Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1951)

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STUDIO SIZ6-UPS (Continued from Page 16) ing slates, Fox will continue to give considerable attention to dramatic productions with unusual twists. Naturally, this does not mean that comedies will be by-passed, but merely that no greater emphasis is being placed on that type of the script than in the past. Among the important dramatic properties in the final stages of preparation are: "Skid Row," a Joseph Bernhard-Anson Bond production; "Anne of the Indies," to be produced by George Jessel and "The Marriage Broker Story," a Charles Brackett assignment. UNITED ARTISTS IF KRAVETZ OPTION IS CLEARED, NEW UA CAN ROLL ^/HILE the muddled affairs of United Artists appear to be straightened out, with a new triumvirate of Arthur B. Krim, Robert Benjamin and Matthew Fox at the controls, there is still one "little detail" to be settled before tneir title is clear. A monkey wrench was thrown in the works by Max Kravetz, who argues, apparently with sound cause, that he holds an option on the PickfordChaplin stock, and which he will not relinquish. Most sources in Hollywood are of the opinion that the Krim-Benjamin deal will be consummated, but Mr. Kravetz will have to be satisfied in some way. The contract of the new operators with Chaplin and Pickford has been placed in escrow, and last Monday (Feb. 19) they took over at the New York office. Despite a lot of conjecture, no definite statement has been made as to the exact amount of money that would be poured into the UA treasury by the Krim-Benjaman combine. However, rumor has set the figure between 3 and 4 million dollars. Insofar as most of the producers who release through UA are concerned, the new ownership will still have to prove itself before they are willing to make any definite promises. However, most of them are willing to release the pictures they have been holding back and will do so just as soon as a practical operation of the company appears to be forthcoming. Certainly, most of the producers have full confidence in the projected executive framework, which would find Krim functioning as president of the company, with Max Youngstein, who just resigned from Paramount, moving over to assume supervision of sales and advertising. UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L U-l LULL CONTINUES; EXPECT PICKUP BY APRIL 'pHE lull in production reported last issue continues here, with only one picture shooting at the present time. Upwards of 50 production workers were requested to take thei.r paid vacations during the lull, and some of the hourly workers were laid off temporarily until the story department is able to catch up with production. Company toppers point out that the slow-down in no way indicates a retrenchment in production for the year. As a matter of fact, they expect all the sound stages busy again by April. An important piece of casting was announced here the other day, when Ethel Barrymore agreed to play the starring role in "Oh, Baby," an original script about a baby who finds a small fortunl in stolen money. The script is one of thi best U-I has come up with in some timo and worthy of the talents of an actres of Miss Barrymore's stature. WARNER BROS. WARNER 'LOADED' CASTS TO BOLSTER STORY FAILINGS J-^ESPITE an effort on the part of th. Warner Brothers to unload some ei cess talent contracts in recent months Jack Warner has instituted a policy o using a maximum of "name" players ii the casts of all upcoming productions While this plan will help, it will not serv< to overcome the weaknesses of the stor department evident in recent Warne product. It is unfortunate that some of thesi weak story properties produced last yea] a,re just now coming up for release. How ever, once these are disposed of, it look' like the product will definitely be on tha upgrade. Furthermore, the company is mounting its current productions more effectivel; than it did during much of last year whei too. many corners were being cut in ai; effort to effect economies. Of the fou pictures currently shooting, none i scheduled to wind in under 50 days, al. are budgeted above the $750,000 mark; and the casts list a total of 18 names o boxoffice value. Topping the quartet currently befon the cameras is "Moonlight Bay" (Dori; Day-Gordon MacRae-Jack Smith). Basaj on the daily rushes, there is every reasoi' to believe that Warner Brothers is one. again on the verge of taking its place a one of the top studios for producim musicals. Check FILM BULLETIN Reviews with your boxoffice grosses and you will find an amazing degree of ACCURACY If! FILM BULLETI