Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

screen. What disturbs us is the complete inadequacies of some recently previewed Monogram product, "Ghosts Run Wild", "Top Sergeant Mulligan" and "Zis Boom Bah." In each of these pictures, the casts have been good and, with the exception of the last named, the production values have been presentable. But the writing was simply and truthfully, amateurish. The pictures in question lack anything that might reasonably be called plot, the gags and situations are old and hackneyed, the dialogue, trashy. We heartily disapprove of the frequent stand taken by independent film men who answer any criticism of their efforts with the line, "Well, what do you expect for $35,000 and a seven days shooting schedule?" Men who have so little confidence in their abilities as producers should not hs in the business. The public has a right to expect entertainment on the screen whatever the amount spent in production. We will never concur in the thought that budget is the sole gauge of a film's success as entertainment. A good story can be told with great effectiveness against a back drop. But there must be a good story. And we have seen very few of these from Monogram in recent months. Whatever the reason for the dearth of well-written scripts, the situation must be remedied immediately if this company is to ccntmue to hold the favor of its accounts. Monogram, as a young, enterprising, and we hope, imaginative firm, should pioneer in the discovery of new writing talent if established writers cannot deliver the goods. Failing this, the company must enlarge its budgets to provide for higher calibre scenarists, even if it means sacrificing production values elsewhere in its pictures. There can be no alternative. The very basis of a movie is the script. Monogram must stop neglecting this vital factor, or it will fail. Tom Keene, one of the few non-singing western stars left in pictures, has signed a new contract with Monogram calling for four pictures which will form a part of the 1941-42 program. . .When production starts on "Boy of Mine," with singing star John Boles, Mono will be one-third through its program .. .Bud Duncan, oldtime comic, has been signed for the role of Snuffy Smith in "The Yard Bird" from the comic strip. Edward Clme will direct... Ed Finney has been assigned to produce "Riot Squad" — replacing "Black Beauty" on his schedule. IN PRODUCTION — "Borrowed Hero" (Florence Rice-Alan Baxter), "Riot Squad" (Richard CromwellJohn Miljan). PREPARING — "Riot Squad", "Boy of Mine" (John Boles). "Forbidden Trail", "Lone Star Law". PARAMOUNT That long projected deal between Paramount and the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood has been concluded and after January 1, Paramount will have a fir.st run in the film capitol. $150,000 has been appropriated to complete the change-over from legitimate to motion picture theatre. The El Capitan, one of the most modern and largest theatres on the Pacific Coast, exhibited a picture for the first time when it booked the local road-show engagement of "Citizen Kane." The manager, Matt Allen, something of a character, dedicated his career toward making the El Capitan to look as unlike a film house as possible. No advertising matter, resembling film literature, was allowed near the house. Hollywood was saddened by the death of Victor Schertzinger. He had recently been assigned to direct the new Crosby-Hope musical, "Road to Morocco". . .Paramount has 28 scripts ready for production.. .Charles Boyer and Veronica Lake will be teamed in "Hong Kong"... Jack Hively, RKO director, has moved over to Paramount under a term contract. . .Oscar Levant has become a permanent member of the Paramount contract roster under the terms of a deal recently concluded. . .There will be 14 Irving Berlin tunes in "Holiday Inn"... The first official casting in Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is Vladimir Sokoloff. Unofficial reports are that Gary Cooper and Annabella will have the featured roles. IN PRODUCTION — "The Lady Has Plans" (Paulette GoddardRay Milland), "The Fleet's In" (Dorothy LamourWilliam Holden), "Dr. Broadway" <MacDonald Carey-Jean Phillips), "This Gun For Hire" (Veronica Lake-Robert Preston), "Ti'ue to the Army" (Judy Canova-Allen Jones). PREPARING — "Holiday Inn" (Bing Crosby-Fred Astaire), "Is That Bad" iClaudeLte ColbertJoel McCrea), "My Favorite Blonde" (Bob Hope-Madeleine Carroll). "Out of the Frying Pan" (Robert BenchleyJimmy Lydon), "Take A Letter, Darling" (Rosalind Russell-Fred MacMurray), "American Empire" (Richard Dix-Leo Carrillo), "The Wizard of Arkansas" (Bob Burns), "Prison Widows" 'Ellen Drew), "I'll Be Back in a Flash" (Chester MorrisJean Parker). ('.4STIN'(iS: Joan Woodbury, Jean Phillips, J. faiToU Naish in "Dr. Broadway"... Barbara Jo Allen in "Wizard of Arkansas" ... Vladimir .Sokoloff in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" .. .Tully Marshall. Bernartene Hayes in "This Gun for Hire" ... Walter Demarest. Clarence Kollj in "True to the Army" ...Robert Warwick in "The Fleet's In." REPUBLIC Heavy advertising appropriations have been made on "Lady For A Night" and "Down Mexico Way". . .Horace Heidt and his band will report to the studio in December for a picture try...Carmel Myers and Dorothy Burgess, screen stars of the 20's and 30's, have been signed for important spots in "Lady for a Night"... The studio has bought "Miss Jesse James" as a vehicle for Judy Canova. IN PRODUCTION — "Mr. District Attorney and the Carter NEW RELEASES (For details on These pictures see COLUMBIA You Belong to Me October 31 Stork Pays Off November 6 Royal Mounted Patrol November 13 Ellery Queen and Murder Ring November 18 Men In Her Life November 20 Go West, Young Lady November 27 M-G-M — November releases (no dates) The Chocolate Soldier Unholy Partners Shadow of the Thin Man Two-Faced Woman MONOGRAM Adole.scence October 30 Zis, Boom Bah November 7 I Killed That Man November 14 PARAMOUNT — November releases (no dates) Skylark Among the Living Glamour Boy Night of Jan. 16 Birth of the Blues PRODUCERS RELEASING Mr. Celebrity October 31 Lone Rider Fights Back November 7 Miracle Kid November 14 REPUBLIC Public Enemies October 31 Devil Pays Off November 7 Sierra Sue November 14 ise Charts on Following Pages) RKO Dumbo October 31 Unexpected Uncle November 7 Suspicion November 14 Look Who's Laughing November 21 Mexican Spitfire's Baby November 28 20th CENTURY-FOX Hot Spot October 31 Small Town Deb November 7 Swamp Water November 14 UNITED ARTISTS Sundown October 31 All American Co-Ed October 31 Corsican Brothers November 14 Miss Polly November 14 Fiesta November 28 UNIVERSAL Appointment for Love October 31 Swing It, Soldier November 7 Paris Calling November 14 Arizona Cyclone November 14 Moonlight in Hawaii November 21 Quiet Wedding November 21 Keep 'Em Flying November 28 WARNER BROS. One Foot in Heaven November 1 They Died With Their Boots On November 7 The Prime Minister November 8 12 FILM BULLETIN