The Film Daily (1940)

Monday, December 30, 1940 MPPDA Budget Levels Retained for 1941 (Continued from Page 1) that each company would have to arrange individually for the transfer of the allotted sums from Great Britain to the U. S., now that the remittance plan had been completed. The one-year agreement covering withdrawals of money calls for $12,900,000. Hays told the Board that the remittance agreement was signed on Tuesday as published exclusively in The Film Daily on Thursday. Breen, Production Code Administrator, was given a vote of confidence by the directors who told him that he had been "doing a great job" and informed him that they were back of him 100 per cent in his activities. The following attended Friday's session: Barney Balaban, Will H. Hays, J. H. Hazen, F. L. Herron, Sidney R. Kent, C. D. Prutzman, George J. Schaefer, Nicholas M. Schenck, A. Schneider and Murray Silverstone. Maurice Akst, Musician, Dies Freeport, L. I. — Maurice Akst, 68, first viola player in the Roxy Theater Orchestra from 1929 to 1935 and later, on the Rudy Vallee radio program, died at his home here Friday. More Indie Producers in '41 Many Foreign Directors, Stars Active Here (.Continued plans. Seymour Nebenzahl produced for M-G-M, but is expected to organize his own unit. Paul L. Stein is returning to Hollywood after an absence of several years in England. Andre Daven, who was a French producer, is with 20th Century-Fox. Rene Clair, who directed in England and France, has joined Universal, while Julien Duvivier, who directed "The Great Waltz," for MG-M, has returned from abroad. Kurt Bernhardt has attracted much attention by his direction of "My Love Came Back" and "The Lady With Red Hair," for Warner Bros. "Package" deals, whereby a studio is supplied with a star, a story, a scenario director and a director in one agreement, are an innovation in Hollywood and seem destined to become popular. The Music Corporation of America is a leader in this movement. Leading Men Scarce Charles Feldman closed one of the first important "package" deals with 20th Century-Fox, giving that studio the services of Ronald Colman, Irene Dunn and Charles Boyer; with directors Lewis Milestone and Anatole Litvak. NICE GESTURE Cesar Romero, as the Romeo of the rackets, introduces pretty touch in gangland by entertaining boys he is supposed to have rubbed out. TALL, DARK and HANDSOME 2oth's natural ! . . . loaded with laughs ! thrills ! tunes ! from Page 7) There is still a shortage of leading men, with William Holden seeming to show the best possibilities of the new players. In fact, he seems destined for starring roles. He made his debut in "Golden Boy," for Columbia and his contract is shared by Paramount and Columbia. His work in "Arizona" is very noteworthy. Twentieth Century-Fox has high hopes for Dean Jagger, who returned to the screen in "Brigham Young." M-G-M is setting store by John Shelton whose first asignment was "We Who Are Young." John Sutton, who had been free-lancing, is being given important roles at 20th Century-Fox and will be seen in "Hudson's Bay." Robert Sterling, who left 20th-Fox, will be groomed for leading parts at M-G-M. Universal expects much from Broderick Crawford, who appeared in "When the Daltons Rode" and "Seven Sinners." Richard Carlson is being kept busy and has been used at RKO and other studios. Victor Mature, who was in three Hal Roach features, was borrowed by RKO for a leading role in "No, No, Nanette." Martha Scott came to the front with a rush, due to her work in "Our Town" and "The Howards of Virginia." She will also be seen in "Cheers for Miss Bishop," just completed. Mary Martin is an important entrant at Paramount and her pictures include "The Great Victor Herbert," "Rhythm on the River" and "Love Thy Neighbor." Betty Field is another Paramount player who shows much promise, and did outstanding work in "Of Mice and Men" which Lewis Milestone produced for Hal Roach. She has just finished the feminine lead in "Shepherd of the Hills," which Henry Hathaway directed for Paramount. 20th-Fox Has New Talent Betty Grable should prove very valuable to 20th Century-Fox, judging from her work in "Tin Pan Alley" and "Down Argentine Way." Another glamorous figure at 20thFox is Mary Beth Hughes, seen in "The Great Profile" and "Four Sons." The Zanuck studio also has a "comer" in Ann Baxter, who was also in "The Great Porfile." Still another entry from the same plant is Gene Tierney. who is in "Hudson's Bay" and who played opposite Henry Fonda in "The Return of Frank James." At Republic is the inimitable Judy Canova, who "clicked" in "Scatterbrain." Republic opened its purse-strings and paid a high figure for "Sis Hopkins," which will serve as a starring vehicle for Miss Canova. Columbia has been boosting Rita Hayworth's stock and she was borrowed by Warner Bros, to appear in "Strawberry Blonde." M-G-M used her in "Susan and God," while her home lot assigned her to leads in "The Ladv in Question" and "Angels Over Broadway." More Indie Producers The list of independent producers continues to grow. Frank Capra and Robert Riskin have completed "Meet John Doe," for release by Warners, while William Dieterle left the Burbank plant to produce on his own, with RKO as his outlet. Robert E. Sherwood is making "Legacy," for Columbia, and David L. Loew and his partner, Albert Lewin, are producing for United Artists. Samuel Bronston Productions has an important schedule planned. Howard Hughes returns to production with "The Outlaw," starring Walter Huston, as the first of two for 20th-Fox. Jerry Brandt will make the "Scattergood Baines" series for RKO. George W. Weeks Taxes Loom as Wis. Legislative Problem (Continued from Page 1) stiff opposition from theater owners, it is indicated. With respect to labor, it is quite likely that an attempt will be made to repeal or modify the Employment Relations Act and it is also believei that amendments will be sought to unemployment compensation and workmen's compensation as well as bills to strengthen the labor code and the minimum wage and maximum hour law for workers. Forrester Parant Attaches Miss Dietrich's Radio Fee Forrester Parant Productions Friday filed an attachment against a $2,000 fee due to Marlene Dietrich for a radio broadcast made on Dec. 12 and sponsored by Sealtest, Inc. Forrester Parant is suing for $98,450 claiming that the defendant breached an agreement to make a French picture for the plaintiff. is furnishing "The Range Busters" for Monogram. Jack Votion is piloting the "Lum and Abner" pictures for RKO. Vogue made "Li'l Abner" for the same company. There has not been much change in the "series" field. The "Jones Family" group fell by the wayside, but 20th Century-Fox is continuing with the "Cisco Kid" series. Little has been done recently on the "Charlie Chans" but the company is keeping Sidney Toler under contract and production on further "Chans" is expected soon. Metro, Series Leader Metro continues to lead in the number of series, having the "Andy Hardys." "Dr. Kildare," "The Thin Man" and "Nick Carters" on its schedule. Columbia is continuing the "Blondies," while William Stephens and Howard Lang are continuing to furnish RKO with the "Dr. Christians." The exceedingly successful Hop Along Cassidy series, produced by Harry Sherman, will be continued for Paramount release. A newcomer in the series field is the "Ellery Queen" group, produced by Larry Darmour for Columbia release. Universal has the "Baby Sandy" series, while Monogram has added the "Range Busters," produced by George W. Weeks. Monogram is also releasing a group featuring the "East Side Kids," which is being made by Sam Katzman. Republic is still sponsoring the "The Mesquiteers." Band leaders are making their presence felt in Hollywood-made products with Kay Kyser having already appeared in two pictures this year. They were produced and directed by David Butler, for RKO. The same company has also just finished "Malvina Swings It," which has a cast headed by Bob Crosby and his band. An independent deal is also pending, which may bring Glenn Miller and his outfit to the screen. More Negro pictures than usual were produced during the year. Harry Popkin starred Kenny Washington, the U.C.L.A. gridiron star in one, while Richard C. Kahn, Jed Buell and Goldberg and Port were among others who made offerings with all-Negro casts. Production of Spanish pictures is almost nil, although Hollywood is not overlooking South America as a locale for stories. Twen tieth Century-Fox has "The Road to Rio' before the cameras, while RKO has set "They Met in Argentine," for immediate production Producer-Director Wesley Ruggles is making a tour of South America. Thus concludes the annual report and forecast, both supporting the finding that the American film industry, conscious of its increased responsibilities at home and overseas is definitely measuring up. In manpowet and physical and financial resources, in courage and determination, the industry is prepared to see that the show indeed goes on with advances rather than impairment in qual ity and in perfection of entertainment.