The Film Daily (1943)

14 THE' DAILY Monday, September 13, 1943 $2,000,000 Budget For Cagney's Next (Continued from Page 1) ney, two top-flight story properties are scheduled to be put before the cameras, probably within the next 10 to 12 weeks, by Cagney Productions, Inc., it was asserted by Producer William Cagney Friday at a Hotel Astor trade press luncheon. Productions are "Port Royal," to be filmed in Technicolor at an estimated cost of approximately $2,000,000, with James Cagney in the top role, and "The Stray Lamb," which will not include the hard-hitting Academy Award winner in its cast. Aside from these two pictures, it is not decided currently just what Cagney Productions will be on the UA lineup during the 1943-44 season, it is said. It is further learned that, although the production deal provides that one feature each year during the life of the contract permits James Cagney to make one production away from the UA banner, it is highly improbable that such an attraction will be forthcoming. Queried as to whether the present star and player shortage might have its effect upon the planned independently-made offerings of Cagney Productions, William Cagney declared that no difficulties whatever are anticipated, due to the excellent co-operation between his company and important Coast studios, as has been evidenced in the instances of M-G-M and Paramount. It was confirmed that the company has under option the screen services of Grace George, as well as others of prime value to picture-making. William Cagney expressed keen satisfaction over the reception by trade and public of "Johnny Come Lately," and the strong impression the picture has made upon reviewers and the box-offices of stands where it has played during its early release life to date. The producer expects to remain in New York until Sept. 25, and then head for the Coast to assign writers to both "Port Royal" and "The Stray Lamb." Ann Arbor Weighing Curfew for Minors Ann Arbor, Mich. — The city council is considering a new curfew ordinance, setting a 10 p.m. deadline for minors up to the age of 16, with an hour's leeway on Saturday and Sundays. Ann Arbor, site of the state university, traditionally has been exceptionally liberal in dealing with the younger elment. Detroit — Additional theaters are hiring private detective agencies to guard theaters, in an effort to meet the various juvenile problems that have arisen here. Good Business Suits Suit Good Business Chicago — Business is so good in the Loop theaters these days that the circuit theater managers don't have time to change into their tuxedos. They just manage matters in their business suits. Taking care of the crowds is such a burden that one Loop manager told customers to wait 20 minutes for the next show, as his front man was busy taking care of the sidewalk crowd. Usher problem will become acute again with opening of public schools. Cooper, Suing Paramount, Says Contract Breached (.Continued from Page 1) since 1927 the plaintiff has been onehalf the owner of the common stock of Lincoln Theater Corp., a Delaware corporation doing business in Lincoln, Neb., the other half being owned by Publix Theaters Corp. Cooper asserts that between 1928 and 1932 Publix withdrew from Lincoln $138,581 and that he got a similar amount, with the understanding that both sums were to be set up as amounts owed to Lincoln. He further alleges that prior to 1937 Publix fraudulently and without his knowledge converted the advancements into overhead for itself and salary charges against him. In 1936, the complaint asserts. Cooper was met with a claim by the Internal Revenue Bureau that he had not paid proper income taxes. He says he denied the claim because he relied on the information furnished him by Publix that his salary was only $150 per week and he did not learn of the assertedly wrongful acts of Publix until the bureau had investigated his earnings. The complaint states at the special instance of Publix he made under duress a payment of $100,000 to the Government. Cooper' according to the complaint, suffered damages of $100,000 by virtue of injury to his business reputation, and he demands an additional $150,000 because of the injury to his finances by the Government. In a suit instituted by Montague F. Gowthorpe as treasurer and director and Sam Dembow, Jr., as director of Lincoln Theater Corp., against Cooper and Lincoln Theater Corp. an order was obtained Friday by the plaintiffs for examination of Cooper and Joseph A. Philipson, who handled the former's affairs. Examination of Cooper and Philipson is scheduled for Sept. 16. Plaintiffs seek to compel Cooper as president of Lincoln Theater Corp., to account for his conduct and to pay the corporation any money or the value of any property acquired by himself. At the same time an order was obtained by Paramount Pictures for the examination of Cooper and Philipson in connection with its suit against Cooper, Rialto, Inc., Interstate Theaters Corp. and J. H. Cooper Enterprises, Inc., of Colorado. In this suit Paramount seeks adjudication of its rights to ownership of « REVIEWS "Top Man" » with Donald O'Connor, Susanna Foster Universal 82'/2 Mins. O'CONNOR DOES IT AGAIN IN LIVELY MUSICAL THAT IS SWELL FUN FOR THE FAMILY TRADE. ■ This musical further establishes Donald O'Connor as a Universal gold mine. The younger element will respond enthusiastically to the display of talent put on by the youthful performer, without whose presence the picture would be just another variation of a familiar story. He, Susanna Foster and Peggy Ryan are the whole film. As long as the three are around the customers won't care about anything else. In this spry, youthful and hilarious entertainment O'Connor is a riot in his attempt to play the head of the family while his father (Richard Dixl is away serving as an officer in the navy. He gets into situation after situation loaded with laughter, tossing lines around with amazing skill and ease. O'Connor wins the admiration of all when he induces his young friends to devote their spare time to working in an airplane factory sadly in need of help. The plant, run by Miss Foster's uncle (Samuel S. Hinds), gets the Army-Navy E, and O'Connor gets official Government recognition for his act of patriotism. The film winds up with a swell show put on by O'Connor and his pals for the entertainment of the factory hands. The music, of which there is plenty, has been selected to suit the tastes of both jitterbugs and lovers of the better music. Miss Foster, who plays the girl in O'Connor's life, takes care of the demands of the iatter group with a selection of numbers that bring out the full beauty cf her voice. The singer lends a touch of class to the film. O'Connor and the Misses Foster and Ryan (playing O'Connor's kid sister) get excellent backing from Dix, Lillian Gish, (O'Connor's ma), Anne Gwynne, David Holt, Noah Beery, Jr. Not to be forgotten are Count Basie and his orchestra and Borrah Minnevitch's Harmonica Rascals (minus Minnevitch). Producer Milton Schwarzwald deserves much credit for the film's high status as popular entertainment. Charles Lamont's snappy direction makes "Top Man" extremely zestful diversion. The screenplay was written by Zachary Gold from a story by Ken Goldsmith. The musical direction of Charles Previn and the art direction cf John Goodman are to be commended Bernard Burton served as associate producer. CAST: Donald O'Connor, Susanna Foster, Lillian Gish, Richard Dix, Peggy Ryan, Anne Gwynne, David Holt, Noah Beery, Jr., Marcia Mae Jones, Richard Love, Samuel S. Hinds, Count Basie and orchestra, Borrah Minnevitch's Harmonica Rascals. CREDITS: Producer, Milton Schwarzwald; Associate Producer, Bernard Burton; Director, Charles Lamont; Screenplay, Zachary Gold; Based on story by Ken Goldsmith; Cameraman, Hal Mohr; Art Director, John Goodman; Sound Supervisor, Bernard B. Brown; Film Editor, Paul Landres; Musical Director, Charles Previn. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. H€LI_yWCCD DIGEST SIGNED WALTER SLEZAK, two pictures, RKO. ASSIGNMENTS /C„ WILLIAM CASTLE, director, "Klondike'W.e, | Columbia. RENE CLAIR, director, "Tomorrow Never Comes, Arnold Pressburger-UA. DUDLEY NICHOLS, screenplay, "Tomorrow Never Comes," Arnold Pressburger-UA. PHIL ROSEN, director, "Charlie Chan in the Secret Service," Monogram. JOSEPH BERNE, director, "Lucky Cowbcy, Technicolor short, Paramount. JOHN CROMWELL, director, "Since You Went Away," Seiznick. LES GOODWINS, director, "The Return ot Casanova," Republic. VAL BURTON, script, "The Return of Casanova. Republic. JOHN K. BUTLER and MORTON GRANT, screenplay, "Pistol Packin' Mama," Republic. RONALD DAVIDSON, script, "Captain America,' Republic serial. • CASTINGS ELLA RAINES, "Phantom Lady," Universal: ANN SAVAGE, "Klondike Kate," Columbia CRACIE ALLEN, "Two Sisters and a Sailor,' M-C-M; JOHN SUTTON and JOAN HARVEY "Four Jills and a Jeep," 20th-Fox; DICK POWELL and JACK OAKIE, "Tomorrow Never Comes,' Arnold Pressburger-UA; AKIM TAMIROFF and LOUIS CALHERN, "The Bridge of San Luis Rev": WALTER SLEZAK, "China Sky," RKO; SIDNEY TOLER, "Charlie Chan in the Secret Service,' Monogram; SHARON DOUGLAS, "The Navy Way," Pine-Thomas, Paramount; ODETTE MYRTIL, SHELDON LEONARD and ALFRED PAIX. "Uncertain Clory," Warners; STEPHEN RICHARDS, "Rhapsody in Blue," Warners; RICHARD MARTIN, "Tender Comrade," RKO; ERSKINE SANFORD, DOUCLAS FOWLEY, STEPHEN ROBERTS, LESTER DOERR and WALTER BROOKE j "Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels," W. R. Frank: WANDA McKAY, "Trocadero," Walter ColmesPRC. KURT KREUCER, "The Day Will Come," Columbia; JANE FRAZEE, "Cowboy Canteen" (replacing Shirley Ross), Columbia; JOHN HUBBARD and RITA QUIGLEY, "Whispering Footsteps," Republic; IRENE RYAN, "O. My Darling Clementine," Republic. STORY PURCHASES DONALD MOORE and DICK HYLAND'S "Ten Minutes for Love," RKO. Coe Speaking Dates Set In Buffalo and Toronto (Continued from Page 1) sel of the MPPDA, have been set for Buffalo and Toronto. Coe will speak before the Greater Buffalo Advertising Club at a luncheon on Sept. 28 and will be a guest speaker at a Variety Club dinner that night. The next day he will address the Advertising and Sales Club of Toronto. It is possible that Coe will go direct to Hollywood from Toronto. WEDDING BELLS Class B. stock in Rialto and J. H. Cooper Enterprises and of Class A stock in Interstate. Hollywood — Mozelle Cravens, Republic player, and John Hyde, vicepresident and co-owner of the Williams Morris agency, were married Friday at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Leo Spitz in Encino, with Judge Joseph Marchetti officiating. They