Variety (Oct 1942)

8 FltfH REVIEWS Wednesday, October 21, 1942 THE BLACK SWAN (COLOB) Tweni li'ihrFox reltaM of Robert Baesler producllon. Stars Tyrone Powor. Maureen O'Hara: reatui-c« Laird CieKar, Tbom.ia Milt^!H-ll. Oc*<)i:i.- Sund'ira. Antllony Quinn, (m!>ti;c Z'UCvu. Directed by Henry KtnR. ti-rcenpl^iy l>y Ben lloc'lt and Seton 1. Miller: iidapiatlon hy Miller from novol/by Hnfnel Sattntlnl; cemer.i, Leon Bhamroy: ejiio:. H:n-1inr;i McLein. TrHileJihown :n Y.. U^'l. 10, -12. Hunning time, 84 MlNli. J:iiiii-H W'jirlitK Tyrone Tower M-.ii'i;.ir>'t Di^nl-y Mnurcen 0'H;ir;i Ciiptiiin Henr>- MorKun Laird CrCKar Ttiiiimy niue TbomiiH Mitchell Cuinnin Hilly Leech Ceorse Sanders \\'i,;jjin Anthony QuInn 1.11.,I Iii^nljy rie,)rKe >^Uv-co ]{ii::(-r InKram Edward Aahley Dun MiKuel Porlunlo Uonanova ('Hptaln Grahiiin Stuart Robertson Kenner Cliarles McNnUKlUon Sprnker Pretlerlck Worlock ( liln.'se Cirtik Wllllo l-^inK Hi»:i:M...'. Charles Frnncle Bishop Arthur Shielda Mn)<ir-D<>nin Kellh HItrhcock Cnptaln Itlslne John Burton rj.fn;i!n .Itinph Cyril Mcl^clen l>;inli-l . . .Cliirpiit-e Muse Clcik Olnf Hytten rchnrles Irwin Sea Captnlns ( David Tharaby I Frank I^lxh Rafael Sabatinl's stor^ of sea piracy is an apropos, action-full au revolt to pictures lor Tyrone Power, now in naval uniform. It's also atting that Power's last film for 2Cth-Fox for the duration should in- clude so much of a boxoSlce wallop. This one can't miss making the wickets whirl. That business of Power slugging Maureen OUara after she repulses his forced atten- tions, or Power crawling into bed with her, or some of the dialog anent Powers' propensity to take wotanen when, where, and how he wants 'em. Is hardly for the kiddies. This is a lusty story of English buccaneers who plunder women and the Spanish Main with equal facil- ity. On one point, though, the Purity Code is adhered to—some of the pirates reform, while the others meet their Just deserts at swords end or the gallows. Thus chief pirate Laird Cregar, playing Henry Mor- gan, winds up as the honest governor of Jamaica; his chief aide. Power, likewise turns pure, even winning the love of Miss O'Hara, whom he previously tries to compromise; Thomas Mitchell also winds ^p a re- formed pirate, while such brutes as George Sanders, whose bearded makeup makes him look like a fero- cious, red-headed butcher, and An- thony Quinn, as a one-eyed scourge of the sea, become dead pirates. Film is enhanced by the color pho- tography, which makes the marine shots especially attractive and lends punch to the gory battle scenes. In- asmuch as it's a costume picture, the Technicolor is all the more appeal- in«. There are several sea and personal battles, plus some fast sabre dueling. Power Is in action in most of them, flashing a muscled torso thafs pho- togenic for the femme patrons. As a pitch for the males, Miss O'Hara is facetl in low-cut dresses that more than once threaten to spring a major celluloid surprise. The color, inci- dentally, greatly adds to her physical apoearance. Both Power and Miss O'Hara turn In good acting performances, al- though it's left mystifying at the finish why she suddenly switches her afTectlons to Power. Thomas Mitchell is living up to his rep as a scene-stealer. Always a good actor, he has the faculty, by some motion or mujuinx. to focus attention upon himself. Cregar and Sanders are of similar type, espe- cially in bizarre makeup, but Mitch- ell outshines them iii the scenery- chewing department Other good performances areVimed in by Ed- ward Ashley, as Miss O'Hara's chick- en-hearted Bance and double-crosser of the Jamaica colony; George Zucco. playing Miss O'Hara's stuffed-shirted father, whom Cregar supersedes as govemof of Jamaica, and Anthony Quinn, who, with Sanders, defies Crcar's orders that the pirates must stoD their pillaging and work hon- estly towards the buildup of the British empire. Others in the film ere not importantly cast Some of the film's action stuff is of the plill-hanger variety, but di- rector Henry Khg kept the fantasy gretty well in hand so that it doesn't scome too ludicrous. He paced the story weU. with the Ben Hecht-Seton 1. Miller dialog bright and peppery. Leon Shamroy's camera Job was A-1. Scho. the novelty angles, if nothing else, but on the whole is generally tepid. Its cast will have to carry it tor the boxolTice. The story opens in 1690 in New England where a strait-laced Puritan condemns a sorcerer and his witch daughter who are burned at the stake. As a result, a curse is laid on the Puritan and any of his de- scendants, the action then jumping to the present when Fredric March, a descendant, is running for election as governor. He is in love with the daughtiir of a publisher backing him. The romance is upset and it appears that March is going to lose in con- sequence of the actions taken by two departed spirits in hounding him, these being Cecil Kellaway, the sor- cerer, and his daughter, played by Veronica Lake. Instead the witch daughter falls in love with. March, losing her powers as a witch, and ihari;ies him after cinching ihe gubernatorial election, with the film ending in the gover- nor's mansion, three children mean- time having been bom to the couple. Neither March nor Miss Lake im- presses very importantly, while Rob- ert Benchley has not tieen well equipped with (material designed to afford comic relief. Kellaway does an excellent Job as the sorcerer. I^ssers Include Susan Hayward, Elizabeth Patterson and Robert War- wick, all of whom are satisfactory. Picture is one of three regular pro- gram features produced by Para- mount and recently sold to United Artists. It's the first under the deal to be delivered to UA. Char. THUNDER BIRDS (TECHNICOLOR) Hollywood, Oct 16. Twentieth Century-KuK rvlease of Lamar Trottl production. Stars Gene TIerney: fea- tures Preston Koster and John Sutton. Di- rected by William A. Wellmun. Screenplay by Trottl; orlKlnal story by .Melville Cross- nion; special comm^rnlary by John Oun- llier; camera, Ernest I'nimer; film editor. Walter Thomiison. Tiadeshown in L. A., Oct. IS, -rj. nunnlna time. 19 MIN8. Kay Saunders Qeoe Tlemey Steve Pritt rrejilon Foster Peter Stackhuuso John Sultun Cokinel MarDnnald Jack >lolt l^iT Slackhuuse Dame Uny Wliltly Gramps Qenrice Barbler Geonie Ix>ckwoi>d Richard Haydn Bnrrntt RCKlnald Dnnny Cadet Hackzi-ll Ted North Blonde Janls Cirter o""" j.^r^S'W Doctor llontaKue Shaw Mrs. Binke Nana nrvunt Saleswoman Iris Adrian Nurse Viola Moore Rllen Connie Leon MeaaenRer WnUer Tettey f^njt^t^ * Mlllv McGulre English Cadets | Ri<«uird Woodruff Miniatiire Reviews The Black Swan' (20th) (Color). Good boxoffice in this action story starring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. 1 Married a Witch' (UA), Fredric March and Veronica Lake in rather draggy entertain- ment ■Thunder Birds' (20tb) (Color). United Nations air cadets in familiar romantic tri- angle; good b.o. in all runs. 'That Other Woman' (20th). James Ellison and Virginia Gil- more in 'B' comedy. 'The Devil With Hitler' (UA). Hal Roach streamliner comedy that stacks up well as entertain- ment Runs 44 minutes. 'Nlgtat Monster* (U). Minor league horror entry. 'Undying Monster* (20th). Formula horror due for dual supporting slots. 'Dr. Benanlt*! Secret' (20th). Few surprises in dull horror melodramatics; strictly filler. The Great CommnndBent' (20lh-Fox). Poor picture deal- ing with early Christian times in Judea. 'We'U Smile Again* (British Nat'l) (Musical). Flanagan tt Allen starred in British click musical. The Phantom piBlnsmen* (Rep). Good entry in the Three Mesquiteers hossopry series. 'Law and Order' (PRC). A little draggy but meets average demand for westerns. ■Baby Face Morgan' (PRC). Good cast, fair story, but poor production. THAT OTHER WOMAN TvveDilt-ih-Fuz releua tt Walt«r Mor- osco pr..durllon. Kentur^s .:umee Ellison. Vlrsliiia Ullinore, Uan Dur. ea. Directed by Kay McCnrey. Screenplay by Jack JuBffmejrer. Jr.; camen. Josepb MacDonald; C'llltor, J. Waljion Webb. Jr. Tradearawn In N.Y.. Oct. 10, '4'J. RunnlnK tloM. 16 Emily Henry Sammers. ruiph ConsUDce Orantlum PoweU. .Vlntlnla Ollmore ...,Jamea BlUaon , Dan Duryaa Janice Carter ..Alma Kruser 1 MARRIED A WITCH rnll<.d Artists rolcnse of Here Hnlr pro- d".i;ini. directed by Clair. Stars FVedrlc >Lirf'h. Veronica Lake: featurea Rol>ert B^ni-hley. Sunan llayward. Cecil Kellaway. Ellzabelli Patterson. Rotiert Warwick. 6tory. TboiTie .^Itb and Norman ICatann: adnfttotlon. Ttoherl rlrosh and Marc Con- nelly; editor. Bda Wnrr*n: camera, Ted Trtzlaff. Pf»rle\ved In N. T.. Oct. 16. ■-l::. RunnlnR time. St MJSK Wallace Wooley Fredric March Jcnnlfrr Verontoa Ijske Or. Dudley White Robert Benchley Eslelle Mofltorson Susan Hayward Dnnlel Cecil Kellaway Mnnroret BUcabeth Patterson J. It. Mnslcrson Robert WarvrlcJc- T.Tldilin EIlT Malyon T,,\\ii Cricr Ilolwrl OrelB ^Inrlha VIolu .Moore Nil m y Mary V'leld }I;irrlct Norn Cecil Alli n Emory Psrnell Viirnllsl Helen 81. Rayner .lustlce of Peace Aldrlcb Bowlccr HU Wife Bmma Dunn 'f Married a Witch.' which deals ■with soirits, is a fantastic type of story that carries some Inter^ on There's timely war interest and patriotic flavor in this offering, which weaves a standard romantic triangle against background of the Thunder Bird Army Air Force train- ing field in Arizona. Picttire will click for profitable biz as biUtopper in all nms, getting accelerated in- terest from excellent color pho- tography. Original story by Melville Cross- man (Darryl Zanuck) provides a satisfactory and informative display of the training of air cadets of the United Nations at the Arizona field. There's sufficient amount of air stuff, without overloading of flying stunts. Basic drama is that of two men and a girL Latter is Gene Tiemey, who's conveniently living on her grandfather's ranch near field. Pres- ton Foster, who went through the previous World War as a pilot ar- rives at the air base to instruct the new cadets—and be near the girl for romantic purposes. Robert Preston Is a British, cadet who falls in love with the girl; finds he's allergic to flying, but is finally saved from washout by the untiring efforts of Foster. Naturally the two kids get together, and Foster continues to turn out pilots for the Allied cause. Foster clicks solidly as the old pilot training flying enlistees, while Sutton capably handles the role of the English cadet Miss Tiemey is okay and eyeful as the girl, while Jack Holt is perfectly cast as the commanding officer of the BehL George Barbler supplies some com- edy moments as the grandfather, while good support includes Reg- inald Denny, Dame May Whltty and Richard Haydn. William Wellman catches the spirit of the training field In his di- rection and keeps the picture Tnov' ing at a good pace. John Gunther provides patriotism-arousing com- mentary in brief prolog and epilog. Picture had most of its footage shot at the Arizona airfield, and en- virons, with cameramen Ernest Palmer and Harry Jackson deliver- ing fine job. Walt OeoTKc Bad McAltetar lira. MucReady Minerva IJrecal Bailey Charlea Amt Smith Charles Halton LInkletter Charlea Trowbrldjis Laaderback Krank Perahlnir Zlneschwlch Oeotm Melford TouRh Guy Paul Fta Tramp syd Baylor Clerk Henry Roqtieniore Waller Leon Belaaco Hell, Hitler shows tip, demanding that as well as the rest of the world, so he's elected. Wacky in its entirety^ much slap- stick is included in the action, while for slight romantic flavor Douglas Fowley and Marjorie Woodworth are paired, former as an insurance sales- man, the girl as a spy. Roles of the Axis leaders are ex- ceptionally well cast Bobby Wat- son is excellent as Adolf, while Joe Devlin makes a fine Musso and George E. Stone a good Hirohito, termed here Suki YaU. Picture lias been ably directed by Gordon Doug- las and has good pace. Char. NIGHT MONSTER Hollywood, Oct. 17. Universal release of Ford B«ebe produc- tion. Featurea Bela Lunosl and Lionel'At- will. Directed by Beebe, OrlHlnul screen- plsy by Clarence Upson YounR; ciinii>i:i, Charles Van Enifer? film editor. Mlltun Carruth. Previewed in studio projettloa room, Oct. lU, '42, RunoInK time, 10 .MINM, Rolf Bela l.UKosI Dr. King Lionel Alnlll Laurie Leif ErlkH,m Dr. Harper Irene Uervcy Kurt Insaton Ralph Moricim Dick Daldnln Don PoMer AKor SlnRh Nils Asther Margaret ingston Fay Helm Dr. TImmona Frank Itelcher liln Jadd Dorla Lloyd Dr. Ptilpps Francis Plerlot Cap Bofta* Robert Homans miUe Canon Janet Shaw Jeb Harmon Eddy Waller Terqoe Cyril Delovanll 'Night Monster' carries more hor- ror-thrill in the title than in its footage. Fabricated along the usual lines, and with a draggy unfolding, picture will drop into the support- ing spots to fill out running time where the audiences want quantity on the screen. As usual, there's the country manor, with a huge house and mul- titudinous rooms. Picture imme- diately sets up the weird atmosphere of the place, presided over by Ralph Morgan, who, in turn. Is surrounded by a group of strange and slinking characters. Basis for the wholesale murders arouhd the place is Mor- gan's revenge attitude against doc- tors, who had left him • helpless cripple through ■ previoxis operation. Suspicion is tossed widely among the characters until script conven- iently cleans things up tor the cus- tomers. Cast, headed^by Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwill, Is adequate, while di- rection by Ford Beebe drags at times and he seemed to have a tough job in shaking up the static script Walt. Lightweight comedy, lacking any marquee lustre, is strictly secondary material in twin setups. James Elli- son and Virginia Gilmore carry the brunt of the action, which many times verges on the slapstick. Miss Gilmore comes through neatly de- spite the trite story. Weakest part of That Other Woman' is the screenplay itself. It follows the all too familiar story of an efficient secretary who falls in love with her boss. Youngish boss proves more obdurate than usual in realiz- ing she's the choicest dish in the picture. Virginia Gilmore is the efficient, love-lorn secretary. She manages to infuse vigor into a rather absurd, thankless role. James Ellison, as her young architect boss, is rather stilted. Dan Duryea, boasting a broad south- em accent is the secretary's jealous fiance, but has small chance to indi- cate it he can act Alma Kruger, Charles Amt, Charles Halton and Paul Fix head the support. Ray McCarey's direction is even, but the script permitted no origin- ality. Nice production values are largely wasted. Wear. They Can't Go There Hollywood, Oct. 20. Southern Pacific, meaning the islands—not the railroad—is in the news again with Tahiti,* a Para- mount romance co-starring Dorothy Lamour and Alan Ladd. Picture will be filmed in Decem- ber when Lamour has finished her job In 'Dixie' and Ladd is out of ■China.' The Devil With HHler United Artists niease of Hal Roach tin- ductloD. Ftaturc* Alan Mowbny. Bobbr Watson, Oeoive K. Stone, Joe Devlin, Ilaiw iorle Woodworth, Douelas Fowley, Hermao Bing. Directed b; Oordab Dooglaa. Story. Al Martin; ndaptaUon, Cortland Fltaalm- mons: editor. Bert Jordan; camera, Robert PItuck. At Qkibe. N. T.. week Oct. 17, ■42. Running time, 44 MIN& The Devil Alan Mowbray Hitler ..Bobby Watson SukI TakI Oeorge E. Stone HasaolbU joe Devlin Linda Mariorla Woadwarlh Walter Douslaa Fowley l^ls Herman Blnit Inllua Big Amo Making clowns of Hitler, Musso- lini and Hirohito, this Hal Roach streamliner pokes plenty of fun at the Axis leaders. Its 44 minutes run- ning time develops innumerable laughs. Ideal as comedy support on dual bilU. In a foreword (Mntieming Jie three heels. It is announced that the story opens and entis in Hell, this partic- ular use of the word apparently be- ing okay with the Hays' office. One of the big laughs comes when Hitler mourns what happened to Hess, say- ing 'I lost my Hess.' Alan Mowbray plays the Devil. His board of directors in Hell want to replace him by bringing in Hitler. Mowbray, seeking to hold his job. asks for 48 hours on earth to see it he cannot get Hitler to do a good deed. He does but on returning to The Undying Monster Hollywood, Oct 16. ■Twentieth Century-Fox release of Uryan t\>y production. Featurea James iEIIIson, Heather Angel and John Howard. Directed by lobb Brabm; screenplay by Ullle Hay- ward and Michael Jaeeby. from novel by Jeaale Douslaa KamMi; camera, Luclen Ballard; aim editor. Harry Reynolds. Tradeahown In L. A., Oct. IS, '42. Runnlmt time, M MIMS. Bob Curtia Jamea Elllaon Helga Hammond Healfter Anicel Oliver Hammond John Howard Dr. Geoffrey Covert Bramwell Fletcher Christy Heather Thatcher Inspector Craig Aubrey Mather Walton HaUlwen Hot>bea Mra. Walton Elly Malyon Millie..: Heather Wilde Btredwick Charles MoGtmw Will Alec CrmlK Constable Holmes Herbert Foster Cllve Morcan Ullea McGregor Dave Thniaby Charles Clagpool Donald Stuart Tbm Clagpool John Rcgeni Coroner Matt Bonlton Dr. Renault's Secret HollywtMu, Oct. 18. Twentleth-Foz release of Bol .M. Wurt^el producUon. Features J. Ciirroll Nalsh, John Bhepperd, Lynne Roberts. Oeortte Zuc'O. Directed by Harry Ijti-hman' screenplay by Wllllum Bruckner and Rob- ert F. Metzler: camera, VIrgll Miller: Aim editor, Fred Allen. Trutleshown In L a Oct. 15, 'W. RunnlnR time, W MIM8, .Mr. Noel J. Ciirriill N;il8h Dr. Lurry l-'orbes Juhn Shep-ierd Miidellne Renault I.ynne Ituiteris Ur. Itenault Ueorge ^ucco I'l-uprleior Den Roach Coroner I<;uuene llordrn Austin Jack .Norton Not much secret in this attempt to provide thrill-chills for the hor- ror customers. Boasting too fantas- tic a premise tor even most recep- tive audience, it's a slow piece that will get tepid audience reaction as filler for the^econdary duals. Only bright spot of the picture is a sterling performance by J. Carroll Naish, who smacks over the role of an ape transformed into a man through the brain and tissue trans- plantation experiments of anthro- galogist-surgeon George Zucco. tory,- more an attempt to display characterizations rather than action, moves along at a dull pace untH it warms up slightly when the ape-man turns on his tormenters to execute several throat-clutching murders. Localed on a lonely estate in France, picture has obvious back- ground for the Eiynthetic dramatic developments. Zucco is okay as the scientist, with John Shepperd and Lynne Roberts Inserted for minor romantic interest. Walt. The Great Commandment LtKh Century-kox releniw or John 'i\ t'^iyle prodlKtlon. Featurea John Beal, Maurice Moscuvltch, Albert Dekker. Marjurle Coo- ley, Lloyd Corrlgan. Directed by irvIng Flcltcl. Btorr and adaptation, Dana Bar- net; editor Ralpti DIxun; camera. Charles P. Boyle. At Mth St. I'Inylinuse. N. T., week Oct. IB. '42. Banning time, 1* MINH. Joel John Ueal Laniofli .Miiurlt-e Moscovlch Longlnaa .tlbert Dekker Tamar Marjorie Otoley Zndok Wnrren McCuUain Jerauel Lktyd Corrlgan Tax Collector Ian Wolfe Nnlhiin OI:if Hytten Singer Anthony Marlws-e FIrvt Zealot I.eHlFr Scharit Second Zealot Mbert Spehr Judaa Miirc Loebell Andrew Harold UlnJIr Wounded Man Earl Dunn Merchant tleorge Rosener Under Officer John Merton First Elder Perry Evana Second Rider Stanley Price Blind Man O'Arcy Coirlgan Old Uan Mas Davldaon This is another horror whodtmit of program calibre that will satisfy the customers who like to sit through horror-thrill mellers. Set up on moderate budget, and lacking mar- quee voltage, it will have to be sat- isfied with bookings in the dualers as supporting tare. Story drops right into the obvious groove, with an old English manse as backgroimd for the strange goings- on. After a phantom mysteriously attacks John Howard and t nurse on the fog-bound moor. Heather Angel, Howard's sister, appeals to Scotland Yard tor aid. James Ellison and girl assistant. Heather Thatcher, are dis- patched to investigate. After sufll* dent footage is coi»umed in at- tempts to hold up audience interest and confuse the customers, solution Is provided by exposing Howard as the suffeter of werewolf complex. Plot unfolds according to formula, with slinking figures and shadows parading throiifh low-key lighting effects; and tails to generate more than moderate attention for even the most avid horror patron. Cast is okay tor what's required—same goes for direction by John Brahm. Wait Same Deal for Ail hkers Hollywood, Oct 20. Uniform labor contracts for all indie cartoon plants is Indicated by the appointment of Anthony CHourke, worker contact for Walt Disney Productions, to handle nego- tiations with the Screen Cartoon- ists Guild tor the Leon Schlesinger and Walter Mantz studios. Guild's end of the negotiations is being handled by William Pomer- ance, business representative. Tliis picture was produced in 1940 and fraught by 20th-Fox which sold it in various parts of the coimtry in 1941. However it never played the N. Y. territory. Dealing with early Christian dajrs and the oppres- sion of Roman rule, it is a religious document which possesses some in- terest though as entertainment it measures tip poorly. The boxoffice potentialities are very slender. Time is 30 A. D., just before the teachings of Jesus began to gain mo- mentum throughout Judea. Love for thy neighbor and other teachings of the Carpenter of Nazareth form the basis for the picture, with a romance thrown in that tails to provide much strength. John Beal, playing the son of a village scholar, goes out to lead an uprising against the Romans only to lay down his arms after falling tm- der the spell of Jesus, saving the 'lite of a Roinan warrior after latter has killed his brother. The brother had been palmed off in marriage to the girl Beal loves, with result that when the murder Is committed he is tree to go off with the lady tor a happy enifing. "nie girl is played spiritlessly by Marjorie Cooley, while others in the large cast include Albert Dekker as Beal's brother; the late Maurice Mos- covich as 'ttie father; Lloyd Corrigan, Warren McCulIum and lessers. The recording' is faulty in spots and the photography generally "not up to standard. In view of the thinness of the plot, picture 'could have been cut down considerably. Char. WE'LL SMILE AGAIN (Mailcal) (BBinSH-MADB) London, Oct. 6. Anglo-Amertcan Film Cwv- release of Britlsti National production. .oiiira Bud Flanagan, Chesney Allen. Directed and proiluced by John Baxter. Screenplay by Uud Planacan, Austin Uelfonl. Barhara Emary; mualc composed and directed by Kennedy Roaaell; lyrics. Desmond O't.'on- nor; camen, Jamea Wilson. Arthur Grant. At Phoenix theatre. l.«ndun. Honnlng time, tS HtSH. Bob Parker Itud Flanngnn Gordon Maxwell Cheatney Alli-n Herr Slelner Melnhart Mnur OIna Cavendish Phyllis RtanU-y Google Peggy neater Mnke-Up Man Horace Kcnney Macnaaghton Gordon McLeod Holtxnian Alexander Kardiin Hoffman luUan Vedey Btitler Chiirles Austin Anglo-American Film. Corp. 'an- nounces proudly that no expense has been spared to save money on this production.' With that nifty this Flanagan and Allen starring vehicle opens with a bellylaugh, forerunner of plenty more during the 93 min- utes these erstwhile memt>ers of the 'Crazy Gang' do their stuff against a background of Nazi spies at work in a British film studio. Americans may well acquire a taste for them. Actually here is one of the most lavish musicals to come from a Brit- (Continued on page 24)