Variety (Mar 1948)

IS Mr. Blawndipigfii Builds ' ' '.Mis; ii!««iiiai:\Hii^ tinlznipK re»«*» BKO profluctfon, pro. ,1- "miifc. Stnnr C»rr Crnnt, Mynia BhWn M««fe«,. Connie. Mao*.-,II, ».;rv^.v. "la. wolf*. »l««*eU ).y *i™ (. K>ttM'. • on novel by Bctc S;>.ii'i'iii; cawcni. J^iWM (Wons Howe; JprBviewed -Sbb^ Running time, S\to)lttllW«> • Ci'ry flrant Mui-lcl BlamSWIH ,M.v,L-n.-i Imy &'i U.V Himnit.- •• * llCBin.Uil 1>..,mr SVifidin^'B smuyn A?„ti,-c.U OucBle Zuuwi. JdP Apullon"'! • • ,Tohii Uptcli Miiry. Ciupentjr,"."" Mr, peDeltord.., laii WoITcf ;,:,-,,B«f:"y Hhann.i>n TU« Vwoln ..,.. .Nfstor ^ilvifc »,,, .JaBoit KolKiVils: ,>;;ri-Imrpn» Ttittlo. ....... ;I.iPx Ii.-tt1cer '^Mr. Blandings Buflds His Dream House" is-a mildly amusiBg comedy with strength enough in star names to pidl .tlnrongh to sat- isfactory grosses.. Cary Grant's bfliKofflce value will be an impor- tant aid in boosting initial ticket sales, and" names of Myrna Loy, Ms'.vyn Uouglas and others ate mat'ciuee familiars. Eric Hodgins' novel «£ the trials aptl tribulations of the Blandlngs, wli)l3 building their dream house, r£ad a lot' funnier than they filmed. iKormaa}, Panama and Blelvin Franlc coma through with a glossy lustre In handling^' physical production, but Cailed to Jell the story into solid film - fan in their .dual Bcriptnig;. Film's opening pulls some stand- ard siipit gags that register strong- ly, helped by the husineas injected throu^ H. C. Potter's direction. Such elemental sitnations as a 'Tibber. MeGee closet," the sight of a man trying to f^xve while! .his wife shares the basin, and other such ' familiar stunts are always good for a laugh response. Less funny is tlte sight of a man trying to make -ends meet on $15,000 » year, especially to the' average fUmgoer who squeezes by on con- siderable less. Script gets com- pletely out of hand wheti nnneces- sary jealousy twist is intradueed, neitber aidvancing the story nor adding laughs. Grant is up to his usual per- formance standard as Mr. Bland- lngs, getting the best from the ma- terial, and Myrna Loy comes ttaroui^ with anotber.«f her screen Wife assignments niceJy. Melvyn Douglas, the lawyer friend of the femily,^ gives it a tongue-in-cheek treatment. Trio's finesse and Pot- ter's light directorial toueh do much to give proceedings a lift. Reginald Denny, the architect, is good, as are Ian Wolfe, the • Marp Yankee realtor; Lonise Beavers, the maid; Harry Shanmm, Trto Vuolo. Nestor Palva and others. The Blandings' yoimg daughters are played by Sharyn Moffett and Connie Marshall. On the technical end, film has me class contributions. James Vi^S. Howe's lensing. is expert ^rt direetops Albfert S. D-Agostino and CatKSll clartc really dceamcd up a dream .hoasc and the set deco- rations show it off. Leigh Har- tactois are good. Broj>. Pirate (SONGS^COLOR) , Hollywood, March 27. Owen. nfiS i;,,,KegfaaM Wph; imrt ^"'«''VPi'-'incM camera ."'"S" ''^ N. Kolirmrui: Co i Harry stnimfn.,-; Sanros. n<,i,;,r I'fnnl'* iraytoii: ' <..Ju(l.ir atirlitna Uone lioiiy. ....WnUn- Slozdit ....Gi(uiy.s Coopor . . .He«inill(l ()«■;■«: •■..Oeorso Zucco .Nicholii."! Brcitlipvt) .tester Alien .......Lfjlff I)e<'ra ...Bnen Ros.1 Mm-Jr J,) Efli.., ........Jean Dean . ..Martou. Mnri-ay '.......Ben I.e»fly .....Jerry Berj^eii .Vol SeU the numbers, "Love of My Life," "Mack the Black" and "You Can Do Ifo Wrong." Kelly vocals "Be a CloWn" and" "N}na," using both as dance introductions aliro. In terp department, Kelly flashes Ilia heels first in near-ballet rou- tining for '7*103." then highspots a fire dance as biggest of the elab- orate production pieces. Another highspot is his footwork with the Nicholas Bros, in the "Clown" number. Foi- finale, Kelly and Miss Garland send them out witfi a laugh reprising ."Clown" in full baggy- trouser makeup. Vincente Minnelli's direction is light and seems to poke subtle fun at the elalwrate musical ingredients and plot. The fact that "The Pi- rate" never takeir itself too scri- oasly adds to en.toyment, giving sharp point to some of the dialog in the Albert Hackett-Frances Goodridi script. Adapted from the S. N. Behrman play, picture tells of the cloistered Latin girl about to fulfill an ar- ranged wedding when she . meets a travelling troupe of entertainers headed by Kelly. From then on its juist a quei^on of how much foot- age before the actor gets the girl and the old groom-to-be gets the noose. Title springs from fact that gal yearns for a fabulous pirate and sees lum in the actor while all the time it's the old boy, who has given up blackguarding to settle down with a young wife. Wvtter Slezak makes a niffy re- tired pirate. Gladys Cooper and Lester Allen ate Miss Garland's fiutteiy relatives who arranged tlie wedding. George . Zncco is good as the viceroy. Making up the travel- ling troupe are Bpn Lessy, Jerry Bergen, Val Setz, the GaudSAdth Bros, and Cully Blehards. Film, moves fast. Harry Strad- ling's cfdor-'photo^^by is both ngnbile-joid artfnl in displaying the gnrgeous costume? and settiBgS as well as the able dances staged by Bobert Alton and Kelly. Lennie Hay ton's direction of the music .and Conrad Salinger's instrumental ar- rangements are o^editaUe, as are an of ttie contiilrtttian&. Brocf. '■i^ the Victor Hollywood, March 30. Wftwej-s ieilease of -leri-y Walil proiluc-tlon. StftW Jlennto :Hoksan, Vlveca Lindfora; teatuiw* Victor Fi'ancon. Bruee Bennett. Dorotbr ainlme, T(m irAwlrm. Kdsudit Cfimnem, DubeUu* Kennedr, Jweph Baien, TVillfam CwnmiJ. Dirw^ted by Delmer Davea. SvrceBDlay, JtMard Kmokit; nincrn, Bob- ert Burl£ii: ,musk% I>uv&(l Kaitolph: edltux. Folmnr Btanssted. Trartesaowa 'SAsaiSt 29, RunninK time, JM MINS. • i'nul > .....Dennis Mor(?an chrlaline .... Vlveea Unatora c.-iin. Ihianvais........... ..Vielor. I'mncen Ifen<Teni»ir. -.Braca Bennett WWam ,....;...Darothr Malone CInK .ToEn n^Aniirea JPlrago-, Eduiirdo dannelli SSevc .Douglas Kennedy Bolyannv Joseph Bulofll Farnsworth.... AViUiam Conrail CilfivstDL.....................I..ala Tatn Kooten PaM4>'.. ^ K«Nw;Uintln Shayne Kihkt ...Antlumy Oarng& R;tbl>y. .Toapee Wayne rj<>»tme.*.. ..... ..161m Banner KlnieMv. Henry Rowland Victor,......i,,,. Felipe Vurleli Jfennoln, *'afl»..., The Advorato Viceroy..,. ifitelltt^.. • Jsrcedi's , V" ' " ' i'^nrila;.. Hllolsp.,^ • "•«• •;•• ' • Sxuiijo, .".'*"*''■■";■' Biiio., Trillo ■ Bi-othera. anuasmlth Broll.ern If?nn P^'^te" is escapist film fare. aSe tin^*"*'^'' songs and certain for response. Arthur stars '''''^^'ng show off the Gen "Entertainment content, team H„r^ily. J"dy Garland Ces fi'f^""^ ^' selling the •Jepartm^nlTS^ *»» both mi^htv ni "Pirate" Por IT to take. The Cole foot. Mi« ^^"^ the t; *i'ss Garland sells three of "To the Victor" has exploitation possilHiities as an exciting chase melodrama. Cttherwise it misses. nnfoFtnnately, the pic's good ele- ments have been confusingly put together and its message, the need for all to work together for peace, is sledge-hammered. There's no quarrel with the worth of the propaganda. Tiie fault is with the manner in which it is ipresented. Footage is- mostly on posiWar Paris as. to locale and plot timing. Film practically gives a complete tour of the French capital and in- cludes one impressive .sequence on Omaha bea<ih in Normandy with jcloseups of the battered German forts and abandoned Allied ships and equipment These shots are highly eifective in themselves but not sufficiently integrated into the film's general- development.' With this film, a >proniising new star in the person of Viveca Lind- fors is introduced to American audiences. (Her first for Warner Bros... "Night Unto Night," is being held up for relea.se to follow this one.) This girl has beauty and tal- ent with a faint Swedish accent, a la Ingrid Bergman, which wont do any harm; Story has her married to a trai- tor and collaborationist Who's been brought back to France to stand trial for his war crimes. It is the efforts of the latter's henchmen to silence her that spring the chase. Dennis Morgan plays an American vet engaged in the Paris black mar- ket with a couple of unsavory Rus- sians and Nazis. Atter talidng the girl into his safekeeping, a romance develops and triumphs withvMiss Lindfors testifying against her hus- band and Morgan reforming. Flaw in the script, or maybe the editing, is an uneven continuity Miniatiire.Refiews ■Wr. Blanffin'gs Builds His Ifavmn House" (SRO), Good cast names, iwaded by Gary Grant, to help GOmec^'s' grosses. "The Pirate" (Color-Songs) (M-G). Sprightly musical with strong marquee natives: "To the Victor" CWB>. Melo- drama with' peace message. Chase theme and good cast help but b.o. looks fair. ■♦Beeape" <20th). New Brit- ish version of John Galsworthy thriller, with Rex Harrison, ishould do good biz. "Sjpring in Park Lane" (Lion). British-made light comedy with Anna Neagle, Michael Wilding is sure b.o. "The First Gentleman" (Co!.). British historical drama, with , Jean Pierre Aumont, holds only prestige draw. "The LMt One" (Col). Ap- pealing TtaliauHBiade ver^on of Verdis 'opera, "La "Rravi- ata," should do in art houses. "Snowbonnd" (RKO). Satis- factory .^British thriUer about buried Na4 gold, good as V. S. dualer. '^Confessions of a Rogue" (French). Nifty comedy, star- ting Louis Jouvet, : for the artles and soreseatcHTs; "I^ast Days of Boot HOI" (Col). Anoti^er ,in the Burango Kid series. Okay oater for the Saturday matinee trade, ■^engs of Idaho" (Songs) <Cbl). Comfed cemiedy win attract hiUbiUy fanciers. "IWtBtT Madness" (FC>. Poor programmer for the dnaHs; "Man F»m Tesc^ (KL>. Johnnie Johnston, Lynn Bari, James Craig in implausible western; too lightweight. him^ played by Peggy CurominB. Finally, to save a padre lying, he gives himself up, knowing he has the girl to come back to. For those who do not know their Galsworthy the story will be- per- fectly satisfactory, although it will not, as Galsworthy hoped, produce in the audience "a mental and moral ferment." Rex Harrison is good as the convict, but Peggy Cummins is too shallow to make her love for him really convincing. William Hartnell, for once on the side of the law, gives a first-rate, natural performance, and Norman Wooland is most effective as the parson. All the minor characters are well played: Cone. with several unexplained cbarais- ters. Bdmer Daves' directitm man- ages-good suspense, particularly in the opening scene wherein Miss Lindfors is stalked through the streets by a gunman. Jerrj' Wald's production values gain strength from the footage filmed in Paris by Robert Burks with special effects by Marcel Grig- non.' Morgan plays well as the blacketeer, while Victor Franeen makes his rale of a French detec- tive count heavily. Bruce Bennett walks tteameh an unexplained bi<' ■ BfOfir. (BRITISH) London, March 18. Britl^ih I.iolv relea.se of. ITpi-hevt "Wili-ox {nro<Jn<-tfpn. t^tara Anngt Neiij?le. Mir-li!i?l WiidinK. XQm.VVaUs. Dlreeietl by AVileox. Hereenpiiiy 4>y Kie^io.'as 'Pljliips: niusie. RoK"- ert Farnon; eaiisera. Max Greene, I^cib Walker. Previewed I^onrten, ;Mar<Mi 17, '48. RniininB time,'91 Sites.-...^ jndy ijow-iini .......... i^.i ..! .Anna Neagle'' Rleiiard,...........;...... .OTehael WHiUns Tei^llua HfiM'tird.... .....;..... i.. ^- .Tyin ' Waw .F?eter Graves' ... .Mavjovie Viet^liljs;- 'i-... . .Kk-tkOtsi# PJllls^iS ...; . G. H. Mafeaster ...... ;CatIiertRe VwaX .Jo.sepllvne' FilKgeraUV ....... .'Kljt^t , l*ati'ic-U .;,.....-.T;ana Alorris HlRKlnv ■..W.'.K. Hlpneit Antique DeahM-..:...........*>rH Conwiiy Bates...............;l'etB Walls, Jr. Basil Jluilland ... WUdrert Hcnvard.. Mai'nUiH uC Boi'*-t'} Perkins..... Lady IJereeheslei'. Kate O'Malle.v;... Mr. Bacon........ ilosie '^'"Uscape (BSITISB) London,'March 24.. 20th.Fo!r lelesiM of WntMrin VaTSttet's tao- iIUBUpn. Stan RKC BRrrfaan, Fegsy- Cfan- nsfinK. Cirevted by Joscpli Tj. Manl^iewicx'. Screenplay by Philip Punne from John Galswoi-thy's "Bscape." Kditor. Alan L. Jaggs: music, Wliliam Alwyn; camera, T^derick A. Tonus, Russell : Thomson. Previownt Tattnilim, M-areh' il8. '48. Running time. 79 ailNS. Matt DenantRex liarrlson Dora "Winton............'.. .Beg-gy Eummins Tnsitoctor .Harris. William Hartnell l?araoii ..Norman Wooland Grace "WintoH... Jill Eanaoad Brovrr»ie IS'retlericit Piper Mr», Pinkeni...' Mayjorie tthodea Girl in I'ftrk.........i .Betty Arm Bayiea Rodsrer.s .Cyril Cuaacit Car Sale^inau....Jo^D Slater Constable .Kramlf Pettinifen riuln Clatlieii Man.......... If lehael golden Joflge 1 Wflerk* Leffrter Defense Counsel.., .Walter Huda Crown Counsel,.,....... .-.Maurlee Benham I'hylUs ................. .Jacqueline Clarke Mr. Pinkem...,..i...........iPrank Tickle Tltcli .',.,;...;..»..Pete* Crolt Fanner l!!Ki«nSiis-.."--6eorg» Wendiniasir Sir Janie.^ ..Stoart XJnawI For this remake of John Gals- worthy's play (Radio 1930, Sir Gerald du Maurier and Edna Best) 20th-Fox imported two topnotchers in WiUiam Perlberg and Joseph Mahkiewicz.' Result, although not Galsworthy, is eminently satisfying, and will play to good business here and in U. S. Galsworthy stated his theme in a matter-of-fact way — how would various people react to an escaped convict who had been a gentleman? With restraint he avoided anytliing sensational. "Phere was no woman to fall in love with him, although a couple did sympathize. It was a straightforward story, coming to the only possible, conclusion, an ending fortunately reikined in the present version. But the elimina- tion of the fishing scene from the film betrays a lamentable ignorance of British psychology. Picture has been brought up to date by making Rex Harrison, the escaped convict, an ex-RAF squad- ron leader, sentenced to three years for manslaughter for hitting and accidentally killing a policeman who was trying to arrest a prosti- tute in Hyde Part to whom the air- man had been speaking. He is sent to Dartmoor. One foggy morning he escapes from jail and for a time dodges the police with the a.id of a girl who has fallen in love with Like a .shaft of light piercing the prevalent gloom of the British screen aomes this gay, irrespon- sible, comedy, bringing joy to. ex-- hibs. Herbert Wilcox has done it again, and the boxolfice will react. Bicb in entertainment, it has top marquee value in^ tlie country's most popular romantic team; Anna- Neagle and Michael Wilding, and while she consolidates her posi- tion as screen's first lady, WiLding establishes hiittself as Britain's foremost light comedian. Great merit of the story is that it seems like a happgr improvisa- I tion. None of the elaborate and I necessary scaffolding is apparent, and when Mictutel Wilding as. a younger son of a noble family, needing money for a return trip to New York, becomes a temporary footman in a' Park Lane mansion, he is immediately accepted as such by the audience. And since Anna Neagle plays -a secretary in the same house, everybody knows it will be love a.t first sight and that sooner or later the tv/o will.manA altarwards. It's a story in which the trim- mings and incidentals are all-im- portant. The gay harmless I'un poked at the film stars, the dinner party bore, the .liousekee£«r to whom bridge isV religion, the twAmwci cutting in to dance or cussing art with his boss—incident upon incident carry'meny laugh- ter through the picture. • In addition to the two stars and caricature. History records he waa natilraUy gifted; had considerable taste, was a blcmd of polished gentleman and accomplished black- guard, but never a bnjioon. And it is his cheap comicalities and his amours that dominate the picture, to the detriment of the boxoilice. The rich elegance of the produc- tion should attract certain patron' age,' but with little marquee help it will be hard work to recoup tlie considerable outlay. With 20 minuter cut it may find a place in prestige theatres in America. Story begins when Geoi^e III, having lost hils reason, is replaced, as Regent, by his son, George, Prince of Wales. Afraid of the popularity of his daughter, Char- ,'.otte, he plans to marry her to Prince William of Orange, but hav- . ing fallen in love with Prince Leo- pold of Saxe-Coburg, she disobeys her father, and is virtually kept as a prisoner. To gain public favor, the Regent relents, allows Charw lotte to marry the man she loves, but rejoicing turns to tragedy when she dies in giving birth to a still- bom son. Story ends with the Re- gent attending the baptism of his niece Yictoriai future Queen of England. . Picture is elegantly mounted, but fails mainly tiirough indecision of producer and director to malce up their minds how to deal with the story. It is a lush pageant with too 'few dramatic highlights and an overlong di^athbed scene. CevSi Parker is too good an actor to have burlesciaed the title role without instracthms, and Joan Hop- Icins (stage understudy to HVendy Biiler in the part) is just ade^iat* as Charlotte'for whom Jean-Pierre Aumont makes a nice lover. Partiisi- pating in the picture is a consider- able cast of good players. For the' first time since 193S, when he conducted for the Mozart musicaL film "Whom the Gods Love," 'So: Thomas Beecham di- rected the complete music score of a film. It' isn't noteworthy. Cane. The Lost One CLa Traviata') ■ (ITALIAN) Columbia release of Gregor R'abinoviteh (William Szekely) production. Stars Nelly Corradl, GIno. M-attern. Directed .by Car- mine' Gallone. Screenplay by BamUton Bensi, adapted tioni wera, "La Ttaviata," wilh -ran^o br Glnseiifie Vefdl and IfltrMt* by F. M. FiaTe, ftnd ftnni "Ija n»nt<'«jiK C}xniolias," .by Alexander. Dnmna. c-tmera. Arttmr Onllea; editor, Nfccola' sari; mlla{e«l a^pCcr, £,aigi Rlccl; ^MAc dBctor. Ettore Fantixa. At Go1<teii, 17. T4 March 29, Ruiinlng tfme. ft! MIN8. Alexandei' Dumas, Jr......vMssirfi!n« ffera(» Giuseppl Verdi.............Nerlo BernardI Violetta Valefyi...............Nelly Corradl AtrreidB Qermont..:.i... Gino Mattcra G*onse- Setmont Jlanfredi PolvenKil JBora BetTotx.. Flora Marino Bairmt Znmptiol.............Carlo IjombanU (In ItaXtan; English NarrationY :, Italian-made version of the Giu- seppe "Verdi opera, "1^3 Traviataj"- filmed in Rome by Gregor Babino- Tom Walls, who are in top form, [vitch as first-of six pictures, sched- Wilcox.has gathered some notable luled for Columbia release, is sev- first-timers. Significant screen debuts are made tay Nicholas Phipps, Lana Morris, Jo.sepbine Fitzgerald, Nigel Patrick and Cath- erine Paul, while Peter Graves proves triumphantly bow sadly some producers have misused Idm for years. Max Greene maintains his repu- tation as top cainera specialist'. Bill Andrews deserves a bouquet for his art work, and the musical score by Robert Farnon is appropriately impressive. In all, a rewarding pic- ture for everybody. Cane. The First Gentlemam onimsH) ' Lcmdon, March 2&. Columbia Pictures produeiioji and release. Stars Jean Pierre' Auraennt. Jomi yVof^insir Cecir Parker. Directed by Cairalcantr. Screenplay by >\i(>ho]}|s l^hipps, ^nm IJlay by Normau GIn.sbur.r. Ewtor. . .Margery Saunders; music, Len]\ox Berlceleyt eaoawa, .Tack Hihlyard.' At Studio. One. London.- Harch U, '48. Buanins time. 111 MtS»., Prince Leopold;..jean Pierre Annwttrfe Prin'ce . Res:ent,.,...,., PrincesKj ClKirlolte,.... Mr. Brouffbatn.......... MiHB KiiiKht........ I,Jlrty Hertfort......... Kdward, '0u]:e of Kent IJr. StfKikmar.......... Mrs. Griffiths...... Sir Richard Croft Bi.'ihop of SaliabBry.... Tmke of Tork...... Prtrtoesw Kllzahetli Prince wniiam. .. , Princeai} Angrusta. Queen Chavloite.. ■. f va-oline ... .'.> I.rjrd Kldon.....,. I'rlneesa Sophia... rrlnces.s Mary..... I.ady Conyngham. .Cecil Parker .;...Toan Hopkins ..... Bonald Skitiire. -Athene Kt^yler 3,farparetta b'cott' .... .Tack .Livt^wey ........ .Gerard Helnx ..loan "young: ..... .\nthony Hawti;ey HobJi Grifrrtb ....... Metittte Camum .Betty Ilnntly-WriKht Tom Gin .,.. .T^ydia Sherwood i..... France* Watrin?^ ........... Amy Frank ,..., .-.Wc-liiird SUayne .... Jndy Beaumont ..... Olwen. BroolEew .... .Mellasa StrlblJng eral-cuts above recent operatic iftt- ports from abroad. !Cbe irresistible. Verdi score andsentfmeotalfliotigh mo'ving love stbty are backed.- by some fine casting and performances and superior production. Bat being, essentially an ^daptaticm of an opera,' and following the opera closely, the film is fairly static and The Rome Idea Jteviewing "The Lost One" from Rome, Variety's .Quat. says: "Films of this kind mean little to Italian audiences, who prefer to see and hear operas 'at opera houses:.'- However, it can do u)eV, aS)road with un- sophisticated music lovers and Italian-language trade." Hollywood has often been blamed for laying rude bands on British history, but nobody would have dared travesty a principal character as has been done here. In this adaptation of Norman Gins- bury's play, the Prince Regent (afterwards George IV of En.stland). self-styled "First Gentleman of Kurope," has been turned into a frequently very slow. It wUl appeal to opera-lovers and prove a good bet for the art houses^ but little more... It's evident that great care, and good taste« went into the produc- tion. Sets, costumes and general production are superior by fat -to most other opera films. Casting has been made with an eye to U. S. tastes, with-^' handsome Alfredo in Gino Mattera, 24-year-old Italian tenor, find, and an eye-filling beauty for Violetta in Nelly'Corradi. Not only is the lady a knockout visually, but she can act. Love scenes be- tween the two, despite the artificial, mood-dispelling situation of hav- ing them flinging arias to each other in the tenderest of momentSt are frequently poignant and of much beauty. Handsome couple do much to offset the dull spots. It's obvious that the singing' ia dubliied (and sometib.... the dub- bing isn't too perfectly synchron- ized). Credit goes to Onella Fiit- (Continued on page 22)