Variety (October 1960)

FILM REVIEWS PSniETr Wednesday, October 19, I960 Midnight Laee (COLOR) Artistically mounted but con¬ trived mystery mellejr. Bolstered by presence of Doris Day and beaucoup elements | to. attract femme patrons, upshot should be b.o. click in the Ross Hunter tradition. an uninspired yarn, building sus¬ pense with whatever device is handy, be it curtain to rustle 1 ;, fire¬ place to crackle ominously or footstep to overhear. Frank Skin ner’s score unobtrusively heightens! the tension. Tube. Blues (COLOR) Elvis Presley returns in flimsy, creaky military musi¬ cal. Curiosity about the star - should hypo b.o., but that vast teenage following has matured and the new crop of young¬ sters will ‘rind less to squeal about. Hollywood, Oct. 14. Hollywood; Sept. 26. Vimersal iHea.se of Ross Huntor-Mar- tin Melchrr production. Stars Doris pay. Jli-x Harrison. John Gavin. M.vrna *j ov » McDouall: features Herbert Mar¬ shall. Natasha Pany. -Iohn Williams. lie 1 ns'ione Baddelev; with . Kichai (1 N* > • Ant hen v Daw .-.on. Rhys Williams. Richard l/.tpino. Doris Lloyd Directed by Daud Wilier. Screenplay.. Ivan Goff. Ben Rob- en«.' from the p’ay. “Matilda Shouted Fre." bv Janet Green; camera. Russell Mettv; editors. Russell SchoenKarlh. Barsha: art directors. Alexander Golit/en. Robert Clal worthy; music. * rank l Paramount release of Hal Wallis pro- tik inner; sound. Waldon O. Watson. Joe ; duefion. Stars Elvis Presley, . Juliet I apis: assistant directors; Phil Bowles. Prowse; wiih Robert Ivers, -Leticia C*:t1 Berinper Doug Green. Reviewed at Roman. James Douglas, Sigrid, Alaier, Academv Awards Theatre; Sept. 26. 60... Arch. Johnsqn. Directed hy Norman RiinninB time. 108 MINS- . > Taurog. Screenplay. Edmund Beloin. Kit Preston ___£-• Doris pay Henry Parson; camera,. Loyal Griggs: Anthonv Preston-Rex Harrison editor. Warren Low; art directors. Hal Brian Younger ...-John Gavin > Pereira, IVaiter Tyjert-' music,' Joseph J.. Aunt Bea .. !i ■ • Myrpa Loy M.illey. Reviewed at Westwood Village. Malcolm ....... Roddy McDowall , Theatre. Oct. 14, ’60. Running time. 115 C harles Manning.Herbert Marshall MINS. ~ — j Natasha Tarry ■ Tulsa McCauley . Elvis Presley Hermione Baddelev jjh i.Juliet Prowse John Williams rooky ...... *»-’—*'»•-'*- i Richard Ney Tina ........ .. Anthony Dawson ; Ri t k ..._ ...: i Rhys Williams Marla . Richard l.upino s gt . M c Graw _. Doris Lloyd , Peggy Thompson Il-ira Inspector Byrnei Daniel A«=h Victor Elliott - Foster Nora Robert Ivers. ,..., .. Laticia Roman James Douglas ...;- Sigrid Maier Arch Johnson -- ^ “G.I.. Blues” restores Elvis Presr Doris Day is off and ^running | ey the screen in a picture that again in ‘‘Midnight Lace.■ * ?cm- seems t p have been left over flom trived and not very mji-teiious, . . . mvstcrv melodrama f that most • the frivolou* filmusicals of World audiences will love. The Ross War II. On the logical assumption Hunter-Arwin production spends that the teenage following that most of its lime ^purposely mislead-j catapu ited Presley to the boxoffice ing the spectator, steering him; into a motivational rilaze. eastin* ; top a few years back has grown suspicion on everyone but the proper party. But. fbr all of its vagaries, the Universal release is so craftily manufactured, so lux¬ uriously mounted and: so artistical- ]v framed that audiences will have a fine time. Hunter, U. Marty - . .. . Klclcher. Dav & Co. appear to have boxpffic^e, it will need the support u, A .ne»ii-ae innthcp hit of Presleys formerly ardent fans: cated in its tastes, the rather juve¬ nile Hal Wallis “comeback” pro¬ duction may have to depend on younger, pre-teen age ; groups for its chief response. But if the Para¬ mount release is to get by at the themselves another hit. As in most of Hunter's recent formerly , About the creakiest ‘book'* in efforts, the emphasises on visual musicomedy annals has been re satisfaction. His idea, successful vived hy scenarists Edmund .Beloin and Henry Garson as a framework within which Presley warbles 10 wobbly songs and costar Juliet Prowse steps out in a pair of flashy up to now. seems to be to keep the screen attractively filled. First and foremost, it is mandatory to have a lovely and popular [ star of Miss Day s calibre. She is to be decked ^dances. out in an elegant wardrobe and j plot- casts Presley as an 11-. surrounded by expensive sets and ; American - boy tank - gunner sta- tasteful furnishings. This is to be‘tinned in Germany who woos sup- embellished by highly dramatic posedly .icy-hearted Miss, Prowse lighting effects and striking hues, for what, starts put as. strictly mer- principally in the warmer yellow- ce nary reasons 'if he spends the brown range of the spectrum. The n jghf with her. he wins a hunk of camera is to be maneuvered, when- ca sh to help, set up a nitery in the ever possible, into [striking, un- states). Needless to say, the ice usual positions. melts and amor develops, only to Basis of the fuss is. preferably. dissolve "ben Miss Prowse Ieanis to be a melodrama,! but a light. D f t j le heely scheme. But every- sophisticated comedy jis an accept- thing turns out all right ih the able alternative. That it works so end, paving the way for a kiss-kiss- well in this film is a'.credit to the ];j ss finale that is straight out of einema skills of people such as the gonja Henie ice age. cameraman RusseH .^eUy. art d, Rosponsibility for P e„„ in g the rectors Alexander P°. m £" ‘“J to tunes is given no one on Para- Robert Ciatworthy |et deeoraior ,. t .,. e dit sheet. Considering Oliver tmerl. editors Russell F (| f these compositions. F.elioengarth and Loop Barsha. and , sllch 4 anon ’ mi ,y is understandable ™ -J- L."ey is .credited with scoring and conducting music for under Hunter’s enthusiastic sur Vcillance. In “Midnight Lace*” which Ivan. Goff and Ben Roberts h*ve adapted from Janet Green's j?!av. “Matilda Shouted Fire.” Miss Day is vic¬ timized by what seems to be a crank on the telephone. Informed bv a nagging, mysterious, per¬ sistent caller that her life jeopardy, she works herself into such a lather that others. Scotland Yark included, begin to believe her obsession is tlie myth of a neglected wife (Husband Rex Harrison is constantly and unac¬ countably preoccupied with busi¬ ness matters). the film. It is not absolutely, clear w hether he had a hand In compos¬ ing the pop selections, [but it. is doubtful. Presley sings therii all as. a slightly subdued pelvis. Miss Prowse is a firstrate dancer and lias a pixie charm rerni iseerit in of Leslie Caron. She deserves bet¬ ter roles than this. A couple, of promising, attractive actresses from, abroad make their screen bows in. this film; Leticia Roman from Italy and Sigrid Maier from Germany.: Robert Ivers, as Presley’s G.i. ! sidekick, is a comic standout, and ; should go places in films, James Among the chief j; suspects are ■ Douglas capably plays another John Gavin, a construction gang i buddy and Arch Jthnson is in¬ foreman who makes phone calls i volved as the inevitable dumb top in a neighborhood, pub; Roddy Me- sergeant. Dowall, a sproiled young punk who* Lenswork. under, the capable can’t keep his eyes off the heroine:! control of Loyal Griggs,' is . ade- and Herbert Marshall, treasurer in ( quate, as are the bulk of contribu- Harriscns firm who's having ! tions in art and. technical depart- t’ ouble paying off his bookie. ! ments. Tube. There is the standard hokum of f producers requesting that the “unique plot development” ian- oi:>er way to term [“the ending'’) not be revealed. Actpally. it s more preposterous than “unique.'*' A Ie«:s ingenious, more botched ;;p plot to kill is difficult to envision. The effervescent [Miss Day sets feme sort of record here for frightened gasps. As executed by her. even a gasp can be attractive. Harrison is eapablie. as are Mc¬ Dowall, Marshall, [Gavin. Myrna Loy. Natasha Parry, Hermione Baddeloy and Richard N'ey. John Williams, type-cast [ as a Yard in¬ spector does quite; well. Director David Miller adds a few pleasant little humorous touches «nd generally makes the most of Siege of Sidney Street (BRITISH) Better - than - average , c r i m e thriller based oh authentic London gangster crime: lacks marquee value for U.S., but It’s a sound b.o. prospect. .London, Oct. 11. Rngal Filfs International release of a Mid-Century . (Robert . S. Bak.er-Monty Berman) production. Stars Donald Sinden, Nicole ftl-uireyj Peter, Wyngarde, Kieron Moore:' features . Leonard Sachs, Tutte Lemkow. George Pastell. T. P. McKeririn, Angela Newman^ Diretted, photographed and edited by Robert S. .Baker & Monty Berman. Screenplay.. Jimmy gangster and Alexander Baron, from story, by Jimmy. Sangster; rnuaic. Stanley; Black. Previewed at Studio One. Running time. 93 MINS, Mannering Sara. Yoska Peter ... z. Blakey ... Svadrs . . Dniitreieff Brodsky. ............ Nina- ..... Lapidos Gardstei Hefeld Hei sh - ---- Police Commissioner Old Hairy . ..._ Police Inspector. Donald Sinden Nicole Maurey. .. Kieron Moore . Peter Wyrigarde ..,..:. Godfrey Quigley ...Leonard Sachs Tutte. Lemkow .......... George Past ell Angela Newman T. P. McKenna Maurice Good ..James Caffre.v Harold Goldblatt ristopher Casson .'. Harry' Brogan' .....Alan Simpson Because Robert. Baker and Monty Berman produced, directed, photographed and edited “Siege of Sidney Street” themselves; it’s a simple, matter to decide where to (dish out blame of praise. In this instance, it’s : praise since; within its modest limits, this turns out to be. quite .a lively version of a gang¬ ster episode that had. the East End of London on its ears early in 191L It’s a ie-yahip of the celebrated incident W'hen a gang of Russians brought out the police and tlie army before they could be smoked out of their hideout. ' Sidney Street. ’ In straightforward fashion, this shows Donald. Sinden. as a dedi¬ cated police officer who, patiently tracks down the gang of Russian patriots, led by a. character named Peter the Painter (Peter Wyn- garde). They robbed allegedly to gain funds for their cause, wiiich was'anarchy. By disguising, hirnscif as a down-and^outer, Sinden even- j tually gets the thugs penned lip. The result ivas one of,the bloodiest gangster scenes that London has ever known. The East End of Lon¬ don in .1911 is vividly brought to life, direction is sound without be¬ ing . over-empha[sized while the final, siege is an exciting sock cli¬ max. The actors. may riot have much, stellar appeal for the U.S., but they all do a useful job, with one of two particiilariy deft per¬ formances. W’yrigarde gives an alert: strong portrayal of tlie quiet but ruthless top gangster. Kieron. Moore, a trig¬ ger- happy lieuteriant. and Leonard Sachs,, as an older but equally de¬ voted member of the cause, are also first-rate,. Sinden, as the cop, tends to: play iuph on some note, but His is a comparatively colorless role compared with those of the Russo thugs., Tutte Lemkow, T. P. McKenna, Godfrey Blakey and i George. Patell are others’ who pro¬ vide useful thesping, ; . ] The fenime side is less strongly represented, but; Nicole Maurey and Angela. Newriian both fit in well;. Miss . Maurey plays an or¬ phaned Russian refugee who gets di;aw‘n into the -gang because of loneliness, and her infatuation for Peter, She has one or two stand¬ out scenes, hotahly during a police grilling/ She also handles a few touches of implied romance be¬ tween her arid . Sinden; ith discre¬ tion and charm. Miss Newman, as a tougher member of the gang, also registers ^decisively. The Jimmy Sangster-.Alexander Baron screenplay , is sound and keeps tension to a high level, while offering; the. directors a splendid Chance of bringing some. dramatic vitality to the final siege. Garig, with the exception of Peter the Painter, who was never caught, are wiped out hy fire. Sangster also has a realistic, cheeky cameo . as the then Home Secretary (Winston Churchill) who personally con- 1960 High Low Change None of Trade’s Business UF SIG SHORE MISREPRESENTS?] Hollywood/ Oct. 18. “The Sword and the Dragori,” reviewed recently in . Variety, Is not a Yugoslavian production as Sig Shore, vvho is presenting the pic with Joseph Harris, informed this paper. ./Qrigihai ititie of tli Russian-made film, which vyas dubbed with English dialog for U. S. presentation, was ‘‘Ilya Mourometa:” Pic was reviewed from Paris by Variety Aug- 5, 1959, When que$tioned at his New York office.about the origin of the film. Shore acknowledged it was made, partly in Yugoslavia and partly in Russia. Asked if he bought pic through Artkino, Russian distrib agency in’this country. Shore snapped, “Where I got the film is none of yeur business.” For the U. f 5 . release version, name of the pic’s leading player/ Boris Andreiei', was Anglicized to Boris Andrews. American Stock Exchange Over-the-counter Securities Bid Ask ducted the final operations: . j Stanley Black has provided ade- ! quate music and there is art. /in¬ triguing Russian song, sung by Miss Maurey, in the. East End. so- : cial club, which- iras been neatly, compriseQ bv .Dav»d Palin^r arid ViS.- newsman, Robert MusH Rich. . -i The Tu b Faces of Dr. .Vekyll (BRITISH-TECHNICOLOR) Sixth film version of the Stevenson chiller, sometimes crude but with aii Imaginative twist and enough horror to make: it a good b.o, bet with, bold exploitation. London, Oct. 13. Columbia release of -Hammer Film pro¬ duction.. Stars Raul ..MaSsie, Dawn Add.artis, Christopher Lee: features 'David KossOff. Norma Marla. Francis De Wolff. Pro¬ ducer. Michael Carreras. Director. Ter¬ ence Fisher. Screenplay. Wolf Mankowitz; from Robert -.Louis 'Stevepson’s story; editor, Eric Boyd-Perkins; camera. Jack Asher; .music and songs. Monty Norman & David Heneker: At Pavilion, London.. Running time, •• MlNSz JekylLHyde Paul Massie Kitty ...'.. Dawn Addam* Paul Allen ...: ... . . . .... Christopher. Lee Liatier ..;. ■■ David Kossoff Inspector : raheis De W'olff Maria .. Norma Marla Sphinx Girl Magda Miller Clubman . .. William 'Kendall Girl in gin shop. -Pauline Shepherd Nannie Helen Goss Coroner Percy Cartwright Corinthia • Joe Robinson Cabby rthur Lovegroye, This Is thP sixth film Version of Stevenson’s classic chiller. Decked out in. Teehnicolor,. with. an inter¬ esting performance.by Paul Massie in the dual role, and. with script¬ writer Wolf Manko\yitz’s blood and lust this one has all the; earmarks of being a b.O. winner, if shrewdly handled. Mankowitz has ..palpably distorted and, in fact, jettisoned Stevenson’s. original stofy &nd the . affair becomes rhostly a straight.- fprivard horror yarn, biit with the benefit of some good •opportunities for characterization, and a useful climax. There are some blatantly inserted spots Of sadism: ;Whereas in previous editions Dr. Jekyll/ the experimenting Scientist, has been seen being .transformed with the aid of the makeup de¬ partment into a. hideous monster, this ;tirrie the. bearded Victorian doctor turns into a ybung. clean¬ shaven handsome man around town as Mr. Hyde. Paul Massie: playing the double Tole. has had to iriiply. riorra;, mainly through voice and eyes! Considering tlirit .Massie. has only, three films behind him and is a bit short on experience he does a remarkably adept job,. aided by. a screenplay which though invariably tongue-in-cheek does offer spine good thesiping .chances;. The original; yarn's too Well knoxyn to need much recapping here.,. In new film Doctor Jekyll is frying to separate man’s two dis¬ tinct personalities, the. decent and the; evil; lie experiments on hint-, seif ;arid . the. suave and evil Hyde occasionally takes oyet^ arid has a high old. tirrie, wallowing in- sin around:the nightspots of..yietpriaii Londori. He murders, a couple of people,; drives Jekyll’s wife to suicide and frames Jekylls own suicide with a spot pf arson. In : the end the good .doctor destroys Hyde, b'ut.iri doing so.destroys him- self:. ..Terence Fisher’s direction, has cruditiesv biit is done effectively with a ,fe\v hold .barred, the ,Vic¬ torian atmosphere is well put over arid . Jack Asher’s camerawork:. is: colorful and sure. Mass! keeps the thesping side together and shows up even belter as Hyde : than as Jekyll..- And there are two or three useful perforinances to help. Massie*.. Christopher Lee. one of Hyde’s Victims (.bumped off by. a snakedancer’s serpent), is assured, as Mrs; Jekyll's lover, arid Daw Addams arid Norma Maria, as Jekyll's wife and Hyde’s: moll; re¬ spectively, ..are both well cast. There is also a quiet little gem. of pbseryation. from David Kossoff ai? Dr. JekylTs worried, syriipathetic friend. Among the violent highsppts ara the murder of Lee: with. a. snake. Miss Addams’-. death., plunge, .the strangling of . Miss. Marla during a bedtime frolic with the wicked Mr. Hyde, arid some, evocative glirtipses. of some; of yictoriah London’s.; seamier joy spots. .Rich,