Evening star., 1952-12-29

n
er. Martin and Lewis, Crosby
Wayne, Stewart, Peck and Hope
The Hero is the dominant
character, even such a shadowy
one as the screen presents.
| X X X
Hollywood and New York To-
best movie lists. most of which ap-
peared yesterday, included several
titles missing in Washington.
Among these, on the two lists,
were Come Back, Little Sheba, u
THE Bad and the Beautiful" p"
Moulin Rouge" and "Limelight. :"
. The reason? :. The pictures
have not been shown in Washing
ton. Or even seen by the critics
at screenings. Which was the
way, incidentally, by which High
Noon" got on this departments
list. BY slight adjustment of
focus, the film which opens here
on Wednesday, was treated as eli
gible.
1t may be after the Academy
awards two months hence that
Washington will see the films
which will bring four best-actress
nominations -. These are Shirley
Booths performance in Come
Back, Little Sheba." Ethel Waters
Hin Member of The Wedding
Olivia de Havilland's in MY Cous-
in Rachel" and Bette Davis in
The Star" The films were
released toward years end in
Hollywood to make them eligible
for Academy prize consideration
. 1t happens every year, with
what many think is grotesque in
Justice to films and performers
which came out much earlier. .
And have faded in the memories
of judges and the public.
Speaking of acting, if adults
where not smart enough to keep
children in their places, one of the
latter might be rival for Shirley
Booth ('Time of the Cuckoo") and
others for this seasons Broadway
acting honors. This is young
Iris Mann who plays the monster
child in The Children'S Hour.
Tiny Miss Mann is clearly the
Bette Davis of her generation. .
Dating from her debut in "The
Innocents" to her masterpiece o1
malice in Lillian Hellman's revived
play. :. Which, incidentally, is a
hit again and praised as more
timely than when first produced
in 1884. It's popularity, like
that of the revived male Animal,
suggests an inviting (to producers)
way of filling gaps left by the in.
adequacy of current playwriting
. And not as musical adapta-
tions, either.
Best bet for Academy acting
honors among males this year il
Gary Cooper. For his role o1
the marshal in High Noon"
But a couple of hot arguments
could be generated by admirers o1
Sir Laurence Olivier in Carrie" q
less meritorious film; and of Sil
Ralph Richardson in Breaking
the Sound Barrier" :. The latter
will not be an Academy nominee
being English . =. But it was 9
whopping acting job.
Abbott and Costello concede
the need for new and fancy
blood in their slapStick. The
current TRANSMISSION is supplied by
Charles Laughton as Capt. Kide
in abbott and Costello Nee
Captain Kidd" Next shot will
be provided by Boris Karloff.
He will play DR.. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde in the clowns meeting will
that two-souled terror.
New projects: Arthur Miller.
new play finally has a title, 1.-THE
Crucible." Also director, Jec
Harris, and two male stars ir
Arthur Kennedy and Walter
Hampden. And Truman Ca
pote whose "The Grass Harp
was a quick and controversial flor
last season, is readying another
dramatic work. The title o1
this one also has horticultural
flavor: THE House of Flowers.
Playwright John van Druter
lis writing in a different vein, this
time autobiographically. Hi
playwright at Work" is on the
Harper's book list for January.
No man to fear long titles is Film
Producer Alex Gottleib. Hi:
most exciting prospect is a west
ern. THE Mountains Have NJ
Shadows"
y X y
Tennessee Williams and Ella
IKazan. playwright and director
are a combination that never fail
to give Broadway something tt
talk about. F.. They have done i
again with their decision to take
over royalties in the first phase.
If Canine Real" the Williams
play which opens in March.
The 30-character play will cost 81
much to produce that generous
gesture somewhere was impera'
tive. :. Williams and Kazan fig
ured they we're in the best posi-
ton to make it. The idea ha!
been simmering in many mind
for many seasons.