Daily News from New York, New York • 28

SUNDAY NEWS, APRIL 19, 1959 29 -A IQ)UU LTUUUUU 1 Hie new version of Fannie Hurst's "Imitation of Life" atars Juanita- Moor (left, above) and Lana Turner (below with John Gavin). Also in tie cast are Sandra Dee (lower left) and Susan Kohner. By KATE CAMERON UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL'S summer season began with the opening of one of their most important films of the year, the second adaptation of Fannie Hurst's "Imitation of Life." This novel was first used as the basis of a Universal film in 1934, shortly after the book was published. The picture was exhibited at the Roxy Theatre, where the new version had its New York premiere. A quarter of a century has gone by since Universal's first adaptation, with Claud-ette Colbert and Louise Beavers in the roles that ire now being filled by Lana Turner and Juanita Moore.

Meantime, a new generation of moviegoers has grown up to take the place of those who first shed sympathetic tears over the Bps and downs in the lives of the two widows who Joined forces in their efforts to sustain themselves and their young daughters. Universal released "Imitation -of Life" in a few key throughout the country early in February, but the general release of the film begins with its presentation at the Roxy. Top Rolo for GaWs The new version, adapted by Eleanore Griffin and Allan Scott, Stutz in Comeback A 1920 Stutz Bearcat, one of three in existence in the United States, is featured throughout integral scenes in "Compulsion," at the Rivoli Theatre- The antique automobile, which originally cost $2,700 and today is worth more than $6,000, is driven by stars Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell in the adaptation of Meyer Levin's best-selling novel. a minor role in the film, as her husband's discarded girl friend. AlthoQgh she has no aspirations towards stardom, she agreed to accept the role as director Sirk'a "good luck charm," just as she played an extra in "A Time to Love and a Time to Die." was produced by U-I a talented Ross Hunter and was directed by OC Coflicfovsiiess ya 'I I-H- New Role Douglas Sirk.

Sirk has many fine pictures to his credit, including last year's "A Time to Love and a Time to Die." This film brought John Gavin to the attention of the public and earned him a top role in "Imitation of Life." U-I seems to be giving Gavin the same opportunity in their important production that they gave Tony Curtis when he was under exclusive contract to them, and, more recently, to Rock Hudson. Gavin is currently working in the Bryna production of "Spar-tacus," being made on the Universal lot with an. impressive cast that includes kirk Douglas, owner of the producing company. Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov and John Ireland are in this distinguished group of players. Tony, who co-starred with Douglas in "The Vikings," is making what the executives at U-I call a guest appearance in "Spartacus" by playing a com- faratively minor role out of riendship for Douglas.

Gavin has the top male role opposite Lana Turner in "Imitation of Life." The cast also includes Sandra Dee, who played the title role in last year's film version of "The Reluctant Debutante," Dan O'Herlihy. Robert Alda, Juanita Moore, Mahalia Jackson and Susan Kohner. (Susan and Sandra are being prepared for stardom by U-I.) Gavin's wife, Cicely Evans, has In Fannie Hurst's autobiography, "Anatomy of Me" (Double-day she speaks of the awakening race consciousness that led her to write "Imitation of Life." She has this to say on the subject: "For the postwar writers, the ground-heave of social evolution and revolution bucked and reared under their typewriters. Labor unrest, strikes, displacements, economic crises, race relations, plunging morale and morals. War residum.

"The first world war had ruthlessly exposed American race relations. Negro troops were not only permitted but drafted to spill blood for their country; were allowed to die but not to live with white troops. Outfits were black or white. Not black and white. Gold star mothers were sent abroad in black and white contingents to visit the graves of their sons.

"My novel, 'Imitation of was born of this consciousness and quickly made into the first of the "race pictures." While Miss Hurst was writing the above words, U-I was busy with the preliminary work on the new adaptation of her touching story. When they showed her a completed print of the picture-a few weeks ago, she gave it high, praise. Lana Turner plays a part in the new film similar to the "Peyton Place" role for which 1 1 i i' i ilr of Lt Cmdr. Lionel Crabb, R.N.V.R., one of England's outstanding frogmen during and after World War II. The picture, "SThe Silent Enemy," deals with his adventures in mine and bomb disposal in wartime but does not take him up to the mysterious death.

The story was filmed on location in the Mediterranean and at Gibraltar. It was made by the Woolf Brothers' Romulus Co, -with Bertram Ostrer acting as producer and William Fairchild as director. Fairchild also wrote the screen play for the film. Besides Harvey, the cast includes Dawn Addams, John Clements, Michael Craig, Gianna Maria Canale, Arnaldo Foa and Massimo Sera to. Harvey is the fastest rising star on the British screen.

Born in Lithuania, he was raised in South Africa, saw service with the South African navy and later was in the Italian campaign of World War IL After the ar, he joined a repertory company in Johannesburg and was encouraged by his fellow actors to further his theatrical experience in England. In London, he enrolled with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and received his actual stage training with the famous Manchester Repertory Company. she received an Academy award nomination last year. "Imitation of Life" represents Lana's 40th picture and her part in it is the result of the courageous manner in which she overcame the tragedy in her own life by settling down to work. Jaanita' Sixth Film Juanita Moore appeared in five films before being assigned to the important role of Annie Johnson in "Imitation of Life." She has had parts in "Lydia Bailey," "A Band of Angels," "Affair in Trinidad," "The -Girl Can't Help and "Something of Value." The Hurst story was photographed in Eastman color and contains three song numbers.

The title song, by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, is sung by Earl Grant; a spiritual, "Trouble of the World," is rendered by Mahalia Jackson, and Susan Kohner sings "Empty Arms," a number composed by Arnold Hughes with lyrics by Frederick Herbert. Outstanding Frogman Universal has released a British-made film at the Brooklyn Albee Theatre in which Laurence Harvey enacts the real-life role 'II r7i rT 1U WEEK'S BEST FILMS i i 1 Barbara Eden, star of TV's "How to Marry a Millionaire, will be featured with Christina Carere, Sal Mineo and Gary Crosby in 20th Century-Fox' "A Private's Affair." The Cine-mascope-DeLuxe color attraction, in which Miss Eden portrays a WAC public information officer, narrates the story of a soldier-singer who becomes involved with a beautiful woman, an assistant to the Undersecre-taryof Defense. Coop on Sloop Charlton Heston has signed to co-star with Gary Cooper in MGM's "Wreck of the Mary Deare." The best-selling mystery adventure story is about an ex-plosive man against man conflict on' the high seas." if -k -k -k "Separate Tables," Hayworth-Kerr-Niven-Lancaster. "Sleeping Beauty." "Father PanehaU," Banerji." "Some Like It Hot," Monroe- 'Curtis-Lemmon. "The Diary of Anne Frank," Perkins- Winters-Schildkraut.

"The Sound and the Fury," Wood ward-Brynner-Leigh ton. "The Horse's Mouth," Guiness. "Compulsion," "Gigi," Caron-Chevalier-Jour-dan. "He Who Must Die," Vaneck. "Tempest," Heflin-Mangano.

"Green Mansions," Hepburn-Perkins. "Rio Bravo," Martin-Wayne-Nelson. "Al Capone," Steiger. "The Law Is the Law," Fern- andel-Toto. "Room at the Top," Harvey.

"The Shaggy Dog," MacMurray. "Tagia," Leuwerik. 11 I I Laarence Harvey and Dawn Addams are starred in "The Silent Enemy," the film based on the Ufa of Lt. Comdr. Lionel Crabb..