Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

SHOW M I'. N ' S T K A I ) I-. K !•: V I !•: w Happiest Couple in Hollywood RowENA Cook and Ralph Bowman, zvinner of Jesse L. Lasky's "Gateivay to Hollyivood" talent quest. As survivors of the finals, they ivin the right permanently to assume the names of Alice Eden and John Archer and also receive featured roles in RKO Radio's picture "Career." Jesse L. Lasky is pictured offering his congratulations zvhile Edward G. Robinson, right, looks on approvingly. Paramount Home Office Executives Arrive for Product Conferences Paramount home office executives arrived in Hollywood this week to confer with Y. Frank Freeman and studio officials on the 1939-40 product. Robert M. Gillham, director of advertising and publicit\-, and Neil Agnew, vice-president in charge of distribution, stopped off at Chicago for conferences with exchange men and Cliff Lewis, studio advertising director, to discuss the final details of the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's "Union Pacific" at Omaha, Neb., on April 28. It is expected that the home office group, which consists of Barney' Balaban, Stanton Griffis, Edwin Weisl, Russell Holman and Leon Netter, will remain in California approximately three weeks. At the conclusion of the production discussions, Agnew plans to visit exchanges in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City before returning to his New York office. Gillham is slated to remain at the studio for several months. "Rains Came" to Start Soon Clarence Brown, who will direct "The Rains Came" for 20th Century-Fox, will send the picture before the cameras in about a week, with Harry Joe Brown supervising as associate producer. Leading roles will be played by iMyrna Loy, George Brent and Tyrone Power with a powerful supporting cast including H. B. Warner, Jane Darwell, Cesar Romero, Joseph Schildkraut and Mme. Maria Ouspenskay'a. Set Building Starts for "Rulers" Technicians and craftsmen at Paramount started the building of an accurate reproduction of the engine room of the Sirius, first ship to cross the Atlantic under steam power, for Frank Lloyd's new picture, "Ruler of the Seas" featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Will Fyffe and Margaret Lock wood. Producer-director Lloyd plans to put the picture before the cameras in two weeks. Hays Office to Check Commercial Use of Stars' Photographs in Ads 'I'he Hays oflicc ordered an inuufdialc in\csligation of pictures of film stars and fcaInrrd jilaycrs used in fan magazines and other publications for commercial advertisements. Si'seral complaints have been filed by leading l)hi\ers, that their photographs have been used wilhoul their consent or knowledge. Officials of the Hays office refuse to discuss the situation, but it is known that they have been checking the publications for several months. It is also reported that many of the players themselves do not feel that use of pictures in connection with advertising, is adx antageous to their film careers. Aid of the SAG is being sought to determine whether the use of the art was without consent of the players, and if so, the publications will be ordered to cease practice at once. Bobs Watson in MOM Film With the selection of Bobs Watson for the pivot role of Pud, production on MGM's "On Borrowed Time" started this week with Lionel Barrymore in the top spot. Also appearing in the picture are Beulah Bondi, Una Merkel, Ian Wolfe, Sir Cedric HardwiCKE and Charles Waldron. Harold S. Bucquet directs under the production supervision of Sidney Franklin. WB Re-sign Michael Curtiz Page 33 AI^CIJNE) H€LLyW€CD with the "Oldtimer" Luncheon wilh Johnny Miles on the Coldwyn lot and ran into what looked like a Filipino house-boy convention. They stormed all over the place, about a thousand strong, hoping for a spot in "Tlie Real Glory", forthcoming Gary Cooper starrer, based on the Philippine Island history. At the preview of Republir's top production effort, "Man of Conquest", and we can report an impressively produced, well acted, outdoor picture with "what it takes" for boxoffice returns. Top acting honors go to Richard Dix, Edward Ellis and George Hayes, and the swell production and direction. Just received a copy of "Technicolor News and Views" Volume 1, Number 1, edited by Margaret Ettinger. Have you noticed the improvement in the latest productions as compared with the old two-color process days? A few of the majors should copy some of Technicolor's field-service ideas. Michael Curtiz has been given a new directorial contract at Warner Bros, for his work on "Dodge City." During 1938 Curtiz directed "Four Daughters" and "Angels With Dirty Faces", each nominated for an Academy Award. His next assignment will be "The Knight and the Lady", based on the screenplay by Norman Reilly Raine and Aeneas .McKenzie, co-starring Bette Davis and Errol Flynn. Hitchcock Reports for "Rebecca" Joining the Hollywood motion picture colony for the first time, Alfred Hitchcock reported to Selznick International to start work under a long-term contract. Preparations will begin immediately on his first assignment, the filming of "Rebecca." Hitchcock was recently voted the outstanding director of 1938 by the New York motion picture critics for his direction of "The Lady Vanishes." Yates Returns in Two Weeks Herbert J. Yates, head man at Republic, is scheduled to return to the studio in about two weeks for additional conferences on product and studio aifairs. Yates is on his way to New York and will leave for Hollywood after the Eastern opening of "Man of " ' , . . Conquest", Republic's biggest and best oroduction to date. We have the "Hardy Family", "Jones Family", "Higgins Family", "Headley Family" and "The Family Next Door", and now Warner Bros, plans a new series to be known as "The Hobby Family" ... a gang on the screwball side. Still have room for the Cohens and the Kellys. "The Blue Bird", Maurice Maeterlinck's symbol of happiness, will be the next Technicolor production for Shirley Temple . . . and speaking of happiness, Shirley has been spreading her share of "happiness" for years. Is our face RED. We had Robert Cunnnings all set for the leading role in Columbia's "Golden Boy" when William Holden sneaks around "end" and grabs the job. Wonder who ran interference for him, or is the lineup of "percenters" something new. Tracy in RKO's "Spellbinder" Lee Tracy returns to RKO late this month to play the title role in "The Spellbinder" which will be produced by Cliff Reid. Barbara Reed, recipient of a long term contract from the studio, will play opposite Tracy. This will be the second for Tracy on his three-picture contract. Taking Lessons Director Frank McDonald, zv hose many film dramas of nezsuspaper life include som.e of the "Torcliy B I an e" pictures, is shozun explaining a bit of action to Joy Hodges, left and Wm. Lundigan, zvhom he is directing in Universal's nezvspaper mystery comedy, "They Asked For' It." The cigar has become liis trademark.