Variety (March 1952)

FILM HE VIEWS PtfBSBSff Wednesday, March 5, 1952 When in Rente Van Johnson, Paul Douglas in priest-convict chase drama with religiose theme and Borne background. Fair b.o. 4 Hollywood, Feb. 28, Metro release of Clarence Brown pro-, ductlon. Stars Van Johnson, Paul Doug- las; features Joseph Caleia, Carlo Rizzo, Tudor Owen, Dino Nardil, Aldo Silvani. Directed by Brown. Screenplay, Charles Schnee, Dorothy Kingsley; from story by Robert Buckner; camera, William Daniels; editor, Robert J. Kern; music, Carmen Dragon. Previewed ..Feb*. 26,’52. Run- ning time, 78 Ml MS. ^ Father John ...... . Van Johnson Joe Brewster .....PaulDouglas Agglunto Bodulli ...,..... .Joseph CalleJa Antonio Silesto ..;.......,. Carlo Rizzo Father McGinniss ....Tudor Owen Commissario, Genoa......... Dino Nardi Cabby . .Aldo Silvani Luigi Lugacetti v........... Mario. Slletti Mrs. Lugacetti,... Argentina Brunotti Rosa ............ Mimi Aguglia Ship's Captain........... Emory Parnell Mr, Cates . i....... .Charles Fawcett Father Segatihi.........., Alberto LdlU Father Mariani:... ... Adriano Ambrogi Dove ........... Amina Pirant Maggi Mcnsignar Carlo Borrelli Baker ...............Guiseppe Plerozzi Urchin .. Guida Martuft Cab Driver Joe Faletta lease expectations, as are exploita- tion possibilities, The.Leonard Goldstein produce tion uses the Kaiser-Fontana Steel Plant at Fontana, Calif., as the setting, and interior shots of blast furnaces; steel rolling and other technical detail have * bolstering effect on the formula, talky story; .George Sherman’s direction han- dles the action sequences with ex- pected punch, but was bogged down otherwise in the wordy •ro- mantic triangle phases that never rise above the trite. John Lund, steel mill heir, is learning the business front the ground up, and his arrival in the town results in a rivalry for the fair as are most technical credits. Movement of the ejplot could have been speeded by. sharper editing, Film is overlong at 80 minutes, Gilb, Jangle dim in the Forbidden Xinid Okay Jungle' Jim adven- ture programmer with Johnny Weissmuller; Hohie during the 1950 Holy Year provides the colorful background for this drama of priest and con- vict who are mixed up in a chase plot. Both the chase and religiose phases are fold good-naturedly and without stuffiness, results are generally satisfactory. However, b.o> outlook is spotty. Van Johnson and Paul Douglas costar as the priest and escaped convict, respectively. They help to make the c, ' .lts likeable, and Clarence Brown’s production and direction steer the plot and players along a pleasantly entertaining course highlighted by some chuc- kles, suspense and a Cook’s Tour of the major cathedrals of Rome. Johnson, on a! pilgrimage to Rome,. meets Douglas, fleeing a stateside prison, aboard ship en- route to Genoa, and an attachment is struck up. However, when the boat docks, Douglas steals John- son’s robes and, identification, and hotfoots it to Rome to lose himself among the Holy Year pilgrims, leaving Johnson to get out of a police miXUp when they think he’s the convict. Chase aspect comes in when Johnson takes out after Douglas with the police in close pursuit. Ho catches up with the con man and yields to the latter’s plea to let him finish his tour of Rome’s religious centers before turning him in. The pair dodge the law, and during the pilgrimage religion has its effect on Douglas, finale finding him tak- ing vows that sentence him to a lifetime, of silence behind monas- tery walls in preference to return- ing to-the states for a lifer’s sen-, tehee in prison; The screenplay by Charles Schnee and Dorothy Kingsley tells the Robert Buckner story with a welcome sense of humor and dia- log that rings true. It has a mid- way lag but otherwise, satisfactorily serves its purpose. Some of the more amusing sequences involve Douglas’s acting the part of a priest while hiding out with a group of holy men. Joseph Calleia, as a Rome police- man who has a Texas affectation, Is the only better-known player among the supporting cast, and does well. Carlo Rizzo, Tudor r Owen, Ditto Nardi, Aldo Silvani ■ and Mario Siletti are among the r more prominently used foreign players. William Daniels used his cameras, interestingly in lensing the pic- turesque effects of Rome, and the Carmen Dragon music score is goodi—The—hymnT—^Pahis-Ahgeli-i cus,” is sung by a choir effectively. Brog. Hollywood, Feb. 29, Columbia release o t SamKatzman pro- duction. Stars jQhiml Weissmuller; fea- tures Angela Greene,Jean willet, Lester Matthews, ' William Tannen, George Eld-, redgo, Frederic Berisst, Tamba. Directed by Lew Landers. Screenplay, Samuel attentions Of Ann Sheridan; cafe Newman; based on the King Features’ cashier and girl friend of Howard “Jungle Jim" newspaper Strip; camera, rwflF W"hi»n twh m a 1 p nht Fayte Browne; editor, Henry Batista, ljun, wnen jne twojnaies are^not p ^ viewed 27 , '52. Running. time, bickering or slugging over Miss 44 mins. Sheridan, they are having trouble jungle Jim ..Johnny Weissmuller in the mill, whefe Lund has been Linda Roberts.;.......... .Angela Greene a?sigired as haper on. Duff’s open hearth crew, Lund’s failure to tend doc Edwards....... .. william Tannen strictly to business costs the crew Fred Lewis.......,,. . . . .George, Eldredge aft, employees’ sweepstake prize inaSm a tonnage race and causes addition- Giant woman. ; .\Irmgard H. H. Raschke al hard feelings, but there’s never .ow- one.,.-..'., >.,'• Wtwam Fawcett any doubt he will redeem himself Qmgley> . . Franik Jacgue johnny Weissmuller fifTts his minutes footage are over. He docs. way through another set of im- vindicating himself when he saves Witliam Harrigan, Miss Sheridan’s plausible adventures to shape this father after the latter ha«s a heart one as an okay ‘ Jungle Jim” entry ntf wn* for the program houses. Based on nhnSf the King Feature's comic strip of about to be filled with molten same title, film has a stock metal. Star trio furnishes the familiar characters and motivations with a personable touch that helps get same title, mm nas a amount of derrin’-do for the kiddie trade and non-discriminating, mak- it passable in its c 1 ossification. Weissmuller, as Jungle Jim, in- ferty, Sarah Hayden, Frank Fer- J iuson, Myron Healey and I. Stan- ord Jolley are among the other# who add to the generally accepta- ble entertainment. Walter Mirijsch and hie associate; Richard Heennance, give the story the proper production bad kin g, stressing outdoor values and a neat rodeo background. Harry Neu- mann did the good Cittecolor lens- ing, and footage include^ quite a bit of rodeo action montage; Brog. The Curd (BRITISH) Alec Guinness in attractive poor-boy-to-riches story; for fair grosses. London, Feb. 2&. GFD release of Ronald Neame produc- tion. Stars Alec Guinness, Glynis Johns, Valerie Hobson,: Petula Clark. Directed by Ronald Neame.' Screenplay, Eric Am- bler, from Arnold Bennett's novel; cam- eta, Oswald Morris; editor, Clive Doniior; music, William Alwyn. At Odeon, Lorn don, Feb: 25, '52. Running time, tl MINS Edward Henry Machin. .. Alec Guinness Ruth. Earp .. .... . . ... Glynis Johns Countess of Chell .Valerie Hobson Nellie CotteriU;.....;; :Petula Clark Mr. Duncalf. Edward Chapman Mrs. Machin...Veronica TurleigR Mr'.;.Calvert..... i.: George Devine Emery . ............ . .Gibb McLaughlin Police Supt Frank Pettlngell tZ -woJi on 3 thefr Out nirt S ’«;mO S A th J c^tni r b y Angela Greene, anthropologist, nvf 4 pm’ who wants him to lead her to the lan ^ of the giant people. He riixes tKe l)ecause ot the danR?rs ’ remainder of the cast answer re- quirements^ # . Technicolor photography by Charles P. t Boyle is a manor assist iri handling the interesting sight values that the steel mill back- ground offers. Brog. One Big Affair 5r and also turns down Lester Mat- thews, territory commissioner, who wants to go to the. same place so a herd of flood-trapped elephants can be led to safety. . / However, the Sampel Newman script involves the guide in a set of circumstances that forces the issue and finds him battling, with easy success, a hippopotamus, a black panther, a giant, and heavies Jean Willes and William Tannen, who want to slaughter the ele- phants for ivory. The stock thrills wrapped up by Lew Landers’ di- rection will; please moppet ticket- buyers! The. Sam Katziiian production supervision presents the usual budget furbishings against which the players perform adequately. In addition to the human cast mem- bers, Tamba, a chimp, is added immy Donovan..........Dennis O'Keefe for comedy relief. Fayte Browne’s ManUe; *; *;*.*.*.V. V* *, V. Cnrtn^e ^liichrist lensing is standard and jungle Mr; G.. .r... Thurston Hail values are shown m sepiatones. Lightweight ■ boy-meets-girl en- try; routine supporting farev United Artists release of Benedict Bo- Qeous production. Stars Evelyn Keyes, Dennis O'Keefe; features Mary Ahderson, Connie Gilchrist, Thurston Hoill. Directed by Peter Godfrey. Screenplay, Leo Town* rend, Francis Swann, from story by George Brlcker; camera, Jose Orty Ra- mos; editor, George Cromc; music, L. Hornnndez Bretort. Tradeshown N. Y., Feb. 28, '52. Running time, 10 MINS. . T er.n Harper- Evclyii Keyes Mr. Rush . ............ .. .Gtis Schilling Charcoal Wagon Driver.,.v. Jose Torvay Police Chief Carles MUsqued Orphan Boy...;. Andrew Velajquez Bfog: “One Big Affair,” an Rodeo (COLOR) -Good family trade feature for general runs. Hollywood; Feb. 28.; . Monogram release of Walter Mirisch production. Stars Jane Nigh, John Archer, Wallace Ford; features Gary Gray, Frances Rafferty, Sarah Hayden, fkjc Tlphariipt nrnHnr. i Frank. Ferguson. Directed by "Williain Ulis DeneaiCL DOgeaus proauc- B ^ audine screenplay, Charles R. Marion; Evelyn Keyes-Dennis O’Keefe starrer lensed in Mexico, sets its sights on comedy romance but misses the target by a wide margin. Story of an American schoolteacher who turns her south-of-the-border tour into an amorous adventure has pos* sibilities, but they’re not realized i this Benedict Bogeaus produc- BWuame . s „«npi tion. camera (Cinecolor), Harry. Neumann; edi- Vnrn hv Conrifit Hrinlrpr tor, William Austin; music. Marlin Skiles. xam py ueorge BncKer, aaaptea Previewed Feb. 26, '52. Running time, 70 by Francis; Swann and screenplayed mins. by Leo Townstnd, is a loosely told Nancy Cartwright,... i ........ Jane Nigh tale that wearily meanders across sum Martin John Archer much Of rural Mexico before the ^ principals finally avow their love Dixie Benson .Frances Rafferty for one another. Picture Will be Agatha Cartwright...... - Sarah Hayden heiped to some extent.by the names "“hara DurSIJl '^Myron'tSSS of MlSS KeyeS and O Keefe. But .Tazbo Davis Fuzzy Knight it§. marketing prospects will be §^ ar l?® 1 9 1 ® nick ‘ — • * “ 1 largely confined to a niche on the p e te Adkins i. Stanford Jolley lower half of the duals. Bored with sightseeing. Miss A good round of family trade' Keyes is accidentally left behind by entertainment has been put to- in “Rodeo” and it should can town. Her teachei>companiohs, I find- ready dates in the more gen- Anderson and Connie Gil-1 era! situation. The outdoor rodeo The principal character in Arn- old Bennett’s. “The Card,” 4 e pi c f“ ing the progression of washer- woman’s son from poverty to wealth, from humble beginnings to the top of the civic tree, provides R made-to-measure, part' for Alec Guinness. He brings all liis skill and polish iqto play, and makes this : British, offering an attractive proposition for the. home trade, al- though its success in America is likely to be more modest, than some of the star’s more recent of- ferings. Set iri the Potteries, without any attempt to glamorize the grimy, smoky, slum-ridden district, Eric Ambler’s script keeps the focus en- tirely on GuinneSs, and with a rffeat introductory commentary es- tablishes the basis of the plot, which is subsequently unspooled to the occompaniment of gentle, re- strained humorous situations. The rise of the young lad is de- picted in ail its stages,, from his dishonest beginning, when he, alters examination .results to insure a place in high school. And from there he gradually makes his name in the world, advancing from a humble lawyer’s clerk to rent col- lector and to big business as head and founder of a loan club. The major .incidents form the background to much of the delight- ful detail contained in the story, which is enhanced by the star’s capital performance. There is his first excursion into high society (self-invited), when he dances with the local countess; his attempt to collect overdue rents from the im-‘ poverlshed Glynis Johns and suc- cumbing to her charms; and his final triumph when,. as Mayor, With Petula Clark as his Mayoress, he" stages a grand procession and turns Up in his modest little horse- drawn, cab. Although the star’s role-domi- nates the yarn, other parts have been thoughtfully, cast. The three major femme roles are expertly handled by Miss Johns, Valerie HobsCn and Miss Clark, Edward Chapman plays the gruff lawyer with conviction, and Veronica Tur- leigh does first-class job as Guinness’s mother—the one wom- an who always gets the better of him, Ronald Neame has retained the of the Bennett character by astute direction, and Oswald Mor- risiias lensed the fitnrinte lligently. Ol llTD "l lAn M M A# i m bombed-out cellar after having killed hi# wife-s lover, find# a lit- tle hoy who has run away from home. For hot very deat reasons, the wanted man allows* the kid to follow him around the country when escape is in sight oh a fish- ing boat stolen, from Scotland, Bo- garde returns to port because the youngster is critically ill. Bulk of the footage is focussed on Bogarde and the boy; following them across country aS they elude the police at every turn. It is to the credit of these two. that they sus- tain interest in the yarn, and the child is played naturally by Job Whiteley. Other members of the cast have little to do. Elizabeth. Sellars appeals as Bogarde’s faith- less wife, while Kay Walsh is as competent as ever ih a minor part of a Provincial landlady. Other characters are adequately played by Frederick Piper, Julian Somers, Jane Aird, Jack Stewart and Geoff- rey Keen, Charles Crichton’s direction on conventional lines, playing boldly . for suspense and using al- most every cliche-ridden situation to . achieve that purpose. Eric Cross’s, camera work is competent and Alex VCtchinsky’s settings strike a realistic note. Myrq. IKrief Rauiure (LEBRABIANCA) (Italian) Gangster melodrama about nar- cotics-peddling. Fair for lan- guage trade. Jewel Productions release of Rocket Films presehtktlOn, produced by La Perla Films, of Rome/ Stairs LOis Maxwell, Amedeo Nazzari Umberto Spadaro, Er- jnanno Randi. Directed- by Enzo Trapahi. Screenplay j Adriano Bolzoni and Enzo Trapani; camera, Adalberto Albertini; musical direction, Constantino Ferri, con- ducting Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Orch. At Holiday Theatre, N. Y., Feb. 27, '52. Running tiihe, 80 MINS. . Erika..:; Lois Maxwell Stefano. \ ... v.......,... .Ermanno Randi Commissioner.,.......... Amedeo . Nazzari Inspector ...........Umberto Spadaro The Boss;.............,.. Juan. De Landa Carlo ..: .... .. . . .... . Massimo Sallusto Ste^l Tmvpr (COLOR) Standard action-romance: for- mula against colorful steel mill background- Okay for general siiiiations. Hotly wood, March 4, Universal release of Leonard Goldstein E reduction.. Stars Ann Sheridan. . John und,. Howard. Duff; features William Harrigan, Eileen Crowe, Chick Chandler. James Best, Nancy Kulp. Directed bv George Sherman. . "Screenplay, Gerald Drayson Adams, LOu Breslow; based rn story by Leonard Freeman; camera ct , c.e ,, .■ inicolor), .Charles P. Boyle; editor, Ted J Kent. Previewed Feb. 27, ’5?. Ruhni ^ time, 83 MINS. “Red*’ McNamara. Ann Sheridan. Steve Kostane V. ........ John Lund Jim Denko ...,;,... Howard . Duff John McNamara.. William Harri^rm Millie McNamara. Eileen Crowe Ernie i;.. .Chick Chandlo-: Joe Rakich. ..;. James Be-s. Dolores ....... -hlancy- - .Kill’) Valerie ................... Elaine Riley McIntosh Tudor Gwen Taxi Driver........;..... Frank Marlowe Interne.— Robert Karnes Christ, assume she has been kid- background is nicely used, the napped and report their suspicions story and performers are likeable, to the constabulary. Actually, she’s and the Cinecolor lensing comes Ibeen taken under the protective over excellently, wing of O’Keefe, an . American Plot involvements deal with Jane lawyer, who discovers her plight Nigh, who takes over the manage- From this point on, as may wall men t °f a rodeo troupe after its be imagined, the couple strikes up promotor slaps, owing Miss Nigh’s a mutual fancy. Theiir emotional father- an $1,800 feed bill. The fires are dampened somewhat by show begins to prosper as a co-op the prying police and interfering venture under her mdney-wise teachets. Nevertheless, the pair’s handling, and a romance develops cross-country trek to Acapulco ends with John Archer, bronc rider, in a climax of understanding chiefly Thin gs go smoothly until Miss through the aid of some friendly Nigh passes a thoughtless remark Mexicans, about Wallace Ford, an old wrang- Although Miss Keyes arid ler who was once a top rider. He O’Keefe, give a valiant try to make trie# to prove he’s not washed up, the romance a credible one> it is seriously injured and other per- emerges as little more than a dal- formers walk out on Miss Nigh, liance. Onus for this lies primarily Yarn comes to a satisfactory con- on the slow-moving story plus Peter elusion when they find she’s paying Godfrey’s poor direction* Miss Ari- Ford’s, hospital bills and everyone derson has little to dOj and Miss becomes friends again, with a Wed- GilchHst is so-so. Routine support ding in the offing for Miss Nigh is provided by Thurston Hall, Gus and Archer A rather ordinary action*/ - mance plot is bolstered with a colorful steel mill setting and Technicolor, giving “Steel To\yri” f ood change for the general mar- et. Cast names are good for re- Schilling arid others in- lesser les. Bogeaus’ production bespeaks an eye fol economy. Much of the j scenes appear to have been 'shot in the open country. The few inte- riors include a cheap hotel, police headquarters and ;J a fairly attrac William Beaudine’s direction of the Charles R. Marion script moves it along at a good clip and gets pleasing performances from* the cast. Miss Nigh and Archer make an excellent romantic team, and Ford shows up strongly as the gab- tive Acapulco villa, among others, by. old wrangler. -Gary Gray, Miss Camerawork of Jose Orty Ra ( mos is l Nigh’s kid brother; Frances Raf- (in Italian; English Titles ) Like the first half pf its title, the good moments of “Brief Rapture” are brief. Italian-languager gets off to a good start by building up a: degree Of suspense, and then de- teriorates into a run-of-the-mill gangster melodrama. It’s the type of pic American producers : have turned out by the dozens far 1 more convincingly. It’s strictly for the Italian-language trade* Pic, dealing with narcotics addic- tion and peddling, lends itself to exploitation.: It’s obvious that sev- eral scenes have been scissored for the U. S. market. Story Opens with the arrival of a young farmer i an Italian city in search of his sisr ter* Quest leads him to her best friend, With whom he falls in love. He eventually learns. that his sister had committed suicide ks a result of having become a dope fiend, and that his new gal is also an addict connected witl\ a- narcotics ring. Gang, fearing that the investigation 'Of .the suicide would lead to ari un- covering of its activities, forces the girl to aid it in its attempt to. get rid of the inquisitive brother. Trick ending, with timely arrival of the police commissioner, results in gang’s capture, gal’s renuncia- tion of the stuff arid brings the lovers together. In unfolding of the story, viewer is introduced to the usual unsav- ory all-night dives, a nightclub and a'gambling joint. There’s one par- ticularly, dramatic scene in a police station when an accused, peddler goes berserk under the pressure of police questioning. It also sets the stage for an impassioned' soapbox- like speech by, a police inspector Olive Donrtor’s editing is an expert job, and settings by T. Hopwell Ash are in keeping with the story. My ro. Ranted (BRITISH) London, Feb, 19. Mild British man-hunt meller; -slim chances in U. S. Independent Artists Proauction. Stars Dirk Bogarde. Directed ?J r ,...£! lar i es Crichton. Screenplay, Jack Wbittingnam; camera, Eric Cross; editor, Ted Holliday; muisic. Hubert Clifford. At Odeon, London, Feb, 13,.. '52: Running time, 84 MINS. . Cbrm Lloyd.............. ,:.Dirk Bogarde Robbie. ....... ....... ... jon ; Whiteley Magda Lloyd.....;.. . ... Elizabeth Sellars Mrs. Sykes:;......;..., Kay Walsh ®®r. Sykes_«...«...»...... * .Frederick Piper. Jack Lloyd........ . . ....... Julian Somers Mrs. .CampbeU. ;.......,. Jane Aird Mr. Campbell. -.....,....., Jack SteWart Det; Insp. Deaken:....,... Geoffrey Keen A new, but not very convincing 1st on.the man-hunt theme, this British thriller is an overlong sus- pense story, with a cha£e from Lon- don into the Scottish moors. A not very ambitious production, it can only be ; regarded as a modest grosser, with slim chances in the U.S. nefariousness of the peddlers. Somehow the Italian-style gang- sters appear more hilarious than sinister, which is perhaps due to the arm-waving style of acting. Lois Maxwell, a Canadian with some Hollywood background, is effective as the narcotics-addicted nightclub singer. Ermantto Randi is /believable ; as the searching brother, arid Amedeb Nazzari and Uriiberto Spadaro! make okay police officials. Enzo Trapani’s direction is exceptionally good at the open- ing, but slows up as the film pro- gresses/ Adalberto Albertini does some nice camera work with the street scenes. Boll. Messaline (FRANCO-ITALIAN) - Paris, Feb. '19. Filmsonor release and production. Stars Maria Felix;. Jean Chevrier, Geodes Marechal. Directed and written by Car- mine GaUone. Camera. Andre Brizzi; edi- ; tor, Nicolo Lazarri. At Mangnan^^a Marivaux, Paris. Running time, 111 MlN5. Messaline.. ..-. . .Maria^ Felix Valera . Jean Cbevrier Cassius....,Georges Marecttai Nestor . ., . . * Jean Tissier Narcisse....,. .Michel Vitpla Cynthia. »:*'.» .. . . ........... Delal. Scaia Augustus- ...... ...... .Memo Bessami This is another Franco-Italian The man-on-the-run is Dirk Bo- spectacle film on decadent Rome garde, who* while hiding in a (Continued on page 22)«