Variety (December 1943)

• FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, December 29, 1943 v A Gny Xamed Jo© Metro release of Swwt .Risjiln ordduo- tlon. Stars Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne: features Lionel liarrymoro. Van Johnson, James Gleason. Ward Hum], Harry Nelson. Directed by .Victor -Firming. SITCetin.lflT, Daltnn Trumho, adaptation by PWjWrH* Hazlitt Brennnn from Major CJiaridl'er SpruKue an editor,. Frcderiyk. Urennun: Foisey and. Karl- fcVe'und". P. ltnl theatre, New Yni% De- niitK time, no .MISS. Pete SaMiVMKfl Dnrlnda Durstun. . ( Ted Randall.'.:, . .......... Al Yaokey.'.. Mails Kilpatriek. Tito IJe.neral'.,:V Dick Rufnney. • • ■ Elt o n H rtghfa... Colonel, Svkes:.. .lames .LRotli ke Sanderson,'.;,". V. 1 . I story -by.. .David'Buelnn; •ainera, .'George, vleived at <'ap- L'S. :'4:t. Kun- . '. . .Spencer Tr 't'V ...'-.,. .Irene Dunne .......Van .lolim-dn. . .Ward Bund .Jjimes* Uleason . Lionel, liarrymoro ,r.Rarry Nelson . ."Km per WllUMTOS- Henry O'Neill ;■.. . .. .Don DoFore ,.'....< 'harles Smith . In taking a fling at* the spirit world, Metro, hasn't quite succeeded ih reaching the nebulous ..but .. has managed to turn out an enter- taining and excellently performed picture. With Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne contributing the mar- quee strength and giving two of their top performances, coupled • with the title lure and love story. 'A Guy Named Joe' should. add up to satis- factory boxoffice. Had the fantasy .been interpreted wholly in terms of the sharp wit and dry humor which Tracy, as a ghostly visitor, only occasionally in.iects, in- stead of investing it with spiritual counselling, the film might have at- tained smash proportions. As.it is, there hovers over too many scenes In the cloudy errata a fogginess that isn't made anv more acceptable by the final solution. The. latter only changes the mood of the film from one of light cockiness to the realm of metaphysics. It's all the more regrettable that the picture couldn't have emerged as a piece of clever whimsy, for in all other respects Metro has given it an overall fine production, only going overboard on its two-hour running time. As it stands, a good half-hour could be cut advantageously. Tracy is cast as a,squadron com- mander at an English base who's' in a constant jam because of. his fool- hardy- heroics. He steps out of bounds once too often and gets trans- ferred to a remote reconnaisance spot in Scotland. Through all this his gal, Irene . Dunne, a ferry pilot, sticks by him in the casual, un- demonstrative love-making manner characteristic of the Tracy pix. Ful- filling a premonition felt by Miss Dunne, he crashes on his last heroic stunt, proceeding to the land where all dead pilots go. There he meets, up with The Boss, and is assigned to guide and instruct the new pilots In the earthly world who are making a bid for their wings: It's at this point that the serious overtones of the picture intrude themselves, with the offering of the matter-of-fact solution that 'life must go on for the ,. v Jiving' too abruptly thrust into the story's continuity. Had that philo- sophical concept been developed log- ically it might have been more ac- ceptable. As it is, Tracy's blithe spirit, as it nonchalantly weaves in and out when it takes up with his old associates, provides the film with Its more entertaining moments while It at no time tries to convert the audience to a belief in those spiritual preachments. ':' ' " . . . ' Through a freak of circumstance (or was it scripting?), Tracy's initial assignment is a young student officer whom he ferries right into the life i of Pilot Dunne, his ex-sweetheart ■ As they biecbme emoffonallylhvolved" I' Tracy develops some unspiritual ' jealousy but is brought back into line by The Boss, and by his ghostly guidance releases Miss Dunne for 'life with the living,' Tracy gives a fine 4 performance throughout, making a very likeable ghost, while Miss Dunne is nifty to look at and turns in a sufficiently re- strained but emotionally convincing portrayal. Ward Bond, as his buddy in Tracy's earthly existence, likewise contributes a top performance, while James Gleason, Lionel Barrymore and Don DeFore are good in sup- porting roles. On the other hand, Van Johnson has difficulty in be- ing convincing as Tracy's successor . .. for Miss Dunne's affeptjons. because of his extreme youth. Victor Fleming's direction is fine, limited only by the script's defici- ences. - -■ , - Hose those far-fetched things, and there's a frequent stretch for laughs, but where there's a sufficient reelage of Miss Lamarr no picture can be very far off the b.o. beam. The guys wit- nessing this pic will be entranced by Miss Lamarr's beaut looks; the dolls will be impressed, The camera has been particularly good to her in' this one, and her clothes are also plenty eye-appealing, . ";■ ' Yarn attempts to tell what hap- pens when the usual triangle evolves from a situation involving Miss La- marr and Powell as the. husband- wife,' James . Craig as . an air-raid warden, and the astronomical pur- su its of Pow ell. The crux: of the story is woven around tire tact that Powell works at night, as an astron- omer, leaving his- wife prey for prowling air-raid wardens. It may sound funny on paper,.but it doesn't quite, come . off ..as .expected: There are some extraneous slapstick situa- tion's: that fail to achieve the laughs, intended. . . . . Direction points up the laugh situ- ations aswell as could be expected. Powell gives one of his standard per- formances, but occasionally overacts, while Craig, as the air-raid warden, looks and acts enough like Gable to get by. : But the question remains—what exactly did Metro mean by that title? Miss Lamarr can be very fetchirigly decollete. ■■■''•.'• . ' Knlm. Miniature Reviews *A Guy Named Joe' (M-G). Fantasy starring Spencer- Tracy and Irene Dunne should do satis- factorily at boxoffice. •The Heavenly Body' (M-G). William Powell and Hedy La- marr will carry this comedy. •Tender Comrade' (RKO). Ginger Rogers in emotional yam geared for smash b.o, 'Song of Russia' (One Song) :jM-G). Headed by Robert Tay-. lor and Susan Peters for OK b.o. •Sing a Jing le' (Songs). (U). Okay program filmusical for sup- porting slots in regular duals. •The Ghost Ship' (.RKO)., Dis- appointing dualler starring Rich- ard Dix. - : .';' 'Suspected Person' (British) (PRC). Minor dualer for aver- age returns.' -. - 'Cattle Stampede' (PRC). Dual . western in 'Billy the Kid' series;, lair b.o. •Smart Guy' (Mono).: Slow- moving pic for Tower dualers. Sing at Jingle (SONGS) Hollywood, Dec. 24. Universal release of Kdwaid j,illey pro- duvllon. directed by T.ill.ey. Stars Allan Jones; features June Vincent, -Hetty-Kean, <ilis Schilling, Kings Men, 4 Society Cilrls. Screenplay, John (Uey, l-iu'genc Conrad, Lee Sands, Fred Katli: eaineru. Jerome Ash; special photography, John Fulton; editor, Charles Mnvnard: sonvrs, Kuddy PeirpCP, Inez James, Sidney .Miller. Previewed Dec. ffl, '(.'!: Running lime, 61 MINS. Itay King.,',''..;',,.;..... .'.■', Allan Jones Muriel Crane. .....,; . ... .'. .June Vincent .1. P. Crane.. Btieky....-; .Myrtle...'..,., Andrews.". .\ bhutt......,:.., V.evit Ornit, -, Wilbur Vrane.. Ann WiKnins, Benny ,>. KlUKS -Mel) Four •Society Girls Samuel S; Hind . .-;Uns Schilling ,.. : Betty Kean . .Jerome Cowan , PMwaj'd .Norlls .... .Joan : Castle .> .ltlchaid Love .;'. Vivian,'" Ausliii. ,. . .ttllly. N'e.woll .-Dealt Collins Ton»l«r Comrade RKO release of David llcutpsfead produc: tlon. Stars (linger K'Ofiers;; tea lures:-Hub- ert Ryan'-, Ru'lh Hussey, l'atrirlu CoUinKO, ,\lady Christians. Kini Hunter, Jane Dnt'- weli.. R(L-hard Jlartin.l Directed by Kdward Dinytryk. ..-Story and screenplay. ;*Dulton Trutitbo: caniera. . Russell Metly; nmsic, LetKh Harline: musie director, C. llakillein- Ikoff ; editor. Roland Gross. Tradeshovvn. in X. "Dec. MS, '4», Running time, 103 JIINS. . .t0. Chi is.:....,';. .-. ....v.. Barbara^..;..: . Helen Stacey .. . .. . . JIanya........ Doris ,Urs. Henderson....., Jo's Mother;;.....';. Mike.V............ .. - Ginger Rogers ,. . . . liolicrt Ryjiir . .KtitH HUfisei . Patricia ColUpger Aludy . (.'hrisi ians .... .Kim. Hunter ... ..lane Darwell .......\lary l-'orbes ..Richard Martin ; : Song of Itiissia ' (ONE SONG) Metro releit-'o of Joseph I'asiernak pioduc- t'in'n.- •Stars Rolicrt 'Payloi-and Susan fi'ters; ij.ilutrs Itolim Kpnttiley, D:itct.etl by C'rc- gury Hutoff: ScretMijday. I'aul Jarrlco ahd. Itii-bard Collins, . .based ■ on- story by l.eo Mjrtleiv Bic(or Trivas and Cuy l-Indore; mn.^ic. Peter Ilyi.ch:TsohaiUo\vsky and mod- ern* UussJan i-omposei s'udatae'd for screen by .1 If chert Slothai t- conducted bv Albei t t daits, sonu And. Russia Is Her Naaic' by E. Y. -Hai-bui-g and Jerome Kern:. On nee direction, )>avid, J.ichlne:: camera.- Harry StradlihK; editor, Ocorge Hi.vely. ' Trade- shown In Nf, v., Dee.- '-'S, MS. Running time, 107 "mins. . John Meredith, Robert T;.. lor Xadva Stepanova'.. ..: . .Susan Peters Boris. : . . . , . : .'.;.',. John Hodiak 1 lank Higgins..-..,......:.. Robert Renchley Pelrov. ; , . ;•. .....,... .... Kelix Bressart sitpanov.., : ........ Miehaer Chekliov Peter,... . . ;Dai-ryl * 1 lick-mah Anna .'..'..,........,..-. .\ .';. .Jacqueline wlrlte Peter Mei-eniblum's California Jr. Symphony .'Orchestra' V ' The Heavenly Roily : 5(-etro release of Arthur Hornblow,. Jr., proluotion.- Stars Hedy Xamarr and Wil- liam Powell: features .Tames Craig. Fay. fainter. : Spring Byington. Directed by Aiexandev Hall.., Screenplay, Michael Arlen and tVaiter. Reisch; adapted by Harry Kur- nitz from original.by Jacques Thery: cam- e'rti, Robert Planck.: score, Bronislau Kaper: era. Robert Planck :-.si-dre,.'Bronislau Kaper: editor. Blanche seiyell. Tradeshown in N. Y. Dee. "28," -Mil. Running time, 115 .11 INS. William S. Whitley.. Virky Whitley.:.',.-, i, Xl«iyd X.- Tluhiet...: Margaret Slhy.il.;... Frefe.^sor stowe..;;;. Kaney Potter......'. Sirand..:....! l.tr. Green... :. .-;, Sebavtlan jre,las.,, BeuJah Murphy...-:. ...William P,owell j . . . Ifi-dy Lamarr ..... .-James Craig ... . .Fay Rainier . .Henry O'Neill .Spring Byingum ,.:-.,.Robert Sully, Moi ; rls. Ankrunt ; .•.Frano.o ('orsaro. .('onnie Cilehi'lst Metro is. dabbling in things astro- nomical in 'The Heavenly; Body,' one of thos'e husband-wife comedies that should do well at the boxoffice on the basis of the Hedy Lamarr-Wil- liam Powell names. • . ."v. The script is inclined to be one of In this or any war one of the most poignant elements of human drama remains the wives our servicemen must leave behind. In 'Tender Com- rade,' in . which RKO has starred Ginger Rogers, it is an element pro- pelled home with the dramatic im- petus that can mean only one thing for exhibitors. The word is boxoffice —and plenty of it. , This is "a woman's picture. Not that it hasn't a basic rvalue of under- standing for the stronger sex. It's just that here is a picture about women and one that's more perti- nently for women. It is a drama in which its characters will take their places in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. America. It is one which, because of the effect it has had on every home in America* should have a terrific emotional surge for most audiences. Centered around five women, all of whom have their men in the ser- vices and all of whom are contrib- uting to the war effort in one way or another, 'Tender Comrade' is a preachment for all that democracy stands for. ; - ■;, AH the basic ingredients for en- tertaining drama are here, from David Hempstead's production down to, and notably including, Edward Dmytryk's direction and an excel- lent performance by Miss Rogers that paces the entire cast. -It is, in fact, .one of Miss Rogers' finest characterizations^— ~ ; ' , '■„ , ;'' ---■—— It is a picture of considerable charm despite its terrific, emotional effects. And if the emotional im- pact is sometimes achieved with what may seem to be overdone dra- matics,' then If S to be marked oft' to what one can assume to be an enact- ment of what is actually real-life drama. Each of the women has her own private little drama, of course, and around them are concentrated much of the picture's sensitive values. '.'■--. These little dramas require a somewhat episodic treatment of the film, but all . this has been achieved well. There's the story of Jo, who married Chris; and when Jo wanted a baby, Chris said no because he feit he'woaid soon be: in the. army- then Barbara, whose husband was in the Navy, and the other girls were always cautioning her about her in- fidelities to a man who was serving his country; Helen had a husband and son in the service; Doris was anxiously anticipating a real furlough from her soldier-husband so they could consummate a marriage whose yows were- taken when he had had just a few moments' leave. All worked in a defense plant, and lived together with Manya, their refugee housekeeper, whose husband, too, was in the Army. Miss. Rogers gives an unrestrained performance throughout, and where several scenes are almost dawdling, she perks it up with neat bits of business. Ruth Hussey as Barbara, Kim Hunter as. Doris and Patricia Collinge as Helen also give excellent portrayals. Mady Christians plays the housekeeper satisfactorily, while Jane Darwell, though featured, is only in for a brief flash. . . , Dalton Trumbo has contributed a story and screenplay compact and replete with plenty ' of •'. excellent dialog. A notably, big factor; in the film's pace is Dmytryk's direction of the sometimes' slow,. but. never tedious story..-^ Kahn. The glory of Russian courage against Nazi infamy has been paid tribute once again in 'Song of Rus- sia,' which Joseph Pasternak has produced for Metro with a sweep that suggests epochal intentions. That these intentions go. awry can be attributed considerably to a script that too frequently sacrifices realism for what is seemingly tnore a love story than an epic of a gallant peo- ple's fight against enslavement. 'Song of Russia's' boxoffice returns will be dependent to a considerable degree on Robert Taylor's name. Another b.o. factor is that it's been too long since one has read of Soviet defensives; the shoe has long since been on the other foot. But for the marquee there's something else to be considered. Russian heroism, what- ever the degree, still remains a popu- lar b.o. commodity. Russia' has the benefit of a fine production, faithful to detail. No Pasternak production could be other wise. Arid Gregory Ratoff, the di rector, certainly is keenly aware of his Russian backgrounds. But when the boy-meets-girl situation projects itself, the picture becomes involved with its rather belabored romantic interludes amid scenes of, firstly, a peaceful, then a war-torn Russia. But if it achieves nothing else, 'Song of Russia' at least establishes the stellar value of a comparative -newcomer ;_thisJs-Susan3eters!.4nost important, role to date. It reveals her as one of the finest young dra rhatic actresses to emerge from Hollywood in some time. The word of-mouth oh her performance, beauty and expressive underplaying should make her a 'must' in any future Metro plans. This is a yarn whose characters, mainly those who background, are more real than the story itself. It is a story of a famous American sym- phonic conductor who is caught in the midst of the Nazi invasion of Russia after he has become intrigued by, and married, a young Russian pianist (Miss Peters). The pair's di- gress loyalties—he for his music, she for her. little village threatened by the inva.ders-^bring what, is intended to be a temporary parting until such time when he can join her.:. Notable in the. film is the music. Tschaikcwsky's- cleffings are • partic- ularly prominent, and additional mu- sic has been supplied by 'modern Russian composers,' none of whom is billed. The Jerome Kern-E. Y. Harr burg combination has contributed the: tuneful 'And Russia Is Her Name,' which is bound to achieve wider appeal than it has already gained. Outside of: Miss: Peters' perform- ance, there is none among the lead players, who shows, distinctively. Robert Benchley is wasted as Tay- lor's manager. ' And-it'? a question of whether Taylor could be popularly accepted as a noted symphonic con- ductor. One who batons Tschaikow- sky,. no less. ■'.- - Kahn, Another in the Universal group of program iilmusicals designed fot'dual supporting datings.. Despite formula story structure, it holds together suf- ficiently toachieveaiirv intended, Allan Jones delivers six songs in good voice, with comedienne Betty Kean clicking with two comedy tunes and some well-timed comedic dances. Best of the now songs by Inez James and Sidney Millet is 'Sing a Jingle,' a lilting tempo that could catch On for pop attention, Other Jones con- tributions arc 'The Night We Called It a Day,' 'Love,- You Are My Mu- sic,' and 'Beautiful Love'—all pre- viously published. .Story hits familiar- strides, with Jones—as radio baritone star—slip- ping off to a hinterlands war plant after getting Army physical turn- down. After initial conflict with the boss' daughter, pair fall in love, and he steps in under radio name to put over benefit show for a Avar bond campaign, Jones does well in the lead, with June Vincent okay as the girl. In addition to pair of song and (lance numbers. Miss Kean teams up with Gus Schilling for slapstick comedy romance to inject levity into the pro- ceedings. Young Richard Love is on for two tap numbers in addition to being overplayed as the juve genius. Samuel Hinds, Jerome Cowan, Ed- ward'NoVris and Joan: Castle com- prise support. '. "', ■ . Script is unimpressive though ade- quate, and direction by producer-di- rector Edward Lilley maintains ade- quate tempo to hold interest for the abbreviated running time. Walt. Clifford Evans is in possession of money from a bank holdup in Amer- ica, obtained when he fled country after two of his accomplices were arrested. These two win acquittals and track down Evans, all the while under scrutiny of Scotland Yard, which bides time in nabbing trio until the hiding place of the dough is revealed. • Patricia Roc, as Evans' sister, and David Farrar, as the inspector, turn in good performances as do Evans and his cinematic sweetheart, Anne, Firth. Direction by Lawrence Hunt- ington has even pacing with Ronald Anscombe's photography at par:- -'■'- "^^Catlle Stainipede . PRC release of Sigmund Noufold protjuc^ lion. Features liUMer Cnihhe and Al St. John. Directed, by Sam Xiw lhhl. Original and .screenplay, -Jou <o.'rl:>nnell: camera, Robert: Cllne; editor, llolbrook Todd. At. New Xork, N Y., week of pee. -ty; dual. Running time, .58 A11XS. Hilly the- Kid.: Fuzzy Jones... Mary.'.;.....,, ■coulter Sam Dawson.., KU- Dawson,... Stone. ........ Elkln's.,,-.... T.*urner, : .,.', ,**-.-. Slater.;...'...;. Doctor.. .. 0 Jensen,;.-.:;, ..Rosier Ci-abbe VI »SI John . ll'ia ne.es. . 0litd \vin ,, ,',.;Charles -.King. ., . , . :*, . Kd Cassidy . i , 1 l;>hsel Werner v.'... .Ray. Bennett ...;... irri'anK Ullla .;:.'.. .sieve. "Clark • ., . . Kay Rrent .. ... :.'..lohn Elliott ..;.,-, ..Bud liuster The Ghost Ship RKO release of Vim r.etyton production. Stars Jtii-hard . Dix: feutuie's Russell Wade, KdiUv Rarrelt;'Ren Rard, Kdmund . Glover. Dii-ected-byMsrk Robson. Screenplay, Don- ald Henderson Clarke: camera, Xit-holas Musuracca: editor* John T.ockerf. At Rialto, N.-Y-. week'ol Dec. 24, '4:i. Running time, 69 M1NS. Captain. Tom..... Ellen.;.; Btavns... Sparks.., Finn..... . Benson.. Ausmnn. Raphael. T.oule Boats Jim.'; V.:'. John,.... Peter.... Billy.... Roberts., , . .Richard Dix .......Russell Wade .......Kdith Barrett ........ .'■■. .Ben Bard ....': lOdmund. Cilover .... .Skelton Knaggs ^*..;..Tom Burton. ,'.■....'.Steve Winston ........... Robert Rice ...Laurence Tieraey ,. . .. Dewey Robinson v.vi.,. . Charles I.unp .George de Normand ./,.:.,- . Paul Marion ,:;...... .sir Lancelot ,..;....-,. -Boyd ■ Davis . This Sigmund Neul'eld production' in the 'Billy the Kid' series for PRC is" a routine dual western. . Buster Crabbe and Al St. John are featured, with the latter's comedy providing the highlight, Crabbe and St. John lead a group of Oklahoma ranchers in their fight to break the rustling combine headed by Charles King, whose practice is stampeding herds and buying what- ever is left at his own price. Some good hand-to-hand brawls and fast gunplay spice up the proceedings. Frances Gladwin Has the only female role, a minor one. Sam New- field's direction brings out average performances. Smart <iiiy Monogram release of John 'IV Coyle pro- duction. Directed by Lambert Hillyer. Stars Riek ValUn: features Veda Ann Borg, Bobby Larson. Screenplay. Charles . R. Marlon and John W-'Krafff, based on orig- inal by Harrison Jacobs;-: camera. Mack Stengler; editor. Carl Rierson: music, Kd* ward Kay. At New York. N. Y:, week Deq. 14. '43. dual. Running time. «3 MISS.'-. .Tcimny ..*,.,. Bobby.....'. .. ;,... Lee............. Jean.,. Taylor. Maggie ...:... Klllbourne,,.., >«, District -Attorney. Kearns......;.'..;.. Evans........ ..... .......Rick Vallln .'... Bobby^Lat'sori ..V.eila Ann Borg ...Wanda McKay ..,..'.);ict( La Rut .-.*, . ..Mary Gordon .: .... .I'aul McVey ,-Addlson'. Rieharcla Roy Darmour .- >. .Jon Dawson Story of a psychological struggle between Richard Dix. ship captain, and Russell Wade, his new, youthful third officer, never gets started so couldn't jell, A dualer. Star is called upon to dova dead- pan lunatic for most of the footage but breaks into a face-twitching rou- tine" necir"trre""clase — which" flrfds-hlrrr murdered by Skelton Knaggs, a crew member. Latter, incidentally, is cast as a Finnish mute who," through the . miracles of modern screen technique, is wired for sound. Strange "aria philosophical maxims are wafted from the 'dummy' in a ghostly, off-screen voice every once in a while. This helps not at all in making the vague yarn any clearer. Wade, as the mystified third mate acts mystified enough, but probably will have to be content with an also- ran position when compared with J'Ghost Ship' audiences. Rest of the cast seems even more mystified than Wade.' i, '-■;'.'.'. •■• Script,.which evidently aimed for a'Joseph" Conrad greove, faiis'to- put over temperamental conflict idea in understandable fashion, and direc- tion, does not overcome, this handi- cap. Dix as a heavy should have been built as; such in earlier scenes to offer fuller appreciation by dual audiences used to seeing him in nobler moods. Donn. Lambert Hillyer directed this on* strictly according to formula. A minor dualer. . ', Slow-moving picture concerns it- self with the rehabilitation of a tough gambler. Rick Vallih is the gambler who 'adopts' a newsboy to get favor- able publicity in order to beat a manslaughter rap. Amusing angle is that he's actually innocent, but* the d.a. is out to get him. The gambler jumps bail and takes refuge in the country, accompanied by the kid. He finally gives up after the moral les- sons taught him by the newsboy and the country girl.. Veda Ann Borg, proprietress of the inn where he hides. ■-'-'.- - * '-'. IUSHEVITZ QUITS 306 : Morris Iusheyitz.- in charge of pub- lic' relations for 'Local 306, Moving Picture Machine Operators of N. Y., for eight years, has resigned..:;.'. He's joining the staff of The Ad- vance, house organ for the Amalga- mated Clothing Workers Union. Susneeieil Person (BRITISH-MADE) PRC release of'• Associated British pro- duction. Features .Clifford Evans, Patricia Roc, David Farrar ,'an'd Anne Pirth.; Di- rected by Lawrence Huntingfoh. Screen- play. HnntiPglon-;' eahiera, Jtonalti '.Ansr I'omlje; editor, I-*l6ra Xejvtoh. At.New York, X. Y., week of Dee, ao? 'dual. Run- ning; time.. 7«,Ml*flS. Jim -itaynor..., ,, Joan Itay nor.......' Thompson../,' ., .;...., Carol.......,....; , Franklin Dolan.. , ,-V . .. , 'J'uay tiurrott., ......C. David: .:,...% . . . . . Jones.....;. ... . . Saunders......;. ..-; .-.. .Clifford Evans ...Patricia Roc. . .David Farrar ....Anne Firth ..Robert Bealty .Kric' Claverlng .v.Lesfie Renins Eliot Makeham iohn Salew ...Billy' liartnell An Associated' British film, which PRC is distributing in the U. S., is a .suspenscful mystery-drama which exhibs should find adequate in fill- ing out.a program. ' '■ Story takes place in London, where JleligiiwsJJx Continued from page 1 ss by business done at theatres. While 'Flesh* admittedly is no outright re- ligious film,, spiritual angle is ..high-, lighted. •Bernadette' opened big this week in first two playdates in L.A. Industry execs are convinced that the swing towards, religious-spiritual features is a normal public reflex to the troubled aspects of the present world situation, Others in the trade believe that at no time has there been a more pronounced need for religious fare. • ■'.;'/ >■: Plus 'Song.' 20th now is making -Keys .of the.K.ingdoin.:'. .also, a relig-. ious yarn, Warner Bros, will do 'The Miracle.' ' :. .-;... '-' ;:'.'- Metro , is scheduled to Droduce a remake of 'Quo Vadis,' which origin- ally was so big in the foreign terri- tory because of spectacular as well as religion theme. Same studio is set to do 'The Rosary' and also 'Hoodlum Saint' and 'Church of the Good Thief.' ,. ': - i\ •'. Paramount,, which has no new're- ligious film in work, is making a special reissue of 'Sign ;of the Cross,' made in 1932, with special, foreword produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Pic- ture has been on constant reissue in the: foreign field, ever-since produced. Practically Inseparable . Hollywood. Dec. 28. ' Paulette Goddard and Fred 1 Mac- Murray co-star again at Paramount in 'Practically Yours,' slated for a late January start. ' '"..'.'' ': George . Marshall directs, with. Harry Tugend producing, from a story by Cap! Norman Krasna. .'■