FOLLOWING THE FILM TRACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 85, 12 April 1946, Page 7

FOLLOWING THE FILM TRACK

MORE MATURE PICTURES LATEST TREND IN HOLLYWOOD PATRONS SHOW THEIR PREFERENCES. The outstanding success of themes which were considered to hive only small appeal to the bulk of the movie patrons indicates that there will be more adult fare in future pictures and tnat there will be fewer productions for the “bobby sock” audiences. Encouraged by their recent achievements, producers are planning pictures more mature and even controversial, and the effect of these should mean an improvement to the standard of the cinema without detracting any from i|s entertainment value. Reason for the change is, as top men in the industry point out, the box office returns of conscientiously made movies, on political, religious, social and historical themes.

Religion and politics, taboo for many years, have been the themes of some of the greatest successes in the last two years. A case in point is Lost Week-end,” yet to reach New Zealand, which has earned great success in America, as well as winning

four academy awards. Though it is a highly controversial film of a dipsomaniac, its success indicates that by proper handling a doubtful story can be made to have large appeal. Production schedules for this type of film are now being drawn up. Sam Goldwyn has purchased “Earth and High Heaven,” which deals with the controversy in religion. 20th Century Fox have already made “Anna and the King of Siam,” which was considered once to be impossible both to screen and to arouse public interest. “Cornered,” yet another in this category, will reveal the Nazi menace in South America.

Humorous, but political, “State of the Union” is being keenly sought by rival producers, and ready for shooting is the story of the Garden of Eden, “Adam and Eve,” with James Stewart and Ingrid Bergman in the name roles. Medical opposition will most likely be forthcoming against Paul De Kruif’s “Kaiser Wakes the Doctors,” which has been purchased by Edward Golden. Rosalind Russell pedalled the life story of Sister Kenny (propounder of the famous Kenny cure for infantile paralysis from studio to studio for three years before RKO decided to make it, but now it is coming. Ben Hecht’s “Spectre of the Rose” is probably the first mature handling of the ballet to emerge from Hollywood. Also predicted is a flood of 'psychological pictures following on the success of many of them in the past. Pro. ducers state that the public accepts “films of the mind” and that the psychological formula can be used over and over again and yet give infinite variety.

The movie tastes of the New Zealand public for the next year or so has thus been made, so far as American productions are concerned, and indications are that they will find them most acceptable. This has been evidenced in Wanganui on many occasions, and in “Following the Film Track” next week the likes and dislikes of Wanganui patrons, as seen through attendances, will be analysed. MORE ACADEMY AW ARDS.

Several special awards were presented this year. Frank Sinatra received one for the short “The House I Live In,” which advocates racial and religious tolerance; and to Peggy Ann Garner for her performane in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.”

An Osar went to Richard Schweizer for his screen play of “Marie Louise,”

a Swiss production and the fir t foreign film ever to participate in the awards. Along with Miklos Rozsa’s award for the musical side of “Spellbound” was one for Georgie Stoll for his score on that amazingly successful musical “Anchors Aweigh.” BACK FROM THE WAR. Having honourably di charged his obligation to King and country, David Niven, who is probably the most typical Scotsnian ever to set foot out of Kirriemuir, has headed back to Hollywood to take up the promising film career he bolted in 1939 to join the 13: itish Army. On this second entry into the fabulous land of make-believe Mr Niven is travelling with the quiet dignity befitting a ’freshly inactivated lieutenant-colonel, one of the twentyfive Britishers to receive the American Legion of Merit, and a family man with responsibilities. The six years of Army life that ended for him last August are a closed chapter. “Really nothing to talk about,” says Niven with disarming modesty. “You know, I wasn’t the only chap who felt something had to be done about that hasty little Fuehrer.”

WANGANUI THEATRES WHAT’S ON OVER THE WEEK-END OPERA HOUSE: “Hotel Reserve,” starring James Mason and Lucie Mannheim. A new and romantic mystery thriller set in a unique and colourful background, a British picture from the makers of the “Yellow Canary.” The Bos Murphy v. Vic Caltaux fight in the national newsreel is a feature of the shorts. MAJESTIC: “To-night and Every Night,” starring Rita Hayworth, Janet Blair, Lee Bowman, and Marc Platt. A fast-moving technicolour true-life drama of the London musichalls. Variety of supports. REGENT: “Sante Fe Trail,” starring Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn. Outdoor historical adventure of the men from Westpoint who helped pioneer America. Excellent national newsreel, including Murphy v. Caltaux fight and the Christchurch polesitter. WHAT’S COMING OPERA HOUSE: Commencing Tuesday, “Back to Bataan.” John Wayne and Anthony Quinn. MAJESTIC: Commencing Thursday, “Our Vines More Tender Grapes.” Edward G. Robinson, Margaret O’Brien, and Jackie Jenkins. REGENT: Tuesday and Wednesday only, “Mutiny on the Bounty.’’ Clark Gable and Charles Lau fe hion. UNIVERSAL’S FILMS. Universal’s 1946 franchise has been signed for New Zealand by Kerridge Theatres Ltd. and its associates, “Film Weekly” trade journal in Australasia for the motion picture industry, reports. The deal will give Universal playing time in something like 120 theatres in the Dominion. PRODUCTION NOTES.

Another of Mary O’Hara’s “Fllcka” stories is set for filming with the same cast of previous editions, plus singing moppet, Jane Powell. . . Peggy Ann Garner and Barbara Whiting—the “Fuffy” of “Junior Miss”—set for “Home Sweet Homicide,” the family life of a mystery yarn author. . . . latest mammoth musical from Columbia is “Song of Broadway,” starring Marjorie Reynolds .... Director John Ford starts work on “My Darling Clementine,” with Henry Fonda, Jeanne Crain and Linda Darnell. ’Tis a Western. THE INVISIBLE BING.

Bing Crosby’s voice is heard throughout a picture in which he does not even appear. It all takes place in Paramount’s “Out of This World,” a comedy with a musical background which stars Eddie Bracken, Veronica Lake and Diana Lynn. Bing’s four boys, Gary, Phillip, Dennis and Lin play substantial bits in an orphan asylum sequence in the picture. Talking over his soss’ parts in the picture, Bing heard producer Sam Coslow wonder aloud about the script. It seems that the script writers had created a character whose voice was supposed to be similar to Bing’s. Bing finally offered to sing for Bracken and Coslow

took up his offer. Interestingly enough, when the main title billing of the picture is flashed on the screen, Bing’s credit is hidden in the following foreword: “Mr Bracken’s songs are sung for him by an old friend of his—and yours.” PEARL HARBOUR FOR THE SCREEN. A re-enaction of Pearl Harbour is to be screened by the U.S. Navy. The location, however, will be Truk and useless old battleships will be the targets. M.G.M. may get the foolage on this demonstration for their atomic bomb story, “The Beginning or the End.” Sam Marx, the producer, spent some time with President Truman discussing “The Beginning or the End,” and it is very po-sible they will get <dl these scenes, which couldn’t possibly be reproduced on a movie set. “SERENADE” TOO BLUE!

Hollywood columnists are reported to be wondering how Warnei Bros.’ “Serenade” will get past the censor. James Cain’ s si dry tells of a singer who is not quite normal, and how the woman who loves him tries to help him. Highlight of the book is an attack on a woman in a church in Mexico. Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan are the stars. “CAPTAIN SCOTT.”

Captain Scott, the famous Antarctic explorer, will be the hero of a forthcoming British film, and Michaej Balcon, with the co-operation of Lady Kennet, the late explorer’s widow, is readying the scenario. Authentic background scenes are to be obtained by a production crew which Balcon is sending to the Antarctic. This has the promise of being another of Britain’s great documentaries, for Charles Frond, who directed “San Demetrio, London,” among others, will direct “Captain Scott.”