Variety (Nov 1948)

WMlnesdiay, Nov«nilier 17» 19*1 The Kissing Bandit (MUSICAL-COLOR) Hollywood, Nov. 13. nielro' relMH of Jo* Pasternak pro- • duction. Stari Frank Sinatra, Kathryn nravion; featurei J. Carrol Nalsh, Mildred Natwlck. MlkhaU B»>umny, BUly Gilbert, Rnno^ Oiato: dance «peol*lty>. Ricardo Montilban; Ann Miller, Cyd Cbarlsse; Birected by iJialo Benedek. Original Screenplay, I«obel Lennart, John Biiard ' Hardtnff; earner* (Tecbnlcolor), Robert surtees; editor. Adrienn*' Fazan: music Kaeio Herb Brown; lyrleg. Earl Brgnt, Ed- ward Heyman; dances> Stanlay IDonen. Tradeahown Nov, 10, '48, Running time, f«o »ims. X. , c> . Bicai'40'' ■ • •.•••»■••'•••■■''■' Frank Sinatra Teres*. . ■ • • /...•>, ; Kathryn Grayson rhicO.■.■ ■••;.'J. Carrol Naish 'isabena Mildred Natwlck ' Dan Jose..,... t i •. < • t . .Mikhail. Rasumny General Torro Billy Gilbert Blanca .....> Sono Osato Colonel Gomez «... Clinton Sundberg Count Belmont* Carleton G. Young Juanita Edna Skinner Mexican Guitarist.....,Vlnconte:: Gomez "The Kissing Bandit" burlesques the antics of the dashing hero of costume epics with varied results. It's ft tunefilm in color With some recommended spots but overall grossing outloolc isn't particularly bright. Songs are good, the special- ty numbers outstanding and the story antic silly enough to rate some chuckles. Title role is the exact opposite of the usual derring-do' hero and casting of Frank Sinatra to play it Sharpens the physical contrast. He's a milktoa.st from Boston ' who is forced to become • a legendary early-California bandit who always kisses his femme Victims. ' Sinatra plays the role broadly and well enough; His clumsiness on 'horseback, his shyness at amour^ and tlie general incongruity of his gauntness and lack of heft gives to tlie hero character a natural for laughs but It doesn't always come off. There: are some: titters : and chuckles at the antics but no sock laughs. A little more direc- torial sublety In handling the story might have made the difference ■ between spotty entertainment val- ues and. good, solid fun. ■ Music for the eight songs was clefFed by Nacio Herb Brown, with lyrics by Earl Brent and Edward Heyman. Tunes are effectively spotlighted and there are two used for production numbers. All please tlie ear and aid the story. Sinatra's best is "Senorita," closely followed by "Siesta" and ' If I Steal a Kiss." Kathryn Gray- pon shows up on "Love Is Where You Find It" (used in an earlier Metro release) and "Tomorrow Means Romance,^' She also works witli Sinatra on "What's Wrong With Me" and "Senorita." A production number^ highlight is Sono Osato ; vocaling "I Like You" and then segueing Into a : fiery whip dance that, excites, Also exciting is "Nacio Herb Brown's Dance of FUry," outstandingly per- formed by Ricardo Montalban, Ann Miller and Cyd Charisse as an , added specialty, i • Original script by Isobel Len- nart and Jolm Briard Harding brings Sinatra to early California from Boston to take over the inn Inherited from his father. The father was: the original Kissing Bandit and his followers believe the, son will step into the old man's shoes—in fact they force him to. Ma jor assists in helping to carry this one along come from J. Gar^ rol Naish aS: henchman: of Sinatra's, and Mikliail Rasumny, the coward* ly governor of California. Their characters a r e hoked up suffi- ciently and are in experienced enougli hands to please. Billy Gil- . bert is in for sneezes and Clinton Sundberg's Qomedy as the govern- or's aid is another assist. Laslo Bcnedek's direction of the Joe Paslnernak production strains ■ too often to put over the story. Production flash given the picture is in the Pasternak Style. Lush outdoor scenery, colorful costumes and the settings are fittingly dis- played by Robert Surtees' Techni- color lensing. Brog. The Accused Hollywood, Nov. 13. ' ., Paramount release of Hal B. W»Uis pro- dviction. Stars Lorctta Youngi Robert Cuinmings; features Wendell Corcyi Sam Jarte, Douglas Dick. Directed by Wil- liam Dieterle. Screenplay. Kettl Frings; based on novel by June TrueiiHeU; camera, Milton Kva.siicr; score, Victor Young; edi- tor. Warren Low. Tradeshown Nov. 12, '4« Running time, 101 MINS. VVilina Tuttlc Lore FILM IIKVIBWS 13 Miniature Reviews ."The Kissingr Bandit" (Mu- sical-Color) (MGj. Good songs and specialties but mild b.o. prospects. "The Accused" (Par). Lo- retta Young, Robert Cum- mmgs. Wendell Corey in .socko niellor. .^y.-.. "Dynamite"" (Par). Good action entry dealing with powder men In construction work. "The Boy With Green Hair" (Songs-Color) (RKOt Poignant tolerance drama of kids. Good prestige draw. "Homicide for Three" (Rep). Pleasant supporting melo- drama with emphasis on light- ness. "Borrowed Trouble" (UA). Usual Hopalong Cassidy ad- venture with a dash of humor. "Mile. Desiree" (French). Sacha Guitry's fresh and dar- ing technique promises healthy art theatre returns. "The Mozart Story" (Music) (Austrian) (SG). New Vienna- made version of composer's life, good arty entry. .LoreWai YoUng .Hobert Cunvmings . . . . .WendeU Gorey ,.■*... t:, iSaWtt'Jaife. ..;. ; .Doiignis Pick , . Suzanne Dalbert .George- Si^aulding mis. xionner..,.... , . ...., Sara Allgood Jack Hunter,............v.: Mickey Knox Dr. Vinson. „ ;Francis Fierlot Miss like i,.,,... ;i... Ann Doran Waitress, ...Carole Mathews H,<ny Biice Bill Mauch : Warren Ford.., Ijieut. Ted Dorgan... Dr. Romley Bill Perry Susan Duval Dean Rhodes Mrs. Conner "The Accused" exploits fear and emotional violence into a high grade melodrama for adult audi- ences. It is told with a grim in- tensity that will attract those who like tlieir fare of stern stuff. Well above par in all departments, pic- tuio has a good boxofCiCe potential tiiat will be aided by word-of-mouth and the excellent cast headed by Loretta Young. The- Ketti Frings screenplay is based on a novel by June Truesdell and is class scripting. Director Wil*. liam Dieterle,. with a solid story foundation and an ac» cast upon which to build, marches the melo- drama along with a touch that keeps punching Continually at audi- ence emotions. Miss Young's portrayal' of ; the distraught professor plays strong- ly for sympathy. It's an intelligent delineation^ gifting the role, with life. She gets under the skin hi bringing out the mental processes of an intelligent woman who knows she'has done wrong but, believes, that Iier trail is so covered that murder will never out. An unbalanced but attractive student is on the make for his prO'^ fessor. By guile he induces her tO: ride with liim to the beach. He at- tempts to attack her and she, in a moment of surrender to violence, bashes his head in witli a tire iron. The crime is concealed to make it look like he had died In a dive over the sea cliff. The stage setting for murder passes inspection by all but two, a smart homicide officer and the boy's guardian. Police work, in the laboratory,: by hunch and deduction bring the net closer to'the professor and, in a nerve^rending scene staged by the officer, she confesses. There's never a point made that seems out of place, even the: Jove that de- velops between the professor and the guardian, his attempts to spirit her away from harm before it is too late, and his-courtroom defense of her only crime—-fear-^ring true. Hal B. Wallis' ,sure production hand is stamped on the film. The casting of eacii i^le, the settings of campus, courtroom, police labora- tory, beach, restaurants and the pi'ofessor's small apartment; lend, sense of reality to the film. Ilobert Cuinmings is unusually excellent as the guardian, co-starring with Miss Young. Wendell Corey's matter-of-. fact 'police ofl'icer portrayal has a human quality that catches; on. Douglas Dick registers strongly as the unbalanced student Sam Jafife,, Suzanne Dalbert, Sara Allgood, Mickey Knox are among the others who back the line work ot the prin- cipals. Dieterle's exceptionally, potent I direction and the mood he sustains I IS backed by Victor Young's top- I notch music score, Glass photog- raphy by Milton Krasner, and equally good art direction, sets and other technical credits, make this one measure up above par. Brog. 'DynttmUe Hollywood, Nov. 13. Paramount release :ot William II, Pine- WiUiam Thomas .pi'oduction, directed by Pine. Ftatures William Gargan, Vligima Welles, Richard Crane, Irving Bacon/ Mary Newton. OriKiiial screenplay, Milton Raison; camera, Ellis W. Carter; editorj Howard Smith. Tradeshown Nov. 9, '4«. Running time, m -HINS. Gunner Peterson...:.... . William Gargan Marv. 1.................. .Virginia Welles .lohmiy Brown............ Richard Gran* Jake IrVing Bacon Nellie Brown Mary NewtOn Hard Hock Mason Frank Ferguson Hank Gibbons Douglass Dumbrllle The Pine-Thomas pattern for actionful accounts of dangerous occupations is well displayed in "Dynamite." Story is formula, I tailored to deal with powder men and measures up to all demands of the general supporting feature :market, . Principal aim of yam is to weave Some heroics around the men who earn their living blasting tunnels through mountains, helping to build bridges and sundry other out- door projects. Pace is good and lielps to breed a certain amount of excitement into the formula frame- work. Direction by William H. Pine keeps the film on the move and the players performing in acceptable manner. Plot concerns a dynamite contractor, his daughter, and two powder monkeys who are rivals for her favor. There are some good explosion scenes and" thrills, from the opening blast in which a man is killed, right down to-ihe finale rescue of a powder man trapped in a tunnel. William Gargan And , Richard Crane,: are the. rivals for Virginia: Welles* afi'ections, witli Crane the winner. All acquit themselves in okay style. Richard Bacon is good as the contractor. Mary .Newton, Frank Ferguson and Douglass Dumbrllle answer all demands of their roles. Production never tries to intro- duce values not fitting to the story or locales, a fact that also aided in keeping the budget down. Lensing by Ellis W. Carter and editing by Howard Smith are good. Brog. Street of Shadows "Street of Shadows," Dis- tinguished Films'. , release; opening at the Ambassador, N. Y., Friday: (19), was review- ed from Paris April 21, 1937, under its original French title, "Mademoiselle Doqteiir.'' Pic, a wartime spy thriller was thought by Variety reviewer to have "a great deal more in- ternational appeal than most French pictures can claim, with crafty direction and good acting on the part of the prin- cipals over - shadowing the shortcomings and inaccuracies of the film." this a superior, and very moving film. spot as Hopalong Cassidy, is faced with a different type problem. A prissy schoolmarm objects to the opening of a saloon next door to her place of operations. Boyd i.'^ sympathetic, but until: tlie pcdagofi is kidnapped, he's unable to pre-- vent tlve mixture of the three R'e wth roulette and revelry.' Boyd consequently rescues the teacher from the baddies and is instru^ mental in affecting a change ol location for the saloon. The cast with Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks and Helen Chapman gives an okay account and George Arch- ambaud's direction keeps the fllni moving at a good clip. The sett iiave the familiar look, but camera work is adequate. Jose, Imagination and taste, in script-| cultry) production, stars Gultrs. Jean Mile, nesiree (FRENCH) Lopert Films release of C.C.K.C. (Sacha TiieBoy Wlih Green Hair (SONGS—COLOR) RKO release of Dore. Schary (Stephen Ames) production. Stars Pat O'Brien, 1 Robert . Ryan, Barbara Hale. Dean Stock-I well: features Richard Lyon, Walter Cat- lett; Samuel :S. Hinds, Regis Toomey. Di- rected by Joseph LOsey. Screenplay, BeiiL Barzman, Alfred Lewis Levitt: story, Betsy Beaton: camera (Technicolor), George Barnes: editor, Frank Doyle; song, Eden Ahbez; music, Leigh Harline; musical di- rector, C. Bakaleintkoif. . Tradeshown N. Y., Nov, 12, '4B. Running time, 88 :»riN.S. Gramp Pat O'Brien Dr. Evan*. Robert Ryan Miss Brand.........; .. . .. .Barbara Hale Peter..... .... . ......; .Dean Stockwell Michael...-......... ..... . ..Richard Lyon "The^King" Walter Catlett Dr. Knudson>....,;:..v.:Samuel S. Hinds Mr; Davis.. ... Regis Xoomey. Mr. Piper Charles Mar*dith Barber.. ', i.. David Clarke Bed BUly Sheflield Danny..:........... .John Calkins Timmy,.............. i. .... Teddy Infuhr Joey................ .....Dwaviie Hickman Peggy..:...... .Eilene Janssen Classmate,........... i iv; .Curtis Jackson Mr^ Hammond.... . .'i^.,. .. i, ,Cl\arIes Amt RKO has turned out an ab.sorb- ing, .sensitive story of tolerance and< child understanding in "The Boy With Green Hair." Pic's intelli- tencCi artistry and taste will, draw ne critical comment to offset lack of marquee pull and weight of its. theme. Although pic-^-^a modest budgeter, despite the .Technicolor cost-—doesn't loom as a heavy grosser, it should make back its coin. Certainly it will redound to the industry's credit; RKO, and the film Industry, deserve a lot of kudos for making it. Film was made by Dore Schary for RKO before Howard Hughes, gained control of the studio, and in its small way.was one of the: things that caused Schary to step out of the RKO setup. Pix had been completed, but Hughes or- dered it re-edited and the toler- ance theme taken out, on Hughes' general theory that films should entertain only and eschew social significance. Studio found that pie couldn't be re-edited, although it's reported tO; bo toned down some- what. None of this^ intraj-mural: stuff is evident in the film's unreeling. In fact, the one questionable note in the film is a scene ot bald preach- raent-r^a dream scene in a wood be- tween the boy and a phantom group of war orphans—^that could have been cut sharply. Otherwise, the film is a poignant, human-interest drama, and good enteitainment.ali the way through. What makes it so is the sensible": screen treatinent of a most unusual stor.v, and two outstanding perr forinances by Pat O'Bi'icn and i;Dean Stockwell. Ijatter gives a r beautifully restrained'pertormancc I throughout as a sensitive, cruelly- I treated boy. O'Brien has one. of his j best roles in a ream ot films, giving i a flavorsome, rich portrayal of a I broken-down, onetime Irish magi- : cian and, vauder; now a, singing waiter, who furaishes a home and grandfatherly love to an orphaned waif. Story, is that of a war orphan, shifted around from one relative tO another, who finally finds haven and security with the waiter in a small town. Then, one morning, he-: wakes to find his hair has turned green—and the world turns topsy- turvy about him. Other, kids jeer at him; adults are perturbed; even: t)ie, kindly milkman turns against him when accused of bringing it about through his product. Public opinion forces the boy to have his full head of hair shaven off, so that the kid runs away, from home. : Through this parable about the unconscious cruelty of people to what is different, and the need of tolerance, runs another theme, that of anti-war preachment. When the boy meets children from war-or- phan posters In a dream scene in the woods, and returns to annoy I the townsfolk with the message ' that war is very bad—his green ' hair has thus acquired a meaning, , to prea(;h pacifism—the film hits a ' well-intentioned but false note. , Otherwise, the social significance, ' the tolerance and anti-war themes, J are served up palatably, to make ing and direction, show-up con stantly; in such scenes as the bitter one of the kid in the: barber chair being shaved, with townsfolk crowded around the window out- side; the terrible moment when he faces the school-kids after his hair has turned; the scene when his hair turns , and the kid amuses himself with it in front of the bathroom mirror; the teacher trying to ease the situation by . calling the: role of the various types of hair among her students; the soene between O'Brien and Walter Catlett. as "The King." Last-named is one of the best light moments, with O'Brien .de- lightfully rendering the song, "Tread on the Tall of,the Coat." Film is never, depressing or heavy, its clever treatment preventing that. Honest performances by Bar^ bara Hale, Robert Ryan, Samuel S. Hinds, Regis Toomey and others in supporting roles also help greatly. Direction, photography, background music, ali rate, bows, ■■ ■■■■ Bron^ Louis Barrault,.; Gaby Morlay, Genevieve Guitvy. Directed . and written by ' Gultry: canier.-), Jean Bachclet; music, Adolpne Borchard. Previewed, N. Y., Nov. 12, '♦8i (Riinnlng time, ll.V MIN!». ' : First Part Napoleon. ..i t....... .Jean-Louis BaiTault Deaii'ee Genevieve Guitr^ Bemadott*., .., .Jacques Varennc Julie Yyette Lebon Second Port Napoleon...:..... Sacha Guitry Desiree, Gaby MorUy Bcrnadott*...V. i......:;.J*cques Varenne Julie CamUla Faumicr Josephine IilB*. ;nelamwre. Jerome Bonaparte.. ;:. k,. .Aim* Cladond. : Un French; English.Titles) In "Mile. Desk-ee" Sacha Gui- try . h^s authored, produced and directed a film which must cap- ture the, industry's as well as pat- rons' attention for Us witty flout-: ing of the conventions of . picture- making. Tossing the-rules to the cutting room floor, Gultry changes actors in midstream. He halts the action to introdiice and lavish praise on his scenery director, film editor and sound control mUn:, He takes time, out to. flash on cast :' credits at the film's midway point. The freshness of his approach, laced by typical Guitry irony anc humor, wins its point and dem- onstrates the amazing flexibility of the film medium. As a result. "Mile. Desiree" should cajole thi fanciers of foreign-^lingo pix .It,, view his eft'orts by a plurality. ■ Guitry surefootedly takes hi' audience into his ^confidence, ex- plaining the need for a secont': team because . his characters, aro : growing older. lie even brings or .Jean - Louis Barrault, depictlm NupoIe(m of youthful days, to gaii; his okay before personally assum- ing the role and portray the stout- er oldster of the Empire period. ■. Had he snowballed the charp> and invention which brightens th'' film's first half, "Mile. Desiree" would have been, standout stufl'. Unfortunately, even the story it- self, at first-an appealing portrayn' of bow a Marseillaise belie won and then lost the embryonic Napo- leon, ultimately tangles^ itself into a snarl of meaningless court in- trigue. When Guitry slackens thf> direetioria 1 reins to become Napo- leon, the difference is sharply ap- iparent.-.". Both vBarrault and Guitry dc- Homicide for Tiiree Hollywood, Nov; 11. Republic release ot Stephen Aucr pro, ductlon. '. Features Audrey Long, Warren > Douglas, Grant Withers. Directed by i George Blair.. Scr*enplayi Bradbury J Foote: based on novel by Patrick Qucntlni I added dialog, Albert DeMond; camera, | John MacBurnle: editor. Harry Keller. At the Paramount, L, A.^ Nov. Jl, '48. Run- ning. time, 00 MINS. ■ Iris Duluth...........Audrey Long Lieut, Peter Duluth.... ^ .Warren Douglas ,1oc Hatch..;. ...... .. Grant Withers Eminaiiual Gntt.,....,., . Lloyd Corrigan Mrs.' Rose.........,. .Stephanie Bachelor Bill Daggett....^... .George Lynn Rita Brown.. ... ;>.......:. Tala BireU Timothy,,....,:...... ■,...,.; Benny Baker Capt. Webb,.... .^:.;.Jose'ph Crelian Cab Driver,,.... ...Sid Toinack Doorman. '.. ■...... ■. .Dick . Elliott Circus Doorman.,. . . .Eddie Dunn I Desk: Clerk,.,. . „,John Ncwland I Midget.... i. ........ . . .4". . .^ . BiUv Curtis ; Maid..... ............ Patsy Moran "Homicide for Three" plays its melodramatics lightly and adds up to. acceptable supporting fare. Flip treatment minimizes chills and thrills and develops « fairly glib pace that makes it mUdly amusing. Antics revolve around efforts, of newlyweds to find a cozy spot for their honeymoon. Groom is a naval lieutenant on a 36-hour pass so things have to be rushed. Before finale is reached, there are only - „ two hours of the pass left; two t we^te Napoleon superbly. Bai> ' ■ ' " '• - ■ ravilt makes him quixotic, sensitlv(; and eipressive'----cleaidy the coirv. ing manrOf-the-hour.; Gtiitrjr.: en- dows him with:; the powers: and ironic .strejhgth of his maturer.' days of ascendancy. As oom- murders have been committed and a third nearly so, and the couple has had no privacy. Plot is no heavy affair, despite melodramatic title, but is played with a lightness that gets it by - under George Blair's direction. liMnentator. Guitry is no less. He gets underway when newlyweds' has the just-right touch of world- are offered an apartment by a! Uness and well-tempered humor, stranger, herself on her way to an ' In the first-half title role. Gene- elopement. Couple is plunged vieve Guitry is pert .and winsome, mto murder for revenge against' Gaby Morlay. who later takes u)) three femmeS, all in show biz, who ■ the cudgels, is a bit too mousy had been responsible for a pre-! to lend total conviction to the pari vious prison term for the killers, I of a femme fatale, Jacques Audrey. Long, as the bride, i Varenne has the distinction of be- ing the, only pi'incipal who plays 'thrOiighput : without behefit «»f a: siibstitiife.: He captures .. a ; biril- Uaht'. aiid: headstrohg. Berhadofte, • Music of Adolphe. Borchard thcr' latter showing up we'll in brief spot matically parallels the Gallic hu- as a victim; Benny Baker and mor of the film.. Wit. .siinnnrt ■,.■:-—^— r. — ■ ■ ■:: .'...Tii«y''»|«iKArt '■Sl:ory:■.^:■■"■: ■■■■■ .;,:(AiiSTRiAN):.' ■:"'V(Muslc)^\v- , ; Screen Giilld: releasie of Patrician K •• iures. production. Stars Hans, H61t..x' T' • rectM .by, Cai-l Harti; Screenplay,- -Hie'- pleasos jpleasantly, and Warren Douglas is okay as the groom. Grant Withers and George Lynn- are the killers. Lloyd Corrigan Stephanie Bachelor, Tala Birell others give acceptable support Production values achieved for the budget dollar are excellent under; Stephen Auer's supervision. Lensing, editing, and other tech- nical credits are capable. Brog. Uorrowcd Trouble United Artists release of Lewis Rach- mil: production. Stars William: Boyd: fea- tures Andy Clyde. Rand Brooks. Directed by George Archainbaud. At New York '48, Running time, ,,v..WUUam ibyd Andy Clyde .... .Rand Brooks . . . . . . Elaine Riley ...... John Kellogg .. .Helen Chapman theatre, N. Y., Nov. p. «l MI.VS. H.opalong Cassidy. Calitornia Carlson Lucky Jenkins.... Mrs, Garvin, i.,... Lee Garvin...,.,, . Teacher. ard BiUingen *ddltional dialog and cc^ quencen : produced by Abrasha Halmsc- «nd db-ected by Frank Wisbar In HoU- Hopalong Cassidy has a better than average adventure in "Bor- rowed Trouble." This long-run- ning series of westerns has pro^* vided some good action-pieces for th e double feature trade, However, elevation to the top rung of » bill for "Borrowed Trouble'' seems un-i likely even though the humorous situations make - this film: more palatable for general type audi- ences. „ Bill Boyd, in his accustomed wodd; mtuie;by Vienna Philharmonic o", chestra. At Utile Carnegie, N. Y . stari ing Nov. 13, '48, Running time, III JIIK'- Wolfgang : Amadeus Mozart .. Hans Ho" Gonstance, bis wife , , , Winnie Markr Louise. her sister. . .Irene von Meyendor" Ludwig von Beethoven,.,.. Rene Deltg«" ■ Joseph Haydn -.... ^ .., Edward v VeMt- -. Antonio Salierl;..,. Wilton Grr iCatheiine . CavaUerl*...... .Carol Formr.-'' Ruffinl .....iii,, 1. Anthony B»" : Leopold -WiiUher Janssr- Mozart's Mother ..Rosa ,Albach-Het<- Mother Weber. .....,,>.,... .Anita Ror . : Sophie Weber ,...,;., t.. The* W#i' Joseph II.,.,,...,,,,-,, i.. Curd JuerKcr Strack Paul Hoerbtgr Duke of Mannheim John Siebc ■> Baron Gemmlngen Richard Eybni— Suessmeyer. . Eric : Nocowi^ - ' Delnert . . ,. . ,Thea Danaggr- Albrechtabergcr....;. . .Fr«d Imtar" Hofer Carl Bluh'i, iSonss '-'1 Gerpyavt F.nglinh Dialog) This Vienna-made version of Mir* zart's life is one of the better ef- (Continued on page 18)