Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 14 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 20, 1939 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 • Strollin' Thru the Studios • Montague Love and David Torrence reported at Paramount last week for their first work before the cameras in "Ruler of the Seas", new Frank Lloyd production starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Margaret Lockwood and Will Fyffe. Both Love and Torrence fill two of the film's important character roles. Pre-recording started on MGM's "Babes in Arms" under the musical direction of Georgie Stoll, with Judy Garland, Betty Jaynes and Mickey Rooney at work on three numbers. Judy will sing "I Cried for You," written 17 years ago by Producer Arthur Freed and Vincent Youmans, as one of the numbers. Sol Lesser's first production for Uniter Artists release will be "Our Town," from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Thornton Wilder. Tlie picture will be made in Technicolor under the supervision of Ernst LuBiTSCH. Lesser's contract with UA calls for three pictures for the 1939-1940 program. Jean Parker, Horace MacMahon, Jerome Cowan, Benny Baker and Dorothea Kent have been selected to head the supporting cast of Republic's "The Fighting Irish," now in production with Phil Regan in the leading role. Sidney Salkow is directing under the production supervision of Sol C. Siegel. Adolphe Menjou will play the role of the impresario in Warner Bros, forthcoming production "On Your Toes," if Hal Roach can effect an adjustment in schedules. Menjou is slated for a principal part in Roach's "The Housekeeper's Daughter," which will be in production at approximately the same time as "On Your Toes." Jean Rogers goes into the feminine lead in 20th Century-Fox' "Harmony At Home," under the direction of Orro Brower, Executive Producer Sol M. Wurtzel announced. Miss Rogers was last seen in "Inside Story." Jerry Brandt, in association with E. B. Derr, will make eight action pictures for the Monogram 1939-40 program. Brandt has already checked in at the studio and begins preparation for his first production, scheduled to go before the cameras early in June. George O'Brien and members of the cast and crew of RKO's "Timber Stampede" returned to the studio after filming location scenes at Sonora, Calif. David Howard is directing under the production guidance of Bert Gilroy. Maejorie Reynolds has the feminine lead opposite O'Brien. Sandy Henville, who scored such a big hit in Binc Crosby's "East Side of Heaven," will co-star in Universal's "Sandy" with Mischa AuER. The picture will start as soon as the babv gets over the measles. "The Aviators" will be the first of a series of eight French films which the newly formed Boris Morros Productions will produce this year in addition to handling, for release, fourteen other French subjects. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will be reunited for the comedy. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" entered its fifth week of production at Columbia with Frank Capra inducing James D. "Jim" Preston to appear as himself. Preston has been Superintendent of the United States Senate press Gallery for the past 35 years. Samuel Goldwyn has reconstructed six acres of his studio back lot for the production, "The Real Glory," with Gary Cooper in the starring role, and has literally brought Mindanao to Hollywood. Henry Hathaway is directing with David Niven, Andrea Leeds, Walter Brennan and Reginald Owen in featured roles. William Seiter's next directorial assignment at 20th Century-Fox will be "Here I Am a Stranger," with Richard Greene and Nancy Kelly in the leading roles. "Death Ring", a story based upon the horrible murders now being uncovered by the district attorney's office in Philadelphia, Pa., has been written by Ted Richmond, Bernie Giler and Ben Roberts. Ben Goetz, executive in charge of British production for MGM, left for New York and London following the premiere of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" at the Four Star theatre in Hollywood. Victor Saville, producer at the Denham studios will remain here for several weeks to discu'ss coming British product. Richard Dix has been signed to a long term contract by RKO, and is scheduled to start shortly in "Reno," with Robert Sisk producing. The deal brings Dix, recent star of Republic's "A'lan of Conquest," back to the studio where he made many of his successes. Mixing Seasons The ingenity of these film makers knows no hounds. Here is 20th Century-Fox's "Second Fiddle" company on location at the Ingleivood railway station. It's spring by the calendar but since the script says it's winter in Minnesota, zvinter it is by every outivard indication in Inglczvood. Sonja Henie and Tyronne Power are shown zvalking into the station in this photo. Looks Like a Swell Job Andy Devine, gravel throated comic, seems delighted -with his job in Universal's "In Old California," in zvhich he co-stars with Richard Arlen, and is supported by Princess Luana, left, and Mamo Clark, "Original Sarong Girl," right. They are shozvn between scenes on the set. N. Y.'s Fight Against Juvenile Delinquency to be Story Basis The story of the New York Police Department's fight against juvenile delinquency, will be dramatized by Warner Bros, in "Pals", an original story^ by Peter Ordway. Leading male roles will be 'played by Fred Stone, the "Dead End" boys and Jeffrey Lynn. Margaret Lindsay will have the feminine lead. The story will display the activities of the Athletic League sponsored by the metropolis' law and order department, which maintains 277 playgrounds in "dead end" streets and crowded tenement districts. Production is scheduled to start around the 15th of next month. Raymond Hatton Joins Mesquiteers Raymond Hatton has been signed by Republic to a new term contract and is scheduled to become one of the famed Three Mesquiteers. Hatton is slated to play the role of "Rusty" in all future Mesquiteer films, sharing starring honors with John Wayne and Ray Corrigan. His first appearance in the series will be in "Oklahoma Outlaws," now before the cameras. Bette Davis Takes Vacation Bette Davis is taking a two weeks' vacation before starting work in "The Knight and the Lady," Warner Bros, picture in which she will co-star with Errol Flynn. Shooting schedule has been arranged to allow Miss Davis to rest after completing her role in "The Old Maid." Camera work began last week under the direction of Michael Curtiz.