Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

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producing after a year's idleness. "The Little Fo'^es" Suh Bette Davis and Richard Carlson in the leads. William Wylei is directing. The deal came as a surprise to Hollywood, .although Goldwyns friendship and confidence in Schaefer might have forewarned filmites AS far as is known at present, Goldwyn will utmze RKO's distribution facilities for "The Little Foxes' and his next production "The Professor and the Burlesque Que3n, with Sy Coopei Whether the one-year pact calls additional pictures is not yet known, but. obviously, if the Goldwyn-RKO affiliation becomes mutually satisfactory and profitable, the veteran producer will not be tempted to look elsswhere. Topping the news of the Goldwyn deal was confirmation of rumors that Schaefer is dickering with Frank Capra and Robert Riskin to release future films from the famed duo. Capra ana Riskin announced that they would not finance their own productions in the future, as they did with "Doe" and they are seeking a setup similar to their old deal at Columbia. There seems a good chance that RKO will land them. William Randolph Hearst's vilification of Orson Welles is disgusting the majority of Hollywoodites but none of them are willing • to use his authority in defense of the actor-producer. At this writing the Hearst rags are quiet, but the heat is far from off and we predict that as the picture goes into release the campaign of hate will turn into a scathing indictment of Welles' personal life. Fresh money in the RKO set-up may dislodge Floyd Odium, his Atlas Corporation and other interests, paving the way for a new management within a short period of time. This fact, more than the objections of Murray Silver; tone, are deemed to have played a large part in killing the deal which would have made Sol Lesser the studio's production chieftain. Lesser's recommendation came from Odium. Lee Marcus and Robert Sisk are through as RKO producers in the most recent shake-up move. Somewhat understandable is the Marcus ouster, but Sisk's stature has increased considerably in the last couple of years and, in this writer's opinion, has been one of the most valuable members of the RKO production fraternity. He has already been grabbed by Paramount. That was a nasty accident experienced by Thomas Mitchell on "The Devil and Daniel Webster" set when a carriage overturned and threw him out. The character actor's condition is less serious than originally believed and he will be ready to reEume work in two weeks. RKO has first call on Ginger Rogers' services for the next three years under the terms of a contract recently concluded between star and studio. It calls for two pictures the first year and an undetermined number during the succeeding semesters. The pact makes no mention of outside deals, but an understanding is said to exist permitting her to make such films providing RKO okays stories. "Citizen Kane" will have its local premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, the first time this house has shown a motion picture and manager Matt Allen, who loathes movies more than anything else, must be tearing his hair despite the pleasant prospect of a sell-out opening... If it can be arranged, Robert Morley will come to Hollywood and a top spot in "Joan of Paris" opposite Mic'iele Morgan ...The first of the new series with George Sanders and Wendy Barrie, titled "The Gay Falcon," will get underwry shortly... Richard Wallace has been signed to direct "Obliging Young Lady." . . .Constantin BakaleinikofT has replaced Dave Dreyer as RKO's musical director — the latter failing to get together with the company on a new contract. IN PRODUCTION— "Little Foxes" (Goldwyn) (Bette DavisRichard Carlson), "Before the Fact" (Gary GrantJoan Fontaine), "Tom, Dick and Harry" (Ginger Rogers-George Murohy), "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (Thomas MitchellWalt°r Huston), "Parachute Batallion" (Robert Preston-Nancy Kelly), "Father Takes A Wife" ( Adolphe-Menjou-Gloria Swanson), "Lady Scarf ace" (Dennis O'KeefeJudith Anderson) and "Dude Cowboy" (Tim Holt). PREPARING — "The Gay Falcon" (George Sanders-Wendy Barrie), "Journey Into Fear" (Michele Morgan), "Joan of Paris" (Michele Morgan). "Unexpected Uncle" (Thomas Mitchell), "Through the Thin Wall" (Charles Laughton), ""Valley of the Sun" and "Untitled Bergen-McCarthy." <'ASTIN(iS: Diivid Kirldaiiil in "Tlie Devil and I):uii' l Wel)xter" . . ..losepli CoUi-ii in ■•.)i)iii-ncy into l''i-ai " . . . .\ IIcti .leiiliins, AVillic r^uiirl. Oladys Cooiipr, l.ncih Glea.son. Arlliur Sliiekls, Ed Hropliy in l-'n hen" . . ..iame.'^ Ci ait; in "N'alley of tile Sun" ... Russell Hicks in "Ttie l.ini. I'.iws" . . . 1)1 KKCTOK .\SSKiN.MKNTS: Ccni-c Marsl.all to ■■\'alley of tlu Sun"... 20th CENTURY-FOX An accelerated production pace is due at 20th Century after a few weeks of coasting— the idea being to have two and possibly three blocks of film ready for Consent Decree selling. Two pictures are on the "suspended" list due to illness. "Belle Starr" is idle becau.se of Gene Tierney's eye trouble and "Man Hunt" is in straits over the absence of Walter Pidgeon. After 18 months of personal appearances, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy returned to Hollywood and signed contracts with 20th Century-Fox for an army comedy, "Forward March"— the deal carrying ontions for future commitments. These funny fellows would be superb in a big musical and 20th Century is the studio to give them that opportunity. John Ford will direct "How Green Was My Valley" now that William Wyler has been called home by Goldwyn. . ."Wild Geese Calling" will co-star Henry Fonda and Joan Bennett. . .Story editor Julian Johnson has had his contract renewed. . .Maureen O'Hara's contract is going to be shared by 20th Century which has spotted her in "'Valley". . .A terrific music budget has been appropriated for "Blood and Sand" — indicating the importance of this picture on 20th Century's schedule. IN PRODUCTION — "Man Hunt" (Walter Pidgeon-George Sanders), "Sun 'Valley" (Sonja Henie-John Payne), "Belle Starr' (Gene Tierney-Henry Fonda), "Dance Hall" (Cesar Romero-Carole Landis), "Dressed to Kill" (Lloyd Nolan-Mary Beth Hughes) and "Yank in the R. A. F. (Tyrone Power-Betty Grable). PREPARING"Last of the Duanes" (George Montgomery), "The Bowery Nightingale," "Moon Tide" (Jean Gabin), "Remember the Day" (Claudette ColbertJohn Payne), "Charlie's Aunt" (Jack Benny) and "Benjamin Blake" (Tyrone Power). (■.\STIN<;S: Maureen O'Hara, Sarah Allgood, Roddy McDo\valI, James Monks, i;\an ICwiiis in "How Green Was My Valley" ... Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy in "I'lMUMTd .March" ... Eve Arden in "Last o£ the Duanes" ... Robert Lowery in "l'i i\ ate .Vurse". . .Laird Cregar, Edmund Gwenn, Ernest Cossart in "Charley's Aunt". ..Una Munsen in "Wild Geese Calling" .. .DIRECTOR ASSIGNMENTS: .Monty Banks to "Forward March" .. .STORY BUYS: "Not for Children" by l-Mninnd Wolf and I.ii.lwis Hirshfield. . . UNITED ARTISTS Now that Samuel Goldwyn has definitely severed his connections with United Artists and will release thru RKO, this outfit is wondering if its other top-ranking producer, David O. Selznick will get back to work — and if U. A. will be his outlet. Although no word has been forthcoming concerning Selznick's next picture, indications point to the fact that he will be back in production within a short period of time. Katharine Brown, his New York representative, has arrived on the coast for conferences and Whitney Bolton is Selznick's new publicity director. Victor Shapiro will remain at the studio in charge of a new department of pre-production exploitation. Meanwhile, U. A. is reissuing two Selznick oldies, "Prisoner of Zenda" and "Tom Sawyer." Edward Small thinks that he can make Shirley Temple into another Mary Pickford — thus the deal recently concluded for the starlet to appear in "Lucky Sixpence" which Small will release through U. A. If "Sixpence" materializes as expected. Temple will remain with Small who has access to some of the early Pickford stories. Hal Roach's plans to make a series of 50 minute features are being completed and the talk in film circles is that the idea will revolutionize and streamline B picture making. One of the ideas behind Roach's move is to provide showcases for talent and form the basis of a stock company for the United Artists' producers who are always hard-pressed for names. David Selznick is also toying with the idea of brief features — planning to screen abridged versions of famous classics. The first players signed by Roach are William Tracy and Noah Beery, Jr. Nothing has been set for Beery, but Tracy may possibly appear in remakes of some of the Harold Lloyci properties owned by the producer. "Shanghai Gesture" has a July 1 starting date. . .Walter Wanger has put Bruce Cabot under contract for five years as another step to build up his organization and again acquire a stock company along the lines of the one he maintained a few years ago. IN PRODUCTION— "Illusions" (Merle Oberon). PREPARING— "Sundown," "The Eagle Squadron," "G-Men Vs. Scotland Yard" (Ulona Massey). <'«)N'ri{.\( TS: William Tracy, Noah Beery, Jr. to agreements. . .Bruce Cabot UNIVERSAL Burt Kelly resigned from Universal last week where he had been producing pictures for the last three years. Moving into his Fpot is Paul Malvern of Monogram — the step marking the end of a 21-year association with Trem Carr. There are a number of rumors making the round concerning Jules Levey's "Hold On To Your Hats" and one of them states that the Jolson stage hit will star Abbott and Costello. IN PRODUCTION— "In The Navy" (Abbott and Costello and Dick Powell), "Marshal Law" (Johnny Mack Brown-Fuzzy Knight) and "Rhapsody in Stripes" (Robert Paige-Ann Gwynne). (Contiiiiicd On PojH' 16) MAY 3, 1941 11