Variety (December 1951)

MEVDSW 9 Wedn^yfBeccttli^ 12, 1951 juatla off i liftleHMai fantasy, where hever a moment of W * ? w ? movement is lost: It is a portienlar- v**a*us lUmJ* In itn a ly adroitf camera job, too, during n^f a li* l hit Vm 5« these flashbacks, With the attendant ?iSiStf N SS mood changes Achieved via imag- HjfY? »ehti?« •ni -earner, tcch- «t-mouth should bulld it. “‘fifing almost two hours, Columbia release of JStanley < Kramer ^$aiesmatt’^ COUld^ b0 production (George Glass, associate). Stars the early moments, and Charley S Fredric. March; . features Mildred Dim- spe ech at Willy’s grave Should be nock. Kevin McCarthy, Cameron Mitchell, cinoA It i« •pxtraneouu Other- Howard Smith. Royal Beal. Don Keefer, cut, since it is extraneous, vwr — » ■ ^4 „i ^ a. V>...U ▲ 1- UCAlAhMAAtl" 10 -•#& MAVnAI^OrllA Fredcte March stars In flnO adaptatidn.of stage hit Need* strong selling because of som- ber theme, but reviews., word- ef-mouth should build It* Jesse . White* Claire Carleton, David Al- Wise, SB* exhausting film experience. ‘Salesman” is a memorable play; Stanley Roberts, based on play by Arthur Miller; camera, Frank F. Planer; editor, William Lyon; music, Alex North; musical director, Morris Stoloff. Pre- viewed in N. Y„ Dec. 5, '51. Running time, 115 Mins. Willy Loman....,. *... .. Fredrle March Linda Loman.. .,,.... Mildred Dunnock Biff..,............... Kevin McCarthy Happy..,............ Cameron Mitchell Charley............ ...,.. Howard Smitir Ben ;,.,.. ■ Royal Beal Benidrd..,......... .♦.......Don. Keef er Stanley ^ Jesse White Miss. Francis,........... Claire Carleton Howard Wagner . ; David Alpert Miss: Forsythe..Elizabeth Fraser Letta .,... ........ .. Patricia Walker, ® Kahn. I’ll See You in My Dreams (SONGS) Charley..... ... .., .. . Howard smitir Nostalgic v tunefilm of Gus ,i ui 11101411 ^^ iioui^p* * *w *v _ | 20th Fox of' Hiljo ‘Hwi prodttc^ i •*" w - ® en V v •**••*•• • • ■ • • • • • • V* • u Roya i Kahn's life and lyrics. Doris lates the adventures of a re- tion. stars Hugo Haas. Beverly Michaels, tacled Yepurter, Kent. He's effec- b 2y , Danny Ttomasjmdprofit- SSS S W* "*- *r.s,*cts genwally. Miss ForsytheElizabeth Fraser. ^ distributing in the U.. S; ivano; music, Harold Byrns. Tradeshown ance as the mobleader. Other cast Letta ..... .. ........ Patricia walker. Hollywood, Dec. 4. : Dec. 5 , 'si. Running time, H mins. members assist: adequately in les- The vise-rlike grip with which ,Wn production, stars ®®rir 1 Da^ ^nny j ng shown as the Ziegfeld star who Mario'*"" ’ 7 * V ” ‘ ■ ?ve Robert ^ Lee Sholem’s direction keeps •'Death of a Salesman’V held Broad- ^ jgg ^s* P ofe • introduced “Love Me Or Leave SS^c^opei::! XxSSy’jrcS^ the Richard Fielding script mey- itrnv' iViontnnOAone fhr olmnet turn lCStUreS. James ^ * Mn*l nM<l t^PonAiina tn itia' lUnrn. Harrv ;..^. .Jnhtinv Close l 1maa*; T> Hw Galloping Major •‘The Galloping Major/* Brit-* ish import which opens at the Trans-Lux 60th St* Theatre, N; Y„ Saturday (15), was re- viewed frohi London, in the May 16,1951 issue of Variety; Myro. observed that Monja Danischewsky and Henry Cor- nelius.have made a modest pic- ture which abounds in laugh* p r o v o k i n g situations, being packed with ' delightful direc- torial touches,” . . • . . ' Myro , opined ;that “Major” may not reach the same class as “Tight Little Island,” an earlier Danischewsky-Cornel- ius production, “but should click nicely despite the absence of marquee names.” Plot re- lates the adventures of a re- tired major in organizing a syndicate to buy a racehorse. Souvaine Selective Pictures is distributing in the U. S; ern story ig told In bUdc-and-white^ hpy* beef discovered to be nt&io- Made in England, iho |dcr outside , ,....... * , of the two principals, has an ex- Pic is a ffubtle plea for tolerance, clusively British cart, namely Den- and although it s embodied in a nis Price, Baymond Huntley, Irene fantasticstalep it gets its point Browne and Beatrice Campbell, In iwrosf. The mob in painted In aU addition to Bennie. The direction its ngly aspects\and. the odd crit- by Roy Baker has kept the per- ters turn out to be harmless, like* formances on a one-note level; and able chaps. ( They snow what they the production supervision is hot think of the town s quick-shoot* in keeping with 20th’s usual Hoi- ing, lynch-hungry inhabitants by lywood performance. fCdhti. retreating. into the ■ oil shaft and . blowing It up, thus sealing poSsi-^ The Girl o» the Bridge of «*■*#>» In hi$ efforts to bring peace and Subject too downbeat for gen- understanding to the community, era! trade; for lower-bracket Superman flies through the air, bookings. deflects bullets with his massive • - chest and stands in the Way of a WaII vu/hnii iW ray gun. George Reeves doubles as on*ur. HollyWQOd^Dcc. ». Superman and the mild, bespec* .. » <lth S?* ^taejed Wpttrteft Kent. He's e&e- way theatregoers for almost two ^ne oshing, Jim Backus.’ Minna Gombeii. Me” and “Carolina in the: Morn- Harry.. ,..;..,; .jphnny mosc years continues undiminished in Directed by Michaer.curti?. wi-itten by jng/» and also made an abortive^ ^ councilman ^....a........ parr smnn Stanley Kramer’s production of the T^ KcC^d^' dftoV romance pitch at Kahn. She pleases. ." . film .version. Arthur Miller’s vial direction;* Ray Heindorf; ^musical James Gleason, as publisher Fred # Story of the nlder man who mar- Pulitzer Prize-winner has been numbers staged and directed by Leiipy Townsend: Mary Wickes, family ties the unwed mother to give her closely followed * the screen c ‘ 4f • Ilunmng cook; Julie Qshins, Jim Backus, as and her child protection: unfolds; adaptation and the result is a fine Grace LeBpy Kahn..... Doris Day Sam Harris; Minna GombeU and dramatically in this' Hugo Haas m- film with sock word-of-mouth gua- Kahji,....,......... Banny Tjipmas Harry Antrim, the parents of die. Subject matter, however, r1- values. Because of Its tragic over-' Grace: and several unisredlted though Seated .sympathetically, tones; “Salesman” will require Fred Townsend.. ....... James Gleason players, including Trudy Marshall, isn t calculated to intrigue the gen- strong selling, but the reviews and • • 4 * * * * v * ’ ^ni?5n2 give the picture excellent backing. ’©*!*! spectator, and film will find ing at a clickb pace. Clark Ram- smith sey . s lens work g okay, as is Ray . . j- .. Mercer’s special effects. Gros. , [T ° i> ■ i ?» 1 j u- v.i rr f.x 1 Johnny Marlin^*Julie jOshins a fri»A -'t .1 — p pjAinm/ino fhp soliitf' rmiffh miction, stars Allan itocxy . i^ane. ui* •Word-of-mouth should be big faCr Sam Harris . , Jim Backus The LOUis F. Edelman prodUC" tne going rougn. ^ repted by sHarry KeUer. Screenplay, iff. tors in building it at the, boxoffice. Mrs. LcBoy — Minna GombeU tion supervision is calculated for Haas produced, co*authored,' dl- Coates ^Webster; camera, John MacBur. It is a must-see. - :tai With Fredric March starred as coit Van Alstyne-,.........DicK Simm«ns expertly carried out by the tech- carries a fatalistic note. As an nunnins time, 54 mins. Willy Loman, in one of the great S5,i! a m 'nSS2?t n ^ al assists from Ted McCords aging European who .operMer »• <iuw,iii«h •MeVUii fi-m performances of the year, : £ » ’•"/.ea»“ero, Ray Reindorf's musical small jewelry shop new ^ bridge giytgr ja^ i...■.,.....^jrvh.^Bwon “Salesman” is now even more shat* Donald (4). .Christy Olson direction and the staging and di- in a California city, he talks n girl Link Rinter.. l,..- iioy Bsrcroft •Mary Wickes give the picture excellent backing, eral spectator, and film will find Desert of Lort Men Standard western but not up to par in “Rocky” Lane series. Republic release 'of Harry Keller pro* duction. Stars Allan '‘Rocky”. Lane. Di- rected by .sHarry KeUer. Screenplay, M. With FredriC March starred as Cert Van Alstyne-.;......... Dick Simmons wily LOTOan,'in one of .the groat •fiJB performances of the year, Irene (3) .................. Miml Gibson •‘Salesman” Is now even more shat* Donald <4).............,..;.. .Christy Olson tering in its emotional impact. The ' , only; discernible differences ‘ ber The life and hit lyrics of the late |..*W Prlftz tween the stage, and picture ver- Gus Kahn provide a nostalgic back- fiions are those governed by pro- ground for this semi-biog on a fig- duction Conditions, thpugh the ' ure who was one of the music busi- transition was certainly made^sim- ness* top tunesmiths^ Story is told pier because: of certain basic film with feeling, twanging at the heart techniques used in the legit brig- as well as the ear as it entertains, inal. It$ marketable factors are good, “Salesman” is not for the promising profitable returns gen- squeamish, nor the escapists. It, eraily. represents life’s frustrations, the Intra-trade there may be some. UU;CVUUU tutu uic avABius ouu ur m a wmuuua lie lai&o a rx** T.lnk Rlnf„r Huv RirorAff rection of musical numbers by Le* he meets on the bridge put of sui- D^Jini^Ha^e*V.*.r. , /. , /,r/. .^o8s Elliott Roy Prihz. Brop. cide arid she comes to his estab- cmri Lander«..,....... .cur ciark '“**^* i * U?5u le, l!'■ n ®?: *°i thank him. ®K I ^«pA*nV,V.’.V/.'^''?...*fLeo*CTelS ¥911 Ya«tam Vnwiigkf Ynn With, her is her six-month-old Bill Hackett....;....Kenneth MacDonald M #1 ^ 1WU baby, whom he cottons to ilririiedi- Evan* y. t.. ;v Steye^ Pendleton (COLOR) ately.. The girl is unmarried, he ': ; learns, and when she has no one t i5° c )W . a ? a ,m is the Weak remake of “Berkeley With whom to leave the infant Umb of the law in his latest oats Souare'' with Twohe” P«Wer, while she Works, the jeweler begs opera, though^western thriller does Ann Blvth w ^ ’ to care for the child. not enhance Ws career. The fpr- “ y ultimately, She move? in as his sdth-Fox reiiaw of Sol G. siegoi pro- housekeeper, they’re married and duction. Stars Tyrone Power, Ann Blyth, the father Of, the Child makCS an I’ll Never Forget You (COLOR) Weak remake of “Berkeley Square” with Tyrone Power, Ann Blyth; The familiar plot <qf the missing Story whose life-long sense of values is of the tunesmith’s life arid who nQ ti^e“« min«. from^ committing 'thA Simp murderous robbers. Lone ;comely governed by his desire not only to know of him only through his peter standish..Tyrone Bower . . 7 . v . * . femme is Mary Ellen Kay, daugh- be likedj but to be well-liked. catalog of some 800 published Helen -.................._ Ann Biyth Certain emotional impact Is ter of the much-involved medico. Being well-liked is Willv’s best wbtfks, ''tS m^FeftisIreV'*? **.' '"^Denni^lSSe ? c *l iev ^J ^ times, but technique Irving Bacon, who has done bet* vardstick for bieriess- but^ in his Kahn died* in 1941 and the Mel- Kate Pettigrew. .‘.V V/.Bcatrice Campbell is too Continental for any but the ter in other roles, seems out of case he only talked big A good ^5" M^Thr 9 ?tie Peyohs ^ Ssa turned 8 out Co- ^ who ' SltWero 1908^w^*n he flrof m?t Mdy ^***#*■:.■ : ,r«~ lumbia release vvn AVA T» AAAJ BAA 41VVV AJUAlUllU T* i w AAn V ' V A, / j territory brought him $100 a week; 6, e i^® e ? '55? .E& T—« « yvv. t Aj Grace LeBov in Chicago and thev — One-man show, handled his quad* honest citizen Ross Elliott makes week^ he He isl? 1 aUhe^ndof the did “I Wish I Had ^Girl” together, , T1 ^ e . charm and sensitivity i»- Tuple assignment with. care, ^d an okay younger physician, 1 ti'atl The bi^est th trappdv 1 Of U P to 1939, when he was honored herent in the 1933 Jesse L. Lasky again uses Beverly Michaels as his j phn MacBurnie hasr^ done a Willv’s llf^lles il the that-he by fellow tunesmiths at a testimo- production of. “Berkeley Square;.', Micljaols •delivers^ barigup camera job while Harold ' imd also 1 -tSkCd bfe\o Jri sori<® •• nial dinner in the Beverly-Wilshire are notably absent in 20th;Fox’s .;‘ Winter’s editing is on a par. Harry S ffiF ti SS d fi|- t S2S S525&-. not®!. It’s a life of marital and remake, now captioned “I’ll Never tive^as^he ^ther of her child, and Keller’s direction is. fine-, consider-, ^thin e ^he'°weh of C Wiiivvf^fJu:e material ups and downs, sparked Forget You.” Tyrone Power .is Tony Jochim also is in dramatic- in g story material provided-by M. ^e n ofvaiimQ b f W fal? ® by the good emotional feel between playing T the part originally done^by rt w . h ,° Coates Webster. Wear. se ”| e i 0t J[ a ,? S i ,, r - Gus and Grace Kahn as riroiected Leslie Howard, and Ann Blyth has the secret nf his killing the black- Salesm a n starkly reveals how w Dariny Thomas and Doris Day the Heather Angel role, but they mailer. Technical credits are l ittle Mis« DpvII j®' «* # th' c&tribMti.;.«&h ^^ Whit. , *** With him his hU 'wife TlrtibT- anu wmppeu up: un- w cC how kfter ^ ye/s Jfllng ^r Rectorial hand of Michael jeheve the film's involvements, nor thus S ^finmricfhm i t S Kahn song partners who get the /‘Never Forget,” partially Tech- melftai^?ol%nl* ab nV^pmi%ha biggest play in the tunes chosen for nicolored, « the story, in its mod* 1 £?] la 5?5' film use are Walter Donaldson arid ern form, of a 20th century scien- Superman and the f Mole Men Comic strip hero in first full lengther slanted for juve trade. Little Miss Devil (Songs) (EGYPTIAN) Oriental Flint Co. release of Farid El Atrache production. Stars Samia Gamal, | when his mental processes are SS*!^Z1!K2 im 2 tist hlTSSStSTta. ; Cemlc striF hero In first full EJfc" [ A? Aaef*^On Egbert Van ^'ffle”'mURossife^ an‘ » ensther sla, “' d tor juVe trade ' ilearo in CstJating hSw ?iif de- SSStS■ wSfWlftUi'^wS'' a ' HZ# sire for ilriDortance somehow he* me f S C ?° e b e J; y MlsS Day, Thomas ancesipr, paCK to an I»U1 centuiy production. Stars George Reeves. Phyllis Tradeshown N. Y., Dec. 6, '51. Running A«J«A IO L.II^ p S^ n i e en r j and Patrice Wymore do excellent England. His scientific background Coates; features Jeff Corey, waiter Reed, time, 95 mins. S™l.„ h d ln hls con£used vocal chores on the songs that fall serves him in good stead .as he is mrfS e r d U hx*i22 na sh.iIS l %JSSSE!:' 4SS*::r.' 'iX! Farid El Atrache dr-ams. Ar able to J ^nrediet^riheoiSV'Sp? Sholem. Screenplay, Katana and ‘sem/iema.Narnia GaMal Thev are memories of WHIv’s to them. Other than the title num- aDie tO^predict With absolute cer- Richard Fielding; camera, Clark Ramsey; Aleya; . ... .Lola Sedky .JP-SAi? 1 °I v' 1 i ly S berand “I Wish,” such Kahn lyrics tainty the results Of science S editor, AlJoseph; special effects, Ray Asfour’s comedian friend . IsmaU Yassine to them. t-j. Uaa-*.. ;■ -j . ■ . , . P a uti nuu i ft wii, aui.ii ivniiu ivuta v ^ u oeituvu * hale-hearty spirit, his love of fam- are heard as “Memories.” “Prettv pursuit of the future. •IL y twnrdAcc g ^ a R‘ Prlde ^ aby " " The One I Love Belongs But instead of getting the 18th K^7..r:.^ mS“<5 S i?« be athletic prowess of his .son to Somebody Else,” “Nobody’s century equivalent Of the Nobel Lois......;.,...,......—Phynis Coates Christa Ballet' ?Ha Wtijy Sweetheart,” “My Buddy,” “Toot Prize for discovering, in advance, Bm e corr7gan!!;!*’!!" !"!! Waiter C Reed —r^r—' Mere the things that made people Toot Tootsie,” “It Had to Be You,” Thomas A. Edison, Robert Fulton Pop Shannon ..*;** j! Farrell MacDonald (In Arabici English Titles) really important, apd his break- J ‘Yes, Sir, That’s My Baby,” ffnd maybe 20th Century-Fox, he is '••••••• ’“ stanl *y, A "^ r ®ws Chief selling point that the down ffrid ultimate death are un- ‘•gwirigiii’ Down the Lane,” Caro-, held to be no more than an elec- weher C g !’.!!’.*!!!'*7!‘!Hai R fG Dawsoh Egyptiari-made “Lutle Miss Devil” sparing of audience sensitivities. lina in the Morning,” “Love Me or tronic lunatic who ought to be put Hospital superintendent . Frank Reicher has to its credit is that it stars T March, in the part created on the Leave Me,” “Malting Whoopee,” away-before he discovers televi- —Beverly Wa 'burn Samia Gamal, the dancer who re- New York stage by Lee Cobb, gives *^No, No, Nora,” “Your Eyes Have sion. He realizes that he is better Dhc%aunde^ cently wed Texas oil heir Sheppard perhaps the greatest performance Told Me So,” “Ukelele Lady.” 'off. wearing herring-bone tweeds Mrs, Benson .............. Mgrgia Dean King, For those interested in a b}f career. It is a particularly A song montage highlights points instead of lacey Cliffy but, alas, ErthA.r e pm^f r Vv' ’ ‘ “ ’ B Trpnp F M^?n closer view of her physical assets notable portrayal because at no in the Kahn career, from his stic* the young, scientist has fallen in Matt .. .:. . .*/ i' -'John Philllni* the dance alone is worth the price Ricltard Fielding; camera, Clark Ramsey; Aleya .... Lola Sedky editor, Al Joseph; special effects, Ray Asfour’s comedian friend IsmaU Yassine Mercer. At New York, N. Y„ starting Mimi Bey..........Abed Salam Nabilsy Dec. 4, 51, Running time, 47 MINS. Aleya's father............Estephen Rosty •9.®°*;?® Reeves Man of Destiny.......Zaky Abraham Phyilis Coates Christa Ballet ... Jeff Corey • • rreii MacDonald (In Arabic; English Titles) ^^ey Andrews chief selling point that the. imiK. KtoS Egyptian-jnade “little Miss Devil” seem incredulous for March to jump to New York and putting He achieves happiness only when r?S e : •• •• ••••••• , Ad^ n J j >h 2; a ®^f£ commercial possibilities in the U.S. play a character so disparate from WO rds to Donaldson music for Zieg- he discovers her counterpart in his creatures:'' Biiiy ' Curtis? .iack Banbury! are limited solely to audiences fa- his former romantic roles. It is feld, the stock crash of 1929 and return to the 20th century. Jerry Marvin, Tony Baris. miliar with Arabic, a physically arid mentally exhaust- the apparent loss of his ability to All of this is done heavy-hand- *—Best b.o. results with this im- ing part that demands his presence create word magic after parting edly, arid none of the original hu- Juve idol makes okay impres- port'likely will be had by display* in almost every scene; and he has from Grace Kahn when her drive mor emerges. The Leslie Howard sion in full-length pic bow. Al- ing life-size blowups of Miss Ga* set the pace for an excellent cast to make him successful became too version will be recalled as the though limited in his first maTs figure at the lobby entrance of supporting players. much, the struggling days in Holly- story of ari American who suCr screen adventure to soine routine along with catchphrases and press Mildred Dunnock, in her original wood that Only brightened when cuiribs to 18th century charm and superhuman” stunts, Superman clippings recalling her marriage to Broadway part, is superb as Willy’s Grace came back into his life, so transjports himself there to should please his fans sand build a King. It’s , a film that obviously wife Linda. Kevin McCarthy, as climaxing With the 1939 honor, startle the British gentry with his following for inevitable sequels, lends itself to exploitation, espe- Biff, is a film rieWcoriier who en- Script lays considerable stress on amazing predictions. He’s ^ock moppet bait/ cially for houses specializing iri trenches himself strongly in the Grace LeBoy Kahn's part in his Power gives a monotonous per- “Superman and the Mole Men” freak film fare, role performed on Broadway by career. formance ; that isn’t aided any by deals with a visit, to earth of sev* StOry is a musical fantasy with Arthur Kennedy,‘Cameron Mitchell Thomas is. making another bid an unmanageable script. Miss eral creatures who inhabit the Abbott-Costello overtones. A.smg- ls an engaging “Happy” Loman, for general acceptance by the film Blyth holds her own, while the. subterranean strata six miles be- er (Farid El Atrache) has a fancy the other brother, which, he played public arid this venture may turn presence of Michael Rennie points* low* . They had come up through for a dancer (Lola Sedky) but she Broadway. the trick for him. The Kahn char- up the science-fiction trend that the shaft of “the world’s deepest scorns, his attentions in *jvpr ol Other outstanding performances actor is one that gives him a chance seems to have influenced 2Qth-Fox. oil well” for an o.o,' of the top- the wealthier Abed Salam Napiisy. are by Howard Smith, as Willy’s to sock over that Warmth and heart It is Rerinie who .plays the robot- soil’s civilization* T h ei r visit In a fit of despondency, Miss ya- friend Charley; Royal Beal, as Wil- that is even a part of his nitery nnd manipulating man - from * another- throws thp town, somewhere' in the mal appears befpre him-as a s PJ r ^ ly’ brother Ben, who constantly video clowning. Miss Day is like- planet iri 20th’s “The Day the midwest, into an uproar, turning QUt of a larnpr ^She es$ays, a auai returns to....harint Willy’s memory, able as Mrs, Kahn, supplies a^ good Earth 4 Stood Still,” only this time reasonable people into an unthink- roler—that nf a djinn s aaugntcr aa and Don Keefer, as Charley’s son marquee name and a Vocal lift to. he is a modernrday British Scien- ing, violent mob. Superman, who well as a dancer. Needless^to say Bernard. Smith and Keefer also her songs. 'vY tist. had come to the town iri the guise she eventually causes mm to lose were in the Broadway show. Frank Love joy performs the* The Technicolor trappings — in of. reporter Clark ,Kent to do a interest in Miss Sedky. ^ f Laslo Benedek has done a nifty Donaldson character with smooth what seems like Over-exposed filiri story on the deep well; uses his . From a proaucuoR ■stanapoF uciMu Dcueuciv nas uuue .» nuty uunaiuson cnaracier witn smooui wnar seems nxe oyer-exposea ium siory on uie aeep wen, uses ms A v a ijh of directing, especially in the skill. Miss Wymore is an entirely stoclv-are applicable to the 18th unusual prowess to quell the mob the picture isn t too w a a . tnoug dissolves” bridging reality and fictional character in the setup, be- century unfoidingy while the mod- and appease the mole men, who (Continued on page iw