Canadian Film Weekly (Dec 18, 1946)

December 18, 1946 Retain Optimism, Asks Herb Yates (Continued from Page 1) of Republic Pictures, stated recently. Yates spoke as Republic sound stages bristled with the greatest activity in the company’s meteoric 11-year history. Three topbudget productions, costing over $4,000,000 are currently rolling at the North Hollywood studio. “The public reflects our attitudes. If we are downcast and discouraged, if we are fearful of the future, it is bound to evidence itself in our productions,” he continued. ‘Anyone with any degree of common sense should realize that we are on the threshhold of the most bountiful .era in our history. “Our responsibility is not only to the public but also to the exhibitor. He is nurtured by triumphs. He is inspired to go out and give full vent to his showmanship talents when he has the proper merchandise to exploit. And it is up to us to deliver it. “Republic will more than fulfill its rightful obligation to both the theatre-going public and the exhibitors now and in the immediate future by delivering the type and quality of product which is designed to entertain and inspire an entertainment hungry populace,” Yates asserted. In the backlog of 26 pictures already completed since May, every type of entertainment is represented. “Angel and The Badman,” starring John Wayne and Gail Russell, and ‘“‘Plainsman and The Lady,” starring William Elliott and Vera Ralston, are western romances; while “That Brennan Girl,” starring James Dunn and Mona Freemen, is a modern melodrama. Girl” and “Hit Parade of 1947” are bright musical romances. Roy Rogers and Gene Autry star in several musical Westerns. Griff Barnett Cast Griff Barnett has been signed for a character role in “Saigon” Paramount’s Alan Ladd-Veronica Lake starring picture which Leslie Fenton is directing. Barnett recently completed a role in Paramount's “The Big Haircut.” Larry Parks Cast In New Starring Role Larry Parks, who became an overnight sensation with his portrayal of the title role in “The Jolson Story,” has been named by Columbia to star in another big Technicolor feature, ‘The Swordsman.” Ellen Drew has top feminine role, with Joseph H. Lewis directing and Burt Kelly producing, “Calendar Canadian FILM WEEKLY Eagle-Lion To Offer _ Television To Be Up To 35 In °46-7 (Continued from Page 1) Eagle-Lion in future will tend to follow British rather than USA titles. In the USA, “A Matter of Life and Death” will be called “Stairway to Heaven.” British personalities which, over the last 18 months, have developed established followings in Canada, all figure heavily in coming releases. After “They Were Sisters,” two more James Mason features will be issued, “Odd Man Out” and “The Upturned Glass.” Stewart Granger follows “Caravan” and “Waterloo Road” with “The Magic Bow,” the Paganini romance with Yehudi Menuhin music. Patricia Roc, back from Hollywood, will be seen next in “The Brothers.” Margaret Lockwood’s “Bedelia” is ready to follow “The Wicked Lady.” Phyllis Calvert appears in the African jungle in Technicolor for “Men of Two Worlds”; in “The Magic Bow” with Granger and Jean Kent; and in “They Were Sisters,” with James Mason. As forecast, this quintet proved Strongest at the boxoffice during the first season of Eagle-Lion’s intensive selling in the Canadian market. But London is also bringing along a new bevy of star material. Jean Kent, (‘Madonna ot the Seven Moons” and “Caravan”) was the first example. Vi STEWART GRA ©9O0OK0VO0GO0K00 | (aaeo ont? UCU Others are Sally Gray, Jean Simmons, Hazel Court, Dennis Price, Kathleen Ryan, Richard Attenborough and David Farrar. The round-the-world trend, evident in the Australian “The Overlanders” and the African “Men of Two Worlds,” continues with “Black Narcissus” from India and “Green Days and Blue Days” from Brazil. The British are also paying more attention to bestseller material, such as Stefan Zweig’s “The Years Between,” which is ready for release and Daphne du Maurier’s “Hungry Hill,” which is in the final stages of production. Releases in Canada will also be tied closely to Hollywood lendlease tours of stars from the Rank studios. With Deborah Kerr on this side to play opposite Gable, her new film, “I See a Dark Stranger,” will be timed with USA and Canadian interest in her Hollywood activities. Michael Redgrave’s “The Captive Heart” will be in release when he reaches America for his Starring chore on the coast. In addition, Canada will see more Rank stars in person following the flying appearance at the Motion Picture Pioneers ball in Toronto of the first trio, Kim Hunter, Chips Rafferty and Paul Dupuis. (Continued on Page 17) PS 4 Ff 13 an) o : sy Eagle-Lion Films of Canada, Ltd. Second Feature? (Continued from Page 1) Ostrer, former chairman of the board of Gaumont British, told USA trade papers reporters in New York that television would begin in a big way next year and that it would have great effect on theatre operation. He Said he thought that all theatres would install television equipment, the cost of which would be less than early sound projectors. Chairman of the board of Premiere Films, formed by his son, Maurice, Ostrer’s chief interest today is television, his interests being merged with those ‘of J. Arthur Rank in a company known as Cinema Television, Limited. Home receiving sets of the Baird system, which is used by Cinema Television, will be sold at $250. Baird equipment will be installed in 14 British theatres soon. In the meantime the Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories have announced Photovision, invented by Dr. Dumont, whereby pictures and sound can be carried from one point to another over a light beam instead of radio waves. Able to transmit color as well as black-and-white images, it may replace the coaxial cable for inter-city relay. New WEB Series Warners has scheduled six shorts in a new Americana series. [LOaE0Q000 8000006 Qugy ° 1M CARAVAN ; Vy “You're complaining? Youre hungry? Listen, fellows — my wife's ip there, too! It's a problem.” ———— —t 4a) ee | is