Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1940)

26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD June 8, 1940 ORIGINAL STORIES LEAD PURCHASES (Listing continued front preceding page) Ode to Liberty, adapted from the play which the late Sidney Howard adapted from the French of Michel Duran. The picture will reach the screen under the title "He Stayed for Breakfast" and will star Melvyn Douglas, with Al Hall directing. A Stage Play Old Lady Thirty-One, a stage play by Rachel Crothers, purchased by Metro-GoldwynMayer ; Beulah Bondi, Billie Burke and Helen Broderick to have the leading roles. One Came Home, an original story by Grace Norton dealing with horse racing in Virginia and Kentucky, acquired by Metro-GoldwynMayer, with Robert Young , and Lewis Stone in prominent roles. S. Sylvan Simon will direct. Owners Up, an original story by Roy Chanslor and Thomas Wangan, purchased by Twentieth Century-Fox, with Chanslor signed to write the script. Walter Morosco and Ralph Dietrich will be associate producers. Photo Finish, an original story by David Butler, James Kern and James Edward Grant, purchased by RKO. The picture deals with horse racing and will be made in color. Purple Heart, The, an original story by Katherine King, purchased by Warners. Rhapsody in Stripes, an original story by Paul Gerard Smith, acquired by Universal. Curwood Novel Rivers End, a novel by James Oliver Curwood dealing with the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police, acquired by Warner Brothers with Dennis Morgan to star in a dual role. Road to Rio, an original story by Don Hartman and Cy Bartlett, acquired by Paramount for Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Rogue Male, a psychological novel by Geoffrey Household, acquired by TwentiethCentury-Fox. The novel was published in England under the title "Rogue Male" and later in the United States as "Man Hunt." Schoolmates, an original story by Lee Katz, purchased by Twentieth Century-Fox. Senate Page Boys, an original story by Lew Foster, who also wrote "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," purchased by Metro-GoldwynMayer, with Melvyn Douglas in the starring role as a Senator. SENfENCE, The, an original story by Walter Delson, acquired by Warner Brothers as a vehicle for George Brent and Claire Trevor. Slightly Tempted, an original story by Manny Seff and Max Marcin, bought by Universal to star Hugh Herbert and to be directed by Lew Landers. A Mystery Novel Stranger on the Third Floor, The, a mystery novel by Frank Partos, purchased by RKO. Studio Club, an original story, purchased by Twentieth Century-Fox, with Herbert L Leeds and William Brent adapting the story to the screen. Sunshine Salley, an original story by Eva Graves, acquired by Monogram as a vehicle for the youthful starring team of Marcia May Jones and Jackie Moran. Sweet Sixteen, an original story by Robert Kehoe, purchased by Monogram for another Marcia May Jones-Jackie Moran picture. They Dance in Havana, an original story by Larry Rhine, purchased by Universal. Third Finger, Left Hand, an original story by F. L. Hendrickson, purchased by MGM. Three Smart Girls in Love, an original story by Hans Kraly, purchased by Universal. Together Again, an original story by Leo McCarey, purchased by RKO as a possible vehicle for Irene Dunne and Gary Grant. Steinbeck Novel, Untitled McEvoy Tortilla Flats, John Steinbeck's novel dealing with the Mexican settlement near Monterey, purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Benjamin Glazer will prepare the screen adaptation. Untitled, an original story to be written by J. P. McEvoy, purchased by Paramount at a reported price of $20,000. The company bought the story-to-be after a verbal outline by the author. Valley of the Sun, The, a novel by Clarence Budington Kelland, purchased by RKO for production by Harry Edington. Bartlett Cormack will write the screenplay. Weak Link, The, a comedy stage play by Allan Wood, purchased by Warner Brothers. Eddie Albert will be seen as "Peter Mason," unemployed mathematical wizard. When the Daltons Rode, a biographical novel by Emmett Dalton and J. Jungmeier, purchased by Universal. May Properties Properties acquired in May with all available credits follow : All Night Long, an original story by Elizabeth Meehan and Robert Lee Johnson bought by Republic. Ariane Pretends, originally a motion picture produced in Europe and based on the novel "Ariane" by Claude Anet, the American screen rights have been purchased by RKO as a vehicle for Charles Boyer. Anatole Litvak will direct. Bandit Saint, The, an original story by Sam Robins acquired by Universal. Bride Said No, The, an original story by Erna Lazarus and W. Scott Darling purchased for production by Universal. Bringing Up Father, the Georoe McManus newspaper comic strip purchased by Barney Gerard. Dildo Cay, a novel by Nelson Hayes purchased by Paramount. Forgotten Valley, Sherman Lowe's original story purchased by Universal. General Came to Stay, The, an unpublished novel by Dalton Trumbo purchased by Paramount. Give the Boys a Break, an original story by Robert L. Johnson purchased by Universal. Golden Wings, a novel by William Van Alst, on the life of General William Mitchell, an Army officer suspended for air force criticism. Purchased by Republic. Hail and Farewell, a magazine story by Williston Rich acquired by George Stevens. Harold Teen, a newspaper comic strip by Carl Ed acquired for screen production by Warners. Ivanhoe Keeler, a novel by Phil Stong purchased by Producers Corp. of America. Legacy, a novel shortly to be published and to be produced by Robert Sherwood (not to be confused with Robert L. Sherwood), for possible release through Columbia. Letter From the President, A, an original story by Arthur Hoerl purchased by Fine Arts. Li'l Abner, a newspaper comic strip of hillbilly life by Al Capp and distributed to the newspapers through the United Features Syndicate. The screen rights to the cartoon have been purchased for production by Vogue Productions, Ltd., and to be released through RKO. The company plans to make four pictures in the series. Little Broadcast, The, an idea purchased by Paramount from two picture magazines dealing with the college boys burlesque of popular radio broadcasts. The picture will star Norman Hayden. Man of the Year, an original story by Richard English and Thomas Monroe acquired by Republic. Melody Ranch, a radio show starring Gene Autry. The screen rights have been purchased by Republic. Mercy Squad, an original story by Griffin Jay purchased by Universal. Moon Over Mulberry Street, a Broadway play of a few seasons ago by Nicholas Consentino purchased by Republic. New Orleans, an uncompleted novel by Louis Bromfield purchased by Columbia as a vehicle for Jean Arthur. The company purchased the novel in outline form. No, No, Nanette, a musical stage production by Vincent Youman purchased by RKO as a vehicle for Anna Neagle. Pop Malloy, a radio serial by Virgil Blake purchased by Edgar Kennedy. Ragtime Cowboy Joe, an original story by Milton Raison acquired by Universal. Ralston Biography Ralston 's Ring, a factual novel on the life of William C. Ralston, San Francisco pioneer. The book has been bought by George Stevens for possible release through Columbia. Joel Sayre is preparing an adaptation of the story under the title "King of California." Riders of Death Valley, an original story by Basil Dickey and George H. Plympton purchased by Universal. Roaring Forties, an unpublished novel by John J. Stein and Grace Hayward on the life of Texas Guinan acquired by Republic as a possible vehicle for Ona Munson. Sea Wolf, The, Jack London's novel purchased by Warner Brothers as a possible vehicle for Edward G. Robinson. Second Chorus, an original story by Frank Cavett, to star Artie Shaw and his band, bought by Paramount to be produced by National Pictures. Secret Army, The, an original story by Lester Cole dealing with "fifth column" activities, purchased by Warner Brothers. Albert Basserman, Brenda Marshall and Jeffrey Lynn will be cast in the picture with George Brent possibly in a co-starring role. William K. Howard will direct. South or Karanga, an original story by Edmund L. Hartmann and Stanley Rubin purchased by Universal. Street of Cairo, Alex Gottlieb's original story acquired by Universal. Kern Musical Sunny, a musical stage production with music by Jerome Kern purchased as a possible vehicle for Anna Neagle by RKO. 30,000 Horses, an original story by Bartlett Cormack and Robert Carson, purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Tom, Dick and Harry, an original story by Paul Jarrico, purchased by RKO. Trail to Paradise, an original story by Arthur St. Claire bought by Universal. Transatlantic Clipper, an original story by William H. Wright and John Speaks purchased by Paramount. Uneasy Payments, an original story by Erna Lazarus and W. Scott Darling purchased by Universal. Who's Crazy Now. an original story by Otis Garrett and Hal Hudson purchased by Universal. Wild Geese Calling, a novel by Stewart Edward White acquired by Twentieth Century-Fox. Woman's Face, A, originally a French play and later a motion picture produced in Sweden with Ingrid Bergman. The play was written by Francis De Croisett and has been acquired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a vehicle for Joan Crawford and James Stewart. Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula, Ben Markson's original story acquired by Universal.