Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1943)

38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD October 9, 1943 THE HOLLYWOOD SCENE Throughout 20 months of war, during which just about everybody in power and out said their say about war pictures, it remained for William Goetz to take the simple, direct line to the core of the matter, or thereabouts, in announcing the production policy he will follow as president of the newly formed International Pictures. Everybody else has been talking about the civilian audience. Mr. Goetz is the first to voice consideration of the soldier audience. He said, "We are planning pictures not only for the American public consumption but we are thinking of the fighting men of our armed forces, whose chief form of entertainment along our far flung battle fronts is motion pictures. Men on the battle fronts get their fill of war pictures, and International will endeavor to give the fighting men 'escape' pictures to amuse them and help take some of the horrors of war out of their minds." He said, "Comedies, musicals and pictures on the home life of Americans in a lighter vein will be the chief ingredient of entertainment for the International Pictures schedule." On the basis of his latest several productions for Twentieth Century-Fox, the Goetz statement suggests production of pictures in the general nature of "Coney Island," "Hello, Frisco, Hello," "Stormy Weather," "Heaven Can Wait," "Claudia," "Holy Matrimony" and "Sweet Rosie O'Grady."" Four Pictures Budgeted At Million Each The four pictures on the Goetz agenda at this point, each budgeted at a million dollars, are: "Belle of the Yukon," starring Gypsy Rose Lee and Randolph Scott; "Casanova Q. Brown," starring Gary Cooper, and produced by Nunnally Johnson; "Once Off Guard," another Johnson production starring Edward G. Robinson, and "Tomorrow Is Forever," with George Brent. Although the Goetz expression of interest in the entertainment of the fighting men pertains in particular to those now stationed on the battle fronts, it covers likewise the case of the millions of trainees stationed in this country who, on a recent weekend in the Los Angeles area, for instance, found all but one of the community's first run theatres offering him war pictures for diversion during his intown leave, the single exception offering him a twin bill composed of horror pictures. First run grosses broke no records that week. The Goetz statement of policy is its own forecast of emulation. On Monday of this week John Beck, Jr., associated for the past five years with the Music Corporation of America, joined International Pictures as general manager. Andrew Stone to Use Cinecolor in Films Andrew Stone, whose "Hi Diddle Diddle," his first production for United Artists release, caused a stir in critical circles by its unique use of assorted techniques, announced this week that his second film, "Sensations of 1944," would be filmed in Cinecolor. The announcement shows the producer as a pioneer in color experimentation and that he's been working with From HOLLYWOOD BUREAU "Three Cheers'9 Starts Universal's "Three Cheers for the Boys" was the standout among six projects placed before the cameras in a week that witnessed the completion of I I , bringing the shooting level to an industrious 50. A Charles K. Feldman production, directed by Eddie Sutherland, its cast includes George Raft, Donald O'Connor, W. C. Fields, Grace McDonald, Sophie Tucker, Marlene Dietrich, Jeanette MacDonald, Peggy Ryan, Dinah Shore, Zorina, Charles Boyer, Orson Welles, Charles Butterworth, the Andrews Sisters, the Ted Lewis, Charlie Spivak, and Freddie Stack orchestras, among others. Paramount started two pictures. "Double Indemnity" presents Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Edward G. Robinson, Albert Dekker and others, under direction of Billy Wilder, with Joseph Sistrom pro ducing. "The Man in Half Moon Street" is a Walter McEwen production, directed by Ralph Murphy, offering Nils Asther, Helen Walker, Paul Cavanaugh and Morton Lowry. Republic also started two. "The Return of Casanova" is a Joe E. Brown vehicle, with June Havoc, Dale Evans, Andrew Tombes, and others in support, under direction of Les Goodwins, Albert J. Cohen producing. "Pride of the Plains" is a Bob Livingston-Smiley Burnette Western, with Lou Grey producing, Wallace Fox directing. Monogram started "Return of the Ape Man", a Sam Katzman-Jack Dietz production, directed by Phil Rosen, presenting Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, George Zucco, and others. The score at the weekend: COMPLETED MGM Broadway Rhythm White Cliffs Monogram Westward Bound PRC Pictures Boss of Rawhide Republic Whispering Footsteps Canyon City O My Darling Clementine RKO Radio Higher and Higher Twentieth Century-Fox Buffalo Bill Warners Shine On, Harvest Moon STARTED Monogram Return of the Ape Man Paramount Man in Half Moon Street Double Indemnity Republic Return of Casanova Pride of the Plains Universal Three Cheers for the Boys SHOOTING Columbia Klondike Kate Swing Out the Blues Cowboy Canteen Hey Rookie Curly Ten Percent Woman Cover Girl None Shall Escape* W. R. Frank Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels MGM Two Sisters and a Sailor Kismet Mr. Co-Ed Gaslight Canterville Ghost Monogram Her Bachelor Husband Lady Let's Dance Paramount Navy Way Going My Way Story of Dr. Wassell Our Hearts Were Young and Gay Frenchman's Creek PRC Pictures Jive Junction RKO Radio Curse of the Cat People Tender Comrade Days of Glory Republic Fighting Seabees Cinecolor laboratory technicians five weeks devising new processes. Producer Stone is the first to utilize the Cinecolor process of coloration for a feature picture in some while, although many have used it for shorts, and it has been employed extensively in the making of training films since the nation's entry into the war. What with coloration in greater demand by the studios than at any previous point in history, this utilization of the Cinecolor process may mark the end of a dilemma for producers in other quarters faced now with the necessity of awaiting their turn to use the war-limited number of Technicolor cameras available for Hollywood service. With its factory equipment and personnel devoted to essential war purposes, Technicolor has been compelled to limit its acceptance of commercial contracts to the capacity of its still available equipment. Many a picture planned for production in Technicolor has gone into black-and-white by necessity of camera shortage. A current statement of Technicolor reveals that studios have nine Technicolor features completed and awaiting release, nine more in production and 14 in preparation. Warner will hit the highest production level in history during the last quarter of this year with 40 films set for production or preparation, according to Jack L. Warner. During October, Monogram will haxe six films in production. Two already have been started, "Return of the Ape Man" and "Where Are My Children?" while four others are to go before the cameras before the month ends. Twentieth Century-Fox Sullivans Eve of St. Mark Home in Indiana Lifeboat Lodger United Artists Bridge of San Luis Rey (Bogeaus) Knickerbocker Holiday (PCA) Timber (Sherman) Since You Went Away ( Vanguard) Universal Phantom Lady Springtime for Johnny When Ladies Fly Impostor Gung Ho Third Glory Warners Uncertain Glory Rhapsody in Blue Passage to Marseilles *Formerly "The Day Will Come"