The Film Daily (1937)

& "JUttW fco*» Hollywood "Ms" By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD T TNIVERSAL yesterday decided on ^ a final title for the Luigi Pirandello play which it will produce next season. The title chosen is "Yesterday's Kisses." The play was or'g'inally produced under the title "As Before Better Than Before." It played in New York and m all oi the capitals of Europe under that title. T T T Franciska Gaal, Hungarian dramatic star imported to Hollywood by Paramount to appear opposite Fredric March in "The Bufcaneer, will make her American film debut as a blonde. Her hair, darkened lo brown since she arrived in the U. S. will be allowed to go back to its original hue. Ernst Lubitsch may be seen as Napoleon in "The Buccaneer," 'tis also said at Paramount. George and Ira Gershwin have started actual work on the tunes and lyrics for Samuel Goldwyn s forthcoming musical extravaganza, "The Goldwyn Follies." Meanwhile, George Balanchine,. has launched his search for 40 "Goldwyn Girls" to appear in the dancing numbers. D. Ross Ledermans next directorial assignment will be "Park Avenue Dame," with Richard Arlen and Fay Wray sharing the leads. Mrs. Martin Johnson has been signed by 20th Century-Fox to take charge of a film expedition going to WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD Introducing Interesting Personalities: No. 83 _ — • 9 • MISS FANCHON: That's her first name and the only professional name she has used in more than 20 years of theatrical experience, as the feminine half of the stage producing firm of Fanchon & Marco. Born in Los Angeles, the sister of Marco, and Rube Wolf. Began career with Marco in a dancing act. This led to the production of their own shows of "Ideas" in Tait's Restaurant, Frisco. Production activities grew until they were supplying stage shows for film theaters from coast to coast. Many of the now great names of screen, stage and radio were once coached and trained by Fanchon in her chorus line-ups and shows. Several months ago she was signed by Adolph Zukor to produce pictures for Paramount. First is "Turn Off the Moon." Enjoys most the production of musicals, with themes of youthful romance. Africa for location work on "Stanley And Livingstone." In Mrs. Johnson's party will be Otto Brower, director, ten cameramen and five technicians in addition to members of the cast. The group will travel through Egypt and Abyssinia en route to Equatorial Africa. They will be on location for three months. Anna Q. Nilsson is back with plans to resume the film career which an accident halted some years ago. T t ▼ Sam Hellman is completing the script based upon material from "How I Found Livingstone" by Henry M. Stanley, and "A Life Story Of Stanley" by Harold Long. ▼ ▼ ▼ With Franchot Tone, Virginia Bruce and Maureen O'Sullivan in leading roles, "General Hospital" started production yesterday at M G-M studios. Based on an original story for the screen by Erich Von Stroheim, with screen play by Carey Wilson, the film is under direction of George Seitz. "Double Wedding" is announced as final title for M-G-M's film version of Ferenc Molnar's play, "Great Love," scheduled for early production. William Powell and Myrna Loy will be co-starred under direction of Richard Thorpe. T T T Jed Buell has purchased an original story, "The Roaming Cowboy," from Bennett Cohen, which he will film as the next in the series of musical westerns for Spectrum release. Buell has assigned William Lively to write the screen adaptation in which Fred Scott will star. George H. Callaghan will be associate producer. T T T Gus Meins, who recently completed the Republic musical, "Hit Parade," has been signed by Sol Lesser to direct "The Californian," which will feature Ricardo Cortez. ▼ ▼ » M-G-M cast additions include Madge Evans in Molnar's "The Girl from Trieste," and Robert Benchley for "Wedding Dress." T T T W. C. Fields has been signed for the new Chase and Sanborn radio show, following a guest appearance at its premiere. T T ▼ Richard Terry, Guinn Williams and Lee Prather, are Columbia's latest additions to the cast for "Girls Can Play," formerly entitled "Miss Casey at the Bat." T T T Melvyn Douglas will accompany his wife, Helen Gahagan, to Europe for a six weeks' vacation following completion of his current role with Marlene Dietrich. Miss Gahagan has engagements to sing at the festivals in Salzburg and in Vienna, I Austria, during July. Warners to Have Record Ad Budget, Says Einfeld (Continued from Page 1) licity, at the closing session of the annual Warner sales convention in the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday. The amount was not disclosed. Einfeld said that the greatest proportion would go for newspaper advertising, although national magazines and outdoor advertising would be used as well. Following the closing banquet attended by 250 last night, the convention delegates are preparing to return to their respective territories over the week-end. Today, individual meetings will be held between district managers, branch managers, and salesmen from each territory to discuss the 1937-38 production program outlined at the convention. Special emphasis will be placed on the films scheduled for release during the remainder of this season. (& ' Jack Savage III Jack Savage of GB is in St. Luke's Hospital due to gastric ulcers. U. S. Pix Holding British Favor, Asserts Reubenson That Hollywood product is holding firm in favor with the British public and generally enjoying top billing on dual programs with English-made features was reported yesterday by Reginald Reubenson of the R. R. Film, Ltd., of London, who arrived in New York this week aboard the He de France. Reubenson, who is stopping at the Hotel Edison, is here to get product for United Kingdom and Continental Europe release. Society pictures, he says, are meeting with highest favor among current productions being marketed abroad. Gangster films appear to be passe except in certa n localities on the continent and the British Isles. Two Fulton, Mo., Houses Pass to Frisina Control Fulton, Mo. — The Frisina Amusement Co. of Springfield, 111., has taken over this town's only two operating film theaters, the 900-seat Fulton, and the 250-seat Gem, both formerly owned by the Fulton Theater Co. The old Orpheum, a 200seater, has been dark for some time. Dime for New Orleans New Orleans — Duals at ten cents admission will invade the commercial area here tomorrow as Joy Houck takes over the Strand after a day's closing. Houck. who will plug the price angle, follows the management of Morris Ask, who was operating for the owners. Kincey Takes 2 in Gastonia Mike Kincey circuit has acquired two houses at Gastonia in the south. Expect Renewal of Pact Between Selznick and U. A. (Continued from Page 1) likely to be renewed, according to authoritative sources yesterday in New York. It was also indicated that United Artists will also handle "Gone With The Wind," which is outside of the agreement covering the Selznick program. There had been reports that this production might go to M-G-M. Three of the titles on the Selznick lineup are: "Prisoner of Zenda," "Tom Sawyer" and "NothingSacred," the story for which is now being prepared. Selznick is now in New York, with plans for returning to Hollywood in a few days. From Theater to Bowling Alley to Theater Oberlin, 0. — Jerry Steel is making preparations to reopen the Rex Theater, which was converted into a bowling alley three years ago. He plans to operate it as a "B" house, at admissions lower than his Apollo Theater. The house, with 300 seats, will reopen in September. GB Has Duosonic Sound London (By Cable) — Latest technical development to emerge from the Gaumont experimental laboratories is the "duosonic" sound mechanism, now being installed in theaters throughout the United Kingdom to replace the old recording equipment. New equipment, it is said, enables the actor to "spray" sound to every part of the theater, eliminating blind spots.