Variety (April 1953)

PICTURES Wahewhy, April 29, 1953 'Variety's' Quarterly Film Reviews Index (Jan. 7 , 1953—March 25 , 1953) * Miniature Film Review* and credits on all English-speaking pictures reviewed in VARIETY during the first three-month period of 19$3. Date indicates that issue of VARIETY in which each review appeared. Indexes of Film Reviews are published quarterly . A. JtC. Go to Abbot} & Costello try space travel for amusement of their fans and okay b.o. outlook. Hollywood, March 18, Universal release of Howard Christie production. Stars Bud Abbott, Lou Coe tcllo; features Mari Blanchard, Robert Paige, Horace McMahon. Martha Hyer, Jack Kruschen. Joe Kirk, Jean Wdles, Anita Ekberg. Janies Flavin. Direrted by Charles Lam ont. Screenplay, D. D. Beau- champ, John Grant, from story barOiris- tie and Beauchamp; camera, Clifford Stine; editor. Russell Schoengarth; spe- cial photography, David S. Horsley. Pms viewed March 17, '43. Running tune, 7* Mins. (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) All Ashore (COLOR—MUSICAL) Hick Haymes, Mickey^ Rooney, Peggy Ryan, in slapstick musi- cal about three gobs; okay grosser for many situations. Columbia release- of Jonie Taps pro- duction. Stars Mickey Rooney. Dirk Haymes, Peggy Ryan, Ray McDonald. Directed by Richard Quine. Screenplay. Eiav> Edwards, Quine from story by Ed- wards, Robert Wells; camera (Techn£ color). Charles Lawton. Jr.; lyrics and music. Robert Wells, Fred Karger; choreographer, Lee Scott; musical direc- tor, Morris Stploff. Tradeshown in N. Y., Feb. 6, ’53. Running time. It MINS. (Reviewed Feb. 11, 1953.) .Anointment in London (BRITISH) War story of British bombers; good results loom for U. S. market. London, Feb. 17. A British Lion release of a British Lion- Mayflower production. Stars Dirk Bogarde and lan Hunter. Directed by ^ Philip Lea- cock- Screenplay, John Wooldridge and Robert Westerby; camera.^ Stephen Dade; editor. V. Sagovsky; music, John Wool- dridge. At Leicester Square Theatre, London. Running time, 94 MINS. (Reviewed Feb. 25, 1953.) The Bandits of Corsica Okay followup to Edward Small’s “The Corsican Broth- ers.” Headed for satisfactory returns. Hollywood, March 10. United Artists release of Global Produc- ion. Stars Richard Greene and Paula laymond: features Raymond Burr, Dona )rake, Raymond Greenleaf, Lee Van Jleef. Directed. by Ray Nazarro. Screen- day. Richard Schayer; story, Frank Burt; camera, George E. Diskant; editor. Grant Vhytock; music, Irving Gcrtz. Previewed Harch 10, '53. Running -time, tl MINS. (Reviewed March 18, 1953.) Stefan Bodnariuk; art editor, Kenneth Snelson; assistant editor, Ronald Saland; musical director. Gene Forrell; sound technician, Robert Vincent; musical score, Arthur Honneger. A, Horee and Robert Hasanyi. At Embassy Newsreel Theatre, N. Y., Feb. 21. '53. Running time, *3 MINS. (Reviewed Feb. 25, 1953.) Cosh Boy (BRITISH) The Blue Gardenia (SONG) Regulation mystery melodrama with fair marquee names and similar b.o. prospects. Hollywood, March 12. Warner Bros, release of Alex .Gottlieb production. Stars Anne Baxter, Richard Conte, Ann Sothern; features Raymond Butt, Jeff Donnell. Richard Erdman, George Reeves, Ruth Storey, Ray Walker, Nat “King” Cole. Directed by Fritz Lang. Screenplay, Charles Hoffman; story, Vera Caspary; camera, Nicholas Musuraca; edi- tor, Edward Mann; music Score, Raoul Kraushaar; song. Bob RusseU, Lester Lee. Previewed Feb- 24, '53. Running time, 9# MINS. (Reviewed March 18, 1953.) By the Light of the Silvery Moon (SONGS-COLOR) Successful followup to War- ners’ 1951 “On -Moonlight Bay,” with same cast and good grossing possibilities* Hollywood, March 24. Warners release of William Jacobs pro- duction. Stars Doris Day, Gordon Mac- Rae; features Leon Ames, Rosemary De- Camp, Billy Gray. Directed by David Butler. Screenplay *by Robert O’Brien, Irving Elinson, suggested by Booth Tark- ington's Penrod stories; camera (Techni- color), Wilfrid Y. Cline; editor, Irene Morra; music adapted by Max Steiner; musical director, Ray Heindorf; musical numbers staged by Donald Saddler. Pre- viewed March 18, *53. Running time, 101 Mins. (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) Call Me Madam (MUSICAL—COLOR) Much moola with Merman. Battle Cirens Surgery and romance under fire at Korean front, with Bo- gart, June AUyson helping routine but commercial fea- ture. Hollywood, Jan. 26. 1IGM release, of Pandro' S. Berman production. Stars Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson: features Keenan Wynn, Robert Keith. Direction and screenplay by Rich- ard Brooks; based on story by Allen Rivkin and Laura Kerr; camera. John Alton; editor, George Boemler; music, Lennie Hayton. Previewed Jan. 21, *53: Running time, S9 MINS. (Reviewed Jan. 28, 1953.) The Big Frame Routine melodrama program- mer, filmed in Britain, with .Mark Stevens only familiar cast name. Hollywood, March 17. . RKO release of Robert S. Baker-Monty Berman production, presented by Julian Lesser. Stars Mark Stevens, Jean Kent; features Garry Marsh, John Bentley, Dianne Foster. Bryan Coleman, John Har- vey, Duncan Lamont,. John Horsley. Di- rected by David MacDonald. Screenplay, Steve Fisher, John Gilling; original story, Robert S. Baker, Carl Nystrom; camera, . Monty Berman; editor, Reginald Beck; music, William Hill-Bowen. Previewed March 12. '53. Running time, 44 MINS, (Reviewed March 18, 1953.) Blood Brothers (DOCUMENTARY) 20th-Fox release of Sol C. Siegel pro- duction. Stars Ethel Merman, Donald O’Connor, Vera-EUen, George Sanders; features Billy De Wolfe, Helmut pantine, Steven Geray, Ludwig Stossel, Lilia Skala, Charles Dingle, Emory Parnell,- Percy Helton. Directed by Walter Lang. Dances and musical numbers staged by Robert Alton. Screenplay, Arthur Sheekman; adapted from the Leland Hayward legit production, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse; music and lyrics, Irving Berlin; camera (Technicolor), Leon Sham- roy; musical direction. Alfred Newman; editor. Robert Simpson. Previewed Feb. 25, '53. Running time, 114 MINS. (Reviewed March 4, 1953.) Controversial and modest London legit success needs new title and dubbing for U.S. Market London, Feb. 10. IFD On association with British Lion) release of a Romnlus-Daniel Angel British production. Stars James Kenney and Joan Collins. Features Hermione Baddeley and Hermione G ingold. Directed by Lewis Gilbert. Screenplay, Lewis Gilbert and Vernon Harris from play by Brace Walker; camera. Jack Asher; editor, Charles Basse; music, Lambert 'William- son, At London Pavilion, Feb. 2, '53. Burning time. 75 MINS. (Reviewed March U, 1953.) Cry of the Hanted Good supporting meller, top- lining Vittorio Gassman. - Hollywood, March 6. Metro release of William Grady. Jr., production. Stan Vittorio Gassman. Barry Sullivan. Polly Bergen; features William Conrad, Mary Zavian. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. Screenplay by . Jack Leonard; story, Leonard and Marion Wolfe; camera, Harold Lipstein; editor, Conrad A. Nervig; music, Rudolph G. Kopp. Previewed March 6, '53. Running time. 78 MINS. (Reviewed March 11, 1953.) Decameron Nights ((BRITISH) (Color) Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan starred in British version of typical Boccaccio tales; shapes as standout U.S. hit. London. Jan. 13. Eros Films release of a Film Locations- Mike Frankovich production. Stars Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan; features Godfrey Tearle, Joan Collins, Binnie Barnes and Marjorie Rhodes. Directed by Hugo Fregonese. Screenplay, George Op- penbeimer; editor, Russell Lloyd; camera, Guy Green; color by Technicolor. At Odeon, Marble Arch, London, Jan. 13, '53. Running time, 93 MINS. (Reviewed Jan. 21, 1953.) Desert Eegiop (COLOR) .Typical Alan Ladd swash- buckler with Foreign Legion background; profitable b.o. City Beneath the Sea (COLOR-SONG) Rough-and-tumble . deep-sea diver action-adventure, with good prospects on general re- lease. Hollywood, Feb. 3. Universal release of Albert. J. Cohen production. Stars Robert Ryan, Mala Powers. Anthony Quinn, Suzan Ball; fea- tures George Mathews, Karel Stepanek, Lalo Rios, Hilo Hattie. Directed by Budd Boetticher. Written by Jack Harvey and Ramon Romero; based on “Port Royal- Ghost City Beneath the Sea,” by Harry E. RIeseberg; camera (Technicolor), Charles P. Boyle; special photography, David S. Horsley; editor, Edward. Curtiss; song, Frederick Herbert and Arnold Hughes. Previewed Jan. 27, '53. Running time, 17 MINS* (Reviewed Feb. 4, 1953.) Confidentially Connie Entertaining domestic comedy for companion bookings in Tegular program market. Hollywood, Jan. 16. MGM release of Stephen Ames produc- tion. Stars Van Johnson,. Janet Leigh, Louis Calhern; features Walter Slezak, Gene Lockhart, Hayden Rorke,. Robert Burton, Marilyn Erskine. Directed by Edward Buzzell. Screenplay. Mat Shul- man, from story by Shulman. and Herman Wouk;. camera, Harold Lipstein; editor, Fredrick Y. Smith;- music, David Rose. Previewed Jan. 14, '53. Running time, 71 MINS. (Reviewed Jan. 21, 1953.) Timely reminder of the dan- ger# of totalitarianism, using newsreel clips to study the rise to power of Hitler and Stalin. Could latch on to head- lines for good b.o. Parliament Pictures presentation re- leased by Classic Pictures, Inc, Written add narrated by Quentin Reynolds; direc- tor, Robert Snyder;' assistant . dli'Cctdri HE egcjn rc .jJiuiifmO Count the Hours Trite meller for the duals. RKO release of Benedict Bogeaus pro- duction. Stars Teresa Wright, Macdon- ald Carey; features Dolores Moran, Adele Mara, Edgar Barrier, John Craveh, Jack Elam, Ralph Sanford. Directed by Don Siegel. Screenplay, Doane R, Hoag and Karen DeWolf, from story by Hoag; camera, John Alton; editor, James Lei- cester; music, Louis Forbes. Tradeshown, N. Y., Feb. 13, '52. Running time, 74 MINS> , „ '.(Reviewed. Feb. 18, 1953.) ft8 v?iu ; ri**7 -v :>!■.. ■ ii IsarU Hollywood, March 12. Universal release of Ted Richmond pro- duction. Stars Alan Ladd, Richard Conte, Arlene Dahl; features Akim Tamiroff, Oscar Beregi, Leon As kin, Anthony Car- uso, George J. Lewis, Sujata and Asoka. Directed by Joseph Pevney, Screenplay, Irving Wallace, Lewis Meltzer; based on novel “The Demon Caravan,” by Georges Arthur Surdez; camera (Technicolor), John Seitz; editor, Frank Gross; music, Frank Skinner, Previewed March 10, '53. Running time, 15 MINS. (Reviewed March 18, 1953.) Desperate Moment (BRITISH) London, March 17. GED release of Fhnfare production. Stars Dirk Bogarde, Mai Zetterling, Philip Friend; features-Albert Lieven. Directed by Compton Bennett; screenplay, Patrick Kirwan and George H. .Brown, based on novel by Martin Albrand; camera, C. Pennington Richards; editor, John Guth- ridge; music, Ronald Binge. At Odeon, Leicester Square, London, March 17, '53. Running time, 88 MINS. (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) Dream Wife (SONGS) Mild battle-of-the-sexes ro- mantic farce, with Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr for marquee strength. Hollywood, March 9. MGM release of Dore Schary produc- tion. Stars Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Walter Pidgeon; features Betta St. John, Buddy Baer, Eduard Franz.. Directed by Sidney Sheldon. Screenplay, Sheldon, Her- bert Baker, Alfred Lewis Levitt; camera, Miltott Krasner; editor, George White; music, Cdnrad Salinger; songs, Charles Wolcott, Jamshid. Sheibani. Previewed March 4. '53: Running time. 99 MINS. (Reviewed March 11, 1953.) The Elstree Story (BRITISH) Semi-documentary traces Brit- ish production back to silent films; has appeal for older generation. London, Feb. 10. Associated Britlsh-Pathe release of As- sociated British production. Introduced by Richard Todd with commentaries by Norman Shelley, Georgle Henschel, Ken- neth , Connor, Leonard Sachs, Peter du Rpch, Peter Jones and Warwick Ward. Directed by Gilbert Gunn, Camera, Stan- ley Grant; music, Philip Green; editor, Richard Best. Tradeshown In London. Running time, 42 MINS. Girls in the Night Trite, dollish dnaler on juve- nile . delinquency. Modest b.o. Universal-International release of Al- bert J. Cohen production. Features Joyce Holden,.Harvey Lembeck, Glenda Farrell, Glen Roberts and Patricia Hardy. Directed by Jack Arnold. Story and screenplay, Ray Buffum; camera, Carl ’Guthrie; edi- tor Paul Weatherwax; music, Joseph Gershenson. Previewed, N. Y., Jan. 8 , '53. Running time. 83 MINS.' (Reviewed, Jan. 14, 1953.) Girls of Pleasure Island (COLOR) Pleasant program comtdy about three innocent maids and 1,500. Marines on a tropi- ‘ cal Island^ Hollywood, Feb. 19. Paramount release of Paul Jones pro- duction. Stars Leo Genn, Don Taylor; fea- tures Gene Barry, Elsa Lanchester, Dor- othy Brpmiley,’ Audrey Dalton, Joan Elan. Directed by F. Hugh Herbert and Alvin..Ganzer. Written for the screen by Herbert; based on tbe novel by William Maler; camera (Technicolor), Daniel Fapp, W. Howard Greene; editor, Ells- worth'Hoagland; music, Lyn Murray. Pre- viewed Feb. 16, .'53. Running time, 95 MINS. (Reviewed Feb. 25, 1953.) Girl Who Had Everything Fair program dr&ma, despite some name importance; talky and implausible. Hollywood, March 2. Metro release of Armand Deutsch pro- duction. Stars Elizabeth Taylor. Fernando Lamas. William Powell; features Gig Young, James Whitmore, Robert Barton, William Walker. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Screenplay. Art Cohn, based on novel by Adela Rogers St. Johns; camera, Paul Vogel; editor, Ben Lewis; music Andre Previn. Previewed Feb. 25, '53. Running time, 49 MINS. (Reviewed March 4, 1953.) The Glass Wall Italian star Vittorio Gassman, Gloria Grahame in DP'drama filmed in N. Y. Some exploita- tion values, but medium b.o. Hollywood, March 3. Columbia release of Ivan Tors (Shane- Tors) production. Stars Vittorio Gassman, Gloria Grahame; features Ann Robinson, Douglas Spencer, Robin Raymond, Jerry Paris, Jack Teagarden. Shorty Rogers and his band. Directed by Maxwell Shine. Screenplay, Tors and’ Shane; camera, Joseph F. Biroc; editor, Herbert L. Strock; music, Leith Stevens, Previewed Feb. 27, '53. Running time, 78 MINS. (Reviewed March 4, 1953.) Gansmokto (COLOR-SONG) Tinted western feature for ac- tion. market; generally aver- age overall b.o. prospects. Hollywood, Feb. 6. Universal release of Aaron Rosenberg S roductton. Stars Audie Murphy, Susan abot, Paul Kelly, Mary Castle; features Charles Drake, Jack Kelly. Jesse White, Donald Randolph, William- Reynolds, Chubby Johnson. Directed by Nathan Juran. Screenplay, D. D. Beauchamp; from the novel '‘Roughshod” by Norman A. Fox; camera (Technicolor). Charles P. Boyle ;editor. Ted Kent; song, Fred- erick Herbert, Arnold Hughes. Pre- viewed Feb. 2. '53. Running time. 78 (Reviewed Feb. 11, 1953.) The Hitch-Hiker Grim melodrama on perils of aiding ride-thumbers; excel- lently done but downbeat. . Hollywood, Jan. 14. RKO release of Collier Young (Filmak- ers) production. Stars Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, William Talman; features Jose Torvay, Sam Hayes, Wendel Niles, Jean Del Val. Clark Howat. Natividad Vacio. Directed by Ida Luplno. Screen- Play. Collier Young and Ida LUpino; adaptation, Robert Joseph; camera. Nicho- las Musuraca; editor. Douglas Stewart; music, Leith Stevens. Previewed Jan. 12, '53. Running time, 71 MINS. (Reviewed Jan. 21, 1953.) The Homesteaders Wild Bill Elliott in slow-paced program oater. .... .. A Hollywood, March 23. Allied Artists release of Vincent M. Fennelly production. Stars Wild Bill El- liott; features Robert Lowery, Emmett Lynn, George Wallace. Directed by Lewis D. Collins, Screenplay, Sid ThelL Milton Raison; camera, Ernest Miller;. editor. Sam Felds; music, Raoul Graushaar. Pre- viewed March 20, '53. Running time, 42 Mins* I Confess Alfred Hitchcock murder melo- drama with interesting plot Idea; short on suspense, long, on talk; spotty b.o. outlook. Hollywood, Feb. 6. -Warners release of Alfred Hitchcock production. Stars Montgomery Clift, Ann* Baxter; ► feature* Karl Malden. Brian Aherne. with O. XL Basse, Roger D*nn, DoUyHaaa, Charle* Andfe. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Screenplay. George Tabori, William Archibald; from a play by Paul Anthelme; camera, Robert Burks; editor, Rudi Fehr; music com- posed and conducted by Dimitri Tiom- kin. .Previewed Feb. 3, '53. Running time, 95 MINS. * (Reviewed Feb. II, 1953.) I Love Melvin (MUSICAL-COLOR) Lively, youthful musical com- edy in color, with Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds. Generally good prospects. Hollywood, Feb. 3. MGM release of George Wells produc- tion. Stars Donald O’Connor. Debbie Reynolds; features Una Merkel, Richard Anderson. Allyn Joslyn, Directed by Don Weis. Screenplay, George Wells; added dialog, Ruth-Brooks Flippen; story, Laslo Vadnay; camera (Technicolor), Harold Rosson; editor, Adrienne Fazan; musical direction, Georgie Stoll; dances staged and directed by Robert Alton; songs. Mack Gordon, Josef Myrow. Previewed Jan. 30, '53. Running time, 74 MINS. (Reviewed Feb. 4, 1953.) FII Get You (BRITISH) - Routine cloak-and-dagger mel- ler with George Raft; for low- ercase program bookings. Hollywood, Jan. 28. Lippert Pictures release of Bernard Luber (Eros Film*) production. Start George Raft, Sally Gray; features Clif- ford Evans, Reginald Tate, Patricia Laf- fan, Frederick Piper. Directed by Sev. mour Friedman. Screenplay, John V. Barnes; added scenes and dialog, Nichols Phipps; camera. Eric Cross; editor, Tom Simpson; marie, Hans May. Previewed Jan. 27, '53. Running time, 78 MINS. (Reviewed: Feb. 4, 1953.) Intimate Relations (BRITISH) London, March 10. AdelphL Film release of Advance Film production. Stars Harold Warrender, Marian Spencer. Directed by Charles Frank; screenplay and adaptation. Charles Frank, from Jean Cocteau's play; camera, Wilkie Cooper; editor, Peter Bezencenet; music, Rene Cloerec. At Granada Theatre, March 9, '53. Running time, 84 MINS. (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) Jaek McCall, Desperado (COLOR) Contains ingredients to reg- ister with outdoor fans. Columbia release of Sam Katzman production. Stars George Montgomery; features Angela StevCns. Douglas Ken- nedy, James Seay, Eugene Iglesias, Wil- liam Tannen, Jay Silverheels, John Hamil- ton, Selmer Jackson. Directed by Sidney Salkow. Screenplay, John O’Dea, based* on story by David Chandler; editor. Aaron Stell; camera, (Technicolor). Henry Freulich; musical director, Mischa Ba- kaleinOcoff. Previewed b N. Y., March 16, '53. Running time, 74 MINS. „ (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) Jalopy Good Bowery Boys comedy for the program market. Hollywood, March 20. Allied Artists release of Ben Schwalb Production. Stars Leo Gorcey; features Huntz Hall, Bernard Gorcey, Boh Lowry. Directed'by William Beaudine. Screen- play, Tim Ryan and Jack Crutcher, with additional dialogue by Bert Lawrence; camera, Harry Neumann; editor, William Austin; music. Marlin Sidles. Reviewed March 20, '53. Running time: 42 Mins, (Reviewed March 25, 1953.) —— a Jeopardy Tightly-drawn suspense melo- drama located in Mexico, Good general market entry. Hollywood, Jan. 19. MGM release Of Sol Baer Fielding pro- duction. Stars Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Ralph Meeker; features Lee Aaker. Directed by John Sturges. Screen- play, Mel Dinelli, based on rierr w Maurice Zimm; camera, Victor Milner; editor, Newell P. Klmlin: tnuric, Dimitri Tiomkln. Previewed Jan. 16, '53. Running time. 48 MINS.