Variety (Mar 1941)

Wednesdny^ March- i^, 1941 THE SEA WOLF Hollywood, March 22.. / ■W-nrner- lirHM. rel^iiBe. 6r Hrnry liliihUe ■miui-ilnn. Siars KiUvnvil .p. Koblni-olv lu iM\,\no, John U,»I.UO.|r - BlTCCWd. by. MifhiU'l cmux: . srm-iipiuy: >iy ,no'!'«i' KoKsnn, floiii hb»;el ' ).>• ■ • J n-ck. Ixipdon; ilii'un, -March Itl. /l),, «unnln|{ time, 0» '^wow. r.aWivi\'-..... ."isayira^d: ^^^f^ G.-oiKP U.':K.h.......;... .y- • ■..••f?''" P""f '!. Dr. I'rew'Dll. i •; rooky .. : i. • Jiilihson . . I - ybuiiK Siillor-..'. i.'. ll(ivrl.=pn Sniiiku ■Tack : London^ :^^.!irnous via roadshow dates, and cOojperation Ql the : Army Air Corps . in these bookings with . publicity assistance, assures picture profitable, grosses, in regular runs, . Roadshow bookings will need plenty of hypo to carry along for more Wan.nominal runs. ■Picliare is way overlengthj and handicapped Jn attempting: to detail the entire training of flyiifrg .«h- rollees ftoih .induction at Randolph. Field to commissions at Mairch :Field as pilots of flying fortress, tomber.s, together with a drainatiq story that also must contain sufficient.measure ".dene Txtckiiini; [ of xOrtiahce. COhtihuel switch from. •■• '•*^.?i:il^^?ld2!5-!-oi»e-.-to. other of-the principal ;:gfei. ,;.,..itani«.Hi<>fi^s jegijv^j".-.aoes hot make, for too smooih flow.: of events; and generates several. Qvi?rlehlgthj« and draggy epi-- sodcs//.'-■ ' ■■' ■ ■ Main interest, regardless -of in- jection of a i-Oiitine jst-0ry,- is the de .David UrucP , ."I'^nhni'lB McDiinaliV .l-|o\vnr'<1 (liv Silv" .^..Frftnk; .I'i'Ohteen hellship •the In 1914, at which' time it. was greeted ; ^uch footage is consumed otherwise as a lusty adventure, tale of , lo carry through.'.without the,lagging .Mi^lton .Sills^- repeated: •w^ith. the..;^ ... , .; '•• . /^ r - ••Woir talker 10 years afeo.; now. Ed-1 .gtoiry focuses , attention, on three, ■ward 6. Robingbji steps' irito.;the role, eiirollees -^iicycialite . :Ray... Milland; of the callous arid inhiiman skipper.,. garage • mechanic Williarri . Holden,, Wolf Larsen, so graphically^iiicturfid - and fbotbaU. star:..Wayne Morris, in London's writings. 'The Sea Wolf. After Jpreliihinary training at is «lrong adventure drama that will j dolph, trio pass for transfer to. ad- saii a profitable cDursa through the vanced instruction at Kelly Field, theatre boxoflices,. with the fair [ Morris .jg killed. in crash, after . a Weallifer aided ebhsiderabiy by the . spectacular . hed'ge-hppiping flight; marquee voltage of Roliirison, John ]; Hotderi is eliminated from service, ■Gprfield and Ida LuDirip.. . . ^ ".and 'Milland goes through to a com-,, StOTV utilizes mihimum- footage .to .^lissioh ahdr Mardh • Field .to pilot s>iin the vfihous Characters aboard the.: huge bombers.; There's dramatic sailinf .schoQner. dlp.rfleid .sig detailing ,.the close to esdane the' Irw. Ida Eupiho (also | palship of Milland .and' Holden; ,,twb . a fit<*itive) and 'the .mild-mannered hovcnist. Alexander- Knox,\, ate resr cued from a sinking ferryboat in San Francisco bay. .Robinson is the domi- natinj? arid ctuol; captain' who takes . flehd i?h delight iri ^ breaking the spir^ Its of his crew artd unwilling pa.ssen- gers by personally-inflicted- or • di- rected ijeatings... .•;, ' .• • '. .. Grrfield is continually rebellious and is drawn to the girl through iin- derstardihg of her escape from the law. Knox, with his . notes; on the girls^; Cohstaiice M.pore and Verohica Lake, for romance, and; a cra(sh larid- ing of -a .huge .bomber in desert coun- try; ' ,: ■ Flashback technique is. erfiployed the opening sirriulating' a massed bomber attack: on blacked'-out Los Angeles, and theri: swinging , back t\vo yiearis to start at beginning. ■ Cast is neatly set up, with Milland, Holden, Morris, and .Brian Ponlevy competently handling, the. flying as- sigriments.; Miss Moore is. okay and vovace* and'vivid description of the .personable .as the .mam romantic enigmatic' Robinson, "holds a strange | lead, . \yhiie; Miss. Lake ^ proves a lasciriation ior.'the latter and is. ac- "^^nHnnt as a stun cepted as a friend. . Gene Lockhart persua.<;ively portrays the ship's docr ,tor. who took to the sea. and drink after he lokt his nerve ashore. Barry ■ Fitzgerald clicks solidly as a snivel- ling stoolpigeon. "., v i" Altet settinr: the harrowing experi^ ences aboard-th^ westward ship. story detaiLs the periodic attacks 'of blind'- ness hittiiig Robinson; the unsuccess- .ful rhutiny Of the crew headed, by Garfield; the, escape of the latter, . Knox, MLss Lupino arid the mate in an open boat; the attack on ,the. pirate ship;: atid later return: of the quartet to the ship to find if .a dere- lict, Knox finds Robinson aboard, and dies with the latter oh the sink- ing ship to allow Garfield, and Miss Lupino tov.sail to bapplhess. • Robinson provides plenty of vigor and two-fiisted energy to the actor- proof role of Larsen, and at times is over-directed.. Garfield is the incor- rigible youth whose spirit cannot be broken,, and is. grooved to his famil- iar tough characteriation of previ- standout as a stiirinirig blonde gold^ diggter. Latter sings ^Born ttf».Lpve in the night club sequence, as an entertainer, putting it oyei- riicely. . Mairi interest is in flying. Se quences, of which there are. many, Frprii basic dual coritrbl instruction, through sPlO flights 'and forriiatiohsi to manipulation of flyinig fortresses audience, obtains a detailed insight of army flying instructional; courses, •Aerial photography is. excellent throughout. .; . , , , Director Mitchell Leisen had tough assignment to carry through the dual story ifequirements. Picture was made with fullest cooperation of Army Air Corps, with hundreds, of various type planes, and riillipns in fields and equipment placed at the producer's disposals Wdlt. : That HamiUoh Womaii! : HoUywpod, March 20.. ■tliillod Artists relesisB Ot Alexander .Korda, production. Stars Vlylen Leigh, Laurence Olivier. Directed -by: Alexander .Korda. Oristnat Bcrisenplay bjr Walter .Relsch.-ahd .. •the Sea Wpir;(WB), Lusty . arid Vkciting adventure aboard a' hellship. Will chart profitable cour.sethi-ouah theatre bpxofflces. • ; .^i-wanted Wings' (:Par).;,Tiiniely . air .epic: .geared for' : profitable . grosses in"regH)ar r uns,; but .needs • selling for'roadshow'dates. .. _ ' ■ -.'T hat tiavnUioii •; Wpiiiaii!' . • (KordarUA>: .. Viyieri Leigh -and' . Laurence Oiivie^ starrer .will: dP:.. . profitable' biz, ' :,; • ■ / : - "■■. . .• 'Las .Veffas Nights' (Par). :Cofn:: blriation .of ;Tort>my. JSo.rsey; and. •■ Bert Wheeler ." a', dull 'hodge-,, podge of ebmiedy and music...' ..: 'The VMonster and the Girl' (Par); . Weaic".horror picture, : with EUeri Dj-ew. and' an. ape; , ' . 'The Man ^ho. 'Lpst Himseir (tl). - Brian Aherne .'tirid . Kay; . Frarici^ Jri.zestful arid eritprtain- ; irig program'.farce,; .' . ; ^ ..• ■ 'Fopilfght Fever' (RKPivLpw-, Xgrade. 'farce,' strictly r iri; the .'B';; "groove. -'.''■•... . ''Dead Aieb Tell'':. C2.0th ■).;. Stand-.'.; afd :in the'Charlie Chan .series. 'Mah Made Monster'- (U).; H o i::r o r. - shocker, - with Lon . Chaneyi Jr. $tr.o.rtg:prpgrammei; tailored for diiaiers. .*Where.pidT.pu Get ■That . (U-),; Tepid. Goriiedy ■with music. for the lower duals.' . ■ /■[ .•Fbpis . . vpf pcsrr'e'". . (Indie).,';--- : Wbefiilly ■weak'; gijickie- on- sex ■ . .rppressiori, : Censors', trims, hurt; original torrid theme. .:. •■.;. ' / ■ :' 'Outlaws, of -the.. Panhaindle' ;' (COi;).. About the .usiial;Charles . ': Starire'tt western,', with songs. :'Kid's .J-ast -.Ride';. (Mono), ^ • Range "Buiters ,series takes.; :3n-^-; • ptheir;ste'p, 'a Wefak orie. ' :, ' : . V ■ ■: 'iEiidins the . Cherokee ; Trail'- ■ .. '.'(Mono).: ir.s.gV Tex:Ritt . ern,' .with less music than- .u'suail. ' - 'Back In- iiie Saddle' .■ :(.Rep). " . .Generally pkaiy .B dualer.'stafr.' ' ring Gene Autry^ ' ■'■. . ous nictUres. Miss Lupino gives a j:.,g. sheritt; camera, Rudolph Mater, edi «i,L'V^rt^i^+nf Weol/^^^^ tu"-'; William Hornbeck; special effects, good account of herself in the rpugn- j^ivrcnce Butler. Edward Linden: asst. * th. -^r^- illj-ector, Walter Mayo; production inanager, Itaymond A. Klunei'jtroductloh designed by Vlncicnl Korfla. Previewed at four Star, Slmrh in, '41^^ -Running time, 134 MINS. ' - ^- ..^..Vlvfen T^lgh .Laiirehce Olivier ;,.Alan .-Mowbray ..;,Sara; Allsodd .Gl.id>-:s ' Cooper .Hfnry -Wllcoxon ; Heather Angel .IlaltlWell Hobbes ,,'..Gilbert Kmory .,. .Miles. Mander . .Ronald' SIncUIr ...... Luis. Alberhl Norma Drury Olaf :Hyttin .Juliette' Complon .:;.duy KIngsXord and-tuihble; goings on, but the 'ro mantic anple is under-stressed in this version. :Kri6x catches attentipn as j„ „uiiiM., the novelist, and should stibk around KViVn7a, 'f!iiay'Wam^^^^ •Hollywood for further assignments.. ! i.qru N'cison....- 1^ Michael CUrtiz directs iri a straightsir wuiiain Unmiiion ^ Vne. accentuatirig the horrnrs th^ on during the voyage of the 'Ghost' Salty atmbSplrero is nicely generated through fine setting for the jriarine sequences. .Wdlt.'.• I WANTED WINGS (ONE SONG) Hollywood, Ma^ch 25." Pnrnmount release of. Arthur ; Hornblowi Jr.. pro'duotlon. •• Stars ■ Ray Milland.' Wil- liam Hpldeii,- Wayne.-Mprrls, Brian .Don., levy; features Constance Moore, yei-onlcii Lake. . Hprr.v'. Davenport. , •:Dlrecteil .by Mitchell Leisen.. IScreenplay: Richard. Mii'l- baum,. nieut.. nclrhe ' Lay, Jr., >?l<t Ifei-zlK: based on 'aloi^- 'by Eleanor rlflln .'and Frank 'Wead from the book, ''l Wantp'il '\VlnttB,':"by, Lieut.- Belrhe' Lay.^^ Jr.i ass't director, .Artfitir Jacobson.;. c'umeru; ..Loo Tover; editor, .'Hui;h. .'Bennett Oiplaln Hardy...... .\ Strset-Glrl...;.;.. Kevrrpnd Kelson..... i Lord .'Spencer..... .-. ; Lovil KeK^........... .rh.xiqh.......',.. .>,,.; K \nn ur Naples..;. 'Jii(>«".n of NaplM...-.. <iavln.... ..V.... Ijiidy Spencer......;. CapUiln Troubrltiite.; ttt rhra'mouhti.atudjn March' L'4, nlng'tlme, 131 AIINS, - Jeff...;. AI.;..,i.V.;..;..',Vo. Tom-.. .-.V...;.'. .1.'....; CflplnIn -HUntcr. ... i.'. Caroline.,,...., Sally.,..........;...;. Mrs. Voting. <.i • Mn.iler.1,'. .-; .Sandbni? Riley;....... £f. I'tidet Captain..,.. Ml', Young..;.. fllllilil Coihlniinrier.;. Flight. .Surgeorj..,,... ■ Alexander Korda dips into the files of British history, for this biographi- cal drarii.a of Lady Hariiiltdn. and .her amorous affair \yith naval'hprp Lord Nelsbri. Although keyed to highlight' the. romance, between NelsOn and the ypting woriian Who has had many, men iri her life, the pictute carries I'Fevii-Nv?!'! I.plenty of British propaganda which ■ Runr-, will be eaisily 'tabbed- by- audiences, pnv ^rlll;il,1 Productiorially . tops; -. it's still -way Rn> Wii-iwi x overlength in the 124 minutes olrun'-^ Mickey.., Ll.cUti''Hol>lvl.ns'. Z>leut. Ron.ion;, Lleiit; Clank (di). Cadets... .Brian Donlpvy , .'.Constancisj Moqre .'.i.'.Vero'iilca lia:kc ; ■.». .'Hedda Hopper ....;-.;.,Phlf-:Hro\nt'- .-: Horry. Davenpnrt Richard-AVolil). .Ucrliert' Rawllhaon . ;;.'..,.Richckrd' hiinfi' '..XOdlsnn :RIollHriLs- lIubart. :C|ax*iihamr'f. DuuglOff. Aylesworlh i.t.-. .<; ;J9hn Trirm i ...ArcKle Twtlchcll ' ■.Tatfk Gliirpln - Charlfs'.Drake .Alan .Hale, Jr".' Ronny-M'tfilviiy Harlan ' WarOe •r Warited Wings'- is an- epic pimed to ride the. tide of Piirrertt public Interest in preparedness, es? pecially the trairiririg of cadets in'the huge airi-expansion' prpgram !now underway. Previewed footagp of 131 minutes is for twd-a-day roadshow bookings to be launched by Pai-a- ■ jfjo.uht in key .cities, ■where iriter- ntissions will be utilized. Studio spoke^mari states prints."for. regular -theatre ■; bookings will be, trimmed .considerably.; . Timeliness; of air' tberiie, ^liis exploitation generated .Willlqm 'Uolilen.-; . .... . ..... . ,. ■ . '.. Wayne: >jori Is time, unfolding atihe slow p^ce which has .characterized many :6ther British-directed, features. 'Stariririg; .c.pmbb of Vivien Leigh and-Laurence (Dlivier : provides atnpie / marquee lighting for:profitable biz in the i;eg- iilar key.', runs,. . While grosses in British .: coilritries . will hit ; solid figures. , ...: >,; -' Korda; makes out . a. sy'rtipathetic ease- for .the sbandalPus '.(of. the period ) ; rortiance between the .wi^^ of a British anibassadpr and- the great Lord ; NelsOh. Ufiltzing; the retroi spect story device, the haggish Lady Hamilton ig tossed in the Calais jail for, stealing, arid tells her. tale; to ;a girl pf the streets.'. ; . ' :, ; • . Shipped oflE to British Ariibassador Alan Mowbray; (Sir William' Hamjlr ton ) in Naples,; with other' brlc.-a- b.rac, by the youhfe loyer She trusted, the . young .and .beautiful girl. haS. everything , she .-desires — including eventual marriage. Capt,; Nelson ar- rives on a manrPf-war to. seek aid which iiSr;''supplied thrpugh Lady Hamiltpri; later, pbtains her help, in securing, supplies tp defeat Napo- leon's; fleet on the Nile; and the pair fall ■ in love. Sir Hamilton 'accepts the situation. ;c$lmly/ until whisper.- , irigs nimble, through Naples both to the Admiralty and Nelson's wife .in Erigland. Couple return to Britain, and retire to'a country estate. Vnien Napoleon, marches again. Nelson ij again- called to duty and sent oft sacriflcially fpr EngUrid's salvatipn by Lady Hamilton. At Trafalgar, Nelson is killed-T-and the light of life fades for Lattyr. Hamilton until she hits the depths. - ' , . . Miss Leigh hits the peaks with her delineation of Lady. Hamilton,. a vivaclotis girl who is., pictured as a victim of- men but; whPse ingenuity io statecraft saves the Empire.: She dominates "the picture^ thrpughput with her reserved love: for Nelson and her determination to aid his siic- cess. from the background. Olivier's chairacterizatiOn • of; Nelson, the British" riaval hero; carries the. full dignity and reserve of the historical figure. Alan Mowbray," as. the aged husband; Sara AUgood, the. girl's .mother; and Henry Wilcpxpn, as Nel- son's aide are^. prominerit in the ex^; cellently selected supporting cast. Picture shows plenty of production outlay with its series of elaborate setr tings. Battle of Trafalgar' Seqiience, which iis overrfootage, carries inter- cut of cannon broadsides from the '.English meri-of-War with too obvious miniatures of the two fleets in action. Camerai holds., too long on the minia- ture-shots, and battle would get O.ver better if ;they. were trimmed '.to k minimum.' Korda, iri-directing, keys the tempo at'a slow pace, dwellirig too long on minor- . incidents that cotild be handled with considerable saving of 'footage: ■ Corriparison of the period. '.(1'795-1800) with presentrday condi- tions is periodically brought forth to ;Eitress again that the British fleet is the safeguard' agstinst - dictators with wprld-'cOhquering; ambitipns. iEveri Nelsori uses current- verbiage in describing Napoleort aS a diptatDr. Carriera -yvork by -Rtxdolph Mate is meiritoripUs, while -art. directicn under supervisipn of Vincent .Korda matches recent productioris of the ■Korda:bariner.-.: .. . . ;v ', 'Tyalt: LAS VEGAS NIGHtS the dull stretches are tnariy and long,; The plot is strictly off the elbow and the narratiyei aind miisical iteriis are riaphazardly interwoven. About the only, refreshing touch in the picture is Lilliari Cornell's :singirig. The girl has a delightful Vpice, art Ingratiating perjsonality arid looks. V ; .. ; ^ . . It's Tommy Dprsey's :flr.st try at a feature : picturei •: His: :, orehestra. makes plieasftht listening so Ipng as it. rerhairis iri » familiar.groove. . SUch. cases in point.' are 'Song 'pf India, iTlI Never Sniile Again* - and Qn Miariii Shoire.'; Once the aggregatipn turns to the film's original tunes the going is ordinary.- Dor^y also reads, lines and proves that ne is ;still a good trombone 'playen: ;To Bert - Wheeler falls the major task of making 'em laugh. Hc works hard at it, delivers here and .there, but all his exaggerated mugging and karigarooing fail to blbw much life ipto A : soggy script. His straight, Hank Laidd, cast asi.an pily; lawyer with; many sidelines,; k«eps .equal 'pace'with- him. "There'?, also a trained niuie in the cXjmedy divisipn; and a pretty- good index as, to; the ; film's, quality riiiay be- derived from. the -oci- seryation that the quadruped's kntics fufnish;the nibst prolonged laughs in the: etjtire>90 minutes.- ■/■. Betty Brewer'.and Virginia Dale, along with Miss Cornell, provide plenty of optical relief biit not much else. Phil. Regan,. posed, .as a ; rich; man's ispn -Who.has turned; rancher, just about gefe by with the Tpmantic lead. .His .vopalizing-t^ .tonfiried tp' a. brief-sequenbe. . ' • . . •■ Story treatsVwith a troupe of four vaudeyillians, .Wheeler >hd' the three aforesaid lookers, who land- in LaS. Vegas broke brit. with a claim, to an uricle's estate.; ThrpUgh Regan One of the girls fnakes :a killing iri • gainblirig jbirit ;and the money ' is placed in Wheeler's-Custody, Wheeler gairibles-' it. away but" the fpiirsome get enou^h. coiri .to start a night club of their.-Ow.ri. ."This:is wrecked and the rest of. the ^: action ..revolves around the efforts Of the shyster to, rook themi oiit.of the. property left to the. girls by their uncle and the everitual^^le of the.property, at. very, advantageous terms, to; a Los Angeles real estate Pperator Whp, . by cor irioiderice,: is Regan's father. The big scene in; the farcicial un- winding is a face-slapping exchange between Wheeler ahd an inebriated daine, : It remains, but ;a de.sperate resort for a: tadeotit laiigh. Odec. ' Hollywood, Marclv;21; Universal relfiiBe- Qf--IJiwrence VV. 'Fox, Jr.. ■ .production; asBoolnlo ■ producer. ' Hen Hersh. Stars Rrlnn' Ahcrne.. Koy .f'rahcls.: Ulrei'ted Iby Edward .LudwlB,. 'f^pr<"enplny lly Isdaift ■Morah,- ; baaed' on .n6vcl by - -H, DeVere Stncpoolei camera, Vlr-tor-^Illnor; edlior, Milton . Tarhitli; nsst, director, j^eward .'\Vcbb,, ,.Prevlew*il ' at Alo.x.Hndpr, aidndnle,' March 20, ril. Running tlriio,: 71 MlSS.^ v:;' - ■ ; ■■ John-lOvhns -:!.■;■ Malcblm Sfolt r. , Adclenna Scptt;,,.'..;., Krcrtcrlck . Collins/.;,.. Paul-;. ;..-....;....■•;:,-. .l^etisr Ransome,'....... Dr.- Slmihs..,";..:.. i Mrs; ;Vah . Avery. ..;:.< Mr?. Mlltord.;Ci......^ Vblr»' Man,",;..'. Miilnausen ;.-..-, .-i'.;..... Majid . .''. V..,..'.. t • • VienetiaScottii • Mr. Qroeri,'.';, Jrtr....-Ry«n'.,.. . iiri' Van rter GIW Mr. MlWord....... ■Mrs. Van-ijer Girt,;..i ,,'....... .Kay Fran.Qls .' V.llehry .S.leplK'nsori".. ........S. K. Sakall ...,.,;...Nlla Asther ..-, .!<Ib. Human ■ .■.,i.-.'.D6rothy Trf-.e . 'Janet -Beecher . i.'. ,';,Mt(i'c" Ijiwrence - . Helnry.. Kolkor. - '.■ >;,-, , .v.3arah Padden/■ ,;....... .Kden- Gray, .'Selmdf Jacksnn- ...'...wiuiam -Goui4 . .....i.RuHsell lllrka ,.- ,;;PtoderlcU BMrton- Margnret- Armslroritr - The Monster and the Girl -Paramount release of T.-lck Moss produc- tion. Features Ellen: Drew. . Paul . Tiukns. Robert :-Paige,- Joseph Callela.'Onslow- Rtev.enR. Directed.by Stuart Helsleri -.Orlgl-: nal-by. Stuart- Anthony;, riimern.. Victor Mllner; '-editor-, Kv^rett- 'l!)i->U)Jlns;- .-At Criterion. N,. T;: •■n-»ok March 10. 'fU Run- ning time. (tH .SHN9, Susan,'vyebste'r ::;:(MUiSIiDAt); ■-■ ■; ; ■ ' .■Pa'rambun't produrtlbn and' relea.qe;. Feri llirea .'I'o'n.ittjy .Uoraey. -Bert -Wheelfr.-' .Cop slfinre Moore. Phil'Rpgn'tt; Betty . Breiver, Ijllllan. Gorneir. Vlrglhl(i;D.ule. '. Directed .by Ralph Miirphy. • OrlglhuV story: by Ernest. Pog.inn, Harr.v-ClOrIc: .'additional dlalo^r by -E|ldle'.'\Velch; rtotigs,.Frank tio'^aser, Riirloji finno. T.ouls.'Altefj, crttnei.a,-..^-\vnllan\- Mellor.' -.At -Poramoiint. N. ■ 'S'.,'.pomlrnenclhg' March 111. Ml. :Wunnlrig' tlme,:; QO MINS; Bill Stevens......,..;. ,-.-.PhlI. Rfigati Stu. Griint...;...'/•; . .-.Bert Wheeler ■ ■" Tommy- Doraey and - HJs.- Orrhealra; .Norma. Jennings.. .>-;'...;. .(^prtstance' Moore' Patsy. li.vrifhv. .■. ) ... .;•..•.■.;-. .V'^'lrglhla OaTe Mildred. Jpnnlhgsv;;.. .T.MIIan ..rbrn-ell Kal.v .',,;.;;.;.-.. .Hetty 'Brewer Hank. BevJs.-. .,..-.;..,•.;;..; ,.; .:.Hank-Tnldd' Mnltrp »•... .V..... ; .... I; .Eddie .Ivane ITiit Chft'k G-li-I.-.'.;;;.Eleanor:Stewn:rt Girls with . Bill: CiilheiMne- Craig. M.frceUc Ohrlstopb'pr. Ella-Xenl, Jean Phillips .rignrelln: Rlfl, Gloria S'lafTord.,..;. .-.i '\Vm. Stevens, fri Mejtlritii Trio:. - , ; (Gullnr.'nnil :ViollnV, . (Conopritlnn) ;;(Guitar) ....>;;..,.. . .Wanda McKay . .Frjint'etta Mallny ',.,.., fteni-y. Kolker -.-,'. ;,; , i...Nlck. Morn .:.Frank »Tnc'ohelH .. . .: .E«lr|.. D.oUglns •La.s Vegas Night's', fs- weak enter tainment. The laughs are few and Tmrry. .Reed,i,;... Bruhl .............. Deacon ..'.,'.-.;... McMart*M nr. ■ P.Tr.rV'.. .V.....-. Sam Dnnlelp... ... . Srot -AVc'bster....,'. Sleeper ......-';:... Munn ' Cnptnln- Alton .:.. T.t.: Sti-lrkland.... .Tudgn Pnlv.er.;..;.. Dr> Knight..... Tlp.s.....'.;..,,... Skipper ............ ,....:. .Flleh Drew .......Robert Paige .,.:.',.-.'Pa'til'TiuknB Jo.seph Callela .-. . .Onslow ..^evens ....-. ..George.' Zurro .Roil Oomeron .■......-Phillip Terry .'.. .Ma^rr J.a.wrpnre ■., .Gefnid. Mohr I.,;. . ..Tom Dngnn. ;'\VUlnrd; Roliefta.on ;;.. .Mlnor..'V\'alson /.Gcorire'F. -Meader ..... .iCIIff Edwards ,,..;,-,'.;..-; ..;the 'X)OB This is the season fpr horror thrill ers and . also screen " dud."!. 'WTiich jpossibly expjiairis the presence of this production in a flrst^rim Broadway thieatre. 'Monsti^r ariid the Girl' is a poor piciture, strictly a routine gang ster meUer' until the ape idea ;ls dragged iri after an interminable court trial; and insipid flashbacks, yilm patently had its Joebreening troubles, and shows it.. , Ellen Drew tops -the cast, ■With, only Paul LukaS, Onslow Ste^vens arid Joseph Calleia: Tecognlzable in the jsupport as fair name.values-;■ Stuart Anthony's original screen- play.^ appeairs to haVe.. beeri gleaned from similar horrific screeri vehicles datirtg back to the original 'Frariken stein/ Idea; of placing the brairi.of a vengeful person in the skull" of a monster is far :;fr6m; origirial.:. Shift •here is; that the yarn. take's an intlO: cehtly. executed mari|s .brain and trarisplants .it: into the ape's skull, Because; the afdresaid' yjctini had vowed •v^engeance on six peoplis re- sponsible fpr railroading hirii; to the Chairv the ape goes, .on the proWl, : crushing all sjx; Quaint'touch Is that the: ape. with a hqman's : brain never harrris. the sister of the executed nian, and that the: man's pet rilortgrel dog tags along .'ori .the beast's search for new .victims, .;: ' - Aside: frpm Miss Drew's cajpable acting and; customa'ry staridard per- formances by the 'seasoned Lukas, .Galleia arid Stevens, picture is some thing of a screen test .'(if . : ex pensive one) for Phillip Tciry, as the Wrongly executed man, and . Rod :Gameron,: . .the faithful- reporter. Others who; do nicely are ;Geprge Zijccp;:as, the . weird; medjcp- Tpm Diigan, George F. Meader and Minor -Watsbn. .The ape; portrayed; hy an unbilled actor, .really thefts the' pic- tutp, ably assisted by Skipper, the : faithful mongrel; . . - Stuart Heisiet^s direction is uneven but the main fault rests with the' yarn iLself. Dialog is strictly of the ho-hum variety. '- -Weor, ' This isi a rieiiitly packaged .Jaree,. amply fuifillirig'.its airir of light and. fluffy entertainment; With .snappy direction ^^rid a trio pf interesting performances thai cbnibine to keep .. up general interest, pip.ture is a pro- gramnier-that Is i lifted abqye its pr^ diriary elassificatipn. : Strong^ sup- ■■■ porter jbr. the key duals; and. will ■ sblb or hilltop where Brian Aherne and i^ay Francis have b.o. vpltage. ' Picture maintairis a consistent gait of coriiedy interest through .the. Spon^ taneity which is apparent during uh- reeling. Story - is , lightweight nia:--. . tferial .detailing the : adventures--of a look-alike who steps -into the role: of, i'dead niari; ' MUch;of. the by-rplay i.s.. concerned;-with roriiancing wife of the dead riiarii.and her. apceptance of hirn for .some tihie .aS her: reformed Irusband^ '•;■?'';.. -'-.■'■/^■'■; Aherne:.as.sumes the dual ;rple. of '. the Puerto Rico planter ahd.advcn-. ; tiirer. and .the rich, but. eccentric drunken' :raiiilipnaire;.^ Pair; rneet ;in ;' a. night' club,, and ■ the planter; is dropped off .at the other's hoifie after a'hectic hightv When the drunk 'js . kiUed in an accident and identified;; as the West Indian .ViisitOr; there's ;.. Clothing for" the adventurer to .do but try and straighten out the; tangled .af- fairs; naturally with the wife for in- spiratiOh. Final disclosure wihs the ■ girt ' ■'. ■/■-.: ' --Aherne : competently . handles the farcical assignment, with Miss Fran- . CIS also neatly-fitting irito her role as the-Wife. . S. Z. iSakalt clicks . Solidly., ior coniedy honors as .the butler^ compsinion of ; the/ substitute, mil- lionaire.;-' - Direction, bjr Edward- LiidWig is : topriotbh; accentuating every ppppr- tiinity fpr pprinedy in the proceedings, while ..keepirig the pace' zooming along merriljf,' / Title nvight mislead custorhers as. to type of. picture. A more adequate handle, ;''stressing the farcical theirt* <)f"the picture, might be better. Walt. fOOTLIGHT . RKO ritleas-e' of . Howard Beneil let pr'oduc- . tlon. Features.' Alan . MoWbray,' ; Donald MncBrlde,-.'Elisabeth Risdon,'I>?c Bun'riell, . Elyse.'Knox,' Charles .Quigley. 'Directed by i Irving Rels;. . Sclreenplay by Jon Mcl.iel]an Hunter and'.; Bert Grdnet. from slbi-y' by Granet;. camera,- Robert. de 'Grasso; editor,' Theron .'W.arth. Previewed In Projection' Roomi. N. Y„ March 24, '41. RjinhUig t|me: 60 DUNS. Avery .. ........ .Crandall-.'.'... nuttle.-..,;...... Clartpr..;-..;....: Kllec'n. Spike. Harvey,..-.;.., Holly..; .. Miss Hughes.. Imogene. ;.,;■.;; .'.... ..^Inii' Mowtray. ...jDonald 'SIncBrlil* . . . Ellsahetit RIsdoh .-....; ...I.ee :IJonntll' ........... Ely so Knox .;. .Chnrles Qiilgley ..'.... . Bradley Page .......Chester- Clute ....;.;.;. . Jane. Pal'leij : .....Georgia Bnckua- Howard Benedict's second .. RKO production featuring Alan Mowbray ahd Dpnald MacBride as. a pair of farcical legit producers, is not up to 'Curtairi Call,' rieleased last April, wherein they played similar roles. 'Fobtlight Ilever' wiir Offer hpthing more than mild suppbrt in B situa- tions.'''v'; ■,; ■ ; ■-•':■•' Yarn is cut frbrri orie of ithe tritest b? all; patterns.'"and 'writers. Bert Grainet and . laii; McLellan Hunter have' been heavy-handed in 'their at- : tempt to hypo, it via-the dialog.. Fact is,-the story is sp'ancient that Were it farced ,tip just a bit. niore: it might, flass as pure .buriesk .dir satire.' As. it is, there's ript an. unexpected - mp- ; merit in.it.'-':'^":'.'= ; Mowbray and MapBride have been given virtually, the'entire load, to carry, getting, pnly iriinor aid fromy the rest pf the' cast/ Ipr either com.' edy or marquee piurpbses. . Pair do a job ;0f clowhing. arid double-takes that ; prpvbkeisi laughs obeasionally, but even superineii couldn't buck the lack of ilresh lines arid original situa- tibris. ' . Finance cpmpany. movers taking the. furniture out from under' a pair' of busted producers Is ■ no longer funny, McGee. .; Story^ is the; bftrtold one of the shpestringers trying to raise money for a'prodtictibn; wneri. tipped oif to a source by the gal their potential; Star; will be ■ enabled. to marry if and' When the show opens/ Mprieybag is a. maiden aunt and Mowbray and MacBrjde impprsonate sailor buddies of her 4ong-iriissihg sweetheart. " prder tp spften her tip fpr the kill;, ■ • Elisabeth .Risdpn fails completely tP get laughs frpiri the crude comedy; harided h'fer as the old lady,' while ElySe ;Knox is pretty and nothing- CContinucd on page 48)