Variety (Jun 1944)

10 FILM REVIEWS P^RIETY Wednesday, June 11, 19It Henry AldrifcU's Utile Seerei rtirawiitwlt" (dense -of- W'.iilt <ilh.> H>.ht., via j Ktnl \ I'Vnp: in V. MISS I|| ■ iS )>:,..-> ■Mr-" Si". A Mv<s. III'."" Itl.lvV •I '"• I I Mis; Am, i j.ydun, diaries i.-.ilmi s Joan M.irtiiiier, .Inhn'lllit-l. iriakvm'r'; Ann liuuim. John !'»>»! (Jlv-. i l.t a by llnill .li.-unctl. Si-i-f. n- \ ;ii liui'dm ami A I'.in Leslie; from. I.;- "Mi-s l/'Klii"': i-vrti««;A.' Munlel ,t* , ,'lituiY fever, It WullKblS; PrcVlbWoil ■,.luii< M. Uunninil.tli. ■. .MfiiJIn:... . I. r In . WiiniiWar. i in, ...... i i"il ri,l . Miiude. .... llij'r; . • > • .'• ..Uiiniiy I.vfli, i-li-nl.s s»,» ,|n:in .Vl.nrihl' h-'m >,■:>< ttiu; iMi.ty.-ne ':..: .xm .ti.iia n i >.«■;•! u*i- ...TiiKr Tli.iv -..ir.ii r.iv.iv. lie « .,.! ,.\)n JW...M.I Jil.lu- I !>.!■>. . ■V.ill C.'.U.-.'i.o'r Mi< .ill*",,. .". !>.,! Mint.. Dili .v.. .... i,„. , C; .n.y .')■■• Ii.|...n: I'-'.iulK.-r in. lOliiiuct- ti'y. •V-jiialm ■ I. I li: Pnnil lliil. K. .IMwA.n Nncl Xellj I;i making Us star anenti'epveneur. lawyer,.-: fouler-parent. filibustercr and romantic- lead. "Henry Aldrich s Little Secret" loads too much'-on the. otherwise capable • shoulders of its principal',.'.. : with lukewarm , results,.' For the duals Henry Aldrich and his pal, Dizzy, are heads of a baby-minding trust, assiste* by Centervilte High S'VlS who become nursemaids to a : Client s babv when: she leaves town to prove hei 'jailed husband's innocence, after the local welfare board, headed by . Sam Aldrich, tries to prove , her an unlit parent. .Farcical situation oc- curs when Henry ■ pleads for. his client in court. Opposed by his father, representing the board. To-stall for time, so as to get'more proof. Henry conducts a filibuster in the best Coiir grcssipnal tradition, scoring a - legal victory over his father. : . •/.'-. : Jimmy Lvdon (as HenryV and Charles Smith'-(Dizzy) click neatly, while incidents involving the. care and feeding of the infant are humor- ous and hypo an otherwise dull film. Other cast members furnish adequate support. SeerHs of Scotland Yard ■' Republic release Yank onslaught are brought into fo- cus, Johnny Doughboy , is shown in intimate juxtaposition- with the. cam- era; In full revelation are depicted his careful training maneuvers, his food, his weapons, his military, in- doctrination for the -attack and his final charge—with life or death as the payoff—on the sandy beaches and steaming jungles of New Britain,.- Since the Battle, for New Britain was a .three-pronged assault, the es- sential strategy of the various feints and maneuvers are explained via simple cartography. The .purpose and import of each movement is re- vealed in advance as is also the: im- mediate objective, Tho : close teamwork , of the air corps, the navy and the inlarjti y in; gaining the victory Is given lull play, with each service., entity -shown as complementing • the .two other branches . „ „ , Camera-work: of the U. S. Army Signal Corps is superb in depicting the air shots and the naval can- nonading. Shooting peak, however, reaches its acme in the final jungle scenes where Yank'and Nippon have a go at each other. For sheer dra- matic intensity and chilling impact and suspense, these internecine glimpses of modern warfare are without parallel in film annals/..--','' "Attack!" is released through the Office of War Information/which has a cinojna epic on its hands in a 56- minule film that should, perforce be part of the military education of every Amcricah. in civilian raiment. ftoodniglit Suoeilieart - ItcDlAlic production ami r.deuse. stars Robert-. r.ivlnKslon, Ku.ili Tony: ' features llonrv Hull. Grunt Withers. Thurston Hall. Uoyd J>iiev'-"i,!>y J;*-!''-' s«»t- lev Screenplay by -• -Itadiol I>a\vn. Jack To.wnley'. I'ri.m oriKiniil by Frunlc •Kfijlnn Joseph ..Huffman Miniature Reviews "Henry Aldrich's Little Secret" (Par). 'Lukewarm entry, for. duals. ':-•--' - .- -' .". ... "Secrets of Scotland Yard" (Rep). '-.Spy-thriller with good cast; bctler-than-average' dualer. ' "Attack;" One of the best and most thrilling OWI releases yet to reach the screen^. > '. . "G o o d n i S' li t Swcetheart" 1 iRep). Far-lelchcd story; dualer. "Song of .Nevada" (Rep). Roy Rogers .musical should hit the jackpot in all situations.. . "Gunsmokc Mesa" (PRC). Rangers ride again in this ex- citing .saddler, which should do okay in the duals. :., •rCandles at Nine" (Brit.)-, Jessie Matthews' in melier; looks okay lor U. S. market. , '•Wolves of the Range" (PRC). Lively western in the Lbiie.Ridef series. '-' '--. -• ""They Met in Moscow" (Art- kino). Russian-made comic opera with English -titles; one of best from Moscow; but only for duals. "Shake Hands With Mulder" (PRC). : Fairly:; diverting who- dunit, co-starring; 'Iris Adrian and Frank Jiinks; okay dualer. cast of seasoned troupers in of Jessie Matthews and John Stuart in the star roles. May do lairly well in U. S. as a melier. How much of a draw the Matthews name may still be with filmgoers On this side who remember when she was tops .in West End musicals is dubious. But lor American audiences, even though she plays a frightened young j girl, Miss Matthews should help the.draw': Based on Anthony Gilbcl't's novel, "Mouse Who Couldn't Play Ball, ' the main theme-revolves around the. con- sequences ■'•or.' a miser's willing his half-million-doUar estate to an ob- scure great-niece, winner of a song- and-danee amateur competition. All six nearer relatives of the dead man, who feel, they have more' legitimate claims, try at first to Hatter her into getting them out .of financial entan- glements;.and then variously scheme 10 put her out of the. way. But it. remains for the housekeeper to make an actual murderous attempt on the heiress. A ubiquitous detective, John Stuart, who foils the villainess, Wilis the girl, Beatrix Lehmann is the sinister, housekeeper.'. British National Films have given, the film elaborate mounting, and di- rection by John Harlow is adequate. Outstanding for this, type film is the musical background, the featured number, "I'd .Like to,. Share With You." is put Over-effectively by Miss Matthews. -.'- ,'."■: . ■ -,.. ',": . ipport-—Shake Hands With Murder FllU wlcasc of-American Proilnclinnn. Slurs ; Iris Adrian, Frank ..IciiUn; timtiirrs Uauklu» (Cmvley. Directed' to AilmK Jler- nnin. .S.'wniiljy. John T, Xcvllle, frdm- rigliial by .Mitrtln Mooney: editor, f}iWK« .Y(irl(,...\',' Y HnniiinK (line. 1'alsy lljcnt. . Kddle .l.moH.. Slpvu Aloi-nan Joe IlliiUe.... S-i'.-l-otiuy ; Jolill Clark;.. >>:.inion ,;-..,. li-jaklns,,;,,:. 'K.'pnwly,.... Adams., 'liivvai'.l WuitVcsjf; ;..;;- Serne'am...:.;. mera, .tioliort dual, wppk <il MINS. -CUAC. - N'inv of June 7. '-M, . .Jt'Is A.li-lun ....... Frank .|..nkf» ;•.. .DoiiKlaa-Fowk-y ...; „Iack ' Uaymond ,.... .Claire! Roi'iU'lle ,Hei-ltm .Uawllnsii'n . . Ju'an Do l.a i 'rn« ..... ..;.Stan .rnlli-y .... .Kan-ost n v nj lor: . :(!col'.K6 Kirhy ..; .Ueiiu .stutehriilh' — .Aiiiu'ii Siiiirriiw ...Hut-k HarrlitKldll nf. Ill llliiir. U-h.-I.H-, K.|r:i Uu IliiV- l, ru- by ti.ii>. .llro.-lcil by iler, Slepln.nb' Jl. Kmith, r.iunf-1 Al«)ll. lft S.-r.KMiplay. l)cni.«(." I'llCt . 'liti : .-:.i:i< . Willinin Bri Fml Allen.: Pravi«v)',l. i,i-.,i,.,.||..ii ri....", jv.V., .tone ». :U: ltuniuim Hide, W Hl>|». John Usher, 1 nry Sl.-!d •from: no ,if..I'd; - lili.r. Kalnll Ilixnn': nnisie. I'r.-vlewe.l. In X. Y. Jniie-".). lime, M -MUSH}.- lohtiny .Niwsomf Ciu-yl lliu-lin........ .left Parkec;,.: Mutt Ooll.y-...: .... .Indite Jaini'M RxitUerJ'ord c.ili. c Chict Oiivls.,. .I.thnuy-H Landlady.. • • - Slim 'I'aylor. .'I..... C<dlinS»...;.'.;........'.;.'. Caryl's Landlady,....;.' nrntle >«.n......:...... f>e.ie..l... nellboyi.'.. - -, 111 ThlK-kery M.ii-li.il seott'i •■H. Uunni.nii. rt'obevt 'T.lvHmsiow ..'.:.'. .Kuili T.'i'iy .......ll.-Mi v Hall Grain .Willu-r.t ......TlHnsli.n Hall . . . :i.l,,y.l'.Ci.i'i-iiian ... ..Vliinde -lilmrne ., : ... .nlin ir.nrlin ■ n l.ltrli'JIeM ;Bl)eK jiitwe. Clipper Conktin .'.Knnne.K l.vnn . .Uilly Uelii dii't .l.i .-'.'-. . .K.'lear'hairier. Sleidliinle Hiula'b.r 'i.V. Aubrey SniHh ;., .. .-V,)i.i«!l Alwil! .'Henry Slenliuiisoii .:.-. ..'.lylin Abb.ill- .vWi.lleisKiim.-li'i.l .., -. Miu-tln K..fk-i-k .. I'-in i esujr Harvey ; . l-'re.l.n-le W.n'l.."k ...Miilihew HOllttnn ,.-.... Hobby Cwlmr lidbert t:sber Hll.lun Alimer:.., Sir OIliiMtnlibvi- ]J AV'tU.iirld'w:. Sir Keiiinal'd Men M.'A'iinier cone... Mn.vlot't UevM .:•'•'. J.is. t. .. .: Aln-e.l MDI Kiin. ,. MiivM; -> <-,.!. Iletlli v... .:. David U.-ilu-r... ... A strong cast lifts this spy-thriller from the doldrums it might have, fallen into because: of its average plot. "Secrets of Scotland Yard' should suffice for. the duals. : ■ Based oh. the. novel, "Room 40. OB.," by Denison Clitt. the film has enough action to sustain moderate interest throughout. Edgar Barrier, who plays the roles of twin-brothers, one of whom is killed early in the picture after deciphering a secret .Nazi code message, acts out his chores in commendable, style. Ste- phanie Bachelor portrays the gal in the plot so well that, on the basis of her work here, she has been 'Signed to a long-termer by Republic. Vet- erans C. Aubrey Smith and Lionel: Atwill, latter enacting the heavy,, also, are responsible in a large meas- ure for carrying the story through to its fairly surprising conclusion. Yarn deals with the inner work- ings of an English staff who special- ize in the decoding of Nazi messages. The hazards of their work bring about the death of two of their num- ber, presumably by German agents in England. Denouement, in which the Germans arc rounded up. and . the capture of the staff member who is a spy, is brought about in logical sequence. ■. ■' Direction by George Blair keeps things moving at a good pace,'and he has cut corners to bring the film in under the budget wire without hurt- ing the value of the picture. Sten. - Alta«k! (The Battle for New Britain) _ (DOCUMENTARY) Office nC W'ar. Information 'release; dislrill- ined by ltKO.',"Piiiduced undef tlie aiisuiees of Hie Cominandinfj General, Sonlhyvest |"iielfle Areu:'Dlmiogrnpliy,' l r . s. 'Ariny Slu- - JiitKOnn'iiii e.xhibiled under .nisiilees .,C AVai' A. l ivitien -'(ioinmittep of Motion Pleluie In- diiMU-y: TradOKhown N. Y. June 7, '41. r.un- nilig lime. 56 M1NS. "Goodiiight Sweetheart" is a far- fetched story : which,. as they say. "could only happen in the movies. Evident -that film was made on a low budget strictly as a dual program fill-in and, as such, should fit into the niche- aimed for without any great difficulty. •'--■',■" ', '' '•■•'.• ■•■'' Plot has a brash, cocksure city re- porter coming to a small town to take over his half interest in a luck paper. His use .of expose tactics to build the paper's, circulation by. at- tacking the opposition sheet's, mayor- alty candidate backfires when the latter's niece, unknown to the scribe, double-crosses him. He- in turn double-double-crosses, her,' but with all the two-timing; everyone is rec- onciled at the closeout. ;, Title of the picture, which was a pop ballad a . few years back.- is played only as background music for production credits. , ' i . Teaming up for the second time, Robert Livingston and Ruth Terry make a good combination. Living- ston, ex-cowboy star who has laid aside his six guns and sombrero for the time being, is good as the smart city slicker. Comely Ruth Terry is appealing in the role of the gal who teaches him a lesson, and warbles one number competently. - Henry Hull is wasted in a comparatively obscure role .and the others per- form passably. plane has crashed and he is consid- ered dead. When his daughter and her boyfriend return to dispose of the ranch, the old man remains hi hiding and persuades Rogers to go to the -ranch to prevent the sale and wean his daughter away from the avaricious city slicker-. Needless to say, he does both, to the tune of some fancy: riding, - • pretty singing , and flashing fists. ' . . • Rogers clicks throughout and Dale Evans supplies looks and a good voice to the proceedings. Mary Lee and Lloyd Corrigan are entertaining as a traveling medicine show team, while the Sons of the Pioneers con- tribute a polished performance vo- cally. ' - - The eight songs in the film are tuneful though not outstanding, ex- cept the current pop tune,,"It's Love, Love, Love," sung by Dale Evans. Musical sequences are well staged and the entire production, which bears an expensive look, has been masterfully directed by Joseph Kane. Giinsiiioke Mesa (SONGS) PRC release of Arthur Alexander pt-Mue- ■ Lion. • Slars Jim Newill. l>ave "Tex" U'Bl'ien: reiiliir.H (iuy Wilkerson. Dire.-ted bv'.Hftrry Fmser. Sereeiit.kiy; Elmer Clit- Um.i -'(iffliwa; Alelb U'liitsen; .'editor, Chnrles Honkel, Jr.: cninei'ii; Ira Murium: Asst. di- rector. Clark li.. I'ayl.iw,. *t, Xeiv York. N. Y.. Mlual, week June 7, "-It, Running Wolvos of ill© Itango VIVO reiea.se of siKniliml. Neufel.l inoililc. linil. Stars Hob UviliKslon,, Al "Vn/.zy" »t,. Joliu; t'euiures . Krnneesi (jladwin. 1. .Stan- lord .lollev. Karl lla.'kclt and Kd I'nssuW Dire.-te.l be Sam .Veivlield. Story and si'ieenplnv. Joe O'Bonm'lt; enmera. Holiert Cline: editor, -.Holbrook N. Todd. At New York tlieaue. X. Y., week of May 30. '«, dual, HupuiuK time; 00 SII»!*.;. Uoeky Cameron. Vuv.v.y Jones-,,.. Ann......'....... iJiirn. ,.,..'.; Cort'l«a'rf., Hl'lUtj,- : ..... Hammond * Adams........... Foster.. .'.'.'.■. Judge. Bntnflon.'. Hob I.ivlnKSton .Al (Knzzy) St. Jolin .:.: Francos (Jladwin ,.X Stanforir.Tolley. ..........Kiirl.IIaokett ......... .Kd Cuaddy -.-...-..'.Tiiek IiiKialuim , ...Ken Duncan Bud BURfo 1 ..,.'..,.-. ....130b Hill Synchronized for national release simultaneous with the Fifth Wat- Loan Drive, "Attack!" is the most detonating and grimly realistic ex- position of the Spcond World War to" be reflected by the camera lens since the carnage of Pearl Harbor, ••. . Iil its overall message, its stark ac- count of modern warfare and timeli- ness of subject, "Attack!" is the ulti- mate in puissant pursuasion, if rea- son need be advanced, to buy bonds until it hurts—but hard. . Produced under the auspices of the Commanding General! Southwest Pacific area, "Attack!" is the step-by- step, methodical account of the events leading up to the wresting of the island of New Britain from the Japs. In minute detail and comprehen- sive scope the preparations for the time. ofl-MINS. .Tiui Steele...,., Tex Wy;itc......... I'anlninille Pefklnk. •foiin Royal. .-„..'... Henry' Hlnek.,..... Sani Siieed . Rill Mjioie.......... frank Lerti: Jllllte- l'iMrlOdiil. , . Deputy Min e .-I'iiko. SheriK Iforner...... ,",..... Jim Sen-Ill . tJave '-'I'ex" 6'Bi'ien. ,.-.. .-..Uiiy Wilkerson :...; . . .I'.'alp Mi-Cnrii 1 ...... lark Ingi'iini ... .'.'Kei'mil Mayintrd ;....n,ib(-i't Billion ;.: ,',,J0iek Aleifander .......Mi. luiel Vallon ,ll..v Brent Jack K'oekivell "Wolves of the Range" is another in the Lone.Rider series, with the usual quota of hard riding, fisticuffs and gunplay resulting in a lively drama of the plains that should please the westerns crowd and make a good addition to nabe dual bills. Bob Livingston as the Lone Rider and his side-kick, Al "Fuzzy" St. John, this time tome to the aid of the ranchers when the head of the cattlemen's association with bis thugs starts a reign of terror to drive the ranchers from their properties so he can put through an irrigation project. ' - - Livingston and St. John, as usual make a smooth-working team, with the latter lending his fine comedy antics to the proceedings, Francis Gladwin is one of the best lookers to be seen in westerns in a long time. Fairly diverting whodunit, a setup for Iris Adrian and Frank Jenks, gives both'plenty of lunges at co- medic stuff to offset an otherwise commonplace murder mystery. Should do well in the dtlalers. Miss Adrian and Jenks are part- nered in the bail bond business. They have staked their poke in bailing but Douglas Fowley,.whom they feel has been unjustly accused of larcenous taint. Bonds have been stolen from his business partner and Howley has been tagged by the police. When Herbert Rawlinson. the partner and complainant, is found murdered, couple are more interested in recov- ering their moola. She goes after Howley, while Jeiiks'goes after the cops. Of course, Howley never took the bonds, which are found in the murdered partner's manse. Real killer is also unmasked before final fadeout. ■ ' _ , , , , Miss Adrian, Jenks and Howley have a merry time of it throughout unravelling and turn in corking good performances. Support cast is ade- quate in lesser roles.. Story is kept moving at fast clip by Albert Her- man, who directed, and camera work by-Robert Cline is on the.okay side. —— , --. Edbn. Mexico De Mis neencrdos ' f"Mv Memories of Mexico") (MEXICAN-MADE) Mexico City, May 30, Pirn American Films release of b'ilmex •DihU'i ion. Slars Antonio R. Frausto. Ylr-. inia Kill! and Eolila Cahinpt'.O. Written dire.ted by Juan Hustlllo Ol'Q. At , Tealro Alameda, Mexico Oily. Run- hiilK time, »l JI1NS. Soiifi of X<*va«la (MUSICAL) Reiml.l'te pioduitioii and retettse. Sims Roy Rosers-, teiitures Dale Kvims. M.ir.v I.ee. I.lo'yd ClorrlBon.: Thuraton Hall: Jn'in Fldredge,. Bob Nolan. Uireeled . by -.Jo- seph Kane. Screenplay, (lot don .K.ibn. Olive Cooper: camera, .hick Marin; editor. Tony Martinelli: music Morton Si-otl; dan.-es. Larry C.-bnllos. )"re viewed.in X, T, June », 'II. RunnlilK lime. 75 MINI", tlsiv. , , . . , -:,.' . „ .'.;...... i,.. R»» ItoKera ■l.iiiii Bnrrabee l.);.le-Kvans Kitty, Hunley. Mary r.eo I Tor.' .Ii-r.'iiihih Ilanloy . i.l.iy.! r'ori'lsan John Jlarnillee .Tnurston- lla'd Rollo Binnhaitt- • ........ b In! Kldredge. Col. Jack.Thompson,..Forrest 'I'aylor cnlnhnn (leprae Meeker Musler of Corenwijies.;. .. . ..Kitlme.t Vogan Fei-Suson. I.ellov Mnson WortbinKton.......-'...... Willinm Oavidson : Bob Nplan and-the: Sops of the l'Ion(;ers Indicative of the trend to modern- ize westerns by placing them in pres- ent-day settings, "Song Of Nevada" is a far cry from the old-time blood and thunder westerns, but is never- theless a well-knit, fast-paced and lavishly produced film that should hit the jackpot in all situations. . It should even attract a lot of people who would' never have gone to see the old style "reach for your gun, pardner!".type of sagebrush thriller. While the title pays tribute to Nevada, locale of the yarn does not distinguish 1 the silver, mining and di- vorce territory from any other west- ern state, a fact that Republic could utilize for productions bearing the titles, of the other 20 odd western states. Yarn has Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers meeting a wealthy ranehowner whose plane has been forced down returning from New York, where his daughter has gone high-hat and fallen for n Park Ave- nue bounder. -He misses his plane and decides to remain with his new friends, learning afterwards that the This run-of-the-mill western proj- ects Jim Newiil, Dave O'Brien and Guy Wilkerson as Texas Rangers who frustrate gang's attempt to poach on the preserves of the law- abiding folk of the Cactus plains. Oke action dualer. ' In this one, the three.niUsket'eers of the saddle set out after Jack In- gram, villainous hombre who had his cousin and the latter's fra'u bumped off to get control of the Gold Star mine by being appointed guardian of their infant son. Before his aides can. do away .with the kid, the Rangers chase them off. Heroic trio turn detectives and bring the mur- derers, and Ingram, to justice.. During the interim there's plenty of galloping and shooting, although spaced by comedy and song inter- Judes by the mustangers when the boys are not tracking down the kill- ers, Newiil, O'Brien and Wilkerson give their usual good performances. Ingram, Patti McCarty, Kermit May- liavd, Robert Barron and Dick Alex- ander all turn in good performances in the lesser • roles. Direction by Harry Fraser is keyed on a fast pitch. Camera work by Ira Morgan packs some dandy shots.. Edb«. Candles at Nine . (BRITISH-MADE) London, 'May 19, AnglorAmeri.'on Kiim Corp. 'release'- of British'- .National Film, stars Jessie Mni- thews! fj.nUires . Beatrix. r,elimann, : ' John Smart-, . Directed liy Johii tlariowS-; Sereen- Tliev 3let in Afoscow " (ri^ssian-made) . Aitkiiio release of Tvan Fii'iev in-oduclion direi-ted by Firiev. Slurs Marina I.udyninii Vlniiiinir Zeldin. Script and lyrics by Victor (t'lissev. cuinera. Valentin l-avlov; Kngllsh title*,: Charles Clement: score, Tilfhon Kren- nikov. At Victoria; N. Y.. June 7. '44. Ituu rilpS-tlnie; H7 MINS. Cilitsjia Xovhcov.. .Mussib (Jatuyev;, KtiXola. Petrov... Atti'iil'cna Vja'aov.. Abdus'alum... ,*. . ... .Marina J.n.lynina . Vlndfmlr Zeldin ,. ..N'lliobil ICiiuehkov .ICIena .ScbusilivtsevM. GrlKori Ale.xeyev vol play by llnsil Mil! Anthony Gilbert's Couldn't. Play (til II." C son, Avibur Oi-int.- ..A( don. ATiiy: 111, '-14. miiih Dorothea Capiienv.. William Goriloii.,-,. Jillia Calberiv, ........ Itrenda Tempest ('linrles I.acey.... „,.... HUgli I'.iieey. , . .. Garth Hope. Kvorard Hope.. (IriRKS"..'.' Lucille lloiie.-.' Cecil Tempest;. lohn Uaflow, from . "The.. .Mihise Who nmera. James ,\Vil- S'ludlo One. l.on- • ).'.( line,-HS .tll.SM. . ;:. .Jessie Mat thews :.,. ... John Slusrl iteoirix Lehtiieuii Winifred Sliotter .... .IteBinald Puhlnll .. ; .HukIi nenipsler ....Joss Aniblet" ...:'.. .KUiil MuU-ehain ........^sJohn S.'flfiw :...'%»,^Ver;i 'Douelti A ud;e' Van CyseKhem For British audiences seeking re- lief from the war this frankly escap- ist thriller has at least the merit of a striking -performance ■'• by Beatrix Lehmann as a iemale killer as sinis- ter as the most menacing on the screen. Generally the artificial plot and melodramatic situations are made-to seem almost plausible by a (In.Russian; English Titles) Adept English titles help put across this Russian comie opera. It is one of better efforts from Russe studios, with musical score and bal- lading standout. "They Met in Mos cow" should find modest returns in some arty theatres and a few keys, but will obtain most revenue in U. S market where deemed stout enough to fit into twin bills. • An industrious herder of svvine in the cold northern area of Russia and a shepherd from the mountainous regions of the south meet, pledge un- dying faith, at an annual aggie fair in Moscow, and then go back to their respective means of livelihood. In between, there is some misgiving, deliberately falsified translation of the ; rugged shepherd's letter'.'by rival stable hand, and still more mis understanding before the two are finally brought together just before the northern femme weds the horsey rival by mistake, '..'" Though keeping in musical comedy atmosphere most of the time, there' a vivid sequence high in the moun tains where the stalwart shepherder battles three mountain wolves to save the valuable ewes. The breed ing sequence, ."in which the feminine star figures, is strictly down to earth and distinctly different from the usual American film brushoff for such. Camera work of Valentin Pav lov is vivid, his work in the moun tains and in depicting winter scenes being standout: . . •' ' ■ Marina Ladynina, as the blonde northern-gal who raises, pigs, helps mightily in lending vigbr and con trasti' Xo.a routine yarn. Vladimir Zeldin, tile cossack-looking sheep herder, is excellent in what he ha to do. but the real voice of the film is Grigori Alexeyev, assistant to the sheepherder. XJnfortunately, he sings only once, , and then too "briefly. Nik- olai Kriuchkov also has sturdy vocal chords, and plays a mean accordion. Supporting roles are well played even down to the moon-faced war- blers In the excellent chorus. . ;-.-..; ., •; . "■" . .- •; Wcor. ■ This is tops for period pix of which Mexican producers are so fond and « on which they have less forUmate esults. Looks one of best filmsWiade in Mexico. Production in every way demonstrates a great forward step by the Mexican film industry. Scored well here. Juan Bustillo Oro did writing and direction, and deserves the palm. , Story is of the days of Gen. Por- firio Diaz, ruler of Mexico for 30 years. Story has a Gallic simplicity: showfolk and bohemians and prudes mingling. Sofia Alvarez, radiant brunet. who has a rep as comic, is excellent in a dramatic role, as, the spirited miss reared by three starchy aunts. To lrtnd her man, Luis Aldas, admirer of show girls, she goes with the troupe at the old Tealro Princi- pal here. Mexico's ace operetta house of the times. ■ Joaquin Paraave, veteran come- dian, is an essential ingredient as confidential aide of President Diaz and sort of protector of Miss -Alvarez in the-theatrical world. It is he who advises Diaz to give Soler a grand piano instead of a check as a token of appreciation for the waltz lie com- posed and dedicated to Senor Diaz. Piano serves the bohemian composer well as a bed after his long nights of tune making. Soler is particularly good in this one. Aldas is first-rate as the cultured young-man-about- town. ' Antonio R. Frausto gives a impersonation of President Graliame. good Diaz. Mis Hijos ("JWy Children") (ME (MEXICAN-MADE) Mexico City, May 30. Asd'o Films production and release. Slam Andres Soler. Gustavo Ro.io. Hamiio GmiiH Kemp. Julio Aluiet. Kuben Ito.to. ttufael fetlVflo, Roberto Banquells, Esper.-inltii Issa. nirtcted liv Itene Oavdona. Camera. I, Oillz Ramos. At Cine MaReJiti Mexiti Cltyv.' Running time, 85 MI.NS. •'', '• Performances of Sara Garcia, Mex- ico character woman, and Andres Soler, strongly reminiscent of Lionel Barrymore in this role,'are the sav- ing graces of this one. They giv« vitality to an inferior story, that of a widowed mother losing "track of her children for many years because of amnesia resulting from a railroad wreck. But the customers loved It here, ; :<-; ■/' .-;-'-.: ' . ' ' ■■ .-'■'-.' Production is languid Latin and too much on the weepy side. : Mother gets physically as well as mentally lost. Children are taken in charge of by Soler, the family doc, who after a vain search for their mama takes them with him to Mexico City from the little old town and they all do well, while the mother, wander- ing away from a s;tale mental hos- pital, kills a man' and is sent to prison. Released, La Garcia gets a glimmering of what it's all about. She finds the doc in Mexico City and enters his employ as a servant to be near her children. They treat her as a servant, i -' , ■ Big scene is when a son, Gustavo Rojo, a bullfighter, gets gored. Lots of censor trims- in this one. Espe- ranza Lissa, the daughter, a looker, should go places in films. Gr«!i«?ne.