Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 28 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 24, 1939 Linda's First Kiss This may not be an extraordinary scene, hut it is a milestone in the life of young Linda Darnell who is shown here about to be kissed for the first time by James Ellison. // is all for a scene in "Elsa Maxwell's Hotel For Women", but Linda, Hollywood's latest Cinderella girl, had never been kissed until the scene ivas shot. Gene Lockhart Gets Heavy Role in MGM's "Blackmail" Feature Gene Lockhart will act the role of the heavy in MGM's "Blackmail", starring Edward G. Robinson and a supporting cast including Ruth Hussey, Guinn Williams, John Wray and Arthur Hohl. Lockhart, who turned from his accustomed comedy to villainy with amazing results in Walter Wanger's "Algiers", will enact an even more despicable role. Bobs Watson, who recently finished a featured spot with Lionel Barrymore in "On Borrowed Time", has also been set for an important part in the picture. "Blackmail" is now before the cameras at the Culver City plant under the direction of Henry C. Potter with John W. Considine, Jr., producing. Republic Signs Wayne John Wayne has been signed to a new contract by Republic which calls for five topbudget pictures a year at the home lot, and permits him to take any outside assignments that will not interfere with Republic's shooting schedule. Wayne finishes his final Three Mesquiteers feature with "Raiders of the Wasteland", set to start this week. First under the new deal will be "Wagons Westward", which will start after he completes his loanout to RKO. Glaims Priority Rights Warner Bros, is claiming priority rights to the filming of the story of "Father Duffy and the Fighting 69th". Studio has shooting script ready for immediate production and has announced the cast with Pat O'Brien scheduled for the title role, with John Payne and Jane Bryan in support. Darryl Zanuck issued a statement this week that 20th Century-Fox would make a picture on the same plot theme. "Guardsman" as Musical A musical version of "The Guardsman" is fairly certain to be produced by MGM during the coming season with Jeanette MacDonald or MiLiZA KoRjus in the feminine lead opposite Nelson Eddy, and Robert Leonard as producer-director. The Molnar play was made several years ago by the same studio with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. ARCUNC HOLLrWOOD with the "Oldtimer" Interviewed "Sandy" on the set of Universal's "Unexpected Father," and if "ga-ga" means what we think it does, the kid's okay. Director Charles Lamont must have felt at home with all the youngsters around, but we would suggest that the> do something about the parents. Reminded us of Grand Central Station. Warner Bros, have another boxoffice hit in "Daughters Courageous", even though it is not a sequel to their highly successful "Four Daughters". Here's a cleverly told story, with excellent trouping and direction ... a picture full of showmanship angles for showmen. We'll soon be seeing Gene Autry gallop across the comic strips of our daily and Sunday papers. Deal has just been closed by Mitchell J. Hamilburg, Gene's tie-up manager, with the Walton Features Syndicate, servicing several hundred newspapers. All set to join Harry Sherman and the "Argentina" troup at Lone Pine when Editor "Chick" blew in and threw a monkey-wrench into the works. Don't know if he knows it or not, but the next "bonus" trip to New York will find the "oldtimer" hitting the rails. Both 20th Century-Fox and Warner Bros, have announced a picture based on Father Duffy and the fighting 69th. Could it be possible that the fighting chaplain had a double life, or are they both thinking about the same story? How about getting the old company together, and putting it to a vote? There's a lot of noise around Hollywood about a picture deal for Orson Welles, with the ten-percenters climbing over each other, trying to edge in on the deal. We know of one studio that could use a guy like Welles, just to keep a few of their producers awake . . . or scare the "what's-this" out of them. Wonder if all the "blurbs" about the Russell-Goddard fight in MGM's "The Women" is as serious as Joan Crawford's singing and skating in "Ice Follies of 1939." "Sandy" Gets a Haircut And from the looks of the above, Director Charles Lamont could use one, too. Both are busy on Universal's "Unexpected Father", with an all-star cast including Mischa Auer, Dennis O'Keefe, Shirley Ross and Joy Hodges. Ken Goldsmith is the producer. In Strict Confidence When a couple of young fellers zvant to talk things over in confidence, a ntoiie set is the last place to be. Bob Breen and Stymie Beard are in the midst of a plot for a scene in Sol Lesser's RKO-Radio release, "Way Down South". Work Starts on Script of New Laurel and Hardy Film Ralph Spence and Fred Schiller have been signed by Boris Morros Productions to write the screenplay for "The Flying Deuces", in which Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will star for RKO this summer. Work on the script will be started immediately. Morros will produce the comedy feature, with Edward A. Sutherland directing. Sutherland will be remembered for his splendid direction of such films as "Diamond Jim", "Poppy" and "Champagne Waltz". Shooting is scheduled to start as soon as the LaurelHardy combination finish their present assignment at the Hal Roach studio. Newest Wanger Film Walter Wanger's newest United Artists picture, which enters production late this month, will be "Eternally Yours", co-starring Loretta Young and David Niven with Hugh Herbert in a featured role. Tay Garnett will direct from an original screenplay by Gene Towne and Graham Baker. War Comedy Starts at 20th-Fox "Tin Hats", a wild war comedy starring Jane Withers and the Ritz Brothers, went before the cameras early this week under the direction of H. Bruce Humberstone. Executive producer Sol M. Wurtzel started preparations three months ago, but kept his plans quiet because of his wish to present Hollywood's first big war comedy of the year. Universal to Debut Newcomers Lewis Howard and Robert Stack have been signed by Universal as leading men in Deanna Durbin's starring vehicle, "First Love", which gets under way this week with Henry KosTER piloting for Producer Joe Pasternak. Both Howard and Stack are newcomers to the screen and are under term contract to the studio. Quits U after 6 Years Edmund Grainger, upon expiration of his associate producer contract, left the Universal studio last week after six years on the lot. Grainger supervised about fifty pictures, his last assignment being the Sigrid Gurie feature, "Forgotten Woman". Following a short vacation, he will announce his new affiliation.