Boxoffice-March.06.1948

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Publit
FEATURE REVIEWS
Holiday Camp
Univ-Int'l 97 Minutes
Drama
Rel. Fob. '47
Typically British in its atmosphere and characterizations,
yet a delightfully warm and entertaining tale ol working
people on a holiday. Because the all-English cast has scant
name value, the picture is best suited to art houses. However,
it rates extra selling as a dualler in neighborhood
spots, where average audiences will enjoy the down-toearth
humor. Director Ken Annikin skillfully employes the
"Grand Hotel" pattern to bring together the many sub-plots
in a rambling story which alternates between comedy and
dramatic sequences. While their accents seem too heavy
at the start, the British players have an acting field day with
their well-sustained characterizations. Flora' Robson gives
a moving portrayal of a lonely spinster. Jack Warner is
amusing as a family man and Esma Cannon makes an
engaging, man-chasing nitwit.
Flora Robson, Dennis Price, Hazel Court, lack Warner,
Kathleen Harrison, Jimmy Hanley. Esme Cannon.
Kings of the Olympics - Part 1 F
United Artists 60 Minutes Hel.-
With the sports writers stirring up interest in the Olympic
games to be held in London next July, this hour-long camera
record of the 1936 Berlin Olympics should prove timely.
During the next six months it will have boxolfice possibilities
as a second feature in regular situations or as a single feature
for newsreel theatres. Its appeal need not be restricted
to sports fans. There is artistic camera work and keen drama
for all in the foot races, jumping events, and water sports
shown here. Some of the U.S. athletes who made sports
history as participants in these events are Jesse Owens,
Ralph Metcalfe, Glenn Cunningham and Ken Carpenter. Narration
is well handled by Bill Slater. Joseph Lerner and
Max Rosenbaum are to be commended for their editing job
on the vast footage shot by 600 German cameramen. Part
II of the 1936 Olympics will be released after Part I has been
played off. It will include soccer, polo, bicycle races, the
decathlon and marathon.
Jenny Lamour A J^Z;.
The Fight Never Ends
F
Foremost Films 102 Minutes Hel.
A racy, realistic and suspensful murder mystery with a
backstage background which permits the logical introduction
of songs and specialties. One of the best of the Frenchlanguage
imports, it should do strong business in art houses.
The Parisian music hall atmosphere and sexy theme also
might be exploited in other metropolitan spots but it's
strictly adult fare and not for neighborhood audiences. The
English titles approach the risque, several of the characters
are degenerate and some of the situations are spicy, to say
the least. The songs, including the catchy "Dance Avec Moi,
ore delivered in spirited fashion by Suzy Delair, who gives
an excellent portrayal of an ambitious entertainer. Louis
Jouvet gives another outstanding performance as a calm
and cagy police inspector. Directed by Henri-Georges
Clouzot. Foremost Films is at 229 West 42nd St., N.Y.C.
Louis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Bernard Blier, Simone Renant,
Charles DuUin, Rene Blancart.
A Lover's Return
A
Westport International 96 Minutes Rel.
A slow-moving and cynical tale of revenge and adolescent
love, this French-language film is adult fare. The names of
Louis Jouvet and Gaby Morlay aie familiar to art theatre
patrons and the film will do good business in sure-seaters.
Except where French-speaking patrons predominate, the
picture will hove little value generally. Jouvet gives one
of his customary suave portrayals of a middle-aged lover
and Miss Morlay contributes a sincere performance as a
matron who hopes to recapture the thrills of young love. But
it is Ludmila Tcherina who stands out for her beauty, her
capable acting and her hne dancing in the several ballet
sequences. These have been lavishly staged and well
photographed. A successful impresario returns to the town
where a shooting broke up his romance of 20 years before.
Directed by Christian Jaque.
Louis Jouvet, Gaby Morlay, Francois Perier, Ludmila
Tcherina, Jean Brochard, Marguerite Moreno.
Laugh, Pagliacci
Continental Films 89 Minutes Rel.
One of the better Italian-language films with some dramatic
acting and fine singing to offset the out-moded plot.
Beniamino Gigli's draw with opera lovers makes this surefire
in the art theatres and in a few metropolitan houses.
Public curiosity about 'Valli, currently starring in Selznick's
"The Paradine Case," also mokes it suitable for duals, especcially
in Italian neighborhoods. 'Valli looks lovely in period
costumes and gives an engaging performance as an unsophisticated
girl. Gigli's glorious voice is heard to advantage
in arias from "Pagliacci" but his acting and hefty
appearance leave something to be desired. However, Paolo
Hoerbiger gives a moving portrayal of a tragic old clovim,
the prototype of the character in the Leoncavallo opera. Directed
by Guiseppe Fatigati. Continental is at 1560 Broadway,
N.Y.C.
Alida Valli, Beniamino Gigli, Paolo Hoerbiger, Dagny Servaes,
Carlo Romano.
Alexander 70 Minutes Rel.
With Joe Louis, world heavyweight chomp, as the star,
this all-Negro film about juvenile delinquency in Harlem
should be able to boost grosses for Negro theatres down
south and for northern theatres catering to predominantly
Negro audiences. The Joe Louis reputation also should help
sell the picture as a Saturday children's show attraction.
Aside from Louis and the Mills Brothers, the picture has little
to offer except a peachy story about the evils of crime. The
acting and story leave much to be desired. As long as Louis
is kept busy on the screen and) is shown sparring in the
ring, it is doubtful whether the production shortcomings will
bother his many fans. There also is the chance that the film
may convince some potential reform school candidates that
crime doesn't pay. Joseph Lerner directed. Alexander Productions,
306 Lennox Ave., New York, N. Y.
Joe Louis, Ruby Dee, The Mills Brothers,
Fanny
Harrel Tillman.
Siritzsky International 126 Minutes Rel.-
The artistry of producer-writer Marcel Pagnol and the
superb acting ability of the late Raimu are combined in
an outstanding French language film. The popularity of
the character actor with art theatre patrons, plus the favorable
critical comjnent, will make this a strong draw in the
sure-seaters. The picture's illegitmacy theme and the twohour
running time make it unsuitable for dual showings in
neighborhood and subsequent runs. The story has a strong
emotional appeal, is filled with human interest andi contains
enough realistic dramatic and comedy touches for two
ordinary films. Raimu gives a deeply moving performance
of an anxious grandfather and Charpin splendidly alternates
the amusing and pathetic side of an excitable middle-aged
lover. Orane Demazis is fair. Directed by Marc AUegret, this
was originally filmed as port of a trilogy in 1937.
Raimu, Orane Demazis, Pierre Fresnay, Charpin. Alida
Rouffe.
Passionelle
A
Distinguished Films 81 Minutes Rel.
Marriage for convenience with sex on the side gets a
thorough goingover in this French film based on a novel by
Emile Zola. It is a picture for adult art and foreign-language
audiences who will not be shocked by its blunt treatment
of premarital relations. There is nothing idyllic about the
story of a small town family of French aristocrats. The practical-minded
mother arranges a "good" marriage for her
convent-educated daughter. The daughter, who has been
having an affair with her maid's son, balks at marrying
the man of her mother's choice. When her jealous lover
' '"", threatens to expose her, she murders him and calls in the
'.'"v to village postal clerk dispose of the body. This clerk has
long been in love with the girl, and therefore does as he is
asked. As a result he is accused of the murder, and "takes
the rap." Edmond Gieville directed.
Jacques Castel-
Odette Joyeaux, Alorme, Sylvie, Roger Blin,
lot, Raymond Galle.
March 6. 1948 909