Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

SCRIPTERS — Fine Arts FRANCES GUIHAN to a series of original westerns. —Samuel Goldwyn JANE MURFJN teamed with L A. R. WYLIE on “The Daring Age,” which will serve as the film debut for Jascha Heifetz, noted violinist. Adolphe Menjou will also be featured. — Metro JACQUES DEVAL to untitled original, slated as a Greta Garbo vehicle. — Monogram MARTIN MOONEY to “Murder in the Big House,” an original by Rev. Patrick O’Neil, based on the Colorado State Penitentiary riot in 1929. * — Paramount ROBERT YOST and STUART ANTHONY teamed on an untitled vehicle for Lloyd Nolan, based on the J. Edgar Hoover stories purchased some time ago. STEWART PALMER polishing “Bulldog Drummond vs. Scotland Yard,” for Associated Producer Stuart Walker. — -Principal PETER DIXON to “Fisherman’s Wharf,” slated as the next Bobbie Breen starrer for RKO Radio release. Production starts about August 15. — RKO Radio DAVID SILVERSTEIN to “Picardy Max,” which Cliff Reid will produce. PAUL JARRICO to “Beauty for the Asking.” Bernie Fineman produces. — Republic BEN FIELDS to adapt his original, “Circuit Rider,” as a Gene Autry vehicle. HERBERT DALMAS to untitled original for the “Three Mesquiteers” series. HERBERT DALMAS to an untitled original for Roy Rogers. — -Hal Roach JACK JEVNE teamed with GEZA HERCZEG on “Robbery Under Arms,” to co-star Margaret Sullavan and Brian Ahearn under John G. Blystone’s direction. United Artists will release. —20th Century-Fox FRANCES HYLAND and ALBERT RAY teamed on “Running Wild,” next Jane Withers vehicle. JOHN BALDERSTONE, MILTON SPERLING and BORIS INGSTER set to develop an original story around the title “Khyber Rifles.” — Universal STEPHEN MOREHOUSE AVERY and FRANK PARTOS collaborating on “Rio,” as a Danielle Darrieux starrer. Jean Negulesco wrote the original. r-i NAT FERBER completes untitled script and checks off lot. FRANKLIN COEN to “Candid Camera Girl,” a George Bilson production. Pathe Buys Color Films ; Will Build Laboratory Concluding negotiations which had been in progress for several months, Pathe Film Corp. has purchased the stock and equipment of Color Films, Inc., and will build a film laboratory, equipped to handle all types of processing work, at a projected cost of $500,000. Construction will start within 60 days on property acquired through option by Pathe from H. T. James, president of Color Films, who will be associated with Pathe in operating the new laboratory. Actual operations will begin by Jan. 1, 1938. Color Films holds patents on many of the machines and devices acquired through the Pathe purchase. The new plant will be equipped to process 16 and 35 millimeter film in both black-and-white and natural color. Settle GN Claim Settlement of claims totaling $118,750 against Grand National by Eugene Frenke and Anna Sten has been approved by the federal court. The director has been authorized to make two pictures starring Miss Sten. GN will partially finance the two and will release. Shooting on the first will start in five weeks. Film Commitments Call Back P. A. Wanderers Forthcoming film commitments have called back two of Hollywood’s wandering army of thespics who have been on personal appearance tours throughout the country while “between pictures.” Completing a ten-month press agent trek, Vince Barnett, screen-radio comedian, is back in the film capital preparing for a film comeback. He headed a troupe of 37 players on the road. Also checking in was Bob Hope of radio, stage and screen fame, winding up a series of press agents in the east with Jackie Coogan. He reports to Paramount to prepare for “Thanks for the Memory,” which goes into production July 25 with Shirley Ross opposite. Next arrival will be Roy Rogers, due back at Republic August 1 to star in “The Return of Billy the Kid.” His cowboy cohort at the same plant. Gene Autry, is en route to Philadelphia to begin a short press agent jaunt through the east. Directors of AFRA Ban Free Star Radio Turns The American Federation of Radio Artists’ local chapter, at a meeting of the board of directors, adopted a resolution banning the free ether appearances or guest turns by motion picture or radio stars on Hollywood-produced programs. Only on shows sanctioned by Theatre Authority for purposes of charity will radio or screen actors who are members of AFRA be allowed to appear gratis, the edict specified. It is pointed particularly at shows piped over the National and Columbia broadcasting networks, both of which chains have signed AFRA wage and hour contracts. Leon Errol Two-Reeler Goes Into Production RKO Radio has placed the first of its series of six two-reel comedies, starring Leon Errol, into production for the 193839 season. Vivian Tobin appears opposite the rubber-legged comedian in the untitled short, with Charles Roberts directing. Also before the cameras is a musical short featuring Charles (Buddy) Rogers and his orchestra. Jean Yarborough directs. Bert Gilroy is producing both films. Production on "Idiot's Delight" Set August 15 Metro has set August 15 for the starting date of “Idiot’s Delight,” the Robert Sherwood play in which Norma Shearer and Clark Gable will be co-starred. Clarence Brown will direct for Producer Hunt Stromberg. Gable is now rehearsing dance steps under the tutelage of Val Rassett, dance director, for his role as the vaudeville hoofer. Borrow Juvenile for Lead Paramount has borrowed Ann Gillis from S-I for “Little Orphan Annie, Detective.” OPTIONS — Columbia WALTER WISE added to writing staff. — David L. Loew VICTOR YOUNG signed to write and record the musical score for the Joe E. Brown comedy, “The Gladiator.” Columbia releases. — Metro SCOTTY BECKETT, child actor, signed to termer and assigned a role in “Listen, Darling,” teaming Freddie Bartholomew and Judy Garland. — Monogram WELLYN TOTMAN joins writing staff to script a Frankie Darro vehicle. — Paramount DOLORES CASEY, stock player, held for another six months. DOROTHY WHITE, stock actress, given contract extension. — RKO Radio ANN EVERS, stock player, draws term contract and role in “The Mad Miss Manton” as a result of her work in early sequences of “Gunga Din.” DAVID HOWARD, director of the George O’Brien westerns, held for another term). DIRECTOR WILLIAM SEITER signed to onepicture deal after his current chore, “Room Service.” — Hal Roach KATHARINE RENNICK signed as assistant to Joe Collum in casting department. — 20th Century-Fox AMANDA DUFF, stage actress, held for another term. She is currently in “Just Around the Corner,” new Shirley Temple vehicle. HENRY' KING given new long-term directorial contract. Academy Technicians See Two Commercials Two commercial productions were screened Friday at 20th Century-Fox for members of the Academy Technicians branch. “Highlights and Shadows,” produced by Eastman Kodak and outlining the manufacture of motion picture film, and “Steel — Man’s Servant,” a Technicolor film by United States Steel, covering the manufacture of steel, were shown. Danish Consul Visits Expressing himself as dumbfounded at the triple-billgiveaway type of exhibition policy in America, Otto Rasmussen, Danish consul at Durban, South Africa, and managing director of the East Asiatic Co. there, paid a visit to Merle Oberon at Samuel Goldwyn’s film plant on a one-day stay in Hollywood recently. Rasmussen, on the left, spent the day on the set. Miss Oberon is in the center a?id Poul W. Fricke, local official of the East Asiatic Co., is on the right. BOXOFFICE :: July 16, 1938 37