Maclean’s Movies

CLYDE GILMOUR

BEST BET

Anastasia: Ingrid Bergman’s first “Hollywood" picture in

seven years was actually filmed in Europe under Hollywood auspices, but it should speed her triumphal return to the American movie capital. The Swedish actress gives an Oscar-worthy performance in the role of a mystery woman who may or may not be the surviving daughter of the slaughtered Czar of Russia, and her transformation from drabness to splendor is exciting to behold. The film’s ambiguous ending is mildly disconcerting but its merits are impressive. The excellent cast includes Helen Hayes as a royal old lioness and Yul Brynner as a conspirator with a conscience.

The Girl Can’t Help It: Not a bad show-business comedy about a has-been gangster (Edmond O’Brien), his rueful manager (Tom Ewell) and the former’s untalented but stunning girl friend (Jayne Mansfield). Too much rock’nroll music in this one for my comfort, though.

The Iron Petticoat: A strained, almost embarrassing comedy about a Russian airwoman (Katherine Hepburn) who becomes a pawn in the cold war. Bob Hope is the jaunty American officer who tries to sell her the West. Ninotchka (1939) handled a similar theme much better.

Secrets of Life: The newest nature documentary from the Walt Disney empire is one of the best of them all, its superb color photography ranging from an anthill to a volcano. Music and spoken commentary arc good, too, without the usual folksy affectations.

The She-Creature: A prehistoric monster is dragged back to life from the slime of time through the subconscious “memories” of a hypnotized cutie (Marla English) in this tolerable horror item.

GILMOUR’S GUIDE TO THE CURRENT CROP

Baby Doll: Sexy comedy-drama. Welldone trash. Rating: fair.

The Battle of the River Plate: Naval-

warfare drama. Good.

Between Heaven and Hell: War. Fair.

Beyond Mombasa: Jungle drama. Poor.

Bigger Than Life: Drama. Fair.

The Brave One: Mexico drama. Good.

Everything But the Truth: Romantic

comedy. Poor.

Friendly Persuasion: Comedy-drama re

American Quakers. Good.

Gold Rush: Chaplin reissue. Excellent.

Great American Pastime: Comedy. Fair.

Hollywood or Bust: Comedy. Fair.

It Conquered the World: Science-fiction

horror. Fair for children.

Julie: Suspense drama. Poor.

The Killing: Crime drama. Excellent.

The King and Four Queens: Western

comedy-drama. Fair.

The King and I: Music-drama. Tops.

A Lamp Is Heavy: Hospital drama. Fair.

The Last Wagon: Western. Good.

A Letter to 3 Wives (reissue): Comedy-

drama. Good.

Loser Takes All: Comedy. Fair.

Love Me Tender: Fair western — but warning: Presley "sings”!

Man From Del Rio: W'estcrn. Good.

The Power and the Prize: Drama of

big business. Good.

Reach for the Sky: RAF drama. Good.

Reprisal: Western. Good.

Richard III: Shakespeare. Tops.

The She-Creature: Horror. Fair.

The Silent World: Undersea true-life drama in color. Tops.

The Solid Gold Cadillac: Big-business

comedy. Excellent.

Storm Centre: Drama. Fair.

Teahouse of the August Moon: Army-

vs.-"natives” comedy. Fair.

The Ten Commandments: Bible epic. Dull in spots but vast, reverent.

Toward the Unknown: Air drama. Good.

The Unguarded Moment: Drama. Good.

War and Peace: Drama. Good.

Westward Ho the Wagons!: lnjunsvs.-settlers western. Good.

You Can’t Run Away From It: Comedy. Fair.

/.arak: Desert melodrama. Fair.