Variety (Dec 1942)

WedBes4«f, December 16, 1942 23 Film Reviews Contlaatd tnm fag* U ; CITY OF SILENT MEN even though th^y are being clipped and ostracued. Tlie pot OnaUy boils over into mob action and aa attempt- ed lynchins belore' the situation is resolved wllli the cannery working on a war contract and everyone happy* Frank Albertson as a hot-headed cynic, who has been through the inill and trusts no one., staclcs as another Spencer Tracy off his chore with the lead. Emmett lynn poilrs a wealth of dry. common-sense humor and reasoning into his role as Albertson's side-kick and retraining influence. Jan Wiley, as the waitress.who gives the ex-cons a helping hand, does a fine job with a tough part She ^as to throw herself at Albertson with- out getting maudlin when she can't have him and manages to make the role bcliev-.ble by deft underplaying. Fran. LA GUERRA GAUCHA (The Gawsha War*) (ARGENTINE-MAOE) Buenos Aires, Dec. 5. Arltstns Are<*<)ttnnH Aiiocla^oa production roIi'uitiMl by l>iBlribul{lora PatuutiprU-aim btiirrliiK Kiirlniio Mulno. Krnndoro r'nioiic BebnRliiin ChiolH. Ajnolta Bonre find Rlcnrdo Calni'lip. Olr«:l«<l by Lucoa Dcniare. J'ho- tOKi"'il*>y. nob Hobcrta: baaed on po*in by Leo|u*IUn T.uconM: adapted by UIIrau IVtIt d« Murat and Monwre MancI: iouhIc. LucIo DfiiNinv Il'vlowad at Ibe AnibaaKndnr. Buenos Alifa. Runnloit time. #0 NI.Nk. ■La Guerra Gaucha,* first produc- tion from the new Artistes Argen- tinos Asodados, is probably the best ArgentiDe-made to date. It's an historical epic, faithful to fact, in- telligenlly handled and solid enter- tainment. It's already shown itself to be top grosser in B. A., and be- cause its historical basis deals with the ousting of the Spanish 'conquis- tadores.' at the same time packing a pro-democratic angle, it should be strong elsewhere in Tiatln America, since war for liberation was similar in many South American republics. Film also has good possibilities for U. S. arty houses. - Unusual for local-mades, plenty of native color that will be recog nizable, and the gaucfao horseman- ship and battle scenes, some of them very reminiscent of ttie early U. S. westerns, will give it added punch. Film is based on the book of Leo- ppldo Lugones, adapted by Ulises Petit de Murat and Homero Manzi. They've intelligently penetrated the spirit of the original and devised episodes into a script with a full sense of the value of their medium. Dialog is particularly strong, having been taken' bodily from the onginnl, and solid pro-democratic effect from quotation from Argentine hero. Gen- eral Belgrano, give the pic a propa- ganda value not to be overlooked, particularly since few Argentine- mades have ever handled themes as strongly as this. Picture is by far Demare's best. Story deals with the struggle of the gauchos, both from the pampas end the mountains, against the Span- ish armies who fought In provincial Alta Peru and in Salts from 1840 to 1880. Characters are authentic and extremely well done, lliere's tiie old sacristan who risks his life hourly to give signals to the gaucho camp. Captain ICranda. the bom guerilla. Is ezcellentlv played, by Francisco Petrone. Highlight of the story comes when a young Peruvian-bom lieutenant who is flirting with the Spanish army, goes over to the Ar- gentine side. The plot In itself is not as lmpertar>t as me battle scenes, the gaucho raids and the depicting of the spirited horsemanship and bravery of the legion of the fighters, who are ready to go off and strike JdLttic.Stianiab.j^.'QW at the toss of a sombrero. Photography by Bob Roberts, only U. S. head cameraman here, is tops, as are special effects created by Roberts and Ralph Papier. Scenes of the llnal raid, resulting in the death of Miranda after blowing up the enemy powder stores, are good, but a finale with the old gaucho playing the national anthem on his one-stringed violin during the last moments of the final battle may seem a bit corny for foreign con- sumption, althqn^ strong here. Special mention due Carlos Cam- pagnale in the role of a youngster COMING "THE FIGHTING ft STARRINO Lola Lane & Lawrence Gray with Chick Ctiandler - Irene Ware Geor^ Meeker and .. .^baw and Lee who aids the gauchos. Elvira Qul- roga also deserves praise. Film could have taken a little more careful polishing, and 'ifa worth noting that the opening-night audience was kept waitii^ until mid-' ni^t because the print bad not yet come back from the laboratory. Sound is occasionally spotty, but music by Lucio Demare is adequate. Film is not only important locally because of its tiieme and execution, but because it marks a new depart- lue for local production, which will undoubtedly be of strong influence and cause Jt to switch from ttie cur- rent wide-spread practice of concen- tration on romantic comedies and melodramas, without local back- groimd. Film was made with the coopera- tion of the Argentine Army, which supplied riders and other assistance. . Ray. Disney's 'Saludos, Amigos* OK in English Dialog Too Walt Disney's production of 'Saludos, Amigos' (RKO), was given its first official showings in this country during the past week, for the press and diplomatic representa- tives south of the border, and the general impression was unanimous- Ihat here was one of Disney's finest clicks in cartoon filming. Running only 4.'5-minutes, ex- hibitors will have to determine where the pic will fit in view of the brevity. It's a worthy production, and the good will established by the film in Latin America, about whose customs the film treats authentically, seems likely to enhance this attitude in the U. S. for the Americas below the equator. The only difference from the Latin American version (reviewed in last week's 'Variety' from Buenos Aires) is in the narration. The four episodes, about which the pic deals, are in native tongues. Spanish in the Bolivian-Peruvian, Chilean and Ar- gentinian sequences, and Portuguese in the Brazalian one. For the Yan- que market, of course, it's all Eng- lish commentation. Newsreels Continued from pace S It's ffis Gal Now Hollywood, Dec. 19. Sugen Freake became sole pro- ducer ot The Girl from Leningrad,' with Gregor Rabinovitsch pulling out aa co-produoer but retaining a flnapclal interest In the film. Negotiations are going on for United Artists release and shooting space at General Service studios. Akim Tamiroff has been signed lor • lead rale but no director has been hired to date. CIVDJANFILM mBECUTTOO features beginning Jan. 1. Estimates are that the five reels use arotmd 250,000,000 feet ot stock annually, this including positive, negative and export supplies. With the 25% cut becoming effective the supply would be reduced by some 62,500,000 feet annually. To meet this situation, newsreel heads were debating whether to cut the number of issues from two to one weekly or to reduce the number of clip$ per issue. If cutting to one issue weekly, producers estimated they would be obliged to increase the number of prints by approxi- mately 50% in order to service all accounts. Thus, where 300 prints were made per newsreel issue on a semi-weekly l>asis it was figured that 450 prints would be needed if the reels went out but once weekly. Mellett, it Is under- stood, was anxious to avoid either cut. Tom Connors and W. C. Michel, ot 20th-Fox, in Washington last week to consult with WPB officials regarding the classification of the March of Time reel which they con- tend should be designated as a r.cwsred. since it is a member of the newsreel group. Mellett's re- action to the proposed newsreel cut was under.ctond brought up during the course of their D. C. trek. Newsreelers' Hnddle Proposal of Mellett to allow a per- centage of raw film stock, now as- signed his Government division and for Victory shorts, to go to the five American newsreels, was discussed in detail at a meeting of newsreel editors in N. Y. yesterday (Tuesday). Confab was still in session at 'Variety's' press time, but prelim discussion indicated the Mellett move might enable newsreels to continue operations on present basis with an absolute minimum of cutting down, if any cuts at all are required. Understood that suggestions for joint editorial and makeup staff for the five reels, to release veteran newsreel manpower for Government service, also were discussed. Mews- reels previously had been approached for expert members of their stafi to supervise material of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. If any such sugges- tion li adopted, however, it would not change camera staffs or number of prints sent to accoimts, attitude of Government experts being that more wor'tfgvengd is needed. Washington, Dec. 15. War Production Board is issuing an order to raw film stock manu- facturers to cut the production of all film for civilian use. Understood that 35 mm film is to be cut 24%, amateur film 50% and professional film 24%. Film for military pur- poses will not be curtailed. This order is distinct from the raw stock allocation order, cutting use of stock for film production approxi- mately 25% below 1041 figures, which is expected this week. The order to raw stock manu- facturers such as Dupont, Eastman, Agfa, etc. was scheduled to be re- leased late tonight (Tues.) according to informed circles here. lATSE Anxious CeBUnaed from page problems may have to be faced un- der the WMC, Walsh believes that in various cities, such as New York City where coiuiderable unemployment still exists, the WMC can draw on that surplus and m^y not have to take operators, stagehands, lab workers, etc., off their jobs. Also, Walsh points out^that many lA members, notably operators, work six bom's daily and less and thus could double up on jobs. In other words, they could work a four, five or six-hour shift in a theatre and also a shift in a defense plant, if it became necessary to do that Addi- tionally, most lA members are on five-day weeks. In N. Y., where there are 2,200 operators, they work only a four-day week. That leaves plenty of time to catch some sleep if a man was to work on two jobs. Walsh noted, also, that some defense plants are actually working men on some diifts that run only four hours. In the film studios. lA members work only six hours a day. Walsh indicated inferentially that should the WMC make inroads on lA manpower that it would come along like everyone else in trying to win the war. but stated he doesn't feel an experienced union technician or operator, for instance, should be placed into a job in a factory assort- ing screws which could be done by anyone. Noting that it takes a long time to train a projectionist. Walsh doubts that women can fill he bill effi- ciently. They were tried in England, he added, but were found unsatis- factory. As managers, women are okay In Walsh's opinion, however. Tve had dealings with a couple,' he declared, 'and got alms with tbem Bicely.' Carrent Short Rdeases (PSIKTS*IN EXCHANGES) <Compiled By Besa Short) Seek Ceiling Ruling Cuittauei ftoB page S contracts, many of which would be broken under limitations imposed by the salary limitations. Meantime, execs including Nick Sehenck, J. Robert Rubin, Barney Balaban, Austin Keough, Louis B. Mayer and others were again in huddles during the past week trying to effect a formula which would per- mit retention of the validity of op- tion contracts. StiU under discussion was the In- come ceiling limit insofar as it ap- plies to freelancers, since fewer en- gagements by leading stars are believed likely, as result of this restriction. Representations made on behalf of the film industry to U. S. Treasury and Office of Economic Stabilization officials in Washington last week were reportedly brushed off. It was held in some quarters that relief should be provided under the $25,000 income ceiling for creative and ar- tistic personnel with a view to get- ting more instead of fewer pictures out of such personnel. It was point- ed out that stars enjoy only a limit- ed number of big money years at best, that writers and directors are not uniformly prolific. Are C«nlraetc Valid? Chiet concern of major producers remains over the validity of con- tracts. Industry attorneys have so fac been reluctant to commit them- selves to a definite stand on whether contracts can be maintained in the face of the $67,200 salary ceiling. It is pointed out that when an em- ployer cannot fulfill a contract call- ing for payment of a specific salary, then such a contract, becomes unr sound, especially when non-fulfill- ment is pre-empted by a CJ^vem- ment regulation. Attorneys for the most part are inclined to doubt that options can be exercised or that par- ties to such contracts can be held, unless some ruling to that effect is promulgated. Allowable Deductions Some rumors were afloat last week that a salary greater than $67,200 could be paid to Individual perform- ers. As far as can be ascertained there has been no chapge in the salary limit fixed by the Office of Economic Stabilization. In addition to the $67,200 salary, however, ex- penses for advertising, publicity, traveling, etc., ai« permitted. Thua a film player, bandleader or an Exec- utive in any industry might be paid $80,000 or $100,000 a year in order to cover disbursements. Such dis- bursements, under the Treasury reg- ulations, must be of a nature allowed in income tax deductions. Meantime, Congressional opposi- tion to the principle of the $25,000 income ceiling is gathering momen- tum. Some Congressional leaders have stated that they would call for an abrogation of the ceiling regula- tion by inserting an amendment to that effect in the tax bill or other legislation coming up during the next session beginning in January. Plan 'Ceiling Rideri Continued from pace S ^^Ji appropriations bill which will reach the House early next year. If the rider remains in the hill after it is passed by Congress and -sent to the White House the "President will have his choice of accepthig the whole measure or vetoing it. Meanwhile, Representative Jen- kins, Ohio Republican and member of the ways and means committee, expressed the - belief also that tho committee would take up the ques- tion of wiping out the order at the next session. BTHtHETTE ZnSS TOTTS Smiley .Bnmette, cowboy film ac- tor under oontmct to Republic, baa just' completed a 10-week tour of one-nighters. Tour -has ended In Huntingdon, W. Va., handled by Martin Wagner of the William Morris Agency. New York Theatres BEG. FRIDAY, DEC. 18 W.4B.NKB BBn.<>.' HIT "FLYING FORTRESS" Action Drama From t'.io j\ctlaM Fron 10 Sta n-ln t; RICHARD <3REENE '\ PJ5n.>JO,v JERRY WALD AXB HI8 OB<:U AT.SO GUf«rd • Thr Umr TrU B ftiy J aiw Smith Turk STRAND B-wnr * 41 St J«IY GARUUn "FOR NE AMI MY GAL" An MOM riam ICTDB B'mir rapular PHees B4IV A WM BA¥w '(D A**-« Mtfi St 4TH WEEK Bogart * Bergman * Henreid Is Warner Pro*. Hit "CAjSABLANCA" A Hal B. Wsllla PTOductJaa Olrectad by Actual CorUx HOLLYWOOD THEAIBE Centinuaiia • B'way A Stat 6*. Buij- Horses, Horses, Horses' (WB, 9 mins.). Circus femmes in horseback stunts. 'Henry Browne. Farmer' (Indie. 11 mins.). U. S. Agriculture Bureau production about negro farmers. "Glimpses of Ontario' (M-G, 9 mins.). Fitzpatrick travelogue of Canada's farm lands. Oiands of Women' 'Par, 1U<> rains.). Prof. Josef Ranald study of American women hands. 'Unexpected Biches' (M-G, IIM: mins.). Our Gang comedy. •The Eleventh Hoar' (Par, 8 mins.). Superman cartoon. IMallce In Slamberlanr (Col, 6\<i mins.). Cartoon comedy. 'Keep "Km Sallhuc' <M-G, 20% mins.). Crime Docs Not Pay arama. i 'Fighting Freighters' (UA, 21 mins.). Saga vf England's merchant marines. ' Traokcaslcia'a Cat' (20th. 7 j mins.). Terrytoon cartoon comedy, J Sft~ MUSIC HALL "RANDOM HARVESr' Spaetaeular PtwdMCtiena PALACE B WA I i. 47111 S: fat oraaiEN • at»m muitmf ITAVT COM£S THKOVGE' "You Can't Escape Foraver" ' "--Vila RRFNT ■ Brni^ MARSHALL LOEWS STATE "C- Urt Tlwi W(<. ' •VLymo TIOEBH" John Aaiia WAYNE LEE turn MRMLL Tn Person CRais A DuaH .. BIIIEVI TCH'a WbiU Tkan Om IT rni MacBUBBAT PanMla OOBDAB* "rm FOBEST KANGKBtr la TECHNICOLOR Ib F«ruB Ouy KI8BEE lav PARKER EXTSA! CIt* NIMAC * Ore -Tim rwfaci SkaOiK 1 "—Menlle. NfH* 50c $1 & $ijo;iS' M, NltMi Mir Ste. *• «.$• Plat Tai tiania Bailr * Afdnir M. Wlnr vrruid A NrnCAL ICETBAVAOANZ.4 STARS QN ICE CENTER THEATBC Afnrrlcii'aA' SmO^J^i E«M.. tail. 8UI. iiW—Btt«.: W<4..8at-Su(. fee Tliaatre Na mmity Pwf^Htlliay Mat.. Dm. U