Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 44 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 6, 1939 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 Strollin' Thru the Studios "Parents On Trial" went before the cameras this week at Columbia with Jean Parker, Noah Beery, Jr., Johnny Downs, and Henry KoLKEK heading the cast. It is based on the popular radio serial of the same name. Racketeers", first in the new series of James Dunn action melodramas. The original story is by Peter B. Kyne. Production on Universal's "Modern Cinderella" draws another starring postponement due to additional work on shooting script The picture co-stars Irene Dunne and Charles BoYER with John Stahl as producer-director and is now slated for a May 15 start. J. Edward Bromberg will have one of the principal roles in 20th Century-Fox's "Hollywood Cavalcade", which will feature Don Ameche and Alice Faye. Bromberg is at present in New York appearing in "Awake and Sing" but is expected back in Hollj'wood the latter part of May. May 22 has been set as the starting date for "A Chump At Oxford", which will co-star Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy for Hal Roach. It will be the first font reeler for United Artists release. Stan Laurel will probably direct. Under a switch in assignments, Noel Smith is directing "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase" with a cast topped by Bonita Granville and Frankie Thomas. Smith was originally slated to make the next "Secret Service" picture in the series featuring Ronald Reagan. Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century-Fox production chief, has announced the purchase of John Steinbeck's new novel "Grapes Of Wrath", which received the widest critical praise accorded a creative work in the last twenty years. Raymond Hatton has been signed by Republic to a new deal and will be seen regularly in the "Three Mesquiteers" series, first of which goes into production around May 10. The contract calls for Hatton to do ten pictures in a year and a half and permits him to do outside films on a free-lance basis. Famous Productions, new film company headed by Harry Edington and producing exclusively for Universal, has signed Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., to a three-year starring contract. Fairbanks will head the cast of Edington's inaugural feature "Atlantic Cable", scheduled for early shooting. Monroe Greenthal and Al Margolies arrived from New York this week as advance guard for United Artists executives coming for the sales convention. Lynn Farnol is due in later in the week. Arthur Lubin checked in at Republic tliis week for the directional assignment of "Stand Up and Sing", with Ralph Byrd, Bruce Cabot, Tommy Ryan and Zasu Pitts in the top roles. The picture is under the production wing of Herman Schlom. Lucille Ball was picked by RKO for the feminine lead in "Night of January 16", which Pandro Berman will produce. This assignment is Miss Ball's first break from lower budget pictures. Three new Bob Breen pictures were announced for production for the 1939-40 season by Principal Productions, to be released by RKO. The films will be made under the production guidance of Barney Briskin, and will follow the completion of "Way Down South" and "Boy Who Cried Wolf", on this year's schedule. 500 workmen are being employed to rush building on the new Walt Disney Studio in Burbank, so that the plant will be ready for occupancy in October. New studios will cost approximately $2,000,000 when completed, including equipment. "Deadwood City", an original story by Harrison Jacobs, was purchased by Harry Sherman, who will add to his production schedule for the current season for Paramount. Sherman will produce the picture on a big scale and expects it to take its place among outdoor films that have made boxoffice history. Sam Katzman of Victory Pictures has signed G. A. DuRLAM to write the screenplay of "Kid Start of production on "Stronger Than Desire", society drama featuring Walter PiDGEON and Virginia Bruce, raises the pro Getting Ready Steve Sekely, famous Hungarian director, ivho makes his debut in the U. S. A. at Grand National is checking over the make up chart tvith Veda Ann Borg and Wynne Gibson, zvho are appearing in Sekely's first picture for Grand National •Release along ivith Margo. Leaving for Premiere William M. Jeffers, president of the Union Pacific R.R. and Cecil B. DeMille, producer of the Paramount picture, "Union Pacific" standing in front of a train which carried them and many Paramount stars to the zvorld premiere. Seen in the group are George Raft, Lynn Overman, Patricia Morrison, Lloyd Nolan and other Paramount stars. duction peak at MGM to a three-month high. Pictures in work are, "Maisie Was a Lady", "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever", "The Women", "Lady of the Tropics" and "On Borrowed Time". "Wings Over the Andes" has been purchased l)y Monogram and will be filmed as one of the "Tailspin Tommy" series for the 1939-40 program featuring John Trent. Paul Malvern will produce from the orginal screenplay by Hubert Hilton. Victor Fleming, acting under orders from his physician, will take a rest for about a week from his directorial work on Selznick's "Gone With the Wind". Fleming has been temporarily relieved by director Sam Wood, who recently completed "Good Bye, Mr. Chips" in England. Ellison Signed by 20th-Fox The search for a leading man for Elsa t Maxwell's "Hotel for Women" ended when '; Darryl F. Zanuck borrowed James Ellison ' from RKO for the part. Ellison will play opposite Linda Darnell, a newcomer from Dallas, Texas. Ann Sothern has been signed for an important feminine role, and John Halliday and Alan Dinehart for featured male roles. The production is under the direction of Gregory Ratoff. Universal Writers Busy Universal writers are going full blast on ] forthcoming productions with 30 working on the lot at the present time. Studio has seven , pictures scheduled for early production, including John Stake's "Modern Cinderella", which was sent back for additional scripting.