The Exhibitor (1956)

30 STUDIO SURVEY C. V. Whitney is seen with Virginia Military Institute cadets of the Civil War Musket Team. Virginia Governor Thomas Stanley and VMI superintendent Major General William H. Milton, Jr., recently Pledged cooperation in the filming of "The Valiant Virginians," an epic spectacle of the war between the states to be produced by C. V. Whitney Pictures, Inc., and filmed on Virginia locations, beginning in the summer of 1957. With the location company filming "The Search¬ ers" in the Monument Valley, C. V. Whitney, lower right, records the lensing of some action scenes with his Leica. The Technicolor and VistaVision film has been released by Warners. AT a time en many of the old pros among .ollywood’s producers are for the hills, C. V. Whit¬ ney Pictu: Inc., whose initial produc¬ tion, “The Searchers,’’ is doing a thumping business wherever it has opened, is pro¬ ceeding confidently and smoothly on its carefully prepared schedule. “We intend to continue to create screen entertainment that cannot be obtained on TV screens,” said Merian C. Cooper, executive vice-president in charge of pro¬ duction. “It’s as simple as that.” Whitney concurred in the views of his production chief. “C. V. Whitney Pictures is a permanent organization,” he declared. “We propose to sign personalities and to have a perma¬ nent staff of picture-making artisans.” Whitney made an identical statement at his first meeting with the press several weeks ago. Most recent personality signed by C. V. Whitney Pictures, Inc., is Pat Wayne, handsome six-foot one-inch son of John Wayne. Pat, who got his best screen chance in support of his famous father in “The Searchers,” will be 17 in July. He has been given a seven-year pact. The agreement between John Wayne and Merian C. Cooper is that there will be no interference with the education of Pat, who has finished his junior year at Loyola High School with a straight A average and a fine athletic record. “I am proud that Mr. Whitney, John Ford, and Merian Cooper have taken Pat under their wing. Ours is a hard business. If Pat wishes a career, he has a lot to learn. I am sure their guidance will bring out the best that’s in him.” The facts are that Pat, with only three picture bits under his belt, is high on the fan polls of all magazines, acts with the John Wayne's son, Pat, seen above with his father, was signed to an exclusive, seven-year contract by C. V. Whitney Pictures, Inc., as a result of his performance in "The Searchers." Production Plans Proceed On Careful Film Schedule assurance of a veteran, and is completely modest. What his first assignment will be re¬ mains to be seen. It is hoped to find a suitable role for him for this summer. Production plans are progressing for James Warner Bellah’s “The Valiant Vir¬ ginians,” epic Civil War story slated for filming next spring or next fall, chiefly in Virginia. Associate producer Patrick Ford and screen writer Frank Nugent are work¬ ing on a story line for a screen play for John Buress’ novel, “The Missouri Trav¬ eler,” which, as the title indicates, has a midwest setting. Associate producer Lowell Farrell and his co-director, Winton C. Hech, for the last several weeks have been in Iran where they have been filming the re¬ production of “Grass,” epic nature drama first filmed 32 years ago by Cooper and his then partner, Ernest B. Schoedsack. The new picture is being filmed in Tech¬ nicolor, wide screen, and full sound. Also in preparation for re-production is “Chang,” originally written, produced, directed and photographed in Siam by Schoedsack and Cooper. This also will be given the full treatment, including Tech¬ nicolor. Also in active preparation is “William Liberty,” the unpublished novel regarded by Whitney and Cooper as one of the best literary properties to come to light in many years. The author, Frank Clemensen, is doing a gigantic rewrite job on the novel which, at the writing, exceeds 1400 pages. “There has been no change in our orig¬ inal policy, which includes an initial fiveyear production plan,” said Whitney. “To summarize once more, our primary in¬ terest is stories reflecting the American scene, such as ‘The Searchers,’ ‘The Valiant Virginian’ and ‘William Liberty.’ Second, we have pictures of the outdoor world such as ‘Grass’ and ‘Chang,’ and third, occasional pictures in a world of fantasy which will utilize the unique talents of Merian C. Cooper who, together with Schoedsack, produced and directed ‘King Kong,’ which once more is being re-issued.” C.V. Whitney... New Blood For Hollywood MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR June 6, 1956