The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 27

'Raisin in the Sun' Makes Superb, Compelling Film LOUELIA PARSONS Dreaming Up Top Cast for Lion TWj.y, Apr, 27. mi cccc 3r. Examtnrr-Page 27 EARL WILSON Garry Moore Ribbed At Friars Dinner NEW YORK, April 26. -Lets have some cheerful news and a couple of smiles to ease our worries. Garry Moore got royally ribbed by the Friars at a dinner in his honor at the Astor.

"He's very good to his a i 1 he HOLLYWOOD, April 26. If it wcie any one but dynamic young production chief Bill Orr at the controls, I'd say a lot of dreaming was going into the plan to get Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood for the female stars and Burt Lancaster for the Sjfc TP cf'd il 6 v- By STANLEY EICHELBAl'M IT IS A RARE thing in-deed to sit through a movie that is so satifying. so intensely moving and so sensitively performed that one is emotionally drained by the experience. But that's exactly how I felt after seeing "A Raisin in the Sun." which came to the St. Francis yesterday.

The film is an amazingly faithful reproduction of Lorraine Hansbcrry's admirable stage work, which was at the Geary only three months ago, and, happily, Miss Hansberry herself was allowed to write the screenplay. Though the story still contains too many exposed nerve endings and the characters are often over-sentimentalized, the movie is nonetheless magnificent. Most of the cast is from the original Broadway production and Daniel Pctrie, who directed, did a brilliant job of subduing the performances for the screen. THE DRAMATIC impact of the picture is staggering. Without a doubt, this is the frankest and most human exposition of the Negro's special problems ever filmed.

It is an intimate ktudy of a family of extreme individualists on Chicago's South Side. They are superiorly intelligent people, all striving toward the same goal to improve their station in life by breaking out of the Negro slum in which they live and by keeping away from jobs that will make them servants in a white household. The matriarch of the Younger family is a domineering but likeable woman whose husband died, leaving her $10,000 in life insurance a sum that offers her brood the opportunity for advancement that she has so long desired. As we follow the progress of the Younger family's lives, we are given a superbly outspoken idea of the Negro viewpoint what he really feels his chances arc in today's world; what his attitude is toward white people; and perhaps most fascinating what he thinks about the different social levels within his own race. THE CHARACTERS are completely genuine and the plot, thoroughly engrossing.

When the Young-ers are able to laugh at their own weaknesses, the film is hilarious; and, when I he story approaches tragedy, it is unbearably heartrending. If the situations become excessively supercharged, then one remembers that life is often melodramatic. You will have to wait quite a long time to see such remarkable acting again and the four principal performances are worthy of every cinema award. Sidney Poiticr, who plays the seething, unstable son, does his finest characterization, making a potentially unsympathetic role completely believable. Claudia McNeil, who was with the play at the Geary, is even more impressive in the film as the mother proud, pathetic and dignified.

Poitier's wife is played by Ruby Dec. whose quiet, sorrowful portrayal is fantastically effective. And Diana Sands, as the medical student daughter, is one of the film's most charming and entertaining assets. The movie was produced by David Susskind and Philip Rose, who should be thanked for keeping it so like the original. And though we arc confined almost exclusively to the tiny Youngcrapartment, Charles Lawton's camera work avoids any feeling of claustrophobia.

FILM CLOCK GET MORE OUT OF LIFE: cial. Her "house" at Carnegie Hall the other night was $21,430, reportedly biggest in history except for charily shows. There were half a dozen standing ovations crowds jammed down the aisles to the footlights demanding more. Henry; Fonda, Jules Stync, Doro Schary and others exclaimed after a Luchow's, party afterward: "lt was' like a revival meeting. Judy's a living legend.

She's bigger than Al Jolson ever was." Husband Sid Luft ex. plained her slimmed-down figure: "She forgot about her weight." (Something new: She forgot it off.) THE MIDNIGHT EARL Composer Fritz Loewe due to leave for Paris postponed it due to the war threat iComedian Dick at the Blue Angel says "Don't those para troopers know what prices are in Paris during the tourist Dorothy Strelsin's smash hit Shapespeare Festival dinner at the Commodore which brought out all of Society, raised $40,000. Eartha Kilt's canceling dates next fall due to her pregnancy. EARL'S PEARL: A friend we know insists there still is a recession on: "My wife doesn't even bother to go through my pockets." TODAY'S BEST LAUGH: Ernie Borgnine, Jack balance. Sylvana Mangano, snd Vittorio Gassman.

Jimmy said he a returned home from a concert tour and much as he'd like to stay home, he didn't want to turn down the movie. I told Jimmy it will give him a good chance to speak Italian. For the first time in his life Hugh OBrian isn't talking. He absolutely will not discuss his romance with Soraya. and he's serious about it.

too. He took her to the Bel Air Hotel when she arrived for a visit. There's no doubt that they are deeply in love. I had an exclusive about the pair appearing at Danny's Hidc-a-Way in New York, and later they were together on a friend's yacht in Florida. When Hugh returned, Soraya came with him.

There's been much talk about that the Shah of Iran, to whom Soraya was married, objected to her romance with the actor, but this has never been verified. SNAPSHOTS OK IIOI LYNOOD COLLECTED AT RANDOM: JUNE ALLYSON checked into St. John's Hospital today for minor surgery. Danny Kaye and Jimmy Stewart had a few minutes visit with Gary Cooper to bring him many messages, and to tell him that everybodyand I mean everybodyis hoping he is feeling better, GOWEH CHAMPION, whose collapse in San Francisco I told about last week, has been brought down from the Bay City and put in Mt. Sinai Hospital for four weeks that's how exhausted he is.

Marge stays a couple of days overseeing "Bye Bye Birdie," which opened Monday to great reviews and then comes here. Unless something unex Screen: Russian Bill never goes home," claimed Morey Amsterdam. "He's a success in TV because his personality doesn't detract from the He has more acting talent even than Ed Sullivan." added Morey. Durward i paid Garry such a sweet tribute. 1 thought the violins would strike up.

"I don't mean to be sacrilegious." said Kirby, softly and solemnly, "but Garry reminds me of Saint Joseph which is a small, dull town in Missouri." "I hope you liked your former job!" Jack E. Leonard, the m.c, barked at Kirby. (Note to lovers of St. Durward was kidding. Simply loves the place.) Peter Lawford (leaving for Europs with wife PaO slid "1 got mvself a writer for this speech" and read a legitimate telegram to Garry from JFK.

Johnny Carson (old Garry: "The only reason 1 come to these things is, 'I think every one of them is a trick to get me on This Is Your He added, for Peter Lawford's benefit, that the Communists aren't going to invade Cuba: "They can't get past the American suppliers on the beach." O.NB OF MY favorite bsautics, Tania Velia, the Yugoslavian i in champ who defected several years ago, will be in the forthcoming show, "A Call on Kuprin," one of the few shows not produced by David Merrick. Wonder if she knows about Jack Benny going to the big "Carnival" party at the Lanai, piled high with exotic food. As Jack was wandering around gaping at the food, Merrick said. 'Is there anything you'd like. Jack?" Jack answered: "Yes, a paper sacK.

JUDY GARLAND will earn $1,000,000 this year with concerts and a TV spc- EISENSTEIN'S "Alexander Ncvsky," a spectacular depiction of the Russian defeat of the Teutonic knights in the 13th century, opens tomorrow at the Surf. The second feature is Grigori Chukrai's "Th3 Til'-: POIGNANT Japan-css film, "The Uikisha- Stage: Laughton Reads hero of Lion" at Warner Bros. Now there's a cast for you! Warner Bros, just recently acquired the rights to Lion" which was originally printed in Cosmopolitan magazine. It's a daring approach to the love affairs and emotions of four people against a background of a wild animal compound in Florida. Frank Rosenberg will produce and put the picture before the cameras as soon as Nelson Gid-ding completes the script.

Of the four top roles, Natalie is the closest to being set as she has a contract with Warners. As for Kurt, a former circus performer, he ill be intrigued with this role. Getting Marilyn may take a bit of doing and much cash. IT'S JUST ABOUT a year since France Nuyen returned to Hollywood from Hong Kong, a broken hearted girl because she had lost the role of Suzr in "Tho World of Suzic Won" It was said she hnd become a compulsive cater and p'lt on too much weight so she was sent home. Any one who has seen France htely knows she's as beautiful and as slim as ever.

Now she goes back to Hong Kong to play the femmc lead in "The China Story," the Pearl Buck original which Leo McCarey is making in that faraway country. Again she'll play opposite Bill llolden. which should throw out those rumors that there was troubte between France and Bill when "Suzie Wong" was filmed. JIMMY DURANTE a bis bride, the former Mar-jorie Little, telephoned to say au i r. They are leaving for Naples where Jimmy will play a part in "Barabbas," the Dino de Laurentiis movie.

is the movie that stars Antlnny Quinn, 13111 DOORS OPEN 10:45 A.M. CONTINUOUS SHOWINGS FIRST TiME AT POPULAR PRICES Compliti UNCUT Virtioa -rr starrin JOHN KICHARl LAURENCE WAYNE VIDMAIMMYEY ei-starring ni nest stir FIANK1E MIOK RICHARD iLitsitmaa tmirts aktiiti BOONE QrJ V. GRETT SCHORG reflects upon the trials of circus life in "Hippodrome," opening tomorrow of the Paramount. Belmont Recital NORMA AN'DREOTTI, San Francisco coloratura soprano, will give a Peninsula recital at Notre Dame Auditorium in Belmont, at p.m. Saturday.

rilDkJAM ot. in 4. m. lunn.AH 440t lf lt Sm Stars ivo.Iob'e? ELAINE with BILL DUNN HAYES JOAN BLONDELL and Choreottiaphed by GOWER CHAMPION GEARY WKS. OHUf MAI MJ.

H4T.V CRENDAN BEHAN'S TflE 1.3 cn DEFYING EASTMANCOLORl FRIDAY. MAY I 10:00 P.M. WURLITZER Theatre Pipe Organ CONCERT TOM HAZLETON At the ConjoU TICKETS NOW ON SALE kit. HdM "GIANT" 4 jKj.ini'Jii A fellow mentioned he'd put a 50 ft. extension cord on his phone: "Now that the weather's nice I want my daughter to stay outdoors more." WISH I'D SAID THAT: Bird watching can be fun if you start with a couple of swallows.

Jet travel's so fast, that by the time you ask the airline stewardess what she's doing tonight, she's doing it. That's earl, brother. (Distributed by Hail Syndicate, Inc.) (All Rights Reserved) OPEN iz NOON HERE'S THAT "SHAGGY DOG" GUY AS A WACKY PROF WHO IWENTS A K' 1 1 riTrnrlk LAST DAY "All Hindi On Dick" "Titi of thi Storm Country" CO OUT TO A MOVIE! ALEXANDRIA "Exodus," 8 O. m. Way Stretch." 6 15, 8 and 9 45 d.

m. CLAY "Mako Mine Mink." 6 20, 8 25 and m. CORONET "Den-Hur," 8 p. m. FOX "All Hand on Deck." 12:30.

1 jb. 7:30 and p. m. GOLOEN GATE "Thi! Plunderers." 1.00, 4:00, and 10:20 p. m.

LARKIN "Nevsr On Sunday." 6 25, 30 and 1015 p. m. LOEWS WARFIELD "Gone With the Wind." 12:25. 4:20 and 8:13 p. m.

NOB HILL "The Sand Castle." 7:10, 9 00 and 10.45 p. m. PARAMOUNT "Giant." 10 45 a. 2 15. 5 45 and 9:15 P.

m. PRESIDIO "Heaven on Earth." 7:30 and 9 35 p. m. RIO "Road To Eternity," 6:15 and 9:20 p. m.

ST. FRANCIS "A Raisin in the Sun." 12:17. 2:48. 5:19. 7:50 and 10 m.

STAGE DOOR "The Rikisha-Man," JO. 8 25 and 10:20 o. m. THE MOVIE Trilogy "Marius." Fanny," "Crr." 7 o. UNITED ARTISTS "The Alamo." 11:35 a.

3 05. 6J5 and 10:10 m. Virgin 6:30 and 9:20 o. m. (These times subject to change by the theaters without notice.) SUSPENSE! DEATH itTSibcHuLu Man," which combines human drama with human comedy, is now in its third and final week at the Stage Door tonight.

OTTO PREMINGERS screen adaptation of Leon Uris' dramatic best-seller, "Exodus." is scheduled to have the Alexandria in May. The last performances will be Tuesday, May 16. The panel will consist of Herbert Blau, consulting director of the Actor's Workshop, who directed the recent production of "Lear," Rodcric Gorney, a psychiatrist, and Mark Linen) hal, professor at San Francisco State Ray Halpcrn will serve cs moderator. SHOCK! RUDY wqi mart faithful le hit bcaili thon to hrl gffA iffr Tim Starts TOMORROW OPfofessorYQy Vi vis- FORMULA "A SESSION WITH CHARLES LAUGHTON," with the well-known actor reading selections from classic and modern authors, will take place at the Masonic Auditorium on Saturday evening, May 20, and H12 Berkeley Community Thcatep on Sunday after-noon. May 21.

Tickets for both performances are i'Vailablo at Sherman Clay here and in Oakland. PLAYGOERS announces a symposium entitled "Tragic Patterns," to discuss "King Lear" at 8 p. m. Friday at Fellow sh'ip Church, 2041 Larkin St. A motion picture that brings new a raisin in the sun Plus SPORTS REEL NEWS DOORS OPEN 11:45 A.M.

PsNq ki SIDNEY E7 Mi' ViV IV. 1" fc 1 i pected happens "Lady will b3 called off. George Cukor, the director, is still sick and there is no script ready. That's all today. See you tomorrow.

Coburn Here For Award CHARLES COBURN came to lunch at the Variety Club yesterday wearing his famous monocle and a blue beret. The veteran of 63 movies, who is 83, was given a gold plaque by the club for his "great contribution to the motion picture industry." The actor, who was accompanied by his attractive wife Winifred, was also in San Francisco to partake in a ceremony opening a new co-operative apartment house at 1080 Chestnut St. Coburn's last movie was "Pepe" and he said that he and his i who live in Hollywood, would appear this summer at the Monterey Wharf Theater in "You Can't Take It With You." eotoRti I THE NEW GIANT OF WESTERN SUSPENSEI fill THE NEW DRAMATIC SENSATION PAUL ANKA LOOICIWAiWi WINDOW RUTH ROMAN I JIM JOHN CHANDLER-SAXON mr urn FOR FUN! I I iwmi Im mm Mi Sin mm IMMMMrfriAatMWMIAidwMWHaMdHiHl TRIXII wonlid iui ol any coil end didn't mind ihi dongtrl ii.n:itir hiiiViwimJ mmf CONTINENTAL DISTRIBUTING, i.svzzzzz -i Bom to drive men mad 1 (tM Goo 1 7U LAST DAYS! FEATURES AT P.M. SALUTE TO THE CIVILWAR CENTENNIAL1 DAVID 0. SELZNICK'S GONE WITH THE mm TEWWCOtOt niuiiiroctsiHiiraii-iifflM mm mtm 10:30 A.M.

VtW mLA iMlrMlftA' i I LAST DAY! ELIZABETH TAYLOU ROCK HUDSON JAMES DEAN Fre! Vista "Abjant-Mindtd Froftor" Record to 1st 150 at eoanim.