Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1941)

November 29, 1941 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 51 PRODUCERS BUY 39 MORE STORIES AND PLAYS FOR 1941-42 FILMING Biography of Rogers Bought by Warners; Four Stage Plays, 15 Books Among Story Purchases for October Hollywood producers acquired screen rights to 39 story properties in October, for 1941-42. Of these 20 were original stories, four were stage plays and 15 were books, including two biographies and four published magazine stories. Highlight of the October acquisition was the purchase of "Uncle Clem's Boy," a biography of the late Will Rogers written by his widow, Mrs. Betty Rogers. The property was purchased by Warner Brothers for an estimated price of $140,000. The sale, regarded as one of the most important of the year, was concluded following spirited bidding of all major studios. Under the terms of the contract, Mrs. Rogers will retain scenario and cast approval. Stuart Erwin, Spencer Tracy and Roy Rogers, Republic cowboy star, are being considered for the role of the humoristphilosopher. It is reported from Hollywood that Mrs. Rogers favors Spencer Tracy for the role, while her advisors are advocating Stuart Erwin, who bears a striking resemblance in both appearance and manner to the comedian. Rinehart Story Bought "One Hour of Glory," Mary Roberts Rinehart's character study of a retired small-town business man who visits Washington, D. C, was purchased by RKO last month from Warner Brothers as a vehicle for Thomas Mitchell. Warners had owned the yarn since its magazine publication early in 1940 and had also announced it for Thomas Mitchell but abandoned the project last January. However, before RKO can put the story into actual production Thomas Mitchell has to complete "Song of the Islands" and "Roxie Hart" for Twentieth Century-Fox. Paramount purchased "The Passionate Witch," Thorne Smith's last novel, which Norman Matson completed after the author's death, as a vehicle for Veronica Lake. Rene Clair, French director, whose only previous American film was Universal's "Flame of New Orleans" with Marlene Dietrich, has been engaged to direct the picture. "Common Clay," a melodrama of 1915 which starred Jane Cowl and which subsequently reached the screen in both silent and talking versions, will be filmed again by Twentieth Century-Fox. James T. Farrell, author of "Studs Lonigan" and the recent best-seller, "Ellen Rogers," has been engaged to prepare the scenario from Cleves Kinkead's play. Properties acquired during September with all available credits follow: Alicia's Man, a stage play by Leo McNaney purchased by Director Al Santell. Angel Face, a magazine • story by Jean Becket purchased as the second vehicle for Joan Carroll by RKO. Black Curtain, a mystery novel by Cornell Woolrich acquired by Paramount. Common Clay, a stage play by Cleves Kinkead of 1915 which reached the screen in both the silent and sound version will again be brought to the screen by Fox. Crystal Ball. The, an original story ac STORY PURCHASES OF YEAR COMPARED Month Originals Books Plays Totals November, I94C 20 8 5 33 December 30 16(a) 9 55 January, 1941 30 14(b) 7 51 February 36 11(c) 8 55 March 31 19(d) 5 55 April 17 11(e) 6 34 May 20 24(f) 4 48 June 39 9(g) 2 50 July 18 11(h) 2 31 August 9 no 1 17 September 31 17(0 2 50 October 20 I5(k) 4 39 TOTALS FOR 12 MONTHS 301 62(1) 55 518 (a) Including 4 published magazi ne stories and 2 radio scripts. (b) Including 5 published magazine stories and 1 newspaper serial. (c) Including 3 published magazine stories and 1 newspaper comic strip. (d) Including 2 published magazine stories, 1 newspaper comic strip and 1 film. (e) Including 2 published magazine stories and 1 radio script. (f) Including 4 published magazine stories and 2 radio scripts. (g) Including 3 published magazine stories, I musical composition and I radio script. (h) Including I published magazine story and I newspaper comic strip. (i) Including I radio script. (j) Including 3 published magazine stories, I newspaper comic strip and 1 film. (k) including 4 published magazine stories. ( I ) including 30 published magazine stories. 7 radio scripts, 2 films, I musical composition and 5 newspaper comic strips. quired by Paramount for production by Arthur Hornblow, Jr. Deep Harlem, a Broadway stage play of two years ago. The property has been purchased by John Dorn and Associates for production with an all-Negro cast in New York. Ethan Frome, a novel by Edith Wharton acquired by Warner Brothers as a possible vehicle for Bette Davis. Fighting Littles, The, a new novel by Booth Tarkington, purchased by RKO. Richard Wallace will direct the film. Gentleman From the West Indies, The, an original story of the life of Alexander Hamilton by Dorothy Thompson and Fritz Kartner purchased by MGM as a vehicle for Robert Taylor aqd Hedy Lamarr. Gibson Girl, an original biography of Charles Dana Gibson, creator of the "Gibson Girl." The story has been acquired for spring production by Warners. Gilded Pheasant, a novel by Stephen Morehouse Avery purchased by William Hawks. Highlander, The, an original story on the life of Sir Harry Lauder, purchased by Leon Errol. Hong Kong, an original story acquired by Paramount as a possible vehicle for Veronica T^ake and Charles Boyer. Immortal Idler, The, an original story of Gioacchino Rossini's Parisian years, purchased by MGM. The tale deals with the 30 years in the composer's life following his creation of the "William Tell Overture." Lady Bodyguard, an original story acquired by Paramount. Sol C. Siegel will produce. Lord Timothy Dexter, a novel by John P. Marquand published in 1925. The screen rights have been acquired by RKO as a vehicle for Charles Laughton. Matter of Principle, A, an original story acquired by MGM. Mississippi Belle, an original story purchased for production by Warners. Miss Jesse James, an original story purchased by Republic as a vehicle for Judy Canova. My Life in Sing Sing, an autobiography by former Warden Lewis E. Lawes, the screen rights of which have been purchased by Warner Brothers. Mystery of Marie Boget, an original story acquired for production by Universal. Now, Voyager, a forthcoming novel by Olive Higgins Prouty, author of "Stella Dallas." Warners have acquired the property as a possible vehicle for Irene Dunne. One Hour of Glory, a magazine story by Mary Robert Rinehart, purchased by RKO from Warners as a vehicle for Thomas Mitchell. Thorne Smith Novel Bought Passionate Witch, The, Thorne Smith's latest novel which Norman Matson completed after Mr. Smith's death. The story has been purchased by Paramount for Veronica Lake. Private Confusion, a Cosmopolitan magazine story by Austin Parker purchased by Twentieth Century-Fox. Riverside Drive, a play based on Beth Brown's novel dealing with New York Society at the turn of the century. Al Santell has purchased the screen rights to the property. 72 Hours by Train, an original story purchased for production by RKO. Sheltered Side, The, an original story by Gregory LaCava, acquired by Universal for Irene Dunne. Silver Spoon, an original story by Clarence Buddington Kelland purchased by RKO. Spitfire Squadron, a Saturday Evening Post story by Arch Whithouse acquired by Twentieth Century-Fox. Stars Shine On, The, an original story of a school master from his youth to old age purchased by Paramount. They Live By Night, an original story acquired for production by MGM. Treasure of the Sierre Madre, a novel by B. Traven, concerning a search for the lost mines of Mexico. Warners have acquired the screen rights to the property. Tulip Time in Michigan, an original story purchased by MGM. Uncle Clem's Boy, a biography of the late Will Rogers written by his widow, Mrs. Betty Rogers. The story has been purchased by Warner Brothers for an estimated $140,000. Untitled Novel, a story by Nathan Lynden which will be published serially in Liberty magazine. The screen rights have been purchased by Gregory Ratoff and Harry Goetz. Washington Story, an original story purchased for production by MGM. White House Girl, an original story purchased by MGM as a vehicle for Kathryn Grayson and Dan Daily, Jr. Joseph Pasternak will produce. Wildcat, an original story of the Texas oil fields purchased by William Thomas and William Pine for Paramount release.