Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

jnnc 3, 1939 6 T H .\ N N 1 V E R S A R Y ISSUE Page 49 Col. Plans Big Director Policy Harry Cohn COLUMBIA faces the coming season with the assurance that its pohcy of "great directors" will bring to the nation's screens its impressive schedule of films. The company's newly-acquired group of "great directors" includes some ofthe most noted names of the screen. In addition to Frank Capra, the forthcoming program will feature such outstanding megaphone personalities as Wesley Ruggles, Frank Lloyd, Howard Hawks, Rouben Mamoulian and Alexander Hall. Several important pictures are being readied for early production,, with one, Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," now before the cameras. The Capra production stars Jean Arthur and James Stewart and in the hands of the three-time Academy Award winner is fast being revealed as a story of a simple youth catapulted into the United States Senate. Adapted by Sidney Buchman from the novel, "The Gentleman from Montana," by Lewis Ransom Foster, the film will bring to the screen an imposing cast. In support of Miss Arthur and Mr. Stewart are Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Eugene Pallette, Ruth Donnelly, Beulah Bondi, Astrid Allwyn and Larry Simms. Jean Arthur in "Arizona" Another major film set for early production is "Arizona," which Wesley Ruggles will direct. Jean Arthur has been cast to star in this film version of Clarence Budington Kelland's Saturday Evening Post serial and novel and Claude Binyon now is fashioning the screen adaptation of this romantic story of a girl pioneer, played against the roaring, lusty West of the dramatic days of our Civil War. Present plans call for Mr. Ruggles to direct another important production for Columbia soon after he completes "Arizona." Director Frank Lloyd, who has been responsible for such outstanding screen successes as "Cavalcade," "Mutiny on the Bounty," "Wells Fargo," has selected "Tree of Liberty" as his first Columbia vehicle. It is scheduled to be another "spectacle" production, dramatizing the birth of our nation and of its early years and it will bring to the screen the historic characters of our revolutionary days. And, in addition to "The Tree of Liberty," Frank Lloyd also will direct another important production. Gary Grant will star in "The Bigger They Are," which will be another Howard Hawks contribution to the program. Based on a play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, "The Bigger They Are" is now scheduled for early Fall release, with Charles Lederer, noted author of many important screen plays, doing the adaptation. Alexander Hall, whose directorial talents have turned out such varied film fare as "Little Miss Marker," "Goin' to Town," "I Am The Law," "There's Always a Woman," and "Good Girls Go To Paris," will direct "Super-Clipper," a timely, topical drama of man's coming conquests of the air. This film will be produced on a spectacular scale. The comedy team of "There's Always a Woman" and "Good Girls Go To Paris," Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas again will join their talent with a cast, director and story designed to ensure an outstanding production. Romance and adventure are the keynote of "Singapore," which is listed as one of Columbia's important pictures for the new season. A Joe E. Brown Picture "Give Me Liberty" is another production that promises to set a highwater mark in the career of Joe E. Brown, who has been signed to star in this comedy production. It will provide the comedian with a new characterization— that of a greeting-card jingle writer by day and henpecked husband by night. And another Joe E. Brown production also is scheduled for 1939-1940 release. The inimitable Blondie, with Dagwood, Baby Dumpling and Daisy will be seen again next season in three new "Blondie" productions. The Bumsteads again will be portrayed by Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake and Larry Simms and a national advertising campaign in Life, Look, The Saturday Evening Post and Liberty will back up the added reader interest in these productions, already presold, as Chic Young's famous cartoon strip, to 50,000,000 daily readers of 230 newspapers. Warden Lewis E. Lawes, who has con tributed many stirring prison stories to the screen, will appear in person in "Man in Sing Sing," which will also be written by the internationally famous penologist. This film will be produced with an all-star cast and a famous director will be assigned to megaphone. Another production that will rank importantly on the schedule is "American at Scotland Yard," which is expected to strike a new note in detective dramas. Edith Fellows will be starred in three pictures based on the famous best sellers, "Five Little Peppers," by Margaret Sidney Lothrop. Another important series, based on a film character whose popularity Columbia tested in previous productions, is "The Lone Wolf," based on the adventures of Louis Joseph Vance's popular hero. Warren William has been signed to star in two "Lone Wolf" vehicles. Mrs. Martin (Osa) Johnson also will be represented on the schedule in a vehicle that will feature scenes of aborigines and jungle life for which the Johnson name has become famous. Further adventure will enhance the program with four Jack Holt productions. Two Western Stars Charles Starrett and Wild Bill Elliott again head the Columbia cowboy roster. There will be ten Charles Starrett vehicles with the Sons of the Pioneers aiding the star in a series of specially written stories. Wild Bill_ Elliott will appear in six action dramas written by outstanding authors. In addition, Columbia will offer four serials : "The Shadow," based on the popular radio program ; "Terry and the Pirates," adapted from the popular cartoon strip ; "The Green Archer," from the famous novel by Edgar Wallace, celebrated writer of mystery novels; "Deadwood Dick," the far-famed dime-novel Western hero. To supplement its long features, Columbia Pictures will ofifer a diversified line-up of single and two reel shorts. The two series of two-reel short subjects, 8 Three Stooge comedies, and 18 All Star comedies. The 12 series of single reel shorts include 16 Color Rhapsodies, 10 Phantasies, 6 Fables, 6 Fools Who Made History, 12 Screen Snapshots, 12 World of Sports, 8 Columbia Tours, 6 Washington Parades, 6 Pals and Pets, 10 Community Sings, 6 Famous Moments of Comedy, 6 Cinescopes are listed so far. CRANE WILBUR it: DIRECTOR HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: "Crane Wilbur's direction is unwaveringly adept, indicating a keen regard for his material's possibilities and appreciation for its presentation requirements." SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW: "Outstanding: Crane Wilbur's direction." DAILY VARIETY: "Crane Wilbur, making his feature-length director bow at Warners, delivers in every department, showing competent knowledge for both creative and mechanical sides of his trade." N. Y. TIMES: "Admirably directed. THE MAN WHO DARED ff A WARNER BROS. FEATURE PRODUCTION