Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

March 21, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 29 'Free Press' Named by Cowan As Next Production Venture "Free Press," dramatization of the newspaperman's profession as climaxed by the work of combat correspondents throughout the world, has been announced by Lester Cowan as his next production. Idea for the picture stemmed from a recent meeting attended by Kent Cooper of Associated Press, Hugh BailHe of United Press, Joseph V. Connally of International News Service, Cranston Williams, general manager of American Newspaper Publishers Association, John S. Knight, publisher of the Knight Newspapers and president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and Cowan. Basic fictional structure of the film is now being determined and will shortly be placed in the hands of the writers. A $2 million budget has been set for the film, which will have a cast of top Hollywood stars. 20th-Fox Buys Guerilla Yarn "American Guerilla in the Philippines," a new book by Ira Wolfert and Lieut. I. D. Richardson, currently appearing as a condensation feature in Reader's Digest, has been bought by 20th Century-Fox. The story is based on Lieut. Richardson's advjentures with Filipino and American underground forces after the fall of Bataan. Lamar Trotti will write the screenplay, as well as produce it. Girl Gets MGM Contract Gene Roberts, 18-year-old actress who was "discovered" by Producer Clarence Brown while she was appearing in summer stock at Oklahoma City, has been signed to an MGM contract. Lang to Direct 'Scarlet Street' Joan Bennett, Edward G. Robinson and Dan Duryea have been signed by Universal producer Walter Wanger to appear in "Scarlet Street," which Fritz Lang will direct. This will be the first picture made by "New World Properties," newly formed producing company with Lang as president and Wanger as vicepresident. Ludwig Bemelmans is already at work on the screenplay. Janis Cameron Signs Contract Janis Cameron, 20-year-old singer and dancer who acted with Shirley Temple in the star's earliest films, has been signed by Paramount to a term contract. Miss Cameron, a blonde with brown eyes, was soloist at the Copacabana Club in San Francisco and recently returned from a USO tour. Her first film assignment at Paramount will be in "Our Hearts Were Growing Up." Three Options Lifted Michael Dunne currently at work in "Junior Miss" at 20th Century-Fox has been reoptioned by the studio. The company also lifted its option on Julian Johnson, story editor, as well as for the services of Joan Blondell, who plays the role of Aunt Sissy in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." Rights to 'Party Line' 20th Century-Fox has purchased the screen rights to Louise Baker's "Party Line," a novel based on the experiences of a telephone operator in a small California town. Leonard Praskins will write the screen play. Robert Bassler will produce. See Heavy Monogram Schedule As Ten Stories Await Cameras Indicating a heavy production schedule during the coming, months, ten stories are ready for the cameras at Monogram. Included in the list are "Casa Manana," musical by Paul Gerard Smith ; "Gregory the Great," by Myles Connolly ; "Allotment Wives," to star Kay Francis, by Sidney Sutherland and Harvey H. Gates ; "Kelly Starts a Riot," by Bert Horswell and Tim Ryan ; "The Cobra Strikes," to star Sidney Toler, by George Callahan ; an untitled melodrama by George Wallace Sayre ; "Dime a Dance," adapted by Robert S. Erode from the story by Cornell Woolrich; "Swing Parade," by Edmund Kelso ; untitled western to star Jimmy Wakely, written by Frances Kavanaugh; and "Belle of New Orleans," to star Acquanetta, by Harvey Gates. A treatment of "Black Market Babies" has been completed by George Morris. "Sunbonnet Sue," to co-star Gale Storm and Phil Regan, is also in the treatment stage. Search for Film Material Director Mitchell Leisen will leave Hollywood for New York at the end of the month following completion of Paramount's "Masquerade in Mexico," starring Dorothy Lamour and Arturo de Cordova. Leisen will view new Broadway plays with an eye for film material. Oboler Continues With MGM MGM has exercised its option for the services of Arch Oboler and his second picture for the company, whicri he will both write and direct, will be "I'll Tell My Husband," a feature-length story to be produced by Jerry Bresler.