Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

28 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 1, 1949 Hollywood Newsreel West Coast Offices — 6777 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 28. Ccdif.— Ann Lewis. Manager PRODUCTION PARADE By Ann Lewis iiniiiwiiiiiiiiiimiiniiiiiiiiiiiiM The option of Ann Blyth, currently on loanout to Samuel Goldwyn for one of the top roles in "With All My Heart," has been exercised by Universal-International for another year. Curt Siodmak has been signed by RKO to write the screenplay and direct "The Man He Found," slated for spring filming by Producer Herman Schlom. This mystery tale is based on an original by Roy Hamilton. Robert Stillman, who was associate producer on "Champion" and "Home of the Brave," acquired screen rights to the popular radio program, "Queen for a Day," and plans this film as one of three productions now in preparation for major release by Robert Stillman Productions. Producer Scott R. Dunlap's first Allied .Artists production on his 1949-50 schedule will be "Land of the Sky-Blue Waters." Dunlap will produce this picture in Hollywood prior to his departure for England, where he will make another for AA. Cary Grant has been signed by MGM to play the title role in a new adventure film "Ferguson," to be produced by Arthur Freed. The screenplay, written by Richard Brooks, who will also direct the film, will provide Grant with an exciting departure from his recent comedy portrayals. Anson Bond of Emerald Productions has iigned Elmer Clifton to direct his forthcoming film "Vicious Years," which is due to start sometime in October for release by Film Classics. Producer Peter Scully and Director William Cattle have formed a new independent him company called Motion Pictures, Inc. They will produce two pictures yearly with the first scheduled to roll the middle of October. Initial property, based on an original story by Castle, is titled, "It's a Smart World." A releasing deal is presently being sought. Dennis ^lorgan and Betsy Drake will be costarred in Warner Bros.' "Pretty Baby," which Bretaigne Windust is set to direct. Contract of Alfred Werker, recently signed to direct RKO's "Eye Witness to Murder," has been extended to a long-term deal. Werker directed the Film Classics release "Lost Boundaries." Production of "Eye Witness" will be handled by Jack Gross; Diana Lynn, presently working Columbia's '^Rogues of Sherwood Forest," on loanout from Hal Wallis, had her option renewed for another year by the producer upon his return from England. Miss Lynn, who plays the leading role in Wallis' "My Friend Irma," is due to make "Irma on Vacation," sequel to the original film, now in release. * * * Nancy Olson, who went from college into the leads in two top movies, gets another break by being given the romantic interest role opposite Bing Crosby in Paramount's "Mr. Music." This forthcoming musical, which co-stars Charles Coburn, will have Robert Stack playing an all-round sports ace. Production is set for the end of October with Richard Haydn directing and Robert Welch producing. Six Editors Shearing Eleven Films at U-l Six editors are assembling and editing 11 pictures on which shooting has been completed at Universal-International. Busiest of the group is Frank Gross, who has three Technicolor films -in various stages of editing. They are "Comanche Territory," "The Kid from Texas" and "Curtain Call at Cactus Creek." Other editors and the films they are shearirig are Ralph Dawson, "The Big Frame" and "Free for All" ; Milton Carruth, "Fugitive from Terror" and "Francis" ; Russell Schoengarth, "Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" and "Bagdad" (Technicolor) ; Otto Ludwig, "Buccaneer's Girl" (Technicolor), and Edward Curtis. "The Story of Molly X." Fil makers Close Deal With RKO for 3 Filmakers, Inc., the Ida Lupino-Collier YoungMalvin Ward company, which last week canceled a distribution deal with Film Classics over "Never Fear," this week entered a distribution agreement with RKO for three pictures. "Never Fear" is not included in the RKO deal, which covers "Nice Girls, "Pachuco" and a third, untitled. All three will be made on the RKO lot. Douglas as the Son In 'Glass Menagerie' Kirk Douglas, who recently completed "Young Man With a Horn," will portray the role of Tom, the son, in Warners' "The Glass Menagerie," scheduled for production in October. Jane Wyman will play Laura, the daughter. Jerry Wald and Charles K. Feldman will co-produce, with Irving Rapper directing. Menjou Works in VC Heart Fund Short With Monogram donating its stage, equipment and crew facilities, Adolphe Menjou over the weekend worked in a short as part of the Variety Clubs' drive for funds to combat heart disease. The subject, with Menjou making a plea for donations, will be shown in theatres during the fund-raising campaign. Sa reeky to Guide Lippert Kid Comedies Barney Sarecky will produce and direct the series of six one-reel Western Kid Comedies to be made by Lippert Productions for its current year's product. The subjects are to be completed by December. First two are titled "White Phantom" and "Showdown at Sunup." Three to Co-Star Eleanor Parker, Patricia Neal and Ruth Roman will co-star in "Rock Bottom," story of unwed mothers, to be produced for Warner Bros, by Milton Sperling's United States Pictures Co. Why Not Situation Drama?, Asks Hal E. Chester Situation comedy is generally accepted these days, why not situation drama? That's the question advanced by Hal E. Chester, who is currently producing "The Whip," for United Artists release. "You need no longer depend on dialog for laughs," Chester points out, "why can't you get tense drama over by getting your characters into situations that are suspenseful in themselves?" The youthful producer who not so long ago was a child actor, and who guides the "Joe Palooka" series for Monogram, believes that "The Whip" will demonstrate his point effectively when it is completed. "This is entirely situation drama," he says, "and the situations might happen to anyone. Everyday people are involved, and they react just as anyone in the audience might react to the same circumstances." Chester claims that nowadays those in the audience no longer identify themselves with the hero. "They are sympathetic rather to the predicament the hero gets into, and wonder how they would act under ^^^^ ^ Chester similar conditions themselves. Chester believes that once a story is ready to tell, a producer need only be certain that he develops his characters by making their costumes and personal habits recognizable, to avoid long explanations in dialog. Then if he has cast his picture skillfully, sound entertainment is guaranteed. He points to the choice of Dan Duryea and Herbert Marshall in his current film as ideal casting. Duryea, previously established in other films as a heel, is here given a part which shows that while he is weak, he might react manfully under certain conditions. The audience will not be sure, and its pleasure will be enhanced by the doubt. Marshall, on the other hand, is driven as far as he would be expected to be driven, before showing his true character. On choosing a story, Chester has only one rule. "I pick them for their entertainment value," he says, "not to fill out a program need. If there isn't a story telling need, I don't think the picture should be made."