Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1951)

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STUDIO SIZ6-UPS {Continued from Preceding Page) METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PRE-SCHEDULE SHOOTING INDICATES 50-PICTURE YEAR AN AUGMENTED spring production program was mapped by company toppers around the middle of the month, which, FILM BULLETIN hears, may result in a step-up of activity to a .rate of about 50 pictures for the year. All details of the meeting were kept a closely guard-ed secret. On the heels of the meeting, three new pictures were rushed into production, .several days ahead of schedule. They were: "The People Against O'Hara" (Spencer Tracy-Pat O'Brien-John Hodiak), produced by W. H. Wright and directed by John Sturges; "Bannerline" (Sally Forrest-Keefe Braselle), with Donald Weis directing for Pandro Berman; and "Too Young To Kiss" (June Allyson-Van Johnson) which R. Z. Leonard is directing for Producer Sam Zimbalist. In addition, three other films got off on schedule: "The North Country" (Stewart ■Granger-Wendell Corey), which Andrew Marton is directing for Producer Stephen Ames; "Angels In the Outfield" (Paul Douglas-Janet Leigh), with Clarance Brown doubling as producer-director, and "Rain, Rain, Go Away" (James Whitmore-Nancy Davis-Jean Hagen), with Fred M. Wilcox directing for William H. Wright. Thus, though two pictures were completed in the last fortnight, the total number of productions before the camera at Metro has been raised to six. The newlycanned product is "Strictly Dishonorable" (Ezio PinzaJanet Leigh), which started on January 18 and was brought in on schedule on March 18, and "The Law and Ladv Loverly" (Greer Garson-Michael Wilding), started January 29 and completed March 12. Scheduled to roll in the next two weeks are: the Z. Wayne Griffin-Clark Gable production of "Lone Star," with Victor Sherman directing Gable and a cast as yet unannounced, and "Westward the Women" (Robert Taylor-Denise Darcel), a Dore Schary production to be directed by William Wellman. Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson will co-star in Metro's film version of the Broadway hit musical, "Brigadoon" Arthur Freed will produce in Technicolor. George Well's production, "Everybody Swims" has — who else? — Esther Williams starred as the channel swimmer. Mariorie Main plays her mother and the bright newcomer Debbie Reynolds will also have a featured role. MONOGRAM AA MONOGRAM PROFIT SIGNALS BIG PRODUCTION UPSWING TN a letter to all stockholders circulated A last week, prexy Steve Broidy reported a 26-week profit for Monogram of $163,312 — the first time in more than two years that the company has shown a profit. The report stated that the gross income from film rentals, the sale of accessories, etc., totaled $3,937,810, for the period, ending December 26, as against total costs and expenses of $3,774,498. Although this good news came at the exact time when the studio was in the midst of a brief production lull, it nevertheless preceded by only a few days one of the biggest upswings in production which the company has shown in many months. On March 24, producer Peter Scully puts his newest Raymond Walburn starrer, "Father Takes the Air," before the cameras, with Frank McDonald, directing. On April 1, Producer Walter Mirisch and Director William Beaudine will launch Cinecolor production, "Rodeo" (Jane Nigh), and, on April 5, Walter Mirisch launches a new exploitation feature, "Flight to Mars," also to be filmed in Cinecolor. During this same period, Allied Artists will also be busy with a pair of high budgeters shooting. On April 2, producer Paul Short will give the gosignal to "Frog Men," with a cast still to be announced, and on April 9, his long awaited "Police Story" will roll, with Ben Schwalb handling the production duties. Two pictures have been sent to the cutting rooms: "The Highwayman" (Wanda Hendrix-Charles Coburn), a Technicolor feature in the high budget brackets, directed by Lesley Selander for Producer Hal Chester, and "Casa Manana" Li"d-ley Parsons' musical starring Scott Forbes and Eileen O'Herlihy. "Highwayman" rolled February 19, and came in on a 20-day schedule, March 14. "Manana" filmed on a much less spectacular budget, was before the cameras only from March 5 to March 12. PARAMOUNT NEW PEAK REGISTERED AS STUDIO WORKS ON 32 FILMS PRODUCTION activity at Paramount *■ hit a post-war peak last week, putting the studio's Operations Desk, where all production orders are cleared, on a 24hour basis, seven days a week. Twelve first and second units are in work, plus 33 pictures in various stages of editing, and seven more preparing for starts within the next four to five weeks. Films shooting at the present time include: "Peking Express" (Joseph CottenCorinne Calvet), "Rhubarb" (Ray Milland-Ann Sterling), "My Favorite Spy" (Bob Hope-Hedy Lamarr), "Detective Story" (Kirk Douglas-Eleanor Parker), "The Stooge" (Martin and Lewis), "Greatest Show On Earth" (Betty Hutton-James Stewart), and "My Son John" (Helen Hayes-Robert Walker-Van Heflin). Of that number, only the latter one has started in the past two weeks— all others carrying over from January and February starts. "John," which is being produced and directed by Leo McCarey, is now on location in Washington and is not scheduled to return to the studio until next month. In addition to this heavy schedule already before the cameras, the most ambitious original musical in years is being readied to go on the soundstages next week. Titled, "Aaron Slick From Punkin Crick", the musical will be shot in Technicolor, with a cast headed by Dinah Shore, Alan Young and Robert Merrill. Bill Perlberg and George Seaton are producing, and Claude Binyon directing. The original music is by ace Paramount tunesmiths Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Charles Boyer has been signed to appear in "Rage of the Vulture," joining a stellar lineup which also includes Alan Ladd, Deborah Kerr and Corinne Calvet, with Charles Vidor directing. The two Bills, Pine and Thomas hav.| announced the starting date of their nexi production, "Hong Kong," in Technicolor for April 23, with Lewis R. Foster direct* ing. Other important new developments a the studio during the past fortnight inl elude the termination 15 months hence I by mutual consent, of Alan Ladd's assol ciation with the studio; the addition t< the staff of author-playwright-critic Laur ene Stallings to analyze properties, boti new and used, with a view toward dis covering possible new ideas; and ttu signing of Pat Duggan to a new long term producer contract. REPUBLIC YATES BACK, READIES 10 TOP-BUDGETERS AT REPUBLIC PRESIDENT HERBERT YATES lost nc time following his return from Europe in hurrying up the start of production on ten top budget Republic films. Topping the group is the John Ford-Merrian C Cooper production of "The Quiet Man,'! starring John Wayne, who accompanied Yates to Ireland to scout locations for thd picture. Wayne will also serve as producer-star in "The Alamo," another of Repub lie's top priority films. First to roll, however, will be "Wings! Across the Pacific," set for an April i start with Alan Dwan doubling as director and associate producer. Stars of the Air Corps feature are Wendell Corey, Forresl Tucker and Vera Ralston. The $100,00( salary which the company is paying Corey for the loan-out indicates that the production will be the most expensive under taken by the studio thus far this year. Joseph Kane is also rushing four high budgeters for early spring filming: "The Iron Master," "Hoodlum Empire," "The Sea Hornet," and an untitled South Ses adventure. No casts have been set for any of the quartet of pictures, however In addition, John H. Auer is preparing Pictures completed during the past fortl night are: "Million Dollar Pursuit" (Penl ny Edwards-Stephen Flagg), produced bj Stephen Auer and directed by R. G Springsteen, and "Havana Rose" (Estelita Rodriguez-Fortunio Bononova), with Sidney Picker megging for William Beaudine. "Pursuit" went before the cameras February 19, and wound up March 2; "Ha vana Rose" started a week later, on February 26, went to the cutting rooms March 7. New pictures starting during the same period were: "South of Caliente" (Ro> Rogers-Dale Evans), William Witney directing and E. J. White producing ; "Rodec King and the Lady" (Rex Allen-Mary El len Kay), a Melville Tucker production directed by Phil Ford, and Portland Productions' "Lady Possessed" (James Mason-June Havoc). RKO MARCH LULL OVER, HUGHES SETS 7 FOR APRIL SHOOTING l^lARCH came in and went out like £ iV1 lamb at RKO, insofar as any activity around the soundstages was concerned! But it appears that this was only the luL before the storm, as Howard Hughes pre pared to roll seven new pictures within a four week period. This will be RKCh'| (Continued on Page 34.\ 32 FILM BULLETI!