Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

PflflflJJfiTJM] MS'tm MAY 14th, 1938 11 The Inside on the Important Studios' Activities COLUMBIA Things continue rather slowly here. Three films shooting— an action opus, a western and "You Can't Take It With You." This picture returns to the Col. fold those two strikers, Jean Arthur and Frank Capra. Understand the script of this stage hit has been revamped considerably. If anything Capra and Riskm will improve it. . . . Signing of Dietrich is regarded as a bold stroke for this organization. Best angle of the deal is the indication that Capra will megaphone her first picture. It will probably be a yarn based on the lives of Chopin and George Sand, a story idea which has been collecting moths in this studio for sometime. It strikes us that a more modern and popular subject would be appropriate if Harry Cohn seriously expects to restore Dietrich's popularity. GRAND NATIONAL This outfit is doing its damndest to pull itself out from the abyss of 77B, a state of affairs closely but not quite approximating bankruptcy. Eddie Alperson production is being handled solely by Max and Arthur Alexander who have turned out three Ken Maynard westerns recently. The company has not yet decided to release them. . . . That talked-of deal whereby E. W. Hammons and Nat Levine would come into the outfit is reported cold. Some circles believe it is still on the fire opining that this or some similar deal is the only salvation of G-N. . . . GaumontBritish was reported attempting to buy out the company's exchanges. Coast reports on this angle are uninformative. It looks like it was just a publicity blurb. M-G-M Only two new productions started within the last two weeks, "Give And Take," and "Too Hot To Handle." Two others "The Great Waltz" and "Love Finds Andy Hardy" (one of the Judge Hardy series) will be given the starting guns as this issue goes to press. However, the company is still far behind schedule. Only a few more than half the 52 pictures skedded for the 37-38 season have been actually completed. It will require a heavier pick-up in studio activity than this if the company even hopes to meet the minimum requirements of its contracts. Five release dates have already been misses and those going out late this month are both programmers — "Swiss Miss" and "Hold That Kiss." . . . The outcome of the Schenk visit is the fact that Eddie Mannix will have considerably more to say regarding production policies than heretofore. However, his rumored difficulties with Mayer are now believed to be over. . . . Jack Chertok's shorts will now go in for well known stars and feature players. Johnny Downs has been spotted for "It's In The Stars," to inaugurate this policy. MONOGRAM Enthusiasm is high here for the '38 39 season. . . . Only one picture before the camera this week, "Romance of the Limberlcst," a Gene Stratton Porter yarn. . . . With both Eastern and studio executives in Cincinnati for the annual convention there is a dearth of actual production data. Seven more productions will wipe the '37-'38 slate clean, after which Dunlap and his capable associates will start on the company's ambitious new program. . . . The switchover of Tex Ritter to this studio, reported earlier on this page, may be construed as definite in view of the star's presence at the convention. PARAMOUNT This outfit is the most relaxed in Hollywood. It is meeting all release dates and has a fairly good line-up for the next few weeks what with "Cocoanut Grove," "You and. Me," "Stolen Heaven," and "College Swing," which, despite an adverse press, is reported to be clicking in the first run spots. "Men With Wings," on which considerable stock stuff has already been shot finally went to work after countless delays. It is getting lots of attention. . . . With the renewal of William Le Baron's contract for an additional three years, indications are that Adolph Zukor will have less to do with actual production. It is believed here in Hollywood that henceforth he will divide his time between New York and Hollywood at which points he will be chiefly concerned with the administrative end of the company. . . . The economy axe is still in evidence here, some of it a bit silly, but this is one company which does need paring in certain departments. PROGRESSIVE Here's an interesting new indie outfit headed by Ben Judell, the former mid-Western distributor. Associated with him as producers are Melville Shyer and Lon Young. Originally skedded to produce twelve pictures during their first year, upon the completion of three of them (see production record) Judell decided to increase his program to 48 films. Most of these will be exploitation and action pictures, with six comedies to be made by El Brendel and J. Farrell MacDonald. Altogether its an attractive line-up. Judell is certainly equipped to sense the pulse of an audience. If he can get his first hand knowledge of what filmgoers like into his pictures, this organization should have little trouble carving a niche for itself in the indie field. (Coii/iiiui il on page ' )