The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

THE NATIONAL MIRROR 9 Universal Announces Complete ’39 -’40 Lineup Cincinnati Convention Hears Plans Highlights of Universal’s 1939-40 program, as announced by W. A. Scully, general sales manager, at the first regional convention in Cincinnati this week, were as follows: An increase of $5,000,000 over last year’s production budget. Forty feature pictures. Stars already assigned include: Deanna Durbin, Edgar Bergen and "Charlie McCarthy,” Bing Crosby, Irene Dunne, W. C. Fields, James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Jackie Cooper, Freddie Bartholomew, Danielle Darrieux, Basil Rathbone, Charles Boyer. Release of four special attractions of "road show calibre” in addition to the 40. Harry Edington will produce three: "The Atlantic Cable,” with Doug Fairbanks, Jr.; Cary Grant in a famous play; "Green Hell,” an original by Frances Marion, while the fourth is "The Mikado,” in Technicolor, with Kenny Baker and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Players. Naming of Joe Pasternak, Henry Koster, John M. Stahl, Anatole Litvak, David Butler, Richard Wallace, Rowland V. Lee, Lester Cowan, Ben Stoloff and Joe May as some of the men already assigned to make the company’s top-bracket product and the announcement that negotiations are now on for other outstanding directors in the industry. The Cincinnati convention at the NetherlandsPlaza Hotel will be followed by conventions in Chicago and San Francisco. The picture and star list as presented by Scully confirmed fully a convention message sent to Nate Blumberg, president, Universal, by Cliff Work, studio head, that the new season would see the greatest number of top ranking pictures ever released by the company in any one year. Full production plans and commitments to assure this release have been completed, Blumberg assured his audience of home office executives, district managers and salesmen. According to the announcement, Universal will have, in addition to the program of 40, a series of seven "outdoor” pictures, starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine; a series of seven Westerns, starring John Mack Brown; four serials; 13 two-reel and 43 single-reel subjects and a special two-reel subject, "March of Freedom.” There will be 104 issues of Universal’s Newsreel. The complete product list presented to the convention by Scully, follows: TWO DEANNA DURBIN PICTURES— To be produced by Joe Pasternak, with an eye to the basic principles of this young star’s dramatic and romantic development. THE OCEAN BETWEEN— Directed by Henry Koster, to be produced by Joe Pasternak, from the story of Bruno Frank. A BING CROSBY PRODUCTION— Foremost song and story writers are now preparing for this picture, to be directed by David Butler. AN EDGAR BERGEN-CHARLIE MCCARTHY PRODUCTION — With "Mortimer Snerd,” amplified by other star names. David Butler will direct. AN IRENE DUNNE PICTURE— A romantic comedy. A JOHN M. STAHL PRODUCTION, "Bull By the Horns” — From the best-seller by Charles Bonner. A W. C. FIELDS PICTURE— Lester Cowan will produce. A MARGARET SULLAVAN PRODUCTION. A JOE PASTERNAK PRODUCTION, "The Under Pup,” starring Gloria Jean. This new youngster, discovered by Pasternak, in a screenplay by Grover Jones taken from I. A. R. Wylie’s story from Good Housekeeping Magazine. Richard Wallace will direct. A JAMES STEWART PICTURE— In a show to be produced by Joe Pasternak. Mischa Auer has already been signed as the first member of a supporting cast. TOWER OF LONDON,” starring Basil Rathbone — and a cast of important players, to be produced, directed by Rowland V. Lee. "VICTORIA DOCKS AT 8,” starring Basil Rathbone. Story by Rufus King, to be produced and directed by Richard Wallace. DANIELLE DARRIEUX IN "RIO”— A Joe Pasternak production. In its top bracket division, Universal will include the following 10 pictures: "THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS”— A sequel to H. G. Wells’ "The Invisible Man.” Directed by Joe May. Two pictures starring JACKIE COOPER and FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW— "Flying Cadets,” to be produced by Burt Kelly, directed by Joseph Santley; and "Bright Victory.” "RETURN OF THE SHEIK”— A production of the French Foreign Legion, to be produced and directed by Ben Stoloff. Two "Family Next Door” pictures — A continuation of the series to star Hugh Herbert, Joy Hodges, Ruth Donnelly, Eddie Quillan, Juanita Quigley, "Sandy.” Max Golden will be the associate producer. Jackie Cooper in "HIS SON.” Two "LITTLE TOUGH GUYS” productions. "FRIDAY THE 13TH” — starring Karloff and Lugosi. Bal ance of the 40 pictures will include four special exploitation pictures with the following titles: "LIVE ALONE AND LIKE IT,” "ADVICE TO THE LOVELORN,” "CONVICTED WOMEN,” "MISSING EVIDENCE.” Four musical productions entitled: "PENTHOUSE SERENADE,” "DANCING FOR LOVE,” "RHYTHM FOR SALE,” "ROMANCE IN THE TROPICS.” To complete the feature picture program attractions will be selected, on a flexible basis, from the following story properties owned by Universal: "THE HOUSE OF FEAR,” "OLD GRAD,” "DISTRESS SIGNAL,” "EYES OF THE COAST GUARD,” "VICE RING,” "HERO FOR A NIGHT,” "JAIL BABY,” "HOMICIDE BUREAU,” "HIDDEN MONEY,” "INQUIRING REPORTER,” "WITNESS VANISHES,” "REFUGEE,” "FRONT PAGE CONFESSION,” "COUNTERFEIT RING,” 'FREEDOM OF THE AIR,” "GHOST SHIP.” The following will be made in addition to the 40 pictures announced above: SEVEN OUTDOOR PICTURES starring RICHARD ARLEN and ANDY DEVINE— Produced by Ben Pivar, entitled: "RAGING RIVERS,” "WAY OF THE WEST,” "MAN FROM MONTREAL,” "AIR EXPRESS,” "IN OLD CALIFORNIA,” "STEEL,” "SEA PATROL.” SEVEN WESTERNS starring JOHN MACK BROWN. FOUR SERIALS— which are "THE GREEN HORNET,” "THE PHANTOM CREEPS” with BELA LUGOSI, "THE OREGON TRAIL” with JOHN MACK BROWN, "BUCK ROGERS CONQUERING THE UNIVERSE” with LARRY CRABBE. "Combination-Show” re-issue of "My Man Godfrey” and "The Old Dark House.” Stars include CAROLE LOMBARD, WILLIAM POWELL, CHARLES LAUGHTON, MELVYN DOUGLAS, MISCHA AUER, RAYMOND MASSEY. SHORTS — Thirteen new special color cartoons feature Universal’s short product production plans. There will be 15 each made of the "Going Places” and the "Stranger than Fiction” series. Another innovation for Universal includes 13 special two-reel musicals. Using its complete studio facilities, the company will utilize these pictures as a medium of introduction for the budding talent in Hollywood not immediately suitable for feature pictures. "The March of Freedom,” a special two-reeler, is included on the shorts program. There will be 104 issues (twice weekly) of the Universal Newsreel. In his discussion on sales policy, Scully said it was designed to conform with the proposed fair practice code when adopted. Stars who will appear in the 193 9-40 product as announced by Scully include: Deanna Durbin, W. S. Fields, Bing Crosby, Edgar Bergen and "Charlie McCarthy” and "Mortimer Snerd,” Irene Dunne, James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Basil Rathbone, Jackie Cooper, Freddie Bartholomew, Danielle Darrieux, Mischa Auer, Gloria Jean, George Murphy, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Little Tough Guys, Bela Lugosi, Joy Hodges, Richard Arlen, Dorothy Arnold, John Mack Brown, Larry Crabbe, Robert Cummings, Andy Devine, Virginia Field, Preston Foster, Nan Grey, Hugh Herbert, Irene Hervey, Samuel S. Hinds, William Lundigan, Constance Moore, Jerry Marlowe, Helen Parrish, Juanita Quigley, Frances Robinson, "Sandy,” Charles Boyer. Complete list of directors and producers includes the following: David Butler, Lester Cowan, Max Golden, Ken Goldsmith, Edmund Grainger, Burt Kelly, Henry Koster, Rowland V. Lee, Anatole Litvak, Joe May, Henry McCrae, Jos Pasternak, Ben Pivar, Al Ray, Phil Rosen, Joseph Santley, John M. Stahl, Ben Stoloff, Richard Wallace, George Yohalem, Harold Young. In addition to Scully, Blumberg and 8 5 district managers and salesmen representing the eastern states, those who attended the convention included: J. H. Seidelman, vice-president in charge of foreign affairs; F. J. A. McCarthy, eastern sales manager; W. J. Heineman, western sales manager; also F. T. Murray, Charles A. Kirby, Clarence Margon, James Jordan, O. C. Binder, Andrew Sharick, Morris Alin, Louis Pollock. CONVFNTIONEERING UNIVERSALITES. Participating in the Universal Convention in Cincinnati earlier this week were these distinguished gentlemen from the New York home office. From left to right, they are Nate J. Blumberg, president; William A. Scully, general sales manager; J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the board of directors; Cliff Work, vice-president in charge of production; F. J. A. McCarthy, eastern division sales manager; John E. Joseph, director of advertising, publicity, and exploitation; Louis Pollock, eastern director of advertising and publicity. April 19, 1939