Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 46 REVIEW June 3, 1939 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 Strollin' Thru the Studios Jeff Lazarus asked for and obtained a release from his Paramount producing contract after agreeing to remain at the studio long enough to complete his current production, "Are Husbands Necessary?", finish the script of "Navy Nurse" and the preparation on "Air Raid." technique. Ball was awarded a special "Oscar" last February for his de\ elopnient of color for the screen. The ancient tugboat "Narcissus", which carried Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery to fame in "Tugboat Annie", was hauled out of drydock on the MGM back lot and put back in commission for Beery's newest picture, "Thunder Afloat". A deal by a group of theatre men of Argentina for Bob Breen to make personal appearances over a six-weeks period in South America is under consideration by Sol Lesser. If an agreement is reached, Bob will make the trip before starting his next picture, "Bov Who Cried Wolf." Cesar Romero will join Randolph Scott and Binnie Barnes in the cast of 20th CenturyFox' first dramatic western picture in several years, "Frontier Marshall." Tlie picture is slated to go before the cameras early this month with Allan Dwan directing. Soon to return home from London, Wesley Ruggles will start preparations for his first Columbia assignment, "Arizona", starring Jean Arthur. The original story is by Clarence Budington Kelland and the screenplay is being written by Claude Binvon. Universal has signed Sigrid Gurie to a fiveyear contract calling for two pictures a year. Miss Gurie is currently appearing in "Forgotten Women" under the direction of Harold Young. Her new pact permits the actress to make one or more outside pictures a year. Jimmy Gleason, Frank McHugh and Alan Hale have been added to the cast of Warner Bros.' adaptation of "On Your Toes," in which Zorina and Eddie Albert will have the principal roles. Ray Enright will handle the megaphone. The "Dead End"' kids will wind up their present contract at Warner Bros, on June 30 by which time "The Dead End Kids at Valley Forge" will be completed. They are expected to go on a personal appearance tour before signing for additional picture work. Phil Regan's projected personal appearance tour has been called oflf due to his commitment in "The Hit Parade" which is to follow "Laughing Irish Hearts", currently shooting on the Republic lot. J. Arthur Ball, former vice-president of Technicolor, joined Walt Disney this week in a technical capacity. His first assignment will be to work out means of improving cartoon "Roll, Wagons, Roll," next Tex Ritter musical western, got the "go" signal early last week under the production wing of Edward Finney with Al Herman directing. It is the last on Ritter's schedule for Monogram's 1938-39 program. John McGrail, for the past tliree years with the Hays office, joins the Selznick International They're All Resting on Location This behveen-scenes study shows the RKO Radio company at rest ivhile on location for "Memory of Love", romantic drama co-starring Carole Lombard, Gary Grant and Kay Francis Pictured from the left: A make-up man, Webster Phillips, Cameraman Eddie P\lc, Director John Cromwell (seated), the script girl, Mary Ardel (stand-in for Miss Francis), and Carole Lombard A Little Music on the Set Walter Pidgeon, Virginia Bruce and Ilka Chase zvarble "Fm in Love With the Honorable Mr. So-and-So" between scenes in MGM's "Stronger Than Desire", directed by Leslie Fenton and produced by John W. Considine, Jr. Virginia sang the song in "Society Lawyer", another MGM picture. publicity staif as unit man under William Hebert. Vic Shapiro, who resigned last week, will announce his future plans after returning from a brief vacation. Producer Harry Sherman has taken added space at the General Service studio, preparatory to expanding activities. Sherman has "The Double Dyed Deceiver" in production and four others in the final writing stages. Alan Dinehart has been assigned a featured _ role in Llniversal's "Bright Victory", Freddie Bartholomew-Jackie Cooper costarrer, now before the cameras with Joseph Santley directing. Burt Kelly is producing. Spencer Charters, popular character actor, has been signed by RKO for a role in "Memory of Love," current starring vehicle for Carole Lombard, Gary Grant and Kay Francis. The picture is being produced under the personal attention of Pandro S. Berman, with John Cromwell directing. Walter Wanger has recalled Richard Carlson and Ann Sheridan for added scenes in "Winter Carnival". The picture is being given a rough cut to decide on the amount of extra footage needed. Charles Riesner is directing with Charles Kerr as his assistant. Zorina in "On Your Toes" Zorina, who will play the top feminine role in "On Your Toes", and her husband George Balachine, who will direct its dances, arrived in Hollywood last week and reported to the Warner studio. Production is scheduled to start on June 15 under the direction of Ray Enright with Eddie Albert in the male lead. Wachsberger joins Boris Morros Nat Wachsberger, Continental producer and book publisher, will act as an associate producer with Boris Morros Productions. His first picture will be made following the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy feature, "The Flying Deuces".