Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

David Selznick for the femme lead opposite Spencer Tracy in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". . .Ruth Hussey and Robert Cummings have been set for the leads in "Free and Easy," based on Ivor Novello's play, "The Truth Game." Eddie Buzzell will direct. Here's the current production line-up at Metro: "The Ziegfeld Girl" (James StewartJudy Garland), "Billy, the Kid" (Robert Taylor-Brian Donlevy), "Rage in Heaven" (Robert MontgomeryIngrid Bergman), "Andy Hardy's Private Secretary" (Lewis StoneMickey Rooney), "The Trial of Mary Dugan" (Laraine Day-Robert Young) and "Free and Easy" (Ruth Hussey-Robert Cummings). l'.\S'ri-N<iS: Gene Reynolrts. I'hil Silvers. JSflgai Barrier, Warren -Vshe in "Roi. . ';(>■".. .I>on Chianey. Jr.. I'liill Wills. Connie Gilchrist, Eddie Dunn. Jules Cowlc.«, lOdwin J. Brady. Guiiiii Williams in ■'Billy the Kid"... David Clyde. Frank Shannon in "Rase in Hea\ in" .. .Joseph Crehan, Roscoe Karns, Jr., Lee I'hili's in ".Vndy Haiil\s I'rixate Secretary" ... Marjorle Main, Anna Xills.in. ciill Claik. .\.ira l'. ir\. I'ierie Watkins, George Watts, Larry Wheal in "I'll' TiiMl ni .\l,ir\ liim^in". . ('. Aubrey Smith, (^laude King, Theresa CoTiMv.i. iM\is i;iiiMi. Sii! Al:.;irr. charle.s Coleman in "Free and Ea.sy" . . . 1>1KK< I'OK .\>SI<.\MK.\ I'S: Harold .S. Buequet to "Roosty"... MONOGRAM That rumor of a merger between Monogram and Progressive Pictures was vehemently denied by W. R. Johnston, who told your reporter that no such move was ever discussed. . ."Her First Romance," the Edith Fellows' staiTcr, is doing nicely in a first run engagement at Hollywood's Hawaii Theatre. PARAMOUNT Sol Siegel's first production for Paramount is expected to start in the middle of February. It may be "Joan of Arkansas," a hillbilly yarn, to star little Betty Brewer. Siegel just drew Paramount's perennial "The Night of January 16" and will ready it as one of the 16 pictures he will make between now and the end of 1941 . . . Something new in personal appearance tours is being lined up by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. They will begin a golfing tour in March, teamed with two professionals. The proceeds go to British War Relief. Crosby and Hope will make theatre appearances in the towns they play . . . Paramount will bring radio's "Quiz Kids" to the screen in a series of shorts... The anticipated shake-up in this studio's publicity department materialized with the departure of several publiciteers, who have been replaced by Murphy McHenry, Hy Dabb, John Wolfenden and Bernard Kamins. . .Jean Parker has been cast opposite Richard Arlen in "Power Dive". . .Ernest HemingTvay is in town to confer on the nim version of "For Whom the Bell Tolls". . .Paramount wants James Stewart for DeMille's "Reap the Wild Wind". . .There is going to be more comedy in at least one of Harry Sherman's Hopalong Cassidy westerns — "The Shiek of Buffalo Butte," which will record Cassidy's adventures in the harems of mystic Araby. . ."Caught in the Draft" will co-star Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Production is slow at Paramount where only two pictures are shootmg: "Las Vegas Nights" (Phil Regan-Bert Wheeler) and "One Night m Lisbon" (Madeleine Carroll-Fred MacMurrayi. Ove^JInn'^^-itf r^'"' ^''^'"'' Castle in "Power Dive" . . . Lvnne .n "The xf^h^ f t"^''''"" "-""""^ '''' Seas"... Robert Prc^.ston ,Z January 1 Ht h" . . . Liuian Cornell, Margaret Haves in "R-i,« naid M<(,onMll.-... Joan ol Arkansas" by David Garth... REPUBLIC T^.rJuv^ ■''^^^^^^^ ^^^''^ '"^y ^ surpri.se announcement from Republic in the very near future concerning the addition of several top-ranking producers. Republic has been steadily increasing its first-run bookings and with the Consent Decree's operation, it is estimated that Republic can double this amount if it can turn out iSL iml S''""^""^^ required... John Wayne and Edward Ellis will have the leads in "Citadel of Crime". .. "You'll Never Get ! "'^'^ ""^ "I^°okies Roost," Republic's draft story .t.ff f Z ^""^P^^ted assignments and three more joined the • taff at Republic last week as the studio pressed preparations for the heavy production .schedule it is about to launch Charles Butterworth gets a top-line in "Sis Hopkins," which will' co-star Judy Canova and Bob Crosby. The following pictures are .shooting at Republic "Petticoat Pontics" (Weaver Family,. "Two-Gun Sheriff" .Donarry-vSnta ?nT'Can a^n'^S "''T'"'" '^""^ Livingston-Bob Steele-Su'fc Da" ) and Captain Marvel" (serial). ^^''^L^'Z^oT^l.ulr'^^^^^ '"""<i-" ■J'.'.n Wayne, Mulhall. Harry AVo th no Stt-^^^^^^^^ Xc , • ■ • -'"ck I'embroke ,n "The A I'entJrlH of f^^n a^^ Morrison. George Krlc Alden, .Tack n.r.^.^T^^luc:;:^'^,^^^, ...Alexander Lertwlch, 10 RKO-RADIO The long delayed RKO shake-up has not yet materialized, but with the scheduled arrival of George Schaefer on January 15, something of the sort is anticipated. . .The Coast premiere of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" will take place next month. Frank Braden, Ringling Brothers circus press agent, has been signed by Walt Disney to handle the nation-wide exploitation of the film. Braden will rejoin the circus in the Spring . . . Alan Mowbray and Donald MacBride will continue their show business series, according to the terms of contracts recently signed with the players for four pictures annually. . .RKO has tentatively lined up Burgess Meredith, George Murphy and James Ellison as the "Tom, Dick and Harry" ol the next Ginger Rogers' staiTer. . .Randolph Scott will headline "True to Form". . .Rosemary Lane and Dennis O'Keefe have been cast in "Hang Out the Moon" and Joan Fontaine will move over to RKO for the femme lead in "Before the Fact," in which Alfred Hitchcock will direct Cary Grant. . .RKO and Stephens-Lang are discussing a renewal of the Dr. Christian series... The war has knocked the pins out from under Walt Disney whose "Pinocchio" gross represents a substantial loss... John Carroll will be seen opposite Anna Neagle in "Sunny." Three pictures are shooting here: "They Met in Argentina" (Jimmy Ellison-Maureen O'Hara), "The Devil and Miss Jones" (Jean Arthur-Robert Cummings-Charles Coburn) and "Show Business" (Alan Mowbray-Donald MacBride), C.'VSTIXiS: Chester Clute. Gene Collins, Eddie Bordon, Tom Hanlon, Kitty O'Neil, Donald Kerr. Jack Carr, Frank Moran in "Show Business" ... Walter Tetley, p'lorence Bates in "The Devil and Miss Jones ' ... Antonio Moreno in "They Met in Argentina"... 20th CENTURY-FOX "How Green Was My Valley" has been postponed pending the availability of Laurence Olivier and Wilfred Lawson, wno are both in England. Meanwhile, William Wyler may report to Samuel Goldwyn and the director's berth on "Little Foxes" ... Jack Oakie is to be launched again as a star at 20th Century and "Song and Dance Man" is in the front as a venicle for the comedian who has staged a sensational comeback. . ."Miami" is the title of a Harry Brown production wnich goes into production late in January, with Betty (jrrable in the leaa...20th uentury is allowing its contract wicn the Dionne Quintuplets to lapse... This studio's writing staff is operating at fuu speed in order to prepare a big bacKiog of product for August, so that 20th will have several blocks-of-five ready for discrioution. . . Zanuck has taken a two-picture option on Milton Bene. The following pictures are now in production: "The Outlaw" (Walter Hustoni'homas Mitchell), "Dead Men Tell" (Sidney TolerSen Yung), "Kide on, Vaquero" (Cesar Romero-Mary Beth Hughes), "A Very xoung Lady" iJane Withers-Nancy Keliy) and "Blood and Sand' i lyione Power-Nancy Kelly). t VSTlXti.S: Betiy Grable. Charlotte Greenwood, Jack Haley in "Miami"... Buddy Pepper in "A Very Young Lady" . . . Lolita Lane, Milton Parsons, Truman Bradley, Ethel Griffies, Fay Helm, Paul McGrath in "Dead Men Tell". . .Frank Orth, Dick Rich, Paul Kruger, Jack Pennick in "Ride on Vaquero". . .Mildred Cover. Erville Alderson. Francis Ford, Lois Lanclon, Charles Walilron. Charles Trowbridge, Ivar McFadden in "Tobacco Road"... UNITED ARTISTS Projection room previews have been denounced by the Hollywood press gentry for varied reasons. Now U. A. producers David Loew and ^loert Lewin have termed projection room previews as "another ill-timed move to rob Hollywood of its color " and declared that "So Ends Our Night" will have its press showing at the Cnine.se Theatre on January 21. . .Paul Czinner is said to be dickering with 20th Century-Fox for the rights to "Rings on Her Fingers" as a vehicle for Elizabeth Bergner. . .Fred Stanley takes over the publicity reigns for Richard Rowland. . .That David O. Selznick is ready to resume active production is indicated by the engagement of a publicity director. . .Richard Rowland has scheduled "The Battle of Britain" as his next production for UA...It is whispered in Hollywood that a peace pact is in the making between Samuel Goldwyn and United Artists. This will undoubtedly affect the other problems that must be ironed out between the company and its producers. Murray Silverstone is due in Hollywood for conferences within the near future. Now shooting: "Pot O' Gold" (James Stewart-Paulette Goddard) and "Broadway Limited" (Victor McLaglen-Marjorie Woodworth). l'.\,»*Tl.\«;.S: .\ldricli l!,.\vker. N'irginia (;airoll. .V.-lli,. .Nichols, Adele Smith, (Continued On Page 16) FILM BULLETIN