Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

SHOW LIEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 29 That Corny Cowboy Effect Ann Soihcrn and Robert arc joining Cliff Edieards in trying to get some of the real ll'estern effect in sonic off-stage rhythm. They arc all inahing ''Maisie", an MGM picture, directed by Edwin L. Marin. Universal Makes Profit of $739,587 In Six Months, Cowdin Reports J. Cheever Cowdin, Chairman of the Board of Universal Pictures Company, Inc. reported a net profit for the company, before federal income taxes, of $581,587 for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 1939 as compared with a net loss for the same period last year of $199,487. For the six months ended April 29, 1939, he reported for the company a net profit, before federal income taxes, of $739,587 as compared with a net loss of $588,285 for the same period last year. Paramount Signs Joel McCrea to New Two-Year Term Contract Negotiations were completed with the signing of a new two-year contract by Joel ^^IcCrea, which will give Paramount exclusive call on the services of the man who carried the male romantic role in "Wells Fargo" and "Union Pacific". \ViLLi.\M LeB.arox, managing director of production, announced that the star's first assignment will be a co-starring role with Madeleine Carroll in "Safari", scheduled for production under the personal supervision of LeBaron, with Edward H. Griffith directing. The picture will go before the cameras about the middle of July. Fire . . . and Then the Rains Came Fire, which broke out on "The Rains Came" at 20th Centur} -Fox and threatened to destroy a $50,000 palace set, was quickly extinguished. The studio workers mereh started a cloudburst and put the flames out before the fire trucks could arrive. A hot arc, set too near an awning, caused the blaze. "Coney Island" Scheduled at WB A cast headed by Pat O'Brien, Claude Rains, Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Dickson, jMarie Wilson and Maxie Rosenbloom, are scheduled for Warner Bros, production to be called "Coney Island", which Lewis Seiler will direct. The studio plans to send the cast East for actual location shooting some time in July, when Coney Island is at the height of its hectic summer season. Tom Reed wrote the original story on which "Cone.\ Island" is based. H€LLyW€CD with the "Oldtimer" Warner Bro?. iia\e put more care and production value into their swell short, "Sons of Liberty", than most nuijor studios do with their average picture, and the result is one of the finest featurets ever made. Too bad we can't sliow this one at all "Bund" meetings. Ran into Charlie Lamont on the Universal lot, all steamed up over his next assignment, "Sandy Takes A Bow". We'll have to visit with you, on the set, and see if you still reniendjer how to handle an infant, now that your own youngster is grown up. "Charlie Ch.a.n" Toler has been signed by Producer Harry Sherman for William Boyd's next "Hopalong Cassidy" picture, "Argentina", which is to be directed by Nate Watt. Clever people these Chinese . . . shifting from superdetective to western hero, with only a slight change in make-up. That gala preview of 20th Century-Fox "Young Mr. Lincoln" was another big Hollywood success to be credited to Harry Brand and Company . . . and another big boxoflSce winner for Mr. and Mrs. Average Public's enjoyment. Here's one picture that can be sold as "guaranteed entertainment" to young and old. The casting of Sidney Miller, Mickey Rodney's real life buddy, in MGM's "Babes in Arms", gives the two a chance to continue with their between-scenes composing. Tliey are now writing a swing ditty, titled "Afternoon in a Cold Shower" . . . which sounds like a swell idea for next month. Edmund Lowe will pitch the opening inning of the annu'al charity game between the Leading Men and Comedians on July 30, with David Butler, director, working behind the plate. The date has been set back in order not to conflict with racing at Hollywood Park. How about turning it into a "chiller" by signing Boris Karloff as umpire. Niven in "Whose Wife?" David Niven has been loaned from Samuel Goldwyn for the male lead in the forthcoming Walter Wanger production, "Whose Wife?", co-starring Loretta Young. Shooting is scheduled to start as soon as Wanger completes his current LInited Artists picture, "Winter Carnival". Tay Garrett will direct from an original screenplay by Gene Towne and Graham Baker. Study in Concentration Leii'is Stone, Cecilia Parker and Fay Holden ivatch action from offstage during the filming of "Aiidv Hardv Gets Spring Fever", directed for MGM by W. S. 'Van Dyke. MGM Has 20 Pictures On Tap For Its Current Working Schedule With a total of twenty pictures on current working schedule, MGAI reached a new production peak for the year. Eight of the pictures are before the cameras, three of which started last week. Five others will start within the next ten days. Ready for immediate production are, "Northwest Passage", starring Spencer Tracy and Robert Taylor; "It Can't Happen Here," the sensational Sinclair Lewis novel ; "Balalaika", starring Nelson Eddy; "These Glamour Girls", Cosmopolitan magazine story; and "Blackmail", Edward G. Robinson starrer. Now shooting are, "The Woman", "Lady of the Tropics", "Thunder Afloat", "A Day at the Circus", "Miracles For Sale", "Babes in Arms" and "Ninotchka". Three other story properties are being prepared for mid-June producing and five pictures are being edited for earh" release. Bob Burns Signed Bob Burns will share stellar honors with John Wayne in RKO's "Pennsylvania Uprising", which Producer P. J. Wolfson will send before the cameras early next month. Claire Trevor has been signed for the feminine lead. The screenplay, which is based on Neil Swanson's novel "The First Rebel", was written bv Producer Wolfson. Looks Funny The dialogue must be a-a'fully good in Fr.\Nk Capr.\'s nczv Co!n))ibia p i c t ttr e , "Mr. Smith Goes to JJ'ashington", co-starring Jean Arthur and James Stewart for here are Stewart, Miss Arthur and the director having a hilarious time during one of the rehearsals.