Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1936)

24 MOTION PICTURE HERALD December 5, 1936 STORIES PURCHASED BY STUDIOS Jesse Lasky Predicts an Increase of 300 Features in Hollywood Production Indicating a surprising extension of production schedules since the original preseasonal estimates last summer, Jesse L Lasky, pioneer producer, declared this week that Hollywood expects an increase of 300 or more feature pictures over the 525 features produced there in 1935-36. Mr. Lasky made his prediction in a nationwide radio network hookup, last Friday afternoon, from the combined "Red" and "Blue" systems of the National Broadcasting Company. The occasion was a microphone tour of leading American industries in key cities from coast to coast. It was conducted by NBC, as a "Forward Industry" movement, to show the extent of the present upward trend in business. The conclusion was that already the nation's general business payroll is up $130,000,000 for the coming year. That, of course, is good news to motion picture box offices which quickly reflect any improvement in American industry. Describing the manner in which the motion picture industry is checkmated by general business reverses, Mr. Lasky told the listening public, "The weekly theatre attendance in the United States is a barometer not only for the film industry, but for all industries. In 1930 I 10,000,000 persons attended the motion picture theatre weekly. In 1933, this figure had dropped to 60,000,000. In 1935, it rose to 80,000,000 and is still rising." "Here in Hollywood," Mr. Lasky added, "this rise is reflected in studio activities. Not since 1930 have the sound stages of the film companies been such a beehive of activity. This year we anticipate an increase of 300 or more features. That calls for an expenditure of $150,000,000 and means the reemployment of electricians, carpenters, engineers — in fact, skilled workmen in more than 250 different industries, arts and crafts, involved in the making of a single motion picture. Indeed, the motion picture industry is moving forward." (Continued from preceding page) Men With Wings, original story by James Norman Hall and Jeff Lazarus, acquired by Paramount. Murder in The Hospital, original story by W. C. Fields which the comedian has written as his next picture has been bought by Paramount. Mutineer, The, unpublished magazine story by Allan Vaughan Elston, has been bought by First National. The story has a South Seas background and will probably be a co-starring vehicle for Errol Flynn and George Brent. Nancy Steele Is Missing, original story by Charles Francis Coe, to Twentieth CenturyFox to star June Lang and Robert Kent. New Orleans, original by Barrett McDonald bought by Sterling Pictures. Release title of picture will be decided later. Personal History, novel by Vincent Sheehan, bought by Walter Wanger to star Madeleine Carroll for release through United Artists. Story of the Klondike Queen of The Yukon, original story of the Klondike by Arthur Hoerl, bought by W. Ray Johnston of Sterling Pictures. Quintuplets to You, original story by Olga Moore, acquired by Robert Sisk for release through RKO Radio. Maxwell Shane is writing the screen play. Radio City Revels, musical comedy, will be the first Jesse L. Lasky production for release through RKO Radio. Alex A. Arons, former Broadway legitimate producer, has been assigned to assist Mr. Lasky. Red Lights Ahead, original story by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan, acquired by Chesterfield for release through Republic. Lucille Gleason and Roger Imhoff will head the cast and Rowland Lee will direct. Seal Poacher, original story by Norman Reilly Raine dealing with the Alaskan seal industry, has been bought by First National. Claude Rains will have the leading role in the picture. Skidding, former Broadway legitimate success by Aurania Roureyrol, has been bought by MGM. Spring Dance, New York legitimate hit by George Billam and J. B. Priestly, bought by MGM. Super-Sleuth, original story by Harry Segall, bought by Radio to star Jack Oakie. Edward Small will produce. Susanah of The Mounties, novel by Muriel and Merril Danison, bought by Twentieth Century-Fox to star Shirley Temple. Sweet Sixteen, original story by Norma Young, bought by W. Ray Johnston for Sterling Pictures. Swing High, Swing Low, original story by Marcella Burke, to Paramount to star Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray. Original for Penner Take it Easy, original story by Francis and Marion Cockrell, bought by Radio. Joe Penner will have the lead. Tarzan's Prisoner, Tarzan's Folly, Tarzan's Secret, Tarzan's Revenge, Tarzan's Last Call, acquired by Sol Lesser of Principal Pictures from Edgar Rice Burroughs for release through Twentieth Century-Fox. Telephone Operator, original story by Frederick Hawtrey, bought by W. Ray Johnston of Sterling Pictures. Thirteenth Man, original by Reymond Ray, acquired by W. Ray Johnston of Sterling Pictures. Three On A Latchkey, original story by Joseph Santley, bought by Radio for production as an elaborate musical. The cast will include Gene Raymond, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore and Joe Penner. Tintype of A Lady, novel by Kathleen Shepard, bought by W. Ray Johnston for Sterling Pictures production. Tovarich, current Broadway play, bought by Warners. Untitled Original, bought by Rufus LeMaire for Eddie Garr as his first production for Universal. Untitled Original by Rupert Hughes, bought by Selznick International for United Artists release. The picture will star Ronald Colman. Untitled Original, by Dorothy Kilgallen, newspaper reporter who flew around the world, bought by Warners. The story will deal with her flight. Variety, made as a silent picture years ago, has been acquired by Selznick International for production in sound starring Edward Arnold. Venus Makes Trouble, original by M. L. Simmons, bought by Columbia. Police Story for Sterling Wanted By The Police, original by Leonard St. John, to W. Ray Johnston for Sterling Pictures. Weather Or No, magazine story by A. H. Z. Carr, bought by Columbia to star Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur. With Love and Kisses, original story by Al Martin and Sherman Lowe, bought by Television Pictures. Pinky Tomlin and Toby Wing will be starred. World's Our Oyster, The, original bought by Selznick International for United Artists release. Edward Arnold and Mary Astor will be co-starred. Years Are So Long, The, novel by Josephine Lawrence, bought by Paramount. The lead- ing feminine role will be played by Beulah Bondi. Yesterday's Cheers, original by Albert Shelby Levino, bought by Paramount to star Lew Ayres and Mary Carlisle. You're All I Want, novel bv Katharine Brush, bought by Warners. Kay Francis will be starred. 20th-Fox Will Present $500,000 as Bonuses Twentieth Century-Fox will distribute $500,000 in Christmas bonus money, it was announced officially by Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board, and Sidney R. Kent, president, in Hollywood Tuesday. The bonus will apply to employees in the lower salary brackets and the distribution forces throughout the world. Although individual amounts have not been decided upon as yet, the move is expected to set a precedent which other studios in good financial shape will follow. The full bonus will be paid to those in the company employ for one year, with partial sums for those affiliated only six months. Kurtzman Heads Newspaper Charles Kurtzman is president of the St. Louis Show World, eight-page weekly tabloid fan newspaper which is distributed in the Fanchon and Marco theatres in that city. The circulation is estimated at 25,000 weekly.