The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 25

PART I. 23 1 I'Glass Key' 1 ft Audacious Melodrama 'China Girl' Oriental Spy Drama BY JOHX I SCOTT "China Girl," a strange combi i Tamara Tounianova, beautiful and famous ballerina, after being starred in a short called "Spanish Fiesta," had offers from virtually every studio in town. Turned them all down, but for the BY PHILIP K. SCHECER When it comes to writing nekt nation of spy Intrigue, romance and action, reached the screens of Loews State, Grauman's Chinese and Ritz theaters yesterday, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1943 Li along with a comedy-mystery, Over My Dead Body." "China Girl" is a picture of mi'stery thrillers, no one can touch Dashiell Hammett In case you've forgotten, Paramount's Glass Key" will jog j-our memory. Adapted by Jonathan directed by Stuart Heis-jler, the yarn is almost done justice by a cast headed by Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy, Veronica jLake and William Bendix.

Hammett characters and situa- buildups and letdowns. The spec Harding in 'North Kyser, Bergen to Team tator is keyed up at intervals by furious action sequences, then suddenly dropped into sweet ro past year she's been under contract to one man, Casey Robinson, one of our finest writers, who, when he finishes the script on "This Is the Army" and "The Corn Is Green," goes over R.K.O. to produce and write. His first picture will star Tamara. It is called "This Is Russia," and was written by the same man who did "Ninotchka." And Tamara, who was at her peak when she left the ballet, has the most childlike faith In her coming screen career of anybody I'v ever met As she says, in tht ballet you only express it with your body.

But fully to express what you have in your soul, you must use your voice and mind. And At the beginning and finish, however, there's plenty of excite ment. We first discover George Montgomery, a newsreel camera jtions are always audacious. In j'The Glass Key" there are some jthat get over beautifully. Others to irritate.

I think this is man, in a Japanese prison, with hundreds of Chinese being ma 1 I chine-gunned outside. The Jap general tries to employ the i photographer, without success, al because Director Heisler has confused "hard boiled" with "acrimonious." No one dreams of see though the latter isn't swayed by Ducks to Sell War Bonds Paige Replaces Cuitis Ann Miller Turns Writer Rosemary, Lola May Duo 'Sky's Limit' Started any humanitarian motive he to give up a career that she's spent her life training for, at the peak of it, to take a chance on a film career is certainly backing up her faith not only in herself but in Casey Robinson, and for one, think they are going to do all! just doesn't like Japs. ing a Hammett tj-pe, man or woman, portrayed as saintly: at PHOXY KSCAPE the same time, caution must be 'right exercised to keep too many of SHOW BEAUTY Jane Ellison parades with other young ladies in "Let Freedom Swing" at Earl Carroll's. Victor McLaglen arrives in the prison and arranges an escape with the aid of a pretty confederate, Lynn Bari. Later Montgomery finds these two were Jap spies all the time.

The three fly to where a merry roundelay of intrigue ensues, In them from rubbing us the wrong way. Heisler hasn't exercised quite enough. BABY-FACE KILLER Take what he has done with Ed Beaumont, the part enact 'Cat People Lukevarm even know where. Walter Jr. joins the Navy, and his older son is taking care of the ranch In Oregon, which boasts hundreds of head of cattle Billy Rose arrived in town to confer with Buddy De Sylva.

They're plan-ning a mammoth naval show on the order of "This Is the Army" for Naval Aid, taking actors from the Navy, which is loaded with them It looks as though Broadway Flayer Gregory Peck, and not John Garfield, will get the lead opposite Bette Davis in She Fooled Us Jennifer Holt, Jack's daughter, announced her engagement last night to Lieut. Nelson T. Drake, at Ciro's. Drake's a bomber pilot who's seen service in the Aleutians. He's the son of Fred, vice-president of Harper's Bazaar.

The couple plan an early marriage. They met four years ago in summer stock, but before volving a member of the Flyipj Tigers, Montgomery, the two ed by Alan Ladd. Ladd has estab Film Thriller at Hawaii lished a reputation as a baby- spies, a disreputable gent named face killer on the screen. He By Edwin Schallert I don't know that the roles are exactly worthy of her talents tnd her former stellar status, but anyway therej is seemingly a steady succession of assignments for Ann Harding since she decided to resume acting. With her duties approaching completion at Warners in "Mission to Moscow," I hear that Miss Harding is to enact the role of Teresa Wright's mother in the feature, "The North Star." Jarubi (Sig Rumann) and various others.

comes into "The Glass Key" still BY EDWIX SCHALLERT The only two really sincere Tat Ponnlo" nor 11 srU-an. JJ.J By muuucn mini 1.11c novor allriu-in ig you to for people in the plot at this point seems to be too familiar with his Drake could get anywhere as an get tltat reputation, that pretty heraldings, is supposed to be some punkins as a thriller. But are a little Chinese boy, who at office helper and slowly but sure- actor, he joined the Air Forces soon you are mentally defying taches himself to Montgomery Jack Holt offered his services for my money, whatever that may amount to, it isn't a breeze and is elegantlv played by Bob ly the personality of the cat make hiunspoe an changes under stress. The Vvpn fhi mic.M aM "The Corn Is Green" Remember Bob Gregory, who had a stormy married life with Princess Baba? He's off to join our Army in a Southern State. Rsd br th Chlcam Tribunf-Nur York Nrws Syndictt.

1943 let alone a shiver. J8 "1G fright if he were not also sup- There are some eerie moments by Blake, and Gene Tierney, portraying a Eurasian girl who falls in love with our rugged hero. Eventually Montgomery balks efforts of the Jap agents to carry inVi thl CI Posed t0 man of, as it de-band or the other woman, but in this much-publicized counter part of well let's say "Dracula" and it has an unusual psycho hll if Lu wJDonlevy. You can respect him her and who tries to make love.for fcut t0 the ym are toner. Ai S7 out ineir mission and mes to a GRIift RONALD logical undercurrent, but the actual devastation that you anticipate never comes off.

sympathy, The picture lacks the quality of being full-fledged in its unfold-ment because the plot, after all is town on the Burma Road, where Gene has gone with her father, a Chinese teacher. He arrives during a bombing in which both the girl and her parent are killed. We last see Montgomery, finally aroused, machine -gunnincr the iffiCTmfXl! to the Army in the Remount Division, was turned down. Then he negotiated a four-year contract with Monogram to replace Buck Jones. As that was happening, he received word from the Army that his turndown was a mistake.

So Jack goes to Ft. Francis Warren. When I talked to him, he said, "I may not be the smartest captain in the service but by golly, I'll be the oldest!" Real Americans Walter Brennan's 18-year-old daughter is starting her career right taking an assumed name and getting her training at a little theater. Her father doesn't Miss Lake is played to the hilt for glamour and again it's carried a bit too far. There is, after all, only the thinnest line of demarcation between the bizarre fe f.lii'AMUl 1m Ml lvmt I Mil '1 Hit said and done, is rather thm.

Furthermore the ending i3 an anticlimax. Next to Miss Simon the parts most strikingly played are those The film therefore reminds of a-Tnild rather foreign-tinged affair and is compensating chiefly in bringing the ever-provocative Simone Simon back to the screen. She portrays the woman who is under the influence of a mid- Jap dive bombers. and the freakish. allotted to excellent Jane Ran ACTION" FEATURE Henry Hathaway's direction BILL BEXDIX TOUGH Donlevy, cast in a ward-heeler dolph and Tom Conwav.

Smith's European spell, which tends to make feline types even more shines in the action sequences. Dialogue seems off the beam in I feline and otherwise raises hob 'A spots. role reminiscent of his "The Great McGinty," is O.K., and so is Bill Bendix, the toughie of "Wake Island." Indeed, he has one magnificent scene with Ladd tl Principals play well, with Montgomery going a bit over character is thankless in that he seems so stupid about the whole situation. Jack Holt is viewed In a few scenes, and Elizabeth Russell does an interesting incidental portrayal. Simone Simon has numerous intriguing scenes and sustains with their personalities.

PLATONIC MARRIAGE This background is lingeringly disclosed in the picture at the. board on the swaggering occa in a room over a bar which is A-l, genuine Hammett. It makes sionally. Feminine stars are pretty and competent. McLaglen This is the Lillian Hellman Russian story, to be produced by Samuel Goldwyn.

So, consequently, Miss Harding is becoming steeped in the Slavic environment. This time she will actually be portraying a Russian, if the engagement Is officially confirmed. Mention of "The North Star" reminds me that there was once a thought, I believe, of calling the picture "A Sunday in June," which was the exact time of the tragic happenings. Some way that title seems to have a more pregnant ironical meaning than the present name, which suggests a seafaring tale rather than one of Nazi oppression. Teaming of Kay Kyser, Edgar Bergen Announced Kay Kyser and Edgar Bergen are the next team.

R.K.O. has been matching the various radio celebrities, you know, Bergen having recently appeared with Fibber McGee and Mollie in "Here We Go Again." The Kyser-Bergen picture is tentatively called "Keep 'Em Smiling." Like the Bergen-McGee-Mollie affair, the new feature will be produced and directed by Allan Dwan, which lends emphasis to the continuity of events cinematic with this group of stars. "Keep 'Em Smiling" will concern itself with radio entertainers who are going to Africa to perform for the servicemen. Their plane is shot down, and they land on an island. The picture will start in March.

Disney Will Produce 'Spirit of '43' Because a Gallup poll showed that Donald Duck really rendered aid in the selling of bonds through his appearance in "The New Spirit" about a year ago Walt Disney, per Treasury Department commission will produce a new picture called "The Spirit of '43." There will be two ducks in this affair, one a thrifty Scotch duck, called Scotty, and the other a zoot suit duck named Zootie. The first is a saver, the latter a spender. The film will be a comedy pica for bond purchases, and 500 prints will be distributed under the auspices of the War Activities Committee of the motion picture industry. Important Studio News Streamlined Alan Curtis' knee, injured during a storm scene in "Flesh and Fantasy," is causing him serious trouble. He has to walk with a cane because of it.

So it has become necessary to change the cast of Which means a "break" for Robert Paige, who replaces Curtis. Hitherto he generally has been assigned to up for a lot. convinces in an unsympathetic Hawaii Theater. Mile. Simon as the Serbian Irena Dubrovna, style artist, falls in love with Oilver Reed, played by Kent Joseph Calleia turns In another sharp portrayal of a boss rack role.

Others are Alan Baxter, Myron McCormick. Ann Pennington. eteer. Lesser roles are filled byj surprisingly her bizarre duties. Jacques Tourneur directed from the original story by DeWitt Bo-deen.

Atmosphere Is well wno comes briefly, Philip Ann Bonita Granville, Margaret Smith. But she enters into the marriage state with dread because of the legends surrounding ana Tom Neal. Hayes, Donald MacBride, Frances Milton Berle clowns in the companion feature, "Over My I 1 11. 11 It ThA nlnt whir-h umnlrt ho onnr. Dead Body," as a mystery writer More engrossing event on the mouslv comDlicated in the telling ner lite, bne tears that if she kisses her husband she may bs turned into a leopard, or such like, and bring him to his death.

So the marriage is entirely wno has to solve a crime to bill is the one not so largely ex- here, "involves a political cam- save his own neck. Marv Beth picnea, wnicn is uuea "i ne uo-paign in which Donlevy backs Hughes is the girl In the case. rma man. ine case mis is the Reform candidate for Gov Some of the gags are very funny. Mai St.

Clair directed. ernor because he has been knocked for a loop by one Notwithstanding the platonism headed by John Loder, with Ruth Ford as leading woman and Marian Hall, Richard Fraser, 'Fortress on the Volga Stirring Russian Picture It isn't even' historic event leaving his stalled train behind, and mingles with the peasants, glimpse of that blond Lorelei, Veronica who happens to be the candidate's daughter. Then her brother Is found dead. It looks as though Donlevy did it What ensues is talky and occasionally slow, but on the whole effective. "The Glass Key" is still several cuts above the usual melodrama.

It is showing at Hollywood and Downtown Paramounts with "Seven Days' Leave," the comedy with music, Victor Mature, Lucille Ball and various names from radio, which is a holdover from last week. 3J Paul Cavanagh, Lumsden Hare and John Abbott all doing notable work in the support, especially Abbott. This is a unique tale of espionage. The enemy agents use the temporary insanity of a commando trooper to shield their activities. On him is laid the blame for various crimes and it is thus sought to show that he is out of his mind when he is attempting to relay certain vital information.

The plot is cleverly worked out; in the story by Anthony Colde-: wey, which was directed by Ross Lederman. i that has such a perfect story setup as "Fortress on the Volga," Russian film with English subtitles showing at the Grand The unknown to them. Another human incident is his handling of ater. This has Stalin in 1918 as the savior of Stalingrad, then the three unhappy peasant delegates from a little village whose food commissar has taken over the scant food supply of the rv called Tsaritsin. Through his astute military judgment, a ragged handful of Russians held wsmtmh the city against the Germans.

TOUGH JOBS 1 ftifTmwi light comedy parts, but this is dramatic. Louise" Allbritton and Lon Chaney Jr. are the other prime players. Tale is that Ann Miller has turned screen writer, collaborating with Eddie Davis and Irwin Allen on a picture cleverly titled "Ankles Aweigh." Davis and Allen were writers on "Road to Zanzibar," which started Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour on the roads (pardon the pun) together. The Lane Sisters may be brought together anew at least two of them.

Jack Schwarz, producer for P.R.C., is reported inter-tsted in having Rosemary and Lola star in an original story called "Talent School," written by Stanley Rauh and David Sil-verstein, which has just been purchased. The film is to be a musical. A government subject about the training of collegians for mmmmmm This, though the bridge over war and a cartoon are interesting. the River Don had been bombed out of existence, and though de fenders knew that the army of Voroshilov might not be able Cijeatcrs poken Drama town. RESEMBLES STALIX Stalin is played by an actor who not only closely resembles the Soviet leader but who is an excellent performer as well, since, despite necessary lack of footage due to the epic nature of the film, he gives a comprehensive picture of the character.

The actor Is Mikhail Gelovani. No romance softens the story, thought a pretty girl, limned by Barbara Miasnikova, is shown as a heroic leader of peasants. Spirited Russian music, as usual in case of these films, to fights Its way through enemy 'Sons' Ottered at Padua Hills Known as "sons," combined lines to relieve the city. Inciden BEG.fRLJAN.22 KIGHTS 1 MATINEES SEATS SHU Jl tally, next to Stalin, Voroshilov is hero, and is shown doing many daring acts. Nikolai Bogoliubov AVMUBU run IRVING BERLIN'S songs and dances are among the SOLDICK SHOW plays the role.

The story is human, not only because the heroic elements are quaint folk offerings of the State of Michoacan demonstrated in "Serranillo Michoacana," romantic comedy, at the Padua Hills there as historic fact, but be lends charm and photography, Theater. including the dashing action of cause of the characterizations and incidents woven into the tale. For instance, a highlighted Cossack riders, is extremely Reel Notes Reeled Off Brietly "The Sky's the Limit," the Fred Astaire-Joan Leslie starring film, finally went before the cameras yesterday at R.K.O. with Edward H. Griffith directing.

This previously had been called "Look Out Below." "Merchant Marine" is listed as a probable starring subject or John Wayne. It Is being especially written for Republic by Borden Chase, who adapted the originals, "The Navy Comes Through" and "Destroyer." Penny Singleton is just about due back to resume her "Blondie" series, and everything looks smoothed out now between the studio and herself. Columbia is questing a 2-year-old to impersonate Cookie in the-next picture, "Blondie Buys a Horse." Who-ver is chosen doubtless will become a regular likeMiss Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms and Danny Mummert. 1 Tf mmf0atDS TO AIM IMIKENCY HUtf tUHO TrrLDiEU PHILHARMONIC torium Box Offic. ty.

I I $1.10 to $4.40. Mot.WJ. AUDITORIUM, 5t I Oliv. o- Sat. $1.10 to $2.75.

sequence is that in which Stalin arrives on foot at the new community to which he had been 2HITS AT BOTH THEATRES! appointed as military commissar, "Johnnie, Get Your Fun!" SEE I 71 VtKI'I'J THE ORIGINAL YARD BIRDS of FORT MacARTHUR In Now 111 -NJ ft Tonight 8i30 85 tt 12 19 mm WARNER BROS. Entertainment Miracle HILARIOUS ALL-SOLDIER MUSICAL Matl. Sat. SUII. 14th WEEK Revue to Begin Its 31st Week Musical Show Due at Follies The musical revue opening at the Follies Theater tomorrow at -J fl- I VVV.

The 31st week of the run' of 'Blackouts of 1943" starts next 50c iilHIi GR-M7j SMATt.UN..1:0.,loU 1 kV'l'J rif'f'f tff SEVEN VAYS Sunday at El Capi tan Theater. mm msmst mm IT REACHED BY CARS OR SUNSET BUS This show has been breaking midnight is titled "Let's Keep 'Em Rolling." Louise Miller, and Frank Milton, tenor, will offer a new repertoire. Oth VICTOR MATURE lOCItlf IUI Vj II 1 trmd CRAWFORD ft ,10 KMOWUi I AftnoWVW THEATRE MART records locally for its type of en Tom Conway Joo ftondoJoli tertainment, and Producer-Star NEW OLIO ACTS 1 ClINiaNM.VfRMDNT NO.ZII-21 2M9 FfA7Vt WARNER BROS. Ken Murray now finds nimself er principals are Al K. Hall RCFRCf HMENTS INCLUDEO IN ADMKilON In the biggest success of his 18 Vickie Davis, Mitzl, Tonya and xooiuliavjuA years of show business.

Bob Greer. JOHN IOOER iltm I DJS bM tm n.T.G.RFVUE noun IASD ON THE STORY OF tf 9. H. CMM -JOAN LESLIE WALTER HUSTON T-. mum t.

tiinta IM II NMIH Hi, DlneM MICHAEL CURTIZ Oddtdf- Dm. I.IO-I.M A Tomorrow I in. 7 Hiqht I VO. I at 8:30 I JOINTS I i hop BUNKS AND HYGILOS HOP HEADS "COLLEGES AT WAR "SNIFFER SOLDIER" DAM D1KKAR00 CirtMt HfWS rrri im i r-i va 1 ZMmwM. 8 1 30 NIchtiy Phon.

Hl-48l Sun. Mat. I 39 All loti 55c Wm Tsftttw! UNTTEO fttTWfO WSX In mit "ovist MY DEAD Tni9ht TROUPERS PLAYHOUSE Hollywood fr Lai Palmat FUEHRER'S Jl IM. 14 dim -Sq1 P5oSo I AO W05T ItAUtl'UlHiiii-----" VU 100O taMBpmwaw LAUGHS I I I NOW) A MlaMy Cfi Barn I ODY" FACE" FRANCE FOREVER and PAUL CORDON jrnwt UpfliinArii i Aikrif War) fllmd In MARSEILLAISE" cr Sot. Jan.

1 1:30 P.M. It A IV I 71 8ran. VA. ht Ml. M.l FORTRESS ON THE VOLGA WILSHIRt EBEU THEATRI IIM.

tXTRAI LATEST 0VUT SHORT FILMS KniiUk Cm I. f'm Sit. A 8u. I Ph.n. SVY.70PI 83y1.1M.M J.20-3 30-3.