Variety (Jan 1942)

January 7, 1942 Thhly-ahcth Anniversary VUM REVIEWS 43 Mexican Spitfire At Sea ovn roleano of Cliff Bold production. 6Ur» ."•"■Bud, y- Boueni. ZaSu Pllla. ?!!2^iS»v br Jeny C«d/, ChoriM BoUeris; S^,h' Prtvlowcd In Projection Room, tI; Jan! 2. "42. Running tlrao. 7fl lliNS-,,,. Lupo vclPi ■?„X Mntt ■ • ■}■■.•. LwnBrro. lord EPP'"" ' ..'Buddy RrKm o:.:,V:.r' ....ZaSu Pitts ?SSu Elisabeth niiidon A""' Sf iKin'.' .Florence Botes Mr.. Bolil«in..... Marlon Morlln '''^o5r„"npt ■ ■ .............. ■ 'eHIb Dunn Mr- Si SJ-m" Harry Holmnn jlr. B>ld«ln ymrtm Ijimont Purser This latest Lupe Velez starrer Is a^wo-rceler padded out to 76 . minutes Production is chocktul S^tMk two-reel comedy gags, all ■liw r^Snizable. Mighty thin - frS even on a secondary dual setup. Out of the welter of overactin'? and stuffy portrayals, main theme ' an ad salesnian trying to land an ad contract aboard a ship b^"rd for Hawaii finally emerges. How- ever the efforts of Lcoa Prrol to helD his neohew by impersonatm>! Lord Eppin^', who in some mysterl- - iSs way Is Influential w th the pros- —6Wtlve-advertisePr-ftimish-the-only- hait-way amusing moments. ■ This basic idea is cluttered up with a small-town femme thespian trying to sell her play; most of the St making faces at her and shout- tog because told she is deaf; and the usual bombastic comedy by Lupe Velez and Errol. To bring the story to a staggering conclusion, there is that old ga? of a phoney alarm on the boat*s sinking. Miss Velez again Is the Mexican Soitflre but given little to do. She i^ never well photographed. Errol ■ comes close to stealing what laurels there arc by doubUng as the real _iord.j;pBlofiandalso imoerson^^ him as a gag fiTfierpThe Snitflrc our out of her marital difificulties. Charlts ('Buddy') Rogers is the Spltflre's nephew, wed to the Soit- flre, It's possibly his most dismal performance in pictures. Z?.Sm . Pitts, as the smalltown thespian. is SO'offkey in this production shes hardly recognizable. Support js eoually dull. Single exception is Uarlon Martin, miscast in a minor role. Her blonde beauty and charm surmount even the blah carry'"<'s-on. Wcor, SHIPS WITH WINGS (BBinSH-IMMDE) London, Dec, 1. . Qnlted Artists' rolessc of Eallns Studlos- Ukbu) Bnlcon Production. Start Lcxlle "Buhl, John' Clements, Jsne Bnxter. Dl ncled by Sergei Nolbtindov. .Scr««nni:iy Patrick Klrwnn. Auatln Molford. Dinm Hoixan, Seriiel Nolbandov: music, aioffrcy Wrirtl: lyrlcn. Diana Morsnn: nr^frr. Uotz Greenbaum. Wllklo-Cooper, Roy Kol- llne, Brie Crorj*. Naval Adviser, Lt. Com- mander J. Hold, n.N. At Goumonr tt^-a be, London. Running time. 140 MINS. Ueutenant Stncey John Cleme-:!' Vke-Admlml Wenlhorby I/e»r.e nnnki Celta Wcothcrby Jane n^xter Kty Gonlon " Ann Twltl Oiplain Fairfax Basil Sydney Papadolos Edward Cbnnmnn Wtgner Huch ■Wllllnmn Htldl Frank PettlnceU Ueat. Oront Michael Wlldlnr 'Ueat Uexwell Michael Rennle Omnin Air Marshall Cecil Parlicr Commander Hood John Sti*nrt OtnemI Scnrapn- Frank rcliler This attempt to glorify the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy should have an initial appeal. UnhaoDily only about two-thirds of the film's 140 minutes are devoted to aerial and naval sequences, the dearth the more regrettable because in these all too short shots the action rises to great heights. There's considerable suspense in ^log the great aircraft carrier Ark Hoyal (so oft sunk by the Germans!) bombed fore and aft, the resultant two Jagged holes in her landing deck spouting smoke and flames', seem- ^ [ugly death traps for any plane at- tempttog a landing. But to drive home the attack the planes must come down to refuel and reload with Mmbs, and down they come, one alter another crashing into the blez- |J>« pits. Enough of them succeed in nedge-hoppine. the flaming gaps, nowever, to take oft again and con- ilnue the attack to a victorious con- clusion. Apart from this, the picture is top- neavy with a commonplace romance. Ulsmlssing the love story as of no consequence, there's Tyneslde before the war, where H.M.S. Invincible, we first specially-designed aircraft h^lll- launched. Thit Is "> 1838. Hero is Lieut, Stacey (John uements). a da.shing pilot who takes St.? .without permission, re- citing In a crash and the death of Jj?.P«senger. He is eourtmartialpi' jna dismissed from the service. He nen Pilots a one-plane air line from iS!.}5'and of PalmOS- In the eastern 5!2f"anean. The German-s have 'n'ested the place with their In. J' parties,' who start mlne-lay- bS,.?'^''^^ *o trap H.M.S. ArV S planes. The dismissei^ lu,°i,8oes throunh a series of adven- Uil « finally manages to warn hi, 'ommander of the trap laid for J.H-„„ Naval battle.? enisue. culmi- 8 W'th the hero fatally woundef" h.^n'' 'ast volley .^mashin" iiclaWv°' * ''"Pe dam, which in- 4HflMes4he-entlre-eBmraii-outfit and brings the battle to a successful close for the British. Together with the preliminaries and the cooperation of the Admiralty, this film took nearly 18 months to make, at a cost of something like $600,000, and has a cast of exception- ally competent players, all of them creating most convincing types. But it isn't the acting, but the aerial bat- tle scenes that give one the requisite thrills. These scenes, models aiid otherwise, are terrifically realistic. In the hands of a ruthless cutter, this one might easily be reedited into a fast-moving thriller that would measure up well with anything of the same sort so far turned out by Hollywood. Jo'c. RIOT SQUAD (ONE SONG) ' Monoirrem releaso of Edward . Finney production. Stars Richard Cromwell; fea- luree Rita Qulgloy, John Mlljan, Mary Ruth. Hubert Rawllnson. Directed by Ed- ward Finney. Screenplay. C. C. Coon": rnmers. Marcel Le Plcard; editor. Fred D.iln. Reviewed at the Now York, N. Y.. Dec. 31. '41. Running time: DO JilNS. Dr. Tom Richard Cromwell aury :.RItii Qulgley Grasj-'o ' John Mlljan Uotty ; Mory Hulh L'ollce Chief Herbert Rawllnson Mrs. McOonlglo >rary Gordon ■horber l D onrid—K-crr Dan O'Connor Jack Smith Lenny Richard Clarke Frankle Noel Cravat Butch Arthur Space Sparky ...By Himself Minor league crirte meller limited to subsequent-runs. It's a familiar yam revolving about an interne who. becomes medico to racketeers in order to avenge the mob's slaying of a friendly police captain. Richard Cromwell turns in a standard performance as the M.D. who works as police undercover man. Able support is provided by Her- bert Rawllnson, John Mlljan, Mary JSordon,—Jack—C...Smith—and—Rita Quigley. Title is okay as a marquee comeon, but only one final scene, where riot squad is called out for the chase, justifies the tag. Mary Ruth, eight-year-old new- comer, does not impress with in- different material. She sings one number, 'Endearing Young Charms,' acceptably, self-accompanfed on the piano. Mori. Billy the Kid's Roundup ' PRC release of Slgmund Neufeld produc- tion. Stars Uusler Crabbe: features At St. John. Directed by Sherman Scott. Soreenplny. Fred Mylon; camera. Jack Qreenhnlgh. At Nov York. N. T.. Dec. H, Running time: U .UINS. Bltly Duster Crabbe Fuiiy Al St. John jcfT. Carleion Toung Detty Joan Barclay Vic ., Glenn Stmnge Kd Charles King Sherltf Slim Whitokor Dan John Webster Conventional wes'.ern geared for nominal returns in situations using this •type of product. This is the story of the honest sheriff who's rubbed out, the crooked deputy who takes his place, and the three pals who avenge their friend and do right by the community in dispos- ing of the villains.' Crabbe photographs well and gives a good account of himself in the top assignment as a quick-shooting, hard-ridmg sagebrush stalwart. With it all is wrapped up a sub- ordinate plot involving the freedom of the press. Heavies try to put a girl and an old man out of business by wrecking the print shop, when the publisher tries to oppose election of croolced sheriff. There's a bit of kidnaping, plenty of 'brawling and enough of a story to satisfy. Al St. John's comic antics are only mild. Mori. Winslow of the Navy (SERIAL) Universal release of Henry MacRae pro- duction. Stan Don Terry; features John l,ltel. Clnli-e Dwld. Anne Nngel. Walter Snnde. Directed by Ray Taylor and Ford fiecbe. Story and screent)lay. Paul Huston and Griffin Jay; suggested by the news- paper comic Hlrlp. nulliorcd by Lt. Com. Frank V. Martlnck: camera. William Slck- ner. ■ Reviewed at Hie .Nebraska. Lincoln. Neb., Dec. 20, '41. Running time, I* «U<S, per' episoile); 12 clinpters. Winslow Don Terry Pennington Walter Sonde Merlin ..John Lltel Splendor Wade Boteler CIncus Samuel S. Hinds Mercedes Clalro Dodd Misty ■ Anno Nagel make Ben Taggnrt Scorpion Kurt Hatch Admiral Hertwrt Hawltnaon Grady Dirk Thane Striking a timely b.o. blow in the serial field, Henry MacRae has pro- duced a good bet for kid biz the country over with his 'Don Winslow of the Navy' under Universal banner. It's drawn from the news- paper advertture strip, lending many tieup chances. MacRae didn't spare the casting calls either, and for one of the few times in the history of serialization, he has .tcreen-proven players In nearly every slot. His lead is Don Terry, who had a previous adventure go at Columbia, but didn't stay. He's- an aggressive, big guy and probably fits the average juve's idea of Wins- low to a split-hair. It's in the other places that the cast is made to count. Two femmes are Claire Dodd and Anne Nagel, a couple of lookers, and vets of this leading lady-ingenUe business from way back. John Litel. aide to the spy ring chief; Wade Boteler, intel- ligence specialist, and Samuel S. Hinds, the main man of the fleet, are all top-bracket character people. If the story gets a little too much for an adult to take at times, it's to the discredit of the writing depart- ment, not the players. Narration, taken through 11 interruptions of a week eceh. *"—' '■'" — ning mate. Walter Santie, chasing an enemy spy rinj \,^. a c ,. ».-o'3i the Pacific island of Tangita, and is led by Kurt Hatch, who is made up to look enough like a Jap to fit the present international situation. Ford Beebe' and Ray Taylor keep the players busy all the time and the pot boils in every chapter. They've been, directing these action pieces so long they can tell to the second when a cut, or change of pace is necessary to keep the kids from moving back off the edge of their seats. Worth playing up tor additional biz in any situation trafficking in kids. Art. LONE STAR LAW MEN (WITH SONGS) ductlon Stars Tom Keene. features Sugar Dawn. Betty Miles, and Frank Ynconelll. Directed by Robert Tansey. Screenplay. Robert Gmmett. Frances Kavannugh; comcm. RolHrt Cllne; editor. Fred Daln. Reviewed at Colonial, Lincoln. Neb.. Dec. Zl. '41. Running- time; H 3IIN8. Tom Tom Keene Lopez Frank Taconelll Sucar Sugar Dawii Betty ...Betty Miles Brady Gene Alaace Scott Glenn Strange Dude Charles King James .■ Fred Moose Mason Stanlev Price Red* Jamea Sheridan Aco Reod Howes Loose actioner is this Tom Keene -western!— glaring —cast—weaknesses holding it back, and one-take direc- tion accenting the deficiencies all around. Keene could be a consid- erable b.o. factor if bandied prop- erly, given better writing and better company, because the youngsters are evidently with him but can't take the material. He gets two assists only in this hour of horse locomotion. One is Frank Yaconelll, his range com- panion, and Charles King; an estab- lished heavy in this field. 'V'aconelli. in fact, has one pretfy good bit of musical biz, and he is the peg on which all the singing is himg. Story is of an outlaw-ridden bor- der town. King's henchmen stop a U. S. marshal, but Keene comes on as his deputy and does the job. Uses the time-worn ruse of joining the mob to learn its secrets, but the boys evidently haven't been keeping up with action scripters, because it works again. High in the billing are two wom- en—Betty Miles, the lead, and Sugar Dawn, a juve. Neither adds a thing. The youngster is a stick in front of the camera, comes up late on ciie and forgot lines. Art. LOVE WANGA HolTbcrg release of Independent' produc- tion. At Central. N. T.. Jan. 1-2. '42. Running time, 01 MINB.' This quickie meller about black magic, zombies and a Love .Wanga charm is amateurish in many re- spects. Theme, that of a light- complexioned colored West Indian girl's desperate love for a white man, might have been made into some- thing, though doubtful it would have received the Hays office seal, which this holds. Production is badly lighted, photo- graphed, acted and directed. Sound is so blurred many lines are barely audible. Heroine, the West Indian femme,' executes a cooch (which thp Haysian censors have reduced to little more than a distant flash) dur- ing one of the voodoo rituals early In the film. After that she dresses up and tries to be a lady, with luke- warm results. Colored players are not too bad but woefully lacking in need of di- rection. This may help an indie in building a double bill but his patrons won't thank him. The sex bally is submerged to the vanishing point on the screen. Wcor. La Mujer Y La Selva (The Woman and the Jnncle') (ARGENTINE-HADE) (WITH SONGS) Buenos Aires, Dec. 15. Sur Film production and release. Features Fanny Loy. Carloii Perelll. Nestor Doval. Cora Farias. Hllde Lamar. Jose Purlcelll. Tomas Cabral. Roberto Marin. Story. Lola Pita Martinez. Directed by Jose A. Fer- royra. Reviewed at Monumental. Buenos Aires. Running time. 08 .U1N8. First production by new studio, 'La Mujer y la Selva' ('The Woman and the Jungle') is an unpretentious effort that will have certain value as a complementary or dual for Argen- tine audiences but is unlikely to at- tract any great attention elsewhere. Film, directed by the veteran Jose A. Ferreyra, was made with little cash and inadequate technical re- sources, and shows it. Story tells of the owner of a small Longer Features a Bredi for Shorts; Dec. Briefies Perk in Quality By BOKE WEAB Qualttv of short features perked notably during December, and one and two-reel product continued receiuinff a better break at the hands of numer- ous exhibitors. Reason for additional usage toas the obvious desire of theatres only to add enough screen tifne to make up a normally long pro- pram and thereby obtain maximum tumooer. This was particularlv true of longer features, of ujhich there were several on relcose, becatise exhibs figured —rightlv—that o second feature would so lengthen their show hundreds erf patrons would be lost because of delay in emptying the theatre. With the U. S. entrance into World War II, there were additional patriotic shorts with indications of many more to come in the next two months. The outstanding 'extra attractions' during the month. METBO : '■ — : 'Strange Testament' (John Nesbitt Passing Parade series; 10 mlns.).— Treating some of world's strangest wills and possibly the oddest of - ail- that of the final testament of Charles Lounsbury. Usual deft editing and Nesbitt's flair for different treatment is more thrilling than the actual scene of the Wrights' first 'take-off.' Editing by Tom Mead and Joe O'Brien is terse, while narration by Graham McNamee helps. They have augmented Universal's library with outstanding, seldom-seen clips from the U. S. Army flies. These include ■as-weU-as-his-brlsk-narrating-ma k e I s ce n M mad e nf t l it worth while. 'How to Hold Tour Husband— BmeV (Pete Smith Specialty; 10 mins.).—:Smith becomes an authority on how to harm your husband in his efforts to get ahead, citing three outstanding examples. Done In typi. cal, crisp style from a better script by E. M. Adler. 'War Clonds in Faolflo' (Documen- tary summation of Far East situa- tion by National Film Board of Can- ada; 21 mlns.).—Reviewed in 'Varie- ty' Dec. 24, '41. 'Vivid closeup of the problem confMnUng the Allies in the Pacific. As timely as today's newsr paper headlines and a strong addi- tion to any program. PABAHOUNT 'Bbythm la ike Baaks' (Miadcap Models Puppetoon; 10 min3.>— (Seorge Pal's remarkable puppetoon characters depict a wooden soldier army successfully fighting the 'screwball army.' Differs from usual cartoons because Pal's, creations are animated toys or dolls that come to lite. Packed with originality, clever twists and a moving plot, here is a subject that will appease the exhlb looking' for something different. Stunt where Sleepy Jag is punished by having to work with invisible camouflage paint hits a peak when he employs the pigment to wipe out the enemy troops. • •McohanlosI Monsters' (Superman cartoon series; 10 mlns.)—^The news- paper cartoon character comes to life with vigor in this second in the new series-being done by Max Fleischer. This time Reporter Clark of the Daily Planet battles a squad of me- chanical giants, after changing to his magic garb, and again rescues Lois. Jammed with action and the same implausibilities found in the news- paper strip. Better work on the human characters by Fleischer's staff makes this an aoove-the-ordl- nary entry. BKO 'Oar Amcrioa at Warf (March of Time. 18 mins.).—Although rushed out in record time after the U. S. en- tered the war, this M. of T. short feature is one of the best In many months. Draws a vivid parallel be- tween the united national effort of this coimtry during World War I and America's stupendous effort in the present conflict It contrasts perti- nent highlights of that war 25 year; ago. especially steps which led to U. S. entrance into it, and today's mobilization. Film tends to dispel much of the natural apprehension which accompanies the first few weeks of any war. Obviously timely for theatre' patrons just now. DNIVEBSAL 'Cavalcade of Aviation' (Special; 21 mins.).—Public consciousness of the Important role which military aviation is playing at the battle fronts heightens interest and box- office value of this carefully edited camera symposium of newsreel shots showing development of aviation since the Wright Brothers first flew their plane at Kitty Hawk. In fact, no other single view in the featurette wood-cutting camp up in the north- ern, remote section of Mlslones. He goes to a nearby town to sell his wood and get . cash to pay the rent for his land. Naturally he stops around at the local grogshop, falls for a canary Introduced by the heavy, and decides to try his luck with the little white ball. The rou- lette's fixed and he loses all. An- other woman persuades him to take revenge and he kidnaps the singer, taking her to his jungle camp . She reforms, jiowever, saves him from the cops by saying she went volun- tarily, and finally clinches all by sell- ing her jools to start a new timber- yard. Fanny Loy, In the leading femme role, does pretty well with two tangos, considering the poor sound throughout. She needs more experi- ence. Carlos Perelll Is mediocre, and so are rest of cast. Aay. Squadron in Fra: • during World War 1, showing Ecie Rickenbacker and other U. S. aces. Prophetic of martial events to come is - a screen discourse by the late Captain 'BUly' Mltehell, whose zealous work for army aviation was the cause of friction between him and superiors. He calls the turn of events in no uncertein terms. Interesting also is that portion de- voted to freak and experimental aerial contraptions and th^ir ludi- crous, although sometimes fatal, per- formances. Heroes of distance Ing return to the screen. ExplMts of Commander Byrd, CHiamberlain, Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Elder and Ruth Nlcholls are hi^- lighted. For thrills there is a recap of some of aviation's worst air tragedies, topped by the sensational scenes of the explosion and destruction of the Hindenburg, at Lakehhurst. Also the last photograph of Wiley Post and Will Rogers alongside their ill-fated plane. On the whole, it's a fascinating factual film, suitable . for first-run showings everywhe;?, and reveals smart showmanship in preparation and delivery. 'rea4sefal Qaebee at War' (Popular 'Variety View; 9 mlns.).—With war shadows dver Canada, this intriguinji Tom Mead production showing, how Quebec still carries on with its lum- bering, everyday chores and at play is above par.' Nice camera job in rich sepia enhances the scenes. Sand skiing along. a sandy beach neair' Quebec adds a novel touch. 'Jaok Teagarden and Orchcsin' (Personality and Naiiie-Band Musi- cal; 18 mins.).—Incorporating the various' football bowl gridiron at- mosphere in the' introductory mon- tage. Band Is slick, with supporting artists generally okay, Teagaiden organization having a recent advance buildup because appearing in 'Birth of the Blues.' Best supporting artists ere the Crackerjacks, novel slngmg and toy instrumental quartet, ana Jack Hacker anil partner, eccentric dancers. Bit topheavy on-warbling, but that's not noticed because of swift direction. Hsmyard Steam Boggy' (Stranger Than Fictian; 6 mlns.).—Xenia, Ohio, farmer who transformed an old Jal- lopy into a steam-driven auto tops list of five subjects in this better than usual Oddities subject Other outstanding one is on E, E. Albright another farmer, who aids national defense by catohing spiders, its wehs being employed on telescopic gun sights. WABNEB BBOS. The Brave LItUe Bat' (Merxle Melodies, in color; 7 mins.).—Takes one of Leon Schlesinger's cartoon characters, Mouse Sniffles, into an adventure with a cat in an old winil- miU. Sniffles' rescuer Is the bat, a talkative kid character. Neatly ani- mated, incorporating oiiglna|lty and excellent voice. Carl Hoff and Oroheatra' (Melody Masters subject; 10 mins.).—Nicely mounted liand one-reeler, with per- sonnel of band making it solid. Such numbers as 'I Could Use a Dream,' 'Dark Eyes,' 'I Know That You Know' and 'When Ifuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba' are Included. 'Monsters af the Deep' (Broadway Brevities; 20 mins.).—Proves that there is something new in a fishing short. Michael Lerner, veteran an- gler of U. S., takes a fishing junket along the coast of Peru and Chile to match his skill against the strength of giant broadblU swordfish. Deft photography wrapped up in this ex- citing fisherman's venture. Outstand- ing is superb underwater camera work used to show a fight between an octopus and another underseas klUer. 'imXE PINES' POITDA Hollywood, Jan. 4. Henry Fonda draws the top male spot In 'Utile Pinks,', first production by Damon Runyon at RKO. Femme lead and starting date are still unannounced.