Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

PREVIEWS OF TRADE SHOWS SYMBOLIC of the theme of "Secret Heart", MGM's product/on starring Claudette Colbert and Walter Pidgeon. The picture will be seen by theatremen December II. "THE TIME, THE PLACE, AND THE GIRL" — a scene trom the Warner picture of that name, to be tradeshown December 9, and starring Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson. Hold Down Cost On Boyd Films Despite mounting costs and other problems pictures in the new Hopalong Cassidy series are being turned out in 90 hours and at a total cost no higher than in 1943, Lewis J. Rachmil, producer, and William Boyd, star of the Hopalong films, said in New York last week. The films are being released through United Artists at the rate of six a year, one every eight weeks. The first five are finished, the sixth is in work. They are: "The Devil's Playground," in release; "Fool's Gold," "Unexpected Guest," "Dangerous Venture" and "Hoppy's Holiday." The Hopalong series was started in 1935. Mr. Rachmil was then art director. Later he became associate producer. In 1943 Mr. Boyd refused to make further films and the series died, only to be revived in 1945 by the new company which began releasing through UA early this month. According to Mr. Rachmil and Mr. Boyd it is their aim to give the series family appeal and introduce it to larger houses. "The Devil's Playground" already has been booked in a number of Loew's theatres and opens at the Warner Capitol in Philadelphia shortly. For the first time the films are being booked on a percentage rather than a flat rental basis. Although labor and other production costs have risen an estimated 60 per cent within the past two years, the Hopalong pictures cost $123,000 to produce. Seven days usually are spent on location and three for interior shots. Mr. Rachmil credits the elimination of front office red tape for keeping cost levels down. As soon as a good, low-budget color process becomes available, the series will be turned out in color, he said, but at present costs are high and facilities not available. Hopalong pictures are now playing in some 9,000 houses, it is said. ONE OF THE more gripping scenes in the Sol Wurtzel production, "Dangerous Millions", which Twentieth Century Fox showed to exhibitors nationally November 29. It stars Kent Taylor, shown above at the right, and Dona Drake. British Issue Catalogue Of 16mm Sound Films The British Information Service has published its new 1946 catalogue of British official films. The 93 16mm sound films are indexed under such groupings as art and literature, child welfare, colonial development, education, history and geography, social planning, labor, and food and agriculture. A complete library of the films is kept by each of the nine Information Service offices in the United States. California Sets Plans for Centennial Celebration Plans are now under way for the California Centennial Celebration to be held for three years from 1948-1950'. The net benefit to the state is computed at approximately $360,000,000 and the estimated cost at about $11,000,000. An allocation is being made for a feature length film on the history of Cali fornia, to be used for entertainment purposes and also for school instruction. Every county will have a show depicting its history. Ruth Samberg to Century Ruth Samberg, formerly with the Whitehall Pharmacal Company, has joined Century circuit's newly formed research and survey department. Western Adventures Building The San Antonio production company, Western Adventures, Inc., is planning to build a studio on Fredericksburg Road, about six miles from the city, as soon as supplies are available. The company is now preparing the second of its six musical Westerns starring Red River Dave McEnery. Duke Wayne is producing. 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. DECEMBER 7, 1946