Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-09-05
Films in Review
By CHARLES GENTRY
Michigan
Has Swell
Musical

4
WE DON'T know just what
date they're celebrating, but "Hol-I
iday Inn" is one of the most anus
ing musicals we've seen in some
time.
The film, which opened at theI
Michigan yesterday, is based on
the vagaries or an erstwhile vaude-I
willie performer who decides to-
go back TO the farm and take his
entertainment with him.
The chap, In this case. turns out
to be Bing Crosby. a lazy fellow
who only likes TO put floor shows
on. come a national holiday.
Considering the number of night
club shows we have seen, we are
quite willing to subscribe TO this
idea. ourselves. The only fear we
might have is that Of being showed
in with an adagio team from New
Years Day to Lincoln's Birthday.
Bing avoids this horrible fate.
however, by providing only the
most primitive kind Of transporta-
ton for his talent on the holt
day in question. His littleI
idiosyncracy is the result OF a.
romantic rundown by his friends
partner. Virginia Dale. Miss Dale,
il seems, had not only danced with
the feet of Fred Astaire. Bing'sI
chum, but she had done quick
time step on Mr.. Crosby's heart.
OFF TO THE FARM
Disillusioned and double-crossed,
Crosby returns TO his Connecticut
farm. 10 harvest a night club crop
only on such celebrated days as
christmas. Fourth of July, etc
When Astaire finds out about
this, he and his agent. Walter Abel,
invade Connecticut and find there
new and charming little girl
whom YOU will find described as
one of the years discoveries,
Marjorie Reynolds.
/ To us, stumbling across Miss
REYNOLDS, is a little like finding
rock quartz when you are told
there were square cut emeralds
in the district.
Be that as il may, Miss Rey-l
nolds has evidently been used as
foil for the Crosby-Astaire COM
ibination. the producer figuring
that with two such big male
names anything wearing slacksI
could fiji in comfortably.
( Miss Reynolds is not the dancer
that Fred Astaire would make her
out TO be, but she suffices well
enough TO get through several
cute routines.
Despite the glamour of dancing
with a name like Astaire's Miss.
REYNOLDS decides that she would
rather spend her holidays with
J Crosby. so everything is Merry.
il not Christmas. for the picture.
There isn't any gent vocalizing
on the screen today who can COM
pete with Bing. so naturally he
takes all the singing honors.
THE BEST NUMBERS
/ His version of white Christ
mas, and abraham" are out of
this world. while Astaire's tap
version of You're Easy to Dance
With" and BE Careful. It's My
Heart" are among the reasons why
you won't forget these Irving Ber-
lin tunes quickly.
While there isn't much plot,
you'll excuse the fact quickly when
you get a glance Of the singing
and dancing talent available IN
the film.
It's by far one of the best must
Gals Paramount has turned out in
some time.
If you're staying over for the
next feature-that is, if you don't
have to catch a train or a boat
YOU may care 10 sit through Spy
Ship" the companion picture. in
which you will find Irene Manning.
"a beautiful radio commentator,
; aiding Axis agents determine the
location of our ships, which are
subsequently subbed.
On the trail -of-this lovely air
wave saboteur is a young news
papeFnaH. Craig Stevens, who fin
ally sinks her after being misled
through several reels by the girls
own sister. Maris Wrixon.
Despite tense moments and the
Intrusion OF several shady char
acters. this isn't as exciting as the