Variety (Feb 1948)

VUM REVIEWS UTediiesd^, Febraary '4, 1948 Blnek Hart (Continued from page 13) and he has delivered lushly mounted, aotionful outdoor melodrama. George Sherman got plenty •of punch and suspense into hts direc- tion, jmalcing every scene move swiftly. Stars Yvonne DeCarlo. Dan Duryea and Jefl'i-ey Lynn justify tlieir top billing with sturdy per-, formance.s. Script has token standard western inpredients. siven them a slightly sophisticated twist for adult interest, plus other intelligent use of the material to sustain attention, . For once, two male leads, both carrying audience sympathy, get their just desserts—a hot dose of lead —as a reward for their likeable, but lawless, waj's. A refoi-matiotl of either character would have been a letdown. Duryea, Lynn and Percy Kilbride malie a neat trio of western hoods, taking their gold where they find it—even if it belongs to a buddy. Film opens with a hanging party, from which Duryea and Lynn are rescued by Kilbride. They part but meet again in Galifornia, where Duryea has established-him.self as a M.N. Ruimiiijr Lime, Hpks .slanfnnh.... Oiin . fSnmiy rinnUiie...,. Liicry 'Culldnt.. ».. -T —— , . , i. 1 .lulie Talleivt... respectable rancher whose sidehne | Robert sianfortii. . is a yen for Wells Fargo gold which I Mr. TalK-nt. .... ... he steals under the guise of o"c i ''Y.^'"'':*--- Black Bart. - i.),uM,h!.. His former partners spot his Mr. i iiuv.n I'n general, and Michel Andre, as the weakling secretary, are fine.-. Despite the fact the film was pro- dticed last year in Paris in the midst o( tremendous economic difficulties, GoTdine limned it with lush-looking production accoutrements. Sets, par- ticularly the enteriors, are neatly- executed; Christian Matras' camera work is consistently good, and the score, by Maurice Thiriet and V. de- Butow, ties in neatly with the film's varying moods. English' titles are adequate but the editing job, sans film credit, has left-the picture ex- tremely choppy in spots. Stal J(»ngh<.«>r of Darkness (BBITISH-MADE) . London, Jan. 22. rnrsiinount release tiC AIIilib<!e.,HtW^lio-V^o^j■ to^■ 1 lanliury i«l'«illIc^toir.<*^|3t<il*'Aii% Ir.i.l, H.i.wvell IfoeS, '••aii-fi tiNi;:i)y Xame' ])lay. "TUoy Wali?.'Alone." Ediior. I.ito CaiTuihfrf*: ihusic, >ClU*t-(*>» Parktn-: f.iniicra, Htn-ni*' I.t'Wi.H. At Chariton. I.«n.()(m, Jan. 21.. .WINK. \nne <"'ra\vfor<l ,,,.. .Maxwell ftceil . .i^lobhfMi MVlCcnna ,....... .(iratlt.Tj'lf^r .... Hoiitn* ■ iSlaellxilu !l .Barry. Hoi'Ko ......tftorge Tlioroe ..,... .Deni.s Gortloil .....1.1am BeOmoind ....'Vrlhut Hmn^Upf? .David Urefne Belita tries hard but only registers ill the'single ice scene. Others in the cjist are adequate to demands. Lensing anct other technical func- tions ars standard, ' Brog. iMHtghi Pagliaeci (Sones) (n-ALlAN-MAOE) ronum-iiial release ff It..la Kilnia prodiic- tlon. I)ji-ei.'te<l by (Sluneinx' FaUK:ati; Stai'« lAlirta- V'alli, Benlaraiiio UlK:li, .Story. Ccaare Viola; music*.' ^..eonciivaUo ahil l>oni;:itUi. I'revlfiMTeil In N. V< J'^'i- '48. J<uniiin!i dm*. ^ ■' .Tulla MliiTa V.illi .Mot'Olli ......,. ..... ..lii'iilamino (IIkU (^unio .....,„.. .....i'aoio Ilberl^iKev' J.eorH'jivallo .................Carlo llomano Valintintii .,......,.'.,.,..... [)tigTOr.aeryiie.s 'PAgrliacci' Opcr« ■;A*}pj:aua Perri.s Nedda l^aaio . SHylv.'. Uepiie'-, .lieniivmiiiu liiKi .... ..vlieuni^ l*a<M'i ... JIurlv Boylello .AdeUo Zagoiiuni Hyde Character and figure to do some hijacking but windup .has Kilbride safely behind bars and the two toughies on the losing end of a gun battle with the .sheriff's posse. It's not all formidable, though. There's plenty of humor sprinkled around to spring an oceasronal chuckle, and Miss DeCarlo lends femme charm as n,T-i.sluuiifrs...Nora O'aialiony, Mm Clery Max Catto's play, "They Walk Alone," produced in 1938, dealt with an unusual Hsnd. difficult subject, a homicidal nymphomaniac. Jt took courage to'attempt a screen version, hut all concerned have' come out Lola Montez, herself a gal who didn't I with flying colore. The playwright mind a bag of gold dust, no matter i converted his original work into a how come by. She ha.s two dance sood script,. and producer Victor numbers that do not halt the action and ctherwi.se she fills'all demands. Kilbride injects his dry humor expertly. In supporting roles. Lloyd Gough, Don Beddoe, Ray Walker and others are capable. Irving Gla^s- berg's camera- captures scenic beauties. Music score by Leith Steven^ ably backs the action. Edit- ing and all Othei contributions are sturdy. Brog. The Idiot (FKENCn-MAAE) Andre I,<>U\rfi!e-B.C.p. release of .Sacha Goi'dine vrwluction. Htara-Gorai'd Pliiliptie, EdwlBO Feuillerc: Heaturp.s JVfcirKi'erilo Mo- reno, Xiuclen Coedel, "Xatliaife >faltiei'. Pl- reeted ;l>y Georges - T.anii»in. Screenplay, Charles ■Sii.iak, baued .oil . novel by ilosto- leVMky; eainera. rhrmtlan Matras; muaie, Maurice Thkiet, V. tleButiow. Tradeahown N. y.. Jan. .28, '48.' BuniiinK lime, 90 MISS. Mulcblcine Nafitashi fhilipoviMt General's Wtte. ..... Bo};of;lriB........... Aglue............... <3eB*tal EiiiinU:hl.«ie ....Oerard rhilll)ie ... HdwiKO l.i'enlllore .;Mjiri;ueriie Moreno ...... T^wif^ti Ooenel .. ..Nlattinlie Nattier Dolmeourt .Chambreuil (Sania,.... .Micliiel .\nare (I» Fren<;fi; iSfrioUsh'Titles) Producer Sacha Gordine evidently lavished painstaking care on this adaptation of the, Dostoievsky classic. Imbuing it with. ;a standout cast and some- excellent production values. With Dostoievsky's name as the chief marquee lure, it'll do well in the art houses. Its chances for other audi- ences in the U.S., though, are prac- ticalW nil. Chief factor militating against "Idiot" Is the belabored story in- volved in the novel itself. Scripter Charles Spaak managed to point up the Christ-like quality of Prince Muichkine, the lead character, and his effects on others in the story, but failed to crystallize sufficiently the religious theme of the novel—sub- mersion of'the good by tlie hypocrisy and evil of the bad. What should have been a diamatic climax, con- sequently, emerges as an uninspired denouement sans punch or reason.. IJntil the final reel, however, Spaak handled his adaptation job well. With the screenplay following the basic |)attern 'of the novel, jAuichkine is painted with subtle' strokes ias the youth whose mental illness has given him a naive, sim- filicity, yet a deep perception. Re- timing from a Swiss institution to his Russian birthplace, he's dragged Immediately into the intrigues -of those with whom he e6mes in con- tact, all of whom consider him queer because of his insight into their ' Innermost feelings. Xwo' women fell in love with him. The pure one he saves from a mar- riage fostered by her parents but loses her because of her innate human jealousy. The other one, who recognizes in him her only means of salvation, is killed at the hands of her jealous lover. Still a child men- tally, he realizes that he doesn't in- spire faith enough to overcome human foibles. Film closes with him sobbing at his now-realized futility. Actors, with their work cut out . for them, are uniformly excellent under the fine directorial touch of Georges Lampin. Gerard Philippe lends some finely-shaded thesping to his role of the prince and resembles the common conception of Chri.st sufficiently to leave no doubt as to his civaracter, Edwige Fuoillere, as ■ the "fallen woman," is both fiery and subdued at the right places, manag- ing to evoke considerable sympatliy with a difficult part, Lucien Coedel, as the boorish trad'e.'sman lover, is excellent,' as is Marguerite Moreno its the. mqttoer of the "pure woman." ^athaUe%Kattier is a little too saccharine in the latter role. Debu- courti as Totsky; Chambreuil, as the Hanbury and directpr Lance Com fort have turned out a firstrate. adult picture. , ■ ; Picture grips, from the first mo- m.ent and holds' throughout. It may be grim in days when the public is longing for laughs, but it should play to good business, more on wordrof-mouth publicity than on any star values. With a little tight- ening up it should find a place in U. S. theatres catering fo adult tastes. The cast was chosen with particu- lar care: Brunt of the playing falls on Siobhan McKenna. Graduate of Dublin's Abbey and Gate theatres, she made a fleeting appearance in "Hungry Hill," but registered well enough to be cast as the complex murderess who has to be alluring enough to attract men and demure enough to belie her ttue character. She £ives a brilliant portrait of the strange, imbalanced creature about whom there's a fatal fascination. As the woman who traps the mur- deress, Anne Crawford reveals true; acting ability, and a . newcomer, Honor Blackman, I is. excellent. Max- well Reed gives his. best perform- ance to date, and Liam Redmond as an Irish priest and Nora O'Mahony and Ann Clery as two of his parish- ioners arc memorable. Clifton Parker's music is a decided asset to the film. Story opens In an Irish village where . Miss McKenna works for a village priest. For all her simplicity, men find her irresistible, and tlie women, hating her, insist on the priest getting rid of her. Then fol- lows a series of sordid adventures, with several of her lovers murdered, and the inevitable retribution. Cane. , TheHnn4«d, Hollywood, Jan.'30. Allied Arii.sl.s iMono^rain) relc.'iae ''oil St-oit It, Unnlap produefclon. Stars I'rcatoil Foster, llelita.: real.ure.s Pierre ■Walkin. Kdn.T riulland. l.lu.ssell Hicks. Prank Ter- Hll.Mni. .To.'^eph I'reban. Ilirfiett-d )\y .liU-i, Bernhard. Original story and sereeaplay. Steve 'Fisher: camera. Hari'y Xeumaini; mij.'^lf score, I'lthvard .1. Kay; editor. Bich- ard Heerniance. Previewed in Hollywood, .Ian. -..■!), '48. BunniOK time, HS MINS. .Sa,xon Prealon Fojiter Laura .Belitn Simon Band.., ;.. ..rierro Watkin MI.sk Turner r&dna Holland Meredith.. ........4..i...., . .Busselt Hfcks: Han'ij^mi'. .Frank Fertsriiaon Poliee Cajitain. ..loaepli t*rehan llollist Hjnitli... ..T.arry Blake .Sally.................J .... Catliy Carter Deteotivea Tlmhias Jaoksoti,. CharleH Mitllraw, Tristram Coitjn (J7i Ifnliow; Englisfi titles) This is one of the finer operatic- backgrounded films to eome out of Italy. In story presentation, per5orm- ances and ca.mera work, film can very well stand on its own merits, even without the added lure of the presence of Alida "Valli and Benia- mino Gigli. Former will draw the curious, anxious to sec the ""Paradinc Cas-e" ■y'alU on ;her home lot. Latter will attract the opera fcins, especially those 'who remember Gigli from the Met. Pic should be an e^tcellent art- house draw. . Film was made before the war. It's ■interesting to observe what a femme fatale Hollywood has made out of the sweet-faced innocent who plays the giri in "Laugh, Pagliaeci," and what tricks Coast makeup and coaching can do. Not that Miss Valli is any- thing but attractive in this film, as well as acting charmingly the part of a young society miss in love with her handsome soldier. Gigli will also satisfy the nostalgic who remember his brilliant work in America, his screen voice still retaining its. un- usual bell-like quality as he plays both a dramatic role and that of the betrayed operatic tenor. Story is the well-known Leon- cavallo tragedy Of the traveling- troupe clown whose wife is unfaith- ful, but the film tells it in a very clever way. Film is thei story of the down, released from prison after a 20-year sentence for killing both wife and lover, who seeks his'child ta ask her forgiveness. Child has now been adopted by a wealthy lady and is to be married into the nobility; revela- tion of her father's relationship would ruin the match. . -Dilemma jersolved -when the young composer^ Xeoncavallo,'sets th^ dtfwn's story to music, while keeping the father's identity secret, j The young girl witnesses the opera's premiere and sympathizes deeply with the clown's actions,. and the father goes off, satisfied; The .short opera is. sung expertly and acted convincingly ,by Gigli, Adi-iana Ferris and others. Paolo Hoerbiger, as the : real Canio, or father, gives a poignant portrayal as a broken ex-convict, and. Miss VaUi emotes siensitively as the girl who senses something wrong but can never know. Dagny Scrvaes is very moving as the distraught foster- mother and Carlo Romano is appeal- ing as the composer, Leoncavallo. In addition the music during , the opera sequence, the famous Prologue,! is heard before the. picture unfold.?, and music other than'Leoncavallo's is played intermittently during the dramatic sequences. There is art at? tractive ballet bit, and some good country, and mountainside shots,-.as well as other neat'camera bits. Pro- duction, direction and. sets, are all satisfactory. ' Bron; thoven, and in Paris he's on the verge of writing "William Tell" when the film ends in a typical FitzPatrick travelog fadeout. > As Rossini, Besozzi is a listless maestro. He fails to catch the mood and spirit' of the character. Paola Barbara is unimpressive in the role of. contralto Isabella ' Colbran, who later, becomes Rossini's wife. Greta Gondai a "ballerina, provides some heart interest while Armando Falconi is inclined to'overplay the bombastic characteristics of the King.. Other performances are so-so, v Writer Bonnard's direction :was heavy-handed and uneven; Modest production mountings bear great re- semblance to ' those used in other Italian-made films in the operatic cycle which -preceded "Rossini" to the U. S. Mario Albertelli's photog- raphy is fair while otlicr technical ti'edits are .standard. Picturc'.s saving grace is its music. Gilb. . Western Heritage - ■ (SONG) .. Hollywood, Jan. 24. BKO release ^of Herruan Hchloni pi-O'Jue- litMi. .Starw Tim llolt; routurt^s Xan l-oHlie. Bl(!liard .\(unin, Lola Aniii'OWK, Tony Har- rett, Walter Kcc<l, Harry Wowli., lli. hanl I'ow-er."!. Directed l)y"Wallace -X. <;ilp«cli, Screenpjnyi Norman .llouHloti; caniera. Al- fred Keller? muaip,. ■I'aiil .Sawtellc; edilor. l)e.<in«)n<l Marquette. TrartoBlrown in l.oa AtiB'eios, Jan. lia, '•18, BiMiniiits iiDie, <il mm. Hoys DoKgett.. Belli WlAston,. t.Uiito............ (Ml n........ .... Trl^«...'...,.'... iioe l*6\veU'....'. .Arnold.......... Hiiaile,...'..;;'..... .ludBe WInatim. Pike Slierilf. ........Tim lioli Nail I.p.slic ..Kichard Alarlln JjO la Andrews .'.'..Tony Barrett .... .W'ullcr llced ■. I. .liarry Wood.s .Bidiiu'd I.'owers ... Ja.s'm Bobard.s ..... Uoijert Bray . ,.1'ero Laundi'i*;* please. Donald MacBride. in dual role'of mayor and the mayor's aged father,. punches over" plenty of chuckles. Candy Candido, as the dumb mayor's nephew, also gets into the act sti-ongly. Frankie Darro. Warren Mills, Noel Neill and Harry Tuler are among others contributina expertly. * .Lensing, musical direction, editing and other technical functions are good. Brog. '' ' I'assionnelle (FBENCII-MADE) . DihllnguiHlieil Films release of Cordna Fliina 'protlm-.tion, .Stars Odette .l.iyi.iui}i Itoger Kiln; (caturea Aierme, Nyivie,' liayl niond IJalle,. DtrectiHl by Kdraoii.l 'i'. tire, ville. .Sereeivplay, Bdmond '1.'. Urcville aiifl. Mux Joly, baMcd en novel. 'M^our line .Vult D.'Antour," by l*lmtlG Zola; camera, .lac.iuea l.eJB!ire; editor, .Walter IClee, I'revicivcd In N. Y.. ,l!U), a), '-IS. Ruuiiing time. «'(! .lilNM 'i'lieresit ................... ,.t)ilptte .lujuayx .Bat^tn lie Mimanne. Alcrnie Mme. de Alnsanne..,, .'..'•^> Ivle .liiUen ...,....,...H.iKer'ltfin Bcln'i de VtM.enll,......... Ja.e<iue.) (.'aKtellot Pierre Colonibel.............Uaymond Uaiie "The Hunted" doesn't rate the Al- lied Artists releasing label. It's a dull, uninspired ■melodrama. With further trimming it will get by in the secondaries as supporting fea- ture but otherwise will find the go- ing tough. There is a try for produc- tion values with ice skating sequence by Belita. She's an eye-catcher on ice for grace and ability but single routine alone can't carry "Hunted:' Steve Fisher's original story had a good idea for a melodrama, hut in the scripting, direction and playing it fails to come oflr. Pace is weary, as is the dialog, in telling of a de- tective who sends hi.s fiance oft to prison when shels framed for rob- bery. Out on parole, she's still pur- sued by him, and when .she's framed again, this time for murder, he can't believe her innocent. It takes a knock on the head and a confession by the real murderer before be Jtossini (ITALIAN-MADE) Best FiUlJs release'of Lax SludiOR prcMliic- Uon. .Slurs .'^ino BesoKKi; feature.s t{rct'a tlonda, Baola Barbara, Armando l.'alcolll. Directed: by Mjirio Bonnai-d. S*:'reenplay, Bonnard, Pdr.sltai Btissl, Vittorio Novarcse; camer.i, Mario .Vibertelli: nms^io, Vittorio Gill. Previewed in S. Y., Jan. aS, '48. Kun- lilOK time. DO MINS. tjioaeehino B08.sln.i... Taaliella Colbran...... impreaario .......... Ffrqlaanda I.. Tei-esa (*oralli........ Tottola ........ Benthoven., .....Nino Beao»/.i ... .Paola Barbara ...(.'amino Bllotto . Armando' Xi'ak'oni (ireta Gonda ..... .Paolo Stoitpa ...Ati^ijo Benaaai Average prospects are in store for "Western Heritage." It's stock oater filmfai-e but with Tim Holt and Rich- ard Martin to assure acceptance by the Iciddies. The heroes are extreme- l3r poor marksmen but that's prover- bial of the usual Hollywood western. Otherwise, pair go at it with the heavies in excellent style to keep the footage lively for 61 minutes. Norman Houston has used the old Spanish land grant to stir up trouble in his script, and there's little that is new about the plotting. As usual, the grant is a phoney, forged by a clever penman. He's killed and the three guhtnen who .shoot him down try to take over a rich valley. Toll gatesi prohibitive rents and other shenanigans keep the villains and the heroes , mighty busy . before Holt proves the falseness o£ it all and does the wrong guys in. '■: Nap Leslie fills the slight heroine footage and Lois Andrews has a spot as saloon canary, warbling "If 'V'ou Happen to Find My Heart." Harry Woods, Tony Barrett and Richard Powers head up the boys handling the dirty work, and others are ac- ceptable. Wallace A. .Grissell directed, the Herman Schlom production with good pace. Alfred Keller Icnscd. Other credits are standard. Brogr. ' " • 'i' r'- ' * ; Smart PolMies (SONGS) Hgllywoo^ Jan.' 31. Motiogrram release oil. Will- .Tamm produc- tion. Features Freddie Stewart, .lime Preiaser. Frankie Darro. Warren Mills, Noel Neill,' B'onald MacHriile, dene icrujia o'^■che,.^lra. (^vppy Barra Harmonica Buya. Birected by Will .T.^^on. Mcreimplay. ifal (Collins; original atory, Monte ir. and lliu t^oUinH;' camera. Mack .Stenj^ier: wonif!., FniUUe Htewart ami Hal Collins. llobUv Tronp. Vol Burtpn, Sid Kobln. Will .Ia.soli; muaieal director, Kdward Kay; editor. Will Auattn. Hovlewod In T.O.S Atiffefea ,ran; ,'l(). ■18. Wnnnillic time, 85 saws. Ifreddl* .Kieddip Stewart Mfldll!.... .June l()oiaHCr Roy. Franki-. Barrb f.i-e.; Warren ItlUa lletly , .Noel N^iill riiiiieas Wliartiin Sr.? ... Donald AfcicBrlde Pliineaa VVbarton Jr. J Marrlia. , .Martha Davis Kii tch Butch intone Joe.... Don Blppa .^.Ivin. (.'andy C^andldo Peabody Harry Tyler Dean M«Klnley ..Monte F, Collins Bre«7jle..,,.,. .Georfie Otr«rman, Jr, Ili(ldle.., .GfOitcc Fieldii .Tohnny.: ,, Vkik Paxton iMnrphy Tommy Ma(>k Policeman. ..Billy Snyder G«ne Ivrupa OrtdicHtra. rappy Barra Hai'inonica Boys Ool. .^leitrl I.amberto 'X^kiasao Tto..<ina .........V............. .<:Tlnnna..r(idera,lni Don Bn.siHo..... .Tanercdi" Fasei'o neademona (iabriella Gatti Fijfaro .............,..... .M-ariano Stabile Mmavlra..........Mnzo Be Mtiro l.omanto Don Hartolo Vllo.De 'farahlli Otello.. Fiero Panli (In Iiaiiari,- English titles) Ponderous and often dull, this pic biog fails to do justice to Rossini., the Italian composer. Aside from ex- cerpts of his music from the "Barber of Seville" and "Otello," film offers little to generate interest of' arty patrons. Its best market lies in the Italian-language field. According to musical authorities Rossini was not only a talented mu- sician bot also was famed for his wit. Had this facet been logically blended in the script along with his better compositions, the result would have been more in kejping with fir.>itclass entei'tainment But the yarn skims ^- ,, ,. , , _ ., ,., much of Rossini's career. Plot spot- finally sees the light. Despite liis | li.ghts.incidcnts in the composer's life biillheaded ways, he and the girl s in Naiiles,'Vienna and Paris, .span- wind up in a finale clinch. I ning the years between 1815 and Jack Bernhard's direction doesn't 1827. Portrayed by Nino Besozzi the have much to work with, and he composer is shown writing his opera (In French; Enslis/i titles') Emile .Zola's "Pour . Une Ntiit D'Amour" still is a slightly spicy French melodrama, with even the censor scissors apparently failing to mar the more sexy episodes. Despite tedious early developments, "Passion- nelle" should be okay at torcigii- lan'suago houses in the U. S. Story concerns a Frencli miss, just out of a convent, who is about to be married off to a playboy heir. She's carrying on a mild flirtation with a musically-minded postal clerk but her real affair has been with tlie .son of her serving maid. When he threal- .ens to expose her just befot^ her en- gagement is to be announced, she bump.sjiim off. The girl persuades the postal clerk into carrying away the body. The dreamy .clerlt dumps the body in the river, but is suspected of the murder as soon as the body is washed up on shore. Then the gal con.'esses all to her family, but they won't believe her. Instead the clerk gives himself up as a sacrifice. There is one torrid rassling match between Raymond Gallc and a slightly-clad (unbilled) miss that's reminiscent of American films pre- Code days. It's a scene, too, that will probably be lifted by censors in ino.st States; ' . ■ ' Odette .loyeaux gives a forthright performance as the convent miss. Roger Blin does well with the fan- tastic, almost -unbelievable postal clerk role. Alerrae, familiar French character actor, and Sylvic, as the girl's parents, are satisfying although the latter seems a trifle too bom- bastic, Galle is excellent as the des- picable village fop—the .son of the serving maid. Jacques (Jasteliot, as the playboy heir, plays a rather in- sipid part nicely. . Edmond T. Grevillc and Max Joly have done fairly well in scripting Irom Zola's original novel. Jacques Lemare's camera job is uneven and prone to go in for countless and .sometimes uncalled-for clo.stHJps. Greville,*who also directed, goes in for odd lighting effects and .strange camera angles but most of them add to the effectiveness of the yarn. Jean Wiener's background music accentu- ates the more dramatic moments. Weor. nriglilon Koefe (BRITISH-MADE) London, Jan. 8. A.s.soclaled Britilsb Pieturtv ('orp. id.'use of lioiiUinu Broa. production. .Sta.i'B Ilerniione Baddeley, aieliard Altenboroujrh, William Itarln<.ll. Dlo-eleU by Jobn BoiTlUhK. Screcitplay by (Sraliam tlpfl«n«, Terence BaitlBan fiiim novel by (Iraliam (Ireenc. (.lainora, Harry Wnxnian. (Jilbert Taylor, oiHtor, Frank llcI^^a^ly. At ibe ■Warner, London. Rnnnlni; lime. 1)3 MINN. Pinkte Brown........BIchard Atfeiiborimiih Ida Arnold... BalKnv....... HonG Prowltt. Spleer (Jiibitt. Fred Bale IKIbber). Bhll Corkery Colleoiil............ .Tiuly Fra nk Police Inapeetor.,.. Tiorni lone I la lUleley .. ... .■William llarlnell .......... .('arol iVlarab ....Hareoiirt Willlama ........WyllB Wafaon . .tt .N ifrel Stock Alan ■vviioatloy ....<l«ar||« <;Brn*Jr ...Pliai'loa liiMnte .. .Vli'ttiniA Wttitef .. .Ueffitiald Pumli^ll: . .Campbell Copelin "Smart Politics" is pleasant musi- cal fare as projected by Monogram's Teenager group. Chuckles arc plen-- iiful, the tunes li.stenable, and the plot light. Good supporting material, particularly for the nabes. Will Jason produced and directed, as well as having a hand in writing two of the tunes. He has done a neat job in all departments, pro- jecting the fun. to be found in the Hal Collins spript, which l^itter adapted from an original written with Monte F. Collins. . Gene Krupa and his crew draw feature billing but are in for only short finale of "Young Man With a Beat-'! . Freddie Stewart tenors "Sincerely Yours" and "Isn't This a Night For LoVe," while Martha Da- vis does some - solid .selling on "Household Bhies" as well as taking chorus on "Young Man" with Stew- art. Plot has the Teenagers, headed by Stewart and June Preisser. launching project to build a youth center. They eye an old warehouse for the foundation, but the town's mayor also is anxious to corner the prop- erty. Two factions battle it out, fails to give it a lift. Scott B. Dun- ; "Queen Elizabeth,"' for eccentric with the youngsters winning both laps production is stereotyped and King Fordinando I while in Naples, i the fight and i-eforming the grasping often inept. Pre.ston Poster as the : Later he goes to Rome in rvf.-..t<% i i>iiv i'atii«.r ■ ^ detective walks through the role, i "Otello." goes to Rome to create city father. In Vienna he visits Bee-' Cast equals all demands and At a time when Hollywood is frowning on gangster films, Briti.sh producers are competing with each other in rushing mobster yarns to the screert. This tends to prove that Britaih can turn out a gangster pic- ture as brutal as any Hollywood has recently devised, and this likely will meet with serious objections from America's Production Code Ad- ministi'ation. One other strike against this film i& that it may arouse the ire of CathoUcts. Cockney accent also may , hurt' ItS' chances in the U.S. Picture will depend largely on its being a best-seller. Secondary mar- qjuee names won't help it any in the With Graham.'Greene and Terence Rattigan responsible for the screen- play, something more exciting might reasonably, have been expeiited. Some of blame goes to director John Boulting whose tempo is much too leisurely for this type of picture. ' Story is laid in pre-war .sca.side resort Brighton, where two razor- slashing race gangs are feuding. It is difficult to believe that any gang which included William Harl- nell could be led by Richard Atten- borough. Hartnell is so much more the gtrngstcr type than Attenborough that it is obvipus that an: exchange (Continued on page 2>i)