Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1954)

f Continued from Page 9) McCarthy), in Technicolor — Leonard Goldstein producer, Henry Levin director; and "The Raid" (Van Heflin, Anne Bancroft, Richard Boone), also in Technicolor — Robert L. Jacks producer, Hugo Fregonese director. Fox's next CinemaScope feature, "The Egyptian" (Marlon Brando), gets underway this week — Darryl Zanuck producing, Alike Curtiz directing, in Technicolor. UNITED ARTISTS Total Hecht-Lanchaster Product May Go to UA THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY that UA will take over the release of all future Hecht-Lancaster productions. Discussions have been underway on the matter for over two weeks, with UA prexy Arthur Krim: board chairman Robert Benjamin; Coast representative Robert Blumofc, and Hecht and Lancaster participating in the conferences. UA already has a releasing deal with the inde producers for two films: "Bronco Apache", recently completed, and "Vera Cruz," which rolls on February 22. Only picture now in production which holds u definite UA releasing commitment is "The Barefoot Contessa" (Humphrey Bogart, Avt Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, Valentina Cortesa), a Technicolor feature being filmed in Italy by Figaro, Inc. — Joseph L. Manckiewicz director. "Vera Cruz" (Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster) will be the next to roll. James Hill has been set as the producer. Also going into production this month will be W. R. Frank's "Sitting Bull" (John Litel, Douglas Kennedy), to be filmed in Mexico, in CinemaScope — Sidney Salkow directing. On the March schedule are: Greene-Rouse Productions' "New York Confidential" (not cast), to be directed by Russell Rouse; Edward Small's "Screaming Eagles" (not cast) — to be directed by Fred Sears, on loanout from Columbia; and "Knights of Sherwood F"orest", an Aubrey Schenck-Howard Koch color production, for which Rory Calhoun is being paged. Ivan Tors has expanded his activities for the year, with two new science-adventure features to be added to the two already scheduled for 1954 delivery, "The Helicopter Story" and "Ten Miles Up". UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL Four Shooting, Another Set Gives February Quintet IX A LETTER ACCOM PAX V I NG ITS annual report to stockholders, the board of directors reaffirmed the previously announced schedule of 34 pictures — 24 of them in Technicolor— for the current fiscal year. W ith the start of two new films during the final week of January, the studio now has four pictures in production. The are: "Sign of the Pagan" (Jef? Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tscherina, Rita Gam), in CinemaScope and Technicolor — .A.lbert J. Cohen producer, Douglas Sirk director; "Dawn at Socorro" (Rory Calhoun, Piper Laurie, David Brian), in Technicolor, William AIland producer, George Sherman director; "This Island Earth" (Bart Roberts, Faith Domcrgue), also Technicolor — AUand producing, Joe Newman directing; and "Bengal Rifles" (Rock Hud.son, Arlene_Dahl, Ursulla Thiess), Technicolor — Ted Richmond producer, Laslo Benedek director. Coming up later in the month is "The Matchmakers" (Marjorie Main, Chill Wills, Rudy Vallee), a follow up to the Ma and Pa Kettle series — Robert Arthur producer, Charles Lamont director. In March, production will get underway on Audie Murphy's biopic, "To Hell and Back," with Murphy starred, and Jesse Hibbs directing. There is a good possibility that "Tracey Cromwell," one of the studio's most important properties, may also get underway during March. Negotiations arc underway at the present time to borrow Lana Turner from MGM for the starring role, possibly opposite her husband, Lex Barker. For later in the spring, the studio has scheduled "Son of Destry," sequel to the 19n0 hit, "Destry Rides Again," and "Song of Bali," a South Sea island yarn. "Destry" will be the first producer assignment for Stanley Rubin, under his recently signed contract at U-I. Albert J. Cohen will produce "Bali". WARNER BROTHERS 'Dragnet' Show Filmed By Mark VII for Warners TELEVISION'S TOP RANKING "Dragnet" program will be released by W'arncrs in Technicolor. Due to go into production within the next 60 days. Film will be produced by Mark VII, Ltd., the same outfit that makes the TV series. Jack Webb will be starred, as he is on the TV show. This marks the first time that a major studio has taken a hit video show intact for screen translation. Stanley Meyer will produce with the director to be announced at a later date. A $1,200,000 budget has been set for the production of Warners current top property, "Mr. Roberts," which goes before the cameras in late May or early June, with Marlon I'>rando starred. Leland Hayward, who produced the Broadway hit, will duplicate his chores for the filmed version. The first casting for Warner's $6,0()0,0()() "Helen of Troy" production has just been announced, although the plum role of Helen is still u)) in the air. Nial MacGinnis, who appeared in "Martin Luther," will play King Mcnclaus, and British actor Stanley Baker is .'Nchillcs. Robert Wise will direct. WB claims film will get underway late this month in Italy. Casting is also underway on "Battle Cry," story of the Marine Corps, which Raoul Walsh will direct, starting next month. Aldo Ray and James Whitmore have been cast, with Tab Hunter and Guy Madison likely additions. Three pictures are currently shooting at the studio, all in CinemaScope and color. ".\ Star Is Born" (Judy Garland, James Mason. Jack Carson), Sid Luft producing, George Cukor directing, goes into the fourth month of production; "Lucky Me" (Doris Day, Phil Silvers, Robert Cummings), producer Henr\ Blanke, director Jack Donohue, is well intri its third month. Other feature now shooting. "The Talisman" (Virginia Mayo, Rex Harrison, George Sanders), has been shootint; since December 10, with David Butler directing for producer Henry Blanke. "Star" is in Technicolor — the other two in WarnerColor. INDEPENDENTS Schenck to Finance If Magna 'Oklahoma' Talks Fail MAGNA THEATERS' PRODUCTION of "Oklahoma," isn't to be sidetracked, it seems. Joseph M. Schenck, one of the owners of Magna, has recently floated a $1,000. 000 loan for the film, and is prepared to in vest $420,000 of his own money, if negotiations by Magna with 20th-Fox and Warners don't jell. This would bring the total investment in Magna Theaters to $3,100,000. of which $1,700,000 came collectively from United Theater circuit, Mike Todd, Rogerand Hammerstein, and one undisclosed silent partner. Bob Cohen, the Nassour Brothers and Herman Cohen have just signed co-produc tion deals with Anglo Amalgamated Films. British concern. Each of the pictures to b turned out under the agreernent will star on British and one American star. Goldstein ■ committed to produce three films, whiK Cohen and the Nassours will contribute tw > each. Biggest inde picture to be announced this month is one to be produced by Leland Hayward and Billy Wilder, based on the famous trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh. It will be titled, "The Spirit of St. Louis", with Wilder doing the script and handling the direction, Hayward producing. No starting date has been set. Sam Wiesenthal has reactivated his Olympic Productions in association with George P>agnall, and is lining up a slate of three films — starting with "Bitter Sage", based on the Frank Gruber novel. Wiesenthal is negotiating with Gregory Peck for the stellar assignment. Other new companies formed this month include one headed by actor Steve Cochran, for the filming of "Come Next Spring," a Monte Pittman story; another with Russ Leslie and Joe Kirkwood at the helm for a golf story, "Cupid I'nder Par," with Kirkwood and Johnny Johnston set to star. Page 10 FILM BULLETIN February 8. I9S4