Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

October 5, 1940 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW HOLLYWOOD STUDIO HOUND-LIP Here are the new pictures that went into production this week: COLUMBIA LEGACY Principal: Warner Baxter. Director, Gregory Ratoff. METRO-GOLD WYN-MAYER COME LIVE WITH ME Principals: James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Ian Hunter. Director, Clarence Brown. MONOGRAM OKLAHOMA BOUND Principals: Tex Ritter, Terry Walker. Director, Al Herman. PARAMOUNT YOU'RE THE ONE Principals: Orrin Tucker, Bonnie Baker, Albert Dekker, Jerry Colonna. Director, Ralph Murphy. REPUBLIC BAD MAN FROM RIO Principals: Don Barry, Al St. John, Julie Duncan Producer-Director, George Sherman. BARNYARD FOLLIES Principals: Mary Lee, June Storey, Rufe Davis. Director, Frank McDonald. RKO-RADIO DEBUTANTE, INC. Principals: Kay Francis, James Ellison, Kane Richmond. Director, Frank Woodruff. THREE CIRLS AND A COB Principals: George Murphy, Lucille Ball, Edmund O'Brien. Director, Richard Wallace. UNITED ARTISTS CHEERS FOR MISS BISHOP (ROWLAND) Principals: Martha Scott, William Gargan. Director, Tay Garnett. UNIVERSAL SAN FRANCISCO DOCKS Principals: Burgess Meredith, Irene Hervey, Raymond Walburn. Director, Arthur Lubin. Lamarr Sings in "Comrade X" Hedy Lamarr will sing a Russian song in MGM's "Comrade X," in which she is currently co-starring with Clark Gable. The number (translated) is "We Are Free," and was written by Bronislaw Kaper. Haight Joins 20th-Fox George Haight, formerly at RKO as an associate producer, has been signed by 20th Century-Fox to a producer contract. First assignment will be announced as soon as he finishes reading scripts. Haight's first film berth was with Samuel Goldwyn productions. Eddie Albert Writes Story Eddie Albert has written an original story, "Lobby Girl," which he has presented to Warner Bros, for consideration as a possible future vehicle. "Doomed Caravan," Hopalong Cassidy Picture, Resumes With William Boyd, star of the "Hopalong Cassidy" series, able to work again after a four-month layoff due to a leg injury, Harry Sherman's "Doomed Caravan" will resume production this week. Filming of the picture was halted on May 18 when a horse which Boyd was riding lunged into a tree, breaking the star's leg. This is the second feature in the series, and in addition to Boyd, features Russell Hayden and Andy Clyde under the direction of Leslie Selander. Sherman still has four more to go for the 1940-41 program, in addition to several special productions. Because of his expanded program, Sherman has leased the B. P. Schulberg studio at Melrose and Bronson, where he will have the use of three completely equipped sound stages. Move-over was completed this week from his old quarters on the General Service lot. Republic To Release 12 One-Reel Short Subjects M. J. Siegel, President of Republic, announced the signing of Harriett Parsons to do a series of 12 one-real short subjects, tentatively titled "Hollywood Highlights," to be released during the coming year. The subject matter of these shorts will be similar to that of "Screen Snapshots," which were also produced by Miss Parsons, but would differ in that each reel would have a definite theme. This is the first time in the history of Republic that the company has made any attempt to enter the competitive short subject field. Miss Parsons reports to the studio immediately, and will have the first in the series ready for release by November 15. She will produce, write and direct all subjects. "Blondie Goes Latin" Rolls Soon "Blondie Goes Latin," originally scheduled to go into production during the month of November, will now face the cameras next week, in order to take immediate advantage of the present cordial relations between the United States and South America. The original "Blondie" cast, Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms and the canine star, Daisy, will be reunited for the eighth time. Smiling for the Director Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan have smiles for Director Michael Curtiz and the crew as they wait for the camera to turn for another scene in Warner Bros. "Santa Fe Trail." Page 23 WANDERING AROUND HOLLYWOOD with the "Oldtimer When you talk about cooperation with the exhibitor, Smiley Burnette is way out in front with his publication of "The Westerner," official publication of the Smiley Burnette fan club. Smiley may not be the No. 1 Western star, but you can bet dollars to donuts he's one of the most popular men on the screen today. Over to 20th Century-Fox for a visit with our old pal Cameraman Georce Schneiderman, on the set of "The Private Practice of Michael Shayne," renewing a friendship that started about 30 years ago. We're tickled to see you back in harness again, George, and will be looking for your name on many a production. The Durbin-Pasternak-Koster trio rang up another winner for Universal with "Spring Parade," an elegant piece of screen entertainment . . . and while they deserve all the praise heaped upon them, let's not forget the excellent art direction of Jack Otterson, an important factor in the film's success. Hollywood has been yelling for months about cutting down the preview list, and, as usual, never does anything about it. Along comes Russell Birdwell with the announcement that the preview of Alexander Korda's "The Thief of Bagdad" will be a field day for ALL columnists, magazine writers, radio commentators and others who cover the Hollywood scene. Thanks for being truthful. Bird. We understand that Lynne Overman will try to pull a Lon Chaney for his role in Paramount's "New York Town." Overman's role is that of a legless man ... a tough job for a guy who wears size 12 shoes. There seems to be a lot of "pep" over at Monogram with the arrival of Lou Lifton, advertising and publicity chief from the East. Lou is here to stay, which means a needed "jab-in-the-arm" for the big little studio. Al Cohen, Republic associate producer, entertained the cast and crew of his first picture, "Who Killed Aunt Maggie?," and although we attended the shindig, we are still trying to find out "Who Killed Aunt Maggie." We have an idea it was Director Arthur Lubin, or Cohen himself. "Serenade" Starts October 14 Producer-director George Stevens has set October 14 as the starting date of Columbia's "Penny Serenade," which will co-star Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Murphy Checks In for "Gob" Role George Murphy arrived from New York a few days ago and reports immediately to RKO for his role in Harold Lloyd's "Three Girls and a Gob." Jones Tests Newcomer Paul Jones is having Edythe Manners, ingenue, tested for a role in his production for Paramount, "The Road To Zanzibar." She has been appearing with the Hedges Players at the Hedges Little Theatre, in Laguna. The picture stars Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour and Bob Hope and will be directed by Victor Schertzinger.