Variety (Mar 1941)

U jPILH REVIEWS THAT NIGHT IN RIO (Tecbnlcoior) . (MUSICAL) . Hollywood, March. 7; .-. 20lb Cehtury-^Fox-Tflenae ot Freu ;J<<)*>I,- miir proauctlon; • 9l«rs Alice; .F;ft>'e,; lion Ameche, Carmen-, Miranda. ;Dlire<:tea by Irving fHmmliign.. Screenplay by Geprise SBaton, Doss. Mereili'th and HarLong; «q- dltlonal.. dialog by. Samuel Hoftenslcln; based on play by Rudolph Lolhar.anrt Hiiti? Adler: adapted b>'.Jessie Efnst; .camera, ;Lefih Shaniroy; Technicolor photography. Ray Riennahan; dapces, Hermes .Pan; edi- tor AVJilter- .Thompsonr. mUslcal • direction. . Alfreil Newman; songs. Mack Gdrdon and riarn* -.Warren. Previewed In. studio pro- jection room March e, . '«j Running time. -«o- MiNS.;...... • ■• ,. ■BarohesB.'. i• •«...•.• • • .Alice r aye . Larry .. 'Martin..! ; Boron. Puarle. 5 ■ Carmeh..'i.;...^.., IP.enna-...;;:... ' Machado'.;.. Gallos. Pierre.-.... ..v..-. •. Pfinflfv-Da'.-, .. Pedro..., • ..• ■ •' liUSza,........... Inez.'..'......■ ■ Ambassador...'..; ATfonsQ.,.. ■ Perelra,...'.....-.. Speblalty Trio... Cognizairit . of the ISo^th AmeHcah baekgrburids fllniusjcals,, 20th Cehtury-Fbx > digs Into the rertialte bag fbr this succes- sbr to 'Down Argentine Way.' It's, a close carbon copy, insofar as story is concerned, of 'Folies Bergere*, which iZOth turned out six years ago ■with* Maurice Chevalier,: Metle Oberbn ■ and vAnn Sbthem, but .^witli Ibtale switch from Paris to Rio:de Janeiro. Embellished with lavish production, brilliant Technicolor, and several; tuneful songs, it!s peak ehteirtainnient end. should do profitable bminess in fhie'regular runs. ■ ; •That' Night In Rio*. stars. Alice. Fayei Don . Am€che and Carmen HAiranda, strong voltaige for: marquee lighting. Ameche. is very capable in a dual role, and Miss Fiiye Is. eye-: appealing but it's the. tempestuous Miranda .who really gets iaway to a flying'start from the first sequence. She sings and dances in-the .style ■which has made her tops among the South American: importations,, and carries that same showmanship pesr- sonallty Into an actl)ng assignment as the fiery and jealous lover ; of the American entertainer. . Lightweight story provides Ameche with the dual irole- of a breezy American night club m.c. per- . forming in Rio, and .a native fina'n- cier. Resemblance between the pair. Is so dose, the former's'sweetheart, .Miranda, and the. financier's wife, Miss Faye, cannot tell them apiart. . When a businiess crisis. arrives, the tycoon's associates secure the enter- tainer to Impersonate the, absent Baron, with the stand-ih Innocently completing , & deal that prievents financial ruin. During. the, stand-ih proceedings, the entertainer engages In a fiirtatibn -with Miss Faye, whp has been 'tipped off to the substitu- tion of her husband. The intimate marital cbhlplicatiohs and flhaV re- union are sufficiently spicy, for both V. S. and Latin paprika appeal.; , Five songs, all with Latin Ameri- can motif, by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren are Included in the tophotch score which includes four tunes of hit potentialities. 'I'Yi. Yi, Yl, Yl,' 'Chlca. Chica, Boom, Chic,' •Boa Noite' ('Good NighV) and 'They Met la Rio.* . Miranda starts' pro- ceedlq^, with an elaborate . dance production number to . Introduce 'Chica,''and. latter tune Is also used In the finale. Tl, Yi' Is riendered In • both Portuguese and English mbst effectively by Miranda in other pro- duction setting.- Amec'he handles The Baron; Is in Conference' (good ftaging) and 'Boa Noite,' while Miss 'aye handles one verse of the latter ■while draped, en deshablle, In bed, . Z. Sakall, Curt Bbis and Leonid Klnskey In support* provide a few comedy moments that are okay. J. Carroll Nalsh also registers In char- acter. Direction by Irving Cummings Is standard, while Hermes Pan's dance-staging is appropriately cafib- can, gay. and colorful.. There's plenty of production lavlshhess jfor background, with pic-: ture showing heavy negative expen- diture. Technicolor photography ac- centuates Vivid colors and decidedly high contrast; . which continually, makes the audience conscious of the color rather -thaii dramatic, action, outside of the production numbers; ■ -.'V.' ■ Walt. spontaneity of its predecessor. But With the starring trio of Croisby, Hope and Miss/ Lampur, there? .penty of marquee lighting to catch, profitable biz generally, . : The story framework is pretty flimsy foundation fot hanging the series of comedy ;and thrill situa- tions concocted for thie: pair. It's a' fluffy and inconsequential tale, with Grosby-Hbpe combo, ., through ,thieir individual and collective efforts, do-: irig vialiaht work to keep up interest. Pair are stranded in' South. Africa, with Crosby the creator of freak sideshow acts for Hope to perform. With his saved passag. money, back, tb the States, Crosby buys a diamond mine, which is quickly sold by Hope for profit. ;. Then .pair. start but on strange Safari with Dorothy tainour and Un^ Merkel, pair of Brobklyn: entertainers, 'piirsuihg a millionaire hunter. Crosby .and. Hope continue their pursuit of ;Miss Lanibur; with plenty of :hanter. resulting. In mid^ die of the jungle girls pull out And the adventurers land in the hands of .\Edwarii; Gnnari , savaige tribe Ibr. series .of -fanillidr, "^^i^"^:' tp^sbd^,: Tinar escape Mds. ^hem 1^ ; back at .seaport, reunited with the • timeliness .of-^?*^ new sidesHoy, f^_.. comeon. -.. .■ • ,• '° ^ Comedy, episodes;, generally . lack, the sparkle arid tempo of 'Singa- pore,' and musical numbers aire alsb .below par for a Crosby picture. Ring sings two, 'It's Always You,' the best candidate. Miss Laiiiour delivers .one song, 'Vpu're Danger- ous;* which also . has :a chance-of catching on. : 'Birds of. a, Feather^' is another likely tunfe. . Picture ■ gets adequate. prbductibn mounting, with Tetzlafl's photogra- phy uriifbrm: throughout. . Waif. • ..Don Ameche :Carmen.. Mlfniida ,..v,.;Si -Z. Sakall ....J. Carrol, ,\flsh Curt: nola ..'...., .Leonid -.Klnshov , Oarmen' Miranda's' Orch, ...;.'.•...'..■. Frank Pugllii Lillian. Porter .... . iMarla. Slontez .'..... .Georges ;Renav.ent THEPENALTY Metrb-Goldjvyh-Mayer. ;release -■' of .. Jack Chertok . production;". .'Features. Edward Al-nold, /Lionel .Barrymore, Marshfr Hunt, Kobert Sterling; Gene Reynolds. Directed IjV Harold B. BucQuet. Screenplay by Hnrry Ruskin andiJohn Q, HIgglnS frtim play', by'Martin Berkeley.. . Ciamera,. Harold RoMon; score,. David. Snell;- editor,' Ralph Winters;. Prevlew'cd In -projection 'tdom. S'. T.j March lOy '41; running t)me, 79 .UlNS. ■ ■ Martin '§tufr.: Nelson, Grandpop". Logan,;.,, Katherlne Logiih. .' Bd^vai•d. McCdrmlok..'. 'Roosty* .... i V •Ma" McCbrmltk,..... .Julie.....;....;....'.! Craig.. Anne Logan.....,,.. Judge,'.;',....... Hobo. . Jay. .'.-.•.(•,•.••.....;: '\'an. *...... Brork................. Bums..', .'.t.Edward Arnold ..Lionel Barrymore ,.....Marsha Hunt . ;.;Robert rSterllng ,... ,Gcne'- Reynolds Emma Dunn .. ..Veda Ann Borg .... .Richard ' Lane .Gloria DeHaveri ....Grant Mitchell Phil guvera ......Warren Ashe ....WHllam riaade ,':....'..Ralph Byrd ,.'. . . .Edgai- Barrier Miniature Wednes Jay,. March 12, 1941 *tliat Night in Rio' (20th). Lavish - fllmUsical ;sterring Alice Faye, ;Dbn Ariieche and Carmen Miirlarida insures profitable b,o., 'Road to Zahilbar' (Par). Crosby-HopepLamour • in fair filmii'sical which the; stars' iianie. values win bolster. 'The; ^e«»Hy|v.(M:-G^«: ^* from under this oric, ' : ; ; ■ 'Topperrs Return'. (Ro'ach-UA).. tiiird of the . Topper . series not up to standard of the others, v-'Mr. ,'Dynaniije* .''(U). Vv Spy draima maintains interest and' 'tempo. :. Abo vie. .par. B . proirariir- .mer.' ■' . :V<The Lone Wolf > Takes • Chance'. (Col). ■ Ovarplayed cops- ahdrrbbbers talC; for the^ seconr: ■'dary.'duals.' ■:■■'■::'. :■■.; . 'Double Date' (tf).. ; Standard : H programrrier; providers ade-. ; quate erttertainmerit as dual siip-.; porter in family houses,.. . / ■ .. ."^A Man Betrayed' .(Rep). .Qverr length albeit imagihativfe politi-. Cal idrania/ -Okay . program, diial- ■ supporteri'^ .■..■"..' :' ... ^^ 'EUery Queen's Penlhfliuse- Mystery* (Col). Sleuth noyplist- ] criminologist ' . U ri r a v e 1 s Ifiew .baffler. Strong prbgrariimer. - 'Remedy for; Riches' (RKd). . biie of" the lighter;;Dr. Christian • ■.stories.:;■ '< ; ♦You're - Out of Luck' (Mono).; .-Thif d-rate stab at action, meller. : .'For bottom; diials at best. ; ; •Btilly tiie Kid's Range War* ■ (PRC). Slow-mo'virig western; thiait doesn't "qualify for the . cactus league. •;'. ^ ;; ; play <uhprbduced) by Martin Berke- ley.' • ' ; With a, more; facetio'iis .approach "The: Penalty' might have been a very amusing burlesque of all the lurid underworld melodramas. With the exercise of greater discretion it might never hiave been made at all. ': Fiin. ROAD TO ZANZIBAR^^ (WlXta SONGS) . ; ; Hollywood/March 11, '. .. • Paramount ^releaae' of PatiV Jortes ipro'diic- llon. ■ Stars: Blng Crosby. Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hopei. Directed'by Victor .Schertzlnfger.: Screenplay, Frank- Butler;. Don .llart.man; ' based .on 8t;6ry by Hartmnn. and Sy: Bart- ' lel.f'; aas't director,' Hal Walker;- .musical dij'ectpr,.. Victor'. Young;' dniices, 'LeRoy 'FrlnE; r. eohgs, Johnny-J3u^ke, ."Jlm»ny 'Van^ Heu^n: .'editor,: Alma \MacRorle; camera, Ted ; Tetzlaff. . Previewed .-.|h ' atddld prdjecr tlbn:_Tqoin. March . lO, 1041. .Runhing tlme,- .;. .Bing .CroBby ..Dorothy. I..aniciur .,.....:.;. i.BbbTfiipe Una'Merftet . :v. ...... Joan- Mnrsh , .'..;f... .Eiic Blore 88 MINB. Chucks;'...;..-;.,. Donna Latour.v.^ Fearless...,,.,,..'. Jiilla.'./,..,,.';..'.. Dimples..; Charles -XJmble.;. '.^Zanzibar' Is Paramount's second coupling of Bing Crosby, Bob Hope iand'Dorothy Lamour following their successful teaming in 'Road: to Sin- .gai>ore,' 'Although picture hds suffi-r dent iconiedy situations and. dialog between its male stars to. get. over ■with genelral audioncea in xegulair runs. It lai^ the' compactneiss and This film obviously must be ah at- tempt to siatirize the : gangster pic- ture of .a decade ago. That probably is the answer^ because the story is a succession- of all the ' f amiliai: cliches. , It's .a cops|-and-robber yairn, the law In this instance being, represented ;by J. Edgar Hpover's FBI . men, who. arfe .shown.'Up to be stupid fumblers, and the tbiigh guys are; bank stiCkups, streamlined and- modern prototypes of the Daltons. It's a bad 'B'-^the *b' in this instance standing for bust,; There are moments, however, .when the aUdience will nave .doubts whether to interpret the illogical, silly arid. Inane happenings, as at-, tempts-at comedy, or be suddenly, shocked by the brutality of the ac- tion to believe that maybe the actors are playing it straight. As for the observance of the ordinary proprie- ties of reasonable good taste in popu- lar entertainment, the Metro pro- duction staff and the Hays office de- partment of script supervision must nave been looking out the window when 'The Penalty' slipped through^ Of course, it isn't going to get very -far..' ■ In brief, it Is a stb^y ol filial love of a murderous bank-rbbber ior his adolescent :sOh, whom he Is bringing iip to be a dangerous and Cruel criminal.. The kid gets a. full and complete education Ih all ttie niceties of viciousness. He: seirves as an ac- complice for his dear old d^d : in a holdup .which ends in bloodshed and death. He stands by while his old man machine-guns an FBI operative and an innocent taxi-driver,: He is initiated' into the more delicate: do rhesticieis of outlaw life when he is compelled to associate with his father's mistress, as- hard and .inean a bit of feinininity as to be fouhd in all fiction. He even Is taught the finer points of pistol iharksmanship, With explanations; that are guariin teed to grease the track to any re forinatory for a young enemy, of so- ciety. And, last of all, he V (and the audience) is witness to a cbldrblbod- ed; murder of a' helpless' and un- armed invalid—a sferie that for sheer realism and ruthli^Sshess prob- ably never has beeh, sitfpassed oh thie'scrieen.- ; .' That the flhh is, (enacted by a grbiip of highly . 'ccTinpetent and populiar players does hot soften' the impact Of the story of juvenile corruption Edward Arnold Is the father, Gene Reynolds,: a,' nice-appearing young boy/is the sonr and Lionel, Barry- more; is the victim whp is. killed in ian act 'of kindliheiss; Also - in the cast axe. Marsha Hunt;; Robert Stefr ling, Emma Dunn and Veda - Anii Borg. It falls-to Miss Borg to imper- soniate 'a trblloiji the like Of whom hasn't been seen on stage or scir^en In this "ierieratiOh. .,.: \ Harold' S. Biicquet directed the picture under Jack Chertock's super- vision. Script Is credited to Harry Ruskin find John Higgins, from a TOPPER RETURNS United Artists . release of ; a Hal ;Roach prpductlon, featui'lng. Joan Blond.ell, Rplnnd Young, Cnrole Landls and BllUe Burke, D1-. rccted: by: Roy Dei. Ruth. Screenplay-by Jonathan- Latimer' and: Gordon Douelas, based 'Ah charnctcrs conceived by' Thorne '.Smith; additional .dialog '.by Paul Gerard 3mlth;..chmera, Xorbert Brodlhe. Eftects.by Roy Seabrlght.-• Orchestration by'AVerner R. 'Heymann; editor,'Jam'ea Ne-n'com. Pre- viewed at the A.'stor theatre, Xew .Tork. March 11, '41,. Running time. 63 MIXS. Gall Richards.;,'.....,..;.,. .Joan Blondell Cosmo-Topper;. i ........Roland;Young Ann Carrlngton , , .Catolo .Landls even and lacking In improvisations. Characters crowd;, the scenes and important points-are lost in an at- tempt to keep a static yarn . In motion. Picture Is well.photographed by NOrbert Brodine, and Roy Sea- wright's. camera effects are ..t^hnicr ally good, - •';■ .-::• MR. DYNAMITE .Hoilywood,^k^ Uhiversal release of. Marshall Grant pro- duction.; Feutui'es Lloyd .N'olun, Irehe H.et.- vcy, J, : CiirroU Nalsh, ,«obt-rt Armstrongr. Ann Qimn; : Dir?cted ^by:, J*?: """■'/l^?: OrJglriai' so-eeitpliiy.by, Staivley. Croa RuMn. camera.- John Boyle:, editor, Ted. Kent.. l>revlewed In. ?tudlo projection room March T, '41. -RunninB tlnie, «3 .>II>S. Tommy- N; ThorntQn., < VIcklMartln...;..'....... l^VofcBapr.;..,'.. • • • I'aiUl.■.'.-..■.-,, •. •-• • •. Jiiey..'.- -.;.--;.,.■.'.-. -Vnlln.,..:-...^...V;..-i.>. Achilles, .i...;...,....>; Ab.lullah... ;...■.;,..'•..; .Man.,...'..' ishlnijny.:.-...,.;-.: Lloyd Nola'n- .....Il-ene.H.er.ve'y- -,.:..J. Carroll :Xalsh. , ,... Robert - A rmsitrong;' -.'..■.;..-.;■. .'.Anrt.fllU'8.' ..l''rank .Caby. i .'i. .;Ella'abolh aisdon : .... ;.Sh<>nip .Howard. ..;.;.i..niff. N'aziirro Mohte (Sonny) .prewer Mrs.': Topper.. Bob Maid...,.;..., -Mr.' Carihgtbn Chauffeur'...',, Dr. Jerls.. .... .Sgt. Roberts.. Lillian........ RamCli,,..... ,.:.'.....,.Blllle Burke ..-.... . .Dehnls O'Kee'fo .. ....,;..... i;.. .Patsy K611y ,. . . H, B. Warner .Eddie (Rodiester)' Anderson , .George Zurcb ,......;...,.Donald Ma'cBrlde ...Rafaela -Ottlano ;...,....... .Trevof ■ Bardette 'Mr. Dynaihite' . explodes as a spy drama with sufficient pace and siisr pefiSe to fill iequirements for sup:': port in th6 family and .action; houses., It's a regulation. B programmer in both moderate budgetirig and lack of marquee; names,', but. par entertam- menrof.its type;•■-' ,•■:■ ■ . ■"•.;;.. -■. ' Lloyd Nolan, World; Series pitch^ ing sensation known: as Mr. Dyna- mite, spends an evening in New ■York's Bagdad: midv/ay: .; Attracted by. Miss Hervey;., working in a ;ball- tossihg concession, he becomes in- volved in a murder, assists the girl, to escape/arid then becomes the target of a police search. In the. meantime,- Miss Hervey discloses ishe is -a Brit-: Ish spy and the murdered man had uncovered evidence of munition- plant-sabotage for her, From, there ori/ it's the regulation formula.of-the pair gradually falling in love as they remain ;a few juimps ahead .;0f the; cops while they uncover, the spy_ring. Final roundup, .which' discloses spy. messages are transmitted through signalling :6f a ventriloquist dummy,, is ingeniously contrived.; Lloyd Nolan and Irene Hervey carry the. two; -major acting roles neatly:. Ann Gillis, as a-tomboy who resents romance blossoming between the' pair, contributes juvenile re- sourcefulhess when the spy hunt is oh. . 3: Carroll Naish carries over- supiply of makeuj) as the aged astrbl- ogist, while Robert Armstrong is the marksman for the ring. Cliffy Na- zarro contributes one scene: of his jiimbled talk. ' ; - . . Direction by John Rawhns main- tains consistent teihpb, . Walt.. The Lone Wolf Taice*^ a 'Oiance' HoUywobd, March . 6. Cblurtibla ptoductlon-nnd relense; Stars Warren Wllllami Directed by .Sidney Sal- kow. story' and -screenplay, by Earl Felton and Sidney :Salkow, based on charncfer created by Louis -Jo.seph Vancecamera, John Stumar; editor, Viola Lawrence. Pre- viewed at . Pantaees 'March 6, -'41. . Run- ning time, .72 .MlNSi adetjuate entertainment for bookings in supporting slots of the family houses. Picture, although having a basic story, away from the general run of lower budgeted films, is handi- capped by overplayed direction that loses many : opportunities apparent ih the script, . Story details the aUeniplts, of, two youngsters, a boy ..and girl Who ar- rive: honie fromi boarding schools to find his father and her maiden -aunt engaged in romantic adventures, to break up the affairs which looks like eventual iharriage. While their eld- ers are cooing, the kids are bicker- ing;; but, join forcos to thwart^ the romance. A robbiery is. inserted: to . provide a three-\yay Chasei that rolls along for the third half of the pic-- ture with the..usual thrill rides and coniplications that 'eventually . land the quartet in jail; The judge giiickly marries'the older.^. pair to save 'them frbm further mishaps on their elope- ment,: and the kids' kite and- make up with the crisis;pas"se.d; f Una Merkel. ; is the spinster- aunt; : Edmund Lowe is th^ rather; Rand Brooks his :son; and Peggy Morari the, girL :; Quai-tet fit :rieatly into; their riespective rblies. ! -.; : ' Walt' V A IWAN BETRAyED : ,' . '.' -: Holly Wood, Marches. .: ' ■■Republic- rclense: of Armand .'^i-hncfer production. .Stars John Wayiie, Frances Dee. Directed by John Aucr. . Srreehpliiy by I."i;ibcl Dawn; adaptation, by Tom Kll- palrlck; orlRlnal by Jack Moflitt; cam'^rn', Jack ^Mai-lni . editor, Charles- .rVaft: . Pre- : ■viewed at-Studio City, theatre,'M.ivch T, '-11.; niinnlnK time. »8 .MINS. Lynn fiolllster^ i. ■Sabra- ehmcrbri. Tom .Camfrron...,....,,..'., .Casey.. Floyd \ ...... Morfls .Slade... T. A'mato........ George .(nutlcr), ,. Prosecutor..;. ... ', ; Mr; Wilson....... L'ahgworthy V..;... riMngle. .:...■:.,...,... Ooyernor.. Mayor.. . ......... .John Wayne ■: i . .FriincPS Doe ,,..'.,.'...Edtt'urd.Ellis.- ...■..'.^^Vnllncc Kurd ' ..............W.-ird. Bond .Harold Hiiber" .-..'iAlexander- Crrinach. .........Pftrnelt Parker '. r. ...Ed Stanley . ..;........ .'.'Tim: Ryan. ...,... ."Ui'irty- tiayden Russell Hirka ,i.Pierre Wnlkln . .','.,'...:'; .Ferris Taylor- This Is the third feature film which Hal Roach , has produced from the' strikingly . original ideas and char- acters conceived by "iPhbrne Smith in.his use of astral bodies to.motivate the hilarious and nohsiensical actions of living peirsoris. Forerunners were ■Topper' and:'Topper Takes a Trip,' both of them; amusing and pbpular entertainment. New entry 'TOpper Returns' is far short of its predeces- sors in'i-genuity and that reasonable plausibility which is necessary to get over the fantastic idea that the spirit of the dead enjoy thie discomfiture of the living. Because Of its shoirt- comihgs it will hardly measure to first-run requirements, • and will prove. dLsappointing boxoffice hait in general release. Roland YOiing again appears , ias Topper, the mild-mannered sub- urbanite whose: quiet way of life is rudely upset by his strange affinity for spirits, thrt lead hiriv into weird complications, Billie ^Burke is. hisi flighty wife, and the newcomers are Joan Blondell and Carole Landis. "This time the; innocent Young Is dragged into the midst of a murder mystery, in the solvihg of which he has able and amusing asslistance from Eddie: (Rochester).; Anderson; who; just: about Steals the picture from the other. play;ers.. In :the cast also are Patsy :Kelly, witli .little to dOi H.' B; Warner, and: Dennis O'Kcefe. \ Jonathan Latimer and^ Gordon Douglas haVe .'contrived a yarn in which Miss Blondell is rtiUrdered by a hooded .mysterious characttir,. ha'v: 'ing beep^Tiistaken f or her friend; the blonde Rliss Lan' is, Thereupon Miss Blondell, in shadowy form; appeals to Yoiing fbr aid in capturing the 'villain arid saving the life of the in tended;,victim. It's, hard to; believe Michael Lanyard... Gloria Foster......... Frank Jordan..,....'. Jamison..... Inspector Crane :. .Sheriff Haggcrty..,,, Evelyn Jordan....... Dickens, .i.i......'.., vie Hilton., Dn -Hooper Tupmuh. Johnny.. Baker. Conductor........ . . : Brakeman.i;. . . ..... Warren William ..•.'..-.,June Storey ..Henry Wllcoxon .77.;.. .Eric Blore Thurston Hall .. .Don Beddoe ,... vnlyn Knapp ..'.. .'.Fred Kelsey ..William Forrest . Walter Klngsford Lloyd Bridges .....Ben Tnggart Richard Flske Chiickful chases and of cbps-and-robbers synthetically-Concocted suspense,, latest entry of the Lone Wolf series is a filler for the sec- ondary duals where audiences . are not particular . about credulity ijf story setup. It's a wild tale of in- nocuous situations,, with both story and direction reriiiniscent of the 'Perils of Pauline', techrique. After betting the polfoe inspector he can keep out of trouble for 24 hoiirs,. the Lone Wolf (Warren-Wil- liam) becomes involved .with a Case that .Includes a hiurderv kidnaps pings, wild train rides; the robbery of treasury engraving plates from a newly invented car, •:. a desertod house,. and .more chases. ; Audir ences .■will ! have to; have plenty; of imagination, and disregard for logic to accept the, goirigs-bh; , ~. William dots the best his can with the. mediocre material provided, Eric Bloi:e has a. feW Okay chances .with his comedy routines; 'Directibn by - Sidriiey Salkb^,v 'who also splite ctedit oh screenplay' with Eafl Fel- ton,! is Overplayed •throughout. : ."WdU, DOUBLE DATE . - Hollywood, March; 7i Universal release of Joseph ;Q. Sanfofd production. " Features'^Edmund/- Lo'we./'l.na Merkel, Peggy IMoran,-. Rand 'Brook$. . T)\-. rectcd :by . GleniiS Tryon. :screenpjpy by .Scott Darling. Erna Lazarus;: Agnes' Chrls- .i tine Johnstbri,. -Original by. Scott Darling I and Erna Lnzhrun: aimfirn. .Tnhn .Rnvlia' . 'A Man Betrayed'is a^bosely-writ- t6n,' overlength drama of a hick latwyer who arrives in.:the-;big; city to investigate the.murder of a towns- mian, and fiemains. long enough to smash the cotrupt political; ring and letter's underworld associates, John Wayne, will , have to carry burdon of . attracting customers. -Proper groove ■ is in supporting bracketi! generally. Audiences will have ;to generate plenty, of imagination to accept the illogical, yarn of political chicanery dished" out from Jack. Mo.ffitt's origi- nal;. Major drawback is the wander- ings through inconsequential se- quences,; and the Introduction of sev- era! unimportant characters who are b.iiilt Up for Dossible importance and then left dangling on a limb. A young basketball player visits the big city and is,nvurdered; but the ' political; bigwig, steps in to have it 30oked as suicide; . John. Wayne, young lawyer and pal. Of the boy, arrives to right the wrong; meets the politicil boss of the town; falls in, . love with the politician's, daughter; remains to do some campaigning lor the oorrupt tnachine; and finally Clacks everything ' wide open. It's amazing how conveniently situations are set up for him to topple the effi- cient boss and his organization into the courts and jail. . Naturally he carries the girl back to the small town for a peaceful life, arid the boss —getting suspended sentence—goes along.; . > . : John Wayne is the self-conscious hick lawyer, who uses, his fists at- frequent intervals to punch over his objectives. Frances Dee is the girl, Edward Ellis the. political boss, and - Ward Bond a simpering night club bouncer fashioned after Lenn ' of 'Mice. and Men.' Harold Hiiber arid Alexander Granach are underworld associates of the political machine. Direction by John Auer Is standard, but fails to eliminate the basic story and script; shortcomings. Walt. Eilery Queen's Penthouse Mjrstery Columbia release of Larry bariioour plro- ductlon. Featiires' Ralph Bellamy, .Mar- garet Lindsay.'- Directed by James Hogan. . Screenplay by Erie: Taylor from . orlgliinl. by-: Ellery Qu«en (Manfred B, Leo and Frederic Dahnay); . camera, James . S. Brown, • Jr.: editor, Dwlgttt Chm'pbell, '.At' Rlnlto; N; Y., week March 7, '41. Running, tlmie,, 00 :SUNS. :■ ■ ~ ,;..,.'.-,.Ralph'Beliiimy ......Margaret. Lindsay '.... ..pharley Grapewln . ..'.'.; .-.-Anna' May Wong'., .-.. i,....;... James Burke ......Eduardo Clannelll ;..-,...'. Frank- Alb(?rtson: . ..i.......... Ann Doran: .;...,.;..Npel- Madison .;.,....;.Charles .Lane , . . .-... .Busaell Hicks. ....;...; ;..Tom Duga'ii- ..Mantan Mdreliniid ,;Theodore Von Eltz and strairiS the iriiaglnation,; although the iSres^nce'bf Miss Blondell, some.-1Frt,= t t;.>.u --a^i^ itrr,aK ■m,i„iv.i^ -^riA .^rx^^ «--J>..>.^ii.. .*"d tiTitB, Lazarus.. camera,. John Boyle times Visible arid, more frequently editor; otto: Ludwig; Previewed in stuaift :, but able to converse projection room; March 6; '41. Running put of ::sight, with,Young,. does bccasibhally' main- tain-the illusion. :;.'.' .- Bits Of business &nd stage effects which weire used in previous 'Topper': Jerry pictures are revived, some of therii! baffling .and clever,;. ^"""^ Film begins to miss,Out when the story Veers froiri its own premise to the level of a conventional mystery farce and the Introduction of gags, based on ttap-doorS, moving walls and. disappearing £v I niture. Direction by Roy: Del Ruth Is uh- ttme. W MiSS. Roger.-.,,..V, El^le. Pfihpy,;,-../;; ■Truck Driver..;.-.. Motorcycle Cop'.... Doctor.'.'.., Ppllceman.:...-., Orchestra..'Leader. Bud..,:,',.>;;.,.,. ; >; :'.Edmtind TJo'we .......Una. J^trkel I;.>..Peggy- Moran :....-. VRnnd: Brooks ,,'i...Tommy-Kelly ...;...Haltle N'oel ,....;\;Eddy Waller WlUlnm'liuhl . ..Sani . Flint ......Pat O'Malley iJoey R^y .; .Charlie Smith 'Double bate' is an iinpretehfioui little number that fulfills its aim as .Ellery . Queeii. Xlkkl P9rtei'..,., Inspector, Queen: Lois Ling....'. Sergehnt. Velle.. Count Brett.-. Senders .Sheila Cobb.../. Gordon Cobbi,., Doo'/Prouty..';.. ■Walsh........... McGroth,..,.,.'. Boy...;,.:........ Jim 'HHter,.;;,. - This is the second of the Ellery Queen Sleuth stories : :in • series: launched by Coluiribia Pix. Current series gains momentum with 'Ellery Queen's. Penthotise Mystery,' and, now stacks up as. this company^ most '. profitable group of screen! yarns. - Present production is suf- ficiently intriiguiing to hold the most rabid detective de'vote^^: Excellent prpgratrinier, -it's niade to order for houses where patr'ohs crave who- dunits. -'■':.■■ ■ ^ ■ / ;. New film in Ellery Qiieen .group, retains sRalph Bellamy in the sleuth- story /writer; role with Margaret .Lindsay carryirig.on the' Nikki Porter characterization, as ' Queen's , secre- taryf Sahie pfoduction staff as In the (Continued on page 16)