Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

STUDIO SIZ€-UPS (Continued from Page 19) METRO-COLDWYNMAYER Expensive Story Buys Bode Upped Budgets for '52 There are indications that Metro will expand its budget for story properties in 1952, with special emphasis on best-selling novels and New York stage plays. In recent weeks, the company has purchased film rights to five published properties, whereas original story buys have been practically nil. Topping the list of new properties is the Howard Lindsay-Russell Crouse play, "Remains To Be Seen," one of the costliest story deals closed in Hollywood this winter. Another top property corralled by the Culver City studio this month was "Sobbing Woman," popular novelette by the late Stephen. Vincent Benet. On the production front, the company continues to operate at full tilt, with five features rolling simultaneously throughout most of the month, and a trio of new starters lined up tcrmove on the sound stages as fast as the ones now filming are completed. Currently before the cameras are: "Because You're Mine" (Mario Lanza), Technicolor musical filming since December 8, with Alexander Hall directing for Producer Joe Pasternak; "Mr. Congressman" (Van JohnsonPatricia Neal), political satire which has been filming on location in Washington D. C, since December 28, Robert Pirosch directing for Producer Dore Schary; "Days Before Lent" (Gig Young-Janice Rule), a dramatic piece, shooting since December 31, Gerald Mayer directing and John Houseman producing; "Pat and Mike" (Spencer TracyKatharine Hepburn), a comedy which producer Lawrence Weingarten and director George Cukor launched on January 2, and "One Piece Bathing Suit" (Esther Williams -Victory Mature) in Technicolor, directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr., in work since January 15. The schedule for the final week in January called for 'Three Love Stories" (Pier Angeli -Ricardo Montalban-Leslie C'aron), produced by Sidney Franklin and directed by Gottfreid Reinhardt, and "The Devil Makes Three" (Gene Kelly-Pier Angeli), but the latter, to be shot in Paris, was delayed when Kelly was required to undergo an appendectomy. On February 1, director Stanley Donen and producer Edwin Knopf, are slated to give the green light to "Fearless Pagan" (Debbie Reynolds-Carlton Carpenter), a comedy. Director Richard Thorpe wound up shooting on "Carbine Williams," (Jimmy StewartJean Hagen), which was produced by Armand Deutsch on a 23-day shooting schedule. Also completed since the last Size-ups report was "Glory Alky" (Ralph Meeker Leslie Caron), a Nicholas Nayfack production, directed bv Rauol Walsh. MONOGRAM— AA New Bank Loan Hypoes Monogram— AA Production Monogram and Allied Artists got a shot in the arm financially this month with the signing of a new one year revolving loan and credit agreement with the Security First National Bank of Los Angeles. The agreement calls for additional credit to the extent of $500,000 to be issued in the form of guarantees to producers releasing through Monogram— A A. February figures to be a big month for this company, since the week of the 10th to 16th is highlighted by the National Monogram Week sales drive. Heading the list of films to be pushed during the big sales drive are: "Aladdin and His Lamp" (Patricia Medina-John Sands); "Fort Osage" (Rod Cameron); "Flight To Mars" (Marguerite Chapman Cameron Mitchell) a Walter Mirisch production, and "The Highwayman" (Charles Coburn Wanda Hendrix Philip Friend). All four are in color. On the basis of advance bookings from the company's 37 exchanges, president Steve Broidy reports that his company is already 20 per cent ahead of last year, when the first National Monogram Sales week was instituted. Last year, the week proved the most profitable sales period in the company's more than 20 year history. January accounted for three new pictures to be released under the Monogram aegis. "Jet Job" (Stanley Clements-Elena Verdu«o) was filmed between January 3 and January 11. William Beaudine directed for producer Ben Schwalk. "Dead Man's Trail" a Johnny Mack Brown western wound on January 15. The same week, producer Vincent Fennelly and director Lewis Collins turned out a new Whip Wilson sagebrusher, "Texas Marshall." And on January 17, producer Jerry Thomas and director William Beaudine, put "Bowery Leathernecks" (Leo Gorcey-Huntz Hall) before the cameras. Another important item in the news at Monogram during January, was the appointment of Eugene Arnstein, veteran film industry executive, as studio manager and director of personnel. Arnstein recently resigned from Pathe Industries, where he was administration head under William C. MacMillen, Jr. PARAMOUNT Hartman Launches Drive To Develop Fresh Talent With the turn of the New Year, Para mount has launched a big campaign to de^ velop creative talent from within the rank: of the personnel now under contract. Don Hartman, the production chief, has notified the heads of all departments on the lot that every effort is to be exerted in developing fresh talent for the screen, as well as afford ing new incentives to all other gifted employees in making the fullest use o their pic ture-making abilities. He has further pointed out that special emphasis is to be placed on the origination of fresh, interesting stor ideas for the screen. Among the new stellar talent for who: the studio is planning big things are Audrey Hepburn, star of the Broadway hit, "Gigi'l Yul Brynner, star of "The King and I," thtf current Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway success; Rosemary Clooney, popular recorm ing artist; Gene Barry, another new Broad way luminary, and Anna Maria Alberghetta the 15-year-old Italian soprano who mad( her film debut in "Here Comes the Grooml As another means of developing contracl talent, the studio has notified its producer! that players in Paramount's Golden Circh of newcomers will be selected for screet roles on a competitive basis. The studio'; talent coaching staff will be handed script: of upcoming pictures, with which to trail the young players for prospective roles When the producers and directors are read; to start casting their pictures, they will thei try out the Golden Circle players for im portant roles. Paramount continues among the leader in the number of films before the camera during January. There are five pictures shool ing at the present time, with four mor slated to go during the first two weeks c February. Of those now filming, "Jumpin Jacks," Hal Wallis' new Dean Martin-Jerr Lewis comedy, is the only one about to b turned over to the editing department. D rector Norman Taurog started shooting o the picture on location in Georgia, Decen ber 4, and returned to the home lot early i January. "Botany Bay" (Alan Ladd-Jame Mason Patricia Medina) a Technicolc feature, has been on the sound stages sine (Continued on Page 2\ GOLDEN CIRCLE AROUND HARTMAN Which of These Are Tomorrow's Stars? 20 FILM, BULLETI