Variety (November 1962)

PICTURES . aa Wednesday, November. 21, ‘1962 eh _i2 ~ Film Reviews ————— Continued. from page. 6 -Hanilet. Le Masque De Fer ® be or not to be” soliloquy: is shot | (The Iron Mask) =: ; with only Schell’s eyes showing be(FRENCH--COLOR—DIALE tween two steps of the cantilevered “Paris, Nov.. 20.. stairway. Ophelia’s description. of Hamlet’s visit (. . . as I was sewing in. my closet”), usually never. shown, is-glimpsed "briefly without dialog so that her lines’ -to.:-her’ father bear’ more impact..-In an-. other. scene, . immediately after . Fucha Production. . Stars’ Jean féatures ‘Jean-Francois: Poron; Koscina, Sylva -eoin. Screenplay... ‘Gerald Devries; camera .(Eastmaricolor), MINS. ; ‘showing Claudius and Polonius |'p‘artagnan. ..!. 1 Jeas” Marais: plotting against: Hamlet, the camLouis, Sass San Bane Foron. | era sweeps. up ‘to reveal hin | 33 Chaulmes -..ccccee WE Gisele’ Pacal: listening. ‘Truand “pr ttesinsest ieee Jean. Rochefort . oe neo woepeee a. Other attempts’ aré less effec| Manon. ?--2--"--"**" Geimmaine Montero. ‘ tive. Polonius’ beautiful advice to } Vandreuil re ecdie’ ieeeees Philippe: Femaire | : a =f ZariM ~seccccsere _ Enrico. tl Laertes (‘* . ....and these few. pre ‘Saint Mare tie weete'ce' Noel: Roquevert: cepts in. thy ‘memory ") Is | ‘ ruined by having him apparently. cribbing it from a book and even: rompting himself from it as he speaks. Interpretation of Shakespeare’s writing is such a variable. thing that the meaning of -a line can be lessened or destroyed’ by the Ieast change. The familiar “the play’s the thing’.is altered com-. pletely by. Schell speaking ‘it: as “the play is. the thing.” Schell’s interpretation of the Dane is interesting but, eventually, unconvincing. There is..often: ‘a semblance of. indolence, a laziness in his. manner that conveys uncencern. While his: general concept is. revenge, he is ‘too: chameleon-like in his uneertainty of moods, contrasted with his certainty of . ‘pur} ing.. pose. We're never sure ‘what this} But “director Heiiri Decoin. lacks. man is about ‘and we cannot fully: the gusto. and: punch to. make. this | sympathize with people we. don’t. true parody. “Thesps work. understand. Ironically, his scenes: ‘valiantly. but all this’-emerges as in which he is pretending ‘to ‘be-| is an.average costumer witho sthemad are ‘some of his best. He | needed: zest to. lift it. above. *the | brings out: the humor of feigned” : .Mosk. madness and’ underscores. unsyin-. pathy of his enemies by making} them accept his. preterided mental | A _ supposedly cloak and sword opus of. ‘political. local. exploitation or .actioner: item.. bringing back ‘his. twin brother, who had been ‘kept. imprisonéd ‘wearing an iron miask, to. fill. ity for the king until rebels. ‘and’ usurpers are cleaned up. There is plenty-of | 5 ‘use in. foreign spots: ~: seas and some. nice. costum ordinary. ‘The Amorous Prawn . state’ as authentic. But there’s no | (BRITISH) | overlooking the fact that he} “speaks not always: with good. ac| Easygoing escapist “comedy based on longriun play. .Re— liable British comedy cast and. intriguing titlé. make this a. likely favorite despite. | lack of names. for’ U. S cent and good ‘discretion.” To speed up the action and. shorten the running time the char-: acter. of Fortinbras. has been elim|. inated “and, along with him, Mar|: cellus, Reynaldo, the second grave|::’ digger and others. Even with these. cuts and the skillful editing permitted by-the clever camera .work,. the pace frequently bogs,down ‘due: to the emphasis on the single’ character. Many in the audience’ may find it tee, slow. for their. tastes, especially’ if, like Polonius,. they're “for a. jig or a tale of Odeus,. Sree Arehs ‘conden’ Hunnieg bawdry, or they sleep.’ ” time: 89 MINS.. © Hans -Caninberg’s “Claudius is | Be Fitzadam General Fitzadam considérably younger -than. the; Corp. Sidney” Green:. Larry Hoffman. : rr re Robert Betty. } London, ‘Nov. 13... . BLC release of a’: -British: Lion.Caenlie Gillia production.: Stars. Ian Carmichael. Joan Greenwood, :'.Cecil Parker; features Dennis Price, Robert ‘Beatty... "Liz. ‘Fraser, Bridget Aymstrong, Reg. Lye, ‘Anthony Kinimins: mins and Nicholas :Phipps, from Kimmins’ play; ‘editor, Thelma Connell; . .camera.: Cecil. Parker’ eae e8aee wv... usual . concep t and app ar ently Prawn ce axveses “Dennis Price younger than Wanda. Roth's Queen j Suzie ‘Tidmarsh Leceee CSET ‘Fraser. Gertrude. It is uncertain what this | Uncle Joe” .-..12.-5-.2.22-05-Reg. Lye: Biddy O’Hara Wee mecs ». Bridget Armstrong Willie Maltrayers wecarene ‘Derek Nimmo. ‘Albert Huggins +/........ Sam. . Goulansky, : is meant to convey, other . than tating that their attraction te each other: is. primarily: sexual. Dunja | Mae Mover’s Ophelia lacks the. supcr; ; Sergeant . at. Exchange: sensitiveness Lecessary. to the. role | if Landlord . if one is to believe that ‘a suitor’s Deenaye. rejection. could: drive her into in| sanity and ‘suicide. She .is. also guilty of. bad diction, garbling. sueh important , speeches “as. “ee eo © @ oe ; "Eric. -Woodburn. owed @eeereceswe Anthony Kimmins’ comedy, “The Amorous, Prawn,”:chalked up well thrown.’ ” Franz ‘Schafheitlin, a~ ‘vistially ‘perfect’ Polonius.. is guilty of 'fluc-tuating between senile uncer tainty: ‘and obstinate -conviction.He’ ‘is aware of the humor in his lines and gives..a delightful, cranky. | the slim plot, should intrigue ducat: scholarly-critical reading .to. Ger| buyers into an” ev ening of. amiable’ | trude and Claudius. of Hamlet's |.escapism. ° letter, to’ Ophelia, more cencerned | General Fitzadam: (Cecil Parker) “with the correctness of the. word=-) is on the eve of retirement: but -is ing than the portent. Outstanding |: in a brief scene is Paul Verhoeven's Gravedigger. Playing beauti-~ fully. against. Schell, ‘the two make the scene really. come alive. .. Karl Michael Voglen’s. Horatio, + ‘Dieter Kirchlechner's Laertes and |. Adolf Geratung's ‘First Play _ authofr,. it..shapés up ..asnon-; demanding © light ‘entertainment: cheerfully “put over by* ‘a. ‘reliable. title, which is a-contrived gimmick. ment: cottage.. ‘While overseas on a headquarters” in ° Scotland into...a guest house: ° Americans looking: for some~ good trout ‘fishing: The’ general’s ‘army staff is brought. into the scheme | and ‘turned. into : maitre -d’hotel, stand out among:the generally excellent ‘supporting cast. Rolf Unkel’s score, most’ effective in the quieter passages of the film, Was. probably the most traditional touch in this particular: ‘produetion.. The film -was screened twice’ at: the premiere, first in. the: Enslish‘dubbed version, ‘then in the_origi-nal German.. Robe. . including thelavish. tips handed out by the ‘two. ‘Yanks ‘when. ‘they land: fish, Two major: complications -de= + ‘velop. One .is ‘the -sudden, unex| pected return of the ‘general which; Exhib : a Et. Gov. | Lubbock, Tex.,. Nov. 20. + ¢€ ‘by ‘the’ conspirators. : T york Preston Smith, { pirators. : ‘Fhis...works local theatre| | out, however, Hor of Texas. ;essman. and Republican, . the. Minister ‘of: T Gaumont release: of. Ceres-SNEG-Marly| Mar ais; Gisele. Bascal, ed by Rochetoe. | Roquever irec y Henr e-. Noel Redes ‘Cecil © Saint.. Laurent, Pierre Petit;.editor, Louisette. Hautecouer,. At Lord: ‘Byron, Paris.. Running time, 136). skulduggery:. in 17th. Century: France and. the local: equilavent. of |: ‘the Yank cater, ‘short. circuits :too} much action. with.-falk, ‘dnd lacks. |. the dash and feeling. for time and. characters. Hence, this is: ‘only a It Jooks. only ‘good for dualer or’ An. aging. D’Artagnan helps the 1 ailing king ‘and his’ advisors ‘by: Harry ; Locke, Derek ‘Nimmo, Sandra: Dorne, Fin-. Jay. Currie, Robert. Nichols. Directed by."Screenplay by -Kim-. At | esceeae . Joan’ Greenwood ian Carmichael | Harry .LockeRobert Nichols |:. eae kee cee Saevee Roddy ‘McMillan | Godfrey. James |: Sandra: Dorneé , 7 A Finlay Currie ' aoe ; over 1,000 performaiicés. ‘on the|.what a noble mind is. here; oer. stage. Now, directed ‘by the. play's |. eastof. Popular British thesps. The: having virtually nothing to’do.with:, a bit short of cash . for his. rétire-. ‘military® mission ‘his ‘wife hits. on |. the idea of’ converting his. military’| The idea: occurs: ‘when: shé sees |. an advertisement bya couple .of. chauffeur, maids, .chef; et. al.. Fhe | ‘whole bunch shafethe. proceeds. |. tat first; calls:for .a considerable [ ‘tamount of Tepetitious camouflage when the. general owner and a veteran. state’ legisla| finds out about’ the racket. but de-.| tor, Was elected. Lieutenant Gover-'| cides. to go along. with it to revenge | a. peéve.. against. ‘the: War Office: Smith, a Democrat, easily outdis| The second is when.an unexpected. tanced Bili Hayes; Temple busiguest turns up’ ho ..is: revealed as alate. for War. He,. : — too, discovers: the impudent: ‘hoax’ ' --} but: has .to-keep’ silent: ‘when it’s ‘discovered. that the blonde in ‘his. bed ‘is. not: his wife, but a. Jocal: barmaid, ee, . "+. Much‘ of the.funcomes from. a: -| series -of:..double-. takes, . : moe changing. from. army. clothes... into’ “‘{eivvies, some “gentle sex play, . the | -eonning-of the Yanks, and the feud. ‘betweene’ the’ local. laird. and. the glers. happy. .Thereare some Soggy. ‘spots direction ‘and. ‘the: acting . keeps. the. typical, ‘bumbly:: ‘performances;, ‘but. -SO: “‘peppily . “in ‘character. as she. normally is:in this. sort of drawing |. room farce.. Ian: ‘Carmichael does members of the ‘women’ "5 armed -forces. who. turn maids (Miss Fraser ‘ehritude.. Derek. ‘Nimmo; “Sandra’: Minister, once... again‘ turns :up . trumps. ‘with an impeccably. ‘poised; though scarcely urgent, perform“ance, well” earn ‘some useful: cash ‘from: hi n more . audiences demanding nothing : ‘Sicilian-working -in‘a. Milan factory | -who. returns. to’ his. hometown ‘with than : some. sly: laughs. Rich, ‘si Yo: Fuera: ‘Millonario “ (if .1 Were ‘A Millionaire) « 2 ‘-(MEXICAN).. Mexico. City, Nov.. “43. “Peliculas ‘Nacionales release ‘of Cinema: tagratica. Filmex: production. : Stars. ‘Ama-: ‘dor .Bendayan;. Teresa Velazquez, Enrique’ _|'Rambal; features Antonio’ Aguilar, Miguel esar ° Costa; Lorena Velazquez; Patricia -Moran | and . guest. ‘appearances : -of .Maria Felix,’ ' Aceves . Mejia, ..Chino Herrera; ‘Sonia Infante,.. Elvira Castillo, David Rey-nosa: . Directed by Julian ‘Soler. -Screen: .|, Plays. ‘Fernando . Jésseauand'-Raul ‘Zen-. | teno. At Alameda Theatre, Mexico. City.: Running _ time: 90 MIN terpretation of..theme,. with series reactions : to ‘riches.: diverting since’ the. story .is treated loudly. “Emu. Tragodie tou ‘Aegacou . ' ° (Aegean. Tragedy), .°: (GREECE—DOCUMENTARY).--San: Francisco, ‘Nove: 13... “Basil Maros.. ‘Production.’ and ‘edited by. Maros. “Screenplay, . An‘gelos. Prokapiou;’ music.. Jann’ ‘Markopou-: -Ios} narrated. by: Vassilis” Zochos. . At: ws I ' Francisco Film Fest. “Running. tirne, MINS, . . ‘Maros.. calls his..documentary* “a modern: .Greek tragedy—with‘the. a Greek ‘people. as. chorus,” the film] ‘covers the. period 1914-1945. better from‘a reporting. angle .than that .of Historical: comment. . Most -of “the ‘material: has -been’ taken. ‘from’ newsreélfootage and _his-torical film records: And. it is-fre| quently fascinating in‘its review of ‘a country — “whose :comparativ ely.|* ‘modern history. is Jéss: known. than | other ‘parts of Europe-. from the. 1914 -era of..King Con and several types .of ‘government, “Maros’ ‘carefully. -selected:, footage (some of which.:appears to be -cap -tebellion. or political. dictatorships: “And also” even: during what. was considered: “brief peaceful... eras " : while the’ Greek people failed, to.| 1 solidify as’a. nation. . «His. film’‘sofrequently: concerns. litself with important military .and: political. figures that. perhaps not enough coverage ..’is -: given ~ the: |j Greek people. aS a. ‘nation. They. are generally: ‘shown as masses pale of: Mustafa ‘Kemal or. in demonstra, ‘tions “for: the’ various -kings, dic|. tators, prime. ministers. or. military” refugees . fleeing ~ the. troops figures. : -hurried | ‘poacher: employed to ‘keep. the .an-. | other. : large: -equipment . “Corinth. Canal..to" keep ‘them. from -the Greeks.:. AS a record of: a: fumiultous time; : “Aegean: Tragedy” .is. ‘an: ‘import | ant: film. document but aS. an eXx but: on: the ‘whole -Kimmins’: comedy: on’a fairly ebullient. plane.-Cecil Parker-produceés one of: his. Joan Greenwood, ‘as his wife, is. not : ‘a shrewd: job as. ‘the. wily. corporal aa ‘who becomes -maitreé. d’hotel in ‘the-| ~ -scheme: ‘while “Liz «Fraser and j/ -| Bridget Armstrong, ‘as a” couple: “of |: “foriguesin-cheék : is given an. opportunity to. strip. to, lay, her :-scanties) provide. some ‘pul-. Screenplay, “cona;, Age, Scarpelli, from. story by. Bruno |. music,’ Piero. Piccioni;:..editor;.. Nino: Bar-: tg driano,. Rome. ;Running. time, ¥ 7 ‘Carusos’ Dorne, ~ Finley, Currie, .Harry Locke and |Reg. Lye chip in-with. some ‘useful |‘ Mar ‘support. Robert :Beatty..and™ Robert. ‘Nichols ‘are the two: Americans who. _»,).are mostly. stooges to the: ‘activities |: while. Dennis: Priceé,.. as ‘the. War | | | however, falls down on ‘the windup. 1 “Admittedly; ° ‘it’s: a ‘tricky ..proposi-. ‘Veteran actor Julian Soler: takes. ‘a hand.in directing’ this comic in: | of. a bopular’ personality’ such. as -Sordi’s, -and authors ‘nearly bring: Gf “known: and: “unknown ihe els . headed: by -Maria. Felix, iving t eir: 4 Bh ~{ ily brought:.to-a™ halt, “Soler’s direction: is sure and: the. picture turns ‘out to be modefately: “But: ‘finale ‘shows : it: ‘basieally... “evades ‘most issues. and: cannot: be said to 7 pe ultimately : ‘satisfying. with light touch. Venezuelan comic. Amador . Bendayan” is. starred’ andis.:the ‘dink in’ series: -of “episodes | “with .: some developing’ ‘situations. ‘that had: ‘the, audience laughing | Dir ected + Although pr oducer-director Basil 1 Los’ LV alientes Neo Mineren: ‘Bertha Lepe,. Marina Camacho;. ‘features ' Chayez;‘Erie ‘del: Castillo. ) Gilberto Martinez ‘Solares. -Solarés, O.. “Tracing -the’ political “history. {role as the. valiant . ~smacho’” (he -stantiné. through. two ‘World. -Wars | | setto. Miguel Aceves Mejia. ... } Anybody. with a. true’ knowledge: tured German ‘film made: during |:of “Mexico. will : -im mediately. see ‘| their: ‘oceupation)‘does: a.. 200d. job of. depicting -the | turmoil. arid. un~ \‘rest that” swept the..country ‘timé ‘and. time _again, “through war, civic: men... . ‘Photography in black: ‘and: white |. bis. satisfactory. -but. there’s od.[: y ere a 20 sions: in: short: roles: Some: ofthe most effective! shots | ‘are ‘those’ ‘of ‘the: aforementioned [| . Tefugees ‘moving. into: Piraeus. from } ‘Asia ‘Minor: and the chilling: dem| 7 onstrations -by’.. Greek -. children |” ‘|-under. Inilitary. <dietatorship“that | ‘remind one. of. young. Nazis. parad-'|.. ing:: Film ‘also depicts: the obvious |‘affection of Maros ‘for his .coun-| .. é | try’s. leaders... and. the’. “earth” pression. on film: it is more. -‘motion than’ emotion,” : . Robe, : Mafioso. _ (ITALIAN). oe . Rome;. Nov. 13. : Dino -DeLatirentiis release. of. a C.C. é Antonio’ Cervi) production. Stars Alberto. | Sordi; features) Norma. Bengell, . _Attanasio;. Carmelo Oliviero, ‘Conti: Directed ‘by ‘Alberto . Lattuada. Marco * Ferreri;.. Rafael: Az ’ camera, ~ Armando . Alberto Sordi. * Norma. ‘Bengell ee ee ee Don Vincenzo ose @esoe Ro a . “te @eeaerdbpetaoace v7, Gabrieha., Conti ~ Sméothly’ “fashioned: item‘: with big: Italo. grossing. potential on: the ‘|-Alberto : Sordi -name™ linked . ‘with Sicilian subject-matter. and ‘title: ..Foreign chance em m -. Scottish: scenes are “well: lensed | gn chances seem more ‘lim ‘by Wilkie Cooper and. editor; music. ‘man’ and -sound..recorists ‘all, help | ‘in an -unambitious ‘picture. which |: will speedily be ‘forgotten, -but-may |’ ited,with thé pic. qualifying more for. general: audience tastes than. | arty: consumption. : a. “standout. ‘sfint.:: Here: -he’s: ‘a his northern wife and. kids,’ only: tobe: sent to N.Y..by the Mafia ‘to |. “| Shoot. and kill ‘one of.'the society’s -.-eriemies: He goes. through it, albeit: ‘with: qualms and fear, returns toa. “Which * thinks ‘He’s ::. beer. away: .on--a “hunting trip, : ‘and re-. family, sumes.-his job’ as though nothing: had. happened: © Beautifully. built-up. ‘script, per -ceptively and.‘skillfully: brought : ‘tof: Jife.by director Alberto: Lattuada, tion. to make a:straight killer. out it off here ‘by. evading the. issue.” After the murder,: ‘the: pic is speed final shot:a near-repeat of opening: one, showizig: factory. official: Sordi. walking across -his. working | area.. -sécond-thought.ahout. “the Nevertheless;...the ‘general. im-: | pression-of the film remains-a very. ‘| :positivé. one,. with. Sordi amusingly. | delineating the returning. Sicilian.’ '<| He is neatly. assisted’ by. Brazilian. actress. Norma..Bengell and. a: large’ ‘|-and_ colorful cast: Technical eredits, te including: ‘Armando Nannuzzi’s lens‘ing ‘some. of it on locationin New: York) and: Piero. Piccioni’ s. music, are > fines. Hawk... (The ‘Brave: Don’t: Die) ° * ” (MEXICAN) | ot Mexico: City, Nov:. 13. “Peliculas Nacicnales ‘release . ‘of Prodie=: ‘ciones. -Brooks. production. ‘Stars Pedro: Armendariz, Miguel: ‘“Aceyes Mejia, Ana Juan. Garcia, Felia/ Magana.Marcelo. ’ Sereenplay, “Solares. from: ‘original .byG. Jason: and Fernando Galiana, ” G: cr er ers OA. ‘singing: “Charro”: OF -cowboy'} epic with an: eye’ on ‘the: ‘export: (Spanish: language). | mendariz has: a typica jarket; : .AF= gunslinger’ “singing and_ -gun-carrying holes --in ‘this:one; The. ““charros” of: their | ‘Hollywood swestern | ‘gun-: deal ‘of. concentration. on & bathing. ‘Girls. in. a. small . village Camachs:" Emil: aw an," "Canada. | “scorched {° policy : of. the. retreating.|° ‘Germans ‘that. shows: them dump-. ing ‘railroad. cars, trucks'.and much’ into: the’ . Attenborough) production. Stars.| Caron; features Tom: Bell, . Ugo Ff Gabriella Char (Girt at End“ rerekr Don. Liborio Tenens “Girmsto. Oliviera" sali. : ‘with... the soe . . Directed ‘by +. here’.aré. not the ‘authentic :gentle-. ‘men’ cowboys. of Mexico” buf -som=. |brero clad, two-gun men-.who at-. {tempt to emulate: the~ “counterparts: eautycontest..in a tiny Mexican}. ‘village. do: Ana. Bertha ‘Lepe. ‘and. ‘Marina |. Gordon Hudson; a: “theatre: sank ager,. has” been elected mayor of: the’ city of: Lloydminster, Saskatch “The: L-Shaped. Room. OES. (BRITISH): ‘Tenderiy’ written. ‘and ‘aiveciéa ae study of loneliness; excellent: ~ performances: by ‘Leslie Caron. and newcomer :Tom Bell make . ‘it: a -good. bet. for: Antelligent e a audiences. mo, “London: Nov: 13. ‘of a Romulus :James Woo. Bernard | Writs: Lion presentation through. BLG. lf and Richard ‘Leslie. . Lee, _ Brock: Peters, Cicely. ‘Courtneidge, Patricia wt Phoenix, . iams, Avis Bunnage,.a .Harry. Locke, Nanette Newman. Directed _by’. Brian’ Forbes: Screénplay:: ‘by. Forbes” . Anthony. Booth. Avis’ Bunnage eee@eeesve @' 2 © ee test ov eeoe ead 4 rr . cvdencege ee@earn ‘Lynne: Reid’. Banks’. from -Lynne ‘Reid Banks’ novel; camera;Douglas . Slocombe; editor, Anthony: Har-. “vey. At..Columbia. Theatre, London. “Run: 7 Sng time, 142, MINS. : . 4 Jan vise peter gisterse bers Leslie Caron: . Youth in Street. Doris. Patricia Phoenix: _Nerity Emmett Toby ges oe “ ‘om Bell . { Mavis. -...% 0555 icy ‘Gourtncidge a ‘Newsagent | eueeee ees wewlele. Harry ‘Locke: Girl in: Newsageni’s, *'Bilen ‘Dryden: “Dr. ‘Weaver ......:2.¢.¢° Emlyn: Williams Monica e ° e ee 0.06 6 3'e " o% Jennifer ‘White . ‘ Johnny " eeeee ebe wees « ° = Broek. Peters «. . Bert 8 @eos os ove» e oe ee@ eee. Gerry Duggan eo lie-: 2... 006. ‘ead e's nee --.. [Bernard Lee: Nanette’ Newman “Bestseller . novel. seemed, on--the surface; : to. = Ugo -Attanasio | be ‘unlikely material: “for .afilm: -"° Largely set in “the. réstricted area. of a ‘faded lodging house“the novel néss and. frustrated «love, ous. Teague but it is articulate, often moving and has: a: number ‘of. ‘well observed: performances.: Leslie. Caron’s ‘name ‘is. useful marquee background. of: provincial. France ‘who, “in. London;: has. a -brief: affair ‘resulting: in/pregnaricy. Rejecting . the idea ofan abortion. ‘she ‘decides . ‘to. live it out on her own. ‘And, -in : ‘the loneliness :..of * herL-shaped. room in’ a seedy... tenement;. she 1 finds a. new hope ..and: purpose in ‘life‘through” Theeting: others “who, .in:-various’ ways, ‘siiffer : ‘thelr own Joneliness.:and. frustration. ‘Particu| larly, there .are ~an™ unsuccessful &, young. writer ‘and-a~ Negro. jazz ‘musician. Without: ‘knowing about: the ‘girl’ S.. pregnancy,: the: writer. falls. .for.-her, . The. ‘colored. boy, -jéalous, reveals: ‘her. secret.” The ‘two: part..and, when ‘he tries to returnto -her, itis too late. There ‘is. .. no compromise with a: happy’ end * ‘ing, .She' has -her -baby: and. leaves the. ‘L-Shaped. room ‘to :a’ new ‘ten=: ant, equally ~ lonely ‘arid ‘ puzzled, ° ‘This. brief outline gives-no ‘creds | it:to: the film’s many: “subtle. under1. toneés, Nat. a.--great : deal -happens ‘but. it’ is a thoroughly. holding. and. . ‘jntelligent: film: having the quality of ‘a film. like ““Marty.”"-Forbés* di-.. ‘rection never ‘falters .and ‘he is ‘had: little . ‘enough glamour’ or ‘strength . of ‘plot to. recommend it, ‘excellently ‘written though it. was.. ‘But -Bryan .Forbes’ ‘screenplay: ‘and .::his tactful, ‘sensitive dirertion: have..." created a tender study’ in loneli~. “The Le Mnah Shaped “Room”. is in. tlie | eurrent. ©” . * British . ‘down-to-earth, . -‘unglamors.: -Sordi* fans” looking for his usual: comic ‘performance: ‘are-also in for | 1 bait and she turns: in-a ‘sympathetic a piece. of. thesping.; © “Ai ‘Yarn: concerns :a-: : girtwith. a. é backed by: highly. competent. ctech-" nical’ assistance. ‘The’ ‘drabness . of. the... -bédsitters is’: well ‘drawn. Among. the standout. ‘scenes: are one... inajazz ‘cellar and:.one of those: .. hearty. Christmas -.. -parties’"’ where’ everybody. is ‘trying.’ just. a shade. foo: hard to -enjoy-. therselves., a ‘Miss ‘Caron’ and -Tom Bell, “yet. of such: action ‘as theré.is, the trio self on the. -respectability-: of her house, despite: ‘two’ of-her lodgers’ .she_ id: ‘performance. | _Emilyn | “Williams, anvther. ‘of. Britain’s new wave:of “ “young: actors, make ‘a strong team;”-:. ‘| Though: they, ‘phus. ‘Brock Peters, ‘as the, ‘Negro -lad, ‘bear the brunt: are ‘well Supported by: ‘a: number: “of -others.:Vet. ‘Cicely: Courtneidge makes 8. M. | Sharp ‘comeback :as'a retired vaude,~ ; artist, living. -with:..her~ cat and... her. faded . press ‘clippings. Other’ notable. ‘jobs are-done by Avis Bun-:-: ~~ nage. (a landlady. who’ prides her :|:being prostiés:)-.and -Bernard Lee,.-:.."--as cher boozey, “hearty. gentleman — friend... ote The. harlots: are. “played. by. PaPhe. ‘| tricia Phoenix and Verity Emmett. .~.. ‘Miss ‘Phoenix;: very, much. out. of... ‘character “from... -that ‘which ™ plays. in the tv series;. “Coronation: . _Street,’? is the . tart: ‘with: the -heart Lt “of -gold: and ‘gives an: exreimely Vive. aS a: smooth -abortionist,,” and Ger| ald Sim, ‘as a. sympathetic: ‘hospital: ° doctor, ,.also”‘make : Keen: -dmpres-" “The ‘L-Shaped. Room” is‘a ‘Strike. Rich. ~ . fot. ing’ example: of the fact*that, in.a; | film, ‘people about whom audiences |. can. care ‘are. often more important ~ \to ‘the: film’s . fate than -a. frenetic ~ _ | string -of ‘happenings.: Despite. ‘the =" “| fact: that’ the action is-oftesWery ~ ‘slow .and : that. ‘its thenie. is furida-. ‘mentally ‘downbeat,. “the film can. : ‘boast both: Awarnith and humor. °