Variety (Apr 1944)

12 FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, Apiil 26, 19 < I 1 he Siw> of Dr. H assell (rEtHMCOIOR) I'll ■. t)<m, (livoVl ■i„,,|.Pi-s .fvall .Di'jtnis tel.' itf'l li.V, INilill i<r uimn sii».i;,v 1 M 1 I M V f I M r 1 u 1 > NMlli I" ' 1 H t I 1 t U ( I W iti '(It I'lmjalnhlon JfiilU \ r 1 1 U Hum Ini, I J) i I \( '•> 'II :-M»iiii'Hfi« ;v, v....;.:. jtujikHiii ui.ipiiii.. Throii .'AHtrl-|iii.v;,Mi-..« 1 I) I 1) 1 .SHirMWik. ■ ■■ A lfiw)rt l\ J ) ( nifi « » ( >,>.1> 1 ( i Xhll<i'm.:.\. - ri- ■ .t'fuK:,';.;;,;,;'!.,-;.,, CP 1 It D llj'. ■ iVfJljlie. . ■ 1 I .;.\ «MM>.r, MiH>ri I I M J II I fill i"h;irl<!i» Uf , (ii.i-il.'Ml. Ji'll L-lli-y. riev hiiisciiii, :m r I I I n''if, Slil. <,'f.'li II: 11 s ) K Ipo) ..TliU(>t)il> 1 t s t 1 .Btliolt' llCi'l Kiicl.'v i:i\Hfk 'iiin- ■ Sn-l-:vi>y cr TlnH-liilllCf .rcirniu ivii" Because this is the factudl stoiy of Dr W-lwcU s heroic evacualion of 12 n en plus h m elf fiom Ia\ i in tiiliei stages ot the u ir it picks moie interest than othtiwisc mif;ht hd\e bepn the tusc The exploits of the by now famed N ual Commdndti | h \ t been b ouj,ht to the sci ecu on 1j\ sh scale bv Cecil B DcMillc \Mth an exception ill> fine cast nnd good comedy lelief Tht entei tainmenl I ^^llle even Ind the sctnuio beui fictioml IS veiy stiong Pioduction extcllence and good color photo„ iiph> aie addtd asbtts Gio^s pos •iibilities are exceptiomlly favorable dcbpitc any trend away £iom to t Ulcd war pictures While the lunning time of lib minutes is much longci than tht avenge and theie aie poitio whcie cuts tould hive been made the story and DeMiUes spectaculai pi oduction possess so much body and covcis so much gioind with imny incidents of a romantic or non wai chaiacter mcludcd that theie i lu' titication tor the extent of tht loot *^There can be no quarrel with the cist While Gary Cooper bcais no piirticular resemblance to Comman- dei Wassell himself who s bO and a weather beaten type the ttar im paits to the role much vigoi coloi and s} mpathctic mterest It s one of Coopers best perloimancf: Ihe stoij based upon facts as 1 elated by Commander Wassell thiougli v ii loi s cutbacks takes Cooper fiom his eaily horse and buggy countiy doc toi days m Arkansas thiough medi oil research m Chma bcfoie the wai and finally to Australia altei he h is successfully transpoitcd wounded men to that pomt Instead of being court maitialed there loi havmt dis obeved ordeis to leave ilietchei cises behmd m Java Di Wassell as most of the public should know, was avvarded the; Navy. Cross and his hciojc deed made the subiect of a bioadcast by Piesidcnt Roosevelt Battle scenes as well as otheis are \eiy effectively staged and photo gnphed Its a wonder DeMille him selt doesnt have plenty of cisualties ill view of the realistic manner in wljuch he directs bombing and othei sequences. ■ : Comedy touches and romance go a long way towaid lithteninj, my likely stram fi-om the war injjic* clients Henny McEvoj who is strong for ;.the native girls and thiough that piedilection is left be h nd with Dr Wassell and his s letchei cases togethei with othcis lurnish the laughs McFvoy is t toi iific characl«i in ill icspects Li laine Day who fust cist liei eves upon Dr Wassell in Chma befoic the w 11" shoulders tht love inteiest op posite the famed nival dottoi while Sunc Hasso fi^uies in x romance light with Carl Esmond and Klliott Held Hie combin ilion ot O Keett and Carol Thuiston the native Jav ancsc nuise with whom he gtts mi looned m the junj^lcs at the meity of approaching Japs. • strike an e,x- - .ccptionailly ;strpnf*' note;,' Th is/is; Miss: Thuiston s fiist film ^ppt^lanec but it wont be hei 1 ist She a veiy n j,i itnting t>pc Paul Kellj is excel lent as a morose wounded man, while Stanley Rid^cs qives in impics ive performance us a naval doctor who also among the, wounded. Caur. Two ipirla »n<l a Sailor (MUSIC 4L) salmagundi of band numbers by Hairy James and Xavier Cugat, with their soloist- i>\\xs Jynmy Durante ot whom there isnt enough and Various other specialties ranging from Lei Ik rue to the concert pianist Jose Ituibi Running 124 minutes it is too long and generally slow. The boxofTice prospects hinge chiefly on th? marquee.' . , ! The tenuous book byRichaidCon nell and Gladys Lehman.: which m iinlj itcoids a lomancfe between a .,11) siiiftti and 1 sailor with a promi iient family oackground. unknown to 1 r uitil neii the end is not onl> a dis ippointint, foundation upon which to build 1 muiie il but nlso the dia , log: lacks' "brUliaiic'G' arid:- comedy 1.6- Uef is: ra:pre: 1 ackJt):g, J:hEin in evide!i pe. , ..: The . 'S:ehnoi, ':vvhQ' W on' this: lot': 'Sqine' ye^u-s 'sigb as'a featured', player aiid sfnec' lias'stii.ged .'a 'big cprrieba ■pi&ys a . cliar'actfci- rple''as.. wcU ag; da- ■ih.!? a' GQpplo niihilsdrs. 'He's an.' old-; :time' actor, vvtoas.si;5t.s two giris iii. .iuiiihihg' :» '■ csiTtc'eii' ".f()i.''. s&ryiceipeu. B. I. mcii'.e than,tlie'.early:....S.Umber;.:at i thc :pi!)no.- and,. f towirdV tlj6:;',firiig]h.,i ".Iiiky. : Dinky. Do,'''^:Qpuld :'he' /Stood .'i'tfom "suoh'. (i ' .sVasou'^d ..■aiTd-;f6Vc'efui,' [ singing'jeriteilairier^ .:.> ■■ ■' ''■.■■'■', '■' ■ ': jilh.e Ally son:, arid Gfloria Del-iayein. play .a:.sister act,. featured /in' a, few .Shoi't:' .numbers;;, ■Headlinerg', .at ■. a riigh,fclUb W:rti>".t;he Jiiines and. Cugat oi'ehe.sti'as,. they tUrh! their' hornc .iiito a place .wlieie servicemen, may- be entei-tained:.: aftei:'■ .they're fbrQugh' 'wiffe'.theiii tiiitory'chi3Te.i. Th.is' leads, through ,.st:ra'iige:eirci.i:mStanGes^^ "storage 'Watelioiise, .apparently, ■willed o them whith is converted into d- canteen Its all been ananged by^ the :.SailQi'.'','.o£: 'j'ich. pkrent'sj ,unbe'- ■kn'owrist 'to-.'lhe. 'sister .team..:.'.He fall.s for one. Gloria DeHaven. then ::sw.itchB.s, t.Q' the: oth'ei',' Jiine' 'Allysgri.' In' addition to .the. band, nuh'ilj^irs,. With; .Helen' Forrest.;as. soloist ''witH: the James. oiitflt. -and Liria. Roiliay: w itli Cufeat specialties include ci spani.sh ; baritone solo by .Carlos Ram irez;; a rather clever comical one-finger piano concerto by Gracie Allen: clever comedy interpretation of :'Take It . Easy . by A^irginia. .O Bi ien:: - short . dance number in which Ben Blue works with a gal: partner: Jose Iturbi playing a ritual: fire dance on the piano, assisted by his sister, unbilled but announced on the screen, and Lena Horne singing Paper DoU ' - Miss AUy.son. who should not be far . trom stardom.: turns in: a very.' fine: performance despite the poor? ness of the script which dlso is t^ue of Van Johnson opposite her as the sailor bov. Miss DeHaven and Tom Drake, latter doing a soldier. ■ fare suitably though not impressively, while lesscrs of a well-established character school who come through as usual are Henry Stephenson; Henry O Neill and Donald Meek. Joe Pasternak s production backr groiind.s are to .some extent impres-^. sive but on the tinsel and theatrical side, though his dream sequence is very crfective. Photography suffers in spots Cha? '. Miniature Reviews •The Storv of I>r Wassell" (Color) (Par) Spectacular war picture, with romance and com- tdj should be a big grosser "Two Girls and a Sailor" vMU'- sical) <M G) Lack ot stoij and length of footage makes this musical pot pounj disappointing enlettainment Double Indemnity" (Pai) Fied MicMumv Biibaia Stan- v^jtk Fdwaid G Robinson in bi„ bo muidti mellei \nd the kneels Sm;;' (Songs) iPu) MicMunaj Lamour mu- U li„ht tseipi t faie for mild lb.o:::', . '.r-:'.'-":':;'','.''■:.>;; '■','.'■:'^"- \ Ihe IIilUi Oin(, Pu) . Doc:uini5n't-cn'y:-WclU'^>(,N'a^ -party-: ;,gro'Wthi;': .'' .: ■'' ,-; -': ■•Once 1)1)011 a .liinc ' iCol); ''C'ai'y'.'^'rant:-JaiTet^ BUvi;r'th .iiovftli., contiov I 1 J li 1 due loi b o Ounblers Choice Pu) Fist iction me lei good dualer Cobia \<oman' iColor) (U) Jiinglt lomance Should piove )od bo faie > "Seven- Davs ..Ashore" rMusi-- call < RKO"'. Thoroughly enjoy- able mi ji musical which will pk IS Old il bills Ilcni) \ldiich Plavs Cupid' .. (Par.). Knle naining and good dull suppoitei ■•lin Iiom riisco' (Rep) ■ Moderi; sh:fpbuildiiig -- . .slory ; should do okay .with, right ex- ■ ploitation. .! -::'';'■' •.' ••'Irocadero:' (Rep.V L i ght- vvcight, musical :foi" dual: support. (incidentally back at the .sax., which js how he stalled) has (,onc There are topical musical moments such as Hello Mali How Docs Your Gaidcn Grow' with a Vietoiv Gai den motif: and.Mi.ss Hullon is her usuil energetic self with a scit lou tine, while Miss Lamour bal!ad.s: li Could Happen to You. The film s title is bonov\ed fioin a vestcrveii pop song hit but tht pie does not lepiise that sont j4bel TIm> Hitler lnaiifS Hnllvwood. .April 21. lloiiiile luilcmniiy ikl...-) Rl f I<> I'll) SI t 11 1 VI \l 1 B I It 1 I ]) I'omin.'iv. Wilder ■: :rmii novol l.y .Ini Mai-i-Lsnn Murray .learns that. Miss . Stahwyck- has boon us ng him lis a dupe, and he shoots her to death. It is a story told in flashback, film opening: with MacMurra v confessing voluntarily the entire setup into a dictaphone for- use by the claims agent.-from' which the nairative then unfolds MacMurrav has seldom given a better performance. It is somewhat diflereiit from his usually light roles, but. IS always plausible and played With considerable restraint.. Miss Stanwyck IS not as attractive as norT, mallv with what is: .seemingly a blonde wig. but it s probably part of a makeup to emphasize the brassi- ness of the chaiactci Hei peiform- ance. however, is consistent though the charactcr in the final reel would have- been stronger had not the scripters sought to reflect some sense of human understanding for her: Robinson, as the infallible insurance, executive quick to cletcimine phoney claims; gives a strong performance, too. It IS a typically brash,Robinson role. Le.sscrs who do well are Porter Hall, .lean Heather. Tom Powers (the inurocred man) and Richard -Games..-" ■ - ■ Jcseph Sistiom has contributed a. grade A production, and there s an enterprising score by Miklos Rozsa. . Kalm. \ l< t MIS'" Wiiiwi.S'ci'r...'.-. l.'U,Vlll>!-'l-)if(l!|iiiljsl 1 t I Ml-., .liickfiiri...:, T.Ola: ':i>l(-ln(:iisiin VI 1 .Ntno .1 M N ■Joe \i ii -1 iiiip. •llo.Uo Sfit/ I lAdf -44.' .Ruilnioic I'l ^ll Miini\ V I I St iiM hi «. Itiiliiiisiin ; .-.T'dilcf 1-t..'iil .-..Jo'ivn: llf^atV.iM: Pi And lli<> %n|t<el8 Sing (SONGS) n. I. I )i r I I .15 i-tuii II ri! .John riiUllbt .^difl'iLat,. 'i-i. ■.Ill ;-Tii t' .Tiillil ?' .'iVli'y .rfttiii (I Dui-a 1 ip: :A nil: ll.i 111 .ill- ike. ':AiIa M.i-,v. >;'izl)j'.. .. A 1> 1 ) N ■\ n I OH fl'ho ^Vlll1e..T^\■ D^(■k.:l)e}•i)...-,. Uavi'i^ .lajiiW- Wtt'lihPiiKrtn: vipHi'yuj'.N'pill .'.-. . '.'-i:™ Jilmv ni-nis-riahilrf-'is . .Fi'iinlf- SiiilN<. -;..:i-i.v -irliimtiif: ,l.iiiiialil-..VI.'i'k: HclM'iC Hi-iiKfir- .1!; II I ■r)i( ■itil Hl'lA. Ilk .leliks I Cuj,ai Oi Instil lilli L I rt Weakness of stor> a veiy thin one in this instance icduccs Two Gals ''aii<;i.:a:ViSail0l«'^.t;o-little 'in,b 'than':?i James : M. ■ Cain s ; Liberty story. Double Indcmiuty..-. apparently bised on i sensational muider ot the '20si. ha:.s. become an absortiing melo- drama in its Paramount, adaptatiori. It is certain' boxoffice ilisnrance. And .clOuble indemnity.with such marquee mines is Fied MlcMuriay Baibaia Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson. There are unmistakcable . similar- jiie.s b'e'iweeh the. Pararriount pic and ilje lamou.s :Snyder-Gray-, '..mitrclier ■wherein .Alljort ; Snyder; was sash- :weighted to' 'death .17^ ye{jrs ' ago .in his Qijeens::V:Ulage, Kf,: y.;' :hOH)e;'Jiy .hi^s vvifci :.Ruth, land • .he'r^'.]^ Gray. Boih the. fictional and the real mtirdei's'we.re fo:r the slain'meh's-jin'-. surai'i(!.e.' ■ .Both- .Were . comrnitted.. by: the imirdercd men: s. .wives and-their :ainouii;''{ : ,'':.:- ,.''In;d.eiBni.Jy-.'.':'i'!S 'rapidly; iripying, .and con.sisterttiy well, dcyeloped., It is. a .^toi'y', :i'epletc:-.. with.. si,(sp.erise, i' for' ,Whi<;h-, ore:dil..iii.i>.s.t..gb,in a ]arg■e^11.oa.s- \ir6•''t6 B'illJ^' :\y.il'der's directign..- :He: was -also q'o-ituihor ' o'f .the '.Sisreenplayi '■''The. st;bry's' dev.dlop'ment j'evQlve,,s,: m."!inly-:.'m-6(uid- the'characterizations (-if Mat;M.ari'ay;,- Miss' Stanwyck ,ahd HbbilVson,: the (iiist'itwo' as the IpvGrs ..and 'BObiiisoh as an: insui'ancis ciainis: agent' vvlio'.balks, the pair's, "perfect criiTic ' : from .becoming just: .what they had intended it to appeal—an iccidental death from a ijioving train, for wrhich there would have been a;double indemnity. : ,.'. . Miss Stanwyck plays the wife of in oilm in ind when MacMuliay an insiiianee salesman becomes hei piiamoui they sell to the husbind llaudulentl^ an accidental death policv Thev then kill him and place his body on the i ulway tiaLks Their p! ins to dwij, howcvoi when Mac iK-'r'f.-. li-.(-'Da Aiu il ai. i.iiiriis\.:Min- ..llfiWiy. -A Hi; .li...v-ii.. AliRPl :riiui ,.^.ll(•-^• I I Vli,il V'.u/.».y Joilll <llti;<'.i'..-. 11.., H'l-iiiitiK';.:. :' "l-|-(ilniaiv.'.,-; Hrtii.ie-Jiaii /Si ii'iii'irVU / :Ai:i1)«-i:,.J ..!:, I II I u (liin pi-o- iiiilr.. I'U-«1 Mac- tly Mutlon, . Diana liK^Jmond VYalburn, 1 I'd'- 1) \- ■ t reoiffe: Ma i> r.ai.iliiy iiy .MeivW Frank.';Nor- s 1 (I le H s n 1 I u ^ c lUoi 1 la -W Lf.n n l p I »)t '\ n Ueuse) 'liiiii; ■ V'i'i-fin'-..'-y-oiiiJK;- .'.i'i::i-aiii?«- nli:.'.l. ■'lilljf.y. lArtltiii- J Vaiildlh, II S IP 1 I un V I) 1 1 IpM n N T (Imp; 1)5 MINS. .., Doriitliy Laniiiui ,:.. l;'ro<l Mai-Mm-rixy .. ..::. Hefty H«tl . I..' . .-.©ia.tiii.' iiynn ... ..Mrijii '(-'hariiilef .Ha.yiiiii:rtii::Wiilblirn ; .;.:/:;KiWie::Koy.-J i. V f i'ii nlv -Aifioi'tsoTi ; ..MlkliiiU- Rasiih V.,v..l'n'!(iik' I'^yio-ii .i.V.-.OcbrKe' ■i'IrK«s ......Tlfiri-v.: Raia-ii .-.;',',.'. .))on!iM..:K.p<>i ;, ^.',-J*'oi'ft. I.A'iinilers'. ....., Tbiii* ICtennfe'dy ■ '."The. Hitlfer Gati:g"').s a-.niclbdrama. .ex'posi-tibn' of the start dnd .'lii-flgfess of the' Nazi B&rfy ■and:,Hi,tl'er ;t:l"i,rough: f(5'fma.tise .years- arid, up to' :sf,art..bf present .:World' .ivar.. - As 'a: doc«ri-)«?M^ taiy and le creation i f 1 cj events in Geimany between the two u us pic tuie holds certain niftiest but its hot: entertaini-iieht for --(^^ ente lequiitmcnts Bi? w 11 be spotty: With..be.st'chance -in.-.,key' cen< ters where' custo,i;ners -vvill: delight in hissing the Na/is Paramount- produiJGd: the pjctvj.rc- mainly.as'ji-coritributioii to the .war., effort, according to:studio spokesmen duiin„ production uu h c f 1 co operation of the Govtini i i the endeavoi Factuil line his been taken thioughout lather than lesoit to accentuated theatucs Finish is non-climactic. resorting tO' montages of marching soldici s and United Nations flag-wavmg to get to tlvc end title Hitler IS picked up in a GeJmin military hospital in 1918 sulTeniig from:emotional shock, and tabbed a paianoiac case Shoitly after he S; used by the h t,h command as a po . litical spellbinder to form the Na- tional Socialist Pirly ind ittr ict Hochm Hess Gocbbels Himmlei, Goeung and otheis ^s the oifcin- ization progresses. Hitler lies and jahts 'for :Goiitinual ..double-^ci'ogsing of those groups he cnlisis lor aid. . The Munich bcci hall niee1inf,s ind eventual putsch is le enacted vuth Hitler getting lie,ht lail sentence wheie he compiles Me in Kampt' from various ■ other: books . and pimphlot Its theic th it islrdlogy influences his moves, and on .relea.se Hitler leliics to the countiy to let the party proceed. Called back, ncvv campaign foi povvei is liunehedi with wild promises ippointment as Reichschancellor. I and total power through decree: Then follows reisn of terror aaain.st. all opposition, drives against cliuiches ind lelifcion; indoctrination of children; and the pmge of l'>34 Robert Watson handles role of Hit ler in good style with other Nazi leaders eflectiveiy depicted by Ro- man Bohnen Mai tin Koslccl Victor Vaiconi I uis Van Rootcn Alex mder Pope and fonio Selwiil Extended ca t is in and out for the vniioiis sequence.5. .Picture has .plenty of au- thentic sets to. carry pullay.,to:heavy negative. costs. Technjcal contribu' tions are okay thoruijhoul. W(ilt. idea by Lucille Fletchei Htummn) It estcited considerable: comment in radio circles when >t was produced on CBS, but its film veision bccau e of a more extensive:production star.; ring Cary Grant and J met Bldu bids fair to create an even t,ieatci word-of-mouth. i The films leading charictci nt couise, IS one thats unbilled—th t would be Curly, the catcipilli Cuily IS the pal of nine yen tkl Pinky, and^ it dances vvben Pinky play Thats My Babv on his mouthrorgan. :When a flop Broad- wiy producer learns of this phe- nomenon, he sees a chance to g-iin its possession and exploit it sul hciently so that I e can salv -i^e hi theatre from the bankers. Gabriel Heatter hears about the dancini« citerpillar and gives it nationwide piominence m duscussin„ it on h s iidio program Then follov\s i ceU),( of offers to exploit the: ini«»ct—and there s even a scent of Walt Disnev, over long-distance phone from Holly- \ ood oflering SIOOOOO foi it The basic story.' m ay: hav^e IdifTiculty ■ ill "reSchihg'! ah aiidiencc at'. first,, biit'.i'f ::one,:;ean . accept ..the ..sheer: ■ Jaritsi'sy ,fc»r .\<'.hat- it's.' ivorth, jt..'.Ga'n : \ eiy well be excellent entei t un nt il Theie s considerable chaim n ihe V oiingster s attachment toi tht m tct though the close linl Ihit (\ ttd in the..ortiihal'radio, jilay /between the theatrical agent and tlie bos (in the film the agent is the theatucnl pio- ducei) IS soniewhat lost And tint final loel—when the voun slci his been overcome' .With grie.l over tne loss of his caterpillar, only to learn' that rt wasnt lost at all but had since become a butttiflv—is in esei- ci.se in screen fantasy.- Both Giant and "VIis Blm m v be starred 'In this film; but they must - bow in performance to othets not equally billed Wamely Ted Don-ild- son the youngstei who in hi<- "iist film appearance is whit pullitity . departments would call a find. Jame.s Gleason, 'Willum Demaicst and Howafd Freeman aie imong the major supporting players who oo okay..- . ■"■.!-'.: That title really tells it. There s a foreword that suggesl:s to the audi';. ence. m effect, to pull up.a chair »nd. lelax Its the kind orsiit,5,estion that had best be taken litenlly K«lni It €iainlilor*«i < Hollywood. April 21:- Faramount releafip. nr. I'.iiip-'riiniiiii.'i i^io- (liiellon leit II s I 11 1 \i i. n., hcllr Russell 111 -111 1 p I T 0 Pat)irk DI Ip 1 1 v I I \f U 1111 S*':r««iiplay. :Maxwpll .Sluili*,. ..Ti-viivk R*if- iiriKuial. . Howard ; JjlinlliH'! 1 1^.11 (1 Grint ( I ic I I i«r. Heward Smttli. I'raii Wl 1 30 44 'Rum ln„ II Tloea liadley :—..; \ 1 rnikri , M.ike Mctrlennoii .. Chappiff AMlaon..... t-ay Tjawrenpe .-. . .:; TJyssca.b. Ilaj;oi-s.... H 1 nj ■^pllow Olo^e 'V\el(l ^^ < iidy n H1110 xt Ai U ny M y J.iiiiipsi, 1 A ii'!<l.P'r. Wdi-.i'iS . . . . Smipy ...KPl l-y.-- .li.<rs.«i'ri."H'iy'(«n Sliclilon : l-«iiliil-.l I P I 1 k :l,l.,yil Cdili-iKriH .■I'lHii-mj; -11itf.-a« I > UlWt I I llrv A t ..Mjixhip Lf-ivLS 1 ll> ^^l n :. ."Arid the Angels Si)'ig"Js:a pretty, ti^'.ed' filmiislcal .with ,a.::ba.hd/'ari'd .a maiicap femnle-. 'qiiartet. as. the -focal I romantic :actjoh.It .vv'tll need: all the :inarquqo s,upport:o,f Fred-.MaoMurray tas' the maestfp j:-'an;d -'':0.br6thy . La hidlir :and Bctiy:. -Klltlori, hall: of - tlie. ■ sister'-. act tthe.'..4 Aiigel. :S:iste)'&) .to . bplit.ev'.-ithe'. flirrisy-;;plot,:'J/'Iii-■;.i'ts",r'B.p:' i-lavior. is',1;:He .plot's -Cbmjilote escap o'loKy-,''ni':ed:i'trtfed' bii: a wacky 'fg'rfiily. "'•' -.'r-'He cjlrii'aclic 'situation wh'q.re Mkc--' 'M.uvray,'is '. the. htirJ'ipd. swaio,.' liter-i- ally.':i;iimiing; b^t\>\eeiT;the- Misses.'La^- hibiir. .;l:\\?h(jm: he, .'Itjyos.) and:Hiittprt ;(^w.l',ripse'-;l.ov.e,.is;'u -reminds: o'nfe..pf .iliose old Al. Woods bedrporn' larce.s Afei-lK the- prin.cipais. r.iimTt.tig iri and put of d'oors, :stfangely just miss- ing eath othci imidsl ludicrous al' belt not humorous .complications. :! The action even beggars maestro MacMurray and Eddie Foy. Jr.. his colleague in the band biz into doing; one of those Tviolean shoe platter, «:ong md dnnce loulines in a Polish cabaret, lor throw, money, all be- cause thev ve got to laise $190 for the gals Action shifts fiom a small- town to N Y where MacMurray. Onr'4> 1 |Mm a 1.iui«> : Gohin'ihih: i-cii'iiKe': ol' AlfxanUi'i- Hiill lirfi- llUi-tioil,' ' dil-ei'leil liy lliill. .liL'ti's--Ciii-y 'Ol-iuil. 'n'ani'l.. llUiir; rpid iifrs .laim's UlVasoit, 'IVil -pti'iinlilMil),- 'VVidianli IH-liafl-f ."I'-.- tii'Vvn- .jiiav, l-;p.H-.la -' :il-i'|i-.-/..n'-- a'riil . (i.-f/ar 'SaiU; Maijlea- liy 'ritvl'iiK' Fi-noimtll, J'l:iiifr-::<i-riKi.ii;):l ->*tory hy-i >.''ni-nla.Ti . I'liriv'iii -and. l.(i('il!R .FietPl'itn- 'I.TH'i'iii'a'nii'; -.pilfltur, .Gi-iio, -Tl.'i,rii.t.:k;, mu,«io-. F.rtdPrii'lc IIbUhjuIci-, .m'u>lc dtwVl.iir, il'. .W:..'Klhiiii'fi cuiniM-a. -Fi-iinji- J-', -f'liiii.iii-. J-reviiMvcl iiv..X..1'.,' Ai'H'ira-l,.:'*!. -..jhuil'iiiiB' ilme. IIH ■.MI.NS. ... .TFiujiip' ',riu 'Itm M'ivkn; l'inky"'"nii-ij .\t. K'T.y.:., . Hi-ar.i. .-'...<'./', .Gc.dpiPl-J.lei .j)u.n:i»iii - .;:;. Kiiisi) -::.:.. D'lJS .',7ii ...111 p"l" :]i:|a •Gamblers Choice follows the usu.il line of fast iction mclodiama which charaoteii/es the pine Thomas product: and shapes up a.s a strong program supporter lor the regular iUllS Colorful era of 1910 provide.s setting for adventuies of Chestei Morns in launching, swank gambling room m the N Y tendeiloin distiict, opposition from competitors and hnal closure by reform wave. ■ Russell Hayden; childhood pal of Morris Is the police lieutenant of the district who raid.s the gambling. ' layouts following death of a cop and- is subsequently shipped to the wilds of the Bronx. Nancy Kelly is night- club singer who is lomanticallv pui- sued by gambler and cop Latlcr wins when Morns saves him fiom fraiTieup by gambling intere.st.s and Morris: conveniently die.s from gun- flght to clear wiy for clinch of \liss Kelly and Hayden, Original story by How aid Emmett Rogers' and James Edward Grant weaves an actionful tale while scupt by Maxwell Shane and Irving Rcis IS decidedly compact Morns M «s : Kelly and Hayden provide good trip m top spots Miss Kelly sings two old tunes ' Hold Me Just a Little Closer' and Sidewalks of New Yoik ' as entcitainer in night club . Sheldon Leonard. Lee Patrick and Lloyd Corrigan provide- interest mg supporting ch iracteiizations Wait ill.-: aids.: Tfiil'''i:l'r . ;.l|ii«'sird .(•'I'Cl'maB .Wlflialii liciniivP.H .,M..'A'i,t.-Jlii'kf'i- .v.-.-;'.i!au-|;'i<l-uivli:ih , i .*li.'k(;j-'">rt'(iluire ,';; :,t)h,e. pi', 'the:- mof ?'■ irip'v^el .''.script^:, of, thie. year;:.,;"Onc'e.'-Upon :a Tiiiie"' -:is :ce'rtainly;bizarre--^ajld'ytt cliarming. Ki ',,unfath:om.able-—.and yet:. intrig- uing;' It is-,eertai}lly'.abs'uir(3'^ahtl .yet boxofTice Once Upon 1 Time w ill ccitainly excite -a -liatiohal ,Wfflve -'of: conflicting theorie.s on ■ its, nicrit.s, / It". .,certai'illy' ^lii-iist:'.' .have :. :req'uirecj :'.,consict(>.i-able c.aupage for'iCbtuiribia.tO:.h'av'e ii'nder- takeii a.':pi?Qdi,tc|i'oa' that'maiiifests So few -':p::6pu!ai' ingredients ,,that hiake for -.big . b,o, ;Because':o't its .. Central ch'ar^oteiv -sutH,a:s'it..is. "Once Updn a time-'.is. actually, the story of-^a catefpillar' A dancint cittipilHi' One that dances only to "Yes Sir Thats My Babv Once Upon a Time wis ongi nally a ladio plav u Tien Cuilj, by Normal I ■> i i ii i 1 olira Woman (TECHMCOr OR) Hollywood Apiil 21 t 1 e s 1 101 asc r ( W ).k p 1- cHuHtoii. : .St.!ir».- .Marik::ilump/,. :t<:,h Mull. .' u felt 1 69 ]. IR 1 e 1 4 1J * I s ( oil c All V N 1 il It I .Samuel S.: Hlniliii. Ijlrw-'iwi liv .fcilj*i-t (■■-loiT- 1 k S(, ep play 1 ( ] < > « 1 •Bi-ooks, based ion orlBiiiai liv "Xv:. Kwitr.Diiv- 1 I, mPi Georf, HI \ H 1 (li-eP.ne; .'color. : Natalip: Kurimis; tincin'.' I I a ICS M ynai lip I 1 < i- 1 jnii.sip, JSd\varii: "warrt; '»iii?<-i:il''pn:p('l»i "Jolm::-. T^aiton.: ■' Trttdpshow'ii: in. Uidh-*r.lo(i; jMirU.' .i) 41 Uunmng < c » vjiNs toitiSa;;:).''■:"■';';'.;-:,"■ -- Kaniiii .'1 j'j.i'.'. Kaao ^i,- .'M.at'Oolt.,,'.;..:.: (J CO v^poiia:....;!.. I tl I PtUI Maf-Doiiaia.'.. :Hava,.::.v'.,;;..- i.-t JfiihUs*. Jon .3Wr I- It n • Ml -I \ i-l 1 < C 1 1 f! S Jl s VI I 1 ( IM 1 . .,J.<.ii (.-.'.i'li.'S*:' : ' Gobra Woman is a super-fanliis-r tic melodrama backgiounded tn a mythical island that mifht *3> f n ( vhcip in tl In ('Heaij ; ,:^:! (COhWiitif vi:-ofi -.iB-^t' :iii'i.''': -:: - ;: