Variety (May 1948)

WUM REVIEWS Wediieftliiy, Blay 1948 Illver I<««ly (Continued from page 8) , terest. These,, coupled with some good hand-to-liima fight staff, the emphasis on action. Latter js needed since story' never bmlas too strongly on suspense ^oglf s. Plot deals with rich gamhimg gal who tries to buy the love of an independent logger. She sets him «p in business by a rase and things look good for romance until he finds out, Haued, he marries another girl and the gam- bling lady sets out^to ruin him. She nearly succeeds but nght triumphs, Yam foUows a fairly familiar formula but hard-worK- ing cast and George Shermahs direction keep It unfolding at fast ^*&lcest riile Mis to Hetena Carter as the gal whom Bod Cameron marries. Her character has zip and is brightly dialoged, and she whams it over with & stm that ^ves plenty of lift Jo tiie proceedings. Yvonne DeCarto has heavier soing aS' the gambhng lady but has bf^ ,gO|«^fK costuitted in penwl: style for nsale appeaL ' ' j_s»_ Bod Cameron makes a virile hero, haiidy with Jute «r love- mafiiBg, and pleases. Ban rairyea turns • U some strong viHamry with accustomed assurance. Uwd Goagh is good as Cameron's side- kick and Florence Bates and Jom Metotire are among the «sapabie supporting playeis. ^ . . A bright spot m picture is the score's shigSle tune, "Louis Sands and Jim McGee" by Walter S«&tt- mann and Jaisk Broote:Numb« has infections beat and; J«iss_ Dei- Carlo gives the lumberjaek aingie neat deHveiy. While witbotit pop sale value, tune fits perftec«y into the story. Leonard- ^GoldStem s production guidance suppli<^ ex-, cellent leasing by Irvmg Glass- berg, tight editing and numerous sifSht values that help. Bi*og. the priest's work With St. Louis newsboys early in the 20th cen- tury. There's a lot of hoke, humor and heart tugs to make it an okay entry for general situations and the family trade, with average b.o. returns indicated. Pat O'Biaen does an excellent job of making the priest, warm and human, and the stoiy carries satisfactory interest in detailing how Father Dunne was- inspired to better the lives of tiewsboys when he found one sick and freez- ing in a padciug case home. Up- hill fiiht for funds, the newsboys' fight for good comers,, the in- evitable bad boy .who reforms at the finale, and other details are unfolded leisurely in the Phil L. Ryan production. fulfill release aims in the oater market. It has been given good production, story and direction to take care^ of outdoor action de- mands, but its many good points are neutralized to some extent by lack of spectacular stunts and some of the worst shooting yet demon- strated by a western hero.; An essential of western plots is a definite cleavage between good and bad .and a hero that is a marli®- man without peer. Holt rsdes through this one aimlessly bangf ing away like a kid playing miW- boy and IniSiaHS in the street. The lack of nrarksmanship wUl be un- favorably noticed by moppet pa- Holt and his sldeWcl^ Sichard Martin, appear mi the scene la time teterest'^is achieved mainly by ^ ^J^W^^ "'"'^^'*?LiT2 ----- - - ^- •'■ RobardiB, discoverer of a long-lost goldmine. Heavies Steve Brodie and Tony Barrett did the killing to secure Bobards' map to the treas- ure and the heroes are forced to break jail attd dodge the slieriff while they attempt'to link the bad- dies with the murder. After suf- ficient chases and much footage of aimless "basig-bang" Holt and Mar- tin comer the killers and Justice is done. ■ Holt makes a good appearance and chuckles are well taken care of by Martin as the amorous Chito, Nan l«slie and Myma Dell supply slight romantic touches. Brodie and Barrett are excellent heavies, and Jim Nolan is a: capable sherifiE. Lesley Selander directed the Herman Schlom production, keep- ing it on the move. Good camera work was turned in by George K." Diskant, displaying outdoor batids- grouuds for full value,, Bfoff. the little tridts to which the priest resorts to carry out his aims, and the good hearte of most of the people he approaches. There's plenty of humor in the daily situa- tions feced by Dunne and his boys and these chuckles are abetted by good work of CSharies Kemper, Una (XGonnor and Arthur Shields. Darryl Hickman heads the younger troupe of players as the had boy who finally tumst to God on tlie eve of hanging for a murder he didn't mean to commit. Donn Gift is another who stands out among youngsters. Anna Q. Nilssoa has one sharp scene that impresses. S$yma Dell, Jim Nolan, Haqxy Shannon, Joe Sawyer, Jasqn Bob^cds are among others con- tributing capable performances. Ted TetzlafiE's direction makes good use of the script material furnished by Maiiin Kackin and Frank Davis from a story by Wil- liam Bankin, although pace is a' bit on the leisurely side. liaising by Geoi^e E. Diskant, mtt direc- tion, settings, and other teehnica! credits are standard. Brogi. Pont'/Satil HoUyWood, May 8. Columljla iPlease of Wallace IfecDonald JvoaBCtion. Fpatures Glaiia. • Henry, Wll- Uam Bishop, Steven. Geray. BJaK»r Barrier. HUslttrd Hale, Ian MacBonalil. Blancha-Zo. har. Directed by RcginaM I.eBorg. Sclfen* tlay, Brcnaa Wefeljets; story. tMais Pol- lock: camera, Allen, SlegleK editor, RIchjra Fantl. Reviewed at Guild. Hollywood, May 7, '43. Rnnning time, 68 MSS. Gila I<ingano ( Gloriatfenry lleleoo; Gulatanoi I,eslie Sears.. .William Bishop AteJtls Tacca. •,•';t«von (Seray Tlie Great Hng»UO ,...lMj.->r Barrier , _.. M!B*>. OuiEta»o.,.......- —...Kl^tord Hale ,Toe •fhyniesta....... '»i™?'">^5!;i imsk .,*..v........... • J«y ^No™Mo Carlo...................y.-...-. -fe^ii^' %K Zafcl.......i"...•i?*^,.^£5? Hotel Sorter.Martin 6a»Wt«Ba provide a decorative lower line to theatre marquees in most situa- tions. The story is virtually a direct rewrite of "Count of Monte Cristo" with HO credit to the original. .Ex- cept for a change in locale and a few ether Items, the stow unfolds in the same manner of the famed Dumas classic. ^ Locale Is the Spanish-dominated Philippine Islands in the early, laoos, when Castauan noblemen ran the islands in a manner that Invited resurrection, Kamoft Del Gado is depicted as a sailor who is falsely imprisoned for a political crime and flowed to languish for an interminable period ■ in a dungeon. With the aid of Kalph Morgan and ytevor Bardette, they tunnel their w^ to escape, with Del Gado getting possession of a treasure map." He ultimately re- trieves the hoard and makes his ■ way back to Manila to get his re- venge on, those that betrayed him, Sigrid Gurie does well as the love interest as the girl whose wedding is postponed by Del Gado's arrest, and who spends the intervening time leading a band of guerillas. The sepiatone process, as used here, gives added, dramatic values to the outdoor shots bat otherwise tends to slow the action sequences. Sidney Salkow's pa'cing is good, but has permitted the cast to over- act. The sepia tensing by Clyde DeVinna is of top cut as it the musical scoring by Eddison von Ottenfeld, Jose. •Under r^alifornia Stars (SONGS-COLOK) Republic release of iadward J. Wliite Pro- duetion. Stars Roy Roger.i; features Ja-ne Vraxee, Andy D'evJne. Bans at tlie I>lo- ne'ers. Directed l>y William Witney. Srreeiipltiy.. Sloan Nibley and }'aul GanRe- lin, liasert on Original story by Gansellu; camera. Jade Marts; editor. Tony Martin- ellt. Tradeiliowrt, N. Y„ May 5, MS,'Run. nlng time, 10 SUNS. , Koy Rogers Roy Rosers Caroline Mayn»rd. .lane Frazee Cookie BoBllnoher.-, Andy Devine lonas "Pop" .Jordan Georse H. Lloyd Lye McFsu-laod........Wad* Crosby Ted Conowr. Mibliael Cliapla Bd ..........House Peters, Jr. Kheri ft .Steve Clark ..Jasei>!3 flarro I>ir^.tor.. .Paul Powr Aniioruncer—...... Jolm Wald Bob Kolan & Sotta at the PJoueer* /Stiig«.$<3nieis:' v HoiJywood» May 8. Monogram release of Jottrey Bernard pro- duction. Stars Kane IMclimond, Audrey LonS, Conrad Nasel, Baltih Byrdi teatiirea Jfllin GalliWrtet, Anthony Wards, Patneja make. Dicertcd by Willtato Nigli. SoreeB- liln.v, Oeorge Wallafe Sayre. Asnes Chris- tine JtthnRton; original story, Sayre; canfl- llany Xeumann; editor, William Aus- "Port Said'- is a contrived melo- drama that will find a modest oflf In lower rung bookings. Script is dull and isn't given much of a lift by production, direction or playing. Picture concerns itself with search of a man and his daughter for the people responsible lor death, of the mother during war in Italy when the Nazis and Hepublic hasn't done right by Boy Bogers in this 'one. "Under California Stars"_ represents .one of his weakest jotis though it's still okay for anybody's Saturday matinee trade, since Rogers' name continues to be a»-inagic lure for the kids. Film suffers mostly from poor camera and editing. Use of a tin. I'l-evlewed May 7, "tS. 71 MIXS. NitU Mnntoe........ Kaney Howard.... TA WlUlams....... .Sgt. 'Com Kainey.. Benny Norilifle..... Mr. Barda.,. ..v... Janet Wlntera..... CaWsin Vi'eliB.,... Mre. Howard. Mr. Howard Miss Lloyd Helen Howard..,. Ruth Ames,....— I'rot. Corelia, Wbirlwixiii ^ Itaiilers CS.ONGS) Columbia relsastf o£ Colbert Clark produc- tlon. stars Charles Starrett. SniUey IBur- nette; features Fred Seart, Nanry Satin- dera. Little Brown Jng, Uoyfr O"0eH and Radio Bangers. Directed by Veomn Keaya, Screenplay, Norman HaUj mnetA, M, Ai Andersen; editor, Pan! BofoWky. At New Tork theatre, N. T.. vKeek. of -Way 4, '^8. Running time, 64 MINS. Steve I.annlne ! The Durango *Kld j. Running time, ...ICatie nichmond Audrey I.onK ......Conrad Nagel .Ralph Byrd .....John Galktudet ....Anthony Worde Pamela. Blake Charles Trowbridfee Nana. Bryant ,.i..Selmer Jackson Kvelyn Brent ..Wanda McKay ......lacqueline Thomas Wilbur Mack , "Stage Sixuek" had a chance to be a .sturdy expose of dangers lurking for girls yearning for stardom, but producer, director and writers failed to make the most of their opportunities. The results are dull, slating this oi)e of lower billing in the secondaries. Jeffrey Bemerd has achieved some good physical production values, taut misses on guidance otherwise. William Nlgh's direc- tion paces it slowly and his devel- opment is never quite adequate S&nl^ls S^'appi^^^^^ the melodrama demands, ?^P?3^^T.t Scriotini! bv George Wallace Savre Smiley Burnetle. Tracy Beaumont.., Claire Ross Tommy Robs.,....,. Buff Tyson. Homer Boss........ Bill Webste* Red Jordan.... Slim introduoed and, consequently, loss value. They are "Baby, You S Count On Me." "What Happened'" and "Neither Could 1," Bette, presentatton te given "Sherwood's keyboarding of "Jun^e Bhumba'' IVite plot haiS. Stewart, Jmie Preisser, Warren Mills and S Weill mixed up in the campus mu^ der of a ma^ photog. Plot stumbles along until evidence ties batoneer Sherwood to the JdUing; ^^^iM^ to^proeeeduigs" comes from, wails,: who exerts good com. edy talent to raise a few chucMes Dottal* MacBride runs him a close second foje laughs. Miss Preisser and others are adequate to' de, mands made, by Will Jason's direc- tion, and proauetiprt guidance, Lensii^ antf otb«r technical con- tribntion* sisintod. Brog. i|n« nims Me I*erd«ne' (May God Forelve Me) ■ (MEXICAN : Meidtco City, April 30. Pellcniaii Naclonnlea relea*» of Fl|)i»« production. Stars Maria Fclis. Pcrnan.io Soler: fe«.tt»r»s TJto Junco, Jollnn Selpv Kriicsto VUches. Adapted (and dlrecleui iw Tito Davtson ttom original by Jose lieTOcf. fas. CnmerA. JnJIo Bntctao. At ««« AIn. meda^ Heitteo City. RUnntng lime, lol . .Chillle.i .Sttin-ett ..Smiley Burnette ......Kred Hears .. Nant'.v rfaunders .Little Brown Jug .....Jnck Ingram Phi Hp .Mnrrls ....Patili'k llHi-at ,...Edwin IMrker ...l.yim Farr Dbye-O'Bell and I he Radio Itanisera use of a dummy to double for one of the villains kiclccd in the face Fascists ruled. Locale is the Egyp- by Trigger, Rogers' horse, is also tiaii port of the tiUe but doesn't easily disqernible, add a particularly colorful back- ground, productionwise. Gloria Henry plays both the good daughter and the femme heavy and she fares a bit better in the latter charaoterizationi She and Kdgar 'Barrier, as the father, come to Port Said to hunt down some pro-Fascist in-laws and Wil- liam Bishop is drawn into the plot when a friend is murdered. An- other friend is bumped ofi before Bishop can get the clues in proper order and disclose the villainous Miss Henry for the heavy she is, along, with Steven Geray, Hichard Hale and Ian MacDonald as cohorts in the dirty work. Keginald' Le&aisfft direction 1st short on the action needed to bring oif the melodrama. Best technical credit on the Wallace MacDonald productinn is camera \?ork ;by Allen Siegler. Bros'. ' Fightiiig'Fatlner lliinne HoUywood, May 8. RKO release of Phil L. Ryan production. Stars Pat O'Brien; features Darryl Hick- man, Charles Kemper, Bna 0'<:onnor, Ar- thur .Shields, Harry Shannon, .Toe Sawyer. Anna Q. Nllsson. Donn Gift, Myma Dell, niio'ted by Ted TetKlalT. Screenplay, Mar- tin Rackin, SVanfc Davis; story, William B.mkln; camera, Geortfe B, Diskant; music, Roy Webb; editor. Frederic Otherwise, the film is the usual shootin' match, straining at cre- dulity. This one has Bogers and his DoubleB cowhands mixing it with a gang of rustlers, who kid- nap the famous Trigger and hold it for $100,000 ransom. Crippled Md who Rogers befriends is ap- parently in cahoots with the mst- lers, but in the end it's he who saves the day, and Rogers and Trigger are reunited. Rogers plays the hero in his usual offhanded manner, handling the acting, fighting and singing chores neatly. Jane Frazee is a good replacement for Dale Evans (who's now Mrs. Bogers). Andy Devine is sufficiently funny for the Tradeshown May 6, MIKS. jrather Dunne...... Matt Bavis Bmmctt Mulvey.... Miss O'Bourke Mr. O'Donnell John T.rf'e Steve D.ivis .Mrs. Knudson Jimmy Paula Kate Mulvey.. Danny Brfggs Tony <Tiip , Monk Lefty.... AMhbishoi. ,.• .Lester Matthews fSovcroor - ^Sr'T Somin ™ i"^" Soloist ...Rudy Whistler Knudtsoh. Running time. »2 Pat O'P.rlcn . ..D'jrr.vl lllckmnn ...Charica Kemper ... .ITn.'i O'Connor Arthur Shields ....Harry Khannon ........Joe Rawyer . ..\nna. Q. Nilsunn Donn (Sift Myrna Dell Ruth Donnelly Jim Nolan ... .Billy cummlnKs Billy dray Kric Rob'xls Gene ('olllns Scripting by George Wallace Sayre and Agnes Christine .lohnston, from Sayre's original, fills play- ers' mouths with trite, cumber- some dialog and completely faUs to realize on okay essentials in the original yarn. Plot deals with police efforts to track down the killer of a young girl who had taken her stagestmck ideas to Broadway in search of stardom. Police work gradually discloses a phony agency v/here stagestmck dreams are fattened, and a- nightclub where girls even- tually end up as customer con- veniences. There are some compli- cations when the dead girl's sister turns amateur detective but police put everything right for finale and turn to the next missing girl case. Conrad Nagcl and Audrey Long try very hard to give their as- "Whirlwind Raiders," another oatuner in Columbia's Durango Kid series, shapes up tepidly com- pared to some of its predecessors. Standard hoss opera has only a fair amount of shootin' and rldin'. Market appears limited only to the Charles Starrett-Smiley Burnette fans plus the Saturday matinee juvenile trade. Moppet attendance, incidentally, should receive a lift through the presence of 10-year-oId thesp, "Lit- tle Brown Jug" (Bon Kay), "Champ" rodeo rider has a meaty role climaxed by a bit where he foils the outlaws by recognizing their disguised leader. Formula story treats with depredations upon ranchers by dishonest Texa^i "State Police.'.' Minions of the law are rounded up when the Texas Rangers return to power. In his customary dual thesping assignment, Starrett adeptly car- ries out his mission of thwarting the evil-doers. Comedy is ably bandied by Burnette. He also con- tribs a few vocals, supplementing the backwoods rhythms of Doye O'Deill and the Radio Bangers. Fred Sears is an okay bandit chief who hidi^ his true status under the guise of a respectable banker. Nancy Saunders brightens' the cel- luloid as a cattleman's daugliter. Other players are adequate Vernon Keays does well enough with the direction while M. A. An- dersen's camerawork. Is creditable. Gilb. Tliis smoothie, one of the best of this year by Mexicans, has a good detd to recommend it to U. audiences. Star is Maria Felix, Mexico's highest-paid pic actress and concededly Mexico's leading looker. .She can act, too. She's outstanding in -this mystery of a European refugee who has a child in a concentration Camp. Opposite her is the ilean of Mexican actors, Fernando Soler, in the role of bon vivant; a wealthy widower with a charmiijg daughter, Carmelita G<on- zalez. . ■ Story stresses the languid Latin adoration of tragedy too much. But it's interesting as & slice of Uf? among the Mexican elite during the anpeeeedented wartime pros- perity. Story climaxes on Lake Patzcuaro, Miehoacan State, with Soler. and Tito Junco, an excellent heavy, in death grapple out in a skiff. M[lss Fejlx inherits Soler's property, but renounces it in favor of her stepdaughter, a promising pianist,' tlien suicides when word comes that her clfild couldn't sur- vive the concentration camp hor- rors. ' Grah. Fore^ fik^ Reviews (Uttlikely for Anglo-U S. Market) "Kailek, SAldieo OeH Sanv" f'tove. Sunahtae unA Sonsa") (S^VKDfSH), .'iaii- drcw-Batumm produetton and relcsse, stJira Ake SttderWoia, Bengt LoRardl. Annc-Waile Aaroe, Stig Jarrel; features Anders IMif, Guatat Torteatad, Benkt Ake Bcnlil^on. Gull Notorp. Lena Cederstrom. Dirci lPd by Per Gnnwall. Screenplay, Gunwatl; i-;iin. era, (^urt Jonssen. At .\stori0, t^tockhrtlm. Running time, 104 MINS. comedy relief, and George. H. flga^nents some lift but_^are often Lloyd and Wade Crosby make a couple of dastardly bad guys. Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pion- eers are along to break into song at the slightest provocation. Trig- ger, along with some unidenMed pooch, acquit themselves weB, Film was lensed in Republic's Trucolor, which doesn't show well in this one. Process runs too much to bllies, which makes it tough on the eyes. 5tal. Hollywood, May 7. tlKO release 'of Herman .Schlom produc- tion. Stars Tim Holt; features Nan- Leslie, Richard MBrtln, Sieve Brodie, Myrna Dell, Tony Barrett. Directed by Lesley Selander, Screenplay, Norman Houston, Kd B,irl Repp;'camera, Geoige E. Diskant; editor, Desmond Atftrquette. Tradeshown May 3, MS. Running time, 01 MINS. Bob Tim IfoU .Tudy... Nan Leslie Chito.,.................... .Richard Martin Muisran .Steve Brodie Dixie Myrna Dell Wyalt , .... .Tony Barrett Sherlir ,. llm Nolan Ben .inson................... .In son lloliards RofUy ■.Ilobcrt Riiiy Mabel .Marilyn Alercer 'Gtm.s of Hate" follows the ex- "Pighling Father Dunne" i.s an pectcd piitt.em set by previous Tim fnsoirational niece dealing' with' Holt westerns and, as such, will thrown by the clumsy dialog and situations. Kane Richmond and John Gallaudet share the heavy assignments and Ralph Byrd is Conrad's aide. Others are ade- quate, also. On technical side, credits are good, from the lensing by Harry Neumann through art direction, settings and editing. Brog. Swwd »f th« Avenger (SEPM) RaKlc-T.ion lelrase oC Kidney Salkow pro- duction, ilirectcil by Kjilkow. Stars Ramon Del Gado, sigrid Gurie; features Ralph Morgan. Duncan lleualclo. .Screenijlay Julius Kvans; ciimpra (Kcpla), Clyde De- Vinna; editor. Mel Thorsen; music. Eddl- .son viin Ottenfeld. T'revlewed N. T. April t», '48. RumilnR lime, T2 MINS. Roberto lialagtas... Ramon Del Gado Maria Louisa Slgrld (Surie Don AdoUo.., Ralph MorKan Fernando................. .Duncan Renaldo Ming Tang.....,,,, Leonard Strong Tsnacio...................... Da vid licbnard Rodrimo Tim HttritlPy Alisnel .Tremr Bardette -Aunt .Belle Mitchell Duke of lifrrara Trfe Raker timnt Vclastiuca...... .Cy Kendall (SONGS) Hollywood, May 5. Monogram release of Will Jason produc- tion. Features Ii'reddie Stew.'irt. June Preis- ser. WaiTcn Mills, Noel Ncill, Donald Mac- Bride, Bobby Sherwood orch. (Jerri Galllan. Directed by Jason. Screenphty, Hal ColllnH: atory. Max Wilson, ColIlnH: camera. .Mack Stengler; songs, Freddie Stewart, Will Ja- son, Sid Robin, Hi\hhv Sherwood, Tony Beaulleii; editor. Wllitam Austin. Pre- viewed May :i, '48. Rwnning time. 37 MINH. Freddie TrinllKill...........Fi** (idle Stfwort Dodie Rogers June Frelsser I,ee Watson......,, ..Warren Mills Betty Rogers ;.,Noel Nelll Tnspeclor Watson.Donald MacBrkle Sepiatone, an infrequently used print process, gives "Sword of the Avenger" its most distinguishing feature. Otherwise it's a routine cloak-and-dagger opera that can Dean McKinley. Winkler Bobby IVavlg..... Ronnie Wallace. t'oroner Dunkel. Houser Officer fCdwarda Telpgrnph. Girl Hiwhaod, Wife Police Officer Joey. Little Miss (lonishucks Boy in Wagon Band Boy Bobby Sherwood and Orch Oerri Gftllian With practically no plot at all, this entry boils down to merely a big variety show whose chief sell- ing poinfi is that it features some of Sweden's niftiest bathing beau- ties. Pictiure is best described as a Swedish "Hellzapopphi." Cast does a good job while direction and cam- erawork are olay. Film looms as a satisfactory grosser in Scandinavia and has mild chances abroad. Winq. "Olympiad I VHt" ("Olympic GiinHfl In White") (SWiSS-SWBlHSH). Knroii». release of Svensk Journaltllin & Cuiidnr Film, Zlurich. Directed by Toi-gny Wli lt- man. (Camera, Harry Persson, Rene llof-a- iger, Robert Garbade, Brnat KlslKcn. t4»ii:'iie Alexath, J. Bart. Hans Jawoisl-.v. Aveny and Lorry tbctUces, Stockhnlni. An interesting documentary, "Olympiad I Vitt" is the first film covering the winter Olympic games to he shown in Sweden. Produced by Svensk Joumalfilm in coopera- tion with Swiss producer Condor Film, the pic is a sure moneymaker here principally due to the fine lensing. of the cameramen. Sport shots have a worldwide appeal. Wiiiq. ...Monte CoUlns ...............Stan Ross .........B<jhhy Sherwood ; ..Biny Hnyiler ..William .N'orton Biilley I'hsirleB I'ultinbell l\iul Bryiir ........ .(Seorge KIdredse .Dotty.' I). Brown Hari-y Taylor .Margaret >',ert T.ane ('handler .Ioe,v Trcfiton . ..Mildred Joiman .,.Jimmy tJrisson George Fields "Campus Sleuth" is a musical Whodunit that will get by as sup- porting feature for the secoi^aries. It follows a formula groove in pre- senting its songs and mystery; the results are just adequate. Score has three vocals by Fred- die Stewart, but tunes are poorly Price War Hares Up lit 16m Distribution Price war in the non-theatrical 16m field has fllared up. While 16m rentals long have been a high- ly competitive market, with low quotations the rule rather than the exception, sales of prints outright are now reaching rock-bottom levels. Wjve of price-cutting, independ- ent distribs feel, was touched off as long as 18 months ago when United World attempted to spread out into the home movie market shortly after acquiring Castle Films, m this field, an indie, pointed out, most suppliers make a concession to the "guy who wants a comedy to take home and show the kids."