Word: film
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Dates: during 1940-1940
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...tender spots, Zanuck tempted Mormon wrath by showing Brigham with four of his 27 wives. For publicity purposes the studio released several still pictures showing Young surrounded by a dozen Hollywood beauties representing his marital score at the date of the picture's action. Most conspicuous in the film is Mary Ann (Mary Astor), while frequently present is shapely, silent Clara (Jean Rogers). The two others lurk obscurely in the background...
...French Department should make this film required movie-going, and that is no slur upon its entertainment value. In almost every scene there is a slice of provincial France. The earnest, effeminate priest and the super-rationalistic school-teacher involve themselves in endless, fantastic arguments. A two-for-a-nickel marquis, complete with gloves and plus-fours, drops into town now and then from his chateau, to have a quick one with the boys at the "Club." There are also plenty of village dim-wits, who won't speak to one another because their parents and grandparents wouldn't either...
Because the last ten minutes are devoted to singing the title number in about five different ways, and because all five are top notch arrangements, the end of the film is considerably better than the middle. Mickey warbles in his not-too-bad torch voice, and Judy Garland establishes a real claim for Somebody's Singing Crown. Ah, her eyes...
...both the familiar land-of-opportunity theory and the idea that "Mother is still the whitest woman on earth." With a little more ingenuity in building the story around the songs, "Strike Up the Band" might have been a top tenner. As it is, only La Garland saves the film from hitting the mediocre level. Of course there is some flag waving in the finale, but moviedom seems to have the proper approach to the patriotic movement...
...compliment either to the virtues of Jane Austin's book or the maturity of Hollywood that "Pride and Prejudice" has maintained its integrity on its perilous journey from paper to film. It appears on the screen as a startling and refreshing example of a picture that clicks without having resorted to the run-of-the-mill movie formulas...