Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

20TH-FOX CUTS TO 52; FIVE 'DREADNAUGHTS,' 20 STAR, CO-STARRING FttMS THUS FAR SET Board Head, Producer and President — ~Photo by Cosmo sileo The top ranking executives of 20 th Century-Fox: Left to right, Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the hoard; Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production, and Sidney R. Kent, president. Thirteen Solo Starrers; Quintet of Specials; Zanuck Helms 24 Chicago — Dropping from an announced 56 for the season now well toward its completion, 20th Century-Fox throws its hat into the ring for 1939-40 with a reduction to 52. Of the titles and series outlined for the sales convention which met at the Congress Thursday through Saturday, 13 are solo starring vehicles and seven co-starring. Shirley Temple is to appear in three and Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche and Sonja Henie in two each, although, in some instances, these personalities will be co-starred. On the basis of the detailed lineup, as far as it was divulged here, the starring brackets follow: Ameche, one as star, one as co-star; Binnie Barnes, one as co-star; Warner Baxter, one as co-star; George Brent, one as co-star with two other stars; Alice Faye, star in one, co-star in another; Richard Greene, star in one; Sonja Henfe, star in two; Myrna Loy, co-star in cne; Tyrone Power, star in one, co-star in another; Shirley Temple, star in three; Jane Withers, star in four. Well in the vanguard of the lineup for the new season are spectacles and “other $2,000,000 productions.” These include “The Rains Came,” “Stanley and Livingstone,” “Little Old New York,” “Brigham Young” and “Drums Along the Mohawk.” Herman Wobber, general manager of sales and in command of the meetings at which over 280 men, with a scattering He Sells 'Em — Herman Wobber, general manager of distribution of 20th Century-Fox. He presided over and conducted the Chicago sales convention. of women, were present, stated that, instead of curtailing production in the face of the threatened loss of European markets, the company will increase its budget. He explained this had been determined upon with the expectation of offsetting the European situation by recapturing more business domestically through the production of more big pictures based on subjects with greater appeal to the American public and the rest of the world. To this, he added the expectation the development of South America and other markets would further this objective along. Darryl F. Zanuck is to assume direct charge of 24 of the new product. The spectacles, all the larger budget pictures and the Temples fall into his group, as well as three from Cosmopolitan, cne of which will be “Hotel for Women.” The ’39-40 advertising budget is designed to outstrip any yet undertaken by the company, the conventioneers were to’d. In keeping with current policy executed by Charles E. McCarthy, director of advertising and publicity, special appropriations on each of the bigger attractions will be set aside. “The Rains Came,” described as “the biggest production ever attempted by 20th Century-Fox.” This will be based on the novel by Louis Bromfield co-starring Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power and George Brent and support including Cesar Romero, Joseph Schildkraut, Maria Ouspenskaya and Henry Travers. Clarence Brown directs. “Stanley and Livingstone,” described as “a $2,000,000 production which has been more than two years in the making.” Directed by Henry King, the cast includes Spencer Tracy, Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Walter Brennan, Henry Hull, Henry Travers and Charles Coburn. “Hollywood Cavalcade,” described as the “Big Parade” of film history and patterned to the scale of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” Alice Faye and Don Ameche will be co-starred with screenplay by Ernest Pascal from a story by Lou Breslow. “Maryland” to be made in Technicolor as a sequel to “Kentucky.” The story deals with the breeding of thoroughbred race horses and the history of Maryland. Sonya Levien is the author. “Lady Jane,” starring Shirley Temple and in Technicolor. It is to be adapted from a child classic by Mrs. C. V. Jamieson with New Orleans in Mardi Gras time as background. Walter Lang will direct. “Everything Happens at Night,” romantic comedy starring Sonja Henie. “Drums Along the Mohawk” from the novel by Walter Edmonds dealing with early days of pioneer trappers. An allstar cast for it, but no names listed. “The Mark of Zorro,” starring Tyrone Power. “A Briton at Yale,” starring Richard Greene. “Swanee River” starring Don Ameche. “Little Old New York” starring Alice Faye. This is the Rida Johnson Young (Continued on page 12) 8 BOXOFFICE :: April 1, 1939