Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

REPUBLIC WILL RELEASE 58 AT COST OF $25,000,000 Yates Cites New Demand for Color; Plan 16 Films in Tricolor Process Republic will release 58 features budgeted at $25,500,000 during the 1946-47 season, it was announced in New York this week by Herbert J. Yates, Sr., president. "The world is waiting for color," he declared, and so 16 of Republic's features will be filmed in Trucolor. The main points of the product announcement are : 1. Thirty-two features. 2. Twenty-six outdoor action dramas and Westerns and four serials. 3. Elimination of smaller-budgeted "B" pictures and a group of eight Westerns. Reports Good Reaction to Trucolor Process Reporting enthusiastic reaction to the newly-announced Trucolor process, Mr. Yates declared that the switch from blackand-white to color production was analagous to the change from silent to sound films. He pointed out that experimentation and research at the Consolidated Film Industries' laboratories had resulted in a process ready to meet an ever-increasing demand for color. He emphasized that plants in New York and Hollywood would be geared by July 1 to handle a potential 100,000,000 feet of color film a year. He stated further that worldwide distribution of Republic films in Trucolor would be implemented by a policy of establishing an ^p-to-date release schedule for the foreign market. Republic will expand in other directions, too. A total of $2,000,000 has been allocated for continued studio expansion and $3,500,000 for the company's promotional activities, according to the Yates announcement. Two Roy Rogers Pictures Will Be in Color The 16 Trucolor pictures will include a group of four features to be known as the Major group, two Roy Rogers productions and 10 All-Star outdoor subjects, four of which already have been produced. The four Majors, two special Frank Borzage productions and 10 Deluxe productions head the 1946-47 listing, which includes 16 pictures in a newly-established Variety group, the two Rogers Trucolors, six Roy Rogers outdoor specials, four big-budget outdoor films starring Gene Autry, six All-Star Trucolor outdoor subjects, eight Red Ryder Westerns starring Allan Lane, and four serials. Evidence of Republic's continued expansion program, the company announced. ftepub/ic's new trademark would be seen in such forthcoming productions as "I've Always Loved You" ; "That Brennan Girl," with Mona Freeman, James Dunn and June Dupres ; "Rendezvous with Annie," with Eddie Albert, Faye Marlowe and Gail Patrick; "Earl Carroll Sketchbook," with Constance Moore, William Marshal, Bill Goodwin and Johnny Coy; "The Plainsman and the Lady,'' with William Elliott and Vera Ralston, and "My Pal Trigger," starring Roy Rogers. Under the studio's expansion plans, additional permanent sets already have been completed, including a second Western street, and the music facilities of the studio have received special attention. The $3,500,000 appropriation for advertising, publicity and exploitation is a record for the company, it was stated. At least $1,000,000 of that total will be spent on the Trucolor pictures. An appropriation of $500,000 has been set for advertising and exploiting "I've Always Loved You," which is the company's initial Technicolor picture, starring Philip Dorn, and with a piano score recorded by Artur Rubinstein. Frank Borzage to Produce Two in Own Unit Mr. Borzage, who is producing in an autonomous unit at the studio, will produce Steve Fisher's story, "The Gallant Man," and has prepared a race-horse story starring Catherine McLeod and William Carter. The Deluxe group of 10 offers varied material in the musical, action-spectacle and human interest categories. It includes "Angel and the Outlaw," "Wyoming," "Crime Passionelle," "Millionaires for a Day," "Will Tomorrow Ever Come," "Calendar Girl," "Heaven for Jenny," "The Fabulous Texan," "Hit Parade" and "Rio de Janeiro." John Wayne is both producer and star of "Angel and the Outlaw," to be directed by James Grant from his own story. Joseph Kane, associate producer-director of "Dakota," and the current "In Old Sacramento," will produce and direct 'Wyoming," in which Vera Ralston and William Elliott will star. "Crime Passionelle," starring Catherine McLeod and William Carter, is also on his schedule. Santell to Produce and Direct "Millionaires" Alfred Santell will produce and direct "Millionaires for a Day," with Constance Moore and Eddie Albert. Allan Dwan will contribute "Will Tomorrow Ever Come," starring Nelson Eddy, with a score by Rudolf Friml ; "Calendar Girl," a musical with Constance Moore, and "Heaven for Jenny," starring Walter Brennan. Edmund Gi^ainger will produce "The Fabulous Texan," with a star yet to be announced; Robert North will produce two musicals, "Hit Parade, starring Joan Edwards and Constance Moore, and "Rio de Janeiro," with Tito Guizar and Constance Moore. Mr. Yates reported that increased budgets would be reflected in the 16 pictures in the Variety group. The change in company policy which called for the elimination of the lesser-budgeted pictures was determined upon following through a study of reports from men in the field. The establishment of the new Variety group, he said, was predicated upon a policy of increased costs and added star and entertainment values. Allan Lane Takes Title Role in Ryder Group The All-Star series in Trucolor features Monte Hale and Adrian Booth. Allan Lane takes over the title role in the Red Ryder group of eight Westerns, following the graduation of William Elliott to top-budget features. A special promotional campaign is planned for Lane. The four serials, which will complete the program, are to be of 13 episodes each, making up a complete 52-week chapter-play schedule. Grover Parsons Joins PRC As Division Manager Grover Parsons, for the past four years Atlanta manager of Paramount, has been named divisional sales manager for PRC Pictures, it was announced Monday by Harry H. Thomas, president and general sales manager. Mr. Parsons will have supervision over the territory included in the AtlantaLittle Rock New Orleans Dallas Oklahoma City branches. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 22, 1946 21