Variety (Jul 1946)

26 PICTURES Wednesday, July 24, 1946 ' Film Reviews Continued from pace 14 Men of Two Worlds drama and entertainment, and the characters themselves, flat and un- inspired,, aren't sufficiently exciting to justify '100-minutes on the screen. Tribal dances; burning of a dis- pensary by a maddened crowd, blood-letting and puncturing of bod- ies, swamps and rivers, • beating of tom-toms, and all the paraphernalia of the jungle are conventional ad- juncts to a story that doesn't begin to live, but is throughout animated by good intentions. Prospects for America arc doubt- ful, notwithstanding capable per- formances bv Eric Portman, Phyllis Calvcrti Cathleen Nesbi.tt and Rob- ert Adams. Ebet.. Cuban Pete (MUSICAL) Hollywood, July 18. Universal release ill Will Cowuu prn'tluc- tlnn. -Features Dcsl Arnnz. Joilri FuH.ni. lteverly Simmons. Don l'uiicr. Jacqueline De Wit. King Sisters (I). Klhel Smith. Di- rected by .lean Yarbrmtgh,. Screenplay. Itoliri't l'rempll. Sr.. M.'routes Webster: original story. lloraard Feins; camera. Maury derlsinnn: Cilimr. Olio Ludwlg: songs, Jack llrnolts and Milton Scliwar/.- w.ihl. Doliliy Collazo. Hafaol Hernandez. 11111 Driggs. Jose Norninn.'.AI Sllllni:in unit Krnesl l.ecuona: musical director. Milton Iloscn. Previewed .In Hollywood. July IS. '4ti. llunnlng limp. Dtsi Arnnz Ann ...' '.. nrownlo... Robert* J.lndrny King Sisters Elhcl Smith Teroz Dance Specially.... Danco Spcclnlly.. MINS. .'...Deal Amnz ......... Jonn l-'ullon' ,... ncverly Simmons Don Porter .. ,'Jaenucllne tip Wit King Sisters ; .'.Ether Smith .... Pedro dp Qnrdoha ....Igor de Nnvrntzkl .... Yvc.lle. von Korls with Lily Kami as the concierge do- ing a. particularly good job; De Marney and Joan Seton, as the model, underplay well. As with most- European' Alms, supporting roles are skillfully handled, and fre- quently, dull lines are given nice life. Production, however, has riot the necessary finesse for good b.o., with suspense often being lost.by dwell- ing loo long on interim sequences. Photography Is done with sock effect in some scenes, but blurs out to a pale wash in others, evidently due to' plain clumsy handling. Sound track suffers occasional'bumps, too. Bowery BoniliNliell Hollywood, July 20. Sfonograni release of Jim Grl|.p.>-i.hulNley Parsons production. Slurs J.eo lioiy-y; fea- tures Hunt'/. Hull, nobby .Ionian. -Hilly ltpnoitii-l. David Oorcey. Tcala l.itrlng. ShPltlon Leonard. James Iturkp. Yiuce llnr- iu'II. Directed by Phil Karlsnii: Original screenplay. Kdnwnvl Seward; added dialog, Thn llyan; suggested by slory, by Victor Hammond: c;:mern, William .Slekner: Pdi- tur. William Austin. Previewed in llolly- i'immI, July 111. 'Ji;. llunnlim I line, fill MINS. I.r- " Sill Sa.h I lobby Whltey. flunk Cathy Smith Ace Deuce. Malzle..: . y'Mullpy Street Cleaner... . Moose MvCnll nift... .. . Mr. Johnson lx)ule'.... m . ........ .Hunt!! Hull Hubby Jordan Hilly T.Pneiil'-l Davl.l i;onc\- ....; ..Tenia ].oilng ... .Sheldon Leonard .....Dawn Kennedy .......Juincs flurke ......Vlnrc Darnell .Wee Vlllio Davis William nuhl Kmmeit Vogun . .Tlprnnrd Gorcey IjOUle. ...» nvrimru \joi>-,j Professor SchracUenberger. .Milton Parsons Koalhei-Flngcrs...'..; l.estcr Dorr Diigun... • ■ William Newell O'llnra..... ...Kd.liP Dunn This lightrbuclgeted musical pro- grammer from Universal is also lightweight entertainment. It hangs eight tunes on implausible plotting, features dull pace and few chuckles in 61 minutes running time;. Produc- tion values are better than the yarn but dressing can't carry, off light plot. Title number is reprised twice by Desi Arnaz, who also has three other typical Latin tunes. King Sisters sing two numbers and Ethel Smith does an organ solo for her only appear- ance. Arnaz tries' hard, and his songs and music are an aid. He's seen as a Cuban orchestra leader, lured to New York to head a commercial radio show. Joan Fulton plays the blonde lure used to bait him away, from his native heath. She's in the employ of advertising agency run by Don Porter, who must obtain Arnaz to keep Jacqueline de Wit's perfume account. Scripting is trite in dialog and situations, and Jean YarbroUgh's diection doesn't give It a lift. Little Beverly Simmons is given plot emphasis as niece of Arnaz. She ■works with a trained parrot in try for what few chuckles are present in the haphazard affair. Singing of King Sisters is good, as is Miss Smith's turn at the organ on. "The Breeze and I." Other performances lensing and editing are standard for budget expenditure. • Bros. Frenzy (BRITISH-MADE) Four Continents Films release of Lnult JiiekKun-Dprrlek de Mnrnpy prmluetlon Stars de Mnrney. Frederick Valk. Jbnn iireemvoad; features Joan Selon. Deresford EKnn. Directed by Vernon Sewell. Screeu- pluy. Sewell. from Ihe. piny ■ ,, L , An(colse, ,r by Pierre MillH nlul C. Vylnrs: eamern. At Ambassndor. N. Y.. week July 19. ••«]. Running lime. 1.1 MINS. Chnrles Ylnrrie ..Derrlpk dp Marney Dr. KrnHiicr.... Frederick Vnlk Christine. . Joan Greenwood l.uellle .Joan Seton Mlnelll ■ .DereBford RKan Mnrln I.lly Knnn Pretcet o( 1'ollie Valentine Dyall Morgue Keeper Martin Miller Dfillet Master Esplnoan Ballet Mistress Mni'Kiiret Clarke and those, few will probably con- stitute the major portion of this film's boxofflce. In twin bill team- ing, ."Ghost of Hidden Valley" might barely pull. its weight. Slapstick antics of former keystone cop Al "Fuzzy" St. John provide the Key- note for the pic's production values, which:belong to another era. Story, thesping, even settings, which are ordinarily a cinch for a passable rat- ing in oaters, are all strictly second- rate. - - Scenario tells of a young English- man who comes to. the wild west to take over his father's ranch, and of the-attempts of cattle rustlers who have been using the land to move their stolen goods. Buster Craftbe, providing some marquee lure, and Si. John's take the newcomer under their collective wing and defeat the criminals,; Film was evidently meant to have some sort of period setting, with a stagecoach in evidence, but even that's shattered when Jean Carlin, the lbve interest, cracks, "Boy, you sure missed the boat on that one." John Meredith, ;the young English- man, is given only a few lines in which to sound off an accent that, is cither palpably phony or lost in inept thesping. ■ Gr'abbe is okay with some, pretty dull lines and- St. John presents an over-hoked perform- ance, with Jimmy Aubrey as the butler. Support roles are not well- handled, and backgrounds look like they were filmed partly in a back- yard and partly on someone's well- kept estate. Of the fights that oc- cur, two are completely without motivation. Yrjue Tuumlnen. Svreenplny by Tolnl Anl- toiien. t'limerii.. Armas lllrvunen; music, Harry ' lleiKslrurin. Hevlewed In HelslHK- foiv. ItunnliiK lime, lit MINK, War-stories seem to be all that interests the Finnish public and pro- ducers today. This sentimental film with the war as back-ground, is built on. a "Crime doesn't pay" Motif, although very wellrdone in acting and production, isn't likely to interest anyone out of the country. Standard entry in. Monogram's "Bowery . Boys" series will sell in its intended market. Stock plot is sparked by Leo Gorcey's mugging antics. Directorial pace, is good and production values give suitable framework for. comedy-melodrama. Rowdy action stems from fact that one ol the boys' is mistaken for a bankrobber and bunch sets but to trap real crooks so Huritz Hall can be cleared. Mixup comes when 'joys are trying to sell their old auto to aid a friend, attempted sale taking ilace in front, of bank while robbery s going on. Comedy gangsters dot the plot to give Bowcryites a chance at the kind of rough-housing their fans like. Phil Karlson's direction keeps it all moving towards slambang finish. Bobby Jordan, Billy Benedict and David Gorcey are the other Bowery. Boys.. Sheldon Leonard makes, a good gangster,, aided in his. dirty work by Vince Barnett, Wee Willie Davis and William Ruhl. Teala Loring .lends femme touch as a photographer: Lindsley Parons served with Jan Grippo on production end, team work achieving neat effect for money spent. Lensing by William Sickner and William Austin's edit- ing are good. Broo. .r ' ■ ■ Prairie Dadmeii P.RC.relmse of Slgmuml Xeufcld produc- tion. Stars Uuster Crnbbe. Al (Fur.2y) St. John. Directed by Sam Newdeld. Screen- play; Fred Mylon; camera, jtotert Cllne: editor, Holbio.ik X. Todd. Previewed In N. Y., July IS, '40. HunnlnK lime. 55 MINS. Hilly Carson Uuster Crnbbe Fuzzy Jones Al (Fuzzy) St. John Linda Laitlmcr, Patricia Knox Col '.Charles Klnif Doc Lnttlmer. Kd Cnsslily I*on ...Kermit Maynnrd Stove John I.. Cnsoii SherlfT Steve Clark Thompson Frank Kills Don LntUmci- John L. Dueler In Fast Company Monogram ivlenso of 1,'lndsley. Parsons nnd Jan Orlppy production. Stars l.eo (,ur- cey; features llunlz. Hiill;. June Randolph. Judy Clark, Hobby Jonbin. billy Benedict. David Uorcey, DoukIos Fowley, Marjurlc W'oodworih. Directed by Del Lord. Si-reen- play, Kdnmnd Seward. Tim llyan. Victor. Hammond, based on original story'by. Mar- tin Mouney: camera, William Sickner; edi- tor. Richard Currier. Al llrooklyn Strand,' dual, July 1W. Mi:. Running time. 113 MINS. Slip , .l.eo Oorcey Snch Huntz l|nl|. Marian McCormlck..June Handolph ^iubel Dumbrowskl .-.Judy. Clark Hobby Hobby Jordan Whlley Hilly Benedict Chuck..'.....'. ; '. David Gorcey Steve Trcnl DuuRlaa Fowley Sally Turner Marjorio Woodworth Father Donovan Charlea D. Brown Patrick MoCormlck ..Paul llnrvey Tony ..Luis Allwrni Mrs.; Cassldy '. -.Mnry ' Gordon Louis Bernard Ciorcey Of liber Geornc Bldredge Gus ....William Ruhl Pete.'. Dick Wcssel Tony . .John ' lndrlsano Evidently a bid for the growing boxofflce of English films, and espe- cially those of the horror variety, "Frenzy" does not come up to the standard of the more recent British product, in spite of some top quality thesping, occasional tense moments and unusual photography, Film has ho marquee names although Freder- ick Valk mieht be recognized from his stint in "Dead of Night," but it should be able to hold up well on the "different" angle, especially in arty houses. Also good dual mate- rial. Chief fault of the Aim lies in its inconsistency, with sharp contrasts between periods of suspense and long, dragging sequences that are seemingly ' non-stop. Following the European penchant for presentation of a story, via. straight narration, "Frenzy" is unrolled in a series of flashbacks which become slightly confusing toward the : end but straighten out satisfactorily. Story centers around a sculptor,. Derrick de Marney. in the Paris Latin Quar- ter toward the end of the 10th Cen- tury. He falls in love with the w ; fe of another sculptor, who is in.the advanced stages of paranoia. The madman learns of their plans to run away, kills, his wife by plastering her up in a statue, and subsequently is arrested for the murder of his mistress. In an effort, to learn the fate of the wife,' de Marney becomes the victim of occult manifestation's, which provide the pic's eerie qual- ity. . Acting by all hands is .excellent, This prairie potboiler is a routine affair to give the Saturday matinee trade a modicum of excitement. Situations, generally; are hokey, and story doesn't stand too much scru- tiny. Fortunately, film doesn't have too much dialog, to burden the un- gifted cast, and Sam NewAeld's well-oiled pacing hides a lot of basic deficiencies. Story concerns , the travails of. a traveling medicine show which is set upon by a group of bad men who learn of the proprietor's possession of a treasure-map. Fortunately Bus- ter Crabbe and Al (Fuzzy) St. John hook up with the outfit to ultimately outwit the baddies. . Bright spot in the cast is Knight's comedies. He brings in some *6od bits of business to perk up the pic- ture when the routine script bogs the proceedings down too heavily. Crabbe does an adequate job and Patricia Knox manages to stay out of - the camera's way for long stretches, which is all to the good. Jose. Ghost of Hidden Valley PRC release of Slgmund Xeufeld produc- tion. Slnrs Uuslor Crabbe, Al SI. John; features Jean Cnrlln,- John Mcrodlih. Di- rected by Sam Xowllcld. Screenplay. Kllen Coyle; ■ camera. Art Koed:' .ussl. director Stanley Xeufeld; editor, llnllimnk X. Todd. At Xew York theatre. X. Y.. July }H. 'K. Ilunnlng lime, AO MINK. Hilly Carson rtusler. Crabbe Fuzzy Joiies. \| si. John *«>'<■ • Jinn Ciirlln Henry , J ( ,|, n Memllth D"W! ( ,n Charlea -King Twcpdlp 'Jimmy Aubrey J*" 1 ' .Karl Darken Sweeney: ; ...John L. fason Stage Guard. . Silver llurr Arnold. %i,n Murray There are some flicker fans who will go anywhere to see a western, Cavortings of Leo Gorcey and his Bowery Boys leaning but lightly on an unimportant and slight story feature Monogram's VIn Fast Com- pany." When viewed at the. Brook- lyn Strand, this comic-action opus garnered plenty of customer chuckles and knee-slapping. While not strong enough to carry on its own, as obligato to a bigger pic sol- id fare for the nabes. Plot serves its purpose by setting up comic situations which Gorcey arid the boys exploit with gusto and copious corn. The story, centers about the racketeering efforts of the manager of a large cab company to drive independents out of business. Gorcey, et al pinch hit for an indie cabbie rendered hors de. combat in an accident maneouvred by the ma- rauding mobsters. Windup neatly ties the package via free-for-all fisticuffs. in which the cab., com- pany's minious are routed and de- posited in the clink. But it's not as serious as it sounds. The situations are clowned consist- ently and the story comes in for more ribbing than respect. There's no scarcity of stock gags but, some- how, the verve and dash which Gor- cey and his gang inject into their efforts take the curse off the vener- able lines. And Gorcey's lingo- mangling js 1 still good for audience response. Judy Clark, Jane Randolph and Marjorie Wood worth, trio of femmes assisting the proceedings, are* surprisingly . effective in their roles. Balance of cast does nicely to keep the pic moving at a sharp clip. Del Lord's directing, aimed at a fast and light treatment, is skillful and satisfying. New Foreign Films (Uwltfcelv for Anglo-U. S. Market) "Mennelsyden Vurjo" ("The Shadow from the. Past" (FINNISH). Vallo Fllml release nnd production, directed by Villa Salmlnen. Slurs Tauno ralo. Rllvn Arvelo; features .Tanvo Jucnnea, Jormii Xnrllmo. Terllu Solnlvlrta, Kalsu I.eppnnen, Tauno Majurl, ku Knrhonen. Music. Jinny Herg- slniem. Reviewed In llelslngfors. Run- ning lime. U* MINS. Finnish public will go for this sentimental story, but no one .out- side. : The Aim is a comeback for Tauno Palo and Ritya Arvelo, and features. Aku Korhohen in a small role in one of his usual types. ' The music, by Harry Bergstroem. is a. standout. Excellent story, di- rection and acting. "On Tit Meurt T»* Comme C»" ("One Does Not Die That Way") (FRENCH). Vug release, of Astra )>roductlon. Directed by Jean Hoyer. '. Screenplay by Krnesl Is'cu- lia'cli; dialog. Andre . Tahet. ' Music, Jobo llnjos. siars Krlc v'on Stroliolm; features Anne Marie Hlanc,' Denlse .Vernac, Temer- snn, .Georges Tahet, Georges. LAnnes. Syl- vle, Slnoel. M.ircel Vnllee. Numee Flls. Re- viewed In Paris. Itumilng time, 9S MINS, Spots catering to French patron- age are likely to be the only ones to show this whodunit because the com- plicated plot requires full under- standing of the dialog. Only special point of interest is good acting by Eris von Stroheim, who does a mo- tion.picture director. When directing a sequence showing the death of a character, who has really been poi- soned, he claims the thesping is not realistic, hence the title. There . is no outdoor shot, the whole thing tak- ing place in. a motion picture studio. Film holds no femme interest. Financial Forecast Continued from page 3 "N'uoriiiis NuiniiHMi" f"I.o«t Young. alei'S." (UNNIS1I). Suoinen Fllinlleolls. •uus production and release, illrpcied by Tolvn Sarkkn. Stars l.elf Wager, Topi Ruulh; ff-alures Hannen llnyrinen. Oluvl Saailnen. Marjatla fskl, Tolnl Varllalnpu. Klrsll Ilurmc, Assl Xurllu, Uuno Laakso, higher prices would hit films which lack b.o. pull will probably anchor average prices close to the prevail- ing level, the report avers. Referring to the tax drop, S St P points up the gain by stating that taxes took only a 42% slice of the melon in the first quarter of '46 compared with 61% in '45. Tax dip plus operating income gains boosted the net of . these, three companies 168% in the same period. Because of a tapering off of earnings, full- year gain would likely be not so sharp, according to the report. Foreign Take Foreign take, due for gradual ex- pansion, will probably offset any drop in domestic business during the year, S & P thinks. With quota restrictions generally easing and a broadening of distribution tieups be- tween British and American com- panies, outlook in the foreign field is favorable, report states. Despite higher production costs, pre - tax earnings of Paramount, 20th-Fox and RKO rose an average 57% for the quarter ended March, 1946, the survey says, while War- ners and Metro's boost was 30% for the six months ended in February. Reversal of this trend is now In- dicated, it ' continues, because of hiked wages and salaries, increased production costs and . stepped - up production schedules. Full impact of upped costs would wait the .release of productions currently under way, the report points out Par, 20tb, WB, M-G 1-2-3-4 Sizing up the speculative attrac- tion of the majors, survey's guess is that Paramount, 20th-Fox and Warners are the best current stock buys for the investor, with Metro as the fourth best bet. Par has "above average appeal" despite present advance prices and the com- pany should be good for better than $2.39 a split share earnings of .1945, report says. Earnings of 20th-Fox should exceed "by ,a good margin" last year's $5.30 per share net after allowing for further preferred con- versions. A slash of more than 50% ' in funded debt of Warners in the past 10 years and elimination of prefer- red stock plus "excellent cost con- trol" brings WB into a favorable spot .for investment, survey con- tinues. Breakdown of Metro pros- pects in which long-term prospects are tagged "satisfactory" results in the survey stating that "the com- mon slock has a good measure of attraction." RKO as a buy is also rated above average with a substantial advance over the $1.80 share earnings of '45 predicted. Attraction of Universal stock is "moderate," the survey states, after commenting favorably on the new U tieup with J. Arthur Rank and International Pictures. Common, stock of Columbia is called "speculative" though, with improved earnings prospects the stock has at- traction, S it P stales. Columbia's conservative cash dividend policy is likely to continue, the survey de-' clares. Touching on the anti-trust suit decision, the report states that the final outcome is not expected' to work hardship on the industry. Be- lief is expressed that the majors will appeal from the decree when entered in. court. Auction-Bidding Continued ftoni page l court as argument for a revamping of its decision. Latest to Join In the drive against auction selling^is the Southern Call- fornia Theatre Owners Assn., an ATA affiliate, with a general meet slated for today (24). . Members of the SCTOA will be asked to vote oh the auction method with little doubt as to the results. Motion Picture Theatre Owners Assn. of the Tri- States, another ATA member, has also inaugurated a poll of its mem- bers. Additionally, the MPTOA of the Tri-States has drawn up a pe- tition both to the court and the U. S. Attorney General asking that indie exhibs be given a hearing before a Anal decree is inked. Both Sides Squawk . Both the MPTOA and Allied States Exhibitors in huddles last week with Assistant Attorney, Gen- eral Robert L. Wright aired their beefs against the hew selling tech- nique. With Wright standing fast. Allied has declared its intention of polling its members to support the battle , over auction sales. The MPTOA expressed; concern over not only the selling phase but also be- cause the decision lacked any safe- guard against overbuying. The Government was urged by MPTOA officials to include a guar- antee of "some run" to every ex- hibitor in the decree and that the highest bid should not be the only major factor considered in. granting licenses to exhibs. Selection of arbi- trators versed in the complexities of the business was also suggested. Polling of all exhibs regardless of affiliations was asked last week by Fred H. Wchrenherg; MPTOA prcxy, who expressed concern over possible dire result's from the court decision. Questionnaire was. currently being prepared by Herman M. Levy, MPTOA general counsel. Last organization to move will be the Conference of Independent Ex- hibitor Assns."" which will meet in late August to mull the decree. The CIEA board, is expected to order a counting of noses on the auction question, according to a CIEA offi- cial. .. Expression of opposition to auction selling is not shared by Jesse Stern, CIEA prexy. Stern, who represents the Unaffiliated In- dependent Exhibitors of New York, declared his support for the court ruling this week. . The Unaffiliated, Stern said, rep- resents last-run -operators who. have nothing to lose by the new inethod and everything to gain. With the last-runs' interest differing from that of other exhibs, possibility of a split in the CIEA on the question shapes up. The last-run operators, to date, have been the only exhibs with a kind word for the auction method. D. of J. Firm en Bidding Washington, July 23. Indie exhibitors who regarded the Sherman anti-trust law as a cure- all for their troubles with producer- owned theatre chains are beginning to discover that the law is a two- way street. Spokesmen for the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and the Allied States Assn* brought their beefs against the auction selling provision of the decree to Robert Wright, motion picture specialist for the Justice Department anti-trust di- vision, last week. They learned that when the Justice Department de- clared for competitive selling more than six years ago, it meant then, and means now, competitive selling. Justice,Department officials are of the opinion that the single-picture auction selling proviso of the New York decision is good, sound pro- cedure within the boundaries of the Sherman Act; and they see no rea- son to change it unless the Supreme Court should go. far further toward divorcement, for the Big Five than the New York expediting court did, and otherwise increase competition. Justice Department does not ex- pect .to shape up its appeals plans until after the Anal Judgment is en- tered by the New York court, prob- ably in late October. Then it will de- cide on whatever form of appeal w ; " produce the greatest degree of reasonable competition. 'There is little expectation here that the New York court will reverse itself on auction selling despite the briefs which will be filed by the indies. .Feeling in Justice Department- circles is that the. Indies arc being a little unreasonable in that they want all the benefit they can squeeze out of the Sherman Act in easing competition from the majbrs'. thea- tres—but object to going into com- F' "tion with each other.