Variety (May 1946)

FILM REVIEWS Wednetnlay, May 15, 1944 Monsieur Beaucaire (SONGS) . . Hollywood, May 4. Paramount r-eleaso of l'nul Jones produc-. tlon. Slum Ui>i> Hope. Jonn Caurileld: fcu- tuivs I'alrlo KnuwICH. .Murjiirk lti*yinil<1».' Joseph Hi'lillilUi*nnt. : 'i;oi*ll KHi.iwuy, Hcr- innl<l Owen.. i.'miMance. Collier. Hillary JllMnkfi. Directed hy Oenri;o .Mar.miill. Screenplay. Melvln i-Yink and Norman Panama; based on novel ]iy Unoili Tnrklns- ton: camera, Llmiel l.lniliin: spec-nil ctrecis, Uordou JennlnKs, Fnreiui l-Mou.iri: aongs. Jay Livingston anil.Kay Kvnua; .score < Hub- ert Hmmcit Dolnn; editor, Aiiriir Schmidt. Trudeidiown May 3, '40. HunnlnK ' lime. 02 .MINN. Slonslcur llenucalrc.. Mlml Due <tc Chnndrc..'.,. I'rlnceas Maria'..'.-..., Count d'A'rinnnd l>oii Francisco..-....; King L.iuls XV . The Queen.,..".' Mn'dnmc I'ompiulom*. lion l.'nrlus.. Ueoi-ffc WashliiKton.. Tim Duenna Ilonc. Klnit Philip . .v... . . ...Dob Hope Joan t'auinnld ....... i'alrlc KimwIcB ,.. Marjorie K'oynoIdH Cecil Kelluwny . .Jiiueph l-Vhll.lkraut IfKlmiM .Owen ... .i.'iiiiNiaiHio collier ...... Hillary Mrnoke. . .I'\>nunio • Lunnnnva . .DuiiKla::* Diiinbrlllfi ..Mary Nash .... .LrOuM. Kilisk'cy .... I Ibwa-d 1'Yocinnn "Monsiour Beaucaire" has the Bob Hope name to afsure stout business; Picture is a frantic, scrcwbullish version'of Booth Tarkington's cos-, tumc novel of high aclventure'in the days of'silk-stockinged"heroes.'- As such it has plenty of giggles and a few solidly-premised laughs. Pro- ; duction appurtenances furnished by Paul Jones are of the most expensive but the glitter of such finery is lost to considerable extent in the black- and-white background used for the broadest type of slapstick farcing." : With the script handed him, George : Marshall's direction measures up. Since: it is apparent all bars were down in the interests of forcing the laughs,-Marshall was a wise direc- torial choice. He knows his way around a broadly aimed gag or situ- ation, and proves it by milking each to its limit. Therein liesi-.a fault of "Beaucaire." Many -sequences that could have played out on their own merits arc unnecessarily embellished and eventually detract from the basi- cally amusing yarn about a court barber forced to impersonate roy- alty. * Hope is Hope—and that's not bod. He's funny, but not as funny as when able to bolster a. situation with sly Crosbyaha. He plays the French bar- ber, Beaucaire, with all stops out, waltzes through trying situations and varied romances with a bravado that is his particular forte. It's all. fun, but could have been even more so if treated with a bit less broadness. Plot of the Tarkingtdn novel, scripted by Melvin Frank und Nor- man Panama, has Hope, forced to substitute for a French nobleman who is betrothed to Spanish royalty. Hope's interested in a chambermaid, who's interested in working her way up the court social ladder. As the substitute nobleman, Hope goes to Spain to meet his intended bride, marriage with whom will avert war. He becomes the scapegoat in a plot to upset international unity while the real nobleman is finding pleasure with a gal who turns out to be - the Spanish princess. The conclusion is obvious. Joan Caulfleld is the chambermaid. Despite her high ambitions she ends up with the razor-wielder and a baby that duplicates- the father. Finale closeup of the baby carriage had pre- view audience tense, expecting to see Bing Crosby instead of a diapered Hope—and it would have been a boff close. Miss Caulfleld docs justice to one of the score's three credited songs, "Warm as Wine,'' used as background for action leading up to a violent slapstick duel between Hope and the villain. "A Coach and Four" and "We'll Drink Every Drop in the Shop" are the other tunes credited to Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Patrlc Knowles and Marjorie Rey- nolds do okay by nobleman and prin- cess assignments. Joseph'Schildkraut Is the capable heavy. Cecil Kella way, Reginald Owen; Constance Col- lier, Hillary Brooke and others meas- ure up to the general clowning. Robert. Emmctt Dolan's music score is an assist. Lensing by Lionel Lindon and other technical contri buttons are okay. •* Brog. The Searching Wind Paramount rclonso of Hal Walila produc- tion. Stnr.s Sylvia Sidney, Robert youhB, Ann lUdiai-ds; (ciiIuich Dudley IMggeu, DoukIhk' Dick. Albert BaKta-rimm*. Directed by William Dleterle.' -Screenplay. Lillian Hellman. based on her alnife play of. same name produced by Herman siiumlln; score, Vlcldr Youhk; cumera,-Lee Oai'ince; editor, Yl'iirifn M«. TriMlesliown ,v. v.. May 0, •Hi.. UunnliiK time.'. 107 MINS mcnts. Pic isn't likely to hold the run-of-the-miiie entertaiument-goer looking for escapist stuff. Pic will do good biz in keys, and first-runs, but taper off in subsc- quents. Although not likely for sock returns, it should earn back its coin, however, for though well-mounted, it nevertheless doesn't appear too heavily budgeted. , The film is an improvement on the Broadway play (.Miss Hellman script- ed both) because it is more coher- ent, and better acted. Although the story is carried forward only , till. Mussolini's death, and much of it is a flashback to'the days of the March on Rome in 1922, pic isn't dated. Fact is,\it's ; pretty: pertinent, ■ The. spirit of appeasement, of laissez faire, is strong in the U. S. again. The les- sons of the first and second World" Wars arc, apparently forgotten. By recalling the mistakes agrejd on,'by calling attention (as the film docs in the beginning V to President Roose- velt's words that "we failed once 25 years ago,, and mustn't again," film may wake the U. S. up through its' message. Film's entertainment values, for the wide-awake citizen, arc strong. Dialog is good, literate and witty. The trail of an American ambassa- dor-atrlarge through: the Europe of the last two decades, with its glimpses .of a corrupt Italy, a degenerating Germany, is absorbing. Pic is story of a bewildered diplo- mat, stationed in Europe to report the significance of changing events to the U. S. State dept., Who fails to see importance of a Fascist takeover in. Italy; the rise of Nazism in Ger- many, the Munich agreement, etc. His wife is mixing socially with the wrong people, the smug, satisfied set who are pulling the strings for these events, unaware of the cataclysmic results. : ' ' , Tied up with the political is a per- sonal story, the diplomat's riiarriage to the wrong woman and his constant love for the newspaper woman he should have wed. Where the love- story seemed confusing in the play, it has its proper focus in the film, showing similar devastating effects of appeasement in one's personal life as in the fate of nations. ■ Robert Young plays the diplomat with an honest sense of bewilder- ment and inadequacy towards forces he can't foresee or direct. Sylvia Sidney, as the prescient reporter, is not only unusually attractive in both present-day and flashback ■scenes, but a superior actress. Ann Richards, as the wife, is also good. Dudley Digges, repeating, his stage role as the cynical publisher who re- tired from the' political scene to spend his days in querulous needling, is excellent, especially in the final scene with his soldier-grandson who must have a wounded leg amputated. Douglas Dick, as the disillusioned son of the diplomat, who ties various strands of the film together in his epitome of the newer generation which must learn and benefit from its elders' mistakes, does a poignantly fine job. Albert Basserman is good in the brief role of a Nazi envoy, as are several other supporting bits. Camera work is good, production and direction matching. Bron. One More Tomorrow Hollywood, May 11. Warner. Bros, release of Dcnjamln r;ia/.cr production. .Stai-H Ann .Sheridan. Dennis- Morgan, Jack Cm-ton.. Alexin Smith, .lime AN'yinnn; feulures llCKlnuld Cardlncr. John Lndcr, Marjorie Galeson, ThuiKluu Hall. Directed by . Peter Godfrey. Screenplay, Charles Hoffman and Catherine- Turnoy; added dlaloit. Julius J. and Plilllp G; Ep- stein: liascd .on the ■ play. ""'"he Animal Kingdom," by. Philip Barry: < .imera. Dert Otennon; inualc. Max Slelner; editor. David Welabart. Trndeshown May 7, '4d. Itun- nlnic time, 99 MINS, ChrlHtle Sane. Tom Collier Pat Regan.. Cecilia »nnc Connorft Jim FlHh.. Owen Kdna Kufus Collier. . .. Rnronova. (Joseph).,. Ilia - Bnronuva Dladuskn Ann Sheridan ... .Dcnula Morgun Jack Cainon Alexia .Smith lane Wyman- ;KCKili:itd Gardlner .... folin I.udcr ..Marjorie UalcKou 'J'liuralon Hall John Abbott ..Marjorie llu^hello HIk Arno Miniature Reviews "Monsieur Beaucaire" (Songs) iPar). Bob Hope at his screw- iest in slapstick version of the old costume adventure. "The Searching Wind" (Par). Fine class film on Europe's political scene of Inst 25 years. "One More tomorrow" (WB). . Remake based on 'The Animal Kingdom" play. Theme and cast names assure good b.o. "0<S.S." • (Par). Alan Ladd in OK war-spy thriller. "Swamp Fire" (Par). Johnny Weissmuller in routine melo- drama. OK nabe and duals fare. "She Wrote the Book" (U). Joan Davis - Jack Onkie in ' amusing farce; good returns on the dualei-s. "Renegades"" (Color) (Col.). Western, feature with color and action to attract. "Quiet Week-End". (Pathe). Typical sly English comedy looks strong boxoffice in U. S. market. "Larceny In Her Heart" (PRC). Run-pf-the-miil whodunit with a weak plot. his coin and way of life. An unhap- py marriage with Miss Smith re- sults and when Morgan again crosses paths with Miss' Sheridan she realizes she loves him despite his gold. Inevitable conclusion has the wife en route to Reno and the other principals, looking forward to a happy future of: honest labor and love. ■' There are plenty of star names for the marquees but principal story play goes to Morgan and Miss .Sheri- dan, with former garnering most footage. Both are good. Jack Carson, Morgan's unorthodox butler - and friend, and Jane Wyman, friend to Miss Sheridan, also rate attention in more limited parts. Miss Smith gives a good reading to the conniving cat character to which she was as- sighed. Reginald Gardiner, a lazy radical, John Loder, Marjorie Gate- son, Thurston Hall and others work expertly, Benjamin Glazer overseercd pro- duction- values, furnishing smart touches. Lensing by Bert Glehnon and .other factors measure up. Brog. O.S.S. Paramount release 6t niclinrd Mnlhaum production. Stars Alan J.ndd. Geruldlno Fitzgerald; feniuren Pntrlc Knowles. Di- rected br-Irving Pk-hel. Screenplay, Rich- ard .W.iluaum: camera, Lionel Linden: edi- tor. William Khea. Previewed x; T. Pnra- SilNp' i *" y "" ' W ' nunnln !» itlmc. .1*0 John Mnnln 'Kllen nogers... Commander tirudy.. Hcrnny. Parker Galen Gen. Do'novun Mil reel Auhert WAC Operator Col. Meluler Uraun Mine. Prldeaiix..... Gerard - . Alan I.add .Geialdlue. Fitzgerald ... l'atrlc Knowles Hlchar.l Benedict Illchard Webb ;...Doix Deddoe Joaeph Crehan : Kcon limber Gloria Sounder* ...........John Hoyt ....liarohl Verinllyea JiiTIa Dean '.. DuWjy Drlscoll Alex Hnzcn..... Casalc noM'nian Emily JJnxen Jlovcs -. Count Von Sti-aiumcr. Ton-one Srars .'; 6n|ilii-onla Mrfl. Hn>-worlh Carter . ........ David Ponelle ....-....., Xam .(as a boy) Sara It , Mnlo Attendant Snm Hazen..- ....Hubert young .Sylvia Sidney .Ann Itli.-hnrds .Dudley Diuucsj ..Albert llass'-rman Dan Sevnnnir Tan \Volfe ... .Marlciia cy.ty .. .. Norma Vitrden . I'liarlcs I), brown ...Don ChuMc ..... W111 in in Trenk Mickey Kuhn .Ann ('arler Dave Williiek ■■: Dollgla.M Dick Hal Wallis has produced .1 fine film from Lillian Hellinan's Broadway success of two seasons ago, present- ing a searching indictment of the weak-willed liberal, . and appease- ment jpolicy of the U, S., from World War I till now. Film, however, is a class rather than a mass appeal pic. A far too talky film (although every word of it is important), its i07'inin- utcs of serious dialog are too in- frequently relieved by light mo- "One More Tomorrow" poses a love triangle that lends itself to easy exploitation to lure the femme trade. Values of cast toppers are. also forte, and it all adds up to good business prospects. Film is a second celluloid edition of Philip Barry's play, "The Animal Kingdom" and, while never quite ringing true, story is brightly dialogcd and strongly played to maintain interest in unfoldment, and. gets able pro- duction backing. Peter Godfrey's direction gives a good display to the Charles Hoff- man-Catherine Turney script, for which Julius J. and Philip G. Ep- stein furnished the added dialog. Script is modernized to the extent of bringing it up to wartime period but essentials are still the problems of a rich playboy involved with a poor but honest girl and a gold- digging femme. It makes a few cas- ual attempts to project moral that honest work is better than prodigal spending, but this element isn't al-. lowed to get too strong a foothold even though the playboy reforms to a certain extent. Dennis Morgan is likeable as the rich young man who turns to Alex- is Smith, the golddiggcr. after Ann Sheridan, poor girl who leans to the radical, turns him down because of "O.S.S." is a good spy thriller which, on basis of the Office of Stra- tegic Services buildup and Alan Ladd's marquee draw, will do okay business. Film, however, won't necessarily redound to OSS' credit. While sug- gesting something of the intelligence work and spy operations of the Army's secret-service branch in the recent war, pic really only brushes the surface. It rarely conveys a sense of the real importance of the OSS setup in all its ramifications, variety and. depth. Pic is just another spy story, with its tense situations, miraculous es- capes, clever agents, obtuse enemy, and patriotic fervor. Paramount rushed to get its version of OSS operations onto celluloid before the other studios, and the haste is evi- dent in a plausible thriller, not too deeply thought out. Brief training sequences at film's start are interesting/ and story car- ries suspense throughout. Plot con- cerns a quartet of OSS operatives, prepped to go overseas '.luring the Nazi occupation of France to gather information for the Allies and help the F.F.I, in sabotage. The first spe- cific task assigned them is to blow up a railroad tunnel that the Air Force can't reach. Group loses its leader soon after parachuting into France when the Gestapo nabs him, and Ladd is put In charge. An early antipathy to Geraldine Fitzgerald, lone femme member of the group, because of her. sex, is dissipated as the team works closely together, outwitting the Nazis and laying plans for getting at the closely-guarded, highly strategic tunnel Ladd and Miss Fitzgerald are successful in accomplishing the mis- sion, although the third operative is killed. Instead Of being returned to the U. S„ the team (by now in love with each other) is kept on to help gather information for the Norma.ndy land- ings. Miss Fitzgerald is trapped by the . Germans,, because Ladd'has to choose between passing on vital in- formation to- the Allies and saving her, and pays with her life for Allied success.. Stock story is well produced, the direction, camera work and produc- tion angles being above par. So, too, is the acting. Ladd suggests the in- telligent, resourceful operative with-, out resort to heroics, 'while Miss Fitz- gerald is a good teammate in a quiet, intense style, Patric Knowles is fine as the naval commander in charge of OSS operations in France. John Hoyt—the Broadway legitcr and nightclub entertainer formerly known as John Hoysradt—makes his dim debut in a good job. as a Nazi colonel. Another legiter in satisfac- tory film debut is Harold Verrhilyea (from "Jacobowsky and the Colonel" and "Deep Are the Roots) ns a Ges- tapo agent. ■ Broil. '. Swamp fire Paramount release of William Plne-WH- ilam Th'omiiB n'roducUnn: Doc. Merman, n*- ■Hoclals nruducer. Slurs Johnny \rclnnmllcr; features 'Virginia. Grey. Hualer Cmlila 1 . Carol Thuruton. .Screenivluy. ■ Geoffrey Houiea: i-umera. 1-Ycd JacUman, Jr.;' edi- tor, Howard Smllb. Tradealiown X, V.. May V.-. '4t>. ltunnlnr time, «§ MINI*. Johnuy Duvnl. Juliet Hilton.... Mike Kaluvlch. Tonl. ItousKeau. .. Captain Molse....' Tim ttogttcuu Mr. lllllon.. Graiiome'ro ItoiiKS'eau .. . .Johnny WeJamuller Virginia Grey .fluster Crubbq • Carol ThurHtoD. ..... Kd\yln Maxwell .Pedro.De Cordoba ..Pierre -Wntfcln ... .Marcellc Cordiiy Johnny. Weismuller finally . gets away, from his Tarzan roles for an, everyday part iti "Swamp Fire." Pic is a sentimental melodrama about love and adventure among river, pi- lots and trappers in the Louisiana bayous. Modestly-budgeted, filled with action from boat collisions and swamp fires to fist-fights, film should attract fumlly trade in neighborhood and dual houses for ok returns. ■A routine story isn't handled with particular originality or skill, and performances are of a oiece. But film has a certain -flavor from home scenes among the Cajuns, and from picturesque bayou and river scenes, to offset. Camera work on the water is good, especially- in the fog scenes. Story concerns Weismuller, a bar pilot in the treacherous waters at the mouth of the Mississippi, who went to war, had his ship sunk under him, and returns home with nerves- gone. His rehabilitation to bar pilot through love. of liis. French sweet- heart is complicated by rivalry of a trapper and' designs of a society dame. Before pic ends, Weismuller has swum a river, killed on alliga- tor, fought the trapper, rescued his girl from a swamp fire, with sundry incidentals in between. An oversize Weismuller moves somewhat woodenly through the pic- ture. Virginia'Grey is attractive and slinky enough as.the predatpry dan\e, and Carol Thurston is cute and con- vincing as the loyal sweetheart. Blister Crabbe is a satisfactory vil- lain. Bron.. New Foreign Films (UnliJceliji for Anglo-U. S. Market) RlKhltoB VurJom ("Hunting Shall- ows") (t-lNNlHH). Suomen Fllmlteol- IIhuus production and ralese: etarn ICdvin Lulne, Mnrvl Jervlntaua: features Akn Kor- honen, YrJo Tuomlncn; directed by. Kdvln' r.nlne; n:i-eeniilay. Olnvl Vlslsto; camera, MaJ liis llalcbl: reviewed . In Hchlngfors. ■llunnlng time. 108 AIIN8. When the best Finnish production this year is picked'this looks like a real contender. Well directed story with a moral deals with Edvin Lnine as an ex-convict faced with the prob- lem of starting life over again. Mervi Jerventaus, a girl at odds witli the law, also is involved. Although strong for Finland, its possibilities in the U. S. market are limited to a few foreign-language spots. MlMloo Speebtle (FRENCH). C.K.D.F. production and release: directed hy Maurice de Cunonge: stars Jany Holt, Jean Davy, Plerrs nenolr: fealures Roger Knil, Jean Yonhel, Raymond Cordy, Maurice Nnlabert, BMnn lluin; original screenplay, Simon C.nn- tlllon: reviewed In - Paris. - Running lime, Second and last stanza of a serial depicting French underground activ- ities during the German occupation. Good performance by Pierre Renoir doesn't help this one which is aimed exclusively at local patronage. Nega- tive story material and technical treatment bar any international chance. Xm Fllle Do IMahle ("The Dcvlrs -Daughter")' IFHKN'CII). Fatlie Connor- Hum i-pleasc of I'utbo Cliieina-Snlhi pro- ductiim: directed by Henri Drcoln; mars Pici re Fi esnuy. Fernnnd I^donx: fen lures Andreo Cli-nieiit, ThcrcHe Dm-ny, Serge An- dregily. Albert Olodn. Frnncols I'alrloe, Felix Claude, Henri Charrclt; wrccnplny, Alex JofTe, Jean de Wltle: dialog, M. (i. Snvagcon: reviewed In rnrln. Iliinuliig time. 'I0» MINK, Sketchy and unconvincing, ' this story has Andree Clement as a dis- illusioned village girl involved in intrigues which lead to her suicide. Although having a capable cast, sub- standard production limits the film to local consumption exclusively, AMl-Hunuo (NH'KDIKII). Europa Film production nnd release; directed by Anders Henrlkson; stars Kdvin Adolphson, Alne Tuubc; features Anders Henrlkson, Hilda Bergstroem; screenplay, Rarhro Alvlng based on R novel by Kiln Waegncr: camera, Harold Ilerglund; reviewed at *ign, Waexlo Marls, nunnlng time. .108 MINS. Considered a possible best picture for the year in Sweden, this somber story of a village family is deep in dramatics and aided by many good performances. Well directed by Hen- riksen, film looks only eligible for Swedish language or arty houses in the U. S. She Wrote the Book Universal releaso of Warren wilson (Jeinhenann) production, stars J, iTn <J ?° .lank Oaklo; feaiu.es MI B ,'ha Aui? ilrai.t. John Lltel. Dl,-eeie,l l.v )■ J;., ™& inont urlglnnl scrccnnlay. Waw-S mi™' nnd pwiir Urcidnoy: camera. Hcurgo t u ,|„" son; editor, Fred R. FeH„i„ m „. j,, ; 0 0 min8. y -' M " y 10 ' ""•"■'"K K; ..........Joan n.n-ls ....lack Oakle ......i,..\li»:l,a Auer . Ivirby Cirant ............lolin l.|| t | ...Jawin line de wit — ;...(il,.irin -Stuart-- .......'i:iiiii-st.m iimi ...Lewis. I,. n„ BWn ... .Raymond l.nrguy . .. ....Vi. tiirla Home ........\iriia ,1'nlioo •■ J »"k J. Ford fun Harris Jhiib FenUierstone. Jerry Merlowo...., Roils (Joe) Ud.lle Caldwell..., Deun Fowler Mllllcent..: , rhylll* Fowler..,., .Vun .eleve .Ccorgo Dixon,.,., Uovernor Kllgour., Maid Airs. Kllgour. Orchestra Leader.. BH vator Buy...... Here's an example of the way a light-budgeted film can bo turned into solid entertainment via a good script, consistently good acting and top- direction and technical work Picture's a highly-amusfnn little farce that kids the book publishing busi- ness and the - recent bevy' of best* sellers based on the sex motif. With the names of Joan Davis and Jack Oakle to help brighten the marquee the film should bring good icturns. ' Emphasis throughout is placed on the situation type of comedy and the two stars make the most of it. Miss Davis gets a ehance to ham up her' role With a portrayal, for two-thirds of the film of a sedate calculus in. slructor in a hick mtdwcsterh col- lege. Comedienne plays it well and is appealing in the more serious mo- ments, Oakie, of course, is his usual boisterous, cigar-waving self! Picture's a satire on the wav the publishers capitalize on the publicity given 1 their bestsellers when they're banned in cities like Boston: Wife of the dean of the university has written a lurid sex tale in the best "Amber" fashion, but anonymously. When Miss Davis has to travel to New York for an award by some scientific organization, the wife asks her to impersonate the authoress and pick up the royalty checks. Oakie, as the publisher's advertising chief, has a sock publicity campaign mapped out for the writer's arrival. Miss. Davis gets socked on the. head in a taxi accident and, when she comes to, is convinced she's the author and has actually lived the torrid love life.. Rest of . the film is given over to the way she goes glamorous, final- - ly recovers her memory and, by tag- ging one of her newly-found ad. mirers for some much-needed money for the college, succeeds in getting. back into the faculty's good graces. Miss Davis has one dance number, to which she gives all the zany antics that first brought her fame. Oakie is a good foil for her comedy and keeps in the running for top honors all the way. .Mischa Auer is excellent as the fake Russian count who helps the authoress spend all her dough so that she'll have to write another book. Kirby Grant Is sufficiently competent as Miss Davis' legitimate love interest. John Litel, Jacqueline de Wit and Gloria Stuart round out the leads, all good. Charles Lamont's able direction keeps the picture moving rapidly from one laugh sequence to another. Warren Wilson and Oscar Brodiicy deserve credit for an original screen- play, George Robinson's camera work, though never outstanding. Is adequate. Slal. Renegades ■ (COLOR) ■Hollywood, May 11. Columbia release of Michel Knilkc pm- -duciloii. Features' Kvelyn Keycw. Willard l'arker. I^krry Parks, ivdunr Hiiclianan: • with Jim Uannon. Forreet Tucker, l.iuhvlg Unitalh, Frank Sully, Wlllar.l Robertson,. Paul E. Burns. Directed by Ceorge Sher- man. Screenplay, Melvln f^vy. Francis 'Edward*- Foruroh; sloo', irnrol.l filunnnle: cutnera (Technicolor), Wllllnm 'Snyderi score. Paul Sawtell; etlltor. clmrles Nelson. Previewed May 0, '48. Jluiining time. « MINS. Hnnnnh Rrockway. Evelyn lvcyct Dr. Sam Martin Willard I'arMx lien (Taylor) Dembrow Larry rurua Kirk Dembrow..... Cash Dembrow...., Frank Dembrow... .Tackorskl Link N.i I linn Brockway.. Alkali Kid Davy Lane......... Caleb Smart Bph . , Mrs. Jackorskl Jnnlnit JackOrskl... Sarah Dembrow.... Sheriff . . .KiIkiic Jluclianan ', ,'; Jim Illinium Forrest Tucker LndwlK Donnln .[••rank Sully ..'.'.Willar.l .Hnberlson :.,Paul E. Hums H.ldy Waller \-..inon Dent Francis'Ford. '.'.....Jlcrmiue Sterlev ...Kllriie .I:iiis»»n VJiitlnia IU'Ihmc .... .Addison lllLhurds Another example of recent Co- lumbia entries that have been geared to show better returns than budget outlay would normally moi- cate. A factor is color, which dress- es up Jhe western fare. It's nn ac- tioner. that puts a slightly more adult slant on the usual prairie hoke and payoff will prove okay a" (>ow. n the line. Production stretches foot- age sufficiently to rate it for top po- sition on the double bills, and cast momes, headed by Evelyn Keyes, are familiar enough to warrant than average attention on bookings. George Sherman's experience in- handling outdoor product assures planty of action, chases, gi' n P2 ! . ,y j ete„ for those who like their film fare to unfold at a gallop. Backing up the movement is sharp lensing by William Snyder, whose camera develops full tint values of scenic background and other ■pwduction. aeruments fui'nished by Micnaei Plot' angles of the Harold Shu- mate story, scripted by Melvin Levy > (Continued on page 24)