Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

MUSICAL ICE CYCLE IS AHEAD IN FILMS Moviegoers are due for a new cycle in musical pictures, with the announcement by Warner that it is planning early production of an ice-skating musical. Prime feature of the picture will be the “Ice Pollies of 1937,” a skating troupe led by 19-year-old Bess Ehrhardt, now doing personal appearances throughout the country. Twentieth Century-Fox is well on its way toward putting the second Sonja Henie starrer, “Thin Ice,” before the cameras, and Universal has long had plans simmering to star Jack Dunn, champion skater, in a yarn about speed on the ice, although definite preparations have not yet been launched. It is understood that Warner’s “Ice Follies” may become another in the list of yearly musicals. COLOR CONFERENCE ON "GRAND CANYON" A. M. Chapperau, Keller-Dorian color company executive, and two color experts came in this week to begin technical conferences with Edward L. Alperson on the filming of “Grand Canyon,” for which the Keller-Dorian process will be used. A single negative, three-color process, Keller-Dorian permits black and white white projection in theatres not equipped for color. Richard Rowland will produce the picture on location in Colorado in June. Two Get Gun Warner put two new features into work this week, “That Certain Woman” and “Gentleman After Midnight” both getting the gun. The former will feature Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, Ian Hunter, Anita Louise, Hugh O’Connell and Ben Weldon, while “Gentleman” will star Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland. Metro Nod to Broadcasts Marks Radio Ring Entry "JOY OF LOVING" IS NEXT DUNNE STARRER “The Joy of Loving,” with Irene Dunne set for the starring role, will be directed for RKO Radio by Mark Sandrich under the production guidance of Felix Young. Sandrich has just completed shooting the forthcoming Astaire-Rogers musical, “Shall We Dance?” Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields and Herbert Fields are writing the music, lyrics and screenplay for the Dunne vehicle. Plan P. A/s for Ritter Tex Ritter, singing cowboy appearing in Grand National westerns produced by Edward Finney, is to be made available to exhibitors for personal appearances throughout the country upon completion of his sixth film, “Sing, Cowboy, Sing,” which is now on location near Kernville. Robert N. Bradbury directs, with Lindsley Parsons supervising. STAR ROLE FOR GAIL PATRICK Gail Patrick has reached the stellar bracket on the Paramount contract list under terms of the new contract just given her by the studio. First role under the new pact will be the feminine lead opposite Jack Benny in “Artists and Models,” which goes into production shortly under the direction of Raoul Walsh. Reversing its heretofore steadfast policy of barring contract players and other employes from participating in radio broadcasts, and throwing the gauntlet to MPTOA resolutions stamping ether appearances of film stars as a menace to the boxoffice, Metro last week granted permission to Jeanette MacDonald to appear on the Hollywood Hotel program this Friday. The studio also lifted its ban to the extent of allowing Hunt Stromberg, producer, to appear as guest on the Louella Parsons’ Columbia Broadcasting System show, and permission to present a scene from “Maytime— a trio of concessions which Hollywood observers interpret as a last-minute attempt on the part of the studio to climb on the radio bandwagon, on which Paramount and other companies already have a good start. Martin May Replace MacMurray The announcement that Fred MacMurray. who has been holding down the emcee spot on the Hollywood Hotel program for the past few weeks, following Dick Powell’s withdrawal, will sign off permanently April 30, has been interpreted by the industry’s insiders as a voluntary admission on MacMurray’s part that he is washing his hands of a bad job. Despite the fact that salary differences are said to have caused him to resign, it is understood that MacMurray, perhaps influenced by Paramount officials, has come to realize that bad handling of the radio chore might, if continued, do him more harm than good with his primary profession of acting — a point dear to the hearts of exhibitors who have been (Continued on page 20-A) Bob Stirling Upped Bob Stirling, Metro sound engineer, became assistant to Hunt Stromberg this week, replacing Sam Zimbalist, who was promoted to an associate producership some time ago. Stirling joined Metro in 1925. CONDOR SIGNS HOERL Condor has signed Arthur Hoerl to script his original story, “Death Takes a Cruise,” which will be produced by Charles J. Hunt for Grand National. It’s springtime and baseball time, so the Chicago White Sox, now in training at Pasadena, got an afternoon off to visit Joe E. Brown, who is very probably one of the world’s most rabid horsehide fans, at the studio. On Joe’s left is June Travis, screen actress and daughter of Harry Grabiner, vice-president of the White Sox. He’s in the front row, with June’s hands on his shoulder. BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937.