank. Drama 90 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Breaking away from the conventional, this is an intriguing adult drama about a sensitive child and a spendthrift mother, with particularly strong appeal for discriminating audiences. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: While it is an art house natural, this will be a problem picture in most other situations. Greatly in its favor are the fine characterizations, sensitive direction and an enchanting performance by ten-year-old John Howard Davies. Weighed against it is the vaguely suggested supernatural background. Cast: Valerie Hobson, John Howard Davies, Ronald Squire, John Mills, Hugh Sinclair, Charles Goldner, Susan Richards, Cyril Smith, Anthony Holies and others. Credits: From the short story by D. H. Lawrence. Screenplay and direction by Anthony Pelissier. Music by WilHam Alwyn, played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Leader David McCallum) Conducted by Muir Mathieson. A John Mills Production ]5resented by J, Arthur Rank. Plot: Valerie Hobson, an ambitious spendthrift, constantly nags her spineless husband to earn more. Their son, John Howard Davies, is extremely sensitive and believes their house is restless because of this lack of money. Neglected by his mother, his confidante is John Mills, the handy man who was once a jockey, who tells him tall stories of the turf and betting coups. While riding his rocking horse, the child gets inspirations about winners and with Mills' aid backs these and amasses a fortune to help his mother. His uncle learns of this but keeps his secret and arranges for a large sum to be diverted to Valerie without her knowing the origin. Things start going badly and the kid worries himself into a brainstorm trying to forecast the Derby Winner. This he does, but dies in the effort. Comment: D. H. Lawrence's strange story of an unhappy little boy's uncanny foretelling of racehorse winners has been slightly adapted at the request of the censors ^'"ho frown on the glorification of "Lady T -~k." Frankh^ it is not ideal conventional cinema and may be above the general run of cinemagoers. It is, however, extremely intriguing and thought-provoking. The performances are impeccable. Valerie Hobson's careless mother, Ronald 'Squire's kindly uncle and John Mills' understanding handy man are all beautifully drawn. John Howard Davies' neglected kid is a touchingly sincere piece of acting and will go far towards making the film acceptable to wider audiences. The supernatural angle is barely hinted at but nevertheless plays a vital part in the story. Anthony Pelissier has directed skillfully and has been helped in no mean manner by William Alwyn's brilliant musical score which accentuates the eerie atmosphere to an almost unbearable degree on occasions. This is an intelligent, polished piece of screencraft which should be among the most successful art houses offerings exported from Britain. Paid in Full Paramount Drama 104 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) A strong dramatic offering for those who find entertainment in a story of love and sacrifice. Fine performances by a good cast help put over a tale which women will most readily understand. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Name-draw and exploitation possibilities should bring in satisfactory returns. Cast: Robert Cummings. Lizabeth Scott, Diana Lynn, Eve Arden, Ray Collins, Frank McHugh, Stanley Ridges, Louis Jean Heydt, John Bromfield, Kristine Miller, Laura Elliot, Ida Moore, James Nolan, Rolland Morris, Geraldine Wall, Laura Lee Michel, Margaret Field, Jane Novak. Credits: Directed by William Dieterle. Screenplay by Robert Blees and Charles Schnee. Photography, Leo Tover. Suggested by a Reader's Digest story by Frederic M. Loomis, ]\i.D. A Hal Wallis Production. Plot: Having brought up a younger sister, the older one helps her win the man they both love. When the marriage fails because