Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1944)

74 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 3, 1944 IN HOLLYWOOD IT'S NEWS... Herbert J. Yates of Republic has purchased "Girls Town," which uncovers the spread of juvenile delinquency . . . Monogram lias started marking trails for Hoot Gibson. Bob Steele and Veda Ann Borg . . . Kenneth Garnet has completed "Betrayal From the East" for RKO . . . Paul Hurst, who has been every kind of character in his long and varied cinema career, comes up as Carmen Miranda's defense plant supervisor in "Something for the Boys" . . . Robert Warwick, screen veteran, gets to be toastmaster at the old Lambs Club in Universal's cavalcade of vaudeville, "Bowery to Broadway" . . . John Garfield, Jerry Wald and Vincent Sherman huddled over "This Love of Ours" . . . Columbia's newest device to register audience reaction to horror pictures is called a "Chill-OMeter," and they'll use it on "Cry of the Werewolf" . . . Leon Fromkess has concluded a three-way deal with Christy Cabanne to write, direct and associate produce " GI Joe" . . . Paul Whiteman will sing and dance the light fantastic with Constance Moore in Republic's "Atlantic City" . . . Wanda Tuchock, after selling a couple of stories to 20th-Fox, sold them a long-term deal on herself as a writer . . . Robert Rosson goes to Columbia as a writer and director for a one-picture deal . . . George Pal has signed Clarence Wheeler as his musical director . . . Jeffrey Bernerd is offering a $1000 war bond to the person who suggests the best title for his "They Shall Have Faith," infantile paralysis drama . . . Alan Dinehart, Sr., will produce a stage comedy, "This Is War," starring his two daughters-in-law, CoUette Lyons . . . Sam Marx is going to make "Jenny" into a "Lady" at MGM with Lana Turner starring . . . Viking Press is bringing out the Jack Skirball Theatre Guild play, "Jacobowsky and the Colonel" in book form . . . Owing to a conflict with other film corporation's World Famous Pictures becomes Coronet Productions, but they'll still produce the "Adventures of Robin Hood" for Republic release . . . Anne Gwynne joins the "Babes on Swing Street" at Universal . . . Dore Schary resumes "With All My Heart" . . . Paramount has scheduled "The Trouble With Women" ... A. W. Hackel may produce "Baby Shoes" for Monogram but William Beaudine will direct them . . . MGM is trying so hard for gags in "Ziegfeld Follies" that they grow a beard on a horse while Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly age in other ways . . . Martha Tilton, first lady of swing, who will star in PRC's "Swing Hostess" is styling six songs for her work before the cameras next month. Ameche Leaves 20th-Fox Unable to come to an agreement after discussions of a new long-term deal, Don Ameche and 20th Century-Fox split after an association of eight years, according to George Frank, Ameche's personal manager. On his return to Hollywood June 7 from the East, where he is touring Army and Navy hospitals, Ameche will take under consideration numerous offers awaiting him. Paramount Signs Nancy Porter Nancy Porter, 18-year-old Los Angeles girl who understudied Ethel Merman in the Cole Porter musical, "Something for the Boys," and played a role in the production, has been signed by Paramount to a long-term contract, according to Executive Producer B. G. De Sylva. Signed to Play Golf Larry Williams and Rolan Leary have been cast as a pair of golfers in Vanguard Films' "With All My Heart." Warners Buy 'Wallflower' Screen rights to "Wallflower," current Broadway comedy hit, have been acquired by Jack L. Warner, executive producer for Warner Bros. ADV. What Are Your Needs? Joe Hornstein Has It Boris Karloff, Director Erie C. Kenton and Producer Paul Malvern (l-r) helped Elena Verdugo celebrate her 19th birthday during filming of "The Devil's Brood" at Universal. Karloff, starring in picture with Lon Chaney, gave Miss Verdugo volume of H. C. Anderson fairy tales. Lt. Bessman in 'GI Joe' One of the outstanding heroes of World War n. Lieutenant Lennie Bessman, will play himself in Lester Cowan's story of the infantry, "GI Joe," filmed for United Artists release. Lt. Bessman, who received the Distinguished Service Cross, after his escape from a German prison camp, will be photographed receiving this award, following his now famous exploit. He is the third real life personality to face the "GI Joe" cameras. Others were Don Whitehead and Hal Boyle, noted Associated Press correspondents, who have now returned to the warfront. Wallis Signs Lillian Hellman Lillian Hellman has been signed to an exclusive screen writing contract by the newly formed Hal Wallis Productions, Inc. While no assignment was announced, Wallis reportedy has reached an agreement with Miss Hellman and Herman Shumlin, author and producer, respectively, of the current Broadway play, "The Searching Wind," to film that work. Hal Wallis Productions will be released through Paramount. To Produce Scandals' for RKO RKO Radio has signed a contract with George White to produce a screen revue this summer entitled "The George White Scandals of 1945." White is now in New York to gather material and specialty acts, and will return to Hollywood June 10 to begin preparations for the picture. New Pact for Paulette Paulette Goddard has been signed by Paramount to a new seven-year contract. The pact calls for her to make two pictures annually for the company, and becomes effective after she completes "Kitty," the Rosamond Marshall novel, to be directed by Mitchell Leisen. Engaged to Direct Dialog Herbert Farejon has been engaged as dialog director on the Benedict Bogeaus production, "Dark Waters," a picturization of the Saturday Evening Post serial, for United Artists release. Filming is under the direction of Andre DeToth. Home After Minor Operation Dorothy Lamour left the Good Samaritan Hospital last week after a minor operation and returned to her home in San Bernadino. Monogram Sets Four Films For Production in June "Little Devils," one of the high-budget productions on the Monogram program for 1944-45, heads the list of the company's new films scheduled to go before the cameras this month. Grant Withers will produce from an original story by Sam Ornitz, and filming starts on the 25th. First production of the month will be "Muggs Meets a Deadline," East Side Kids starring vehicle with Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and Billy Benedict in top roles, and William Beaudine directing for Producers Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz, on June 6. June 14 has been set as the starting date of "Baby Shoes," first production of A. W. Hackel following his rejoining the company. "Trigger Law," to co-star Hoot Gibson and Bob Steele, will start on the 15th, with William Strohbach supervising. Warners Acquire 'Junior Miss' Jack L. Warner, executive producer fo; Warner Bros., announced over the week-end that his company has concluded the purchase of screen rights to "Junior Miss," the smash Broadway comedy hit which ran for nearly two years in New York, and that the picture based upon the stage success will go into immediate production at the Warner Hollywood studios. Eight Tunes Set for Musical Eight tunes have been set by Columbia for "Meet Miss Bobby Socks," Bob Crosby's first starring vehicle. Crosby will sing six of them: Two Heavens, I'm Not Afraid, Come Rain, Come Shine, A Fellow on a Furlough, Idolizing and Come With Me My Honey. The Kim Loo Sisters, a vocal trio, are scheduled to do Take It Easy, while Deacon Jones will receive a swing treatment from Louis Jordan and his band. Assignment for Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray has been added to the cast of Columbia's musical comedy, "Beauty for Sale." He will be featured in a cast which includes Ann Savage, Ross Hunter, Hugh Herbert, Glenda Farrell and Ina Ray Mutton and her band. Unit Manager for 'Family' Glenn Cook, recently affiliated with Paramount and United Artists, was appointed unit manager for Sol Lesser's "Three's a Family," a United Artists release, with Charlotte Greenwood, Charles Ruggles and Jeff Donnell in the cast. Added to 'Stranger' Cast Minerva Urecal, Milton Kibbee and 14-monthold Janie Mattman have been added to the cast of "I Married a Stranger," with Dean Jagger, Kim Hunter and Neil Hamilton in top spots. William Castle is directing for King Bros. Marguerite Chapman to Co-Star Marguerite Chapman will be co-starred with Allyn Joslyn and Evelyn Keyes in the Columbia mystery comedy. "Stalk the Hunter." Thrown From His Horse James Ellison, star of Columbia's serial "The Desert Hawk" was thrown from his horse last week while working in the picture, suffered a fractured back, will be unable to resume work. Gilbert Roland replaces him.