Word: joppolo
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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Hollywood might have given fresh clarity and vigor to the familiar story of the eager, humane A.M.G. Major Joppolo, who introduced democracy to Fascist-ridden Adano, and to arrogant, bellicose General Marvin, who sent him packing for defying the General's inhumane orders. But Marvin, who appears only once, looking not unlike General George Patton, is handled with such kid-gloved tenderness that he never becomes a real, hateful antagonist. In consequence, Joppolo's zeal for spreading democracy becomes a worthy but not over-exciting crusade that lacks the dramatic conflict which would have made it exciting...
Playwright Paul Osborn's Broadway version of Adano overcame many of the stage's physical limitations by the notably humorous, believable, touching performances of most of its minor characters and by the expert work of Fredric March as Joppolo. It was, nonetheless, episodic. Hollywood's Adano, despite an unlimited camera horizon, also manages to be episodic. Its views of shell-struck Adano are convincing enough, and its opening jeep's-eye discovery of the torn little town, with a mocking glimpse beyond shattered walls of a poster of Mock-Hero Mussolini, is excellent. But the people...
...well-known story of earnest, hu mane AMG Major Joppolo, who made democracy work in Fascist-ridden Adano, and of bullying General Marvin who bounced him for defying the General's undemocratic orders, is a timely parable, limited in its black-&-white simplicity but illuminating. The play has all the book's affirmation, but not enough of its anger-for one thing, because General Marvin is nothing more than a first-act offstage below and never becomes a visible antagonist. Squeezing the whole life of the Sicilian town into Joppolo's office also carries penalties: some things...
...play sometimes stutters, it is nevertheless humorous, touching and life-like at other times-thanks, in part, to some of the well-played minor characters, who are like blobs of fiery Latin color, relieving the sober grey of Fredric March's honest portrayal of Joppolo...
Bats in the Belfry? But slowly, in spite of General Marvin, Italian apathy, and bureaucratic red tape, Adano was cleaned up, the houses repainted, the people fed, the Italian prisoners returned to their homes. But for Major Joppolo the war was over. His requisition for a bell for Adano struck headquarters as another sign of his failing mind. And when General Marvin discovered that the Major was still on the job, he stopped reading Secretary Stimson's commendations long enough to fire Joppolo...