Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

AUGUST 1 3th, 1 938 13 mm flDDUT mm mid mn , , , BY YOUR HOLLYWOOD CORRESPONDENT Co-operative producing companies have long been discussed in Hollywood, but few of the proposed plans for the formation of such organizations have ever extended beyond the conference stage. Hence, when Myron Selznick, one of our leading agents, announced that he would enter the production field as head of a profit sharing company to be formed by some of the top talent under his wing, I automatically became a resident of Missouri. Apparently, though, Selznick is determined to give the idea a try. Articles of incorporation have already been drafted for Ernst Lubitsch Productions, Inc. Lubitsch's first production under this set-up will be "The Shop Around the Corner," and will star Dolly Haas, the Continental favorite formerly under contract to Columbia. Present plans call for a picture co-starring William Powell and Carole Lombard to be the second Selznick production, also under the directorial guidance of Lubitsch. It is always a pleasure to see Max and Arthur Alexander, for they alone of all the smaller independent producers seem to go on year after year turning out a few pictures without falling into the financial pitfalls that beset the average small operator. They retain adeguate, but unimpressive, offices, answer their own telephone and surround themselves only with such personnel as each individual production requires. Thus with no money spent on Hollywood elegance, the Brothers Alexander have some to put into their pictures. At the moment they are shooting "Songs of the Saddles," a musical outdoor-drama starring Gene Austin. According to Bob Kerr, who is affiliated with the Alexanders in this enterprise, the film will be road-showed along with personal appearances of Austin. The singer is very popular with theatre audiences and this scheme should go a long way toward insuring bookings. Being a die-hard movie fan who runs to early bird matinees and midnight showings of pictures missed at previews, I have never been overly enthusiastic about radio entertainment. But my hat is most certainly off to Bill Bacher for his superb handling of the special broadcast of "Alexander's Ragtime Band." In that hour and fifteen minutes of ear entertainment, Bacher had more production value than many filmmakers get into a dozen pictures. Hollywood should not overlook Bacher in its constant search for production brains. Young Mickey Rooney is the latest heir to the title of "busiest actor in Hollywood." At the moment he is playing leading roles in both "Boystown" and "Stablemates." Upon completion of these assignments, Mickey gets a wellearned vacation and then reports to the studio for a new Judge Hardy film. Incidentally in "Boystown," Rooney will receive co-star billing along with Spencer Tracy. I can't help but feel that Metro is making a big mistake in glamourizing Hedy La Marr merely on the strength of her performance in "Algiers." Her role in that picture was STAR DUST Nominated for Better Roles ISABEL JEWELL No actress in all Hollywood has given us more blood-chilling dramatic moments than this girl. Her thin face, wide eyes, quivering lips are dramatic in themselves and she knows extremely well what to do with them. In our Album of Memorable Performances we find her listed for the distraught wife of the flier in "Ceiling Zero;" for the seamstress in "Tale of Two Cities;" for the prostitute in "Lost Horizon," and, now, for that one scene in "The Crowd Roars." There's a dramatic shock in her playing. Isabel Jewell is a mistress of emotions and the casting directors have no right to rob the public of her talent! a simple one which could have been performed by any beautiful woman. As yet, Miss La Marr has had no real acting test, but her publiciteers are selling her as a combined Garbo-Dietrich. This build-up will turn the fans into critics and if she does not live up to expectations in her next picture, she will be just another Hollywood importation gone wrong. Inspired by the success of the serial, "The Lone Ranger," Republic is currently negotiating for the film serialization rights of another air thriller, "The Phantom Pilot." The program is released on the Coast and plays five times weekly. Ralph Ravenscroft, who has been in this business long enough to know better, is the head of a new company called Pictorial Productions. His first picture will be "Navajo," with an all-Indian cast. Release for the film will not be set until it is completed. At times one wishes our California climate were not so tempting, for then more of our picture stars would follow the example of a few — live somewhere else and merely come to the film city as production reguires. Hollywood seems to stifle talent and rare is the player who does not reflect this in his work. A new example of Hollywooditis is Franchot Tone, who is leaving the screen upon the completion of his Metro contract. The studio is making no great effort to retain him nor do very many people regret his departure. A few nights ago I attended a revival of "Gabriel Over the White House." This was Tone's first picture, one in which he vividly illustrated what a really capable actor he is. Here was a fresh, vital personality, flashing and alive — vastly different from the listless, indifferent Tone of today. Only in "Three Comrades" did he approach his earlier performance. Another taste of hard work in the legit theatre may be just what Tone needs! CHATTER . . . Production on Standard Pictures' "100,000 Witnesses," which is to star George Jessel, has been postponed until fall. . . . Coronet Pictures (Columbia release) and Buck Jones will wash up their contract following the completion of the two remaining pictures on their schedule. . . . John Speaks declares that production on his Paramount release, "Little Orphan Annie," has been postponed, not shelved as reported. . . . Columbia is mulling over the idea of reissuing the Mickey Maguire shorts. Mickey being the present Mickey Rooney, pride of the Metro lot. . . . "King of the Turf" (Adolphe Menjou) has been put on Edward Small's production schedule. . . . Universal has effected a grand radio tie-up for "Letter of Introduction." . . . Jeff Davis, self-titled "King of the Hoboes," is in Hollywood acting as technical advisor on Par's "The Arkansas Traveler." . . . Rumor has it that finis will soon be written to the partnership of Laurel and Hardy. . . . "500,000,000 Can't Be Wrong" is the title of the short to be exhibited throughout the country on behalf of the "Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment" drive.