Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

STODIO sizf-yps SCREEN GUILD Western Front All Quiet ■'^^ITH COMPLETION OF "Law of the Mounties," this studio is once inactive, although scheduled pictures will be filmed as set, according to officials. British tax dents, amounting to between $10,000 and $20,000 per picture,/ will be absorbed by companies, and no production decreases are to be made. President John Jones announced. The new season's schedule will once again have 24 features, Jones told the annual sales meeting in Chicago, 20+h CENTURY-FOX Six Shooting ^^ITH STARTS on "Call Northside 777," James Stewart-Richard Conte documentary, and "Deep Water," starring Dana Andrews, production schedule at 20th moves up to six films shooting. Others are Victor Mature-Coleen Gray co-starrer "Ballad of Furnace Creek"; Jeanne Crain-Dan Dailey in "The Flaming Age"; "The Snake Pit," Olivia de Havilland epic, and "Escape," filming abroad, with Rex Harrison and Peggy Cummins. The studio cracked down on Gene Tierney and dropped her from the payrolls for refusing the lead in "The Walls of Jericho." Officials cited the incident as being the fourth time the actress turned down a role at 20th, the others being the title role in "Forever Amber," the lead later played by Irene Dunne in "Anna and the King of Siam," and a part in yet-to-be filmed "Chicken Every Sunday." Efforts meanwhile are being made to sign Cornel Wilde to male lead in "Jericho," with shooting start now postponed until October 20, because of casting collapse. Part is that of a smalltown Kansas lawyer, and Wilde supposedly told studio eight months ago he didn't feel up to it. UNITED ARTISTS Buys Four From RKO 'p'HINGS WERE LOOKING up for this recently unhappy organization last week, with a relieved financial burden and puichase of four RKO films from latters backlog for approximately $5,000,000. Titles of four pictures have not yet been released, and two more are being considered at this writing. It is understood that RKO's $3,000,000 Technicolored "Tycoon" was offered, but turned down because of high cost versus limited (i.e., domestic) market. Banks meanwhile are coming through for United Artists, and the $5,COO,000 revolving fund scheme seems to be shelved, at least temporarily. With completion of Danny Kaye's latest (and last, for Gold•wyn), "A Song Is Born," Samuel Goldwyn has shut down his organization until March 1. Those technicians under contract .are being loaned out, while remainder are being dropped. NEBENZAL GOING AHEAD Bravely disreRardinpr British tax situation, producer Seymour Nebenzal is proceeding with preparations on two top features. Ambitious "Look Homeward, Angel" will role some time this month, with director-scripter Arthur Ripley at megaphone. Less than a month later, Nebenzal starts Maria Montez starrer, "Queen of Hearts," with Charles R. Rogers. Arrangements were concluded last week between Enterprise Studios and United Artists to release "So This Is New York,'* currently shooting, based on the famous Ring Lardner story, "The Big Town," it wa,3 announced by Gradwell L. Sears, U.A. president. "So This Is New York," the fifth Enterprise film under UA's banner, stars radio comedian Henry Morgan in his first screen appearance, using an unusual technique that will have Moi-gan both as comedy star and as satirical off-screen narrator. The new film is being made for Enterprise by Stanley Kramer's newly formed Screen Plays Inc., under the direction of Dick Fleischer. UNiVZRSAL-INTERNATIONAL Observes First Anniversary piRST ANNIVERSARY OF coalition of International production forces with Universal was observed first of this month, and found ten films ready for fall and winter release, 19 in some stage of production and 18 being readied for shooting. Negotiations were believed about to be momentarily concluded with impending signing of Sonja Henie to John Beck's production of "The Countess of Monte Cristo." Only stumbling block apparently is Technicolor scheme, with star holding out for it, and studio against it because of financing. Because of $1,000,000 purchase of "Harvey," this studio ia cracking down on story buys. First to feel the axe was Gladys Schmidt's "Alexandra," which studio had with $10,000 option. Deal called for additional $90,000 if bought, plus $50,000 more If volume hit best seller lists. Officials hastend to explain dropping was no reflection on book — it was just a matter of a million dollars. WARNER BROS. Five Rolling, Six Ready ■^^ITH FIVE FILMS well in work, ("To the Victor," "Johnny Belinda," "Christopher Blake," "April Showers" and "Winter Meeting"), the production department readied six more for shooting start between now and December 1. Directors assigned included Don Siegel, "Act of Violence;" Vincent Sherman, 'The Adventures of Don Juan;" Fred de Cordova, "■Sunburst;" Raoul Walsh, "Colt .45;" John Huston, "Key Largo," and David Butler, "Seabiscuit." Of total pictures completed, in production or being set, twelve Warner films are period themed. Michael Curtiz has "Romance in High C" in the editing and scoring stage, while Elliot Nugent is cutting "Ever the Beginning." Latest turnover at Warners featured producer Owen Crump, who checked off lot after nine years of writing and producing. While "Don Quixote" is not definitely out as possible vehicle for new Warner star Danny Kaye, "The Man From Blankley's," 1930 John Barrymore comedy, is being considered by Kaye, associate-producer-wife Sylvia Fine, and producer Jerry Wald as first film under new pact. <[) C T O B K R 13, 1917 U