Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

UA Rents Studio From Independent Another reflection of the fact that studio space is becoming more and more difficult to obtain in the face of current heavy shooting schedules came to light this week with the announcement that United Artists, in a reversal of form, had concluded negotiations for the rental of the International Studios for a two-month term. The lot will be used by Samuel Goldwyn for the construction of miniatures, processes and trick shots for “The Hurricane,” for which there is no available space on the UA lot. The deal differs from the usual rental practice in which independents acquire space from major lots in which to do their shooting. PICK FIRST OF NEW HOPALONG SERIES First in the new series of Hopalong Cassidy westerns produced by Harry Sherman will be “Cassidy of the Bar 20,” with William Boyd taking the title role. George Hayes and Russell Hayden have been cast in support, and shooting will start late in May from the screenplay by Norman Houston. Norman Houston, Jack O’Donnell, Gerald Geraghty, Jack Jungmeyer, Arnold Belgrade and Harrison Jacobs, contract writters, are working on stories for the series. AL BEIN TESTIFIES IN SUIT AGAINST WB New York — Albert Bein, playwright, testified as his own witness in his plagiarism suit against Warner Bros., alleging that Edward Chodorov’s “The Mayor of Hell,” released in 1933, was based on his play “Little Ol’ Boy” and a book, “Youth in Hell.” Bein informed Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard that he had told Chodorov the story of his life and had given him “Youth in Hell” and “Little Ol’ Boy” to make a draft for a motion picture but the writer failed to submit the draft for Bein’s approval. DELAY ON "SPAWN OF THE NORTH" ENDS Gail Patrick, Randolph Scott and Charles Bickford draw the leads in Paramount’s "Spawn of the North.” The script, already completed, is being polished by Robert Yost and Stuart Anthony. The film was to have been made last year but unavoidable delays put it off schedule. No director has been set. LOUIS HYMAN RESUMES AT PRINCIPAL Louis Hyman has returned to his Principal Pictures desk, taking charge of distribution of product. He has been away for several weeks. "Road Back" May Be Shown Gyssling Indications that Universal is attaching some importance to the diplomatic potency of Dr. George Gyssling, German consul in Los Ayigeles who recently stirred up a hornet’s nest when he slapped a censorship threat against the exhibition of “The Road Back” in Germany, was seen this week in the announcement from the studio that Dr. Gyssling will be invited to a special showing of the film after it has been edited. Studio spokesmen inferred, however, that the invitation was merely a gesture of courtesy and that possible criticisms by him will not entail any changes. Meanwhile the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League, which referred to Washingtf^n Dr. Gyssling’s actions, has been marking time for more than a week. Secretary of State Hull, with whom the League’s protest was lodged, has contacted the organization to the extent of informing it that “the matter is being looked into,” according to Ruth Leo, League secretary. RKO Will Present Play on Broadway "Venturing into stage production for the first time, RKO Radio will launch “Amstel,” a three-act play, on Broadway next fall and will begin production of a screen version when the New York run of the piece ends. “Amstel” is by Jacques Deval, author of “Tovarich,” from whom RKO Radio purchased the screen and stage rights. Pandro S. Berman will produce. No cast names for either production have been set. GN HITS FILM PEAK WITH SIX IN WORK The Grand National Studios hit a production peak this week when six films were in the process of production — two starting, two shooting and two finishing. The go signal was given Sol Lesser’s "The Californian,” and “Love Takes Flight,” Condor production with Conrad Nagel directing. 'Well into work are "Rustler’s Valley,” a Hopalong Cassidy western being produced by Harry Sherman, and “Sweetheart of the Navy,” which B. F. Zeidman is producing for Grand National. Work was to be washed up this week on “The Shadow,” a Max Alexander production for GN; and Edward Finney’s musical western, “Riders of the Rockies,” starring Tex Ritter. WERKER TO MEG “WILD AND WOOLY" “Wild and Wooly,” starring Jane Withers at 20th Century-Fox, will be directed by Alfred Werker. Production starts May 10. Lew Landers Wins Beryerman Suit Latest chapter in the series of agentclient lawsuits which have sprung into prominence in the film colony in recent months was written into the books this week as a victory for Lew Landers, RKO Radio director, who successfully defended a suit brought against him by Stanley Bergerman, Hollywood agent. Bergerman’s suit in superior court here asked $60,000 from Landers for commissions which assertedly would have been due him had Landers not severed his sevenyear pact with the agency. Testimony offered by Landers and his attorney. Milton Golden, that promises which Bergerman is alleged to have made as to the successful placement of the director on a contract basis with Universal, had not been fulfilled, caused Judge H. Parker Wood to decide that Landers was entitled to rescind his contract. MUSICAL WESTERNS ON MONOGRAM SLATE The trend toward imbuing the old reliable horse-operas with music has been picked up by Monogram, which has signed Addison Randall to star in a series of musical westerns to be made for release during 1937-38. Randall, a baritone, will begin work in about six weeks, with Robert Bradbury getting the associate producer spot. The deal at present is for eight productions during the season. Randall, signed by Scott R. Dunlap, vicepresident in charge of production, accompanied the latter back to Chicago for the Monogram sales convention. MIRIAM HOPKINS TO RKO FOR TWO FILMS Miriam Hopkins will be called to RKO Radio for two pictures on a loan-out deal just completed with Samuel Goldwyn, to whom she is under contract. First production under the agreement will be “The Happy Fellow,” which P. J. Wolfson is scripting from Alan Scott’s original. No starting date has been set. IRENE DUNNE SIGNED FOR ANOTHER AT RKO Irene Dunne has been signed for a second picture at RKO Radio to follow her appearance this summer in “Joy of Loving.” Title of the new feature has not been announced. “Joy of Loving” will be produced by Felix Young, with Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields and Herbert Fields collaborating on the screenplay and music. Rantz Assigned George Hirliman has assigned Louis Rantz to act as associate producer in charge of production of Condor’s 26 short subjects for release through RKO. 44 BOXOFFICE :: May 8, 1937.