MGM Studio News (December 3, 1938)

T U D I Published In the Interests of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Studios . . . Culver City, California Realistic Film Battle Taxes Endurance of Stand Up Stars 0 N E 3 3 New Numbers Sung by Crawford For Ice Follies* Headed straight for the hit parades of the country are three songs sun<? by Joan Crawford in “Ice Follies of 1939,“ her — new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring pro- duction in which she appears with James Stewart and Lew Ayres. The songs are “Something’s Gotta Hap- pen Soon,” by Brown and Freed, “Here I Co Falling In Love Again,” by Roger Edens, and “It’s All So New to Me,” by Petkere and Symes. Preview performances of the numbers by Miss Crawford have already clicked, but the songs will not be used for record- ing or broadcast until shortly before the release of the film. “Ice Follies of 1939” finds Miss Craw- ford cast, for the first time, in the role of a singer. The picture, brought to the screen by Harry Rapf, is directed by Rein- hold Schunzel. ♦ ♦ ♦ Race Drivers Burn Speed In Race Film Dennis O’Keefe’s latest role puts him in the company of the world’s greatest racers, as he becomes the title character in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Burn ’Em Up O’Connor.” Cecilia Parker is seen opposite O'Keefe as the daughter of Harry Carey, racing car manufacturer. Nat Pendleton, as O’Keefe’s mechanic, and Charley Grape- win, as Doc Heath, supply the comedy in the first of this new sport series, pro- duced by Harry Rapf. Alan Curtis, Tru- man Bradley, Tom Neal, Tom Collins and Phillip Terry have important roles. Star drivers Louis Meyer, three-time Indianapolis winner, Kelly Petiilo, Rex Mays, Sam Hanks, Bob Swanson, Ron- nie Householder take part in sequences filmed for the feature which Edward Sedgwick directs. Double Marx Doubles In Honolulu Quartet The Marx Brothers will appear by proxy in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new Eleanor Powell dancing musi- cal, “Honolulu.” They will be impersonated by the King’s Men, a quartette, but since there are four King’s Men and only three Marx Brothers, there will be two Grouchos. Groucho is not the only actor who will be seen double in “Honolulu.” The story revolves around mistaken identity and Robert Young plays a dual role. George Burns and Cracie Allen are featured in comedy roles. Jack Cummings is the producer. G!ad to call it quits after a week of grappling with one another in the snow, Robert Taylor and Wallace Beery completed the second of two climactic fights for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Stand Up and Fight.” In the first battle, fought in a stable- yard under a hot sun, Beery whips Taylor. In the return engagement the script required Taylor to reverse the decision, but the uncertain footing of a foot of snow made the struggle anybody’s battle, with Taylor admitting that the wild scramble and slugging match taxed him more than his ring work in “The Crowd Roars.” Beery, veteran of scores of film battles, could not name any which had been more strenuous. The two stars head a cast which in- cludes Florence Rice as leading lady, Helen Broderick, Charles Bickford, Barton MacLane, Charley Grapewin, John Qualen, Robert Gleckler, Clinton Rosemond, Clau- dia Morgan and Jonathan Hale. W. S. Van Dyke directs, with Mervyn LeRoy producing. George Murphy Signs New M-G-M Contract George Murphy, triple-threat man with his diversified talents as an actor, singer and dancer, has been signed to a new long-term contract by Metro-Gold- wyn-Mayer. He has appeared in a number of dancing-singing roles, his most recent be- ing “Little Miss Broadway” with Shirley Temple, and “A Letter of Introduction.” The studio plans to feature the actor in a number of its new musical produc- tions. _w s Myrna Loy’s Pet Pooch To Play A sta Role In New Thin Man ' Picure Myrna Loy’s wire-hair terrier, Spike, will play the famous role of Asta in “The Thin Man Returns.” Spike, whose brother was fea- tured in a national contest by Mark Hellinger, is being trained for the part when William Powell and Miss Loy resume their popular roles in the “Thin Man” series. The original Asta later became Mr. Smith in another picture, but the name Asta belongs to Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer. Spike’s ability to learn tricks gave Miss Loy the idea of giving him a chance to play the Asta part and Spike is making rapid progress. Hunt Stromberg will produce with W. S. Van Dyke II directing. Nelson Eddy Sings Cowboy Melodies In 'Song of the West* In ten-gallon hat and chaps, Nelson Eddy went before the cameras this week in “Song of the West,” surrounded by one of the strongest casts ever assembled. Appearing opposite the singing star is Virginia Bruce as his childhood sweet- heart. Lionel Barrymore is Eddy's father, a pioneer farmer; Edward Arnold is a rail- road tycoon and Victor McLaglen is his Irish foreman. The supporting cast includes Allen Jen- kins, H. B. Warner, Guy Kibbee, Raymond Walburn and Sarah Padden. Jack Conway directs, with Harry Rapf producing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from Ben Hecht’s original story. 'Nude Finn 1 Starts On River Location With location on the Sacramento River, production started this week on “Huckle- berry Finn,” Mark Twain’s story of the Mississippi, starring Mickey Rooney. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture is being directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The cast includes Rooney in the title role, Walter Connolly, Rex Ingram, William Frawley, Elizabeth Risdon, Minor Wat- son, Lynne Carver, Jo Ann Sayers, Sarah Edwards and Harlan Briggs. The story deals with a Mississippi River boy trying to smuggle an escaped slave to freedom. • • • McKENNA SIGNED Kenneth McKenna has been signed to a new long-term contract as story editor for M-C-M. They're Really Knee- Deep in Midgets NowI One hundred and four midgets, gathered from ail parts of the United States, have started re- hearsals for song and dance num- bers as the Munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz.” In addition to his original troupe, Leo Singer toured the country, finding addi- tional midgets at Miami, Chicago, and other points.