Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Jhiu 2/, SHOW ^'1 V. N ' S T U A 1 ) R V 1 I-: w Pagcf 27 STR West Coast Offices Guaranty Building 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Calif. Telephone, Hollywood 1390 Strollin' Thru the Studios Warner Bros, have amiouiicetl tlie signing of (jKOH(;K Raft for the title role in "The Patent Leather Kid", re-inake of the fight picture that starred Rich viu) Bakthelmess in the silent \ersion. Raft is currently working in "I Stole a Million", at Universal. duction organization, and Roueut North has assumed M. H. Hoffman's herth. William Wyler's first assignment on his new four-year contract with Samuel Goldwvx will be "Stranger at Home", with Gary Cooper slated for the leading role. The new WM.ER contract calls for two straight years with option for a second two. Jo Swerling is writing the screenplay for "Stranger at Home". Pre-recording of songs for "Everything's On Ice", was started this week by Principal Productions. Six-year-old Irene Dare does one solo number, "Georgie Porgie", written especially for her by Milton Drake and Fred Stryker. With the signing of Ruth Rogers for the feminine lead, "Tlie Man From Texas", Tex Ritter's newest western, got the starting gun from Producer Ed Finney at the Monogram Ranch. Al Hf,RMAN is directing from an original screenplay hy Robert Emmett. Walter Huston will replace Thomas Mitchell in Paramount's '"The Light That Failed" now before the cameras. Producer-director William Wellman made tlie change when he found that Mitchell was held at Columbia on previous commitments. Wesley Ruggles will take a plane for Tucson, Ariz., instead of returning direct to Hollywood. Ruggles will spend several days in and near Tucson e.xamining location sites for Columbia's "Arizona", starring Jean Arthur, which he will produce and direct. RKO has given John Farrow three directorial assignments. The first to go before the cameras will be "Full Confessions", Victor McLa'Glen-Sally Filers co-starrer. The other two are "The Saint's Vacation" and "Father Damien", based on Farrow's book. Universal's "Hawaiian Nights" got the starting gun this week with Al Rocell directing for Producer Max (Golden, Johnny Downs, Constance Moore, Eddie Quillan and Mary Carlisle are featured. What the well dressed Hollywood "maiiabout-town" will wear, will he solved for one day at least, when virtually every Screen Star of note turns out on July 15th in the annual clash between the Comedians and Leading Men for sweet charity. Still like Karloff for umpire. Edward Small is negotiating with Brian Aherne for the title role in his forthcoming production, "Christopher Columbus", scheduled for early shooting. One of the previously announced pictures on .Small's United Artists quota will be shifted to the 1940-41 program to make room for "Columbus". MGM is negotiating a new contract for Jeanette MacDonald, who wound up her last deal with "Broadway Serenade". New contract will call for two pictures a year, with "Smilin' Tlirough" scheduled for the first production. Republic intends working right through the summer months in order to complete the ten pictures left on the 1938-39 schedule. Charles Ford is being shifted back to an associate producer berth, in a revamping of the pro Max Baer checks in at Grand National the end of the month for his first western picture, "Singin' Cowboy", which Jack Skikball will produce. Production will be rushed to permit Baer to begin his refereeing tour in July. Sam Katzman has signed Sam Newfield to direct the next two Tim McCoy westerns for Victory Pictures. The first, "Straight Shooter", goes before the cameras immediately, to be followed shortly by "Fighting Renegade". D. W. Griffith returns to the film business as an associate in the Hal Roach organization, and will serve in an advisory capacity on Roach's 1939-40 program for United Artists release. Eddie's Guests Eddie Albert (second from left), playing the niale lead in Warner Bros.' "On Y our Toes", entertains Mrs. C. F. Motley, Mrs. As her Shaw, Mr. Shaw of the United Detroit Theatres and M^. Motley of the Griffith A in u s e m ent Company with offices in Oklahoma City. A Typical Tintype Pose TJie cast and director of Paramount's "Happy Ending" get together for a typical 19th century snapshot. Left to right: Director Lewis Milestone, Pat O'Brien, George E. Stone, Olympe Bradna, Roland Young and Reginald Gardiner. WB Announce Change in Sequel Plan for "Four Daughters" Warner Bros, announce a change in plans for future films in which the leading members of the "Four Daughters" cast will appear. After the preview of "Daughters Courageous", executives have decided that subsequent films will be sequels to the later film, instead of its predecessor. John Garfield, who was "killed" in "Four Daughters", and Fay Bainter, who makes her debut with that picture's team in "Daughters Courageous", would have no logical place in the sequels to last >ear's picture. Decision to make "Four Wives" and "Four Mothers" as sequels to "Daughters Courageous" will enable Warners to utilize the entire cast that appeared in the current hit. Tim Holt Awarded Role Tim Holt, now playing one of the supporting leads to Ginger Rogers in RKO's "My Fifth Avenue Girl", has been assigned to an important role in the studio's forthcoming production of "Three Sons", featuring Edward Ellis. .A.1so in the cast will be Virginia Vale and Robert St.\nton, making their screen debuts after being selected from the "Gatewaj' to Hollywood" talent quest conducted by Jesse L. Lasky, Rorert Sisk will produce. Sandrich Signed by Paramount Mark Sandrich, who directed "Man About Town", was signed by Paramount to a longterm producer-director contract. Sandrich will produce and direct "Buck Benn^■ Rides A gain", a hitherto unannounced production starring tlie celebrated comedian, with Rochester (Eddie Anderson), who made a sensational hit in tlie last Benny picture. Starting date will be announced as soon as Sandrich returns from a vacation in New York. Coetz, Montgomery Sail Ben Goetz, MGM English production head, and Robert Montgomery, sail for London this week.