Variety (Apr 1948)

10 FIIJHI REVIEWS JWA Kohlmar ha* given tii* v«t»im stpx-y "A" values in pm^ ductiott dress. The .outstanling special photographic effects bv Fwd Sersen. Music score te^ David Rafcs ln to excell ent. Brog. Hepujllg t^i^ ot Jo» Kane JwoOuctloM aireot«a te .K*n«. Stsr» WiH(Sm BHiott: Andy Devlh,!, Biffi m, BflariBUM, ■ 8c«enplay. Seralfi Adam* Clements Hjptey, l.a«a upon Iatt«r>t S nal Btor« oRrtiwa WllJIam Braatord; «§. Itor, nicli»i;d li. Van jsngerj mu»Ia« ^i.- Wctois Morton Bejtt; .onsts. Aaron aonv juilM, Nathan Soott, Qulrlno P, MenUoxa y Cortes, JhcK SlUtott, Previewed in M April S, '<I8. Annrilns time, «1 MtJIS'. ' Bill atoukton William MlUott' .Tohrtny Morrcll John Cftrrolf, Marie Miir owe Catherine McLeod IfUia Savarln Joheph Hchlldkrant Bam nowle., ...AnUy Devlne EBlcllla Del Roy HJatellta RodrlRuex ScnOKiKol Hey Virginia BrfasM Mar»hal Luckner ,,.. Omnt 'WIthan Tonio Del Key..,.....; Tlto'.HenaldS Glyborn*. Boy Batorott ir.arry eiocltton.,..,(...,,»Henry Brandon Plego. >,... t ,„, .Julian Blvero Horatlga P. Qaaaoway.,...,marie Bodnlna Kllsruel Angle Qomei! One of Iteitublic's typical west.- ems, "Old Los Angelas" is an over* long oatunei! with a story that could have been tol4 In a breezy- 60 m&tutes Instead «f dragging out to almost an hour and a half. Film' shapes up as only fair- entertaln>> - ment with average grosses in sight - from the action spots. Overworked are the musical se- quences. Two or three vocals are okay in any hoss opera, l>ut the $dnK$ are -rejktliwd entiirely. too «ften Iti this entry. 'As.a result' the plot postpones the more pr less obvious finale. Some neat iKijlssiHv Ing could .speed up the yam. Cast is composed of standard Bepublic players most of lirhom ar* duplicating the same rolea they've' held down in other outdoor'gal> loperk for the same studio. 'Wil- liam Elliott again portrays .a Sir Galahad-like wanior, tiandy with his dukes and *ix-guu8, 'who mackes • a feahK>m<» nemesds for renegades: to face. Heavy ic John Carroll, troddipg- familiar ground, having thesped similar stiiitt previously. \ On the romantic side, Catherine - McLeod and Bstelita Rodrigua supply the heart lliteKest, - Tloimef poses as a feinger in Joseph Schlld* kraut's cafe, but It later develop* she's actually a government under- cover gal. Both handle their line«. satisfactorily aS well as vocaIin<? a quintet of tunes. "HIver Faitlifui'* is perhaps the best of these. Schilit- kraut is an okay menace while El- liott's pardner. Andy Devine, baa little to do. QittaA Withers is fair as the crooked niarshal. Support- ing playeni are adequate. Writers Gerald Adams and Clements ttipley did a fair job in scripting the screenplay from the latter's original. With omission of much of the unnecessary musical scenes, their story would have been lituch more to the point >;prDducer Joe Kane helps the film with some better than average production values and his ducCction tends to give the pic a fresh twist, in some histances. William Beiiflfovd lensed in good fashion, Sllewt Ceaiiltet TJnlted Artlata-nleiiae »{ I.ewlil J. Kadi- nili cwilllam Boyd) jproducUon, Stara WH» )lnm Boyd; teaturM Andy Clyde, Rand BrooItB. • Directed by Oeorse Arohalnbuud, Original Ncreenplay, Chai^sa. Belden; baaed on chai^aclere created by Clarence K, Mulr ford: cmiipra,•Mafk-Btengler; edifnr, VtiA Wi BorBi r. Trndosliown N. T.; April S. 'W. Hunnlnfr time, «» MINB,' \ Hopalong Caesldy,,William Boyd California Carleon^. .Andy .Olydf r.ucky Jerkins............'...Hand Brooka Rene Rlohardo....'.. Virginia Eolmont Doc Richards. ........Barle HodKlna Speed Blaney i . .'JTamea jHarrlwtn Banda"!!................... .Focbea Hurrar Olerk i........ John SnHor Yardman Herbert Bnwilnson First Rancher... Richard Alexander Second Rnnoher,...,.. Don Haggertf Latest in the string of Hopalong Cassidy films, "Silent Conflict," is a formula westerner strictly for the juve and action trade. The title isn't too apt since this pic is somewhat short on conflict and a little long on talk. There's not a single fisticuff encounter and only two shots are fired, probably an all- time low for a modem horse opera. However, there's enough hardjrid- ing over the purple sage to keep the kids bouncing in their seats. Plot is also on the unusual side with a hypnotist playing the key heavy role. One of Hopalong s cowhands falls under his sway ana delivers to him a bag of coin thai belong's to a cattlemen's combine. After a couple of false turns u» tracking down the culprits, Hopa- long finally catches up with tne Svengali and turns him politely over to the law, Barely a brush (Continued on page 20) |i4MM«N^MIldfllg . fioll3hWH!«,Aip)cfl8. ; Metro relewe of Sidney Franklin prodde* tlon (in ■juwottatioti With Gottfried Reln- haidt). SUra Clirk G»W», Lana Turner, Anno Baxter, John iXofllakj featiirea Ray tolllns. aiadya Cooper,- Cameron MItohell. Circcted by Mervyn I.*Boy. floreenplay. Foul Osbwn; adaptation, Jan liuotig; oMg- Iniil etory, Sidney Klnsiiley; ijamera, Jiar- oUl Roffflou", niuBlc, Bronislan Kapcr; editor, John Dfunning, Tradeohown March 31, W. itunnlnB time, llS JHIN8. , , _ ... lUyssea DelbV Johnnon.ClarkJQable tt: Jana "Snapshot" JJcCall. .tana Turner Penny Johnson t ^Hl''* Dr. Robert Sunday ,...John HOflW l.t. Col. Aveiy Silver ggt Monltevlok* Cameron Mitchell igt. MoKeen „...Mari!haU Thompson Mibs Stoker I.urcne Xottle Fa, ".> ..!?:. . , :.:.. ::.:. .. .. Jesale Grayson fin) r;., ,,,..J. Louis Johnson Surse juatne nr WifO»a.-- Kloisc Hardt "Homecoming" is the picture Clark Gable fans have been wait- ing for, A showJnanly drama out of the top production drawer, film has its sights oil solid grosses ra all situations. Teaming of Holly- wood's biggest s. a. n^mes. Gable and Lana Turner, !»'a story that will appeal strongly to the femmes, gves '.'H!oinec<nnin«'* all the ear- arks ot being w.natwtal, PerfdrinsiMjes are top quaUly all down the lin«, -sm GaWe and Mss Tuwotw jwuang-the jdaymg. Story Jttne makes at direct pi«y fw the tear iam apdSas heart. These two factors overcome some patness in resolving plot's problems and dt-, rection shapes material for' strong in' -irest despite lengthy footage. Gable "portrays * successful sur- geon, happily married, who. joins the Army» Thi«e ywfS of »«**=b- in-* up the wannneft elation "WiOi his nurse. Miss Turner, gradually changes the man's character tcom «mug suc- cessfulness to an awareness of "his <ibligatlons to flthias. There is * restrained romance with the nurse ' «mold0ring through most of the footage but it is tastefully and be- Uevably projected, an^. gives Mm. one <if Jtt idfeMBgei* . effilolU^rt^ faetoi|r. - " " , ■ . Stoiy, scrliAed by Paul Osbom from an original by Sidney King*; ley, is told in flashback and draw its title from the surgeon's return home aifter his great war love. The dialog and the characters are made real by the forceful playing. .There is strong sympathy ibr the love be* tween Gable and SOsa "Cnmer, even though the doctors wife, Anne ^ai^r, ^jiwaits at home. Prob- lem is resolved when the nurse dies of war iwounds and Gable ire- tums to tackle life again with his new philosophy. A considerable portion of the footage is devoted to detailing he- roic work done,.by .doctors and nurses under iSi» *f the.front, -but film db«s itdt class as a war ping; ture. pombat Si^eal scenes .4dd i»-ieh; ■■ '"■'^ Gable ^itea. an. assured,- com- nejling' pfeirformance and Miss Turner demonstrates a dramatic talent that definitely boosts her histrionic slbck. Miss Baxter does a beautiful smooth job as the under- standmg wife and- John Hpdiak as « famBs^ lri*nd scores in shorter footage,' BSayjCollins, Army docUjr; Gladys Cooper, Miss Baxters mother; iHtta&m IHtitcheU and offers are very capable. Sidney. FrankUn's .production 81- >srvisioMr Jn association . with GoUfried "Seinhardt and Mervyn LeRoy's expert direction, have fiven the film realistic values, opnotch technical credits go to Harold Bosson^s photography, the musical score by Bronislau Kaper, art diitection,' special elfects, . '' "Hvmeeomfiur" <MG). Socko drama with great femme ap- peal, Clark Gable,at his best. "Winter MeeU»|r'» (WB). Heavy, ialky drama. Sett* Davis name Witt help hut gros^ outlook slow. "Berlin Express" mKO).- Fast melodrama backed hy solid cast and authentic Euro-, pean backgrounds; good b.o. "The Noose ISauiw High" (EL). Abbott and 'Costello up to their, -.nsttsa fun an^. Sturcbr fo» A&C fOUoveens, ^ "Fury at Fwrnacie Chreek*^ (20th), Robust .west«im' -«4th strdh? appeal Ibi^ the aeUon and outdoor minded. ' ^Old Los Angeles" (ftep). Fair western with average grosses in sight. . "Silent Confiiot" (UA). Standard Hopalong Cassidy horse opera for regular action spots. "Arthur Takes Over" (20th). Domestic comec^ for lower rung of dualers. ■ "Close-Vp" <EL). . Slack- paced actioner heac^Bg' fbr tepid returns. 'Vuckaroo t'o m Powder Kiver" (Col). Okay oatuner in the Durango Kid series, "Angelbia" (Italian)^ Inter- . eating Anna Magnaid starrer with surefire returns due in art situations. ' • Dtoliywoodj A)^,3, Warner Btiis. wlesse ol! Heniy'^Blanke Sroduation. ■Sisin Bette, DavIs;, featurea unia Paige, James Davis. John Hoyt. Pl- iT-ted by Bvetalgne-WIndusf. Screehplay, Catherine Turneyj trV>m -novel by Ethel ■Vance; cimisra, Hmest Haller; music. Max B! iner; editor, Ow«n JIarHsi Sradeohown MMvch 31, '48, Rubnins Ume, 104 JtflNS. fu!:in Oriev«.,,., .Bette DavtS esuy Miirkham,.,,'».,,,...."..Janls Paige tJlii'k Novak...........^.'.......Jamea Davis Still y Grant........... Jobn Iloyt Sill. • Castle Florence Bat6» Sir. <'astlo..i.......Walter Baldwin Jtr. Moran. , > ■.. .Ransom Sherman "Winter Meeting"'fails to meas- ure up as one of Bette Davis' bet- ter iientures into tietesfy drama. Her name on the marquee will aid some., but it's a tediously talky dr.-ima, slowly paced, and rarely etir^ sympathy for the principal cl' racters. • ' '' lere's a modest amount of a^ ;ar to femme audiences to help carry story along, but on the whole, plot and character motiva- tion do not hold together strongly. Dialog is on the trite side. Henry Blanke's production Supervision misses on pulling the story to> Sether entertainment-wise and Bretalgne Windust's direction isnt able to do much with material. Miss Davis appears as a spin- tterisfa'girl of ittealth with a tragic homelife background. She- meets a returning war hero who also has a fixation.. Th^y.fall in love, and, with>niucfa dltdog, 'talk out their .respective mental troubles.' Pinale has them parting, the hero to- be- come a priest and the girl'to re- turn to her family. Miss loivis plays the role skillfully and. that 4t. doesn't come alive is the fault of the essentially-thin character. James Davis, the war hero, tries hard but.'INtls to register'xttongly: Janis Paige gets some Ufe into lief tol^ as an «m»rons secretary, to John' Hoyt, XiMtet's - ^leganli rich man character has -the false-- ness of most of the roles. Florence Bates, Walter Baldwin and Han- som Sherman complete the small cast. Technically, film is iip to the usual high ' Wameirs Standards. Ernest- UaUer's' lensing, the art tUnsctioh and eetl&agfi, score and othftr contrihattonx lending gloss to the prodttctiion. ' * Bmg, RKO release ot (Bert Granel) Dure Scbary production. Stats Merle Oberon, Robert Ryan, Charles Korvln, Paul Lokas. Di- rected by Jacques Toumeur. Screenplay, Harold Medtord frum"«tory by Curt Slo<l- tnak; camera, Luclen Ballard; editor, She». man Todd; music, C. Bakolelnlkojt. Tradei shown N. T., AprU i; '48. Running time, 86''JMINS. .i ■ ■ ■ ■■ Luoienne Hcrle Oberoa Robert Lindley,,.,, Robert Ryan P<rrot Charles Korvi n Dr. Bernhardt,,.. ...Paul Luka* Sterling..,, .....s.,.,...Robert Oool* JValther .Relnhold Scbunaiel M. Maxim , .Roman Toporow* Hans Schmidt Peter-Von ja*meck Ifciessler ,■ . .Otto.' Waldle Pra n'ze n .,.■,,.•.■„. ,*»«* Kortn er Sgt. Rarne*,..,...,..,....Michael Harvey Ka]er< ...,:....•;;;.'..,.... .RIeti'ard Powers With Berlin currently the focal point of international tension, this pic might ride the newspaper head- lines into the boif' b.o. class. "Ber- lin Express" is part of that Incipl'- ent cycle ,of Bollywood pix which have been' lensed for most part in European lobales and deal 'with postwar problems. Although this yam has many loose edges, it pro- pels forward with an unflagging pace under Jacques Toumeur's adroit direction.' Besides, its mar- quee values are solid. Most striking feature of this pro- duction is its extraordinary back- ground of war-ravaged Germany. Witb.A documentary eye, this film etches a powerfully jgrim picture of life amidst th6 shambles. No news- reel or factual film has equalled this pic in describing the scope and depth of the shellacking which the Reich received. It makes awe.some and exciting cinema. Althoi3i.ih the plot is fanciful melodrama, eve«flhing else in this film is keyed to straight realism. Toumeur has muted the thesping down to a matter-of-fact, casual, life-like tone that merges skillfully into the setting, German • and French lingo is used extensively wherever it's naturally called for. Instead of disturbing the ordinary fllmjUoer, It'll undojubtedly «dd to; the-lmpiiotof auth^t^ity. ' - , Chief d«f«ct of ^a' ■iireenpliw' is its failure to breajk ^way from the foi^ulii of. anjU-Nazi iSilms. I^bx Nazis, now nnaeri^und, are iitUl the lusavies but It's difficult to. get excited about such « group of ragged hoodlums, Their motivation in ttie pic, moreoyer, is neve)^ ex-; plained - satisfaetorlly as they set ; about fcj(«hiappi9ag ,ft promln^tct iGUnc^ man deniQcr«t,'pl«yedi by Paul l^u- kas. Starting, out on the PariB-to-)3(W^. liu express to an Allied conferfnee, oh the unification of Germany,' Lu- kas gets wiorlald lit 'Frankfurr de- spite *n over-elaborate Scheme of guarding him.' SymboUdng the Big Four igbwers, other passengers on the train include an American (Robert Ryan),, a Frenchwoman (Merle Oberon), an Englifihman .(Robert Coote), and a Russian (Ro- man Toporow) plus a- dubious character of unknown nationally (Charles Korvin). As these five set out to find Lu- kas, the camera combs the under- world life of Frankfurt, acutely picking up details of starvation, blacketeering and general ruin. Finally, after a slambang climax, Lukas is rescued from the Nazi mob and Korvin is exposed as their ringleader.. There's only a. slight hint of romance between Ryan and Miss Oberon and it's wisely not followed through. The pic hews closely to its theme of intomational cooperation. Ryan establishes himself as a firstrate actor in tl^is film, dem-' onstrating conclusively that bis brilliant performance in "Cross- fire" was no one^shoV^iffair. He. has ease, polish and'the quality of sin- cerity. Oberon holds her end uip competently, sporting a faint fVench accent and doing without glamorizatlon; iiukas tiiras in an effective por- trayal aK an Idealist. Korvin like- wise registers well as the siiave conspirator. In a lesser part, Ro- man Toporow, playing if Russian lieutenant, strikes a sOlid charac- terizaUon of a dhttrusttuland Aem, but yet friend visitor from be- hind the Iron.furtain., Wem. ■[ 'Kasle tilon releaia' at il2fa«rle« Rarton pro- duction, directed by nurton, Stars.Bud Ab- bott, 1.014 CostellOi teaturen'-Josepb Calleia, i:.eoa. Rrml,, Ct/Off Qpwns, Hlfce VtumrW, Vtjia Veii, Si!i««apUiy, StStm 0rant, JFTow- ard Harris -adnpte^t tttm Screenplay by Charles Grayson ajid Arthur t. SotmkttV original story, Daniel Taradash. ^ Julian Blaustein. Bernard Fins; camera, .Cl^arjea Van Bnger: editor, Hurry Reynolds.', Pre-. viewed April 1, '48, Rurtnlng time, 11 MINS. Homer..,....,..,..««.',.Lou Costello' Ted Iligglns,. Bud Abbott Carol....T.,,... ...Cathy Downa Mike Craig .' Joseph Callelai' 'MoBrlde., .l.eQn Srrol Chuck ; Mike MazurkI Joe.^ . Jack Overman Psycihlatrlst Frltx Feld. "The Noose Hangs High" glv^ Abbott & Costello full olpportunit^' to display their fine slapstick art. The pair of. buffoons deliver in great style. It's a funfest from start to flnisli, chockful of strong laughs for the A&C fans. ' Routines, despite, their age, have a ii^eshness tiiat wallops the-risibil- iti^s to the artful hands of thct comics,' All of the Kags are .good with several-that reach the acme: of hilarious nonsense.' Such a one is the on-and-off pants routine, a display of apt timing and high comed^r talent. Another is the oldie, "you can't be here," played to top results.. ^ A lot of writers had their hands in the plotting, hut the story line is only a thread upon which \A hang the-A&C routines. Pic kiclb-off with window-washing se^Up that has the boys fumbling on a high window ledge. From there it moves into a mistaken-identity theme, involving, comics with gamblink^ syndicate and a missing > $50,000 bet, Charles Barton gives it all ace directorial guidance to wring every situation of its humor, and it's his handling .that counts meas- ureably in making "Noose". sturdy, stuff for the comedy market. Backing the talents of A&C is a sharp suppoi-ting clist, Leon Er- rol, as a rich eccentric'who never loses a bet, fits naturally into the antics and earns a strong credit. Joseph CaUeia is good as a gam- bler. Cathy Downs perks her role as the girl who gets the $50,000 by mistake and becomes involved in the plotting. Mike Mainurki and Jack Overman are Calleia's hench- men. Barton's production supervision places proper value on physical backing. Photography by Charles Van Enger is good, as are other technical contributions. Editing has held film to a tight 77 minutes. Brog. •«iiiitt«i;> -' VStmi^ ImIh-' tttnM jfh'itliw |r4#MQn(w' < [the latel JoTo from )Lon< don, Deo. S«, IMl. K* be- . stow«d all laurels on Robert NewtoMt starred in the film, S|i.plarlng that "berfi is a film, ever were was one, that is . ''best Indicative of one player's superlative TBmx^mws'' His name, . Jolo ' opined,' "should he displayed abbve th» title of th» pieturlzed version of A. J. Cronln*s'hest seller," ' ViuaKTsr ' critic;'* esthnnte dramatizes the pisculiar vicis- situdes of stardom. Para- ' . mount,, after holding the film on its shelf for six years, sud- denly decided to release it be- cause of the present enhanced boxoffice pull of James Mason and Deborah Kerr, who play supporting roles. (Newton, It's ' V reported, threatened legal re- course if his name failed .to receive top billing with Mason and Miss Kerr.) Jolo, back in '41, thought that "there Is little in the story that is not already stale for present day audiences, «nd the plot travels along sterieotyped lines to an- Obvious conclusion." Regard-", less, he said "it would be siife to predict top success both' here and in the States" be- cause it was "so artistically produced, photographed and acted." Miss Kerr as leadi^ lady : is judged "charming and sin- cere" while Mason's -perfor- mance in "the Juvenile lead of Doctor Renwick" is "xestmin^ edly played." Par's versioni for delayed n-.. lease is tlutt Mason and Miss Kerr's names now mean mont. HoUywood, April 1. / 20tta-Fox release ot Fred Kohlmar vrodifil!- tlon. Stars Victor' Mature, Coleen Gray: teaturea Glenn I^ngan, AeglnaM Gardiner, Albert Dekker; Directed by Brace Humber- atone. Screenplay, Ctaarlea G. Booth; added dialog,,Winston Hlllcr; suggested by st<3,ry by'David Garlh;'camera, llanV Jackabn; music; David Rakaln: -editor, Bobtrt Slmp- aon,i Traaesbowia; April 1, '<S,.. Runtitnr time, U-jaSS^ . - CbsD ...VIeior Mabir* Holly naatter.V'.i ...i.Cbletn QtAy Rufe... , ,,«. Glenn I«ngan Captain Walah'.„i'.,..,..Itegiqatd Gardiner Leyerett ,...>.,.......Albert Dekker Bird i.....,...!.... Fred Clark Peaceful JpnkB..,.«i.,...'..Ciiarle«i Kemper General Blicltw.»)l. .',.> Sehjsrt Warwick Judge .,,.',.,.>.,; , t .George Cleveland Al .thanks Roy Roberts General I.eed»,'..., .'WlUard Robertson .j.ppl*by .• .Grift. Barnett Svans., .Frank Orth Pops.;,...- J. Farrell Maciyonaia Artego.,, , ,.. .-.Charles Stevens tjttfe Dog f.Jax Sllyerheela ti«verett:. £tencbman. .'Robert: Adler ProtesBOr., Harry -Seyinomr Clerk...". .Marry Carter * . 1 Haurltz Hugo Defense CouniMi)„«„...... {Howard Mealey Prosecutor. (..,,,.«.......•... Harlnn Brlgga .Tuty Foteman,,..-. '..,.,,.81 Jenke CSurt Clerks.V «Sny 'sVllkerson Stranger ,... ,-,Bobert William* Judite Advocate '....James Flavin "Fury at Furnace Cree^" has a hold action air 'that pointo it for favorable reception in most situa- tions. It's a western feature with all the story ingrtdlents that please, and is told at a fast pace and'with sturdy tnmping. .Rugged outdoor .«»!«nti^«h«atttlfiiliy photo- graphed, hftckgrounds {he actional movemeni; and Mnds act i^roduc- tion valtt». Sight appeal Is strong. Cast^ with' few exceptions, romps tlur0U|h. assignments most ably under Bnic* tuimbcrstone's robust direction." Victor Mature sits easily in the hero's saddle and pleases mightily with Ms interpre- tation of the outdoor character. It's a forOttijght perfommnce that adds credence to the melodramatic doings. Coleen .Or«y is « pert and pretty heroine -with hot too much to do, Plot is based on white man's skulduggery tl^at leads to an In- dian massacre at old Fort Furnace Creek, where a cavalry troop is wiped out. The general who gave the order for re-routing reinforce- ments, is eourtmartialed and his estranged son. Mature, sets out to clear his father's record. Sage- brash detective work is interest- ingly handled by .aetor and de- nouncement fastens the blame on western silver tycoon Albert Dek- ker, who had connived the dastardly deed so he could gain possession of a rich mine. Reginald Gardiner is good as a weak army officer used by Dekker for the skulduggery. Dekker is a menacing villain, as are his henchmen, Fred Clark, Roy Rob- erts and Charles Stevens. Glenn Langan is just adequate as Mature's stuffy brother. Sturdy comedy relief is supplied by Charles Kemper, making a light, bright spot in the heaving doings.