Variety (May 1941)

12 FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, May 7, 19H A WOMAN'S FACE Hollywood, May 3. Molro-GoWwyn-Mnj'cr rclense o( Victor SavlUo production. Slnm Jonn Crawford, Mflvyii nouslax; foaliiifs Conrnd Voldt. Dli-ootcd liv t^porpe Cukor. Screenplay by DiinaM Ok'den Steunrt iind I^lllot I'oul, from play, '11 Ktoit I'ne FolBe' by Francis lie Crolsset; camera, Robert Planck; edi- tor, Fi-nnk Sullivan. Previewed nt Four Slar. May 1', '41. Running time, IDS Anna Holm Joan Crawford Dr. Gufltaf .SeK<'ri Mclvyn Douglas Toratcn UarrInK Conrad Vetdt Vera Scgert Ofla Massen Bernard J>alvlk Reginald Owen Consul MoKnuB Itarrlng..Albert Basiiermann Emma Krlatlnnisilotter Marjorle Main Herman Rudnvik Donald Meek Christina Dalvik Connie Gilchrist Lars-Erik Richard- Nichols Eric Charles Qulgley Guata GwlU Andre ■Wlckman Clifford Brooke Dcfenso Attorney George Zucco Judge Henry Kolker Associate Judge Robert Warwick Associate Judge Gilbert Emery Public JfroHecutor Henry Danlell Police ^latron Sarah Padden Court Attendant William Tarnum There's a rather intriguing dra- matic quality to this American ver- sion ot an original Swedish produc- tion (from a French play) of a tew years back which had Ingrid Berg- man as star. In outlining a story ot a woman's handicap and final re- generation, "picture carries more than usual appeal for women audi- ences, which assures okay b.o. in the regular runs. Although what has become as ac- cepted European technique in story development is utilized, the method tends to hold the dramatic texture together, rather than to detract from the unfolding. - Opening with the court trial of Joan . Crawford for murder, the story is developed through various stages by testimony of the several witnesses—and finally the defendant herself. Dramatic suspense is adequately maintained until the last few feet by keeping the victim's identity well hidden tor e surprise climax. Miss Crawford takes a radical step as a screen glamour girl to al- - low the makeup necessary for facial, disfiguration in the first half; and innovation might well Interest other ' screen stars with dramatic tenden- cies to be receptive to similar roles that may require temporary or permanent marring ot facial beauty. Miss Crawford is the victim of a childhood accident which left her face distorted and disfigured. Case- hardened and calloused, shunning people generally, she drops into a criminal career. Romantic approach of Conrad Veidt, the first she has had, is for his particular motives, but she accepts his flattery with love-hungry'adoration. In the midst of a blackmail plot, she meets plas- tic surgeon Melvyn Douglas whose offer ot an operation is gladly ac- cepted—mainly to be beautiful and attractive for Veidt. Following the successful surgery, Veidt persuades her to take a job as governess on his uncle's estate—and to murder the child-heir that stands in his path to wealth inheritance. But the child softens her to point where she saves his life at the sacrifice of Veidt's. Surgeon Douglas falls in love with the girl, and tosses aside his two- timing wife for a clinch finish. Miss Crawford has a strongly dra- matic and sympathetic role, despite her hardened attitude, which she handles in topnotch fashion. Picture can assist in reviving her b. o. stand- ing, which dropped noticeably two years ago. Douglas switches from his recent run of light characters to a serious characterization, and does well as the plastic surgeon. Veidt portrays the typical suave villain while Albert Basserman clicks as the kindly old Swedish consul. Sup- porting cast is excellent with good performances by Osa Massen, Regi- nald Owen, Marjorie Main, Donald Meek, Connie Gilchrist and the kid, Hichard Nichols. Picture's tempo suffers slightly fr;m the courtroom flashbacks necessary at intervals to unroll the tale, but it's a satisfactory job oT script writing by Donald Ogden Stewart and newcomer Elliot Paul. George Cukor's direction is okay throughout, while production has as- sets of A mounting throughout. Waif. partnership. Adapted from an old Shaw play, circa 1905, it still car- ries the lightning thrusts of Shavian caustic satire at any and all levels of society. It's a class attraction aiming at those who understand Shaw. Picture will hit substantial biz in the metropolitan key runs and de luxers; but presents, a problem for the nabes and hinterland spots. Exploitation of Shaw and 'Pygmalion' will assist in hypoing opening biz, but the picture will not hold up with American audiences generally. 'Major Barbara' has many draw- backs for the general American audience. It's 9 slow and plodding story with endless passages of dialog that consume too much footage to get over the point desired. It's full ot Cockney dialect which is too strong tor American audiences to consume in such a large dose. The Shavian satire directed against re- ligion and the price of salvation will not set well with the church-going element which, by the way, makes up a very large majority of theatre audiences. And there's an axiom in film producing that you cannot make light of religion, no matter how slieht the reference might be. The picture script, prepared by Shaw, closely follows his original. Wendy Hiller, daughter of a multi- millionaire munitions manufacturer, sincerely works to save souls as the Salvation Army major in the Lime- house slums. Pecunious Rex Harri- son, Greek scholar, falls in love at first sight, tells her so, and is taken home to the family mansion, ac- cepted as first-line suitor. Miss Hiller is suddenly disillusioned in the Army soul-saving when heavy financial aid is gladly accepted from her munitions-making father and a rich distiller. It's then that the father takes his odd family and stranger menage through his fac- tories, demonstrates he is doing more to improve living conditions of his workers than could be accomplished in Limehouse, accepts Harrison as his successor to carry on the family heritage, and Miss Hiller goes hap- pily along in the arrangement. Miss Hiller, lead in 'Pygmalion,' continues with the Shaw-Pascal duo here in the title spot. She delivers an excellent and personable per- formance throughout, and does much to carry the story along through the rather dull and weighty passages that appear at intervals. Harrison does well as the Greek scholar in love with the Major Barbara, but secondary acting honors' are shared by Robert Morley, as the father, and Robert Newton, a tough limey whose soul is finally saved. Excellent sup- porting cast displays careful atten- tion in selections tor the various roles, even down to the smallest bit parts. Pascal, on the production side, of- fers a splendid example of picture- making, with technical mounting on the high side. Result is meritorious and singularly notable considering that the picture was produced at the Denham studios and on London loca- tions during the air raids of the past several months, with ^larms constantly interrupting shooting. Pascal shows snatches of smart di- rection, but unfolds the story in typi- cal English tempo, dwelling too long on incidental episodes and lingering with the extended passages of Sha- vian dialog provided in the script. Walt. Miniature Reviews 'A Woman's Face' (M-G). Joan Crawford - Melvyn Douglas starrer is good drErpa for femme appeal. Okay tor regular runs. ■Major Barbara' (UA). Sec- and G. B. Shaw-Pascal pic good class biz in metropolitan delux- ers; doubtful for hinterlands. ■Affectionately Yours' (WB). Mild romantic farce for the dualers. The People vs. Dr. Klldare* (M-G). Standard entry in Kil- dare series to groove in book- ing spots accorded predecessors. 'Her First Beau' (Col). Jane Withers-Jackie Cooper enter- tainment provides strong key dual support. 'Mntlny In the Arctic' (U). Okay 'B' for the action trade. Stars Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. . 'Beyond the Sacramento' (Col). Ordinary western. ■Confessions of a Newly wed' (French). Nifty Raimu starrer for those not shocked too easily. 'Aeulla Blanca' (Argentine). Spanish-languager suggests wide acceptance among Latin audi- ences. 'False Rapture* (FA). Dated story and poor technical quality rate this far down the alpha- betical scale. 'Federal Fueltives' (PRC). Minor-key action meller about saboteurs in the airplane indus- try. 'Si Yo Fuera Rica' (Argentine). Mediocre triangle.. MAJOR BARBARA (BBITiSH-MADE) Hollywood, May 1. t;nltc.l Artists release of Gabriel Pascal pruNuctlon, directed by PaHcol. Stars Wen- dy lllllcr: features Hex Harrison. Rob- ert .Morley. Robert Newton. Emlyn Wil- liams. Scenario and dialog by GeorKe Bernard' .Shaw; scenario editor, Mnrjorio Deans; production (leslgncJ by Vincent Korda; camera, Ronald .Neame. Previewed at Foiir Stor, April 30, '41. Running time, IIS .UIN8. Major Darbara Vndershaft Wendy Hiller Adolphus Cuslns Rex 'Harrison' Andrew Undersiaift.^. Robert Morley Bill "Walker Robert Ncwtoo .Snobby Price Kmlyn Williams Mrs. Balnea....; .Sybil Thorhdike Jenny lllll Deborah Kerr Lomnx David Tree Sarah .'. ■ • l'en,i'>;ie Dudley-Ward Lady Brltomart% Mono Lohr Stephen , Walter Hudd Hammy Mltchen.v Marie Ault Peter Shirley Donald Cnltbrop Uorrlson Miles Malleaon George Bernard Shaw, having\suc- cumbed to Gabriel Pasciil's cinematic 'blandishments, .which permitted..the latter to produce the fl|m version «t :*JF^gmalioo,' this seems now to be^a: £ermaneDt . arrangement 'Mai6r .fho>n' la aromA film from thnt Affectionately Yours Hollywood, May 6. Warner Dros. production ■ and relOTse. .stars Merle Oberon. Dennis Morgan, Rita Hayworiti: features Ralph Bellamy. Oeortte Tobias, Jinnrs (>lcason. Directed by Lloyd Bacon. .Screenplay, Edward Kaufman; Hlory, Fanya Foj*s. Aloon Leslie; camera. Tony Gandio; edltf^r. Owen Marks. Pre- vlewc'l .studio theatre. North Hollvwood, May '41. Running time, B7 MINS. Sue Marberry Merle Obernn Richard 'Rli'koy* Mayberry. .Dennis Morgan Irene Malcolm Rita H.-y\vorlh Owen Wrlghl Ralph Rellamy Pasha George Tobias Chester Phlllliis James Cleai<t>n Cynthia Uattle McDnnlel Cullen Jerome Cowan Ilutterfly Butterfly MiQuoen Mrs. .snell Renle Rlono Tom Frank 'Wlleox MIrs Anderson v .rGrnco Stafford Anita Carmen Mor.nlcs ninlr Murray .Mper .Matthews William Hrade Harmon Pat Flaherty Tomasselil ....James Flavin around the globe as an ace news- paper correspondent. Miss Oberon gets a Reno divorce. Husband Den- nis Morgan gets the hews in Lis- bon after a Moscow assignment, and hurries home to recoup lost wife. Latter is engaged to Ralph Bellamy, but Morgan puts on wild campaign to regain wife's hand after hectic goings on with Bellamy left at al- tar. While Dennis Morgan shows he can do better with suitable material, Rita Hayworth, as the newspaper woman in love with Morgan, is by far best ot the cast. Comedy abili- ties of George Tobia. are submerged, despite his attempts to lift above in- adequate material, Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen are teamed as Darky servants for the first time since 'Gone With Wind,' and other- support is passable. Walt. People vs. Dr. Kildare Hollywood, April 30, Metro production and release. Features Lew Ayres. Lionel Darrymore, Laraine Day, Bonlta GrnnvlUo. Directed by Har- old S. Bucquet. Screenplay by Willis Qoldbeck and Harry Ruskin, based on original by Lawrence P. Bachmann and Max Brand; camera, Clyde De VInna; edi- tor, Ralph Winters. Previewed In studio projection room .\prll 20, '41. Running time. 7« MINS. Dr. James Klldare Lew Ayrea Dr. Leonard Glltc^plo... .Lionel Bnrrymore Mary Lamont ....Laraine Day Frances Mnrlowi- Bonlta Granville Molly Byrd Alma Kruger Vernon Brlggs Red Skelton Mr. Reynolds ;..Pnul Stanton Fay Lennox Diana I.,ewls Dr. Walter Carew Walter Kingston! Nurso Parker Nell Craig Mr. Channing Tom Conway •Sally Mnrle Blake Clifford Genet Eddie Acuff Omover Geurgo H. Reed Dan Morton Chick Chandler Mike Ryan '. Frank Orlh Malslc Gladys B. Lake ing again a few hours after rising from the hospital bed. All the familiar characters of previous Kildare pictures again carry their regular roles, including Ayres, Barrymore, Miss Day, Alma Kruger, Walter Kingsford, Nell Craig, Gladys Lake and Frank Orth. Red Skelton and Eddie Acuff team for elemental comedy as a pair of hospital janitors in the unrelated comedy episodes. Miss Granville is excellent as the ac- cident victim. Direction by Harold S. Bucquet is par for the series. Wolt. HER FIRST BEAU (ONE SONG) Hollywood, May 2. Columbia roleaso of B. B. Kahane pro- duction. Stars June WUhem. Jackie Cooper. Directed by Tlieodoro Reed, ficreenplny by Gladys Lehman, Karen DcWolf; story by Florence Ryeraon, Colin Clements: cam- era Gcorgo Mcchan; editor, Charles Nel- son"; assistant director, Abby Berlin, Pre- viewed at Alexander. GlonJalc, May 1, Running lime, 18 MINS. Chuck Harris. „9i?25" Penny Wood Jane Wlthcra Mllly Lou Rdlth Fellows Mrs. Wood j.>.«phlne Hulc«)lns3» Morvyn Roberts William 'fracy Julie Harris Martha O'Drlscoll Elmer Tuttlo Edgar Buchanan j.-(ne O'Connor Mr. Harris Jonathan Halo Roger Van Vleck Kimnoth Howell Dr. Wood Addison Richards This is Jane Withers' first loanout from her home studio, 20th-Fox, during her contractual stretch ot seven years. Designed as a moder- ate program attraction, Columbia's picture lifts it many notches above the original aim—it's a neat and compact package ot entertainment to suit any audience. Light on mar- quee voltage for the key runs as bill topper, it will groove as a strong supporting attraction to satisfy pay- ing customers, and will hit its stride in the family houses as solo or top feature. Adolescent adventures and puppy love form the basis ot tfie lightly- textured story which is nevertheless studded with numerous spontaneous situations that are incidentally but deftly woven into the yarn. There's a folksy and homey atmosphere ap- parent throughout the doings of the late 'teen kids who live just around the corner ot every suburb or small town. Jane Withers and Jackie Cooper are kid sweethearts. He' takes her for granted while building and readying a flight ot a sail-plane away from the prying eyes of his father. 'When her young uncle brings home a skirt-chasing (!hum, Jane takes his flirtatious advances seriously, goes through sudden evolution to in- genue age, and drops back to her sweet-16 period when disillusioned by the fickle collegian. Picture is studded with good- humored chuckles and laughs from start to finish. Getting away at a zippy pace, with deft direction by Theodore Reed taking utmost advan- tage ot every situation to inject light comedy, it rolls along steadily and zestfully to. the fadeout. Highlight is Jane Withers' getup in a sleeve- less . and strapless evening gown, adult hair-do with over-emphasized mascara and lipstick—all to impress her maturity on the collegian ro- mancer. Miss Withers is provided with solid material to display her abilities as a top juvenile comedienne in pic- tures and she makes the most of every line and . situation. Jackie Cooper is the serious-minded kid next door, and adds another slick performance to his several in the past year. Josephine Hutchinson, Addison Richards and Jonathan Hale are well cari as the typical under- ' standing parents who try to keep up with the doings of their adolescent offsprings. William Tracy and Ken- neth Howell are the two college lads; Edith Fellows is briefly seen as the neighborhood sweetheart of Tracy; and Martha O'DriscoU is mainly decorative as a luscious blonde. Una O'Connor and Edgar Buchanan pro- vide several snatches of comedy as the hired help. Howell sings snatches of the one song provided. Story ■ by Florence Ryerson and starring. Richard Arlen and Andy Devine, to indicate that the boxoffice should respond reasonably well. ■This time Arlen and Devine are interested in a new radium deposit in the Arctic, and they enlist the aid of Addison Richards, a promoter, in their search for the claim. The en- suing events see Richards betray them in their voyage to the Polar region and mutiny on the boat, in which the captain is killed. There are some fairly exciting episodes on the icebergs, in which they crack up to the peril of those who've sought refuge on them fol- lowing the ship's sinking after hit- ting one. Arlen and Devine handle their roles well, though the flnale fisticuf- fing. In which Arlen is involved with Don Terry, spoils the illusion of combat since both are obviously pulling their punches. Anne Nagel is in more or less of a minor role as the sister ot Devine and the sweet- heart of Arlen. She doesn't impress as an actress though a looker. Addi- son Richards i-; best as the weakling. Rest of the cast standard. Naka, Beyond the Sacramento Columbia pi-oductlon and release, stara Bill Elliott; features Evelyn Keyes. Di- rected by Lambert Hlllycr.. Original screenplay by LucI Ward; camera, George Meehan; editor. James .Sweeney. At Central, N. V., week of May 3, 1041. Run- ning time: S8 MINS. Wll'l Bill Hlckn!: nill Elliott Lynn Perry Evelyn Keyea Cannonball Dub Taylor Jason Perry i John Dllson Cord Crowley Bradley Page Jeff- Adams Frank LnRue Nelson.... Norman Willis Curly Steve Clark sheriff Jack Clifford Warden McKny Don Bnddoe Storekeeper 1 Horry Bailey By this time, the story format of a Dr. Kildare picture can be tabbed in advance. There's the serious young doctor; his grumpy mentor, Lionel Barrymore; sweetheart, Laraine Day; and assorted characters within the hospital staff. Focal point is a clinical problem, generally known to Barrymore, who allows his pupil to diagnose it correctly in the nick of time. The familiar ingredients are here again, in a good programmer of ^ .^.^..^c n.^^^un cl,^,ll5,*/.^ rating that will satisfy as a Colin Clements shows a deep under- A standard giddyapper boasting one unique twist, this will get by tor satisfactory results with the cow- hand and junior trade. Like others . out of the Columbia barn starring Bill Elliott as Wild Bill Hickok, it's patterned on the 'Lone Ranger* mold, which in turn gets its inspira- tion from 'Robin Hood,' etc. Tale flnds Elliott saving the fron- tier town of Lodestone-from a couple of swindlers, Bradley Page and Frank LaRue. Page, as the saloon- keeper, and LaRue, as the town's newspaper publisher, are building up the ■ natives for a phony bond issue when Elliott's comic pard. Dub ■Taylor, smells 'em out and summons his boy to rid the populace ot the varmints. Evelyn Keyes, who almost falls victim to the villains, is the gal in the piece who never quite gets Elliott becuz it wouldn't be good for the intended sequels. Tricky angle in the Luci Ward screenplay, which otherwise follows the usual line, Is Elliott, during the night, setting and printing a new -front page for LaRue's paper in which he denounces the crooks and thus gets rid of them. Little angle of how he knows how to do all this is neatly taken care of with the phrase, 'My first job was as a printer's devil.' Director Lambert Hillyer keeps the action fast and the fighting often. Elliott makes the proper omniscient and omnipotent hero, Taylor's duly comic within limits of the script, and Evelyn Keyes Is okay as the plain-jane frontier gal. This'M do until the next western come<! along. Herb. 'Affectionately Yours' attempts a farcical presentation of post-marital complications of a husband and wife, both still in love but as a film a minor entertainment is the result. Merle Oberon seems unequal to the task of essaying a type of role so skillfully handled in the past several years by Carole Lombard and more lately by Rosalind Russell. Strain of direction to strive for spontaneity is too great for the ma- terial and talent at hand, with result picture wends a tedious course throughout. It needs both hypo '^ni strong support to get by if spotted for regular key 'runs. Best groove is on lower duals. In trying to make picture light and fimny, director Lloyd Bacon lands in a field of .'corn and bore- dom. Miss Oberon) with a 3ritish twang always apparent,, lacks verve' and the rapid-fire abilities to'pilt over the wifey part, thereby weak- ening ■ the entire . structure. Even slapstlc|cy ' and ludicrous . episodes tall to prpyide uplift leveifage'suffi- cient to fetAin iqter.est. Tired ttf her husband's wanderi ngs supporting picture generally, and hold top billing where the series has caught on. I Main story thread carries the usual ' dramatics, li(;htencd at times by the I irascible outbursts of Barrymore on philosophies of the medical profes- sion and people generally. Attempts to add further levity through in- clusion of unrelated comedy se- quences garner a few laughs, but scripters can tie these episodes to the ■ main track much better than dis- played here. Picture opens at a fast clip, and then drops into a groove to work it- self out in plodding fashion. Ayres and Laraine Day, en route to the county hospital, save the lite of Bonita Granville in an auto wreck through a major emergency 'opera- tion performed on the roadside. Girl is an ice skating exhibitionist, who flnds her leg is paralyzed on re- covery. Result is lawsuit against Ayres and everyone around the hos- pital for neglect, with trial consum- ing plenty of footage with testimony. When all seems lost, Ayres catches a clue and follows it through to ptiint where girl decides to submit to en- other operation to cure her. paralysis before demanding damages from.the defendants. Miraculously, she's skat- standing ot youthful minds; and screenplay by Gladys Lehman and Karen DeWolf contributes crisp dia- log and situations heatly dovetailed together. Director Reed, who has previously shown abilities to handle pictures of youthful adventures, hits his peak with 'Her First Beau.' It's a program sleeper, especially for the family trade. Wolt. ' Mutiny in the Arctic Universal release of Ben Plvar produc- tion. Stars Richard Arlen, Andy Devine; features Ann Nagel. Don Terry. Addison Richards, Oscar O'Shea. Directed by John Itawllns. Screenplay. Maurice Tombragel and victor McI..eod. from original hy Paul Huston; cnmem, John W, Doyle; music. H. J. Salter. At RIalto, N. Y., May 8, '41. Running time, 61 .MINS. Dick Richard Arlen Andy ...s. Andy Devine Gloria Anne Nagel Ferguson Addison Richards Cole Don Terry Captain Mprrlssey 0.scar O'Shea Harmon : '...Harry Cording Though the warming clin\es would suggest a lack of: timeliness in .the release of 'Mutiny in the. Arctics,' whose title tells .the story, there's enough action' and 'speed in this film, another in the adventure series Confessions of Newlywed (FRENCH-MADE) San Francisco, May 1. World Pictures release of Leo Joannon production. .Stars Rnlmu; features Sylvia Batallle, Pierre Brasseur, Gertnnino .\us- sey, Paulino Carton and Alerme. Directed hy Leo Joannon. Screenplay. Jean .\u- renche and Yves Allogrct. based on stage comedy. 'Have You Nothing to Declare.* by d'HennequIn and Veber; music. d'Obcr- feld. At Ijtrkln tlienire. San Fianclsco. Running lime. 80 MINS. The Professor Ralmu His Daughter .Sylvia Dntallle His Son-ln-Law I'lerre Brasseur Ills Wife Pauline Carton Her 'Boy Friend' ..\lerme The Showgirl Oermalne .■\u.ssey (In French; with English Titles) 'Confessions of a Newlywed' is a typical French comedy that could never be filmed in this country be- cause of its delicate situations. Story of a bridegroom inexperienced in affairs of women Is not particularly new. ' However, in the hands of Raimu, it is nifty entertainment for those who are not shocked too easily. Raimu plays the role of a professor whose daughter (Sylvia Bataille) is engaged to marry his assistant (Pierre Brasseur). Both the pro- fessor and his son-in-law-to-be are more engrossed in the emotional lives of their insects than they are in their own love-lives. When the customs man on the train interrupts the couple at a most unfortunate moment on their wedding night with the question, 'Have you nothing to declare?', a mental picture of the customs man appears at the wrong time from then on and the couple re- turns home after a week's 'honey- moon' without the marriage having actually been consummated. . The .bridegroom's confession of his plight to his father-in-law and the_ efforts of the unworldly father-in- law to straighten things out give JRaimu plenty of opportunity to dis- play his undeniable acting talents. Raimu's visit to a psychiatrist and finally to a night spot where he seeks (Continued' on page - 20)