Variety (Jun 1943)

STORMY WEATHER (MUSICAL) 3l)|li-FVi rfl^nfo or Win. LeBuron priKluc- linn. KMium lllll R<ik;nMn. l.cnH ll<>rnf, C'iiii Ciilknviiy. Kiiihfilnr Ouiihimi Tniuirt. I'lU Wiilirr, Nl.holiia llrna.. J>P<>l<>v WD- ft'H, AiIp Uiiiwii. PIrvi-leil l*v Antlrfw .•ii.iiir Hvirdiphiy. FifilPrlfk Jiii kcoii. TihI K' llilpr: nihipluilon. H. Kmri: nriKlnHl. J. rn- Hnrwln. .><r)riii<'iii' H. Hiii'inMUi; ull- ii r. JiiiiifK II. Clmk: n"-liil rir-In. Kif'l .^.-iTi-n: d;inr''H. . t'I:fj-t-iii Hiil'inxiii; pm- Oui'lliin mlvimir. Irvinic .Mill*: miniffl I|hi|i ex'■'i |i|i<) l>v Aiiilv lliiziif-KAIH W.iIUt- Jliiiry iim.>kii: I>i>iiiihy KkWu-Hininy .Mc- Jliiirti: Tnl-Kneh'.rr-HiHolil Arlvn (lllls kkiiki. Kuthlrr-liinira 1'. Juliii'iin-IrvInK >rilN. Call Cnllonny. «t al. 'I'ruleahuwn M.iy °43. Huiininit lliiip, Tl .MINK. >V!iii;i n<iK«ra I.»n« Ihirna iMrkv mil KnhliiH./n Cull Calloway ar.>l Hunil TbeniMlvca K:iihiTliH' Duiihiiiii HfiJ Her Troupf... ■ Thi»ni«p|vM Kiiia Wiillfr Themi^lvvH Aihl llriiwn UttiilPy Wllwin y.iiK NioliuluB Urva A<lii llBliF , The Tramp Bund. The Shndrncka.... riiii'k Uallry .Ilin Kuropa Zutlla Mne : Miller Lyiea Cab CallovRT. Jr- Chnuireur . .'riiiMiiMelvra .,..N>t siaiirtelil nnil Johnny llnmre Iinbe Walhica Krneal Whilniiin Zuitle Slnilelon Hm F: JnhnauB , .h'liiul-noy B. Miller Jiihnnle Lee Rob<rt FelOer .. N Iciidemua Utcwnrt 'Stormy Weather', will have smooth calling at the b.o. It's chockfdl of the cream-of-the-crop colored tal- ent, with a deft story skein to hold It together. Riding the crest of 'Cabin In the Sky.' the Metro all- colored musical, which has been dO; Ing business, this 20th-Fox flimusical will get its share of business also. Bill Robinson and Lena Home (latter the s.a. menace in "Cabin') top the cast It's a tribute to the affec- tion in which Bojangles Is held that the story plot is glossed over in fa- vor of aft the other components. But it's likewise a tribute to the age- less Bojangles that, despite the ihtia- trade concern over miscasting him as Miss Home's romantic vii-a-vis, the illusion comes off quite well. True, the plot Is one of frtistrated love, chiefly because both are c^st as notnadie professionals, but for the finale, with Cab Calloway, Jr.. Intro- duced by the real-life hi-tte-ho maes- tro, there Is a solid sentimental touch, for Cab, Jr., is In the same American dougnboy garb which first tees off the plot. Story niceqr spans both wars. U. Jim Europe's band is marching up 8th Ave. in a riotous homecoming. Dooley Wilson, Robinson and the others have come back from the wars. The big Harlem hoopla thus firojeets I>na Home who takes a iking Immediately to Robinson. Her partner, Babe Wallace, Is the men- ace, a conceited professional. Story is told via the flashback formula. A 29th Anniversary Num- ber of 'Theatre World' CVarlety'T!?) holds the plot together. The special edition is in tribute to the great trouper, BUI Robinson. Surrounding him are the neighbors' children on his comfortable, - handsome front porch. There isn't one ofay charac- ter in the plot, yet the all-colored cast is not permitted to engage in any grotesque or theatrically typed' concepts of Negro behaviorism. When they dance hotcha. It fits the story. Otherwise it Is played slraiehL Bojangles thumbs the pages. A salutory ad from Noble Sissle points up the Jim Europe homecoming. An' other ad flashes back another high' light in Robinson's career. Even uie heavy has a testimonial advertise- ment, and that, too, brings forth a tnpmorable episode. Thus Is projected Robinson's ad- vr!-tures from a returned doughboy to a Memphis riverboat: a Memphis Iji^grj^jtoD^w^i^^he^tenleSt. give out with some lowdown blues), en'H the rest of the plot progression, While by no means factually bio- gr^nhical there's a note of auto- b° raphical conviction throughout. i^'iss Horne, a star from the st rt, folds the Memphis Joint and takes the standout acts with her, into a new revue, insisting that Rob- inson (who has been ekeing out a living as a waiter) also be made part of the package deal. Bojangles, frustrated by being given a tom-tom bit in a chorus number, flnally b''caks tradition and essays his own irica of a tom-tom dance, leaping frnm drumhead to drumhead (an evniutlon. of course, of his famed st~='--dance)end thus he achieves his re.ll opportunity. From then he be- er -es himself, ^the authentic dancing cnmedian and star. As a backstage colored musical, it U in itself a novelty. There Is con- vincing flavor to the stars and fea- tured talent who play themselves. Wbpn Lena Horne f«y.<! she is going to Paris to be a star. It rings true bPRause she's a cinch for those Montmartre heights as soon as we cain mop up that European situ- ation, as we. did In 1918. and thus p:!ved the way tor so much worthy /'"erican Negro talent to conquer Europe artistically. Via the-'Theatre World' anniver- sa y number, Robinson continues crossing and re-crossIng paths v^ith Vhs Horne. In and out of shows, Hollywood fllmuslcals, etc., with Cab C.-^lloway, Katherlne Dunham and her expert troupe of ballet dancers, Fats Waller, the Nicholas Bros., the Tramp Band. The Shadracks (Ned Stanfleld & Johnny Horace). Zuttle Singleton at the drunts, Mae E. John- son. Flournoy E. Miller (his partner, the late Aubrey Lyies Is played here by Johnny Lee), Coleman Hawkins on sax, Taps Miller on the horn, plus others. Ted Koehler (who collaborated on the story also) and Harold Arlen's 'Stormy Weather.' now a Tin Pan Alley classic, has been given new values under Mins Home's interpre- tation, William LcBaron's production and Andrew Stone's direction. Same goes for the cavalcade of other high- light tunes, from past great colored musicals, such as the Lew Leslie 'Blackbirds' excerpts. 'Oiga Diga Do' arid 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby': or FaU Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin' uvhich he wrote with Andy Razaf and Harry Brooks): or Calloway's own 'Geechy Joe' and 'Jumpin' Jive.' In the former ho flashes a milk-white zoot-suit crea- tion that is the GaiKantua- produc- tion of zoot-suits. ■There's No Two' Ways About Love' Is a sterling thematic, for in- tro and flnalo, which deftly climaxes the romantic relations between the stellar pair. Miss Horne reprises that, along with the title song, and gets more out of 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love. Baby' than did the original stage 'Blackbirds' pro- duction. The finale Is a particular zinger. with 'Ain't That Something to Shout About' combining Calloway's jiv.e Milt'.i t!ie legmaniacal Nicholas Bros., ( i.ie femme choristers in cute, modified zoot outfits. The talent throughout is solid. Dooley Wilson (now so closely iden- tified with his 'As Time Goes By' revival in 'Casablanca') here does a legit dramatic role, handling his lines with conviction and dignity; Ada Brown shouts her 'Beale St. and 'Basin St. Blues' and later 'Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City' effec- tively: and a bizarre Tramp Band, plus the Shadracks, with their own specialties, further punctuate the proceedings with highly effective variety Interludes. Even a quickie of Miller tc Lyles' classic crossfire Is sandwiched in. Production U lavUh. Clothes are ultra, especially for Miss Home. "The theatrlctu specs where the action calls for a show-withln-a-show are authentic and ring the bell. And Clarence Robinson's dance-sUgIng is in hi^ pitch, where warranted, but never out-of-llne. Another intra-trade footnote must be reference to Irving MUU. whoJs credited as production adviser. Mills, vet manager of colored talent, and whose Mills Music firm has pub- lished most of the notable Harlem songsmiths, unquestionably figured importantly in the assembling of this galaxy of music, talent and other values. . Abel. ALL BY Myself (SQNOS) Unlvenal leleaaa of Bernard W. Burton Sroductlen. Feature* Boaemaiy Lanr. Ivalyn Ankara. Patric Knowlea, Nell Hamlllnn.' DIrecteO by Felix Felm. Screenplay by Hush Wedlock. Jr., Howard Snyder, trom original by Dorothy Bennett, LInde Hannah: rnmera. Paul Ivano; editor. Oharlea lUynard. Previewed In Projer- tlon Hoom, X. T., May W, Runnlns time, <S MINS. Val atavenaon Roeemnry Ijine Jean Wella Evelyn Ankrra Dr. BUI Perry pairlc Knowlea Hark Turner Nell Ilamllion J. D. aibbona (Irant MlU'hell Willie iMulm Be'vera Tip, Tap ft Toe Loumell Morgan Trio WedaeadAj, Jane 2, 1943 MimBtore Reviews 'Steray Weather* (Musical) (20th). Lena Horne and Bill Robinson top very entertaining all-colored musical. 'All By M)teir (U). Evelyn Ankers, Rosemary Lane, Patric Knowles In snappy, modernistic comedy. Strong 'B' entry. 'She Has What It Takes' (Col). Jinx Falkenburg starrer carrying little weight. ■Thai Natgy Nuisance' (UA). Hal Roach streamliner, fair sup- porter on twin .setups. •Correcldor' (PRC). Weak dualer with a.triangle romance located in the Manila Bay fort- ress during the Jap siege. 'Murder In Time* Squre' (Col). Murder mystery of fair value. •We Dive at Dawn' (BrIUsh). Prototype of 'In Which We Serve,' British-made deals with a submarine; sock boxofflce. The BosaUn Story* (Artkino). FoUowup to other Russian pix will do biz. 'Raiders ol Saa laajghia' (U). Below average western in the Johnny Mack Brown series. 'Song of Texas'. (Songs) (Rep). Roy Rogers musical western that will entertain. 'Spy Train' (Moiio). Tiresome Nazi spy meller. - This is a frothy little comedy which never pretends to be any- thing more than an escapist 'B' fea- ture. Yet It generates streamlined entertainment values. Title is not much help, but the dialog, which is always crisp, gives it added stremith. jwir also fiirthew the I Snyder did a strong screenplay. Film is packed with unusually strong production values for a film of this sort, Paul Ivano's photography being standout. wear. She Has What It Takes (SONOS) Columbia releaaa ol Culban CUrk pro- duction. 8tara Jinx Flilkenbuia: ttaturM Tom Neal, Conatahca Worth. The Van- bonda. Radio Roguea. DIncted by Charlea Barton. Brrmplajr by P«ul Tawlta. from •tory by \awlti_and Robert Laa JobtuoD; ramern. Phillip Tannum: editor. Al Clark: muBlcal dirertor. U. W. Btoloff: aongi. .^ul Ohapiiinn; CInily Walker: Roy Jacoba- Oena DrPnul: Don RelJ: Ltiarlle. Elliott and Henry Tbblaa. At Fox, Dnioklyn, M Mi-vST*" °' •*"■"'"« **•»•• Fay Wealon. Jinx Falkenbur* Roger Rut ledge Tom Neal Jun* Conatanca Worth r*"' Dougtaa Leavltt Lee Miuleman Jm King •Ont Round' Beaaley Mat Wlllla StJ." ..Daniel Ocko J!?*. ?!5*'J!"?." Oeorga McKay ^hochtf Dodlt Oeorgo Lloyd Capt. Pal O'Neal Robert Hnmana Oeorge Clarke Joaeph Ci«lun ChaniberlHln Jonea John H. Dllaon Mra. Walter* Barbara Brown Mr. Jaaon Harry Hayden Tony Curly Wright The Rndle Roguea The Vagabonda This Jinx Falkenburg starrer hasn't much power for anything be- yond the lower half of duals, in which capacity it is serving here. Miss Falkenburg, about whom reams of publicity have been plant- ed, shows nothing extraordinary out- side of a shapely set of gams in a couple dance sequences. Direction doesn't help the tired yarn, allow- ing the action to become so involved, like a dime mystery, that the char- acters are extricated from their pre- carious positions in about 30 seconds flat in the final reel, and the whole thing is unexpectedly ended, to no one's satisfaction. An Idea of what it's like can be gleaned from the fact that long footage Is devoted to the Vagabonds, a comedyeibng quar tet who show up nicely, and the to «oiM trom ttla nllL Mert of ohuBklM oooM from ponos nm at mtut. If uMoUnl and a Japanosa «Uc> tator, 'Sukl TaU.'but oven the slap- stick is well done. It's a fairish sup< porting feature (or twin bills, or, as used here, on an all-laugh program. Mythical venture o( the tliree Axis dictators to an Oriental land called Norom Is interrupted by the landing of the small crew from a siibmarliied American merchant vessel. One en- terprising crew member substitutes for the land's most fampus magico and leads to the undoing of Hitler and his two pals. Nicely hoked up with wisecracks about known troits and characteristics of the Germans. Jap and Italian rulers worked In for extra laughs. Bobby Watson makes a clever imi- tation of the worried Hitler pictured in this vehicle, while JoIVmy Arthur is remarkably good as the Jap mili- tary ruler. Joe Devlin provides a realistic counterpart of Benito. Ian Keith in the land of Norom's mier, who thinks more of eating and watching magical feats than sign- ing treaties with Hitler or anybody elfie. Strangler I/Owls and Abe 'King Kong' Kashey make two giant guards to the ruler. Jean Porter, as the magico's assistant and dancer, is okay but has little to do. Henry Victor is the principal crew member who outwits the Axis gang. Glenn Tryon, who also is listed as associate producer, directs with Imagination for such a small-budg- eter. Camera work of Robert Pit- tack is satisfactory but the use of so many miniatures, and special photo effects Is not good. Wear, CORREGIDOR Producem Releanlng Corp. relenaa oC Dixon R. Harwln-Kdward Finney produc- tion. Star* Otto Kruser. Elliaa LatadI, Donald WOoda; teaturea Frank Jcoka, Rkk Vallln. Wandir McKay. Ian Keith. Directed by William KIgh. Original and acreenplay, Doris Malluy, Edgar Ulraer; camera, In U, llorsan: mualcal director, Davlil Chudnow: acore. Lm Erdody; editor, Charles Henkel. At Olobe. N. Y., May 27, Running time, 74 MINS. Jan Stockman Dr. Royc* .l.ee Michael Sargt. Mahoiiey Pinky Hey Dutch Captain , Hyacinth Brookhn Bronx Flllpinn Lieutenant. Lieutenant .\n. " Otto Kruger BlIiM LhwII ....Donald Wood* Frank Jcnka ..Kick Vallln ....Wanda McKay Inn Keith ,..liuhy Dnndridge Kddle Hall ,...Charlea Jordan Ted Hecht Frank Hagney Prleat Frank Jacquet (iMienil Jack Huihei-rord Soldier .So. I John Unint Soldier No. !( Slan Jolley No. 1 'Bt.y Jimmy Vllon Marine Qordon Hayes A transparent attempt to exploit a heroic theme, 'Corregidor' is a feeble Jilcture that does no credit to its sub- ect nor to the screen itself. It Isn't even passable boxofflce. Only on the strengtti of a good upper-bill com- panion feature and the current film- going boom will It do profitable uslness. Purporting to tell the story of the heroic stantiof the U. S. forces who held Correglclor so long against the Japs, the picture offers a stereotype triangle plot about three doctors, one of them a femme. It's unmotivated, undeveloped, ineptly written, clum- sily produced and illrected and, ex- cept for an acceptable performance by Otto Kruger, Is inexcusably played. The endless repetition of stock action shots is characteristic of the entire film. Even ' the not-too-crltleal Tfanes Square audience at the Glot>e, N. Y., opening night was perversely amused by the picture. Hobe. comely capable actress play away from the better known Rosemary Lane and both Patric Knowles and Neil Hamilton. The by-now familiar yarn about the advertising executive, who fells in love with a flippant nightclub singer Instead of his comely, capable femme partner, is given several new twists in this original by Dorothy Bennett and Linde Hannah. The said pert partner, Evelyn Ankers, seeks solace from her family medico on learning of her boss' engagement. Result is that the doctor gradually falls In love with his patient while the ad executive, Ntll Hamilton, nearly goes on the rocks with his newlywed. Customary pattern Is deftly Jazzed up by having the new romance of Miss Ankers far from a smooth run- ning affair, with a faked marriage, threatened divorces, old-fashioned drag-out drawing room battles and several musical interludes tossed in for good measure. Aside from Miss Ankers, who is remarkably flue as the ad execu- tlves^s biz partner. Rosemary Lane, as the cafe oalladist, also figures Im- portantly. Her outiitanding song is "All By Myself.' Patric Knowles chips in with a forthright interpreta- tion of the personable medico who flnally falls for Miss Ankers. Neil Hamilton makes a good ad executive who depends on his femme aide for his success and then falls for the cafe warbler. Tip, Tap tt Toe. standard vaude colored tapsters, and the Loumell Morgan Trio, colored Instrtimentel- Ists, appear In the closing Reno nightclub A-equence. Former scores Jier usual. Felix Feist has directed or maximum of laughs, keeping the. farce going along In swift style. Hugh weillock, Jr., and Howard 1 taking the '"""'y'""r entire vauae acL MmrAMr Tm «tter knowS .Miss Falkenburg Is a small-time Wlurder 111 llD singer who masquerades as the daughter of a once well-known stage star, who had Just died In pover^. She contrives to meet a screen coun- terpart of Walter Wlnchell (Tom Neal), who gets a flnanclally flat but highly respected Broadway pro- ducer to star her In a show, as a tribute to her claimed mother who once worked for him. Other old friends of the mother provide the backing, but the bubble Is exploded for the daughter when a female rival of Neal's discovers the deception. Miss Falkenburg's hanifling of lines Is often uncertain, almost ama- teurish. Neal's portrayal of the newspaper columnist, too. Isn't up to snuff. Supporting characterizations by Joe King, Constance Worth and others, however. Is okay. Most of the action Is Indoors. Of the songs, 'Let's March Together,' by Saul Chapman, stands out. Wood. That Nazty Nuisance Vnlieil AriiHia ri-li-are nf llnl Honrh prn- dui'llim. Frniuri's Bnliliy WntMin. Jtio Dev- lin. Johnny Arthur. Jt-an I'nrler.' Ian Keith. Hem?- Vliliir, l-M '.virnnidpr' t.<'Wla. Al>e ■King Kiing- KMi4i>y. DInvted by Ulenn Tryon. Ktreenpliiy i,y Carle Hnell. C'lafnre MnrkK: rnnierii. HiilxTt Plitnck: editor. Men J'Tdnn. At Iwifr-.MnvIe, N. Y., week May aH, '4a. Running time. M HINM, Hitler .....Bibl.y Wataon .MuMnllnl Joe Devlin HukI TakI .Johnny Arthur .' Jenn Porter <■'>'<■'••••••• Ian Keith Von Piipoff , Henry Victor Hpenae Rninnr Pamell "enMin Frank Fallen "uard Fif (Hirangleri I^wle Second Ou*r(I....Ab< iKIng Kong) Kaahey 2'«.'''"l' Ili-x Kvans nn'M.'Ar Chnrlra Rogers lllmniirr Wrilgewuod Nowell This is a funnier and better-made Hal Roach streamliner than recently rimes Square roliinililii relenn of I'lilliert I'lark |iro- duclliin. K.>uturee Ktliiiunil Uiwe. Miii-Kiic- rile ('hupiiiiin. Jiihn l.liri. Dlrei'ied by l.ow Lunriera. Htnry. yiwirl Palmer; ailsriutlim, Paul Uniigelln: editor, Richard Fanll; camera. I.. W. <r(.'nnnell. At Alibcy, .V. V., week.May iili, '4:1. Itunning time, M MINH. Cory WllllHma Eilmund l.nwe Mellnilii .MetlhewB Marguerite Chaiminn Dr. Blaine Ji.hn Lln-l Detective I.leutenHni Tuber. William Wrighi Supnl Oeni'ge Drucp nenneit Longacra I.ll... Relher Dale Fiona Msi'liilr Veda Ann Rnrg O'Dell OifKlna ijenild Mehr Oeorge Nevlns Hidney BInckmer Roh Hlocumli IrfTlle Denlmn Henry Trigs .i Dnuglua I,.*nvlit Soulhcote Oeorge McKny Who uses rattlesnake venom In committing a series of murders and why, forms the basis for a fairly interesting meller in 'Murder In Times Square.' which will serve suitably on single-policy dates of secondary importance and as an as- sociate feature generally,on duals. Well plotted out and sustaining suspense, with suspicion of guilt In several directions carefully planted, the story deals with a doctor, who through unrequited love and jealousy, kills no less than four persons through slabbing them with a hypo- dermic needle containing snake poison. Trapping the M.D. responsi- ble for the crimes does not attest to great Intelligence or cunning, nor Is it logical the murderer would fall for the ruse but notwithstanding the action holds up satisfactorily, A part of the plot concerns a Broadway panhandler and black- mailer known as Longaere Lil who plagues a vain playwright-actor who snubs her so far as a handout is concerned. She does everything to try to pin the murders on him, es- pecially since he's in love with his laadinc lady, already married, who's among those snaked to death. Edmund Lowe plays the stage ego- tist who ultimately falls for his press agent. Marguerite Chapman. Both give polished performances, though Miss Chapman does not have so much opportuni^ to show what she can do. John Litel plays the doctor- murderer in steady fashion, while Esther Dale stands out as Longaere LII. Others Include Bruce Bennett friend of Loew's; Veda Ann Borg' murdered actress, and William Wright, detective lieutenant, latter not the cop type. Lew Landers' direction passes muster, while Colbert Clark has pro- vided good production and buck- grounds. Char. WE DIVE AT DAWN (BBinSH-MAOE) London, May 18. Qenaral Film DIstribulora release of Oalnaborough-Maurlce Ostrer pn>dui'ilun Stars Brio Portmsn. Juhn MIIIm. 'Directed by Anthony AKUlth. Hiory and scenario J. B. Wllllanik Vul Valrniliie: camen! Jack Cox. At Leicester Squiire theair*. London. Running time. BS MIN8. Ueur. Taylor :juhn Mills .'«eaman Hobaim i.KrIc. Ponman Sesnnn Wllaon la^nlic Waatun L eut. Bnice L.,uia HrHdSeM l.laut. Johnaon Knnuld Slllbir '-Jfut. Gordon luck Wnlllng Chief P. o. Daltba HoKlnuld Purdell .. O. Mike Corrlgan. t'linnda Hpuri Chief P. O. Duncan. .Mull MacUinnis . .Niinnsn Williams Lionel Uroa* Ciiven Wataon There's enough drama and human comedy to appease the average fllm< goer in this film, a prototype of 'In Which We Serve,' which depicted life on a destroyer, whereas the present one Is laid in a submarine. It is a tale of magnificent heroism, and gives every indication of suc- cess, not only as entertainment, but valuable propaganda. Some cutting, however, is in order for the U. S. market Tht human element la well de< picted, leading up to a dramatic de- nouement. The submarine. Sea Tiger, is sent out to sink a Nazi battle- ship whieh is due to leave Bremer> haven for the Kiel Canal, en route to the Baltic. The sub's Instructions are to intercept her off the German coast before she enters the canaL Too late for this, the lieutenant in charge decides to brave the dangers of the Baltic and attack the battle- ship when she emerges at the other end of the canal. Sighting the enemy, she discharges her torpedoes, but owing to depth charges from accom- panyDig destroyers, the attack re< suits in a leakage In the sub's oil tanks and the Britisher decides to blow her up and escape to Denmark, One of the seamen remembers there is a port on a nearby Danish island where there may be a tanker in dock. Donning the imlform of a dead German airman, he lands on the Island, finds a tanker and signals to his ship to come in shore. They refuel ana return home, and only then discover they have sunk the German vessel they were after. John Mills, one of England's ace leading men, enacts the lieutenant with not only requisite dignity, but with a human touch. But It is Eric Portman, as the seaman, who has the outstanding role and scores best Rest of the cast gives excellent per- formances, while direction and pro- duction were atMve par. Job. THE RUSSIAN STORY (BUSSIAN-MADE) Arikino release of Jue^iih lliiriilyn pro- dui'ilun. Compiled rroiii almui V-l Rueslan- inHde features and shnrta. with an orlghiHl English commentary wrilien by Theodors Hiniuss. Cummentury HiHikcn by Llliby a ^ . »' IMttWj,. ' d ^.-'^a^i^-«!»* wllieil by Oeorge FreeillRmi. PreviPived In the Projectiiin Room. N. V.. M»y '.T. 'U. Running time, «8 MINN. 'The Russian Story* Is a unique fllm idea and as such will merit at- tention not only from those who favor the unusual In motion pictures, but from the American industry as welL Joseph Burstyn, producer of the pic- ture, siibtltles it 'A Film Cavalcade of a Thousand Years of Russian Heroism.' He achieves his cavalcade effect by splicing together footage from some 25 Soviet-made fictional features and shorts, combining them to picture a half-dozen or so high- light episodes in the history of Rus- sia from the Hun to the Nazi. Houses which have been playing Soviet pix will And an eager audience for it The conception of 'The Russian Story' is excellent, for, added to whatever other b.o. values It may have, is the sentimental attachment of lovers of foreign films for their fave Russian pix and actors of the past two decades. They'll And all of them In this fiS-mlnute Intermit- tent panorama, some of them at length, some of them in fleeting takes. Burstyn has added a touch of showmanship by enlisting Libby Holman and Morris "Carnovsky to speak the major part of the English commentary, which accompanies the action on the screen. Subtitles are^ resorted to only occulonally. Com- mentary was scripted by "fheodore Strauss, second-string film crick of the N. Y. Times. He also speaks part of it ,„ Film's thesis is that Russia will beat back the invading Hitlerites, Just as It has other would-be con- querers down through the centuries, for the fury of a Russian's love for , (Continued on page 16)