Variety (Feb 1942)

8 FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, Febroaiy 4, 1942 ROXIE HART Hollywood, Feb. 2. Twentieth Centui-j-Fox nIcnM of Nun- finlly . Jotinron profliirtlon. Stara Qlneer lloffen; teatum Attnlpho Menjrtu An<] Oeonttt Montioroery. Directed by wnilnm A. Wellmnn; ncreenplny by Nurinnlly John- son, haeed on pbiy, 'Chlrago.' by ^(^u^Ine Watkinn: camera, Leon Shnmroy; flim edi- tor, Jnmea B, ClRrh: rtnnce* etnRPd by Hermea Pnn. Tradenhown In L. K,, Feb. 1, ■42. Running time, It MINS. Hoxlo Rnrl Olncer Itogei Billy Flynn A<loIphe Menjou Homer Howard Gootko MnntRomery Jnke Collohnn Lynne Overmnn E riny Denham NIeel llnict Bnba Pbll Sllvera Mrs. Morton Sura AllBootI O'Mnlley William Pmwley Mary Sunshine Sprlnp nylneton Btuart Chapman Ted North Volmn ^Vall Metene Roynolda Amoa Hart OeorRe Chmillcr Chnrlea E. Munlook Chnrles D. D.nwn Mnrtin S. Hnrrlnon Morrla Ankrum judRfl Geome Ix»ii«y. Ocrtio ., Iris Adrian Announcer Milton PnrBOna Meurine Watklns' play of a girl xvho basks in the publicity spotlight for a brief period when accused of murder Is, broadly embellished via the screenplay by Nunnally Johnson and d'^'sctlon by William Wellman. Jlesult is a farce that will catch prof- itable attention in the keys. Picture alms solely for adult at- tention. Ginger Rogers is the girl -^ho-9tands-trial • for-murder—com- mitted by her husband, after getting buildup on publicity values by cyn- ical crime reporter Lynne Overman. Banner-lined all Over town, Roxie becomes an enthusiastic stooge' for the press, court and slick mouthpiece, Adolphe Menjou. After setting up various factors and personalities in- volved, yam moves to a trial that brings In all the details of courtroom travesty. Girl uses unborn- child gag to -sway Jury sympathy, and is nat- urally acquitted—to thereafter • drop Into quick obscurity and a happy marriage. Lines and direction smack over a continual barrage of punchy episodes to maintain audience interest at a consistent level. Au(ils;<ces in 'the hinterlands may fleure the tale as a ^thetlc and burlesqued presenta- tion of the miscarriage of justice In the big city, but metropoUtafl patrons should take to It. Ginger Rofters does well as the tough «irl who is dazzled by the sud(]en attention, but seems to over- do her characterization at several points! Adolphe Menjou is excellent as the theatric and wily criminal mouthpiece who trrsftily steers the iudge and'jury to the proper verdict, jynn Overman clicks for attention in spot of the resourceful reporter bent on building a yam *or (;|rculation putpo.<%s. George Montgomery is the cub who falls in love with Roxie, and walks off with her at the finish. William Frawley Is prominent as a maior supporting player. Utilizing the cut-back method of through barroom narrative of Mont- presentation, story 's unfolded gomery. WeUman's direction sujp- . plies many laugh episodec and is consistently good in. broadly treat- In" the farcical subject. Camera end handled by Leon Shamroy Is above standard. Wolt. Song of the Islands (WITH SONGS) (Color) Hollywood, Feb. 3 Twentletli Cenlury-Fox nieaaa of'William La Baron production. Stan Betty--Oniljlc, • Victor Uatun and Jack Oakle. Directed by Walter l4Lng: acnenplay by Joseph Schrank, Robert Plroah and Ro1>ert Bills and Helen Logan. Camera, Ernest Palmer; film edi- tor, notwrt Simpson; dances staffed by Hermes Pan. Music and lyrics by Mack Gordon and Hairy Owens. Tradeshown In L. A. Feb. 8, '42. Running time, IS MINB. - Blleon O'Brien.- ..Betty Orable Jefferaon Harper Victor Mature Rusty Smith Jack Oakle Dennis O'Brien Thomas Alltchell Harper Qeorge Dnrbler Palola'a Father Billy Qllbert palola Hllo Hnttle Palola'a Coueln Lillian Porter John-Rodney Hal K. Dawson Studded with the type of enter- tainment that is tuned to present audience requirements, 'Song of the Islands' Is a spontaneous and breezy mixture of comedy, song, dance and romance—set in Hawaiian atmos phere and photographed In Techni- color. It should spin a merry time at the boxoffices, with holdover po- tentialities In the key spots. . Picture displays plenty of eye-and- ear assets. Betty Grable, in abbre- viated' Hawaiian attire, displays a particularly formful figure to hold interest of the male section, while the athletic Victor- Mature will get attention of the women customers- There's plenty of color, a load of romance, and sufficient - comedy ladled out In generally broad style to carry audience Interest. Included also are some song and dance num- bers showmanly displayed in color- ful tr'opical settings. Story is only a light and fragile framework on which to hang the' various sequences. Miss ^Grable Is the daughter of Thomas Mitchell, phllosdpvcal Irish beachcomber, who owns a portion of a small island In the Hawaiian group and treats the 'natives with consideration. Mature sails -in to visit his father's cattle tanch on the other side of the Island, and Immediately romance gets under 'way, Tlie cattle baron wants access to a harbor on Mitchell's side of the Island, and 'finally arrives from Chl- [«a£0)to«ii]aiiiifulateith» deali -It-^ll winds up okay at the finish, after several complications have been gen- erated to keep the boy and girl apart for sufficient footage. Liberal potions of surefire comedy are supplied by Jack Oakie, who has a field day in by-play with buxome native maid. Hilo Hattie, recent en- tertainer with Harry Owens' band. Oakie finds a perfect teammate in Hattie, who displays showmanly tim- ing in her various efforts. Hilo Hattie scores with a couple of comedy hula . dances, and Miss Grable also delivers grass-skirt gyra- tions with an ensemble assisting. Five tunes by Mack -Gordon and Harry Owens are neatly routined, with Miss Grable, Hilo Hattie and Jack Oakle handling the various numbers that range from romance to comedy in tempo and delivery. Romantic team of Miss Grable and Mature carries plenty of physical aopeal; while the Oakie-Hattle combo clicks-with effective laugh episodes. Stron? supoort is provided by Mitch- ell. George Barbler. Billy Gilbert, Lillian Porter and Hnl K. Dawson. Fast-paced script is enhanc^ by consistently zippy direction by Wal- ter Lang. Production guidance by William Le Baron aimed for box- office values at every point. Techni- color mounting adds materially to the overall color of the tropical set- Ung^, ^. .WflU.-. On the Sunny Side Hollywood, Feb. 2. Twentieth-Fox production and rflense. Stara Roddy HcDowall; features Jane Daf- well, Stanley Clemente. Katharine Alex- ander, Don Douglas. FKddle Merrer. Ann Todd, Jill Esmond. Director. Harold !^hus- ler; screenplay. Llllle 'HnywartI and Genrnc Templeton; suggested by a story by Mary C. McCnll, Jr.; camera. T.uc-len Andrlot: editor, Fred Allen. Tradeshown In L. A. Feb. 2, '42. Running time. S» ^INS. Hugh Ayleaworth. noddy SIcDnwnll Annie Jane Darwell Tom Sanders Stanley Clements Mra. Andrews Katharine Alexander Mr. Andrews Don Douglas Don Andrawa ..Eredilla^Mezcer Betty .Ann Todd Mrs. Aylesworth Jill Ksmond Dick Freddie Walbum Flip T.eon Tyler Mcssenffer. Billy Benedict Broadcast Announcer Stcart Robertsah Angus Whiskers Miniature Reviews ■Boxle Bart' (20th). Bur- lesqued farce of a sensational murder trial; good b.o. for the key nms. 'Song of the Islondto* (20th) (Color; Songs). Good filmuslcal comedy; rates hefty b.o. and holdovers. 'On the Sanny Side' (20th). Roddy McDowell starrer revolv- ing about English war orphan who makes good in U. S. Mild b.o. 'Castle In the Desert' (20th). Last of Charlie Chan whodunits uninteresting dual filler. IHorrlune Smith' (Rep). Ro- mantic drama clicks modestly in the B groove. parently poisoned by wine potion. Chan carries on to unravel ' the strange happenings and to save the millionaire couple from dire peril. After Chan walks through suffi- cient footage, and segregates the va- rious suspicious characters around the place, he makes the inevitable solution—which to the onlooker -seems-like-«-*whydunit' Direction by Harry Lachmang Is slow in develrjjment, and efforts to Inject slapstick laughs via antics of Jimmy Chan fail to catch on. Cast is standard for picture of thU type. Walt. This is a narrative of experiences of a young English boy who is a war orphan in the United States for the duration. It's set up entirely on incidental material and is rather slow and unexciting over all. Turned out on low budget, picture will pass as dual filler in secondaries, with mod- erate appeal for the kid trade.' Roddy McDowall. prominent in 'How Green Was My Valley,' takes the lead spot satisfactorily. As a refugee from Nazi bombings in Eng- land, he arrives in a typical Ameri- can home in the Cleveland suburbs to join one son of family about his own age. Yam is a study in confilct of the boys over affection of family, dog and nearby kids, besides fast acclimatization of Britisher to Amer- Ic»n ways and slang. Tale jogs along without more than passing audience Interest, with 'ek- ception of impactful reproduction of children-parents' short wave radio reunions across the Atlantic, and a rotisin.i; rough and tumble battle in which two bnvs fi^ht to comradeship conclusion. Both these came in final re(>ls and are only pace sten ups. Supporting cast contains kid gang which will moderately hold interest of youngsters. Little Freddie Mercer, as the tyriical American boy who finds the Eni!lish competition tough at home, school and play, does a fine job in his as.<!li!nment. Suitable nharacterlTation): to fill are orovided bv .Tane Darwell, Stanley Clements, Katherlne Alexonder. Don Douglas )>n'l Ann -Todd. Direction by Harold .Schuster lacks right tempo of spon- taneity necessary to make kid pic- tures click, while script falls to gen- erate more than ya'wning. Walt. HURRICANE SMITH Republlo release of Rotiert North produc- tion. Features Bay MIddleton. and Jane Wyatt. Directed by Bernard' Vorhnua; screenplay by Robert Presnell from orig- inal by Charles O. Booth; camera, Ernest Miller; editor. Edward Mann. At the New Tork, N. T.. atartlng Jan. 28, '42. Runolnc time. 88 MIN8. Hurrlcano Smith Ray MIddleton loKh Wyatl Jane Wyatt Robert IngeraoU Reed Harry Davenport Eggs Bonelll J. Edward BromberK Sam Carson Harry Brandon Johnny Smith Caaoy Johnson Mark Harris Charles Trowbridge Pop Wesaell Frank Darlen Sen. Bradley ^ Howard Hickman Prosecuting Attorney Bmmett Vogaii Castle In the Desert Hollywood, Feb. 2. Twentieth-Fox release of Ralph Dietrich production. Features Sidney Toler. Di- rector. Harry Lachman; screenplay. John iJirkln; baaed on Earl Derr Bigger* char- acter: camera, VIrgll Miller; editor. John Brady. Tradeshown In L. A., Feb. 2, '42. nunnln^ tlm^e. 51 MTNB. Charlie Chan .Sidney Toler Brenda HarTford Arloen Whelan Carl Dethrldge Richard Derr Manderley Douglas Dumbtllle Watoon King Renrr Danlell Walter Hartford Edmund MacDonald Jimmy Chan Sen Tung Lucy Manderley T.entta Lane Madame Satumla ....Ethel Orltlles Fletcher Milton Parsons Dr. Retling ;...Steva Qeray Oleason Luden LlttlelleM This will probably be the last of the Charlie Chan whodimlts. A very mild murder mystery, without clear- cut reasons for action. 'Castle In Desert' will have to suffice as dual filler In the secondary houses. Original script by John Larkin Is unimaginative and seems to have been tossed together hurriedly In order to .get the final 'Chan' to the barrier. It's the typical medieval castle setting, with walking armor, sinister suspects, a torture dungeon and all the trappings. Only change is locating the castle In the middle of the Mojave desert, 35 miles from a waterhole town. . Desert abode Is qiiarters for multi- millionaire Douglas Dumbrille and his wife. Casual weekend guests wander arotind In white ties and din- ner jackets, while one guest is ap- through expert cameraing by Charles Harten and WlUlam Kelly. Depicts school for cop rookies, plus various ramifications of N. Y. police in han- dling a^^lcal burner alarm, Jrom the time ih'essage goes"To~a poUciT patrol car until the man goes to jalL Commentary lukewarm, while edit- ing Is only so-so. HETBO The Orcenic' (Miniature Series; directed by H. Alexander; 11 mins.) —Here's a screen brevity—straight homey comedy-drama, which gains force through its terseness. Relates story of school kid, jtist arrived from Europe, who tries to take his place with a buncn CT -American young- sters playing soft ball on N. \. East Side. Scripters deftly picture the youth's fright when an airplane asses overheacL (it's revealed that Is mother was- killed at Warsaw by Nazi bombers), and his urge to be one of gang despite his broken English, when he clouts a homerun Republic veers somewhat from its accustomed path -with this semi- meller. It's set In a western back- ground and there's an occasional lapse into the usual gtmplay and flst- swlnging, but the emphasis is more on romance and story. It provides moderately good entertainment. Capable cast has been assembled by Republic for the chore, with top spots handled by Ray Mltldleton and Jane Wyatt Aside from roles at Rep, Middletoa has been better known for his vocal work, partic- ularly in the stage version of 'Ro- berta.' He makes a. believable cow- hand, however, easy with his dukes and six-shooter. Miss Wyatt's pleas- ant personality and ready handling of her lines makes her a neat vis-a- vis. Bernard Vorhaus's direction keeps the action at a nice clip, with the weak point being the story. It's one of those complicated things, with the plot just hanging on one coincidence after another imtil the audience is guessing developments ahead of the author. Mistaken for a holdup man and sent to jail, MIddleton escapes and gets the coin away from the real bandits. Instead of returning it and Retting himself cleared, he marries Miss 'Wyatt and they use the money to build up a dream city In the desert One of the bandits^ J. Edward Brom- berg, turns up for a blackmail ses- sion. Miss' Wyatt kills him, but no one • minds, and everything works out happily. Herb. STORY BUYS Hollywood, Feb. 3. Republic purchased 'Suicide Squa- dron,^ tale of the RAF, by Douglas Darrow. Warners bought the William Woods novel "The Edge of Dark- ness.' Republic acquired The Flying Tigers,' tale of American aviators in China, by Charles M. Ross. -Producers Releasing Corp. has purchased 'Gallant Lady,' a short story by Octavus Roy Cohen which appeared in Collier's some years ago. Studio paid about $500 for it TITLE CHANGES Hollywood, Feb. 3. ' 'Make Way for the Commandos' Is new tag on 'Commando' at Republic. Metro switched from 'China Cara- van' to "Yanks On the Burma Road.' 'Yanks Over Burma' at Republic shifted to Yanks Over Singapore.' The Devil Can Wait' at Columbia became 'Hell Bent for Mr. Jordan." 'Manila Calling' has been reversed to 'CaUing Manila' at 20th-Fox. T.TKF. A 10-SFOT Hollywood, Feb. 3. William Holden and Frances Dee draw top spots In 'Something Bor rowed,' to be produced from Eliza- beth Dunn's magazine yarn at Co lumbia. Robert Sparks produces and .-Al- fred E. Green dfrfeets: "' - Resume of January Shorts By BIIKE WEAR StiorU qualitv de/lnitely hit the upffrade durino January a/ter a slieht gptirt In December from the October Iot/>. Quality o/ these ttt>o and one- reel subjects Is tipped by the contributions o/ several companies, uihlch checked' <rt urfth dramatic or unusual bri/Ies that stach up toell uHth some 'fl' /eatures currently beini; circulated.- Month represents probably the greatest number o/ good shorts since the spurt in quality early this ieason. The. strong ones were so outstanding that they made the toeafcles look ei>en uieaker thanusual. The best in Jonuary: ^ \ ,__; ' COLUMBIA •Back 'Em Up' (World of Sports; 9 mins.)—Snappy Indoor sports item, with Bill Stem narrating in fine fashion. Shows Erwln Rudolph, world's pocket billiards champ, in action, with stunt of sinking 14 balls in one shot highlighted. 'New York's Finest' (Panoramic series; 10^ mins.)—How 19,000 cops guard city of .7,50(1,000 people Is given superb photographic handling Carrent Short Releases (CompUed by BESA SHOBT) <A Torrid Toreador> (26th), 7 mins. Cartoon. Ihe Froien North' (20th), 7 mins. Cartoon travel charica- ttire. • 'CallliMr AU Olrls* (WB), 10 ins. Song and dance. 'Main Street on Uie Blarch' (M-G), 20 mins. Topical. ■Mickey's Birthday Party' (Dlsney-RKO), 7- thins. Car- toon. 'Jewel of the PaolOo' (20th), 10 Ins. Hawaii travel. 'Happy CIrons Days' (20th), 7 mins. Topical. 'Men for the Fleet* (20th), 9 mins. Training for U.S.N. 'Kicking Coiga Around' (Par), 7 mins. Popeye. 'West Point on the Budaon' (M-G), 7 mins. Fitzpatrick. •Wedding Worries' (M-G), 11 .mins. Our Gang. he makes the grade. It's one of those simple yarns, unfolding a cleverly concealed message, that clicks because so well directed and enacted, 'Aqua Antics' (Pete Smith Specialty; directed by L. Lewyn; 8 mins.)—Pete Smith has _done it again. He's taken aquaplanTng tricks, done coimtless times, added some new ones and gagged the whole proceedings with such a fine veneer of humor that this briefie is surefire even in a cold projection room. Wealth of dizzy stunts .and swift pace all help. This can't miss. 'Main Street on the March' (Metro Special; lUrected by E. Cahn; 20 mins.)—More or less - documentary or factual report on the state of U. S. war preparations, with final chapter bringing it right down tc^ the nation's reaction after Pearl Harbor. Traces typical U. S. town from early days,. when folks were saying it was a phoney war, down to America's entrance Into the fray. President Roosevelt, Raymond Gram Swing and H. V. Kaltenbom are shown covering-latest developments. John Mesbltt's impeccable narration makes an already vivid short more important 'West Point on the Hudson' (Fitz" patrick Traveltalk; in color; 7 mins.) —Most intelligent entertaining treat- ment on the U. S. Military Academy at West Point N. Y., yet done in motion pictures. Tips the modem type of army tactics now being taught, shows drills, plebe life, the ramparts at Pti Putnam, types of buildings, etc. 'Best effort by this travel-subject veteran In months. "We Do It Because' (Passing Parade series; directed by B. Wran- gell; 7 mins.)—John Nesbitt has re- searched for explanations why one shakes hands when meeting a friend, tips his hat clinks wine glasses, uses finger bowls—also the history of the wedding ring, kissing and dinner knives. Nesbitt's concise explanation, as illustrated by habits of ancients from which ihost of these practices have been handed down, enhances the enactment Done with light touch for cllcko results. 'Fraldy Cat' (Metro color cartoon; 7 mins.)—Tom, the cat and Jerry, - diminutive mouse, again teamed for - good laugh retums. Rodent takes advantage of tomcat's fright after listening to a radio serial to keep feline racing from imaginary ghosts. Tricky animation, trim color and originality make it above ordinary. PARAMOUNT 'Jasper and ihe WatermeloDs* (Madcap Models; 10 mins.).—George Pal's puppetoons ringing the bell -witlra-fantBsy-aljoutTwbred-lad'TJhtr" loves watermelons not wisely but too well. Kid Is led Into watermelon land by a talkative scarcecrow with astonishing results. Magnificent color, neat gagging and superb choral and music backgrounding help great- ly. New peak in this variation of outright cartoons.' 'Billion Dollar Limited' (Superman cartoon strip; 8V4 mins.).—New ven- tures of Superman depict him halting the robbery of a gold shipment by a gang of siiper bandits. This gives the authors a chance for incredulous happening on both sides. The car- toon-strip character is mightly tough to stomach on the screen, but the kids doubtlessly will like this one. 'P'opnlar Science at Bandolph Field' (latest in this series; .11 mins.). Typical subject-matter, with Ran- dolph Flild, where aviators are born fort the U. S. Army, outstanding. Processing of frosted foods, a ski- doodler and Prof. Oakes, the comedy dizard. Included. Cameraing and di- rection stand out but sound is me- diocre. RKO •Flghllnc Fish' (Sportscope; 9 mins.).—^Exciting yam about sports- men who tackle salt water game fish off Chile. Mr. and Mrs. Kip Far- rlngton shown bringing in giant swordfish. one p broadblll weighing 617 pounds. Good photography^ and pimgent story by Phil Reisman, Jr., make this Frederic Ullman produc- tion a worthy entry. Information Please' (with John Gunther, Guest Expert: 10 mins.).— Barely makes the grade among bet- ter shorts, with much subject-matter tar above heads of average theatre audience. Identifying well-known illustrations in display ads Is possibly the silliest of all topics. The Art of Self-Defense' (Walt Disney cartoon; 8 mins.).—Fanciful, kidding cartoon tracing art of self- defense from prehistoric age to mod- em times. Phoney-voiced, off-stage narrator describes the antics of Goofy, the punch-drunk fistic ex- pert through the ages. Bright Ideas and gags Inserted Into fast-gaited story for neat results. 20TH FOX 'Playtime In Hawaii' (Sports Re- view; 10 mins.).—Possibly one of slickest black-and-white sports reels on aquatics from this company. Timely topics because of current in- terest In Hawaii. Show experts at Honolulu using surf boards ~and out- rigger canoes for thrills. Ed Thor- gersen's suave touch In narrating Is helpful, with topfilght photography also of material assistance. 'Men for (he Fleet' (Adventures of Newsreel Camerantin; 9 mins.).— Training of new recruits for na-vy from raw youngster to polished sea- man. Fancy camera work of Jack Kuhne and Paul Douglas' word-pic- ture puts this over the top. 'Evergreen Playland' - (Snorts Re- view; in color; 9 mins.).—Contrast of snow against evergreens and spruce, trout fishing in a tiny boat, and ski- ing make this sports topic jell. Ray Femstrom's photography and Cine- color work ore significant and spar- kling. Ed Thorgersen's slick narra- tive job, and Russ Shields' editing contribute greatly. 'Happy Circus Days' (Terry-toon cartoon comedy. In color; 7 mins.).— A bit whacky in ideas, but one of best fot this type of color cartoons in some time. Human figures are Paul Terry's forte apparently. Depicts youngster's visit to circus, payoff be- ing when kid decides a picture show is a better bet than the big top. UNIVERSAL 'Swing Frolic' (Name-Personality series; 10 mins.).—Sprightly entry in this series, calculated to cash in on the presence of Ted Weems' band. Weems' entertainers Include the Perry Como, Elmo Tanner, Parker Glbbs and Jeanne Brown. Added entries are Peggy Ryan, dancer from 'Meet the People'; The Harmonettes, seen lately in 'Babes on Broadway; Margery Daye and the Dufflns, vet ballroom team. Ryan girl and Dug- gins are standout. Weems glee club does 'I Wonder Who's Kissing Her (Continued on page 22)