Variety (Dec 1948)

^ycdiMwddy, Dectgrnber. 1^ 1948 FILM REVIEWS 11 Decision of €hrfsto|pher Blake Warner Broa. release o{ Ranald Mao- Dougall production. Stars Alexis Smith: features Robert Douflas, Ted Donaldson. Cecil Kellaway. Directed by Peter God- frey. Screenplay. MacDougalU based on staiie play by Moss Hart; camera, Karl Freundi editor; Fiadnlck Richards: dla- log director, Howard liynn; music. Max Steiner; music director, Leo Forbstetn. TradesHown N. Yv, Nov, K, '48. Running time, IS MINS. . Mrs. Blake.. . .Alexis Smith Mr. Blake. .Robert Douglas Judge Adamson. .. ..; .... .Cecil Kellaway Christopher Blake,...,*.v.Ted. Donaldson Mr. Caldwell John Hoyt Courtroom Attendant.Harry Davenport Glara^. <•'■ . ...i W. ........ .Mary Wlckea Nr. KurMck • Art Baker Miss Alclntyrei.........lioli Maxwell ' J: Roger Bascomb...... .Douglas Kennedy 'Vpton .. . i............;.... . Bert Hanlon Moss Hart's stage play, with its title lengthened to "The Decision of Christopher Blake,'' has been, converted into a passably interest- ing iilm by Ranald MacDougall. Lacking cast .name ..value, with Alexis Smith as the top performer from a marquee standpoint, "Blake" is, headed for only mild boxoffice returns, though not solely •because of the lack of marquee values. The . treatment of the sub- ject matter—the fate of children o£ divorcing parents—doesn't have the depth to maintain major in-, terest. MacDougall did the adaptation, In addition to having produced the' pic, which occasionally has some genuinely fine writing in its' treatment of the conflicting emo- tions ot a 13-year old faced with the prospect of whom to choose when his parents plan to divorce; It is the story of how the boy, over- whelmed by the confusions attend- ant to the situation, fancies himself as a subsequent: subject .ot neglect by the parental decision. This facet 01 the story is cleverly contrived in several "dream" sequences. i Ted Donaldson is the boy, and i he handles the role excellently. Miss Smith is the mother, and Robert Douglas the father, and each contributes competent per- . formances. Cecil Kellaway is . the • kindly jjudge 'responsible for the reconciliation, and he, too, gives a workmanlike characterization. Supporting players who . do well, are Harry Davenport, Mary Wickes | and John Hoyt. Director Peter Godfrey has got- ten a surprisingly sharp pace out ot a story that could easily have been unwieldy, while the film's production standards are all top- bracket for what looks like a: com- paratively inexpensively budgeted yarn. Kahn. Mexican llayrido (ONE SONG) T'liiversal release of Robert Arthur pro- duc-iion.. Stars Bud Abbott, Lou Ccs* . tcllo: . . features Virginia :Grey, Luba Armiiia, John Hubbard. Diroctcd by Charles T. Barton; Screenplay, Oscar Avodney. John" Graiit; based on the niusidnl bv Herbert and Dorothy Fields and C:ole Porter; song. Jack Brooks and Walter Scharf; camera, Charles .Van EiiKcr : editor, Frank Gross! music, Walter Schar/: TraiieShown, N. ¥., Nov. 30, '48. FuniiiiiK time; 71 MINS; H.nrv Lambert.. Bud Abbott, Joe Bascom.;.......;..:.; Lou Costello MoiitaiVa .;..... ..; .Virginia Grey Dagiuar... V.; ..;■.>....... .Liiba Malina David Wlnthrop... .John Hubbard Seiior Martinez...... ..Pedro de Cordoba Pr<ite4sor Ganzmeyec....■... Fritz Fold Ed Mason......,.:.;.. ...Tom Powers Tnn Wilhami Pat Costello CJus Adamson;......;..... Frank Fenton Maiiaihl Leader . ... Chris Pin Martin RepiJi lci- ... ..... Sidi»ey Fields Fiores Brothers Trio One more chapter in the zany cvcle of Abbott & Costello reels off in "Me.xican Hayride." Another chapter, another bo. click. While not as strong an entry as the pre- \ioiis Frankenstein takeoff, this fihn has enough buffoonery and bvoad gagging to keep the A&C fans liappy. It's standard fare for | .. a ready-made audience. i Bearing only faint resemblance i to the Cole Porter-Herbert & Doro-1 thy Fields legit musical fi-om vliicli Uie title was taken, the film | cu(s its comic capers within a; hokey but suitable goutli-of-the-. border framework with an incl-j dental musical background. Story i values, as usual, are negligible vith the whole production pegged onto Abbott's stooging to Costello's familiar idiom of low comedy. : Both the direction and screen- play attack on the strategy that if H's corny enough, it'll be funny. Tlie result is a cornucopia of com- et!'situations which have become the trademark of Abbott & Cos- tello since their vaude days. The lingle kovtipl of orieinality in this pic is a riotous bullfight sequence . in M'hieh Costello clowns, the bull into a stalemate.: Slight yarn revolves around a .stock swindle scheme; in. which Costello is the fall guy for a gang ol confidence men headed by Ab- bot I. Chased out of the U. S. as a notorious confidence man, Cos- tello gets trapped again by Abbott into fronting for a fake mining .outfit in Mexico. But there's no further sense in the plot which servos only as a pretext for Cos- tello's madcap mugging and antics. The rest of the cast also roams through the film without any logic except to act as props for the A&C Miniature Reviews "The Decision of Christopher Blake" (WB). Mild boxoffice entry, static yarn lacking marquee names. "Mexican Hayride" (One Song). (U). Abbott & Costello in standard highjinks for good b.o. "3 Godfathers" (Song-Color) (M-G) Unusual John Ford western production will do business. "Manhattan Angel" (Songs) (Col). Gloria Jean in a luke- warm eflort that misses. "Strike It Rich" (Mono). Ac- tion feature of wildcatting in the East Texas oilfields. "Another Shore" (GFD). Moderate-draw, British-made melodrama with Irish bacl(- ground. ' "Street Comer" (Indie). Joseph Crehan starred in sex picture that looks like: a Solid exploitation film. ; ; antics. Ijuba IVlalina, as a vague heavy; delivers one mediocre num- ber, "Is It Yes, Or Is It No," in fair style. For some rea.son, the entire Cole Porter score in the original "Mexican Hayride" was bypassed for this ordinary tune by Jack Brooks and Waller Scharf. Virginia Grey and John Hubbard furnish the slight romantic angles adequately, while Fritz Feld gets in a solid turn as an elocution teacher. A flock of goodlooking ex- tras dress up; the backgrounds. General production values are par for the A&C cycle. Excellent camera work, however, gives the of the three wise men journeying to Jerusalem as the motivation to turn the trio from evil ways and accept the responsibility of their new positions. First half of the picture rings the bell as high class western ac- tion, done with a master's touch for mood and : tension. Particularly pleasing is the character of a west- ern sheriff who is smarl, letting na- ture trap his bandits. Ward Bond IS the sheriff' and he gives the role life and not a little humor. Mae Marsh makes a choice assignment out • of her part as Bonds wife. Jane Darwell, a bawdy water tank caretaker; Guy Kibbee, western justice, and Ben Johnson, bald posse member, are among others who show up Well. - .Carey,: Jr.; gives plaintive croon- ing to "Streets of Laredo" in a lul- laby scene with the baby and has his big moment in his death scene when he lapses back to childhood to recite the Lord's Prayer. The John Ford-Merian C. Cooper production has been impressively photographed by Winton Hoch. His camera paints desert scenes In glowing lechnicolor with a touch that is breath-taking. The shim- mering, intense heat of the desert locations : is vividly •: reproduced ■ on film,: Other technical credits are stamped with quality. Brog. Manliaiian Angd (SONGS) Columbia release of Sam KatznYan pro- duction. Stars Gloria Uean: features Ross Ford. Patricia White, Thurston Hall, Alice Tyircli, Benny Bakei. Ilus- scU Hicks, Fay Baker. Directed bv : Ar- thui- Drcituss. Screenplay. Albert Derr; story, George H. Plympton. Deii-; cam- era, Iva . H,; Morgan: editor. UiclLird Fantl; songs,, Dev/cy Bergman, Jack Se- Admiral Nakhimov "Admiral Nakhimov," Art- kino release of Russsian filing was screened for the trade press in New York last week. Pic. which was awarded the first prize for photography at the Locarno Film Festival last year, was reviewed from Lo- carno Aug. 13, 1947. Picture was appraised by Isra, Varie- ty's reviewer, as being "strict- ly for the arty houses, and not much for them either." Typical of Russian films, Variety found it to be "rich In fine photography, gripping battle, sceries and strong act- ing," but also "as dull » mouthful of Soviet ideology as might be forced on any audi- ence." ;: Picture: opened, at the Stanley, New York, SSat. (27). piC a. glossy finish with specially l gal, Oscar Hammerstein 11, Ben Oaklahd- good trick shots evident in ^^^J^-.^'^'^:? ^J?} bull-fight sequence. Editing and background, musical score are com- petently handled.. " Henn, :t OoilfatluH's (SONG-COLOR) Hollywood, Nov 19. Metro i'e}ca.se: of John Foi'dTMeiian : C. Coopei- fAigos.v) production.: directed by rpid. Stai-.s John, Wayne,: Pedro Aimen- dariz, Ilariy Carey; .Tr.; fc.itiircis Ward Bond. Mae Mar-sh. Jane Oarwell, Ben John- son SiMcenplav, Laurence Stallings, Frank S, Nugent;: from storv by Peter B. Kyne; . camera ;(Tochnicblor), Winton Hoch; editor, ..Tack Murray. Tradeshowil Nov. 17, '48; Running time. 10« MllSS. Bob Sangst.cr .,, .. ...,. .. ,.. John Wavnc; Pete ,,. ., . .J..;., .Pedro Ariiiendariz "The Kid" . Harr\ Carey. Jr "Buck", Perlcy Sweet., .. Ward Bond Mrs. Perlej Sweet . Mae Marsh The Mothei .. , Mildred Natwlck Miss Florie ....;.;.. ... . jane DarweU Judge Guy Kibbee Ruby Latham Dorothy Ford Member of Posse.:;......;. ,Ben Johnson Nick Castle;. At Brooklyn Strand, Nov. 24, '48. Running time, .tilNS. Gloria Cole , . . Ciorla .Toon Eddie Swcnson. ....... ..;.. .llo.ss Ford Maggie Graham ... I'ati icia AVhitc Everett 11 Button , . . Thutston Halt ■Qneenie" Walters: ...;;.. Alice Tvi'vell Aloysius Duif . . Benny Baker J. C. Rayland Rusieil Hiclts Vl Langdon;....... .. .,. i .Fay Baker Elmer Jimmy Lloyd Toni.:.......;;...,.,..,:......;;,.,. Tom Harper Lester.;......,;..,,....... .Leonard Sues Harry..s. s.. . Ralph Hodges Mrs. Cole,..;;.;,.:.... ...Dorothy Vaughan Miss. Shclton.....;....;. . . Isabel Withers Esther.. ..;,.....; .Peggy Wynne Virginia Schuyler .. ....; . . Barbara Brier Priscilla' Lund: ;;... ...........Ida. Moore Gus Davis ..;. .. .. i.; Robert Cherry "3 Godfathers" is an unusual western, re-telling the age-old Christmas story and the reforma- tion of man against a backdrop of desert wastes. While the off-the- beateh-path approach would indi-, „, „„^„„..,.„„^» cate an appeal to the sophisticate, i from replacement bv a proposed it will be the person who lives | factory building. In her efforts she closer to his emotions who will | tangles with an ill-tempered bache- "Manhattan Angel" is with a wobbly plot which intermit tently .drags its feet and signals its punches; The diluted entertain- ment, quotient could have been thickened by more generous appli- cation and effective use of Gloria Jean's melodic powers. As it stands> the too-familiar.pattem hit by this film makes it only so-so support for double-bill entries. iFilm's to-do centers about the strivings ot Mis-s Jean, copywriter m an ad agency, to save a y«uth center in Gotham's lower east side: more general situations,: while tele possibilities are excellent; Any longhair fan would be willing to take a Schubert "Unfinished" Sym- phony on TV once a week or so, for years at a stretch. (WCBStTV; N, Y;, has scheduled these pix foi: later this season). : ■ Pix, filmed in Vienna or at Sali- burg; show the world-fhmed Vienna symph under its various condUc-; tors,, playing such works as Mo-: zart's :''Kine Kleine . Naifhtniusik," Offenbach's "Orpheus In Hades" Overture, : first movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the Schubert "Unfinished," Jbhann Strauss' "Tales .of the. Vienna Woods," and Josef Strauss' ''Music of the Spheres." Camera placed on an orchestra for 12 minutes may have a tendency towards monotony, but director - Leopold Hainiscli minimizes that by constantly shift- ing around to the various choirs handling the main themes, and by some excellent montage effects.; Fact that camera lingers oh the. performers instead of wandering; off into scenes of nature; keeps one's: mind on the music, The occa- sional trick , shots don't ; detract from the main attraction—'syhfeh^ls the music. .;. : Music is excellently perforihed, of course, but is well recorded too; There are no cheapening effects, idea being to present the world's saddled i music maslerpieees as simply ajid tastefully as possible. Eighteen such symphony subjects have, been filmed by producer Eugen Sharih. Also shown, at the N. Y. preview was a short of the Vienna Choiir Boys in "Mer^ Cbristmas,'!.-: Film is more pictorially interestiiig than' the symph subjects, with a .home background, showing the noted song group at work making toys, with some humorous touches add- ed j in addition to their gifted carol singing.: . Bron. of humorous situations expertly sharpened by Stuart Erwin as tho third member of the trio. Pace is not: alwaj's even as directed by Lesley Selander, but for general situations, the picture is an okay attraction, ofi'ering some locale novelty and the excitement of quick riches. Lloyd Corrigan does well as a smalltown editor, and Ellen Corby rates . laughs as a widow on the make for Erwin. The three stars make their assignments as convinc- ing, as possible, and small spots.: handled:by Emory Parnelli Virginia ' Dale and Harry 'Tyler are okay. Henry Sharp's tensing Is excel- lent, and editing keeps film down tO:81 minutes of footage. Brog.: Another Shore (BRITISH) : London, Nov. :24i ■ , GFD release of Ealing Studlos-Michad Balcon production. Stars Robert Beatty, Molra Lister,: Stanley HoUoway. .Directed by Charles Crichton. Screenplay by Wal- ter Meade,: from novel by Kenneth Hed- dln. Camera, Douglas Slocombe; editofi- Bernard: Giibble;- muUc, Georges AurJc. At Leicester Square, London, Nov; 23> '48. Running tune, 77 MINS. Gulliver...,....; ... Robert Beatty Jennifer.; .........;.. Moira Lister Alastair^..:.; ......... ..... .Stanley Holioway: Yellow:. 1. f.;. .,;.. ;.:;. .Michael Medwln Nora.;,...... ; ........ .. .Sheila Manahan ' Coghlan;......;. .........Fred O'Donovan Parkes.,;....,....,;; .Desmond. Kcaii*' Mrs.. Gleeson........ . . .Maureen .Delaney Boxer :; .................. Dermot Kelly ; Broderick.....; ........... Michael Golden Fleming..;...... . ... ;Michael O'Mahoney Roger W. A KeUy Moore.....,;... ...... Wilfred Brambell get the mos^ from it: i.e., the more general audience. Critical appraisal will be varied, but there is a lot of tear-jerker stuff in thei story to attract the average filmgoer. As usual with a John Ford production, a feature of the film is the use of the cam- era and the freshness of back- grounds. It also has other trade- marks.: of the careful craftsman lor tycoon who happens to be both the agency's chief account and the owner of the factory; Before cross- ing the finishing mark, Miss Jean goes through some devious antics which vipako : for plot development but little excitement.: Tight writing and better-barbed humor could have helped Miss Jean convert something titillating out of Sirikc It llivh Hollywood, Nov. 13. . Allied Artists release of Jack Wrather production. Stars, Rod Cameron, Bonita Granville, Don Castle: features Stuart Er- win, Lloyd Corrigan. Directed bv Lesley Selander.. Screenpluy,"Francis Rosenwald: camera, Henry Sharp; editor, William Zicgler. Previewed In Hollywood, Nov. 12. '48. Running time, 81 MINS. Duke .: Massey ..........Rod Cameron Julie Brady ,. . ..;..... . . .Bonita Granville Tex Wiirren:.................. .Don Castle Delbert Lane;;...;........ ;.Stuart Erwin Matt Brady:Lloyd . Corrigan Mrs.. Harklns... ....... ...,.:.-.;:.Ellen Cortay Carlton.. >■.;;... .■........:....Fmory: Parnell Pap Jonathan.;:.............. Harry Tyler Mabel:,;.....,; .. ..Virginia Dale Bui) . Willum Haade Mack . .Edward .Gargan Postmaster,..... ;■... .;... .Robert Dudley . her scrapes, mishaps and final vic- striving for something a bit dif-1 tory. But tired dialog for her and ferent but still with an eye on | lack-lustre gags for Benny Butler commercial factors.: 1 and Ahce Tyrrell fail to cop the The moi-e critical ticket buyer i necessary, giU-edged guffaws. Sans will be disappointed that Ford i freshness on storj twists or bright "Strike It Rich" is a sometimes doesn't quite achieve something | writing, "Angel" never gets its; engaging feature that gains inter- that is distinctly different, but the , wings. i est from its oilfield locale and plot, general audience will find plenty] Miss Jean's role would have been I its : best boxoffice 'l^^ will be I of escape in the obvious play on more rewarding if the script i found in the smaller towns and the heartstrings and the extreme,' deadly quiet action of the picture's first half. John Wayne's name is a particu-, larly bright marquee lure for the action fan, and the performance he "Another Shore" is a compe- tently-made pic with a smoothly- told story which- should dq steady, if moderate, business at the box-: office with native audiences. Ab* sence ot star names for the mar- quee will be a handicap m the states, but'its length should-enable it to make the grade in the second: feature cla.ss. Dublin forms the background for this yarn of a young man named Gulliver with an ambition to: set,- tle in a South Sea island; Lacking the cash and unable .to find a bene^ factor, he waits patiently at the city's most dangerous corners hop- ing for the opportunity of rescuing • some wealthy person involved in an accident.' By the time his vvc^ tim comes along, however, Gulliver himself is trapped by a designing blonde which puts a finis to his Ta^ hitian dreams. Adroit: direction takes full ad- vantage of a Jieatly-developed script and maintains a steady but even pace. Comedy, situations are effec- tively handled even though occa- sionally they are too obviously con- trived. The production is carried by the three principal actors, with Robert Beatty as the day dreamer, Moira Lister as a very attractive: and pleasing blonde, and Stanley Holioway as an irrascible dissolute. They team together efficiently and are well supported by the . other members ot the cast. Myro. Stro«* Corner Viro Pitcures release of George _M«- . Gall.Wilshlre Pictures production. Ma: Fea- tures Joseph Crehan, Marcla Mae Joneg, John Treui; Directed by Albert Kelley., Story; Albert Kclley; screenplay. Jack Jungmeyer: camera, VlrgU Miller; editor, John Faure. Previewed in N. Y., :NoT. 26, '48. Running time, tl M|N,S. Dr. James Fentun.:. . . . .; . Joseph Crehan Lois Marsh ;........ . Marcla Mae Jonee. Bob Mason John Trcul Irene-.. ,.. . ;... ... ;BlUie Jean Eberhart Hal . -. ....:.;,-...... ...John Duncan Mrs Marsh .....Jean Pcnwick Mr; MarSh:,.....;....Don Brodto A Midwife GrcU DuPont Kitty Mac 'an Sutton Tom Brcnnan ..., ....... . Milton Ilosi Dr. FcntOn's Nurse. .. ..;..Jean AndroB Judge ; - :.. . . , . .Stuart Holmee District Attorney....... Sam Ash Taxi Driver ; ; ........ Eddie GribbeB "Street Corner" Is a sex pic- ture with real exploitation po.s.sl- drafted her for more singmg. The | situations, where it can go top-ol- , bilities. As the sort ot film that two numbers which she does take i the-bill Otherwise it falls into the can be circused to the skies, it on ("It's a Wonderful, Wonderful suDDortinfi eiassific'ation should make nice coin for ex-' Feeling" and "I'll Take Romance") i wiimprt pntiroiv in " t}i« TTasi hibitors going for such pix. Pic- tho nniv roTiii'iivioht cnni= in _ rumeo entirely in tne Jiast . . ,,,.ii.m„Ho ihw tvn> are the only really bright spots in Ma^O^^^^^ the pic At that, her renditions are delivers does him pi-oud. However, | truncated to one or two choruses' f"^^'""^^^^^ it is Pedro Armendariz, in the more and little supporting background. !;n^\hirnshoorers who o fen emotionally fluid character of a Thurston Hall does a likeable job | Mexican bandit, who comes through ! as the choleric manufacturer. Other ; t^r.^.tf^A^.^h^ir^^^^^ thc most colorfully. Film also in-1 parts, however, are written either troduces Harry Carey, Jr.; in his i too obviously or colorlessly to score first big role, and the young man i an impression. Ross Ford, for one, appeals strongly. [Picture, Inci- J playing the boy friend, is confined dentallv, is dedicated to his late I to the borders of the monosyllable, father.i | Children scenes at the youth center Oddly enough, plot of "3 God- fail to snare a factual, meaningful treatment. Direction Wilsses generating ex- citement' and stumbles Over an ex- cessively long fashion sequence. Production valhes are ample for the econohiiear operation. Editing could have: employed the scissors ■nicire:."- ■" ..y-.-. Wit.[ ■, Story: period runs from 1929 to the early '30s, climaxing with inde- pendent oilers' battle against pror rata laws in force at that time; Producer Jack Wrather, himself a bigtime oil lease operator, filmed the picture on his own East Texas ture is well-made lor this typo although obviously modestly bud- 'geted. Story unfolds a highschool ro- mance that winds up in .an affair., following a graduation dance. The girl becomes pregnant, afraid to tell her mother, her sweetheart accidentally killed; while on the way to . marry .her, then an abortion by a quack. Yarn parades the facts rather fathers" starts off with a similar story setup as another western soon to go into release (20th's "Yellow Sky"); bandits rob a bank and then take off across a great salt desert to escape the law, fight their way through great thirst and sand- storms; Desert location .for both films appears the same. From that point on, though, the Peter B. Kvne story en which script by Laurence Stallings and Frank S, Nugent is based, takes a differ:; ent route. The three bandits, Wayne, ArmendariZ: and Carey, Jr., reach a waterhole, find it dynamit- ed. At the hole is a woman, ready to give birth. The bandits aid the delivery and vow to the dying wom- an to become the child's godfathers. Film recounts their dangerous trek to re-cross the desert to save Drooerties Bivine authentic get-' P"»"^^'*ly' ^v"^** running nar Vienna Philharmonic tings to a story that follows a fa- miliar pattern. Francis Rosenwafd did the original script, basing it on actual events -of the period. Plot deals principally with a trio of rough and ready wildcatters who are always ready for a fight, a drink; or to dig a well. After a fall- ing out over ethics. Rod Cameron drifts west, taking with him as his bride, Bonita Granville; Staying ' Ambassador release of Eugcn Sharin , . . „ . ^ . „ „ - ,*- production of shorts. Features Vienna.I behind in East Texa.s is Don Castle.- «j!iH''?S?nT.I.i,%',^*x?^^^^^^^^ former partners both strike it JSi" R"u'nSi'ng'tim.?'irMiNS. e^ch'"" I rich after ups and downs. Cameron, ——^ ^ , ;-. vengeful and looking out for his Tliese new 12-minute shorts of i pocketbook, promotes the prorata the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra law. Miss Granville walks out on playing some of the great music him, he : sees tlie error of his way and saves the independents. Mixed in with the routine story classics, as well as the lighter oper- etta excerpts and waltzes, have iit-K m ic-uiuo;, V great appeal. Shorts will draw in I line are some tough fisticuffs (us the child using the biblical story all the art houses, as well as in, ing obvious doublesj and a number ration by the doctor helping make it convincing. , Reluctance of par- ents to tell sex details to their children is pointed up, if a bit Ineffectually. Albert Kelley's direction Is smoother than ; his original story. Joseph Crehan :is standout as the family medico., Marcia Mae Jone> is the 17-year-old who is sinned against; she isn't very effective. John Treul, as her highschool boy^ friend, also is lightweight. Jean Fenwick, as the girl's mother, glve« an uneven performance while Don Brodie, as the father, walki through his role. Stuart Holmes, screen vet, Is seen briefly as tho judge at the trial of the abortion- ist. Gtetl DuPont contributes aa excellent heavy protrayal as a "midwife" abortionist. Weor,