The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 17

PARTI 5 h. AT HOLLYWOOD AND FILM Losangclcs Cimcs4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1943 Elsa Maxwell, and we're all hoping she gets around every year as she plans. Quite a few daring Holly woodians, among them David O. Selznick, braved the famous jinx of the Hope diamond by touching it despite the tough luck that's supposed to bring. "A friend of mine killed himself 10 days after kissing the diamond," Evelyn told D.O.S.

"It'll take more than the Hope diamond to jinx Since You Went Away'," he retorted. Releaed th Chiraso Tribune-New York News Syndicate. 194.1 for steel workers and celebrating; the part that steel has played in building the nation Brian Donlevy does his greatest job yet for King Vidor in Metro's "America" playing a Czech immigrant who becomes America's greatest industrialist Gregory RatofC says the food situation's going from bad to borsht. XEXT A. V.

HKDI LKD In case Lou Costello's fans feared he might have yelled in the movies for the last time-no. The next Abbott and Cos-tello will be 'Steel Tier Preferred," and it's to be made on the steel pier at Atlantic City. Eddie Sherman, who pikwl the comics to the box-office championship, tells me he has just completed arrangements for the filming, to start in the spring. Lou and Bud will play themselves and the picture will incorporate many of their adventures when they were booked at the pier as a vaudeville team some years ago, before they hit the jackpot. Sherman is to produce the film, thereby hitting the jackpot himself after many years at the A.

C. helm. Frank Oravatt, owner of the pier, never hss permitted its use as a film background before and there's a sentimental reason involved: Sherman hooked John Thilip Sousa's band on the pier just after the last war. THAT HOPK MAMOXO Evelyn Walsh McLean has seen and conquered Hollywood under the social guidance of mi hi If I 4- tA i fe -A 1 Double Dose of 'Horror Proffered BY JOHN L. SCOTT Devotees of cinema horror packed their favorite thrill-dispensing theater, the Hawaii, last night to indulge in the macabre.

"I Walked With a Zombie" and "The Leopard Man" were the juicy morsels offered as bait. Both chillers stem from the R.K.O. studio and have the same director, Jacques Tourneur. Each boasts moments of suspense and spine tickling sequences, with the "Zombie" affair coming off better in the "home-and-home" competition. Tourneur apparently has that art of generating the "mystic atmosphere," which is so important in these eerie film plays.

However, in neither of his current pictures is the horror motif overstressed. In fact, the endings of both cinemas seem too conventional, although in each case it's murder. Not a Drink Frances Dee has the unusual experience of "walking with the Zombie." She portravs a nurse who is engaged tocare for a West Indies planter's wife. The lady is a mental case but the natives believe she is a Zombie, a walking dead person. When the insulin shock treatment fails to aid.

Nurse Dee takes her patient to a native voodoo rite. A witch doctor stabs the sick woman's arm with a sword but she does not bleed. Thi leaves the natives sure and the audience almost "sold" that she rmist be a Zombie. However, we're never certain because the half-brother of her husband murders her and carries her into the ocean. Fie Mr.

Tourneur! James Ellison, Frances Dee, Tom Conway, Edith Barrett (very good as the mother.) James Bell. Christine Gordon. Teresa Harris and others fill their roles acceptably. Many Suspects "The Leopard Man" suffers bv comparison with "Zombi?" as a thrill-getter, mainly because so many characters clutter up the mystery iMoceedings. AYhen too many suspects are presented, audiences get.

restless. The close of this production, like the other, leaves the reason for the killings untold. Dennis O'Keefe. Margo, Jean Rrcoks. Isabel Jewell.

James Bell. Margaret Iindiy. Abner P.therman and others take part. 'Pistol Packin Mama Rights Bring $250,000 Gail Russell's Screen Slate Includes 'True to the Navy' With Eddie Bracken BY KmVIX SCHALliERT It can hardly be believed, though it might be reckoned a stunt in showmanship, but the word at Republic is this studio has paid $250,000 for the rights to the title -Pistol Packin' Mama." The number has sold more than 1,000,000 records, and more than 100.000 copies of the sheet music have been marketed. The studio's intention is to build a melodic film around the title.

The number has been performed by Al Dexter and his troupers, and is a great favorite in the juke boxes. GAIL RUSSELL TRUE TO AW HEROINE The line-up of pictures from Gail Russell is by now most extensive. She is the star resembling Hedy Lamarr who is being promoted actively by Paramount. To be introduced in "The Uninvited," she will appear also in "Her Heart in Her Throat," and has now been picked for the film "True to the Xavy," which means that Eddie Bracken will be her Screen play for this picture is being written by Darrell Ware and Karl Tunberg. COMICS TO DELVE IXTO 'SERVANT PROBLEM Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are to be identified with a picture of vital social significance none other than "The Servant Problem." Twentieth Century-Fox has scheduled this film for the comedy pair to foIIow'Dancing Masters." And it is due to start In about six weeks with Ben Stoloff directing and Sol Wurtzel producing.

Incidentally, it doesn't look as if the comics' Mexican venture, "Don Quixote," were developing very rapidly although it is still the intention to produce this picture. L. and of course, have films to do for M.G.M., too. RICHARD MARTIN" GAINS GOOD ASSIGNMENT That former studio messenger. Richard Martin, is faring all right in the movies.

He has been picked for. the second male lead in "Tender Comrade," and because this is a Ginger Rogers feature plenty of glamour is assured. Both Robert Ryan, who appears opposite the star, and Martin gained impetus in their careers from Bombardier" which helped several other people. Martin also had a part in "The Sky's the Lim With James Cagney's first independent picture under his belt, brother Bill is busy looking for something to keep himself and his new stock players busy, and the next one will be without Jimmy. I hear that Bill is toying with a pirate film idea with Grace George and Marjorie Lord in featured roles.

No place for Jimmy there since he's too well typed to play a buccaneer except in farce. Both Cagneys want to disabuse the public of any notion that Bill's the tail to Jimmy's kite. Fact is, it was Bill who moved in on Jimmy and said, "You'll slap down no more gals in your pictures no matter how much the customers may like it" and Jimmy hasn't batted a dame since. IS HE SN ARED? Ever since those early days when Howard Hughes gave Billie Dove such a tremendous rush, he's been the most mentally married-off eligible in Hollywood. The roster of his flames is as long as the long arm of coincidence, but he's never lifen broken to harness and altar since his first early marriage to a Texas girl.

This time, take it from me, he'll march to the tune of "I do," and Ava Gardner is the "it" girl. Howard and Ava really mean it. She'll be free in a couple of veeks from her Mickey Rooney entanglement. Howard moved into her heart when he was so understand-ingly sympathetic when her mother died. Metro, of course, is tickled over Ava's new deal and signed her to a new ticket the minute they heard of it.

NEW YORK BOY Roy Roberts, young Broadway actor discovered by Joseph M. Schenck in the cast of "My Sister Kiieen" and brought out to I'Oth-Fox, decided to have himself a gander at Hollywood and Vine. Cop caught him jaywalking and he paid a S10 fine Warners is testing Mary Heflin. Van's pretty sister Hedy Iamarr and John I.oder have passed up that New York stage offer for a honeymoon in Mexico City Blanche Yurka winged to Steuhenville. to play the leading role in the pageant, "We Hold These Truths." being put on by the gov ernment PAIR TRIUMPH Katina Paxinou as Pilar and Gary Cooper as Robert Jordan score personal successes in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" at Carthay Circle, United Artists.

Dorothy McGuire Sparkles as Cinematized Claudia P.Y EDWIN SCHALLERT "Claudia" arrives on the screen practically intact. Spice of the stage play necessarily is somewhat missing, but Dorothy mm McGuire not only preserves she a'so develops her sprightly, amusing and irrepressible character. Moreover, she is a pleasant addition to the ensemble of stars. With the right subjects she will probably, have an interesting, and possibly even provocative, And in any event she will he able to do another Claudia in, say, a year from now. Pattern Followed The picture exploiting Rose Franken's well-known personality of fiction is visible at Loew's State, Grauman's Chinese and Ritz theaters.

The accompanying or umom i it." But in neither instance were the assignments noteworthy, while "Tender Comrade" marks a boost in that respect. LUMINARIES OF FUTURE SELECTED Stars of tomorrow as picked by the exhibitors in a poll conducted by Motion Picture Herald show as follows: William Bendix. MHEBELTOllSJ Philip Dorn, Susan Peters, Donald O'Connor, Anne Baxter, Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Diana Earrymore, Gig Young and Alexis Smith. Independent exhibitors included on their list Virginia Wcidler and Kathryn Grayson. Chain theater operators liked Dana An-i i 4 Cbcatcrs poken Drama drews.

Otherwise selections were the same. Last year's favorites included Van Heflin, Eddie Bracken, Jane Wyman. John Carroll, Alan Ladd. Lynn Bari, Nancy Kelly, Donna Reed, Betty Hutton and Teresa Wright. MOVIELAND JOTTING AND CASTINGS Hollywood Canteen will have a picnic on Labor Day for stars.

GEORGE SANDERS AnnaSten. THEY CAME TO I BLOW UP AMERICA WARD BONDDENNIt HO(Y SIG RUMAN POIDY DUR A rw coniiT-ioi nctun Gary lnrid Cooper 'Bergman CI TIIIIIFf II1IM IE tnim JtKM CIUIU III ((Till Nlllll iuttlin rtticet 1 1 II IHti I 'tiVtVi'IJ Sam Wood ttrm rut it liiiif iitrt tm e. mi ewel e) OtW ltH TtCKWCOLCe Neer It Fairfe, WEbater 72U Ti DbiIt-J--M ed S30 P.M. All Stirt Ketmtri and P. E.

Bines direct to Carthee Srf tm Sale at Box Office and all aeeneiet UNITED ARTISTS IVwmfxrn, 9rh and R-adwav RE. 41 11 Conr. Performancee rVvira open HAM Lett ihow belt 9 15 P. Matinee pncei untU i PM eacept Son. 8c Hot.

PRICES BOTH THFATRES Hoi.) jci 5 1 10 offering is a sabotage affair, starring George Sanders, and titled rathrr lumberingly "They Came to Blow Up "Claudia'' was directed by Edmund Goulding. as adapted to the screen by Morrie Ryskind, and they evidenced good judgment in not departing from the theatrical pattern. Also they permit Miss McCuirc's unique talents to be plentifully highlighted. Nor are opportunities limited for Robert Young, who is we'd chosen as the child-wife's bus-band; Ina Claire, who enacts her mother: Reginald Gardiner and Olga Raclanova. The last-named LEE SMOW tvtM VOYER BILLY REED It Tiike.

i tVmiinn. Hip Wftvin H-at Ajv. fcfc Jff fK CHORUS OF DAZZLING BEAUTIES is retained from the footlight company. Cheerily and giddily "Claudia" tells of "the adventures of its heroine as a housewife on. a farm in Connecticut, where her impractical viewpoint runs rampant.

While she has married she is thoroughly immature and irresponsible. She is pampered with some intelligence by her husband, and if he doesn't spoil her properly she demands it. She wants to be thought attractive, so maneuvers so that another man kisses her, which causes a do mestic disturbance of proportions. She the country place without her husK-md's" knowledge to an opera singer, and it is, strangely enough, a profitable deal. She causes concern with hrr impetuous air, but remains thoroughly winning.

Face Tragedy The more dramatic portion of the plot shows how she comes to face real tragedy which affects the mother whom she adores. This is the story's main impact, and (hough it less dynamic as a culmination than pictures usually offer, it proves fairly acceptable. "Claudia" misses a little of the values to which one, is accustomed on the screen, but is as neat a character study as you could wish, and n(T the lieaten track. It supplies a goodly share of light laughtcf. Certain reservations attenrf its recommendation, though not too serious.

Ina Claire's appearance, apart from Miss McGuire'--. is one of the most arresting facets of the picture. One wishes that her polished competency as an actress were oftcner manifest. Gardiner lends a pleasantly acrid note of comedy, while Miss Baclanova supplies much pic tur-esqueness in the proceedings with her interpretation. Young gives a first-rate account of his dependability.

"anriers rules the action of "They Came to Blow Up America." which was directed by Edward I.udwig from the screen play by Aubrey Wislerg. Interesting is Poldy Dur who figures in a brief romance, and Anna Sten's spectacular performance in a very demanding part captures. Ludwig Stossel. Dennis Hoey, Sig Ruman, Ward Bond and Robert Barrat are responsible for some fine delineations. As a sleuthing affair this has considerable appeal.

Stand-ins, wardrobe attendants, grips, hairdressers and others' who have greatly assisted the enterprise. It will be held at Barney Oklfield's Country Club at Van Xuys. Beatrice Lubitz, who for seven years was editor of a confessions magazine, becomes the story assistant of John Stone at Colum-i bia. Cast of "Dr. Paul Goebbels His Life and Loves' now in-; eludes Ralph Morgan, Byron Foulger, Russell Simpson, Jerry Michelsen and Del Henderson.

3S Eeerr Eeening I.io and 71.65 S.V. NOW SxrJ I M0Jt WAK BONOS 'So Proudly We Hail' Heroic Tale of Eight Army Nurses in Pacific War Zone MUSIC BOX 6I26HOUYVOXBIM1 HI. 7IO I iTrC(XLUK Mitr4 1 lit. tl. Sl.M Ecpt sat.

A h15 SAT-SI kt-su XT TV SPECIAL MATINEE LABOR DAT 2i30 aaV tW IB I PJ.AYTIME TIC HOST TUKEI-MOIT 'DRAMATIC REVUE' III TOWN! biSi i 1(47 I. Iji Filaai I 11.4 T.I. HI. 4116 i PRICIl I I HCMTi I frequently gets the impression that Allan Scott's script, is overwritten and that Director Sand-rich, in his turn, might have exercised shrewder editorial judgment. There are some relieving scenes of humor, especially with Miss Goddard and one Sonny Tufts, a kind of bashful-bold newcomer who may remind you of Red Skelton or Eddie but who has a winning way of his own.

George Reeves is adequate as Miss Colbert's romantic lead, and the extensive personnel also numbers Barbara Britton, Mary Walter. Abel, Mary Treen and Dr. Hugh Ho Chang. For significant contrast, I commend you to a government short. "Glamour Girls of irm," on the same program.

The Downtown has a second feature, "Henry Aldrich Swings It," with Jimmy Lvrlon as Henry. SfHcid LABOR DAY MAT. MAT. SAT. 2:30 EL CAPSTAN ST NO Of HOltvWOOO IUVO 9 Evry Ev 50c to t.S0 HTV SAT -SUN SO 1O0 t.

I TS $UN 30 S-JO least until the Pacific holocaust and all the other holocausts of this world conflict have fallen into their proper perspective. For it is plain that everyone associated with the film has given of his and her best. The actresses, for instance Claudette Colbert. Pauiette Godrlard. Veronica Lake and the rest have largely "put aside physical glamour and make-up and behaved as nearly like nurses as anyone who isn't a nurse could.

Yet they remain stock characters. Story Expanded The two-hour narrative, told in flashback, begins as the personal story -of Miss. Colbert, is expanded to take in the personal stories of a half dozen of her companions, and finally becomes the hard pressed report of the entire Philippines debacle. Some of its sequences are breathtak-ingly vivid notably the evacuation of an island port, within sight of Corregidor, which the Japs pound into a blazing shambles and there are moments of theatrically effective drama, as in the suicide of a certain nurse and the delivery of a baby by a talkative Bataan surgeon (Ted Hecht) Unfortunately, the surgeon isn't the only talkative one. One BY PHILIP K.

SCHEUER So Proudly We Hail!" is the story, partly Actionized, of eight Army nurses who went through the hell of war in the Pacific, from Pearl Harbor to Corregi-dor. Mark Sandrich and Paramount have given it the Hollywood-epic treatment and a nearly all-star cast, so that technically and as a production it is often magnificent. But in its total illusion it is something less than satisfying, both as a document and as filmic drama. Harrowing Overtones For in a sense those very same qualities which Hollywood imparts to all its picture-making militate most strongly against the validity of this particular American tragedy, which is screening now at the two Para-mounts. "So Proudly We Hail'" is a movie, with all that the term connotes.

The background is real, harrowingly real, and no American who has lived through the past two years can fail to recognize it as such. But the foreground the things that are said and done, but more the things that are said has the persistent feel of being contrived, of being written, directed and performed by the people of the play. Perhaps it is asking too much that it should be otherwise, at NEIGHBOR! THEATRE MART n1 tft, YEAR "STILL ON THE BEAM '-ASK YOU. STILL ON THE BEAM" ASK YOUR wtu ic yc NO. 211-21 mwi i EE U.

T. G. REVUH'M-J SOPHIE TUCKER C2hJ RECORD WEEK! I fv2 "rryl It Cia't last -COLBERT -flfv i GODDARD (SlU; Fred Astaire jo, Leslie 20MriHi SHOWS ONLY ir moNi mo. riei Graumoi'i CHINESE LOEW'S Slot Fix RITZ LAKE th HIT MONTH LI IIC II DT DARING UNCENSOREB STAGE HIT JBMx VE "TV0 IN A BED" 9 if rTL- I LrrinTl PR. 6644 ef 2 Smash Run KitMIr Me.

77t. JI Mat. Sun. Me, 77e PROUDLY IT'S NOT I EXTRA ZOMBIES' WITCHCRAFT PR010S! By PUBLIC DEMAND ixrtNsivi ONLY 91. Ik The Happiest Shosv in Years' W.th Orson Welles! Joseph Co Us MARK SANDRICH PRODUCTION mi 6r.

t. NO, ST ANDKfcWS lUw.rfWtTtW.lX TsSEhtJOIASSISTANCE LEAGUE PUYH0US and their guest MimM yieUlCH! kHUTI VB PUKE Ul CI ONE MORE WEEK! Lo Perlorrtiance S0- 1 1 THE 118 TOP TOO ytftfT yT WALT DISNEY'S If -f minimis ntnH I Aw. IMi. i a dos A rL S. II.

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EX. SAT. i 7 Mine nwL 48 STARS STAGE, SCREEN RADIO STAGE DOOR CANTEEN Gnrliclfl Theatre Valley Garfield Alhambra ATlnntte 21154 im-tf. l.tni. wr.

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