Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

SPEARHEADS (Continued from page 27) terprise undertaken by the new Stephens Lang independent production unit, it measures up to supporting feature standards in every way. William Stephens, the producer, and Monroe Shaff, his associate, share the credit jointly with Director Bernard Vorhaus and Scenarists Ian McLellan Hunter, Ring Lardner jr. and Harvey Gates. Producer Harry Sherman sent his veteran “Hopalong Cassidy” to South America and back in Paramount’s “Law of the Pampas.” The change of clime and scenery “Hoppy” evidently found to his liking, for, in adding the scalps of a few more villains to his belt, the popular cowboy chalked up what is probably his most satisfying adventure to date. Harrison Jacobs’ script and Nate Watt’s direction contribute substantially to what should be a solid hit among outdoor fans. Admirably compiled, edited and narrated by A. L. Rule, “When Germany Surrendered” is an assemblage of film shot during the last World War by army cameramen attached to the French, British, German, Italian and American forces. Depicting the actual horrors, brutalities and destruction which took place in that holocaust, the film emerges as an eloquent appeal for peace which, judging from current international conditions, is particularly timely and, consequently, a potential moneymaker. Its screening should be compulsory for all jingoists, who might change their minds after viewing one especially horrifying sequence — a closeup of handto-hand fighting in the trenches. Largely of the run-of-the-mill variety, Warner’s “Waterfront” was evidently designed for, and should satisfy, the melodrama addicts. Director Terry Morse injected plenty of action, using the script by Lee Katz and Arthur Ripley as his framework. Bryan Foy produced. Four for Schaeler Armand Schaefer has been booked for four production assignments at Republic — “National Barn Dance,” a Gene Autry western; “Bowery Boy,” a Roy Rogers sagebrusher, “In Old Missouri,” and “The Girl From God’s Country.” Walker to Produce Paramount has assigned Stuart Walker to produce “Broken Heart Cafe,” which had been in preparation by William H. Wright until the latter left the lot. The film goes before the cameras in January. Ratoif Assigned Next directorial assignment for Gregory Ratoff at 20th Century-Fox will be “I Am an Adventuress,” a story by Nunnally Johnson. Madeleine Carroll has been borrowed from Paramount for the lead. Ben Pivar Assigned Universal has assigned Ben Pivar to produce “Trouble’s My Middle Name.” • REVIEW FLASHES BAD LITTLE ANGEL (M-G-M)— A Sunday School lesson in celluloid, quaintly midVictorian in character, but with the pollyanna spirit laid on a little too heavy for average audience enjoyment. Little Virginia Weidler shows genuine talent and self-assurance in the title role. Albert E. Levoy produced; William Thiele directed. BEWARE, SPOOKS (Col)— Those who like their comedy utterly devoid of subtleties and confirmed Joe E. Brown fans will find his latest vehicle a prize package of guffaws, since it specializes in slapstick and hokum at their very broadest. Robert Sparks produced; Edward Sedgwick directed. SCANDAL SHEET (Col) — Hard working newspapermen will take this highly colored tale about sensational journalism with a wink; to audiences, it will be just another run-ofthe-mill picture. Otto Kruger, Ona Munson, Edward Norris. Nick Grinde directed. COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above pictures will appear in an early issue of BOXOFFICE. Renewed Reactionary Activities Exposed Unswerving in its renewed campaign to stamp out Fascism and its by-product, Nazism, in the United States, the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League came uncomfortably close to home when some 320 members and friends, assembled in “emergency” session, learned through the submission of documentary material that totalitarianism is making heavy inroads in Hollywood’s motion picture industry. The meeting, one of the most important on the HANL’s calendar for some time, was highlighted by the report of Michael Elkins, League investigator, who submitted information concerning the activities of the revived Ku Klux Klan, the Silver Shirts and similar organizations in the film capital. His report was part of a barrage in which J. Walter Ruben, Metro producer; H. S. Kraft of the HANL; Mary McCall jr., screen writer, and A1 Wirin, Civil Liberties Union attorney, participated. Elkins submitted a partial list of local Fascist leaders and declared the KKK’s membership among studio workers, now estimated at 400, is growing daily. He claimed that Ruby M. Edison, commander of the KKK’s woman’s auxiliary and until recently a motion picture extra, received pay for a day’s work at M-G-M and, in addition, secured ten applications for membership. Elkins charged that the KKK Harry Warner to Appear In Civic Record Film Invitation to appear in a motion picture titled “America’s Making,” to be produced by the Russell Sage Foundation, has been accepted by Harry M. Warner. Film will deal with significant contributions of American citizens to the development of the country. The foundation has also asked for clips from “Lights of New York,” and “The Jazz Singer,” early Warner talkies. "Irene" Is Next Wilcox Production lor RKO Next Herbert Wilcox production for RKO Radio, to star Anna Neagle, will be “Irene,” the stage musical acquired by the studio some time ago. Wilcox will direct. Screen rights were purchased from James Montgomery, author of the original and Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy, who wrote the music and lyrics. Alice Duer Miller is writing the script for a November camera start. auxiliary has 120 members at that studio, including stock and featured players and extras. Ruben presented a detailed outline of the terrorist activities which he charged are being instigated by Father Coughlin and his adherents. He declared that if Coughlin succeeds in organizing other pro-fascists into one unit “we will have nothing short of a civil war and our cherished democracy will fall into ruins.” “There’s only one answer to all of this,” Ruben said. “Get up and fight — not the Coughlin way with brick-bats and violence, but with your intelligence, courage and resources . . . We are Americans fighting for the preservation of our American democracy.” Wirin cautioned that the status of civil liberties today, which he termed “excellent,” must be protected at all costs. Among those attending the session: Harold Arlen, Edward Biberman, Stanley Bergerman, Erica Mann, John Carradine, Edward Chodorov, Sam Coslow, Nat Finston, Jay Gorney, Don Hartman, Heinz Herald, Sig Herzig, Gordon Kahn, Aben Kandel, Henry Koster, Harry Maizlich, Fred Myer, Mortimer Offner, Ray Schrock, Alan Scott, Victor Shapiro, Vincent Sherman, Jo Swerling, Harlan Thompson, Harry Tugend, Frank Tuttle, Salka Viertel and John Wexley. Special League meetings are now being arranged to review the facts presented at the emergency session and to map combative plans. Other liberal activity: The Motion Picture Democratic Committee, in its annual election of officers, chose Philip Dunne as chairman; Melvyn Douglas as first vice-chairman; Miriam Hopkins, second vice-chairman; John Ford, third vice-chairman, and Maurice Murphy, executive secretary. Irving Pichel was chief speaker at a regular meeting of the HANL’s Southwest District. He discussed “The Migratory Worker Problem.” BOXOFFICE :: October 21, 1939 31