Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

10 %depende+tt EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Size-Ups (Continued from page 9) scheduled for work during the nexl few weeks. . . . Budget paring is once again a subject for vital consideration by this company's executives. At the lime of the widespread production lull last Spring, Paramount was the worst hit by the economy bug. The tightening of the purse strings evolved into a concentration of effort, which resulted in a considerably belter Paramount product than its customers had been receiving. However, the feeling exists that further curtailment of expenditures can be judiciously effected, particularly in the A division. The company is most desirous of regaining its prestige in this classification, something that has been partially accomplished by such releases as If I Were King, Sing You Sinners and Spawn of the North. But Paramount executives are of the opinion that costs on pictures of this calibre should be held within reasonable limits to avoid any recurrence of the costly flops which afflicted last season's product. The present appraisal of the company's product has also revealed that the grosses on many of Paramount's program offerings have in many cases exceeded those of the so-called "specials." Some issues ago this department commented on the general excellence of these B features. It is interesting to learn that audience response has been similarly favorable. This may result in a decision by Paramount officials to increase B budgets, allowing these pictures a wider latitude of material, as well as permitting the use of draw players. . . . Despite reports to the contrary, Paramount has tentatively approved a contract with Harry Sherman whereby he will contribute eight Hopalong Cassidy westerns on the '39-'40 program. In our opinion these outdoor pictures are the best on the market. Apparently Paramount is satisfied with the returns — hence the contract renewal. . . . Paramount will release Charles Laughton's British feature, The Beachcomber. REPUBLIC Only one feature shooting here — Red River Range (Three Mesquiteers). Coming up on this company's immediate schedule are All the Tomorrows and Wagons Westward. Desired names for the latter have not been secured as yet. There is a report to the effect that the studio may use players from the legitimate stage and utilize the salary saving for exploitation. . . . Our belief that James Gleason would return to the Republic fold was substantiated when the comedian signatured a new contract calling for his appearance in the contemplated sequels to The Higgins Family. Lucille and Russell Gleason also will be included in the pictures. RKO-RADIO Production on this lot has been raised to five features with the beginning of Pacific Liner (Victor McLaglen) and The Castles which co-stars Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in a story based on the lives of the internationally famous dancers, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle. This should be Boxoffice in capital letters, not only because of the marquee value of the stars but because there are few entertainers in show business as well remembered as The Castles. . . . With George Schaefer in as president, operations at this plant are proceeding at minimum cost pending the again delayed release of the company from 77B. There is a growing conviction here that when this is accomplished RKO will immediately revert to unit production, each unit to be financed separately by the banking groups behind the company. Among those mentioned for the new set-up are Capra, Milestone, La Cava, Leo McCarey, Manny Cohen and B. P. Schulberg. 201h CENTURY-FOX Production is slightly lower than usual here with five features currently filming, the only new addition to the line-up being Charlie Chan in Honolulu. This letup may be traced to the fact that with the completion of Tail Spin, Zanuck will have cleaned up his schedule of releases up to February of next year. The Wurtzel unit will begin heavy activity shortly to complete its commitments for the second half of the '38-'39 program. . . . Despite generally favorable reviews in Suez, French Annabella has left this lot due to casting difficulties. . . . The picturization of Louis Bromfield's novel The Rains Came may find Marlene Dietrich and Ronald Colman in top spots. This is skedded to be one of the biggest productions on the 20th Century schedule. . . . Edward Ebele, former production manager, is being groomed for a producer berth. . . . Economy drive is also evident on this lot. William Koenig, studio manager, is reaching into the technical department to cut expenses by eliminating unnecessary members of camera crews etc. UNITED ARTISTS Duke of West Point (Small) is the only feature shooting here eand is rapidly approaching completion. . . . Next to start will probably be Wuthering Heights (Goldwyn). . . . Script difficulties are holding up It's Spring Again, first of the Hal Roach comedies co-starring Oliver Hardy and Harry Langdon. . . . This company is running far behind last year's pace and the product is far lower in quality. UNIVERSAL With six pictures in production, is rapidly accomplishing its aim of cleaning up commitments in the B division before starting work on the several top features due by the first of the year. . . . Rebuilding of the sound stages and other studio buildings is going ahead at a fast rate. . . . Eastern reports that Danielle Darrieux had washed up her Universal deal were denied by coast executives who maintained that Miss Darrieux was ill necessitating a postponement of her next picture until 1939. News stories say thai the pert French miss will undergo a serious operation in Paris shortly. It may be many months before she returns. WARNERS Four new pictures have started here, the most important being Oklahoma Kid (James Cagney) and Always Leave Them Laughing (Dick Powell). . . . Juarez will start production in the middle of this month. Regarding that picture, it is interesting to note that a recently produced play Juarez and Maxmillian was purchased by WB ostensibly with the idea of incorporating some of its material into the screenplay. It is more likely that it was bought to prevent another company from turning out a similar story before WB gets its expensive enterprise screened. The same thing occurred with an independent picture based on the same exciting chapter in Mexican history. Lack of funds caused a halt in the very middle of production. Reports have it that the footage was bought by WB for its nuisance value. . . . Warners is leading the Lincoln race with its technicolor short Lincoln in the White House. . . . This outfit has shelved its Tammany Hall story, probably because the Hines trial did not come off as the expected final defeat of this fabulous political organization.