MGM Studio News (May 21, 1940)

STUDIO NEWS Published In the Interests of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Studios VOL. VII — CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1940 — No. 9 LOUELLA O. PARSONS, LOS ANGE- LES EXAMINER—“Spencer Tracy’s like- ness to Thomas Edison in ‘Edison, the Man’ is uncanny. I met the wizard of Menlo Park a number of times so I had a chance to study the great inventor at close range, and I must say I was really impressed with Spencer, who is so like Edison, both in quiet manner of speaking and in his actual appearance. “Clarence Brown has done an excel- lent job of directing, for in the biography he injects suspense, human interest, and the romance of business. “Spencer Tracy, always a good actor, gives a remarkable characterization of the older Edison and in the last scenes he is superb. “Rita Johnson is very attractive as Mrs. Edison, considered a beautiful woman in her youth. “I feel sure ‘Edison, the Man’ will please many people, for it is both instruc- tive and entertaining—a combination that is difficult to find. John Considine, Jr., who spent much time assembling the material, deserves great credit.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER — “Com- pleting the Thomas A. Edison screen saga, begun several months ago with the re- lease of “Young Tom Edison,” M-G-M does itself and the industry proud with a sincere tribute to the man who invented the medium which now helps to cele- brate him. “In his performance of the title role, Spencer Tracy clinches his nomination for another Academy Award. “Rita Johnson gives an exquisitely modulated performance as Edison’s wife, one that will further her career im- measurably.” EDWIN SCHALLERT, LOS ANGELES TIMES—“‘Edison, the Man’ takes its place as one of the superior biographical motion pictures. It is presented with taste, intelligence and humanness. Spen- cer Tracy supplies one of his simplest and strongest performances as the great in- ventor. Direction by Clarence Brown, writing and portrayal all dignify this fea- ture, which remarkably revolves around the theme of the discovery of the electric light, and the beginning of a new world. “Rita Johnson’s acting is especially fine and sincere.” VARIETY—“ ‘Edison, the Man’ is a picture which not alone relates the story of a great scientist and humanitarian in powerful dramatics and entertaining terms, but also carries an inspirational antidote for the depressions of the day— a film which lights a beacon in text and treatment—and as such should be es- pecially salable at this time. It is by every measure a splendid and memorable production, destined to take its place amongst the important pictures of the year. “Thomas Edison, the man: In a truly great performance, great in its simple and eloquent statement of the electrical wizard’s life in his Menlo Park workshop, in his home life, in his dealings with his fellow laborers and the powerful and moneyed men of his day, in his visionary devotion to the growth and welfare of his country—in such a truly great perform- ance Spencer Tracy catches the very spirit of Edison, the man. “Top credit for superb quality of the picture goes to Clarence Brown for his distinguished direction. “John W. Considine, Jr., with wise and sound preparation and his method of treatment of the production deserves highest praise for a picture of distinction and commercial promise.” JIMMY STARR, L. A. EVENING HER- ALD & EXPRESS — “Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer’s picturization of ‘Edison, the Man’ is one of the most interesting productions I’ve seen. “I don’t remember when Spencer Tracy ever gave a better performance. Especial- ly good, also, is Rita Johnson, as Mrs. Edison. This young woman is a fine ac- tress. “Clarence Brown told the story with an easy, simple flow of events. “Applause to Producer John W. Con- sidine, Jr., for the thoroughness and the fine quality of a truly unusual film.” Stephani On New Producer Ticket Frederick Stephani, M-G-M producer of the popular Nick Carter series and other successful films was signed to a new long-term contract by M-G-M. He recently completed “The Captain Is a Lady” and “Phantom Raiders.” ♦ ♦ ♦ Owen Starts Sixth Year With Metro Reginald Owen was this week signed on a new long-term contract by M-G-M. His most recent role was as the Emperor in “Florian.” He has been with M-G-M more than five years. 'The Mortal Storm' Clicks At Preview Scoring with the perfection of its per- formances and the timeliness of its theme, “The Mortal Storm” was acclaimed as a great dramatic hit at its recent sneak pre- view. Based on the best-seller novel by Phyl- lis Bottome, the story deals with the ex- periences of a family caught in the midst of the Nazi regime. Starring Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Robert Young and Frank Mor- gan, supporting players include Irene Rich, Maria Ouspenskaya, Robert Stack, William Orr, Bonita Granville and Gene Reynolds. The production was directed by Frank Borzage. Garland Revives Another Old Hit In Hardy Picture Another song hit which has lain dor- mant for twenty-five years comes to life when Judy Garland sings “I’m Nobody’s Baby” in “Andy Hardy Meets Debu- tante” Although the film is not a musical, the young star has two other solos. One is “All I Do Is Dream of You,” which she sings as a consolation to herself when she sees Mickey Rooney, her co-star, stepping out with the nation’s leading debutante, and the other, “Alone,” is sung as she sits in the midst of the crowd at the deb’s coming out party. Published by Leo Feist, Inc., two decades ago, “I’m Nobody’s Baby” has been the favorite of such singers as Nora Bayes and Sophie Tucker. The three numbers may be favorites of yesteryear, but Judy will sing them to the "hottest” orchestra ever assembled in a studio. The modern musicians were chosen not for their ability to play “hot” music, but because as such instrumen- talists they could more quickly grasp the psychology of phrasing popular song num- bers after Judy’s own style. Featured with Rooney and Judy are the regular members of the Hardy Family, which include Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, Ann Rutherford, Cecilia Parker and Sara Haden. George Seitz again directs. ♦ ♦ ♦ Comedy and Romance Highlight Film of Noted Stage Play Outstanding comedy performances by Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Edmund Gwenn, Melville Cooper and Marsha Hunt, plus the romantic teaming of Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, highlight M-G-M’s picturization of “Pride and Prejudice.” One of the most amusing costume comedies ever filmed, the Jane Austen novel pokes fun at the gay social whirl of the 1820,’s, with Director Robert Z. Leonard taking full advantage of the modes and manners of the period for laughs. Brought to the screen by Hunt Strom- berg, the film features one of the sea- son’s most brilliant supporting casts, in- cluding Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Ruther- ford, Heather Angel, Frieda Inescort, Bruce Lester, Edward Ashley, Karen Mor- ley and others. The picture is now in its final editing, with a full symphony score being written by Herbert Stothart. ♦ ♦ ♦ Virginia Sale Set For 'Maisie' Role Virginia Sale is the latest funmaker to join the cast of “Gold Rush Maisie,” latest of the “Maisie” series featuring Ann Sothern. She will enact the wife of a Western tavernkeeper who refuses to permit her husband to join a gold rush in the merry Western adventure of the stranded show girl, which Edwin L. Marin is directing. She joins a cast that includes Lee Bow- man as leading man, Virginia Weidler, Slim Summerville, John Hamilton and Mary Nash. J. Walter Ruben is pro- ducing. The picture sees Maisie in the midst of an Arizona gold rush that leaves her with a family of migratory workers on her hands, with both comical and dra- matic complications. Nick Carter Clubs Launched Result Of Detective Films “Nick Carter Clubs,” organized by youngsters, are springing up throughout the country, according to letters received from the youthful organizers by Walter Pidgeon, who comes again to the screen as the master detective in “Phantom Raiders,” second in the Nick Carter se- ries. Directed by Jacques Tourneur, it has gone to musical scoring and final edit- ing. “Nick Carter, Master Detective,” first of the series, inspired the “Nick Carter Clubs.” The new mystery deals with the detec- tive’s trailing of a sabotage ring working off Canal Zone waters. Florence Rice plays the heroine, and Donald Meek, Jo- seph Schildkraut, John Carroll, Nat Pen- dleton and Steffi Duna are among the principals. Frederick Stephani produced. ♦ ♦ ♦ Stothart Starts Work On Score of 'Married An Angel' Herbert Stothart started work this week on the problem of bringing the orig- inal score of “I Married An Angel” to the screen for the voices of Jeanette Mac- Donald and Nelson Eddy. Based on the New York stage success of the same name, the new production is to be transferred to the films with all the glamour of the original. Work is scheduled to get under way within a few weeks. The picture will be produced by Hunt Stromberg. ♦ ♦ ♦ Vidor Returning For Gable Film King Vidor returns this week from a business trip to New York, and will re- sume work immediately on preparations for the filming of “Witch of the Wilder- ness,” drama scheduled as a vehicle for Clark Gable. Irving Asher is producing the new film with Laurence Stallings on the screen play. The novel by Desmond Holdridge, deals with an adventurous millionaire whose yacht is marooned during the dry season in the heart of a tropical jungle and the ultimate change in the lives of those aboard. Pomona Audience Lauds Crawford, March In 'Susan' Acclaimed by a sneak preview audience at Pomona as one of the I greatest and most enjoyable drama- tic comedies of many a year, “Susan and Cod,” M-G-M’s picturization of the Rachel Crothers Broadway hit, completed final editing this week in preparation for its press preview. The film, which co-stars Joan Crawford and Fredric March as Susan and Barrie Trexel includes in its featured cast such names as John Carroll, Ruth Hussey, Rose Hobart, Rita H ayworth, Rita Quigley, Nigel Bruce, Bruce Cabot, Mar- jorie Main, Constance Collier and Norma Mitchell. George Cukor directed, with Hunt Stromberg pro- ducing.