Boxoffice-January.03.1966

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FEATURE REVIEW
'Battle of the Bulge
Warner Bros.
By FRANK LEYENDECKER
P^S THE FIRST World War II action
drama in Cinerama or in Technicolor.
this Sidney Harmon production in association
with United States Pictures has tremendous
scope and magnificent pictorial
quality as it re-creates the climactii
across Belgium by Hitler's tanks and
troops to smash the Allied forces—a battle
which cost an estimated 75,000 lives before
the Americans crushed the German
offensive. With a strong male cast, headed
by Henry Fonda. Robert Ryan and Dana
Andrews, this will have its greatest appeal
to male patrons, especially veterans of the
war. and to action-minded youngsters.
With only two brief scenes involving women
total of less than 15 minutes running
time), the lengthy picture may need extra
selling to attract the distaff side or teenagers.
Pictorially. this Cinerama epic is magnificently
made with outstanding photography
of the mostly barren, snow-covered
terrain by Jack Hildyard and stunning
aerial shots, filmed from helicopters, of the
advancing troops, artillery and tanks bj
Jack Willoughby—most of this outdoors
action filmed in the Spanish mountain
country. The script by Philip Yordan. Milton
Sperling, who also produced for United
States Pictures, and John Melson concentrates
on the preparation by the German
Command of a tank attack designed to
divide the Allied Forces in Belgium: the
efforts of one American Lt. Colonel to convince
his superior officers of these Nazi
plans and the actual bloody Battle of the
Bulge on December 21, 1944, which led to
Allied victory in Europe. While thei
occasional human interest touches, the
most affecting being a scene between the
arrogant German commander of the tank
division and his loyal yet embittered
orderly, there Is only one brief ron
moment between a gruff American seri>efore
both are killed
As brilliantly directed by Km Annakin,
the remarkably fluid action shlfl
and forth between the opposing forces with
no confusion on the part of the audience
except, possibly, during the climactic- tank
action. This is followed by a blazing
when a few Ann 'literally
overturn gasoline drums in the path
advancing Nazi tanks and a tossed grenade
ei flames—a spectacular
end to a tic war
picture.
Of the several male stars, Henry Fonda
K convincing
portrayals as the America]
Colonel and Robert Ryan Is fine
cautious Amerii bu( it is British
actor Robert Shaw he deservedly
second billing) who gives the oil
outstanding performance as the ruthless,
unfeeling German Panzer commander.
Shaw, who previously scored in "From
Russia With Love," acts and talks the
arrogant Nazi to perfection.
Telly Savalas Is intensely human and
likable as a tough tank fighter, who peddles
champagne and nylons on the side and
lie provides the picture's rare humorous
moments as well as being equall}
in his brief touching scene with his Bellartner.
sensitively played by Pier
only other woman in the
handsome Barbara Werle. pi
"a first class courtesan" who is rebuffed
by the single-minded Shaw. Charles Branson
a.s a hard-bitten American major; Ty
(Ol TV fame' as a German who
impersonates an American soldier;
Montgomery and James MacArth
American officers and. particularly
Hans Christian Blech. who has a memorable
moment as an aging Nazi orderly,
all contribute valuable performances
"BATTLE OF THE BULGE"
Warner Bros, release
in Cinerama, Ultro Panavision and Technicolor
Running time: 162 minutes, plus intermission
CREDITS
Produced by Milton Sperling and Philip Yordan.
Directed by Ken Annakin. Written by Philip Yordan,
Millon Sperling and John Melson. Director of
photography. Jack Hildyard, B.S.C. Art direction,
me. Supervising editor, Derek Parsons.
Sound editor, Kurt Hcrmfcld. Chief of special
clfccts, Alex Wcldon. Costume design, Laurc
Bernard Glasser.
> I conducted by Benjamin
The New Philharmonic Ormanogors,
Tibor Reeves and
(Vcgorio Sacristan Aerial photographer. Jack Wil-
1 rectors, Jose Lopez Rodero,
. Garcia.
. .
THE CAST
Fonda
lenry
Col Hesslcr Robert Show
Grey General R bert Ryan
Col Pntchord Dono Andrews
Sgt Dusqucsne George Montgomery
felly Savolas
Lt. Schumacher Ty Hardin
Louise e'er Angcli
Elena Barbara Werle
Wolenski Charles Bronson
General Kohlcr Werner Peters
Conrad Christian Blech
ons
Lt Weaver Jomcs MacArthur
thi lug-scale action. Onl
and unconvincl
the American colonel who doubts the Nazi's
plans to attack.
While the subdued Ultra P
Technicolor camerawork adds real]
i
battle actio:;
ire, which looks like
the set it actually is. The occasional music
composed and conducted by Benjamin
properly unobtrusive
The first World War n picture In
rama realistically re-creates an >
vent.
Finnish Blonde Is Winner
In Doris-for-a-Day Contest
HOLLYWOOD—A 24-year-old librarian
from Finland was crowned
winner in 20th Century-Fox's inter:
"Doris-for-a-Day" look-alike compi
In cerem December 20 at the
world premiere of M film,
"Do Not Disturb." Tuula Mattila of
Seinajoki. Finland, who wa.
.lists representing IS COU
.out the world, will make an ap-
M
Fox. "Fifth Avenue Folly." and will
wardrobe created by Bardies
Country Clothes, as well as other \
The selection
Idio Theatre was the climax
activities in Ho'.:
prior to the final
104 pounds and has gray-blut
In her home town as a chili
graduated from the
of Social Studies in 1965
i:ng her schooling at H
>t the Bulge" m
no from 'll.it lit-
ted on Finnish
In "The Sleeping Beauty
is Eino. a retired Finnish
captain and is the chairman of the Chamber
of Commerce in Seinajoki. The
her children.
BOXOFFICE ;: January 3. 1966
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