20th Century-Fox Dynamo (July 8, 1939)

STUDIO SPECIAL 7A SALES RESUME OF 1939-40 (K-7) LINEUP As of July 6 Continued from Page 6A ciety, an unconventional, devil-may-care group of beau- tiful youngsters whose escapades have become so dra- matic and daring they have supplanted the ex-chorine as much-sought front-page news. Here is an exploitation natural exposing a group of girls who are today the target of professionals whose ranks the former have been raiding in increasingly large numbers. Zanuck will produce “Public Deb No. 1” and none other than Elsa Maxwell who has arranged and man- aged the most fabulous “coming out” debutante parties sponsored by society here and abroad, will be in the all-star cast. Linda Darnell and Brenda Joyce, the widely publicized stars and sensational hits of “Elsa Maxwell’s Hotel for Women” and “The Rains Came,” respectively, will be among those to be featured in a particularly strong box office cast of stellar person- alities. More details later. THE ESCAPE—Formerly titled “East Side, West Side.” Another outstanding special on the Wurtzel K-7 line- up, based on the stage play and book of the same title. A human story of New York, about three orphaned nephews from Illinois who come into the two-room East Side home of their Aunt Mamie. Among the char- acters who play a major role in this story are a kindly old man, Pironi, who runs a grocery store in the slum neighborhood; his son, Louis, just released from serv- ing a five-year sentence in Sing Sing; his daughter, Julie, who teaches in a public school; a rookie police- man who is in love with the young teacher, and the night club entertainer-daughter of Aunt Mamie. Also, there is environment of the most colorful sort, a struggle for livelihood, bad company, etc. Mix these to- gether and the result is drama and melodrama of a two-fisted quality. Ricardo Cortez is the director of this production. In the cast are, Kane Richmond, Amanda Duff, Henry Armetta, Edward Norris, June Gale, Leona Roberts, Scotty Beckett, Rex Downing, Jimmy Butler, Nick Copeland, A1 Hill, Sammy Finn and 5-year-old Sandra Richards. Screen play is by Rob- ert Ellis and Helen Logan. Completed. HEAVEN WITH A BARBED WIRE FENCE—An original story by Dalton Trumbo, who wrote “A Man to Remem- ber,” one of last year’s most praised screen hits, it tells the story of a 19-year-old boy, Joe Riley, unable to gain employment in New York. He heads West to claim the 40 acres willed him by his deceased uncle. In the drama enters Nikola Novotny, 17, who has escaped from an orphans’ home to try her luck in Hollywood. The pair meet and take to “riding the rails” and during their eventful trip they make two friends, the Profes- sor, a kindly, old hobo, and Tony, a youngster who has been “bumming” his way for years. They also make an enemy of Hunk, a brutal, gorilla-like hobo who swears vengeance on the four after an altercation in a hobo “jungle.” “Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence” is a drama of the youth of today, a bewildered youth, skep- tical, with little confidence in civilization, viewing the future without hope—and living for today. High comedy and stark tragedy and ultimate happiness mark the road of these youngsters seeking their heaven with a barbed wire fence. In the cast are Jean Rogers, Glenn Ford, Raymond Walburn, Marjorie Rambeau and others. Ricardo Cortez is the director. STOP, LOOK AND LOVE—Young love’s struggle against an overly ambitious mother. The girl, approaching young spinsterhood, nearly loses her big chance for happiness when her mother again interferes. Father holds no influence in this household, but before the story ends he gain his independence, the daughter wins the man she loves and the meddlesome, scheming mother sees the error of her way. A comedy romance based on a stage play. Cast includes Jean Rogers, Rob- ert Kellard, Cora Sue Collins, Jay Ward, Helen Free- man, Roger McGee and William Frawley. Otto Brower is the director. GIRL WANTED!—Based on a story by Vina Delmar. One of the most dramatic stories of the decade. A drama of young people who hurriedly plunge into matrimony. A story that reflects the sad awakening of millions of young men and women, who believing themselves to be in love, determined to carry out conventions, dash blindly into an existence that threatens to turn their entire life into a hopeless tragedy. One of the most powerful stories that Mr. Wurtzel will transfer to the screen featuring a cast of young stars. “Boy and Girl,” “Two Flights Up,” “Manhattan Heartbeat,” “Part of Me,” and “No One But Me” are also being considered as possible titles for this production. STORY FOUNDATION FOR MAJOR K-7 PRODUCTIONS The following Zanuck 1939-40 productions are based on best selling novels and popular books: Louis Bromfield's "The Rains Came" "Drums Along the Mohawk" Maeterlinck's "Blue Bird" John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" "Here I Am a Stranger” "Mark of Zorro" "Lady Jane" The following are important stage plays that will be trans- ferred to the screen by Zanuck: "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" "Scotland Yard" Following are his custom-made, original stories: "Stanley and Livingstone" Irving Berlin's "Say It With Music" "Brigham Young" "Swanee River" "Everything Happens at Night" Van Dine's "Shadows in the Snow" "Elsa Maxwell's Hotel for Women" "Public Deb No. I" "20,000 Men a Year" The following are based on widely read stories that ap- peared in nationally circulated magazines: "Dance With the Devil" "The Postman Walks Alone" "A Deal in Hearts" HOLD ME TIGHT—A hilarious comedy with moments of pathos and tenderness, telling the highlights of a young couple’s first year of marriage. The modern story of jitterbugs gone matrimonial. As timely a com- edy as has been announced by any company for produc- tion for next season’s release. Based on Frank Craven’s stage success. TAKE YOUR HAPPINESS—A domestic comedy drama of family obligations that keep a pair of lovers apart until they are forced to take the situation into their own hands. A surprising expose of what youth with a will to win can do. Another adaptation of a stage hit, with cast and director to be announced later. “Detour to Love” and “Happiness Preferred” are other titles being considered for this story. NO MAN IS SAFE—What an exploitation title! And what a story I Here is the story of a girl who selects the man she wants to marry. How she finally wins him furnishes the plot for countless comic situations. A sparkling comedy that will attract much interest. A triangle com- plicates matters, but in the end the girl makes her con- quest. More details later. LIVING HIGH—It is apparent from the subject matter and from the title of the Wurtzel K-7 productions that they will be extremely packed with exploitation pos- sibilities. All of them will carry a higher budget than is represented by any Wurtzel special of the past. “Liv- ing High” is, certainly, a showman's title. The story, already written, is based on the adventures of two couples living beyond their means, who get into plenty of trouble. Their lives almost wrecked by the experi- ZANUCK’S K-7 RESERVE Mr. Zanuck has definitey sef up ihe twenty-four stories that he will transform into 1939-40 productions and these are listed and analyzed in the survey in this section. How- ever, he is indulging in no chance taking and for that reason he has set up a fund of reserve story material which has been written and upon which he can draw in the even!' of any emergency. This reserve includes: Maryland (Technicolor) Little Old New York The Honorable Mr. Poole Khyber Rifles Breach of Discipline He Married His Wife Red Cross Nurse Dance Hall Belle Starr I Was an Adventuress Lillian Russell Father Duffy of the Fighting Sixty-Ninth ence, these couples’ adventures offer lessons in life and how to live—and with a wealth of wholesome hilarity. INSIDE INFORMATION—Another adaptation of a stage play. Trouble comes in bunches when the jockeys at a big race-track get together and “arrange” a race so that the winnings on money they wager can he used to pay for an operation for a brother-rider who has been crippled in a turf accident. This one has lots of excite- ment and unfolds a melodramatic love story. More de- tails later regarding cast and director. SEALED LIPS—A melodramatic adaptation of a stage hit of several years ago. The story of a man who carries a seeret to the electric chair, the secret of his identity, sacrificing his life to save from disgrace those whom he loves. A soul-stirring story. “I Won’t Talk” and “It’s My Secret” are other titles being considered, but “Sealed Lips” is more intriguing and leads itself to vigorous exploitation. JANE WITHERS SERIES—There will be four releases in this series, starring one of the first 10 box office stars, Jane Withers, who was so voted by exhibitors and by ticket-buyers. Her first for the 1939-40 season is “The Chicken Wagon Family” with Leo Carrillo, Mar- jorie Weaver, Kane Richmond, Spring Byington and others. Based on the novel by Barry Benefield. Directed by Herbert I. Leeds. The second is “Roughnecks” and has been referred to as “Tin Hats,” with Jane co-star- ring with the Ritz Brothers. Lynn Bari also is in the cast. Based on story by Lou Breslow and Owen Francis. H. Bruce Humberstone is the director. Third of the series will co-star Gene Autrey, No. 1 cowboy star, in “Jubilo” based on the famous story by Ben Ames Wil- liams. Rest of cast and other details later. New title will be given production. Fourth of the series will be “Texas Kid,” with Jane starting in high school. It is planned to make one high school picture with Jane annually, showing her as freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. The fourth story will be made in San An- tonio, Tex. CISCO KID SERIES—The most important news to come from the Wurtzel camp. Decision to make a series based on the further romantic and dramatic adventures of this colorful outlaw followed numerous requests from ex- hibitors throughout the world. In one story the Cisco Kid will be seen in his homeland, Portugal, a fugitive from America. In another he will be exploring and making new conquests of heart and pocketbook among the “con” men and gold-diggers, glamour girls, etc. of Broadway in New York. Cesar Romero will be starred as the Cisco Kid. A feminine star will play opposite him in each release. More details later. First of the series will be started in a few weeks. CHARLIE CHAN SERIES—There will be four releases in this universally popular series, starring Sidney Toler as the Oriental sleuth. Toler’s characterization of Chan has been praised everywhere. A recent exhibitor survey showed a demand for more releases in this series; hence, the studio announces four for 1939-40. The first will he “Charlie Chan at Treasure Island,” a mystery drama with the Golden Gate International Exposition for its locale. Edward Kaufman will be associate pro- ducer. In the cast also will be Cesar Romero, Pauline Moore, Sen Yung, John Carradine, Sally Blane, Wally Vernon, June Gale, Douglas Fowley, Douglas Dumbrille and Billie Seward. Norman Foster is the director. Sec- ond in series is “Charlie Chan in a City in Darkness”; third, “Charlie Chan in Rio,” and fourth, “Charlie Chan in Washington.” THE JONES FAMILY—There will be four in this estab- lished series. John Stone will he associate producer of the first release, definitely entitled “The Jones Family in Quick Millions,” formerly known as “The Jones Fam- ily at the Grand Canyon.” Directed by Malcolm St. Clair. Robert Shaw, young Dallas “find,” will play the juvenile lead. Helen Erickson, Eddie Collins and John T. Murray also are in cast featuring the original Jones family. In production. Edward Kaufman will be asso- ciate producer on the second release, “The Jones Fam- ily at the World’s Fair.” The last two releases have not yet been titled. The original Jones Family cast will be featured in each production, with cast additions, when required, being “name” players. PETER B. KYNE STORY—Based on story, “Corn Cob Kelly,” but a new title will be announced later. More details later. DOG MELODRAMAS—Based on a story by James Oliver Curwood, featuring cleverest dog in Hollywood. More details later.