Variety (Apr 1939)

Wednesday, April 19, 1939 FILM REVIEWS VARIETY 23 UNDERCOVER AGENT Dcane. Dlreot«a by_Howard Bretberton. Adapted by MUton Balaon from original •lorr by Martin Mooney: camera, Arthur jiartlncni: odltor,. Riuaelj SohMneart*, At New Aroaterdam. N.^. dual. April 14, '89. Sunning time; 68 BIINB. Bill Xrent Russell Gleason Betty Madison v^S!'"*ff Tom Jfndlson (Pop) ,J. M. Kerrigan Mrs. Minnow Maude Eburne Pat Murphy ...Oscar O'Shea Graham..... Selmar Jackson Bartel • • I*o" Harolde Pussyfoot. Ra7 Bennelt Joe Blako Ralph Santera Not much support even for neigh- borhood duals. Another In the crime cycle, with little to recommend it except the sterling work of the vet- eran J. M. Kerrigan. Produced in the low brackets on familiar sweepstakes-racket theme, -most essentials for this tyi>e of - story are there, but-lacking first-rank stars, outstanding production detail or un- usual script attention, picture cre- ates no unusual interest. Martin Mooney Injects some novelty into his yarn, sugarcoating his expose , of a sweepstakes counterfeiting ring by gloriQring the U. S. Postal Inspec- tion Service. Bussell Gleason- is a railway postal clerk with an ambition to become a postal inspector. After foiling a pawnshop holdup, he gets in dutch with the Service becatise he toted a gun off duty and against regula- tions. Finally redeems himself by unofficial sleuthing which helps the' Government track down thie sweep- stakes crooks* Shirley Deane gets by in the femi- nine lead. ' Gleason, however, is not a convincing juvenile, wandering through the picture In namby-pamby fashion. Kerrigan, as the girl's father has a fat role as an old Shakespearean actor who loves his bottle but comes through to redeem himself in the finale in grand style. All the best lines are his and he more than makes the most of them. Oscar O'Shea, another old-timer, does pleasing work as the friendly pawn' shop keeper. Rep of the Gleason-Deane team In the 'Jones Family' series may of- fer some exploitation possibilities to draw them in. the girl's room after 2 a.m. when the bribe to establish his alibi Is made. It is here that reference is made to a business proposition, the fenune indicating that such is never too early or too late. This is sub- sequently smoothed over by the bribe proposition. Film also has a bubble dancer, doseups confined to a fleeting glimpse, for obvious rea- sons judging by her garb, or lack of it Other dialog is likewise risque but essential to the plot Production carries the Hays seal, Ripley or not Judged by what re- mains in the picture, plenty was pruned. It probably was a case of permitting certain things in in order to sustain the plot Photography is one of weakest por- tions of film, bad lighting being es- pecially noticeable In closeups. wear. THE ALIBI ('L'AUbl') (FRENCH MADE) Columbia release of B-N Films produC' tlon. Features ErJc vos Strohelm, Albert Pi-ejean, Jany Holt and Louis Jouvet. Di- rected by Pierre Chenal. Story by Uorcel Aehard; adaptation, J. Companeez and R. Jutlke; music, George Auric and Jao|Uea Dallln: English titles, Clement Douenlas. At Bth Ave. Playhouse, N. T., 'week April 8, '30. Itunning time, Bt MINB. Professor Wlnckler Eric von Strohelm Inspector Calas ;.Louis Jouvet lAUrent Albert Prcjesn Helene Jony Holt Qordon Phllllppe Richard Oany Hargo Lleo The Blonde Florence Marly The .Professor's Assistant Fun-Sen Gerard Maurice Baguet Kr'tz. Roger Blln Bobby Martin and Ills Orchestra with Thelma Minor (French, German, English; with Eng^ lish Titles) Pierre Chenal's direction and the excellent acting by Eric von StrO' beim and Louis Jouvet elevate this French talker to passable foreign boxoSice. With additional shrewd trimming of unwieldly, extraneous portions it should serve on the lower section of double-feature spots and hold certain appeal in arty theatres, For regular run theatres. It is fur- ther enhanced with several spicy episodes and rather plain-spoken dialog (also hinted by the English titles). Von Strohelm, an expatriate from Holl}rwood for some time now but doin.e right well in France, portrays a sinister mind-reader, who figures In several killings in order to cover up his ordinal vengeful slaying. His heavy bribing of a Paris night club hostess. In order to provide an iron- clad alibi away from the scene of the murder, develops into 'a merci: less pursuit by the police. This ma' neuvering by the gendarmes Is a bit confusing and wanders away from the main thesis. The reappearance in the film of Von Strohelm actually saves innumerable sags in script and action. He dominates everp scene and overcomes several unpalatable episodes and implasible r.^-oments.. Louis Jouvet, as the inspector In charge of the murder case, is a skill- ful portrayal which is marred by the introduction of Albert Prejean as his first assistant Latter is fairly satis- fying but the way he is dragged into the plot merely prolongs the ultl mate' climax. French writers prob ably thought he would make the best love Interest when there actually was little excuse for it Jany Holt makes a plausible Pa' rlsian nltery hostess, who Is not fussy ' about how she earns h^r living. That point. Is stressed to the breaking point with the serlnt later having her turn out a lily. Florence Marly, sweetheart of the slain man, looms -«s a -Twsslbility. at least photograph- icaUv. Her blonde beauty looks good In closeups, but she's not given enoufh acting here really to prove herself. English title translations of the French dialog have the night club hostess admlttine "he stayed with, me from 2 ajn. until 7 or B o'cloick In the momine.' This 'stayed with me' line is hammered In throughout the film. There is a sequence in which the fortunC'^teUer asks admittance to Double Crime in the Maginot Line (FBENCH-HADiS) Towers release of Felix Gandera pro- duction. Features Victor Franccn, Vera Korene. Directed by Felix Gandera. Adapted by Gandera and Robert Bibal from novel by Pierre Nord. Music by Jean Lenoir; camera, Nicholas Hayer; English titles, Mllten Doushkesa. Re- viewed In Projection Room. N. Y., April 12, 'SO. Running time, 83 UINS. Captain Urucliot...:. Victor Francen Anna Brucliot ;Vera Korene Police Insftector Finds....Jacques Baumer Commander d'Hsplnac Fernand Fabre Lieut. Le Guen ly'**! Lieut. Capelle Henry Giilsol Lieut. Kunte ...Albert Weiss Commander Malntrc....... Jacques Berllos Colonel of the 2d Bureau..Pierre Magnler Maglalmte Jacques VHry Detective Leonard vv v°'Sr^ !X- Gunamllh Maximo Fabert (In Freiich, tuifh Enoltsh Titles) in 'Double Crime in the Maglnot Line,' exhibitors have a picture title to conjure" with. One of the most widely publicized and mysterious topics in world events, long in the public eye, it supplies the back- ground for an intriguing murder mystery meUer. It is an 'exploita- tion' natural, despite the fact that the final result is a bit disappointing. Much more is expected from the subject matter. Production, however, has enough on the ball to merit at- tention from showmen apart from the foreign language houses. Picture is a war story and yet not a war story, wavering between the two. Ooening rather slowly,. one gets a glimpse of one of the focal points in the French system of im- derground fortifications and wit- nesses an impressive military parade and march of troops emerging from and entering the subterranean stronghold. ^ . * From there on interest begins to perk, not only when the secret work Ings of the fantastic military mech anized honeycomb come to view, but also when script writers and director get into the meat of German spy in- trigue going on in the midst of France's first line of defense hitherto considered impregnable. A good deal of footage is devoted to plot es- teblishment, once the real story , gets under way. This portion Is also slow and could stand speeding up by ju- dicious cutting. Characters and mo- tives dealt with at this point are cloaked in too much mystery. Yam is not only a spy story, but also pyschologtcaL study of a French army veteran stationed at the fort His career has been a bitter one, but he Is considered capable and trust- worthy by his superiors. A new commander takes over the fort, and oh his first day's Inspection is mys- teriously murdered bv sub-machine gunfire. Suspicion falls on Capt Bruchot (Victor Francen) and later on three of his lieutenants, Bruchot succeeds in establishing his inno- cence; is placed in full charge of a secret investigation and cleverly un- masks the real culprit by interesting but obtuse deduction. Unreasonable jealousy shown by Capt Bruchot over his young and pretty wife (Vera Korene )j the only woman in the cast is a minor theme which serves to complicate things some- what but essential because it turns out that it was her brother who was the murderer and spy. Jb'rancen gives an impassioned and outstanding performance. Miss Ko- rene. likewise, holds audience inter- est in the little she has to do. In the main her work is subordinated to the major meller, the feminine ap- peal being secondary. Picture could be vastly improved by expert cutting and editing. For instance, while suspense in latter half of the picture mounts superbly and one is kept entirely mystified as to which one of the three lieuten- ants is the German spy, still the dra- matic climax, as hunt narrows down, fails to pack a wallop. Although only 500 feet from the German bor- der and with escape almost a cer- tainty, scrlpters choose to have the culprite meet an inexorable fate by suicide in a pillbox within the fort. A pitehed battle at the border line -might have furnished a more dra- matic punch. On the whole it Is a provocative production, pregnant with audience interest at a time when Eiuopean war news Is In every headline. Al- though there is no indication whether the French government cooperated In the production, enough of the secret workings of the underground fortifications are actually reproduced to Intrigue and satisfy audience curi- osity. BLACK EYES (BRITISH-MADE) London, April 8. Associated British production and release. Stars Mary Maguire, Otto Krugcr. Directed by Herbert Drenon. Screenplay, Dudley Leslie: camera, Gunther Krnmpt. At the Cabrldge, London. Running time: K MOCS. Tanla. Mary Maguire Petroft Otto Kruger Roudlne Walter Kllla Karlo John ^Vaod Miss Brown v.......Marie Wright 'Black Eyes' is a remake of the recent French-made 'Dark Eyes,' which starred Harry Baur and Simone Simon. Basically, there's lit- tle new in this story, but it's told weU. It's direct stripped of non-essen- tials and generally well acted, with strong situations that indicate the constant imminence of violence, which is admirably avoided. Film can be featured here and would fit nicely on U. S. duals. Story is laid In Russia. Otto Kru- !er (Petroff) is head waiter at a 1 ashionable Moscow restaurant which has private rooms for amorous gen- tlemen and their lady friends. Petrofl has reared his black-eyed daughter, Tania, to believe he's an important man in the commercial world, and she- is surrounded with every lux- ury. He lends money to drunken officers at usurious interest listens to financiers talking business and manages to take advantage of it in the stock market Desirous of improving his station In life for his daughter's sake, Petroff appeals to Roudine, a middle-aged banker, who's constantly on the lookout for new affairs. The girl becomes attracted to the roue, who takes her to the restaurant where Petrofl works. Petroff enters the private dining room, confronts his daughter, sends her home and tells the roue his relationshio to the child The banker had nromised. to assist Petroff in nurchasing the restaurant but it now looks as if the waiter Is ruined through having made a de- posit on the ourchase which renre- sented his entire savings. A stock market gamble, however, turns out very profitably at the psychological moment. Mary Mainiire, as the daughter, is charming In the earlier scenes, but sags a bit when emoting. Krueer is ruthless in his business dealings, but his love for the child inclines one to sympathize with his natemal obses- sion. Walter Rilla is okay as the banker. All otiiers are' reas'^nnbly adequate. Jolo. lATSE Peace Pact Today (Continued from page 5) WITHOUT A HOME (Polbh-Made) (WITH SONGS) Foreign Cinema Arti release of Adoloh Mann production. Directed .by Alexander Marten. Adapted from. Jacob Gordln's Yiddish play: songs, Szajewlez; camera. Jonilowlcx: Rn'ftlinli title.i, George Rotond. Ijoonora Fleischer. Reviewed in Projection. Room, N. T., March 31, '30. Running time: 00 M1N8. Jacob Elc'honon ..Adam Domb Awrclmel Alexnniler Marten Bab Shewe • Ida Kamlnska Henoch • Ben Zulter Motel Sr.. DzlTan FIshcI J. Shnmoeher Bessie Vem Gran Una Dora Faklel (In Yiddish, loith English Titles) ^Without a Home.' adapted from Jacob Gordln's Yiddish stage play of the same name, has been made into an excellent Yiddish film that should spell box office in locales where the tongue is spoken. Made In Poland, and including the entire Warsaw Art Theatre company, headed by the di- rector and star, Alexander Marten, 'Home* is stark drama whose excel- lent direction in spots serves to maintain a steady gait that might easily have swerved to the maudlin. Story Is excellent for Yiddish the- atre audiences, dealing with Marten's migration from Poland to America and the subsequent breach between him and his wife when he goes: for a night club singer. With the aid of the singer, who's unaware - of his love for her, he sends' for his wife and son. Another son had been drowned prior to his emlgatlon. The crux of the story concerns the wife losing her mind W < her grief over losing her husband Is coupled with her psychologioal reaction to the news that her second son, too, had drowned. Actuall -. he had only run away. His return sees the grad- ual restoration of her mind and a closer tie between husband and wife. Dora Faklel Is convincing a:i Lina, the wife, while Vera Gr^n, ah un- usual looker for a Yiddish film, is the singer. Her voice is pleasant anJ she does the standard Uhn A Hejm' ('Without a Home') well. Adam Domb, Marten, Ben Zuker, Sz. Dzlgan and J. Schumacher also do well. Camera Is poor. Wanger No Stranger Hollywood April 18.- John Meehan checked out after 10 years at Metro to write an original for Walter Wanger, with whom he started his career as a scrlptcr. Advent of Meehan raises Wanger's writing roster to six, highest In two years. Other scribes , are Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heerman, Tay Gar- nett, Budd Schulberg and Lester Cole. call for payment of time and half for hourly, employes after six-hour day. Pay of Class A laboratory technic' clans would be tilted to $1.40 hour, Class B to $1J25, Class C to $1.12%, and Class D to $1. Scales now range from 68c. to $1.13 an hoiu-. . Negative cutters are asking $20 for cutting picture and $20 for sound track. Weekly rate would be $66, with over- tline after 44 hours. Beady to Parley Demands for immediate negotia- tions with producers were submitted to Victor H. Clark, assistant to Pat Casey, by Lew C. G..Blix, Herbert Alter, Thomas C. Bryan and Harold V. Smith, business representatives of Coast studio locals! Action was taken on. telegraphic. orders from George E. Brpwne, prexy of. the lATSK Re- quest to negotiate was accompanied by ultimatum from .Browne threat- ening to order nation-wide strike of theatre projectionists. Ultimatum was said to have been accompanied by detnand that pro- posed grand jury investigation of lATSE be called off. Ten u.nion ex- ecutives and employes have been summoned for inquiry scheduled to open today. Move was prompted by Jeff Kibre, leader'of autonomy grpup in Local 37. Demands resi,llted in hurried all- night conference between lATSE tops and producers at the ranch home of District Attorney Buron Fitts. ,The lATSE was represented by Gaielee, Stickling and Smith, in- ternational representatives. Pro- duceris' delegation was composed of Joseph M. Schenck, prexy of the Producers' Association; E. J. Mannlx of Metro, and Attorney Mendel B. Silberberg. Delegation from Local 37 composed of Joseph M. Carpenter, Guy Cooper, Jeff Kibre and Ed Heim was in- structed to stand by at Eleven Oaks hotel in Monrovia to be called into conference after Fitts had talked with producers and LA leaders. Dele- gation waited for several hours and was then advised by Russell Par- sons, deputy district attorney,' that they would not be needed since the lATSE tops insisted «n election be- ing held to determine whether Local 37 members desired autonomy and retention of present officers. FitU talked with Local 37 the next day at his office. Workers insisted that autonomy be restored imme- diately, that Smith and Bllx, Local 37 business representative, be ousted, and that Gatelea and Stickling be withdrawn. It was agreed if these things were.done all charges and counter-ch^ges involv- ing the lATSE would be dropped. These include superior court actions for Injtmctlons against the lATSE. fight over $100,000 tied up In the treasury,, and petitions pending htf fore the National Labor Relations Board for investigation of lATSE. Autonomy, Then' Eleetloa Weekend conference between two groups was then arranged by Fitts in an effort to get. them together on the question of an election. Officers of Local 37 agreed to an election un- der proper circumstances, but In- sisted lATSE must first restore local autonomy to the organization. Standby strike order wired to Har- old V. Smith by George E. Browne follows: Upon receipt of further tele- graphic advice's you are in- structed to immediately with- . draw from service all of ynur members employed in all the- atres owned, operated or con- trolled by any major circuit This Is occasioned by refusal of major producing companies to agree to contract demands made by West Coost Studio Locals. Stand by.' It was reported similar wires were sent to lATSE representatives throughout the country. Understood that if strike call came it would also involve 12,000 lATSE workers in major studios. In the meantime the Committee of Industrial Organizations was prepared to man all Coast theatre booths. Leo Stockwell, business representative of CIO Projectionists Local Union 1418, said local would respect any legltlr mate strike, whether It was a walk- out of the .CIO or the American Fed- eration of Labor, However, he added that at the present time he could not state whether strike would be branded as illegal if It was or- dered by President Browne without giving the workers a chance to vote on proposed walkout Local 37 has renewed Its demand that Attorney-General Frank Murphy order an investigation of the situ- ation here. Witnesses Grilled respite efforta of District Attorney Fitts to settle controversy, his office was continuing with examination of vfritnesses to be examined by the grand jury this week. Mildred Rine- hart and Mary Blumer, bookkeep- ers for Coast locals, were questioned, as well as .Martha Stewart former bookkeeper, who had been reported missing. Latter Is said to have kept book in which 2% sal .-y assessment collected from members was listed. Suit of James E. Shaw for appoint- ment of receiver for Local 37 has been withdrawn. Shaw said Inter'- national officers are now in charge of the local and that any. grievances of members will be taken up with them. He had sought to oust local officers of Local 37. Various fights Involving the lATSE were started by autonomy drive. led by Kibre. Browne or- dered International representatives to take charge of the local under an emergency, and a fiood of court ac- tions Immediately followed. Local's $100,000 fund stUl is tied up, with neither side being able to touch It Trial of Issues was scheduled for' superior court today (Tues.), but Judge Emmet Wilson Indicated he would order a postponement If It ap- peared there was a chance of a set- tlement being reached. SAO Draws Sqnawks . First decision to be annoimced by. the Standing Committee of the Pro- ducer-Screen Actors Guild Basic Agreement resulted In a flood of pror tests being filed with the SAG. Ex- tra delegations headed by Eddie Aquillna claimed studios had threat- ened to blacklist them because they had attempted to collect a full check on cancellation of a weather per- mitting call by Paramount The SAG filed a claim for a full check for 8S extras, claiming shoot- ing would have been possible on day studio cancelled call. Claim was dis- allowed, and names of extras were disclosed in notice to studios advis- ing them that, decision had been rendered in their favor. Extras claimed they had no knowl- edge of. claim being filed. Players said they were satlsned. with pay•. ment of a quarter check when the call was cancelled in compliance with agreement between the two groups. After a hurried conference with members of the Standing Com- mittee, tops in the SAG admitted mistake had been made in disclosing the names of the extras. Agent Franchising Near Plans for franchise agreement be- tween the SAG and the Artiste Man- agers Guild 'Will be completed this week. The State Senate has ap- proved a blU permitting the. SAG to arbitrate disputes between agents .and their clients, and the measure had been recommended for passage in the house. All agents will be re- quired to secure a license from the SAG, and the present seven-year term contracto will be cut to three. Further negotiations between pro- ducers and the Screen Publicists Guild have been postponed until ma- jor studio publicity heads can clas- sify members of their department as rewrites, reporters, ' planters, etc. Film executives claim no minimum salaries can be fixed until It is learned just what various flacks do and Importance of their work. The SPG is demanding minimum of $50 weekly for beginners and $150 week- . ly for seniors. Negotiations between the pro- ducers and Screen Writers Guild were renewed this week, with James C. Batten, trial examiner for the National Labor Relations Board, sitting In as an observer. Producers have submitted a counter proposal calling for a five-year pact, with 75% Guild shop the first two years and 80% thereafter, Arnold Heads ASC John Arnold has been elected president of the American Society of CInematographers to succeed Victor Milner. Ray June was named first vice-president, Teddy Tetzlaff, sec- ond v.p., Joseph Valentine, third v.p., and Frank Good, sccretary-treas-! urer. . Screen Cartoon Guild has filed petition with the National Labor Re- lations Board to be certified as bar- gaining representative for cartoon- ists at Metro. Producer labor repre- sentatives have agreed to recognize the Guild If NLRB cross check dis- closes majority of cartoonists at Metro are members of the organiza- tion.