Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1942)

May 9, 1942 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 27 AROVXD HOLLYWOOD utiUt /liUe. Mack How time flies ! It's only a while ago that Micket Rooney, Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew were kids. Seeing Jackie sporting a mustache the other day caused us to rub our growing bald spot. Being introduced to Mickey's charming wife was a thrill. But when a tall chap, passing by, called, "Hello, Mack, glad to see you again," and we had to ask to learn that it was Freddy Bartholomew, the shock was almost too much. A trip to the Hal Roach studio also turned clock away hack. We remember, years ago, Hal directing Will Rogers in a funny comedy. The memories zvere stirred by meeting Will's son, Jimmy Rogers. Roach predicted a brilliant screen future for the lad, and that took lis back to the time — about 1926 — ivhen Larry Darmour, talking about Mickey McGuire {now Mickey Rooney), said: "Mark my words, that kid's going to be a sensation some day." Crystal gazing is hazardous, as evidenced by the man who discovered Shirley Temple only to remark : "Yes, she's talented and cute, but she'll fade out of the picture when she gets " little taller." A great many youngsters have come and gone. Some skyrocketed brilliantly, only to pass on. Today, ivith the country at zvar again and Hollyzvood striving to gauge its products in accordance with the zmshcs of a nerve-tensed public, the most noticeable feature of almost every studio is the number of fresh, nezv, young faces. Every lot is crowded with them. Some are being pushed fast; a few, cagily, it seems, are being held in leash. One certainty : the post-zvar screen zvill be decorated zvith scores of nczv persomlities. Laugh of the week : the hubbub that accompanied changing of the title "The Magnificent Jerk" to "The Magnificent Stupe" by 20th Century-Fox. Objectors to "jerk" contended it lacked dignity ; in fact, said it sounded vulgar. The search for a synonym was furious. Records were dug out to prove that thousands of slang words had been used in titles. Finally, as tempers neared the breaking point, some unsung hero came up with "stupe." But then, after due consideration, it was found that "stupe" was also inappropriate. At last both sides agreed on "The Magnificent Dope." Tzvo remarkable events, neither connected zvith pictures, highlighted the zveek. First was the gathering of thousands of kids and grozvnups to see the display of more than 2,000 scale-model warplanes displayed in the forecourt of Radio Station KNX. If a dozen ideas for new productions zveren't picked up, we'll be surprised. Next zvas the Beverly Hills Civilian Defense forces parade. With scores of picture personalities marching, camera cars zvere busy making nczvsrcel and library stock shots. Met Jack Mulhall hurrying down Gower Street the other morning. "It's a big day for me," he said. "I'm checking off another century. I'm in 'Wake Island,' and it's my 600th role since I started in pictures." Jack started screen acting 29 years ago in 1913. "Funny thing," he said, "I started in April. Title of the first picture was 'Hard Cash,' a one-reeler. Here it is the last day of April, 1942, and I'm in picture No. 600." ' Returns from Short Vacation Scenarist Virginia Van Upp has returned from a short vacation which followed her completion of "Crystal Ball" for Paramount. Four New Michael Powell Films To Be Released by Columbia Negotiations are under way with ProducerDirector Michael Powell by Columbia for the distribution of four Powell productions to be made in England and Canada during the 1942-43 season. Titles scheduled are "The Road To Nome," "Who Fights For Glory," "Life Line" and "Five Who Died." Powell is endeavoring to sign Laurence Olivier and Glynis Johns for "The Road To Nome." Eric Portman and Nial MacGinnis, both in "The Invaders," are set for "Who Fights For Glory." "Life Line" is a story of the underground for refugees out of Europe. "Five Who Died" will dramatize the British mosquito fleet. Eleven Top-Budget Pictures Set For Early Production at Warners Prior to June 20, eleven top-budget productions will be before the cameras at Warner Bros. Four will have current war backgrounds : "Casablanca," now shooting; "Air Force," another Hal B. Wallis production; "Heroes Without Uniforms" and "Across the Pacific." With "Now, Voyager" and "George Washington Slept Here" presently shooting, Jesse L. Lasky will have "The Adventures of Mark Twain" going, and "Gentleman Jim Corbett" will be under way by June 1. "Alississippi Belle," "The Hard Way" and "Desert Song" complete the roster. Monogram Award Winners Will Attend Sales Convention May 13-16 Three Monogram sales award winners have been named to attend the company's 10th Annual Convention in Los Angeles, May 13-16 as guests of the organization. Steve Broidy, general sales manager, announced that the winners will be brought to the Coast in recognition of their outstanding effort during the past year. To Max Furst, Boston, Mass., goes the distinction for the best performance of any individual. In the Bookers' Division prize winning awards were given to W. J. Cammer, Dallas, and George Custer, Detroit. Parsons Sets List of Titles for His 1942'43 Program at Monogram With his new agreement with Monogram calling for a minimum of six pictures. Producer Lindsley Parsons has already set a list of titles for the 1942-'43 program. Included are "Navy Bound," from a Collier's magazine story by Talbert Josselyn ; "Revenge of the Zombies" by Stanley Fielding; "Storm Out of the West," an underworld story ; "Spell of the Tropics" ; "Political Payoff," suggested by a Damon Runyon yarn, and "Fraternity Sweetheart." Benefit Tour Limits 1942-'43 Neagle-Wilcox Pictures to One Because of commitments made for their Canadian soldier benefit tour, Anna Neagle and Producer Herbert Wilcox will do but one picture for RKO-Radio's 1942-'43 program. Previously scheduled for two, their Canadian trip calls for an absence of four months from Hollywood. The picture will be made upon their return here in the Fall. Young Remains with Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn has extended the contract of Collier Young, a story editor, for an additional year. Young has been with Goldwyn for the past six months. HOLLYWOOD STUDIO ROriVD-LP Headed by the screen adaptation of James Hilton's best-selling novel, eight pictures were placed in production at six studios this week. MGM RANDOM HARVEST— Principals: Ronald Colman, Greer Garson. Director, Mervyn LeRoy. MONOGRAM LURE OF THE ISLANDS— Principal : Margie Hart. Director, Jean Yarbrough. PARAMOUNT LADY BODYGUARD— Principals; Eddie Albert, Anne Shirley, Roger Pryor, Raymond Walburn. Diretor, William Clemens. REPUBLIC PHANTOM PLAINSMEN— Principals: Three Mesquiteers. Director, Jack English. 20th CENTURY-FOX TWELVE MEN IN A BOX—Principals : Lloyd Xolan. Marjorie Weaver, Phil Silvers. Director, Herbert I. Leeds. UNIVERSAL SILVER BULLET— Principals : Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight. Jennifer Holt. Director, Joseph Lewis. SHERLOCK HOLMES SAVES LONDON— Principals : Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Evelyn Ankers. Director, John Rawlins. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS— Principals : Robert Stack. Brod Crawford. Anne Gwynne, Jackie Cooper. Director, Ray Enright. TITLE CHANGES He Kissed the Bride (Col.) now They All Kissed the Bride. Me and My Gal (MGM) now For Me and My Gal. Do Not Disturb (Mono.) now Army Bride. Commandos Have Landed (Prod.) now JThey Raid by Night. Magnificent Jerk (Fox) now Magnificent Dope. The McGuerins of Brooklyn (UA) now Mr. and Mrs. Brooklyn. Cobana (UA) now Flying With Music. Triumph Over Pain (Para.) now Great Without Glory. Henry Aldrich of the Junior Army (Para.) now Private Henry Aldrich. Margie Hart has arrived at Monogram Studio for her role in "Lure of the Islands," production of which starts this week with Jean Yarbrough directing. Top role in MGM's new version of "White Cargo" goes to Walter Pidgeon. He will share the lead with Hedy Lamarr and Frank Morgan. Advertisement