Variety (December 1951)

FILM BKV1EWS Wed*ieid*r, December 26, 1951 The Afrieaiit (COLOB) This is engrossing Afrlcan- localed story of middle-aged romance and adventure. Top- notch adult entertainment* ex- cellently performed, Hollywood. Dec. 25. United Artists release of'Horizon-Romu- lus production* pro^uwd Stars Humphrey Bogart, Katharide Hep* burn; features Robert Morley. Directed by John Huston. Adapted by James Agee and John Huston; based on C. S. Forester novel; camera (Technicolor), Jack Car- diff; editor, RalpM ; ^mplen; music,_Alan Gray. Previewed Dec, 21, 51. Running time, 104 MINS.- _ . Charlie Allnut i.^f^kreyBogart Roae.......Katharine Hepburn Brother...... i...,.. ••••••■ fantdin • . • • •»• • # * • ♦ •»• ♦ * ■ FOtOP Bull Irt Officer...;........... .TheodoreBihel and Officer.......... Walter Gotell Sf&gg'? -iaSYSWS i and Officer............ . Richard Marner This story of adventure and ro- mance, experienced by a couple m Africa just as World War I,,got un- derway, is an, engrossing, motion picture as put on film by S. P. Eagle and John Huston (Horizon- Romulus) for United Artists re- lease. Just offbeat enough in story, locale and star teaming of Hum- phrey Bogart and Katharine Hep- burn to stimulate the imagination, it is a picture with an unassuming warmth and naturalness that can have a bright boxoffice chance through good selling and word-of- mouth. • , " The independent production unit took stars and cameras to Africa to film C. S. Forester’s novel, “African Queen,” against its ac- tual background. The Technicolor hues come on the screen, with the Dark Continent’s natural, soft tints and serve to sharpen the telling of a story that deals with a brave deed done by a couple completely mismatched in every way except their adventurous hearts. While strictly a novel in the Way Huston has used camera, the Script lie did with James Agee, and his direction, the story has a documentanr feel without any of the detachment usually noted in that particular technique. t _ , . Performance - wise, Bogart has never been seen to better ad- vantage. Nor has he ever had a more knowing, talented film part- ner than Miss Hepburn, . The plot is a simple affair- b concerns a man and woman, 091117 pletely incongruous as to coupling. Who ate thrown together when the war news comes to German East Africa in 1914. The man, a sloven, gin-swilling, ne’er-do-well pilot of a steam-driven river launch, teams with the angular, old-maid Sister of a dead English missionary to contribute a little to the cause of the Empire, The impossible deed they plan is taking the little, decrepit 30-foot launch known as African Queen down uncharted rivers to a large Central Africa lake and then use the small boat as a torpedo to sink a German gunboat that is prevent- ing invasion by British,, forces, They go about such- a derrin’-do mission with normal fears and misgivings, but with a kindred spirit of adventure and an air of “it must be done,” that they actu- ally accomplish the impossible! African wild life passes in state ly, natural procession as the little ship threads its way through such hazards as swift rapids, waterfalls, rain, mechanical difficulties, mad- dening insect swarms, choking, floating grass Islands, and attack from a German fortress passed on the way. Eriroute, there is a change of relationship from the stand-off- ish, respectful mood that launched the Odyssey to a warm, intimate, genuine emotion between the mis- matched crew. - Climax comes when the couple reaches its goal, only- to meet failure in original plans when a storm swamps the doughty Queen as she charges on the gunboat with ingeniously fashioned, home-made torpedoes, Bogart 'arid Miss Hep- burn are captured by the Germans, delay a hanging ceremony long enough to be married, and just as the vows are finished the gun- boat runs afoul Of the waterlogged derelict Queen; the latter thus completing her mission, despite a’l manner of handicap,, and rescuing the rornantic, middle-aged couple, Huston’s scripting and direction, and the playing, leaven the story Mirier Wfthtit Crime . ''Murder Without Crime,;' British-made picture which Stratford Pictures la releasing In the U,S„ was reviewed from London by Variety In the is* sue of Feb* 14, 1951. Melo- drama opened at the Midtown Theatre, N. Y., yesterday (Tues.). Associated British Pictures Corp. production stare . Dennis Price arid. Derek Farr. Myro felt that the film is a “typical example of a stageplay transferred to the screen with- out any substantial revision of the script.” Critic saw few . U. S. possibilities in this four- character yarn, which involves brawls, blackmail and a poi- soned drink. Neither the small cast’s acting nor J. Lee-Thomp- son’s direction drew praise from the reviewer. rather its absence most of the way. Title cards are run off against a visual background of the African locale, scored only by the sounds of the animals native to the .scene. Quick editing has permitted a few reprising shots during the story; but this is minor against the feeling the film creates. Jack Cardiff photo- graphed, with second-unit lerising supplied by Ted Scaife. The score is by Alan Gray, played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra un- der the baton of Norman Del Mar. Outside of Bogart and Miss Hep- burn, cast means little in the States. Robert Morley figures at the be- ginning as Miss Hepburn’s mission- ary brother; while Peter Bull is the German captain, on the gunboat finally cut under by the Queen. Brog. Boots Malone AGlrllu Good human Interest film with racing stable background. Averare prospects in general release. Hollywood, Dec. 19. Columbia release of Milton Holmes pro- duction. Stara William Holden; features Johnny Stewart. Stanley Clements, Basil Ruysdael, Carl Benton Reid,. Ralph Dundee, Ed Begley, Hugh Sanders, Henry Morgan, Ann Lee, Anthony Caruso. Billy ’earaon. Directed by William Dieterle. Written by Milton Holmes; camera, Charles Lawton, Jr.; editor,’ A1 Clark; music, Elmer Bernstein. Previewed Oct. IS. '51, Running time, 103 MINS. Boots Malone.William Holden The Kid Johnny Stewart ,'jtash Clements......... Stanley Clements . readier Cole............ . Basil Ruysdael John Williams.......... Carl Benton Reid ,'cckett .Ralph Dumke Howard Whitehead Ed Begley Matson... .................. Hugh Sanders Quarter Horse Henry, Henry Morgan Mrs. Gibson..................... Ann Lee * GO .< • Anthony Caruso. ICddie Koch. ......,,...... .Billy Pearson Foxy Farrell...............John W. Frye Goofy Gordon....,..,.Harry Hines enny West............... ...Toni. Gerry Red .Hurley Breen LoU Dyer .......,.,......... Whit Bia*ell Cabbage Head............. Earl Unltrput Colonel Summers..Harry Shannon Touting- Clocker........... John Call About average boxoffice results shape up for “Boots Malone,” a well-done drama effectively pre tenting the attachment between a man and; a boy against a racing stable background. Appeal is parr ticularly good for the family trade As producer-writer iri the pres- entation by the Sidney Buchman Enterprises unit at Columbia, Mil- ton Holmes has told the story with good emotional momerits and sen- tinent without being maudlin. This handling also is reflected in the direction by William Dieterle. Plot deals with the relation ship between Johnny Stewart, ; 15-year-old who loves horses, and William Holden, a jockey's agent down on his luck. Story is run off against an authentic racetrack background, drawing a good pic ture of the less prosperous side or racing and the hanger-ons. Stewart, being screen - intro duced, appears as a rich boy neg- lected by his career mother. He takes up with Holden, who decides to go along with the kid as long r.s his money holds out by pretend- ing to teach him how to be a win- ning jockey, Their scenes together rre very effective. Yarn picks up faster drama when the mother locates her son and tries to pre- vent his riding debut, while Hoi (’ ri is faced with the problem of fr'king the boy into losing or be y.' l ed by a gambling syndicate that is betting on another horse in the i’cce. These melodrama phases are eventually resolved satisfactorily Mid the story comes to a good, sentimental conclusion. Holden arid' Stewart get excel- lent support from the handpicked cast playing the assorted racing types, Among them are Stanley Clements, Basil Ruysdael, both sharing daily life of Holden and Stewart; Carl Beritpri Reid, Ralph Dumke, Ed Begley and Hugh Sah- el c .' Only femmes are Ann Lee, the mother; and Toni Gerry. Outside of being Inclined to let the footage run too long at in? minutes, Holmes' and Dieterle ’ '•ve put, the film together cre^ -t p'r’ ana rate topnotch agists -;rm the technical ends* siich as quality is ,|he use of music, or.lensing and music score. Brog. telling with a lot of good humor. Unfoldment has a leisureness that goes with the characters and situa- tions, but is quickened often enough with the excitement of in- credible adventure to keep the in- terest strong throughout its 1C4 minutes. Critically, there are a few slight flaws, most rioticeable in the beginning, when plot establishment rind the incidents it involves are a bit too drawn out. What comes later, though, is engrossing enough to make the whole a worthwhile p-cce of screen entertainment that wil be thoroughly erijoyed by most anV adult. > , Of interest in the prodir/’.on. 2any esmedy with chuckles for companUm booking date* hi general runs. "j Hollywood, Dec. 20. RKO release at Irwin Allen, Irving Cummings, Jr., production. Stars Groucho Marx, Marie Wilion.William Bendix; fea- tures Don, DcFore, Gehe . Lockhart, Dee Hartford, Hanley Stafford, Teddy Hart, Percy Helton. George E. Stone. Direction by Frederick HazlRt Brennan; camera, Nicholas Musuraca; editor, Ralph Daw- son; music, Roy Webb, Tradeshown Dec. IS, *51. Running time,. !* MINS. Benny Linn.'. . .Groucho Marx jane Sweet....,, Mari* WUson Tim Dunnevan ,william Bendlx Bert Sedgwick. Don DeFore Garvey.............. Gene Lockhart MDlIcent........Dee Hertford Navy. Lieutenant........ .Hanley Stafford "High Life"....... Teddy. Hart Drive-In Manager...........Percy Helton Skeezer. ..-.George E. Stone The general - run situation will find “A Girl in Every Port”,; a chuckle - arousing companion fea- ture for regular dual bill bookings. Mirth-sparkers are Groucho Marx, Marie Wilson arid Williarii Bendix, and the zany plot is nicely paced to keep it ori an okay fun level. Chester Ersldne scripted and di- rected the story about two sailors who, duririg their 20 years of serv- ice, have spent plenty of time in the brig for escapades. As plot, opens Marx and Bendix are again in hot water, latter having taken a small inheritance and purchased a broken-down racehorse. Mark is detailed to return the horse and recupe Bendix’s money, but the seller, Don DeFore, has broken up his stable at the behest of his fiancee* Dee Hartford. Miss Wilson, a gorgeous carhop, enters the plot when boys discover she owns the twin of their horse and it is sound of. limb. Some race- rigging and plenty of other she- nanigans crowd the footage. Wiridup finds Marx arid Bendix decorated as heroes for capturing two saboteurs about to blow up the ship, and Miss Wilson has grabbed DeFore away from Miss Hartford. Abetting the general nonsense of the theme are such sequences as Marx and Bendix both trying to make time with Miss Wilson; their kidnapping of the two horses and hiding them aboard ship to the consternation of the captain; the capelet and strapless dress routine between Miss Wilson and DeFore; a race scene where the twin nags confuse the announcer, and similar incidents that keep the film mov- ing; • Marx’s wisecracking dialog and antics help the pace. Miss Wilson, less of the dumb Dora than usual, shows to advantage, and Bendix comes over excellently. DeFore, Gene Lockhart, as a shady trainer; Hanley Stafford, the harrassed cap- tain; Teddyy. Hart, comedy gang- ster; George E. Stone, jockey, and the others aid the fun. Irwin Allen and Irving Cum- mipgs, Jr., produced with an eye on budgetary values and chuckles. Lensing and other technical assists are okay. Brog. Wristling Mills Average Johnny Mack Brown oater, with enough action to satisfy Saturday matinee trade. Monogram release of Frontier Pictures (Vincent M. Fennelly) production. Stars Johnny Mack Brown; features Jimmy El- lison, Noel Neill. Directed by—Derwln Abrahams. Screenplay, Jack Lewis; cam- era, Ernest Miller; editor, Sam Fields. At New York Theatre, N. Y., week of Dec. 18,. ’51. Running time, 59 MINS. Johnny ...Johnny Mack Brown Dave Holland '..Jimmy Ellison Beth Fairchild.............Noel NeUl Slade.... .Lee Roberts Chet Norman ■;»....... Stan Jolley Claine Marshall Reed Cassidy . Lane Bradford Cora. Pamela Duncan Pete^, Bud Osborne Johnny Mack Brown, a onetime All-American footballer, may be getting older—and heavier—but he can still toss his weight around in the right way as the hero of these Monogram westerns to satisfy customer demands. “Whistling Hills,” latest in the senes, has. an It 9 * Ffwcr tffriffgtifiie 4E KHMAVWIAI “It’s Forever Springtime," Italian import scheduled to S reem Friday (28) at thie linema Verdi Theatre, N. Y.» was reviewed bv Variety from Genoa in the issue of March 15, 1950, under the title of “E Primavera.” .Hawk opined that the film is a “delightful comedy* ably scripted-tar Ce« sare Zavattini, Silvio D’Amico and director Renato Castellan! whose fine pacing keeps the pic moving at a .fast dip/' Picture will keep ’em laugh- ing in Italy, wrote Hawk, “but its heavy dialect brand of com* edy, particularly attuned to Italian. ears, may seriously., hamper its. chances abroad.” Story concerris a young man who commits bigamy and the complications that come: as a . result pf it. Castellani directed his non-*pro players “in such a. delightfully natural and be- lievable manner” that largely overcomes story, discrepancies, A; F. E. Corp is distributing in the U S. okay story with a‘ surprise ending and enough gunplay, chases and villainy to hold its own in the usual oater^groove. Teamed agairi with Jimmy Elli-: son, Brown in this one is a roving cowboy who agrees to help Ellison, the local sheriff, track down the identity of a group of masked stagecoach robbers. Seems the rob- bers are led. by a costumed individ- ual, who has taken advantage of a local legerid. about the “whistlirig hills” to signal them via a weird whistle when the stage hoves into sight. Although Ellison resents the stagecoach line’s dependence on Brown, an outsider, he goes along with the private-eye business on horseback and the two of them, after the usual number of fights, duels, etc., outgun the bandit crew and unmask the mystery leader. Brown is credible in bqth the thesping and action departments. Ellison is good in a role that calls for just as much action. Noel Neill, who plays the stagecoach owner’s niece and provides whatever love interest is allowed in these cactus chronicles, over-emotes, but she sits a horse well; Stan Jolley is more believable as her unde* and Lee Roberts, as the chief villain, is okay. Production arid techriical credits are on the plus side. Director Der- win Abrahams keeps the action perking, and Ernest .Miller took full advantage of the western hill country with his camera work; • Stal. Indian Uprising (COLOR) Cavalry vs. Indians actiouer for more general playdates. Hollywood, Dec.. 25. Colunibia release of Edward Small pro- duction (Bernard Small, associate). Stars George Montgomery; features Audrey Long* Carl Benton Reid* Eugene Igleslas, John Baer, Joe Sawyer, Robert ’Dover, Eddy WaUer, Douglas Kennedy, Robert Shayne, Miguel Iiidan, Hugh Sanders. Di- rected by Ray Nazarro. Screenplay, Ken- neth .Garnet, Richard Schayer; story, Schayer; camera (Supercinecolor), Ellis Carter; editor, Richard Fantl. Previewed Dec. 21, *51, Running time, 75 MINS. Captain McCloud....George Montgomery Norma Clemson Audrey Long John Clemson.... .Carl Benton Reid Sergeant Ramirez. Eugene Iglesiaa Lieutenant Whitley..John Baer Sergeant Keough. Joe Sawyer Tubal ;... .Robert Dover Sagebrush Eddy WaUer Cliff Taggert Douglas Kennedy Major Nathan Stark..... .Robert Shayne Geronimo Miguel Inclan Ben Alsop .Hugh Sanders Sergeant' Clancy. J...... . . . .. .John CaU Can Avery Robert Griffin Jake Wilson.Hank Patterson Major General Crook Fay Roope Lieutenant Baker... Peter Thompson much to do la the top femme spot Joe Sitfjer and Johp Call supply some cjhuckles aa cavalry top kicks the dirty work la in good hands! and imour the others rating men- tion aieJMdy WaUer, prospector; Miguel Inglaa, aa Geronimo; Rob- ert Dover, as his son; John Baer Shayne and Carl Benton Reid. * The Edward SmaU production gets a good action affect while watching the budget dollar, and El- lis Carter’s 'cameras give it ari okay hue treatment. - ider Hot (BRITISH) Lacks names but dramatic enough for some arty theatres. Ruder Production* release of Karl Hartl production. Star* Bobby Henrey. Directed by Karl. Hartl. Scraenplay, Gene JCarkey, from original story by Hartl; camera* Robert Kracker, Gunther Anders; music, Willy SOhmidt-Gentner. Trade- shown In N. Y., Dec. 30, '51. Running tlmO, 14 MINS. * Sebastian. Giro. -.'.Bobby Henrey Rocks Cooley..........Robert Shackleton Anni. .Christa 'Winter Mia* Friable...Muriel Aked Mv Gorlk ,Hwyn Brook-Jones Prof. JBlndl...............Paul Hardmuth Rudi...................... Oscar V^erncr - Pozzo".............»....Sebastian Cabot Nik;.......i ,. ... .Klaus Hirsch Miss Kirsch,................. .June Elvin Dog i Portrait cf’Clare "Portrait of Clare*” British import which opened at the .Midtown Theatre, N. Y., Yes- terday (Tues.) was reviewed, from London by Variety in the issue of Aug. 2, 1950. Myro described the Associated Brit- ish Pictures Corp.. production as “dubious boxoffice propo- sition, arid a doubtful starter for the American market.’’ Reviewer called the film as “very ncrrly a static biography ical study of a woman who eventually ; finds . happiness after a tragic youth.” Mar- garet Johnston, who portrays the • title role, “is an accom- plished actress worthy of. much hotter material.”-Richard Todd “is moat inadequately served in a minor role.” Stratford Picture^ is distributing it in the U. S. This is another standard, cav alry-vs.-Indians outdoor actioner grooved to be well received by juve audiences, Reception in the general action market should be okay. It has been filmed in Super- cinecolor and has a typical outdoor cast headed by George Montgom- ery to support playdates. What transpires has a familiar look as the basic good vs. evil mo tivation has been done often be fore. Montgomery, cavalry captain, is charged with keeping peace’be- tween Geronimo and settlers. It’S a. tough job because the Indian 'reservation contains rich gold de- posits coveted by Hugh Sanders and Douglas Keririedy. Latter pair’s dirty work, plus the misunderstand- ings in Washington, cause an In dian uprising that threatens to wipe out the cavalry, now led by Robert Shayne when Montgomery is confined to post under arrest. However, Mririjgomery manages to prevent the massacre, Geronimo is captured arid the villains are pun- ished. Routine plot is marked by plenty of highly actioriful clashes, both on a mass basis and in individual set- tos. Montgomery is a satisfactory hero, while.-Audrey Long hasn’t .... . . .. .Lowe Story of a young wonder pianist who finally breaks away from a domineering manager, to enjoy the things a teen-ager appreciates, is nicely told in “Wonder Boy.” It has added asset of having Bobby Henrey, who did so well in “Fallen Idol,” as the musician. In spite of some mawkish characters who pur- port to be gangsters and blackmail- ers, this film is okay for manV’U.S. arty theatres. The pianist Is ^depicted as a lad never permitted the relaxatian of a -normal youth.- It is always con- centratiori on hix art because that piles up coiri. But when his gov- erness discovers , that the manager who has been cheating the lad threatens to become his legal guardian, she conspires with a cab- bie to have the young pianist drop out of sight, She pays the youthful crook and his three pals to hide him in a nearby Tyrol chalet,, tell- ing the police she was attacked arid the boy taken away. Remainder of story concerns the unhappy pianist’s sojourn iri the country and how he learns, all the things a normal child likes—learn- ing to swim, fish, etc. The Ameri- can member of the gang becomes his friend and companion as does the taxi driver’s sister. The Yank and comely Austrian girl ultimately get the boy back to safety after the other gang members attempt to hold him for ransom. Karl Haiti, who scripted the original story, has produced and directed with smooth skill although some of his characters are oddly cast or get out of hand. Henrey is excellent as the youth who discov- ers the real life of a normal lad after years of being penned up by his musical career. But Elwyn. Brook-Jones’ conception of the manager is a heavy-handed, vil- lainous portrayal. Robert Shackle- ton is slightly ludicrous when he tries to be an American gangster. Some of the lines she has to speak in showing his familiarity with the American scene get laughs in the * wrong places. Christa Winter shows nice future potentialities as sister of the garig- leadelr. June Elvin is an odd-act- ing, secretary but easy on the eyes. Oscar Warner, as the cabbie and gangleader, is satisfactory if strange in his conception of what a gangster looks like. Excellent support is provided by Muriel Aked, the governess; Paul Hard- muth, music master for the lad; Sebastian Cabot and Lowe, a su- perbly trained German police dog. Besides’ Hartl’s fine direction, Robert Krasker and Gunther An- ders have supplied topnotch pho- tography^ Music is played by the London Film Symphony orch, be- ing excellently conducted by Dr. Hubert Clifford, especially in the concert hall sequences. Wear. Bountiful Summer (SONGS-l-COLOR) (RUSSIAN) Mildly interesting Soviet- made “musical comedy”; scant b.o. prospects in U. S. Artkind release of Kiev Film Studio S roduction. Directed by Boris Barnet. creenplay. E. Pomeahnikov and N, Dale* Xy; camera (Magrlcoior), A. Mishurln; mu- sic. E. Zhukovsky. At Stanley. . N. Y.. week of Dec. 22, '51. Running time, MINS. Nazar Protesenko..........N. Vera Grosbko...............N. Arkhipova Peter Sereda . M. Kurnosov Oksana Podpruzhenko M. Bebutova Ruban .V. Dobrovolsky Darka. ...,......... M. repkogorskaya Kolodockka . ... • • E. Mcxlmoy ( In Russian; English Titles ) “Bountifiil Summer,” from Rus- sia’s Kiev Film Studio, gives Amer- ican audiences an Insight as to ine (Continued on page 22)