Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

STUDIO 5IZ6-UPS (Continued from Page 20) seven and possibly eight new features set to roll. They are: "Stars And Stripes Forever" (Clifton Webb-June Haver-Rory Calhoun), Technicolor biopic of John Philip Sousa, directed by Henry Kostcr and produced by Lamar Trotti; "My Wife's Rest Friend" (Anne Baxter-Macdonald Carey-Hildegardc Neff), Richard Sale directing for Robert Bassler; "Tonight We Sing" (Ezio PinzaRoberta Peters), in Technicolor, Jean Negulesco directing for George Jessel; "Niglit Without Sleep" (Linda Darnell-Gary Merrill), Roy Baker directing, Robert Bassler producing; "Bloodhounds of Broadway" (Mitzi Gaylor-Gloria DeHaven-Scott Brady) Harmon Jones directing for George Jessel; Part 5 of O. Henry's "The Full House" to be directed by Andre Hakim; "The Man Who Fooled Hitler" (Oskar Werner), Julian Btaustein producing; and Joseph Bernhard's "Ruby Gentry," which King Vidor will direct. UNITED ARTISTS Krim Woos Goldwyn, Sets Up New Batch Of Inde Deals The $64 question where United Artists is concerned is: Will Arthur Krim succeed in wooing Samuel Goldwyn away from RKO, now that Goldwyn's long-term releasing deal with Howard Hughes' company is about to expire. The guessing around Hollywood is about evenly divided on the subject, albeit some of Goldwyn's closest associates are betting he's going to make the switch. Krim returned east around mid-March, but will be back on the coast around the first of April to continue the parleys with Goldwyn. The present pact with RKO expires on June 30. It is understood that UA is willing to make extensive concessions in order to corral the Goldwyn product. While in Hollywood, Krim was also engaged in setting up deals on at least 26 pictures, all in the high-budget class, and all with top name casts. Among the deals he discussed was a nine-picture commitment from Edward and William Nassour; one for four pictures from Harry Popkin; two from Famous Artists; one from Hedy Lamarr; two from Eugene Frenke; three each from Sam Spiegel and Johnny Hyde, and one from Joe Justman. First of the Popkin productions will be "The Thief," to be produced and directed by Clarence Green and Russell Rouse, respectively, who made "The Well". The film, with Ray Milland in the starring role, will concentrate entirely on action to carry through the details of the story; no dialogue, narration or title cards will be used, with only the musical score employed to point up the plot. Although the deal was not worked out on Krim's west coast visit, a three-picture contract also was signed this month with the King Brothers. Two of the three will be in Technicolor, including "Camel Corps," and MARCH 24, 1 952 DARRYL F. ZANUCK Bidding High for Stories "Indian Fighter." The black and white entry will be "The Syndicate." Another King Bros. Technicolor film, "Mutiny" is now in release. The only feature shooting during March which is definitely set for the Krim organization's release slate, is "Invasion U.S.A." — an American Pictures Production, starring Michael O'Shea and Peggy Castle. "Planter's Wife," (Clr.udette Colbert), which has been shooting overseas since late January, wound shortly after March I, UN I VERSALINTERNATIONAL 18 In Technicolor For Year Sets Record U-l Tint Output Technicolor will play the largest role in Universal's history during the coming year, with a minimum of 18 tinted films due from the company. This means that at least every other picture coming from U-I will be in color. In setting up the ambitious Technicolor schedule, U-I toppers said, it was bowing to the "demands from exhibitors", particularly for films of the big outdoor action type "since color adds so greatly to the value of films of this type." Undoubtedly the success of "Bend of the River", expected to be the company's biggest grosser since "The Egg and I", was another important factor in the decision. Meanwhile, the U-I studios are soaring along at its highest production peak since last December, with five pictures shooting simultaneously. "It Grows On Trees" (Irene Dunne-Dean Jagger) and "The Riding Kid" (Richard Conte-Viveca Lindfors) teed off the new spurt on March 10, followed two days later by "The Black Castle" (Stephen McXallyRichard Greene-Paula Corday). "Trees" is one of those percentage deals which U-I has been entering into with top stars, to spark their important properties. Arthur Lubin directs the comedy for producer Leonard Goldstein. In addition to the three new starters just mentioned, "Yankee Buccaneer" (Jeff Chand Icr-Scott Brady-Susan Ball), and "Ma and Pa Kittle At Waikiki" (Marjorie MainPercy Kilbride), arc still shooting. Frederick Dc Cordova directs the Technicolor "Yankee' for Howard Christie, while Lee Sholein directs the Kettle film for Leonard Goldstein. Set to roll ibis week (March 31) arc: "l!on<o Goes To College" (Edmund GwcnnGigi Pcrrtau) and "City Beneath The Sea" ( Robert Ryan-Susan Ball). I )e ( ordova will direct 'Bonzo" for Ted Richmond, and Budd Boetticher will meg "City" for Albert J. Cohen. The only new picture definitely scheduled for an April start is "Back At the Front," a sequel to Bill Mauldin's "Up Front," which proved to be one of U-I's biggest hits in 1951. Tom Ewell will again be starred as Willie and Harvey Lembcck takes over the David Wayne role as Joe. WARNER BROTHERS Activity on 35 Properties Bodes Step-Up In WB Quantity Warners appears to be emerging from the state of lethargy and indecision which has gripped production planning for the past three or four months, to launch into fullscale operations. As of mid-March, an even dozen producers and 37 writers were engaged in the preparation of 35 story projects. So there will be quantity, at least, from this lot. The quality has to be proven. In addition to the pick-up in amount of production, there is evidence that the studio might improve the quality of its upcoming features. For example, 75 per cent of the yearly output is earmarked for color filming — much )f it in Warner's own system, known as Warnercolor. Enough equipment has been installed at the present time to allow for processing eight pictures annually. During the past month, the company also completed a deal with John Wayne for the release of "Jim McLain", which he will produce in association with Robert Fellows. The picture, about a Texas cattleman, is due to roll in late April, and is an extra, in addition to Wayne's earlier contract with Warners for one picture per year. Alan Ladd's first starrer under his term contract with the valley studio, also has been set. It will be "The Iron Mistress," story of James Bowie, who developed the Bowie knife. Henry Blanke will produce. Five pictures currently in front of. the cameras are: "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima" (Gilbert Roland-Susan Whitney), John Brahm directing for Bryan Foy; "The Story of Will Rogers" (Jane Wyman-Will Rogers, Jr.), Technicolor, and directed by Michael Curtiz for Robert Arthur; "April In Paris" (Doris Day-Ray Bolger) which rolled March 12, David Butler directing for William Jacobs, in Technicolor; "Danger Forward" (Cornel Wilde-Steve Cochran), Lewis Seiler directing, Edward Blanke producing; and Woodley Productions' "Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd," Super Cinecolor comedy directed by Charles Lamont for Alex Gottlieb. 21