Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

THE HOLL YWOOn SCENE Metroes Sea of Grass, " With Tracy, Started; ✓ 32 Pictures in Work Hollywood Bureau Production activity declined only slightly last week with the completion of 12 films. Ten others reached camera stages, bringing the total number in work to 52, compared to the previous week's level of 54. "Sea of Grass," scheduled as one of MGM's most important productions of the year, went into work with Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Melvyn Douglas in starring roles. Elia Kazan is directing; Pandro S. Berman is producing the film version of Conrad Richter's novel, which deals with the growth of the new Mexican cattle-country. Republic, where three new films went before the cameras, was most active among the studios. "Heldorado," starring Roy Rogers with Dale Evans and George "Gabby" Hayes, is being produced by Edward J. White and directed by Frank McDonald. "Last Frontier Uprising," final film in the studio's first series of Magnacolor musical Westerns, stars Monte Hale and Adrian Booth. Lou Gray produces; Lesley Selander directs. Phil Ford is directing "Mysterious Mr. Valentine," and Donald H. Brown is producing. Linda Stirling heads the cast. Nebenzal Starts Picture for United Artists Release Seymour Nebenzal launched his latest production for United Artists release, a melodrama laid in present-day Havana, and titled "The Chase." Arthur Ripley is directing a cast headed by Robert Cummings, Michele Morgan, Alexis Minotis and Yolanda Lacca. Also for United Artists release is the first in a new "Hopalong Cassidy" series, starring Bill Boyd. It's titled "Devil's Playground," and Lewis Rachmil is producing; George Archainbaud directing. In the supporting cast are Rand Brooks, Andy Clyde, Elaine Riley and Sidney Toler. At Columbia, work began on "It's Great to Be Young,", designed as a musical showcase for some of the studio's promising younger players. The cast includes Leslie Brooks, Jimmy Lloyd, Bob Stanton, Jeff Donnell, Jack Fina, Pat Yankee, Jack Williams, Milton de Lugg and the Swing Wing. Ted Richmond produces ; Del Lord directs. Paramount producers William Pine and William Thomas launched "I Cover Big Town," a sequel to their earlier picture, "Big Town." William Pine is directing a cast headed by Philip Reed, Hillary Brooke and Robert Lowery. Producer-director Wallace Ford brought "Wild Beauty" before the cameras at Universal, with a cast including Don Porter, Lois Collier, Robert Wilcox and Robert "Buzz" Henry. Monogram's new venture is "High School Hero," another in the studio's "Teen-Ager" series, featuring Freddie Stewart, June Preisser and Ann Rooney. Sam Katzman is the producer; Arthur Dreifuss the director. Incidental Intelligence Of Pictures-to-Come Andrew Stone has announced plans for filming "Texas the Great," a Technicolor production based on the history of the Lone Star State. A budget of $4,000,000 has been set for the venture, and a year will be devoted to preparation before actual shooting begins. . . . Frederick Lonsdale, noted British playwright, has been signed to a writing contract by RKO Radio. He will start immediately after the first production of his new stage play, "But for the Grace of God," now rehearsing in England. To meet increasing demand for short subjects, MGM has assigned Jerry Bresler to oversee production of three series of shorts, in addition to producing major features. He will supervise the "Crime Does Not Pay" series, John Nesbitt's "Passing Parade," and a new series to be based on the lives of great composers. Currently, Bresler is preparing "That Arnello Aflfair," an original by Arch Oboler, who will direct. . . . Peggy Cummins will make her debut in the leading feminine role in 20th-Fox's "The Late George Apley." Lindsley Parsons will produce independently a special outdoor picture for Monogram's 1946-47 program. The original screenplay for the film is based in part on the annual Dog Catcher's Ball held in an Ohio town to raise funds for the purchase of license tags for indigent canines. . . . Frank Lloyd has been signed by RKO to direct "That Girl from Memphis." Adapted from the Wilbur Daniel Steele novel by Herman J. Mankiewicz, the film will be John Houseman's first production for RKO. Upon completion of his forthcoming fea ture based on the lives of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Charles R. Rogers will make "Queen of Hearts," co-starring Maria Montez and Pierre Aumont. Adapted from Bertita Harding's novel, "Golden Fleece," the story deals with the romance of Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth of Austria. The picture will be filmed in Technicolor, and Alexis Thurn-Taxis is slated to direct. . . . Archie Herzoff, formerly assistant publicity and advertising director for Balaban and Katz in Chicago, will join Columbia as an advertising executive. Cornel Wilde Will Star In "The Homestretch" Cornel Wilde will star opposite Maureen O'Hara and Linda Darnell in a racetrack story, "The Homestretch," which Bruce Humberstone will direct and Robert Bassler produce for 20th Century-Fox. . . . Dennis Morgan and Alexis Smith have been assigned co-starring roles in a romantic comedy, "All for One," which has been placed on Charles Hoffman's production schedule at Warners. . . . Susan Hayward is to star in Walter Wanger's production, "So Gallantly Gleaming," a film biography of Jessie Benton Fremont, wife of General John C. Fremont of Civil War fame. Fred Kohlmar has been assigned by 20th Century-Fox to produce the Henry James story, "The Turn of the Screw." . . . "The Unsuspected," mystery novel by Charlotte Armstrong, has been acquired by Warners. Michael Curtiz will direct the film for producer Charles Hoffman. . . . Frederic Feher plans a remake of "Hunted People," which he produced and directed on the Continent 10 years ago. The new version will be titled "Flight." Harry Sherman Buys Town As Western Location Harry Sherman has purchased the town of Grafton, Utah, and will use it in filming outdoor scenes for his forthcoming production, "Ramrod." The township was acquired from William Russell, one of the three remaining inhabitants. . . . Burt Kelly has been assigned to produce "No Place for a Lady" for Columbia. . . . Lynne Roberts has been selected for the leading feminine role opposite Gene Autry in "Sioux City Sue," Autry's first picture under his new contract with Republic. Armand Schaefer is to produce; Frank McDonald to direct. W. Lee Wilder's next production will be "Yankee Fakir," the story of a frontier town "pitchman" circa 1900. . . . Henry Blanke has been assigned to produce "The Iron Gates," mystery by Margaret Millar recently purchased by Warners. Don Siegel will direct. . . . Guy Kibbee has been signed for a featured role in Monogram's second "Palooka" picture, tentatively titled "That Guy, Joe Palooka." . . . Producer William Bacher has had his 20th-Fox contract renewed. ^niiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiii^ 34 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUNE I, 1946