Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 34 S H O W MEN'S TRADE R E V I E W April 15, 1939 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 • • • Strollin' Thru Nancy Kelly was moved up another step toward stardom recently when Darryl F. ZanUCK, production chief at 20th Century-Fox, instructed his scenarists to rewrite a number of scenes in her current movie. In the revised scenes, v\'hich are for "Stanley and Livingston", she will appear opposite Spencer Tracy and Richard Greene. Beulah Bondi, currentl\ working in AIGM's "On Borrowed Time", cliecks in at Columbia for a featured role in Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Miss Bondi will work at both studios until her part in "On Borrowed Time" is completed. Scoring of "Man About Town", new Paramount comedy starring Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour and Edward Arnold, was started this week under the direction of Andrea Setaro. Victor Young is collaborating on the background score. "Sons of the Navy" by Grover Jones and True Boardman was purchased by Monogram, and will be one of the early productions of the 1939-40 program. "Navy" was a radio skit produced recently by Silver Theatre starring Ginger Rogers with Elliott Lewis. Edward G. Robinson left for New York to spend a vacation and attend the world premiere of "Confessions of a Nazi Spy", Warner picture in which he stars. Robinson will return to Hollywood directly after the premiere of the picture at the Strand Theatre. Robert AIontgomery's first picture for MGAI on his return from Washington and the Neely Bill hearings will be "Stronger Than Desire", to be produced b} John W. Considine, Jr., and directed by Leslie Fexton. David Hertz and William Ludwig adapted to the screen. Helen Vinson has been signed by RKO for a featured role in "Memory of Love", new costarring vehicle for Carole Lombard, Cary Grant and Kay Francis, scheduled to go befor the cameras within the next two weeks. The picture will be produced by George Haicht with John Cromwell directing. Well in advance of actual production, Samuel Goldwyn has started rehearsals for the Studios • • • his coming picture "The Real Glory", starring Gary Cooper and featuring Andrea Leeds, D.A.VID Niven and Walter Brennan. Shooting is scheduled for the end of this month. Victor Young, one of Hollywood's outstanding musicians, has been signed by Sol Lesser as musical director for "Way Down South", the Bob Breen film which goes into production April 24. Young Breen will begin to record his song nu'mbers late this week. Franklyn Warner, Fine Arts president, left for New York for conferences with Earl W. Hammons on his Grand National deal. Warner said that regardless of the outcome, he will continue his production activities upon his return to Hollywood, and is now working on another releasing agreement. Edward Ludwic has been definitely set to direct "Strangers at the Feast" as his next assignment at Universal. That studio has had a commitment on his services since he completed "That Certain Age". Ludwig will pilot one picture for Columbia before reporting to Universal. Jesse L. Laskys "Gateway to Holh-wood" radio program resulted in RKO handing term contracts to six players. The studio permitted all options to lapse except on Ralph Bowman, IvowENA Cook, Linda Hayes, Ivatherine HoHN, Charles Ruppert and John Laird. Marking an unusual departure in motion picture production methods, Leslie Howard was signed to take the top male role in Selznick International's "Intermezzo", and to act as associate producer on the production. Howard is currently appearing in "Gone With The Wind". Sidney Salkow has been assigned to direct Republic's "Stand up and Sing" for Producer Herman Schlom. Production will start as soon as Salkow completes "All the Tomorrows", Frieda Inescort feature now before the cameras. Fred Astaire signed a two-picture a year contract with MGM, and the first calls for him to co-star with Eleanor Powell in "Broadway Melody of 1940", Jack Cummings producing. Posing With Child Star Larry Simms of "Blondie Meets The Boss", poses zvith Chester Morris between scenes of Columbia's "Blind Alley" in ivliich Chester Morris plays a featured part. Universal Near Settlement With Danielle Darrieux on Contract A compromise settlement is near between Universal and Gregor Rabinovich to clear contract complications for the services of Danielle Darrieux, French film star, who was brought to America for "The Rage of Paris" ten months ago. Rabinovitch wanted $400,000 as price of asserted prior contract rights and Universal is understood to have made a counter offer, with prospects for a quick settlement. ■Studio has two stories, completely scripted, and are ready in case the deal is made. They are "Rio" and ".^.Imost an Angel", both on Joe Pasternak's list of tentative productions. Gabriel Pascal Returns for Huddles on "Doctor's Dilemma" Gabriel Pascal, accompanied by his art director, Laurence Irving, arrived in Hollywood for a six week stay. Pascal will check on story treatment of "Doctor's Dilemma", second George Bernard Shaw story he will produce and also "Major Barbara" third Shaw play slated for the screen. Wendy Hiller will star in "Major Barbara" aiid Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Paul Lukas, Roland Young, C. Aubrey Smith and Jean Cadell have already been announced for "Doctor's Dilemma." Both pictures will be produced in England for MGM release. "Irish Luck" Next for Darro The last picture in the series of four starring Frankie Darro will be "Irish Luck", scheduled to go into production late this month. Mary McCarthy has been signed by Scott R. Dunlap, studio production head at Monogram, to write the screenplay from the Charles Molyneux Brown story. Director and the supporting cast is expected to be signed this week. Stunts for Exhibs Smiley Burnette, Sam Kurson, Mrs. Harry Reinhart, Gene Autry, Mrs. .Sam Kurson and Harry Reinhart. Reinhart is ozvner of the leading theatres in Akron, Ohio. Kurson is oivner and manager of the Graphic Circuit, comprised of houses in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Both exhibitors and their zvives vacationed in Hollywood and visited Autry on the set of "Blue Montana Skies."