Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

October 4, 1941 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 31 ANOTHER REPUBLIC FAN MAGAZINE AD WAVES OF ACCLAIM for a BIG PICTURE Republic Joins Association Of Motion Picture Producers Republic Productions became the tenth fullfledged member of The Association of Motion Picture Producers, with M. J. Siegel named to represent the company on the Association board of directors. The spectacular rise of the company, in the past six years, is best pointed out by the fact that in 1935-36, the first year of the company's existence, but $3,000,000 was spent on the entire year's product. For the 1941-42 season's product, more than three times this amount has been allotted for production. Under the supervision of Herbert J. Yates and the management of M. J. Siegel, Republic has gone steadily forward. The company comes into the Association with a record that could be envied by any of the major companies ; a record for accomplishments in the short space of six years, unparalleled in the industry. Purcell for "Torpedo Boat" Dick Purcell goes into an important role in "Torpedo Boat" for Bill Pine and Bill Thomas, his third consecutive picture for the producers. Purcell joins a cast headed by Richard Arlen, Frances Farmer, Phillip Terry and Mary Carlisle. John Rawlins will direct from the Maxwell Shane screenplay. Wilcoxon May Be New "Saint" Leslie Charteris will test Henry Wilcoxon for the title role in the series of films Charteris will produce independently from his own novels, the first of which will be "The Saint Overboard."' John Carroll also is being considered for the role, providing his MGM commitments will allow him time off. Bonanova for "Marines" Fortunio Bonanova was signed by RKO for a featured comedy role in "Call Out the Marines," currently before the cameras at RKO under Frank Ryan's direction. The picture costars Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, and includes Tim Holt, Jack Holt, Binnie Barnes, Simone Simon and Corinna Mura in its large cast. Cowan May Stay at Columbia Following press raves on the preview of "Ladies in Retirement," Columbia executives are conferring with Producer Lester Cowan regarding the release of the next three Cowan productions. Looks Like a Gag Ole Olsen diverts Glenn Tryon, the associate producer, and Chic Johnson with some informal sketches of the other members of the cast of "Hellzapoppin" at Universal Studios. WANDERING AROUND HOLLYWOOD uuilt tlte "QUUim&i" Gabbing with Lewis Rachmil on the set of Harry Sherman's "Tombstone," and Lew has promised to let us know which came first; the associate-producer or the ulcers . . . a question that has been bothering Hollywood for years. Our old pal Billy Leyser, has been appointed business manager and public relations director for the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors . . . and here's hoping, with Billy's help, the boys get a little of the credit they deserve. It looks like the Goldwyn flacks talked out of turn when they issued the "blurb" that Goldwyn hopes to get Orson Welles to play the role of Babe Ruth in the forthcoming Lou Gehrig picture. Welles says that he was never approached by Goldwyn for the role, and doesn't like the idea of the unauthorized use of his name. When trade press reviewers go to see a picture, already previewed, on the first night off they have had in weeks, said picture must be good. That's exactly what happened when Paramount screened "Hold Back the Dawn" at the studio the other night. P.S. "Good" is the wrong word. It is "excellent." May we add our congratulations to Republic Productions, Inc., on being unanimously elected to membership in the Association of Motion Picture Producers? For years we've heard about the British Shirley Temple, the Spanish Garbo, the Russian Clark Gable, the French Jimmy Stewart, the German Pat O'Brien, the Finnish Mickey Rooney, and the South African Mickey Mouse. Latest is the Irving Berlin of Mexico, Feliciano Flores, discovery of Director Edward H. Griffith. We shall see. What happened to all the talk about Gregory Ratoff producing in New York. Is it possible Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia refused to part with the Brooklyn Bridge as one of the concessions? The betting around town is that Ratoff will hang up his shingle on one of the local lots . . . but we may be wrong. Del Ruth Megs "Angel" Roy Del Ruth has been assigned to direct the new Xelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald musical at MGM, "I Married An Angel," scheduled to start shortly. Patricia Dane, currently appearing in "Johnny Eager," has been set for an important role. Santell May Produce for UA A deal is in the making whereby United Artists would distribute an independently financed picture to be produced and directed by Al Santell. Sherman Signs Rodeo Champ James Carson, rodeo champion from Reno, was signed to a term contract by Producer Harry Sherman and given a major role in "Tombstone." EVERY one of the thousands UPON thousands who HOWLED and chuckled AND cheered Republic's "ROOKIES ON PARADE" IS waiting anxiously for the NEW "service' comedy SMASH from the Republic STUDIOS . Well, it's here —AND advance reports SAY that it tops "ROOKIES" by A boat-full of LAUGHS, song HITS and ROMANTIC escapades!... THOSE "rookies" are sailing THE seven seas now in "SAILORS ON LEAVE,"^ AND the starSPANGLED CREW includes SUCH hearties AS lovely SHIRLEY ROSS-who sings THOSE chanties as nobody ELSE can— WILLIAM LUNDIGAN (his ► .plus CINEMA star is rising fast OVER the horizon], and — FOR a broadside of roars— THERE'S CHICK CHANDLER and double-talking CLIFF NAZARRO. RUTH DONNELLY, MAE CLARKE, TOM KENNEDY, MARY AINSLEE, BILL SHIRLEY, JANE KEAN and A flock of handsome TARS and their sweethearts IN every port! . So get ABOARD for fun and ROMANCE! Steer your COURSE for the theatre THAT'S playing "SAILORS ON LEAVE." It's A REPUBLIC PICTURE