Variety (Dec 1944)

Wediiosday^ December 27ii..I9Ii PICTURES Film Reviews l.'nl^''^rKil ivle;i^** of UUn Auater pro- dui:tion. ■ St:irit I'tmrlM LABRktM, £Ua Rmlnr5: f-mlurrn Ktunley C RMcta, H«nr}- DHiiiell. i:iK-.'iliiiti iMiM. Dlmrted by Ruti- «i-t SfHiiiuik. St-rrt-tiplay by Benrain Millhuii:!!-!*; uilui>ti^>l .its Arthor T. 3aoniuiii fidiii iiti\fl >»> J;itiH-M Kon«]4; cameru. l*iiiit Ivadm; «H|jifir. Arlhur HEIIon. Tn- Ti«vivii .\. Y., l>fi'. I'l. '44. RoimtDC lluw. »i MISS. l*>ii|i|i Chartem Lauchtnn )lar.v ElU Huhm Juhii Dean Hamih Hiixiry i>lanl«y C RhlSn Air,- Smii.nHi!" Henry DaDlcll Ciirit..... RoaollDd Ivan Mi-.«. ifiriiiniMi^ Molly Lamoiit M.-ri-iilT'W nmymond Severn Syliil .....Kve Amber >lr<i. l*ui-k>-r Mnsde El»urn«*. Mr. IVic liHi- LHITord BrwUc "Tile Su.specf i.s a gripping screen, storv u'c'l told. Tale of a middlei- agiei ^lorokcrocr of London's gas- iight era is p -ojected with utmost fidelity and with a keen perception of dramat-c values: With Charles Laughton in a somewhat dilTerent role that elevates him back to his old niche of popularity,'picture looks smash boxofncc. It's one of finest productions to come from Universal in some time. Film is a murder mystery lackin.^ much m.vstcry but with all the sus- pense of a super-whodunit. More- than (hat. this production actually is a keen character study of a man ^vhose married life has been a bell- on-earth and who sacrifices all to protect the one happiness in his middle-ase, a sensible young stenog- rapher who later becomes his wife. In Lau^rhlon's arcompli^ied hands, this chanictcr brromes fascinating- Withal, he miikrs it a typical home- loviM;< slorchceper accustomed to the simple things in London of that particular era. . Director Robert Siodmak con- stantly builds suspense, and, though one can .-■•urmise the course of events, he keep.-! his auditors guess- ing on many angles. Thus, it's fairly well ostablislicd that the peaceable Laughton has become a double-mur.- derer. An outstanding surprise, and one that brines the picture to a ter- rific climax, is when Laughton comes off the boiii on which he's about to sail when everybody believes and secretly hopes he will make Canada safely. And. '3.-; the Scotland Yard inspector bets, voluntarily turn-; hini.'ielf in to the law. This is practically a new Laughton. There is less of the bluster and none of the villainy of previous vehicles. He gives an Impeccable performance as the kindly, law-abiding, citizen who kills only when driven to it. Matching his deft portrayal is Ella Raines as the youthful steno he weds after his wife's demise. Her Eng- lish ftriiographer who graduallj' grows to love the older Laughton Li: undoubtedly one of her best in a string of roles. Incidentally, Laugh- ton actually is pictured as a totally different type of lover. Howevci'. his romance with Miss Raines is overshadowed by the melodramatic events as lju-hton rans head-on into Scotland Ifard operatives. Stanley C. Ridges offers the out- standing supporting role in a splen- did supporting ca.<t that's perfect even down to the smallest bit. Story- development makrs his interpreta- tion of the relentless sleuth almost villainous. Ro.-:alind Ivan makes vivid the vixen-wife of Laughton. Henry Daniell makes considerable of the loafina. drunken husband of Laughton's p-.ctty neighbor, the blackmail scene which ends with the latter being eliminated being an epic of word plav. MoUie Lamont IS superb as the neighbor's wife. Additionally s'rting in support are Eve .^mber. Ravmond SeveJTi and Maude Eburite. Those taki!!g bows for the all- round production job are producer Islin Aiu-ter iwith keen eye for de- tail I. director Siodmak. editor Ar- thur Hilton and cameraman Paul U'ano. But above all. it's Laughton's picture; and he makes the most of it. Wear. the latter wins the contest. A crooked racing ring is foiled in making a "kming" involving the horse, through the actions of Henry, Stu Erwin, and the bov'i ' gives his li/e in sa-vlhg the runner from serious nijjijyr. Erwin. comes Twroiigh with his usual droll performance, and touches of comedy, few and far between, are supplied by Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, young "Our Gang" comedy graduate, who should appear on the screen more often. Gwen Kenyon supplies the love interest in capable style. Settings are above par, and camera work by Jockey A. Feindel captures- several exciting racing sequences. Steii. ijk P««|neM ]Ma<lra«itdk ("The Inlttlc Motbrr") (■1ok;i r^lf-aw of Jwii4^Ulp Ku'lrr^ii,'/ i»ro- (Iti^iion. Stjim KvlTu .\lun,>z. S^kii Hun- *|U'*t.^; ri*.-itum4'AliilH Bl-jn,-h. TilillH. l-'i-ali- cii*«,» .l:iitiltr(na. DlrtH-l^d by Umlrixury:, l>i:il'iR. K,HlrlcUfX Hlins. At H^Im.ini. .\, Y.. v\v»\ i.[ D»i;. aj. -44. Kiinnim: '.liiii'. 1«J .MI.SS. Oh:i,-liila K\ ,1.1 .Milling IVl"-'. >i;ni*ir*,, HiiytiiirlH I'lll*** :Alit(:i Klmifh Tlliii;i 11-wit .\laiiii».| (.'iMni-i;, I:iilil>rilui t'r*tf«'f<..*iir.. . .' .\i titi'i, S'llii )£.'inu''l 'rilin:(-.<' . . .' KlfiKi l>"l>r',:j|V'. S|f|»MHier , (-uni:h;i iln Spanish; No English Tides) This drama, starring two of Mex- ico's best child actors, Evita Munoz and Narciso Busquets, has touches of comedy and pathos that should please Spanish-speaking audiences in the U. S. 'Varn deals with trials and tribula- tions of the two children who are taken into the home of their mother's stepsister, when their mother is un- able to take care of them due to her husband always being drunk. Then follov.s a series of incidents involv- ing the baby of the stepsister: death of the two kids' mother and rehabili- tation of their father. Film is overloni;. since most fopl- atie is taken up with dialog, and the story line, involved in .spots, fails to sustain interest. Settings, though not pretentious, are sub.stantial. Evita Munoz is a capable little ac- tre.ss with a likeable pcr.soiiality and lots of ability. Narciso Busquets turns, in a fair perforni:inc(;. while remainder of cast runs through its pace in workmanlike fashion. Tht- iimt Mike Pfif i,'li>:i>',. of Irf^^ii Kroinkestt (Afai-lin M(M»ii,,.\ I jirtHhH-tii»ri. .^l»r» Stuat'L Krnin; fKiliiivx Uriir.i. Cierre Wntkin. *;\vvii . KtMi.nm. S\vn>:<»i-. l>ircctwl b.v wan-H-f \V. ' I'l-tiii) oti;:iital b.v Mantit MfMiii^v 1111,1 Hi.|-t.rii)>lMy by ItayinMMl t.. Sihiwl;: <':iinrni. .linkry A. I'eliiilel: e«»l- lor. Kiirh Winn. .Si Kritoklvn I'Arainouni. w«k i.f I KM . ;i. Iliiiinlnx Htnr. 7S SilS!». SUiuit V;r«ii) Jl"""." (Biizxy) >leni-> 5'>i'l'-.> J'ierre Wmkin 3'''''*'- Ken.^oii "•'"^■k i-.il {.WtAlt^it Swltiei Itoliui hM.tihp v;niim ^l"y .Marinn .U.irtiii i''"'> Hot, Meredith •'■'''"> Ij<i)<- Chamllii- f'"""*:! ; .K<l <'a»»l<i.i. . Sii.il William llsltiRun - ....I«n Tjler '*•>■■ Ma^l.-..; Charlie Kiiii: ^l:>Kl- FMie l:.i<T.. .."V ..Iliniai-ir '.'" '<> ». Kerwlf ^'"^■•"y itin;«cir This neat, u 'pretentious drama about a horse, a dog and a boy. starring Stu E-wir. should do well in most dual situations. Yarn deals with the faith of young "Bi:zzy- Hcnrv in a horse tu ^ milkwagon, but whom ine i !r' fejix \vouId make a great '»cp.-. H . jndu cs an eastetn sports- ♦hi j'V- '"P I'uniier to race me deliveiy animal, and sure enough PAR PLAYERS TOTAL 126; SETS NEW HIGH Hollywood. Dec. 26. Roster of contract players at Paramount for the new year is 32, of whom 10 are listed on a non- exclusive basis. Exclusive topliners are Bing Crosby, Bob Hope. Dorothy Lamour, Paulette Goddard. Betty Hutton, Alan Ladd. Ray Milland. Veronica Lake. Eddie bracken. Sonny Tufts, Gail Russell. Diana Lynn. Arturo de Cordova, Marjorie Reynolds. Mary Martin. Barbara Britton. Joan Caulfield, William Holden, Helen Walker. Susan Hayward, Rot)ert Preston and Gil Lamb. Bribnt Vice Le?y At RKO, Latter to Disney Arthur Brilant. trade relations pub- licist for RKO. hais been appointed marager of the special features ser- vice division, succeeding Charles Levy, who moved over to Walt Dis- ney as publicity director in N. Y. Brilant will handle preparation of fedtLire and pictorial material for newspapers and newspaper syndi- cates and advertising and promotion sei'\-ice direct to theafres. Faye, Clark to Co-Star Hollywood; Dec. 26. Faye Emerson, bride • of Col Elliott Roo!!evelt. draws her first starring role at Warners in "Catch a Falling Star." with Dane Clark sharing top billing. Picture, based on a novelette by Ruth O'Malley. goes into work in February, with Wolfgang Rcinhardt producing: HELLDSGEB ON 'CABSOLLS' Hollywood. Dec. 26. Warners handed Mark llellingcr the production chore on 'The Two Mrs. Carrolls.'' screen ' version of the Broadway hit. which will costar Barbara Stanwyck and Paiil Hen- ried. New assignment make* three on I-Icllin,gcr's slate. Olhcr.; are "Will Rogci's" and "The Big Bow Mys- tery," Kiiatiire ReYiews "The Sflspect" (U). Charles Laughton. Ella Raines in sock melodrama. The Great Mike" (PRC). Stu Erwin drama about horseracing a fair dualer. "Lm rc«ueiia MadreciU" KHasa). Fair Spanishrlanguage ^Mlja grooved for Spanish- speaklitBsa ud iences. lefty Writes a Letter , By Joe Laurie, Jr. ProjedioijRooin Preems MA to lHonitiiis Bond Sales as Gth Nears End Projection room premieres of top-, flight major company product con- tinue to garner huge sales of "E" bonds which are l>eing added to the moimting total for the film in- dustry's participation in the Sixth War Loan drive which concludes on Sunday night (31). In Seattle, Vete Stewart, dis- tributor chairman for the Sixth, announced that f ive l(?ca l projection- room screenings will result in the topping of the $2,000,000 mark in bond sales. Harris Dudelson, Cin- cinnati exchange area chairman, re- ports that the projection-room screening, in that city of United Artists' 'Tomorrow the World," re- sulted in the sale of $1,173,000 worth of war bonds. Lou Levy, in Des Moines, revealed that^ the Fox projection-room screening of Metro's "Meet Me in St. Louis," set a new record in that city when $3,000,000 in "E" bonds were sold. And so It goes throughout the na- tion, wherever distribution toppers have held these advanced screen- ings. As reported in '"Variety" last week, the $5,500,000,000 total in bond sales by the nation's theatres during, the Sixth appears to be a certainty, far surpas>.-ing any war bond drive to date. A. J. Vanni, Warner circuit dis- trit:t manager in Philadelphia, and Ted Schlanger, zone manager, in a (eporl to Sixth War Loan campaign coordinator for the film industry. Jay Emanuel, revealed that their organization in 16 bond preems had accounted for sale of $26,952,496 in bonds. This amount exceeded by $3,595,590 sales by the same houses during the Fifth War Loan drive. Leader . of the Loew circuit in metropolitan N.Y., was Loew's Pit- kin, Brooklyn, which has sold to date, $1,025,675 in "E" bonds during the Sixth. P. A. Fractures His Wrist b Caose of RKO Stunt Bos-ton. Dec. 26. Don Prince, regional- RKO flack, took a dive off a statue in the Bos- ton Common this week and frac- tured his wrist. He was trying to plant a $500 war bond of a treasure hunt contest in connection with "The Princess and the Pirate" promotion in the fold of the statue's gown when he stepped on some ice. slipped and fell. Didn't know the wrist was broken until next morning following an X-ray. The contest gag was a scramblet" letters routine run in association with the Yankee Network. The main clue led to the public gardens, and additional clues were planted on all the statues. They figured it would take the winners plenty of time to figure it out, but three Mass. Insti- tute of Technology boys got to th( right spot just about in time to help pick Prince up off the ground, a few minutes after the final clue was an- nounced on the ail. Two cops got there a couple of minutes later. L. A. to N. Y. Helen Ainsworth. Russell BirdwelL Lester Cowan. Hank Daniels. Errol Flynn. Mose- Cumble. Woody HermarL Julian Johnson.' Gil Lamb. Jules Le^-ey. Lynn Mci'rick. Fred Pi-eble. Wynn Rocamora. Joseph M. Schenck. Gradwell Scars. O. C. Siraiton. Frances Whiting. N. Y. to L. A. Ernest B, Loveman. . Jerry Mason. Mark Sandrich. Allan ScotU Coolacres, Cal. Dear Joe: Me and Aggie were reading about the long run that "Life With Father" has had on Broadway, along with "Angel Street," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Hellzapoppin," "Tobacco .Road" and, of course, "Abie's Irish Rose." It brought to mind the long runs of years ago, shows like "Rip Van Winkle," "Shore Acres." "Old Homestead," "Old Kentucky," "The County Chair- man," "Sis Hopkins,' "Way Down East," "Two Otphans." "Adonis," "Sign of the Cross," "Count of . Monte Cristo," "The Bells" .-.nd, getting a bit modern. "Lightnin'," "Student Prince," "Blossom Time" and, of course, the longest run of them all, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Well, we had some longrunners in vaudeville, too. There were acts in vaudeville that didn't change a line in over 25 years! They kept playing this circuits over and over again. ■ It wasn't a case, of being too lazy to change or "no talent," but because the vaudeville fans wouldn't accept them in anything else. Some of them tried ne* acts, but in a few weeks the bookers would make them go back to the old Ones. They were the "cameos of vaudeville.'' Joe Jackson tried riding that bicycle of his for over 35 years! Smith and Dale have done, and are still doing, "Dr; Krohkhite." Once in a while they sneak in a new gag just to keep out of a rut. They have used this act for over 25 years, incorporated in all the other arts they have doi^e. ImhofT, Conn and Coriiine tried a few acts but "The Pest House" lasted over a quarter of a century as one of the greatest laughing acts in vaude- ville. George Beban played "The Sign-of the Rose" for over 25 years, .so did Willard Simms of "Flander's Flats." The same goes for Murphy and Nichols in "From. Zaza to Uncle Tom.", Julius Sieger in "The Fifth Command- ment," Walter C. Kelly as the "Virginia Judge," Mclnlyre and Heath with their Georgia Min-stiels, Victor Moore and Emma Litllcrield in "Change Your Act" (they didn't lor over 25 years) or"Go Back to the Woods." Neither did Arnaut Bros., who have been "luffing birds" for 2:f years or more. Johnny Burke started his spldier. monolog in World War 1 and is still knocking 'em over in World War 2 with the same gags. The Briants have done the same great act fOr over 25 years,, so did Ch4rles .Ahcarn and his troupe that rode those odd bicycles. The Three Rubes—Bowers, Waiters and Crooker, Welsh, Mealy and Controse, Caron and Her'bert, Milo?, Violinsky, Bison City Four, Charles S. Semon, the narrer.feller. Cook and Lorenz, Kaufman Bros., Snyder and Buckley, Otto Bros., Patsy Doyle, Rice Bros., Kenny and Hollis, James Richmond Glenroy w-Jth his epitaphs, Al and Fannie Stedman, The Three Leightons, Bert Levy, Griff the talka- tive juggler, Collins and Hart with their burlesque strong act, Shaw and Lee, Kelly and Kent, Callahan and Mack. McDevitt. Kelly and Lucy, The. Gaudschmidts. Willie West and McGinty, Eddie Clark and his Winning Widows are all 25 years or over . .Many SkeUh Artists Many sketch artist^; played their acts for over 25 years without a change, acts like Dolah and Lenhar jn the "High-Toned Burglar," Claude and Fanny U.sher in "Spareribs," Byron and Langdon in "The Dude Detective," Ed Blondell in "The Lost Boy," Charles Grapewin and Anna Chance in "Awakening of Mr. Pipp," Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew in "Billy's. Tomb- stones," Gracie Emmett in "Mrs. Murphy's Second Husband'' was the old- est con.seciitivc running sketch, in vaudeville, played for over 35 years all over the world. Runnersup were Mr. and Mrs. Mark Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thorpe (the original Bibbs and Bibbs) and "The End bf the World," better known as "Toplilzky Sez." Fox and Ward did the same act for a half a century, Fields and Hanson, the "Musical Mokes," were close ruimers-up, so were Ward and Curran in "The Terrible Judge." Ethel Barrymore always played "The .Twelve Pound Look" when she played vaudeville; Leon EiTol would use "The Guesf for his vaudeville dates, William Courtleigh played "Peaches" between his legit shows. The X^ngdons used "Johnny's New Car" for years. Joe £ Howard u.sed the same cycle of his hit songs no matter what partner he had. and he is siill ■ going .sti-ong with th'e same tunes. Then there were acts that used, a song or piece of business for 25 years or more, sort of trade-marked their acts with it. W. C. Fields with his everlasting pool table, Ed Wynn with his interchangeable hat, Joe Frisco, who has been doing his dance to the strains of "Strutters Ball" ever since he Muttered: George Jessel has had that telephone .connection with his "mama" for over 25 years, Annie Hart has sung "The Hat Me Father Wore" for .50 years, and Masgie Cline sang "Throw Him Down McCloskey" just as long. Genaro and Bailey did a Cakewalk for over 40 years. Ted hewis has said "Is Everybody Happy" for an easy quarter of a century and, of course, Sophie Tucker wouldn't be Sophie without "Some of These days." Besides doing an act for a long time, there were also acts in vauJevrTle that stayed on a long time. Acts that ran over a half hour. Mclntyro and Heath, Irene Franklin. Mayor Harry Thompson (they u-scd to tell the mayor, "Here's the key. Mayor: when you're finished close up"), Bert Fitzgibbon, Honey Boy Evans, Al Herman, Maude Allen, Eddie Leonard. Gus Edwards, Rooney and Bent, Al Trahan, Gertrude Hoffman and. of course, that great act that went on number two and came off next-to-closing, Dooley and Sales! * .„ Well, aU these acts ran longer than vaudeville did. If vaudeville was still around I guarantee all these great acts would be around, too. becaase they were vaudeville. SEZ Lelly. Mickey Walker Heads Overseas Sports Unit a' sports unit headed by ex- middleweight champ Mickey Walker is skeddcd for overseas tour shortly under USO-Camp Shpws au.spices. Unit, called "Sports Special." in- cludes Jack Redmond, golf: Joe Pasco, bag puncher; Jim WalUiour, six-day bicyclist; Frank Hallam, c.vclist. and Mary Riley and Louis Pagliaro. table tennis. Walker will emcee, give exhi- bitions and gab on boxing. Blowitz Fbcks Pickford Hollywood. Dec. 26. Bill Blowitz checked out of Para- mount's flairkery to become publicity director for Mary Pickford Produc- tions, starting Jan. 8. Ken Whitmore lakes over Blow- itz's job on the Paraniount lot. Metro's Smallest Sked Of Shorts m History Metro is this year releasing tha .smallest number of shorts On record. William Rodgcrs. Metro v.p. and general sales manager, has advised his Held forces lhat the M-G short subject release schedule for the period ending next Aug. 31 will ba composed of only 16 one-reel car- toons and 12 FitzPatrick TravcltalUs. At t^e same time Metro will re- lease a few- of the undelivered short subject^ previously contracted for. Underst( od that .some 27 reels (in- cludirg two-reelersj are in this cate- gory but it is uncertain how many of thc.'ic will be deljvered in ad^ dition to the two new- series. . No Musical 'Jazz Singer' SamsOn ftaphaeLson. author of "The Jazz Singer," has nixed plans for a musical version of the drama, slaling time is nol riglil. MiLvical was being considered as vehicle lor Frank Sinatra. WB on Distaff Hunt ' Hollywood, Dec. 26. Scouts ,at Warners are loading their guns for, a 12-gauge woman- hunt, to bag one dozen gorgeous gals for "When Old New- York Was Young."' Talent agencies and studio branch managers through the' coun- try will aid in the hunt. Twelve winners will be handed term contracts in addition to jobs in the "Old New York" picture.