Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

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Rumor has it that Lee Marcus, the ex-RKOer, will shortly join Republic as a producer. . .Professional football player Sammy Baugh is sought for a term deal. He just completed "King of the Texas Rangers". . .James Grainger reports that every key city on the Pacific coast will play Republic next season. . .Frances Gifford, Republic's serial queen, will follow "Jungle Girl" with a chapterplay called "Perils of Nyoka"...22 pictures are set for production during the next four months. IN PRODUCTION — "Three Texas Rangers" (Three MesQuiteers), "Apache Kid" (Don Barry-Lynn Merrick). PREPARING — "Down Mexico Way" (Gene Autry), "Pardon My Stripes," "Gobs in Blue," "Lady for a Night," "Chatterbox" (Judy Canova). REPUBLIC CASTINGS: Eddie Foy, Jr., Ketty Kean in "Yokel Boy" ... Shirley Ross. William Lundigan, Ruth Donnelly, Mae Clark, Jane Frazee, Jane Kean in "("(Oils in BlUH." RKO-RADIO It is being rumored that the RKO picture is far from being as rosy as originally expected when Joe Breen took over the production helm. The fly in the ointment is Sol Lesser, who appears to be dividing authority with Breen. The result is general confusion — worse than before — and Mr. Breen is said to be having the devil's own time attempting to placate the outfit's production personnel who resent Lesser's alleged dogmatic ways. Although Breen has the upper hand by virtue of his position as studio head, insiders say that he may throw in the towel shortly and eliminate himself from the RKO set-up. Again it is worth noting the observation made by this department several times recently to the eflect that those in charge of production are less responsible for the poor achievements and glum prospects at RKO than those who control the company's financial structure. Too many outfits have their fingers in the RKO pie and it is becoming increasingly apparent that there can never be any successful collaboration between the Rockefeller and the Odium interests. The present situation of divided executive authority is an instance where each group wants his own man representing it at the studio, regardless of the consequences. In January of this year we wrote the following comment — one that, unfortunately, still applies today: "Unless the money men agree or agree to part company and give RKO its head, this outfit might not survive a season under the blocks-of-five plan!" With the Disney strike settled, Sam Goldwyn has resumed conferences with the cartoon genius on filming of "Hans Christian Anderson." Further Goldwyn plans will find "Ball of Fire," with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck in co-starring roles, going into production after "Little Foxes." Later, the producer will start on "Treasure Chest" with Bob Hope. The Lou Gehrig film, which Paul Gallico is writing, is slated to get under way in November. "Seventh Cavalry" completes the Goldwyn program for the moment. It is about General Custer and looms as a likely vehicle for Cooper. Hollywood was that surprised when the findings of the Audience Research Institute showed that stars who limit their screen appearances to one or two pictures a year do serious injury to their marquee value. On the other hand, it was found, that stars who make three pictures a year show an average gain in marque value of 9 percent. The survey also disclosed that doubling and tripling top stars in pictures meant little at the box-office, often," resulting in a waste of one of the names involved. Some precious notions about audiences were shaken when the survey stated that it is impossible to gauge whether men or women predominate as film fans — it depends solely on the type of attraction offered. Oldsters and young people comprise the bulk of America's movie-going public. Pictures become less of a habit after 30 — when marriage and family responsibilities consume time. Jack Moss has become Orson Welles' partner and will report at RKO after he completes his stint on Walter Wanger's "Sundown." Moss is the producer of "The Biscuit Eater" and "The Shepherd of the Hills." He will start working with Welles immediately on the four-picture program Mercury Productions has announced to begin in mid-September. Charles Laughton figures in William Dieterle's plan to film the life of Samuel Gompers, father of the American Federation of Labor. Dieterle has clarified his RKO status and "Gompers" will be one of two pictures he will deliver for release next season... Tay Garnett has checked off the RKO lot after being unable to get together with the studio. . .There's a nimor that Damon Runyon will become an RKO producer-writer. IN PRODUCTION— "Playmates" ( Kay KyserJohn Barrymore), "Scattergood Meets Broadway" (Guy KibbeeWilliam Henry), "Four Jacks and a Queen" (Ray Bolger-Anne Shirley), "Land of the Open Range" (Tim Holt'Lasses White). PREPARING— "The Marines Are Ready" (Victor McLaglenEdmund Lowe), "Valley of the Sun" (Dorothy Comingore), "Joan of Paris" (Michele Morgan) and "Passage from Bordeaux." CASTINGS: SImone .Simon, Binnle Barnes. Jack Holt, Dorothy Lovett In "fall Out the Marines" .. .James Craig in "Gwangi" . . . Adolphe Menjou, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville in "Syncopation" .. .Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester in "No More Gas"... Patsy Kelly in "I'm Dying to Live"... Leslie Goodwins to "Call Out the Marines." 20th CENTURY-FOX What looks like a defiant step was the submission by Howard Hughes of "The Outlaw" to the New York and Pennsylvania censor boards. The idea behind the move was to ascertain whether the cuts ordered by those groups would be greater or fewer than the ones demanded by the Hays office. Film circles say that if Hughes is convinced that the Hays boys are overzealous, he will withdraw from his 20th Century releasing deal and sell the film minus a seal. This would be the first time an important picture has stood up against the code administrators. Indie exploitation films and sensational "sex" attractions occasionally take their chances. If the Hughes' threat materializes, there would be a precedent involving untold ramifications. The major companies have found it more expedient to heed the provisions of the Hays code to the letter, but there are many independent producers, some with major releases, who would welcome the opportunity of testing code enforcement. Not much is being made of the Hughes matter here in Hollywood — it being too explosive and touchy for widespread publicity. A local tipster wants to know if Darryl Zanuck has a writer working on the life story of New York's ex-mayor, Jimmy Walker. If the 20th Century head has, he should pick up a copy of one of the current detective rags which has a picture of the taxi-driver involved in the New York police shooting this spring. Standing bcSide him, as dapper as ever, is Jimmy Walker but there's nary a mention of hizzoner in the caption. . .Louis King will direct Jane Withers in "Young America" which, because of its 4-H Clubs angle, is being given a budget appropriation of $500,000. . .Bringing his schedule of productions to six, Mark Hellinger has been assigned "The Girl Who Danced for Hitler" which will have an original screenplay by Frank Nugent, ex-New York Times film editor... John Stahl has checked into the Westwood plant to prepare "Another Spring" as his first production. IN PRODUCTION— "How Green Was My Valley" (Roddy MacDowellWalter Pidgeon), "Cadet Girl" (Carole Landis-George Montgomery), "Swamp Water" (Walter HustonWalter Brennan), "Great Guns" (Laurel and Hardy), "Hot Spot" (Betty GrableVictor Mature) and "Confirm or Deny" (Don Ameche-Joan Bennett). CASTINGS: Maureen O'Hara. Harry Davenport, Halliwell Hobbes, Ann Todd. Roddy MacDowell, John Carradine in "Benjamin Blake" .. .Carole Landis. Cr'sar Romero, Milton Berle in "Between the Devil" ... Randolph Scott, Linda Darnell in "Sioux City'...Jack Oakie, George Montgomery in "Flight Surgeon."' UNITED ARTISTS The reason production has been postponed on "The Corsican Brothers" may stem from the production ambitions nurtured by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Announced as associate producer on the picture, Fairbanks is also its star and there seem to be disagreements between him and producer Edward Small who, incidentally, is one of the toughest little fellows in the business. A sage and experienced film man who makes his critics swallow their words. Small will undoubtedly have the difficulties ironed out in time to bsgin production on the new starting date, August 21. After a short delay in Lisbon, Ernest Schoedsack has reached England to assist in the filming of "The Eagle Squadron," the Argosy production Walter Wanger is to release through United Artists. The arrival of Schoedsack signalled the immediate start of production which will show the organization and combat service of the American flying unit of Britain's R.A.F. for the first time on the screen. Producer Merian C. Cooper recently spent three months arranging for the filming of the story. Henry Watts has been chosen to direct and members of the American unit will be among the principals in the film's aerial fighting scenes. Walter Wanger will make "Cheyenne," an original screen play by William Rankin and Winston Miller. A modern story, "Cheyenne" will have John Wayne in the leading role, plus Bruce Cabot and Gene Tierney. Henry Hathaway will direct .. .Another item from Wanger discloses that Clarence E. Eriksen, vice-president and general manager for the producer's company, has resigned. How much penance must "Lydia" pay was the problem faced by Alexander Korda when his picture was turned down recently by the purity lads at the Hays office. Having rewritten and photographed a new ending in which Merle Oberon as the title character "suffers and suffers" for her sins, Korda and Miss Oberon were gratified by a Hays seal and left for New York. IN PRODUCTION— "Sundown" (Gene Tierney-Bruce Cabot), "Jung'.e Book" (Sabu-Jerome Cowan), "Miss Polly" (Zasu PittsSlim Summerville). PREPARING— "The Corsican Brothers" (Edward Small). (Continued On Page 16) AUGUST 9, 1941 II