Variety (May 1948)

15 Edwtird Co wan, (SONG) _ Hollywood, May IB. cor***', 5STtS pW by JWitliwld pen- ham tt"* Kriii *WB«ia; wow, ^ae^tr'M. ''^ n MINS. .RolKTt Hut ton Warfun Jton""""- Joyce lU>i'mfM» " ,....i3»nl» I'uiwa .Blirliara Brown . .Jeeome Cotoh ....Don McClulve .Ann 5}iwa<n«fcl<t'v ,,,..-,W*tle' Stetak ....■WalM*. SwmSe comedy pace Jackie JDnntt-' Officer-■ A "^^^-wSwer" altogether It has a free and jnakes ^'''L^^A is f arced just enough ?rkeep the essentially tonOlw nlotting highly amusing. P ^Jinriiiptlon is not lavish but AlS GottUeb has spent the badget » selv to project showmanly v^ea keeping with the plot. Film nlease thoroughly in. major Rhould.please tnorougiuy m ftv ■of s i t u a t i o n s, particularly hou^s catering largely to family *"caTi^es amusingly with antics .ipmandid by the Plioebe and ita% play l«f Beginald »eiAain «^??,,rii*/w Frederick de Cot- ■ SSva'Sefhis "direction to get deadly effective handhng to punch over chuckles. Plot is the one about the ugly duckling who comes to life and wins the hero from her more glamorous sister. Sparking the piece are Joyce Reynolds in the fltle role and Janis Paige as the 8.a.-laden but dumb sister. • Girls make an effective team and Robert Button lends the nlascnlinc appe^ as the objective of the femmes af- fections. . . ^ . Edward Arnold and Barbara Brown are teamed as the parents of the girls. They are expert at porti'ayals and add to comedy hi^ligbts in the family squabble over a date for the virallflower, the family ■ conference on a forced elopement and other situations. Plot sequence dealing with a mid- night swim builds to hilarious consequences when mischievous kids steal the bathers' clothes. Included in iilm is chorus of "I May Be Wrong," oldie from the - 1929 Broadway show, "Almanac." Setting is country club dance with Miss Paige taking the vocals. Background score by Frederick Hollander is good, Among cast members helping t(> put fhte one fiver are Dott McGuirev'a' woilfisdt suitor; Jerome Cowan, Lotte Stein, with a very funnily conceived in- terpretation of a servant; and Walter Sande, a cop. Expert leasing Iw Karl Freund. smart art directi(« mi settings, and emh&jimmimm other earned credits. 39r^. ..HldliMiy. (cmoK-wnmcxL) Hollywood, May 15. , EKO rolMiae of Walt IWsner proilui'lion. Stars Boy Rogeia anti Trigger; Delinis Day, Waring & I>emi.syl- ptS"',; ^"M-J, »rtln, irrnncos Lansforrt, S", ?,?™'' I'loneers, Dinning iSisturs, Kl'"'?!;' Shnrpatcen. Cartoon ai- Sinn Hnl '•"^'^ Klnnoy. Story, Wln- nSS,5 "'4''', ^'■■"'"nn Vemifir, Harry Koevc.'^. S^T^'t",*"'™""' K"" An.lwson. Ted HkMS^'*' •'^^?*<' Marah, John -Wall.rldKe. ■ . S?™i,«^««»«ll!5-! follclDre consultant. Curl Mlort^lte "^'"2 l*otogritphy (Terhnl- kI„iS' aireGtion, miot DnnleJ. SnfSFl aswwlata, JMul gfflith; spwrfar jn£t,S?P°"' ^""f*' K:«>t. Kay om»ert. ^iSS^i^"?'"^ '^«»8» Wetei; sdiWoC I^g^ May. UV Duck, Jose Carloca and the Ara- cuan Bird of Brazil. Vocal backing is supplied by the voices of the Dinn&g Sisters and the piece is an infectious combination of sound track and drawing that pays off. Ray Gilbert .did the Englisli lyrics to iiausie by Ernesto Nazareth. Other live-actioner is the finale "Peeos Bill," wlierein Roy Rogers spins !i foBt tale of the old west lor Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten, with the aid of Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers. Standout in this chapter is the tnne, "Blue Sliadows." Otherwise it empha- sizes comedly in tlie best Disney manner in depicting why coyotes bowl at the full moon. Vhexi^s a greeting card dainti- ness about "Once Upon a Winter- time," telling of two lovers who go ice skating. The animation is beautiful and the vocals register strongly from the pipes of Frances Langford. "Bumble Boogie" chap- ter has Jack Fina's adaptation of the dassic "Flight of the Bumble Bee" coratog to cartoon life in an almost frightening animation of musical instruments, notes and the busy bee. Freddy Martin's backing is all that could be asked. Dennis Day's voice, and carica- ture carry off the imaginative treat- ment accorded folk tale of Johnny Applesced. Chapter has tliree numbers sung by Day; "The Pio- neer Song" the hymn, "The Lord Is Good to Me" and "Apple Song." The Appleseed legend of how the character spread the' fruft to the pioneer borders of the land proj- ects moral values tellingly while entertaining. "Little Toot," fable of a baby tugboat in New York harbor, is colorful and engrossing. Andrews Sisters give it popular vookl interpretation. Full rein to imaginative artistry is used in telling the pictorial story of "Trees" as Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians supply the musical lacework. There's a breathless beauty in the animation of the sea- sons. Introductory title piece is sung by Buddy Clark, who also acts as master of ceremonies for the chapters to come; Lyrics of tune establish the theme and Paul Smith's badcground score ties the episodes together neatly. As to be expected, the tech- aldans on the Disney staif have given this one a flawless stamp, technically perfect and artistic- ally stimulating. Beautifully photo graphed in Technicolor, it's a show that rates all connected with its maldng a top credit Brog. Miniature Reviews "Wallflower" (WB). De- lightful comedy .for family au- diences. Hokum loaded with chuckles. "Melody Time" (BKO) (Mu- sical-Color). Entertainment for isll ages In the best Disney manner. *1leturn of the Badmen" (RKO). Randolph Scott, Rob- ert Ryan, George "Gabby" Hayes in OK western. "Raw Deal" (EL). Fast gangster meller is solid pro- gram fare. "Best Man Wins" (Col). In- teresting family comedy-dra- ma, warmly told. Nice dualer. "I, Jane Doe" (Rep). Mildly entertaining melodrama, with spotty b.o. prospects. "Jinx Money" (Mono). Good programmer in the popular Bowery Boys series headed by I<eo Ctorcey. "The Cobra Strikes" (Mono). Dull lower rung murder mys- tery. , Hollywood, May 14. BKO release ot Nat Holf proauction. Star* lUnaolph Siott, Roljort Ryan, Anne Jem-eys. GeorjfC "Qabby" Hayes, .Toctiue- llno White; features Stave Broilie, Richard Powers, Robert Brny, Lex Barker, Walter Reed, Michael Hai-vej, Dean White. Robert Armstrong, Tom Tyler, Lew Havvey. Di- rected by Ray EnrlRht. ,Screenplay; Charles O'Neal, Jack Nattelord, I>uci Ward; atory, ■Nattelord. Ward; ciimera, J. Roy Hunt; muwsSe, Paul Sawtelt: editor, Samnel B. Iteetley. Xradealwwn MtO' 12. '■♦S. Rnn- nlnR time, 81> jHINH. .,, . „ l, Vance Randolph Scott Sundance KM ...Robert Ryan ClwyMine '• -^""'^ Jeffreys John Petlit C.corge -'Gabby" Hayes Madge Allen Cole Younger Jiiu younR-f'r John Younger...... Emmctt Diilton,... Bob Dalton..,, Grat Dalton Billy the Kid,.,,.. Wild Bill l)(H)Iin... Wild Bill YeaKcr... Ailtanaaa itid...... Johnny.. Muley Wilson....... ismily > (loorgo Mason ■ nave Judge Harper...... . Jacqueline White .......Hteve Brodie ,,. .Richard Povi-ers RoVrt B'rsy. ..l>x Barker \\',ilter Bccd ....Michael Hilrvey ...Dean While ..Robert Arnialrong ; Tom Tyler Lew Harvey Gary Gray Walter Baldwin Minna GombeE ... .Warren .lack.'ion ......Robert Clarke Jnson Robards .^-^^YP stories told in "Mel- T,% rB^ strike wide ap- &A Tliere's meat for all in vary-. m degree, told with the resource- ™i„„?^''P'^^*^ative skill ad the Walt nSfy .orgamaatiffltt. Film, essen- t.>alH^ subjects (»cfi with an ap- peal for a :^ailar type of aa&- tatew"* iKith the ^lemoit «f «regoer **** general the- chISlf*®i,^ ^* ^ no J""*' ^« ^ kiSTbSS thp il^*'' '"^te into fantass', tiO^®«„?ntertainmcnt with atteo- "The Return of the Badmen will measure up to all demands ot the outdoor action fan. It fits care- fully into the sturdy pattern set by previous feature westerns from HKO aiad boxoffice indications are goodl Marquee value of such ac- tion n«nes as Randolph ^facott, R0l»rt «san and Gemrge "Gabby Hayes spark the cast lineup and add to grossing possibilities. The brawling story goes back to the opening of the Oklahoma territory and tlirows in an assort- ment of w-k. western bad men to point up the action developed by Ray Enright's ■ strong directorial guidance. The Dalton.s, the Young- ers, Billy the Kid, the Sundance Kid, and others, people the script with enough heavies for several picfures, but their appearances have been handled in such a way film doesn't seem overcrowded. Principal ' heavy interest is tossed to the Sundance ICid, and Ryan plays the character as a thorough menace.. Plot mainly con- cerns conflict between Ryan and Scott, latter as a retired marshal w: 3 again takes up his guns when Ryan and the assorted outlaws that surround him launch a series of train and stage-holdups in the ter- ritory. Story develops two interesting fe::une characters" and they are pleasingly portrayed by Anne Jef- freys and Jacqueline White. For- mer is seen as a rootin'-tootin', gunsUnging daughter of the out- law west who reforms for love of Scott, even though she doesn't get him. Miss White shades.her hero- ine part neatly for interest, fak- ing it count for more tlian the usual femme assignment in west- ems. Scott turns in expected com- petent performance as a believe- able hero, able with guns and fists to lay down the law when neces- sary, Ryan is capable opponent, playing assignment without sym- pathy to show up the western out- law as a sadistic killer, Hayes is in for chuckles as a sagebrush banker, and more than holds his own. Stev« Brodie, a$ Gole Younger, and Robert Armstrong, as Wild Bill Doolin, have the best oppor- tunities among the featured play- ers. They give expert perform- ances. Gary Gray, moppet; Minna Gombell, Walter Baldwin and Ja- son Kobards are among the others in the large cast that show up well. Nat Holt, responsible for pre- vious RKO feature westerns under Jack J. Gross' executive supervi- sion, has packed "Badmen" with all the ingredients that pay off in the action market. Enright's di- rection insures swift action despite the abundance of story material and makes it add up to neat film- fare. Much use is made of out- door movement by J. Roy Hunt's lensing, and ad;ion is backed with good music score by Paul Sawtell. Brogi. of a cross-country chase. Director Anthony Mann keeps the action taut from the opening esape to the slambang finale while, at the same time, integrating a torch theme into the yam. Working in a fa- miliar formula, scripters managed to avoid triteness with a hard-hit- ting style of dialog which is clever as well as tough. O'Keefe registers as an authen- tic tough guy who's ready for any risk in his flight from the coop. Travelling with Miss Trevor after she sprung him, he kidnaps a social worker, Miss Hunt, for additional protection from the police. He finally breaks through the dragnet to a rendezvous with his gang chief only to discover that he's the ob- ject of a murderous double-cross. In a crashing climax, he finishes- off his boss and dies in the arms of Miss Hunt while the other gal broken-heartedly looks on. Miss Trevor gives a flrstrate in- terpretation of a gangster moll, maintaining a steady sense of strain without going to pieces. Miss Hunt delivers competently in a glib thesping style. As the sadistic gang chieftan, Raymond Burr is reminiscent of the late Laird Cregar in bulk and manner but is ■ ■ I, Jame Bo© Hollywood, May 15. Republic release of John H. Auer pro- duction, directed by Auer. Stars Huth Hun- sey, John Carroll, Vera Ralston; leaturea Gene Lockhart, John Howard, Benay Ve- nut.^i, Adele Mara, Roger Da,nn, Juntes Bell. Screenplay, Ijawrence KInible; adaptation, Decla Dunning; camera, Reggie Lanning; music, Heinz Roemheld; editor, Richard U Van Enger. Tradcshown May 11, '48. Run- ning time, 88 MINS. Eve Meredith Curtis ....Ruth Hussey Stephen Curtis John Carroll ln"„^J,-'"''r, T. , } Vera Rolslon Annette DuBois i ..Gene Ijockhart ...Johii Howard Benay Veniita ,,.,. Adelc. Mara. ' Roger; Pann ,..Janles Bell' ,.v*I-eon Belasco John Ijltcl ,. ..£3ric Feldary .Francis Pierlot Arnold Matson. William HUton....... Bhyllis TUttla A*arga-Jane Hastings. Julian Anbert. .Tudgo Bortrand. Duroc. Horton..,............ Robert DuBois...;,;., Father Martin.,,,,,,, Marie .Mnrta MItrovich Reporter .John Albright "I, Jane Doe" is a highly involved melodrama that generates only mild interest for general audiences. Grosses will be spotty with film's best chances in the secondary houses. Picture bears evidence of good budget allotment in its physi- cal trappings but lacks sufficient excitement to be good entertain-^ ment. ■ _ . _ Flashbacks and dissolves used by deficient in a sinister quality. John producer-director John H. Auer to Ireland, as a cynical hoodlum, gives a sharp portrayal. Tense atmosphere of the film is supported by expert low-key lens- ing and an eerie musical back- ground. Herm. Dlain^ AHue," wmcn ex- ^Oncl Yt''"* to a»ffl*e.' through tnewv'i"*""*^ thc!F all have a Wodic^fimeal to^tbe and ear M the hands ol the .lMsa«y staff, live aoH^^^ Ofjfe *toiies feature Smith ^"'S- comes Ethel iw,"h^»^ her organ romping ft on fhi'^*'^Pu*.^ge"»g "Blame on the Samba" with Donald The Room ypstaira (Formerly 'Martin Rownagnac^ MThe Room Upstairs," Star- ring Marlene Dietrich m her first French film, was reviewed by Variety from Paris, Jan. 8, 1947, under its original title, "Martin Roumagnae."^ It .was previewed in New Yorifc Prraay «4) by Lopert Fihris. For its tr. S. release, film has been sliced from its original 115 miitates to 86 with some choppy transitions as a result. Variety's Maxi opined "ex- cellent casting of Marlene Die- trich and Jean Gabin makes this film likely b.o. wherever Fi-ench pix are played.' As shown in the U. S., however, film will have to bank solely on the Dietrich-Gabin combo for results among foreign pix addicts. Story of an hones* workman who kills his two- timing mistress is handled in )edestrian style with slow p*ee and corny si^ations. Wtttst Man Witts Hollywood, May 14. Golumblii release of Ted Riolimoml pro- Juotion. Features Edgar Buchanan, Anna J.ee, Robert Shayne, Gary Gray, Hobiirt Cavanaugh; Stanley Andrews. Ijirected by John Sturges. Screenplay, Edward Huehsch: based on Mark Twain's "The Celebratedi Jgmping Frog of Calaveras County;-cam- era, Vincent Farrar; editor. James Swee- ney. At Grauman's Chinese, Hollywood, May li!, '48, Running tim^, 73 MINS. Jim Smiley . ,,Fdgar Buchanan Nancy Smiley. .Anna' Lee Judge Carter,,.,..,. Robert Shayne Bob Smiley.,,..,.,...,.,... Gary Gray Amos Hobai-t Cavanaugh Slierift' Dingle j5tanley Andrews Mr. Crow. Oeorge liynn Monty Carter. ...Bin Shemeld Hester Marietta Canty Bartender.i...., ,Paul £!. Bums Raw Deal Kagle Lion release of Edward Small pro- duction. Stars Dennl.1 O'Keefe, Claire Tiv- vor, Marsha. Hunt. Directed by Anthony Mann. Screenplay, Leopold Atlas and John C. Higgina; from story by Arnold B. Ann- stronc and Audrey Ashley; camera, John Alton; editor, Alfred De Gaetaflo; mask' Piiul Sawtelje. Tradeshown N. Y. May 14. '18. BunitSng; time, 79 MINS. Jiie SiiHtvan................Dennis O'Keere IJ;,t ,. Claire Trevor, Atm Martin .Marsha Hunt Funtiiil John Ireland Rick Coyle .Rajmond Burr Spider^ Curt Conway itapcy......Chili ■wniiains Mark Twain's "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" fur- nishes the story idea for the ef- fective little comedy-drama turned out at Columbia under the title of "Best Man Wins." It's a budget film for lower half of double bUls and will please the family trade. Production backing, direction and playing fit it capably into the sec- ondary bracket. While pace is leisurely, there's a gentle humor about the way the plot is developed under John Sturges' direction and he gets ex- cellent, performances from the cast. Best showing among tlie players is made by veteran Fdgar Buchanan and moppet Gary Gray. Former is the wandering gambler who returns to his home town to find Ms wife has divorced him and is about ■ to marry another man. Buchanan finds his young son, Gary Gray, still on his side and, working through the moppet, grad- ually Wins his wife back. For kiddie interest, there's the jumping frog owned by Buchanan and the training of dog for a big race. Anna Lee makes a gracious wife and Robert Shayne, as the man she's about to marry, is good. Small town types are given good reading -by Hobart Cavanaugh, Stanley Andrews, George Lynn, William Sheffield and others. Ted Richmond's production guid- ance shows expert expenditure of light budget, making sure hokum was kept interesting. Edward Huebsch did the good script. There is n6at lensing by Vincent Parrar, smooth editihg by James Sweeney to back up other g»pd poijits. "JEtaw Deal" is a fast-rolling gangster melodrama with a strong undercurrent of romance for an across-the-b(9ard customer appeaL Solid bo."returns will come from the smaller flrstruns and nabe situ- ations where the pic ean be backed with dualer support. Though a medium budgeter, pic is dressed tidily with a good production ^and some marquee weight furnished by Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor and Marsha Hunt. , , » , Story of a eon who breaks out of iail with the aid of one gal and then faUs in love with another un- folds withhi an exciting framework Wiil It Happen Again? "Will It Happen Again?" 64- minute documentary made from newsreel clips and seized German, footage which Opened at the Rialto, N. Y., Saturday (15), was reviewed in VARiEi?y March 3, 1948, Under title of ^'Love Life of Adolph Hitler." With the .backing of the Navy Club of the U. S., the picture was compiled by American Film Producers and is now be- ing distributed by Film Clas- sics. Variety's reviewer Gilb found the film as not ranking as a "good documentary of the past war," but pointed out that *'exhU)itors will find the pic- ture packied with exploitational qualities. . market for this one will be garnered by heavy bally plus the further attention of those who are morbidly curi- ous as to how Eva Braun looked in a bathing suit while frolicking at Berchtesgaden." tell his story contribute to con- fusion and make the 85 tninutes* running time seem overlong. Major- ity of the cast wear their assign- ments uncomfortably, also mitigat- ing against sustained interest. Plot, essentially, tells the story of a French girl, wooed and won by a philanderer in uniform. After the war, the battle bride comes to the States to find her missing hus- band, only to discover he is already married. After he seeks to have her deported when tired of a sea- sick rendezvous, the girl goes into a mental fog and bumps him off. Story tries for novelty in telling the saga by flashback during her trial for murder, but the only twist that registers is the ludicrous courtroom technique. After a con- viction, gal is found to be pregnant and the philanderer's widow under- takes her defense at a second trial. Ruth Hussey tries hard as the legitimate widow and defense at- torney. John Carroll, also, tries to bolster unhappy assignment as the playboy. Vera Ralston is impassive as the wronged French girl. Gene Lockhart is a blustering prosecu- tor. Benay Venuta is Miss Hussey's friend and John Howard has a thankless role, A bright bit is contributed by Leon B^asco, French shyster law- yer, and Adele Mara spices brief sequence as a kept woman. Air clips used during, battle scene are exciting. Photography, settings and other physical dressing are all good. Brog. JHeaiywood, May 15. Monogram release of Jan Qrlppo produc- tion. Features Leo Gorcey, Hunts Stall, Billy. Benedict, David Gorcey, BennyTSart- lett, Gabriel Dell," Betty Caldwell, Sheldon I.eohard, . Donald Macir'.ride. Directed by William Beaadine. Original screenplay, IMmond Seward, Tim Ryan, Gerald Schnlt- zor; from story suggested by Jerome T. GoUard; camera, Marcel Le Picard; editor, William Austin. Previewed May 12, '48, Running time, «9:iUXNS. Slip Mahoney. Sach Whltey Chuck .°. Butch .............. Gabe Candy Lippy Harris. Capt. Broadderek. Lullaby Schwo... .., Virginia ............ Tipper ......Leo Gorcey Huntz Hall .-Billy Benedict ......David Gorcey .....Benny Bartlett .Gabriel Dell ., -Betty Caldwell ...Sheldon I<eonard ...Donald MacBrlde .John Bldredge . .Wanda McKay ..Lucien Littlefleld Louie .Bernard Gorcey Augic Benny Baker Benny "The Meatball" Ben Welden "Cold-Deck" Shapiro..........Ralph Dunn Officer Rooney... Tom Kennedy Sgt. Ryan William Ruhl Bank President.... Stanley Andrews Tax Man............. George Kldredgo Meek Man William Vedder Bank Guard Mike Pat Donov.in "Jinx Money" is an easily salable Bowery Boys entry from the Mono- gram stable. Strictly for laughs, j it has a slap-happy pace calculated I to please any following bmlt by the ■ series, and payoff in that particu- ^ lar market will be good. Plot combines comedy and melo- drama effectively enough to show off the antics of the Boweryites, led by Leo Gorcey. Direction by William Beaudine paces the chuck- les and thrills for best all-around reception, letting the Bowery gang have its head in frantic antics--a formula particularly .pleasing to series fans. . A gambler wins $50,000 at cards and is murdered on the street while carrying away the loot. Gor- cey and Huntz Hall find it and the fun develops in their trying to keep it against the onslaught of other gamblers and a killer. Boys out-trick the brains at every turn and there are five murders before the killer is brought to justice. Boweryites backing Gorcey and HaU are capably depicted by Billy Benedict, David Gorcey, Benny BarUett and Gabriel Dell. Adult comedy as an apoplectic detective is furnished by Donald MacBrlde, Lucien Littlefleld is the kUler and (Cootiwtexl iim page 18)