Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-06-06


it made its debut at the Valent
color saga of the Texas Panhal
the Sun" is a Selznick Interna-
tional Picture released through
Selznick Releasing Organization.
Il "Duel in the Sum-, has a terri
"fic impact. 1t is a tremendously
exciting photoplay that immedi-
ately sets your pulse to pound
ing and its scope and power
leave you breathless at the end.
Selznick personally wrote the
screenplay of Duel" from an
adoption by Oliver H. P. Garrett
as suggested by novel by
NiVen Busch and while it is
historical in pattern, Selznick
has drawn his character sharp
and clear and each one becomes
so violently etched in memory
that they will surely become as
well-remembered as Selznick's
Rhett Butler and Scarlet
O'Hara in his "Gone with the
Wind"
Directed by King Vidor with
Imagination and evident en-
thusiaSm and crammed with
bold and colorful showmanship
from the prologue to the final
scene, the picture presents one
of the great casts of film history:
Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck,
Joseph Gotten, Lionel Barry
more, Herbert Marshall, Lillian
Gish, Walter Huston, Charles
Bickford, Harry Carey, Otto
Kruger, Joan Tetzel, Scott Nc
Kay, Sidney Blackmer, Tilly
Losch, Butterfly Mcqueen and
more than 5000 extras.
The roles played by Jennifer
Jones and Gregory Peck repre-
sent exceptional casting. The
Academy Award winner for her
portrayal in "Song of Berna-
,dette," Miss Jones, who has
proven herself one of the most
versatile and sensitive actresses
of the screen, again gives a
brilliant and memorable per-
formance as the fiery, half
breed Pearl Chavez, and the
missionary of Keys of the
Kingdom" Peck, is her reckless,
lawless suitor, Joseph Gotten,
in the third starring role as
Peck's brother, gives a power
full performance that is most ap-
pealing.
Duel in the Sun" is spectacu-
lar in every way. It's the story
of huge and tremendous human
conflict. The story tells of a
land baron, his devoted but un-
happy wife, his two sons, one of
weak character, the other of
strong will and purpose-and of
half breed girl who comes to
live with them.
All the hate and love and fear
of the pioneers who settled the
Old West are forcefully brought
out in this film saga, which
rises to great heights dramatic
ally.
There's the spectacular scene
where the land baron's men
line up to oppose the immigrant
invasion of the railroad - and
there is the wonderfully colorful
fiesta scene at the sprawling
Texas ranch house, the films
main setting, in which all the
grand embellishments possible
to Technicolor photography, lush
sets and stunning costumes, are
On view.
All the players in 'Duel in
The Sun" give fine dramatic
lortrayals, and the brilliant per-
formance of Miss Jones is to be
particularly commended. Lillian
Gish and Lionel Barrymore give
excellent supporting perform
ances; Walter Huston is bril-
liant; Herbert Marshall gives a
performance as Pearls
Tilly Losch does a re-
narkable dance and the rest of
he extraordinary cast are nota-
Die.
The musical score by Dimitri
riomkin is a valuable adjunct
% the overall importance of
Duel in the sun" His music is I
and it even heightens ,
he dramatic effect of many of !
he important scenes. The Tech |
licolor photography is n e .
inest this reviewer has seen.