Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

STODIO sizf-yps l";;;;^y suspense-melodrama "Weep No More," Alfred Hitchcock directing. "The Miracle Of The Bells," Jesse L. Lasky-Walter MacEwen nrcduction for RKO of Russell Janney's best-seller, is set to roll in June, with Fred MacMurray and Frank Sinatra already signed for stellar parts. Sinatra's role excludes singing, being his first ^raight-dramatic delineation; the star will donate over $100,000 salary to non-sectarian charities. While Ben Hecht and Quentm Reynolds collaborate on script, nationwide hunt continues for '•unknown" to play femme lead. Comedian Edgar Kennedy inked new RKO contract, marking his 18th year with the studio. Kennedy is now in the midst of 17th series of six comedies annually. . .Rudy Rosenberg, production assistant to producer-director Edward Dmytryk. returned from seven weeks in Europe, where he arranged for filming of RKO's "The White Tower" in England, Switzerland and France, with shooting to begin in early summer. After temporary title change from "Memory Of Love" to "Counterpoint," RKO's Dana Andrews-Merle Oberon co-starrer once again resumes its original name. Eugene Ormandy, conductor of Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.Symphony Orchestra, was signed to record Leith Stevens' "Conceito in C Minor" for this picture, while Artur Rubenstein is already set to play composition. Both he and Ormandy portray themselves. SCREEN GUILD Shooting Them Fast QREEN GUILD maintains its speedy, if slap-dash, production activity with four new quickies going: "Dark Bullet" (Henry Wilcoxsen in lead as Scotland Yard detective); "Swamp Island"; and two as-yet-untitled pictures based on Northwest Mounted Police stories. This outfit seems to be turning them out on the theory that two pictures can be made as easily as one while the cast is assembled and the sets or location are available. Meanwhile, post-camera work is being done on four just finished: "Killer Dill," "Hollywood Barn Dance," "The Hat Box Mystery," and "The Case of the Baby Sitter " SELZNICK New Deal Brewing? gHOOTING ON THE SELZNICK LOT is almost negligible, with "The Paradine Case" (Gregory Peck-Ann Todd-Charles Laughton-Charles Coburn-Ethel Barrymore-Louis Jourdan-Joan Tetzel) wound up, and "Portrait of Jennie" (Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten) proceeding in New York. In New York, Selznick is conducting series of talks with certain independent picture-makers regarding a new "revolutionary" method of distribution. System is understood to revolve about Selznick's reported deal with James M. Clark's newly formed National Film Distributors to handle the mechanics of distribution. Among the interested parties is said to be Hal Roach, who is .supposedly making decision between United Artists and Selznick. Alf Kjallin, leading young Swedish film star, signed a term contract with David O. Selznick and arrives here in June. Kjallin co-stars with Mia Zetterling in Swedish film "Torment," soon to get U. S. premiere in New York. The hunt is now on for a new name for the Swedish actor. Just drop the "j" and you have it. No charge. Mr. Selznick. A I' R J L 14, 1947 20th CENTURY-FOX Sa'me Old Musical Routine ^LTHOUGH CUTTING DOWN on actual number of productions thi3» year, 20th Century-Fox maintains its rather antiquated Technicolor-musical format. Of 22 features scheduled for 1947, four colored tune films keep percentage up. They are: "The Shocking Miss Pilgrim," "Carnival in Costa Rica" (both in release), "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" and "Mother Wore Tights." The first two, by the way, were disappointing as entertainmemit and at the boxoflice. Five Technicolor-musicals are in some stage of production for next year: Producer George Jessel's "Dancing In The Dark" and "Ballad Of Furnace Creek," William A. Bacher's "Song of Ramona," Mack Gordon's "Wabash Avenue," and Preston Sturges' "Blonde From Bashful Bend." Still heaviest buyer of best-seller novels, 20th is going to make "Gentleman's Agreement," "Not So Long Ago," "Kiss Of Death," "Snake Pit," "The Heller,' "Spoonhandle, "The Night The World Shook" and "Northside 777." While all stay in the "heavy" class, escapist trend is evidenced by "Forever Amber," "Captain From Castile." "Moss Rose," "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," "The Foxes of Harrow," "The Walls of Jericho," "Green Grass of Wyoming," "Nightmare Alley" and "Scudda Hoo, Scudda Hay." Robert Bassler is back from New York conference with Anatole Litvak and scripters Millen Brand and Frank Partos on "The Snpke Pit," which will star Olivia deHaviland and be co-produced by Bassler-Litvak. Film is scheduled for a late Spring start. Richard Conte's option has been lifted. Conte goes into "Northside 777" as his first picture under new deal. In addition to regular production promotion, 20th-century Fox is pushing re-issue of Technicolor production "Alexander's Ragtime Band," starring Don Ameche and Tyrone Power. Studio says it hopes to beat old record during present re-release UNITED ARTISTS Einfeld Displays Showmanshipl jgNTERPRISE IS HOLDING UP release of "Ramrod" to coincide with national and fan magazine campaign already out on the film "The Other Love" set to go into release first with bombastic campaign which opened recent world premiere of picture in London. Largest free radio and press time ever accorded a jiicture came as result of this brilliant exploitation stunt with broadcast of Barbara Stanwyck from aboard the S/S America hooked-up with David Niven in Hollywood and Louella Parsons in Manhattan topping the campaign. Charlie Einfeld proved again that he is one of the industry's greatest showmen. Some executive changes are brewing in this outfit. Speculation is still rife on whether or not Ed Rafftery will step out, with Rex Dennant said to be certain candidate for spot, if vacated. Board also is due to take official action on Arthur Kelly's return to the company as executive vice-president, although that will wait until he winds up job as Chaplin's representative. There is some talk about a change in Grad Sears' status, too. The board meeting in New York last Tuesday (8th) approved a deal with Sam Coslow for the production of five musical pictures, all to carry budgets of $1,500,000 or more, Coslow at present is making "Copacabana," with Carmen Miranda and Groucho Marx. The board also authorized two high-budget films to be produced by Edward Small and Robert Young and delivered within 18 months. The first will be based on "The Lovers," by Sam Fuller; (Continued on Page 28) ss