Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

Page 24 S H O W MEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 7, 1939 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 Program Notes From the Studios Director Charles Vidor checked in at Edward Small Productions to start preparations for "My Son, My Son," set to go before the cameras around November 1. Louis HayWAUD and Brian Aherne were assigned the leading male roles. eras at Republic last week with George "Gabby" Hayes in the top supporting role. The picture is being directed by Joe Kane. . Frank M^cHugh begins his ninth consecutive year at Warner Bros, with a new contract and a role in "The Fighting 69th". McHugh's next assignment will be "Virginia City", a sequel to "Dodge City", starring Errol Flynn and Brenda Marshall. Don Roberts will have charge of all publicity activities on the Selznick International lot, under the supervision of Russell Birdwell, publicity counsellor. Jerry Colon n a has been added to the cast of Paramount's "Road to Singapore," supporting his radio boss. Bob Hope. The picture goes into production this week with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour sharing starring honors with Hope. Victor Schertzinger will direct and Harlan Thompson is producing. Buck Jones, western star, has been signed for four action pictures by Rainbow Productions, Inc., according to Producer Edward Gross, who recently organized the new company. Gross plans to start production on the first November 10. Lionel Barry'more, fully recovered from his recent illness, reported to AIGM for his role in "Secrets of t)r. Kildare", now before the cameras with Harold S. Bucquet directing. Barrymore heads a cast that includes Lew Ayres, Laraine Day, Lionel Atwill and Helen Gilbert. "Hitler — Beast of Berlin," with a cast headed by Roland Drew, Steffi Duna, Greta Grandstedt and George Rosner, is now being scored by Dave Chudnow. The picture, second on the schedule of Producers Pictures, was rushed to meet the October release set by Ben Judell. Sherman Scott directed. Frank Craven will essay his famous role as the narrator in Sol Lesser's screen version of "Our Town." As on the stage. Craven will also play the part of the druggist. He is the first person to be cast in what is to be Lesser's initial production for LTnited Artists release. Max Golden returns to 20th Century-Fox as an assistant on the staflf of Sol Wurtzel. Golden was an associate producer on the lot before going over^ to Universal as a producer. His first assignment will be announced shortly. Columbia is negotiating for the services of other stellar personalities to join Tony Martin and Andre Kostelanetz in "Passport to Happiness", Irving Starr's first production assignment for the studio. Shooting is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks. Hal Roach winds up shooting on "Of Mice and Men" this week and starts work immediately on the next Laurel and Hardy fourreeler. Gordon Douglas, who is writing the screenplay with Felix Adler, Charles Rogers and Harry Langdon, will direct. Ken Goldsmith has been assigned the production reins on Universal's "The Invisible Man Returns," set to go this week with a $250,000 budget. The picture will be directed bv Joe May with Vincent Price in the title role. Monogram's "Overland Mail", starring Jack Randall, went before the cameras last week under the direction of Robert Hill. Robert Tansey is producing from an original screenplay by Robert Emmett. The cast includes Claire Rochelle, Vince Barnett, Glen Strange, Tris Coffin and George Cleveland. "Saga of Death Valley", new starring vehicle for Roy Rogers, went before the cam Walter Wanger has scheduled two more pictures, "House Across the Bay" and "Personal History", before the end of the year. The former is scheduled to go before the cameras within the next three weeks starring Joan Bennett. Kibitzing Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms) oj "Blondie Bt-ings Up Baby," fourth Columbia "Blondie" comedy, is conducting a buildin g operation w i th blocks to test his intelligence. He has the help of Blondie (Penny Singleton). Daisy, the dog and Director Frank Strayer. Well, here's to success. Baby Dumpling.' Attacking From the Rear Priscilla Lane prepares a surprise for Director Michael Curtiz, while he is busily engaged in giving Eddie Albert instructions for a scene in Warner Bros.' "Four Wives." Ribbing "Mike" whom they all adore, is a favorite pastime with the cast of "Four W ives". Garfield's Unfinished Symphony A 110-piece orchestra under the direction of M'ax R.'\binowitsch will record the completed "Symphony Moderne" begun in "Four Daughters" by John Garfield, who played the defeatist composer. Max Steiner, Warner Bros, composer, finished the symphon}', which will be published this fall by Harms, Inc. Rep. Shuns Propaganda Pictures While practically ever> studio is fighting for screen rights on all available war stories. Republic executives refuse to participate in the bidding for that type of material. It is contended by the strrdio that what the world needs today in the way of entertainment is pictures that will take the troubled minds of the picture-going public off the tense European situation. Coldwyn Boosts Schedule to 9 Samuel Goldwyn's production schedule for the 1939-40 season will be nine pictures, instead of the four previously announced. This is the biggest production schedule in the history of the studio, and a direct contrast to retrenchment policies in the film industry. "Rafl3es", last on the current program, will finish this week, and preparations start immediately on "The Outlaw", set to roll October 25 with Gary Cooper in the top role. Griffith to Direct Own Story Edward H. Griffith, Hollywood veteran, closed a deal with Paramount for the sale of his original storv, "In Old Virginia", and immediately was assigned to the production as director. The studio also announced that Joel McCrea, recentl}' signed to a long term contract, will play the male starring role in the picture. Virginia Van Upp has been assigned to the screenplay.