Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

34 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REA^IEW February 17, 1945 IN HOLLYWOOD IT'S ^SEWS . . . This week marks such a vast stride forward for Republic that it is almost like a jump into the majors, where that studio has been aiming for years. As the news told it, Frank Borzage was signed as a producerdirector. In addition, Earl Carroll has been signed as a technical adviser on girly-girlies on a long-termer, with all his properties tossed into the pot; William K. Howard, once rated as a top director, has been signed as a producer-director; and, and this is a big AND, two other deals are on the fire practically signed, with two famous directors to serve as producer-directors, which will give Republic as many big time directors, and producers, as most of the acknowledged majors . . . When the Falcon comes to San Francisco, via RKO pictures, he will meet several well-known character actors who are seen all too infrequently ; these include Frank Puglia, Robert Armstrong and Ed Brophy . . . Ford Beebe, producer at Universal, has signed Gerald Geraghty to make "The Cat Creeps" into a screenplay . . . James M. Cain's best-seller, "Serenade," will have its "song" prepared for screening by Jerry Wald, Warners' all-around producer . . . Edward Dein finishes the script of Jinx Falkenburg's "The Gay Senorita," a Columbia film to be produced by Jay Gorney and directed by Arthur Dreifuss . . . Andrew Stone has completed his re-organization of Lysander Productions, with the signing of C. Simpson as comptroller . . . Rowland Lee, directing "Captain Kidd," is stimulating his cast to their best work by making an award of a ham (not the thespian variety) each week for the best job . . . Patrick Michael Cunning has started work on a three-reel film to acquaint radio stations and advertising agencies with his technique in television production . . . Bruce Cabot will appear in the male lead opposite Kay Francis when she brings her "Divorce" to the screen . . . John Golden wants Ray Collins to star in a new comedy he'll produce on Broadway next month, although Collins hasn't done a show in New York since Orson Welles introduced him . . . Universal did a bit of option-picking this week with the re-signing of Lois Collier, Martha O'DriscoU, Milburn Stone and Producer Warren Wilson . . . Columbia, taking their cue from the activity at other studios, also announced the renewal of options on Marc Piatt, the sensational dancer of "Tonight and Every Night," and Producer Ted Richmond. At the same writing, Wallace MacDonald, at the end of a seven year term, was signed to another. Top Roles in 'Calcutta' Alan Ladd, William Bendix and Howard Da Silva will have three of the top roles in "Calcutta," an original screenplay by Seton I. Miller dealing with the colorful adventures of flyers who pioneered the air route over the Hump — the mountains separating India and China — ■ before the American Army Air Corps took over the job. Miller will produce "Calcutta," which is scheduled for an early start. Martha Stewart in Musical Twentieth Century-Fox has selected Martha Stewart for a leading feminine role in "Three Little Girls in Blue," a musical romance in Technicolor relating the adventures of three girls who set out to win wealthy husbands. Costarring in the production will be Vivian Blaine, June Haver, Jeanne Crain, John Payne and James Dunn. William Le Baron will produce. Keays to Direct 'Round-Up' Vernon Keays will direct "Rhythm RoundUp," third in the series of four special action musicals being produced by Columbia. Keays also directed the first two of the series, "Sing Me a Song of Texas" and "Rockin' in the Rockies." "Rhythm Round-Up" is scheduled for early production, with a cast headed by Ken Curtis, popular radio singer making his film debut. ADV. Can't Get It? Joe Horns te/n Has It Four New Films Entering Production at Warner Bros. Four new productions were set by Jack L. Warner, executive producer, to start shooting at the Warner Bros. Studio. "Shadow of a Woman," with Andrea King and Helmut Dantine heading the cast under direction of Joe Santley, began rolling Friday (9). On Monday (12) the Bette Davis starrer, "Stolen Life," with Curtis Bernhardt directing, and "Danger Signal," starring Faye Emerson and Zachary Scott under direction of Robert Florey, began shooting. Then will follow the Technicolor musical, "Time, Place and the Girl," which David Butler will direct, with cast headed by Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson and Jane Wyman. Columbia Signs Smiley Burnette For New Western Series Columbia Pictures announced that it has signed Smiley Burnette, outstanding western personality, to join Charles Starrett and Walter "Dub" Taylor in the "Durango Kid" series, a new group of westerns with music, which will be backed by the company with one of the greatest advertising and promotional campaigns ever given this type of picture. One of the important steps to be taken in developing the audience popularity of this series of eight westerns will consist of a group of accessories which are to be offered to exhibitors, free. These will include a special one-sheet, banners, heralds, etc. 'Carrolls' for Bogart, Stanwyck Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck have been set for the top roles of the screen version of "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," Broadway hit by Martin Vale. Production will start in March with Mark Hellinger producing and Peter Godfrey directing. "The Fountainhead," in which Bogart and Miss Stanwyck were to appear, has been set back on the production schedule. MGM Buys 'Young Bess' "Young Bess," a novel concerning the early life and loves of the first Queen Elizabeth, by Margaret Irwin, English novelist, has been acquired for the screen by MGM. The novel is the Literary Guild's selection for April. Sidney Franklin, who will produce the picture, has assigned Jan Lustig and Katharine Ann Porter to write the screenplay. Weissmuller's First for Paramount Johnny Weissmuller's first starring role under his three-picture deal with Paramount Producers William Pine and William Thomas, will be "Swamp Fire," a drama of the Louisiana bayou country written by Novelist Geoffrey Homes. WB Buys Another Cain Novel "Serenade," best-seller by James M. Cain, whose "Mildred Pierce" is now before the cameras at the Warner Bros. Studio, has been bought by Jack L. Warner, executive producer. New story also has been assigned to Producer Jerry Wald. Bogeaus Becomes SIMPP Member Producer Benedict Bogeaus, whose next film for United Artists will be "Captain Kidd," has been elected to a membership in the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, according to an announcement by Lloyd Wright, president of the Society. Dear Mr. Exhibitor's Wife: With a roster of stars that reads like a page out of "Who's Who," the MGM picture, "Week-end at the Waldorf," should be tops. Therefore, when I heard that Lana Turner and Van Johnson were to do one of their scenes today, I chose that studio for this week's visit. Walking onto the set is like visiting New York again, for it is an exact replica of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The studio, for authenticity, used the original blueprints of the hotel building. Huge columns, the large ramp which runs down into the train terminal and the wheel-of-li£e mural on the floor are all there. Hundreds of extras are standing around waiting for the signal to start moving. Lana Turner is standing near the entrance, for at the command for "action" she must rush after Van Johnson, who is standing at the top of the ramp. While waiting for several small details to be corrected before they start shooting, we get a chance to notice the snazzy suit Miss Turner is wearing. It's navy blue, with small collar, pockets and front piped in the blue-and-white material of the vestee. A low pill-box hat, with a centre point that comes down low on her forehead, gives her lovely blond hair a chance to curl over the sides. White gloves and blue leather bag complete the costume. Now they're all set to go. Director Robert Z. Leonard gives the command: "Get ready, go." Everyone starts moving and Miss Turner runs after Johnson. Johnson, in the meantime, has reached the bottom of the ramp, and as the action continues, they both disappear below. Several "takes" are required before the director says "Good, good" in a very happy voice. This statement means that the last "take" is the one he wants, which finishes the scene. We roam around checking interesting details, while the technicians prepare for the next shot. We note the cigar store is there and the shelves filled (but the cigaret cartons are empties). The flower shop is also there, with all the beautiful-hued flowers showing through the window; but the flowers instead of being real, are uncanny copies in paper. In their own dressing rooms, we find the stars. We're introduced, chat for a few moments and then leave. Until next week. Ann Lewis Middlemass Replaces Bromberg Robert Middlemass replaces J. Edward Bromberg as Oscar Hammerstein in 20th CenturyFox's Technicolor musical, "The Dolly Sisters." Collette Lyons will play the role of Flo Daly in the same production, which George Jessel is producing and Irving Cummings directing. Add Totters, Gwenn to 'Partners' Audrey Totter has been assigned the second feminine lead in "Dangerous Partners," MGM picture to star Signe Hasso and James Craig. Another addition to the cast is Edmund Gwenn. Flournoy Checks in at Paramount Richard Flournoy, co-author of the screenplay of "The More the Merrier," has checked in at Paramount Studio to work on his own original, "Break-up." 'Blonde From Brooklyn' Lead Lynn Merrick has been assigned by Columbia to play the feminine lead opposite Bob Haymes in "Blonde From Brooklyn," the romantic comedy to be directed by Del Lord. Ball, Blaine Options Lifted Twentieth Century-Fox has lifted its option on two of its young stars, Jane Ball and Vivian Blaine.