Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1953)

r STUDIO SIZ6-UPS (Continued from Page 15 1 I >a \ icl Lipton, who acts in an advisory capa city. As production chief, Goetz played a key role in putting Universal back on its feet after those almost-disastrous years in linearly '40's, when the emphasis was on "prestige" product, the kind that brought neither prestige nor profit to the company. Nate Blumberg, a shrewd showman with an exhibition background, and Goetz devised the production formula that has made U-I one of the most successful film companies in the business. There can be no doubt that the loss of Goetz will be a serious blow to U-I. He has been turning out comparatively inexpensive pictures which not only look much more expensive than they really are, but also consistently contain the necessary elements for good boxoftnce. This s'tidio will be closely watched now by exhibitors, who will be eager to see if the new management can follow the Goetz money-making formula. Production at U-I continues to be very markedly on the ebbing tide, with only two pictures shooting simultaneously, as against a normal for the studio of approximately a half dozen. Starting this month, cameras were grinding on "The Glenn Miller Story" (James Stewart-June Allyson) in Technicolor, produced by Aa'on Rosenberg, directed by Anthony Mann, and "The Glass Webb" (Edward G. Robinson) a 3D mystery meller, produced by Albert J. Cohen, directed by Jack Arnold. As these two features finished filming, a pair of new starters moved on the soundstages to take their place. These are: "Son of Cochise" (Rock Hudson-Barbara Rush) — Ross Hunter producer, Douglas Sirk director; and "The Breckenridge Story" (Audie Murphy-Dan Duryea-Susan Cabot) — John W. Rogers producer, Jesse Hibbs director. Both are being filmed in Technicolor. A deal is about set with Ruth Roman to co-star with James Stewart in "The Far Country", which goes before the cameras in mid-August — Aaron Rosenberg producing, Anthony Mann directing. Another of the company's major productions of the year — a re-make of "Magnificent Obsession" (Jane Wyman-Rock Hudson) is now slated for a mid-September start. Norman Corwin has been signed to screenplay "The Holy Grail," CJ-I's entry in the current cycle of Biblical films. The story is set in Judea in the year 6 A.D. and deals with Maximus, who became ti e curator of Judea after I'ontiiis Pilate. Ted Richmond will produce the epic in Technicolor this winter. Page 16 FILM BULLETIN July 13, 1953 WARNER BROTHERS WB Shut-down Due To End July 20 with Start of 3-Der Following several false starts, the lights are due to go on again here on or about July 20, ending the long shut-down. Resumption of shooting with Warner* all-media cameras will be marked by the start of "Rear Guard'' (Guy Madison) in 31) and WarnerColor. This will be followed by "Bounty Hunter" (Randolph Scott), which Sam Bischoff will produce from an original story of crime in the 1880's by Winsteon Miller and Finlay McDermid. riu script on "Helen of Troy" has been completed by John Twist and attention has been turned toward casting what promises to be one of Warners biggest pictures of recent years. Two likely August starters are "Dial M for Murder" (Ray Milland), which Hitchcock will direct, and "Them" a chiller about an invasion by giant ants. Upon completion of Wayne-Fellows' "Hondo" (John Wayne-Geraldine Page) 3D and WarnerColor, the only picture recently produced for Warner release, the same unit will start preparations on another 3Der "Man Killer", original circus varn by Paul Fix. John Farrow, who directed "Hondo" for producer Robert Fellows, probably will direct. It will be filmed on location with the Clyde Beatty circus, with Beatty and Mickey Spillane, author of the Mike Hammer mysteries, playing leading roles. INDEPENDENTS Financing Again Being Made Available To Indes for 2D & 3D Independent production appears to be on the upbeat again, following several weeks of comparative inactivity which follow-ed in the wake of the first 3D and wide-screen scurry. Some indies report that financiers, who practically shut the door on all independent movie backing during this period, are once again showing a receptive, if still somewhat restrained, attitude toward picture deals. Oddly enough, in most instances financing seems to be no harder tr get on a 2D venture than it is on pictures to be filmed in 3D or wide-screen. Independent pictures now shooting include: Wisberg-Pollexfen's production of "Return to Treasure Island" (Tab HunterDawn Addams-Porter Hall) — E. A. DuPont directing for the producer team: Filmakers' " The Bigamist" (Joan Fontaine-Ida LupinoEdmond < >'Brien-Edmund Gwenn) — Collier Young producing, Bob Frgenweiler directing: "CrazylegSj All-American" (Elroy Hirsch-Lloyd Nolan-Joan Vohs-Bob Waterfield) — a Hall Bartlett production directed by Francis Lyon. Magna Corp. will get filming underwaw within the next month on the Rogers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma," to be filmed in the new Tod 1 \0 system, which resembles Cinerama, while using only one camera and one projector. The film will be shot on the Goldwyn lot in Hollywood, with Arthur Hornblow, Jr., producing and probably Fred Zinncman directing. Production is also expected to start this! fall on another big independent musical "Carmen," which is a jo'nt project of Ron ben Mamoulian and Maxwell Anderson. Ill will he filmed in color in Spain. On the dramatic side Jose Ferrer and Katharine Hepburn are known to be talking a deal whereby they would independentlj produce and star in a tno of films, including Shakespere's "The Taming of the Shrew" "The Shrike," from the Broadway pla\ which Ferrer produced; and "The Million airess," from the George Bernard Shaw play Kirk Douglas' independent company Byrna Production, has just set a third Euro I pean production starring Douglas, to star ' in late summer or early fall. The produc tion has a working title of "The Beau", an( is based on the Beau Brummel character. Albert Zugsmith, who recently completec "Paris Model," has just added a fourth pro duction to his 1953 slate of independent pic tures. Titled "Teen Age Gang," the new pro| ject will deal with the problem of juvenilJ delinquency. Among the other pictures oi his slate for this year are "Female of th Town" and "Green Green Zog." Producer-dii ector Earl McEvoy has jus purchased an original script, "Goya," to b filmed in Spain under a co-production dea in Technicolor. The story will dramatiz the romantic life of the famous painte through his works, and emphasize his affai with the Duchess of Alba. Independents slated to start within thi month are "Target — Earth" (Not cast) — a Abtcon Picture to be produced by Henna Cohen, directed by Sherman Rose; "Fre and Easy" (Richard Egan-Beverly Michaels — Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse prci ducing and directing: "Screaming Eagles (Not cast) an Edward Small productionOtto Ludwig serving as producer Ray N; zarro directing; "The Bachelor" (Wand HendrixWilliam Lundigan) — Irving Stai producer, Lazlo Benedek director; and "No: Noa" (Not cast) an Oceanic Production fe; ture to be shot in Paris and Hawaii, Gen Sherman producing, David Bradley direcj ing. One of the early August starters will 1 "Duel in the Jungle" (Jeanne Crain-Dai Andrews), to be filmed in South Africa — be co-produced by Tony Owen and tl British Picture Corp , and directed 1 George Marshall. J