Boxoffice-May.12.156

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Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
Symbol O denotes color photography
noScopc;
^' VlstoVJsion; S Supcrscopc; For story synopsis on each picture
Star of India
7) ou nlUnited Artists (5623)
Ratio:
Coslume Drama
Rel. June "50
A routine costume drama, similar to several Cornel Wilde
made for Columbia and RKO several years back, this will
satisfy action-minded fans and make a fair supporting dualler
generally. Wilde and his wife. Jean Wallace, (they re- ;.
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cently stt»rred together in "Storm Fear" for UA) supply the i.
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marquee value, the rest of the cast is British. Produced in
France by Raymond Stress, the picture has lavish castle settings
and costumes, which look exquisite in Technicolor,
but the few exteriors could have been filmed in the U. S.
As directed by Arthur Lubln, the plot is far-fetched and full
of intrigue and swordplay revolving around the Star of India,
a fabulous diamond which was stolen from a Dutch collection
by a scheming French Vicomte. However, there is
surprisingly httle suspense. Wilde plays a dashing French
nobleman effectively enough, but the flaxon-haired Miss Wallace,
playing a beautiful Dutch widow, merely acts and talks
like Marie Wilson in nth Century costumes. Herbert Lorn
and Basil Sydney (as Louis XIV of France) wear their
wigs and rich robes with the proper flair and Yvonne Sanson
makes a beautiful Madame de Montespan, the King's
mistress.
Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Herbert Lom, Basil Sydney,
Yvonne Sanson, Walter Rilla. John Slater.
Zanzabuku
Republic (5508) 64 Minutes Rel. May '56
This has authentic, always interesting and at times
exciting Trucolor scenes of an expedition among African
wildlife and natives. It rates high as a supporting feature
because of the great variety of wildlife shown, some of which
will appeal to any type of patron, and its reasonable 64-
minute footage. Besides more or less conventional shots of
-^ birds, beasts and huge snakes, there are scenes of really
,.,,'^ dangerous encounters to which added interest is lent by the
participation of a teenager. The most striking are repeated
attacks on a jeep by a rhinoceros; the jeep is finally overturned
and its occupants forced to flee for their lives.
Another exciting moment is when a young elephant ts
captured alive despite the charges of the herd, and still
another the spearing of a vicious leopard. There are also
appealing views of animals and monkeys that had been
tamed by Carr Hartley, famous game collector, to be sold
to zoos. Their evident contentment in captivity removes any
life
regret at seeing wildlife captured. Scenes of tribal
are colorful but nothing really new is offered. The title,
translated, means dangerous safari. The film lives up to
the title. Produced by Lewis Cotlow. explorer and author.
Photographed by Fred Ford, Fred Ford jr. and John
Coquillon.
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