Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1946)

42 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW. Oet(A6r 5. 194& HOLLYWOOD STUDIO ROUNDUP (Continued from Page 40) however, were rife to the effect that "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" had to shut down temporarily. However, Hakim-Litvak's "A Time to Kill" kept right on moving, as did "Banjo," on location; "They Won't Believe Me" and Sol Lesser's "Tarzan and the Huntress." The latter was another film reportedly shut down for a time, but studio officials did not definitely confirm this. A unit headed by director Lynn Shores is on its way to Boston and Washington, D. C., to shoot backgrounds for "Rich Man, Poor Man," in which Eddie Cantor co-stars with Joan Davis. Cantor is also producing. Gordon Douglas is slated to direct the main unit. Picture concerns a forgotten patriot who winds up becoming a buddy of the President. Enierparise Not Picketed Enterprise, being an independent, was not picketed. Meanwhile, production continued on David Lewis' "Arch of Triumph," and director Andre De Toth sent a camera crew to San Francisco to get background shots for "The Other Love," the company's next picture. No Production at EL With nothing in production. Eagle Lion has been unaffected by the strike. Moreover, it was not picketed by the CSU. Alvin Levin, under term contract to EL, was assigned by Irving Friedman, music department chief, to compose an original score for the company's initial production, "It's a Joke, Son !" The shooting was completed some time ago, but scoring is just commencing. Paramount Little Troubled Paramount claims to have kept seven pictures rolling, despite minor clashes and disturbances. The studio was fortunate in that CSU strike strategy called for few pickets at the lot. The great majority was concentrated at Warners and MGM. The studio was aided, besides, by several films on location. One was "Dear Ruth," which has completed its locationing, following difficulties caused by "smog." Director Mel Epstein took a location unit to Balboa for backgrounds on "Golden Earrings," while the main group, under Mitchell Leisen, remained at the studio. Pine-Thomas moved from Catalina to Sunland, Cal., for "Adventure Island." Interior sets were constructed to permit uninterrupted filming despite adverse weather. John Hodiak returned to "Desert Town," following hospitalization. UA Halts Some Features United Artists stopped production on somefronts. The Bogeaus-Meredilh production, "A Miracle Can Happen," an episodic treatment, was postponed until a later date, with the film about three-fourths completed. David O. Selznick stopped work on "Little Women" and "The Paradine Case." Charles R. Rogers brought home his "The Fabulous Dorseys" just before the trouble started. Producer Jules Levey was fortunate in that the Roach lot, where "New Orleans" is in work, was one of the few majors not being picketed by the CSU. Federal Films' "Carnegie Hall," shooting in New York, was not bothered by Hollywood's labor strife. Because Goldwyn's lot was another not being picketed— as yet — by the CSU, Cali fornia Pictures' "Vendetta" went on, as did Howard Hawks' "Red River." Bill Boyd just managed to finish "Hoppy's Holiday," latest Hopalong Cassidy. Hal Roach, who is now releasing through UA, was able to put the finishing touches on his kid comedy-feature. "Who Killed Doc Robin?" Two Continue at U-I The two features at Universal-International continued, unabated. Tom Drake returned to "I'll Be Yours," following a three-week vacation given him when the company shot scenes involving Bill Bendix. Film stars Deanna Durbin. Other film rolling is the Technicolor costume drama "Flame of Tripoli." Republic Evades Picketing Republic managed to evade picketing during the early days of the strike and at this writing was still unaffected. Just one film was going, "Hit Parade of 1947," being produced and directed by Frank McDonald. The company has over 30 films in its backlog; that is, eiiJier in editing or unreleased. Light Picketing at 20th-Fox Twentieth Century-Fox was picketed lightly, and was therefore able to keep production going without much trouble. For one thing, "Boomerang" is being produced in faraway Stamford, Conn., where producer Louis de Rochemont and director Elia Kazan are readying the production. Latest addition is Taylor Holmes, veteran Broadway actor, who was brought on from New York. Ray Klune, 20tli's executive production manager, and Sid Bowen, unit manager for "Captain from Castile," went to Mexico City, to make arrangements with the Mexican government for shooting the picture there. Film, which is to star Tyrone Power, will be made entirely across the border, with a three-month shooting schedule. The studio renewed director Otto Lang's contract and gave a new termer to actor Roy Roberts for his work in the recently completed "The Brasher Doubloon." PRC Going Strong Producers Releasing Corporation is going strong these days, strike or no strike. Its Cinecolor special, "Red Stallion," was set to start September 30 at Shasta, Calif., on location, with Lesley Selander directing. In addition to the horse that plays the title role, a bear, two dogs, a jackal, a falcon, an egret and 10 additional equines are set for roles. Humans in the film include Robert Paige, Noreen Nash, Jane Darwell, Ted Donaldson and Willie Best. "Philo Vance's Gamble" got under way September 27 under the direction of Reginald LeCorg. This is executive producer Howard VVelsch's first stint for PRC under his recently signed contract, "\^'ild Country," newest Eddie Dean, is scheduled to roll October 4, with Ray Taylor directing. Producer Jerry Thomas signed Helen Mowery for the feminine lead, and also added Peggy Wynne and Stan Jolley to the cast of the outdoor musical. Monogram Completing 'Cisco' Monogram is completing shooting on the latest "Cisco Kid," called "Cisco and the Angel." Latest additions were Eve Whitney, Marcelle Granville and Julia Kent. Five Productions on Gottlieb Schedule Alex Gottlieb, Warner Bros, producer, lias been assigned five important story properties for 1946-47 production. List includes "The Glass Room," new novel by Lester Fuller and Edwin Rolfe, slated to start shooting in November; "Tomorrow Is Another Day," W. R. Burnett's book; "Bill's Gay Nineties," original by Louis Sobol ; "Wallflower," from the Broadway stage hit, and "Howdy, Stranger," musical starring Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson. Plcsn 'Wabcssh Hvenue' Us Technicolor Musiccsl Plans for the production of "Wabash Avenue," the fabulous tale of Chicago's Tin Pan Alley, as a Technicolor musical woven around the life of Gus Kahn, who turned out more than 75 hits, was announced this week by Darryl Zanuck, 20th-Fox vice-president in charge of production. The film story, Zanuck said, will be produced by Mack Gordon. Brown Producing Five "Thunder in the Forest," an original screenplay by Milton Raison, has been assigned to Donald H. Brown for production, bringing to five the number of pictures Brown will supervise on Republic's 1946-47 schedule. Other Brown assignments: "Web of Danger," "Pride of Kentucky" and two Roy Rogers specials, "Heart of Old Mexico" and "Song of the Golden West." Fcsmily Now Complete With Ann Todd assigned the role of the middle daughter, the family in MGM's "The Birds and the Bees" is now complete. Other members: Jeanette MacDonald, mother; Jose Iturbi, stepfather; Jane Powell and Sharon McManus, daughters. Joe Pasternak is producing. Schedule 'Moby Dick' "Moby Dick," the Herman Melville classic, one of the great sea stories of all time, is up for filming at Warners, having been placed on the production schedule of Henry Blanke. John Huston, writer-director, has been assigned to prepare the screaiplay. French Star Signed Roger Dann, French musical comedy star, has been signed to a long-term contract b}Paramount and will be introduced to American audiences in "Variety Girl." all-star musical film. Tcs^lor to Direct Dean Ray Taylor has been signed to direct "Wild Country," first film in PRC's new Eddie Dean outdoor action musical series. Alfred Orloff wrote the screenplay. Sawtell Will Do It Paul Sawtell will write the background music for RKO Radio's "Code of the West," in which James Warren plays the male lead.