Showmen's trade review (Oct-Dec 1944)

30 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW December 30, 1944 Studio S iialli*t<^ Dear Mr. Exhibitor's Wife: The largest lake ever built inside a sound stage has been erected for the part of the Tokyo waterfront in the James Cagney-Sylvia Sidney picture, "Blood on the Sun," which William Cagney Productions are making for UA release. So when the invitation came through for us to see this, and to meet the two stars, I grabbed it and arranged for us to go there today. Story is about Japan in the pre-Pearl Harbor days when everything there was intrigue, lying and cheating. Cagney plays the part of a nwspaperman, and Miss Sidney a Chinese patriot whom the important Japanese officials, who are her friends, do not suspect as an undercover agent for China. It's difficult to believe, when we enter the set, that all this is just a Hollywood studio: it's so real. Most of the stage has been filled with water; only a few feet all around has been left for folks to walk on. There's a dock, a warehouse, seven house-boats, a fishing schooner and half a dozen, or more, rowboats all anchored in the harbor. The technical crew, in high rubber boots, are standing in the water setting up the camera and other paraphernalia for a shot inside the warehouse. Seated on a chair on the dock is Director Frank Lloyd checking closely all the details that must be prepared before the next shot can be filmed. Cagney and Miss Sidney are standing over to one side entertaining some visiting servicemen; and her little boy, who is visiting his mother, is as busy as a little boy would normally be when he's around water. In fact, he keeps everyone on the alert for fear he'll tumble in, and we help Miss Sidney watch as we stand conversing with her. Although Miss Sidney gets her first opportunity to wear beautiful clothes in this picture, this is not the time. In the scene now to be photographed, she wears a plain black dress with a filigree gold clip at the neckline, earrings to match and a short, beaver-trimmed coat. Her hair is braided and rolled in a knot at the nape of her neck. When we're introduced to Cagney, we question him as to "what all the shootin's about," and he tells us that they're setting up for a scene in which he runs over the roof tops in order to avoid the pursuing Japanese. He knocks two into the water when they catch up with him ; then he escapes. Picture seems to be a first for quite a few people. It's the first one in three years for Miss Sidney. It's the first picture she's made in which she gets a chance to wear other than prison garb. It's the first in some time for Director Lloyd, who has just returned from the South Pacific where he was in the Combat Camera Unit. To our sorrow, we have to leave before the actual shooting of the scene, for there's still much to be done before they start. Until next week. Ann Lewis Prepare First Bennett Production Constance Bennett will start production shortly on her first independent production for United Artists release "Paris Underground," based on the famous best seller concerning the early days of the German occupation of the French Capital, with Gregory Ratolf directing. Nicolai Remesoff, noted art director, is the first signed for the technical staff. He will design the sets for the production. Newcomer Gets Assignment Initial screen part for Larry Young, signed by Paramount after appearing in several plays at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, will be "Prince Charming," a story by Everett Freeman for which Ray Milland has been earmarked. ADV. What Are Your Needs? Joe Hornstein Has It 12 Plays, 15 Books and Stories Among Warner Purchases in 1944 Exclusive of originals written at the studio, Warner Bros, substantially augmented its story pool during the past year by the purchase of 32 important properties, a year-end checkup reveals. New purchases included IS published books and stories ; 12 plays, three of which also appeared in story form ; two musical biographies (Cole Porter and Vincent Youmans) ; biography of the late Sime Silverman ("Mr. Broadway") ; one unpublished book, and "Hollywood Canteen" rights. The year's highlight acquisition was "Life With Father." Among other Broadway hits were "Wallflower," "Chicken Every Sunday," "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," while heading the best-seller purchases were Vicki Baum's "Hotel Berlin" and Ellin Berlin's "Land I Have Chosen." Goldwyn Girls' Career Syndicate Provides Role for Dodd in 'Robe' A unique syndicate formed by six Goldwyn Girls for the express purpose of furthering his screen career has resulted in Allan Dodd getting his first important screen assignment, that of one of the brawny Roman or Greek principals in "The Robe," which Frank Ross will produce for RKO Radio release. The Goldwyn beauties met Dodd while he was working in "The Wonder Man." Because he was "green" in the game, they decided to help him. One of the girls thought he would be ideal for a role in "The Robe." A syndicate was formed. The girls put him under contract, then brought him to the attention of Ross and Director Mervyn LeRoy. They agreed to support him until he obtained a film contract, after which he must pay them 10 per cent of his earnings for five years. They provide a wardrobe and suitable living quarters. And they reserve the right to refuse him permission to travel, and to pass on all his personal associations, including anyone he might care to marry. Warners Launch Search for 12 Beauties to Appear in New Film Twelve of the country's most beautiful girls will get an unusual screen opportunity through a nationwide search launched by Warner Bros, for 12 beauties who will be given long-term contracts. Winners, who must measure up to high standards in face and figure and be perfect for color photography, will have prominent roles in "When Old New York Was Young." LeRoy Prinz, dance director, is interviewing applicants. To Star in Tulsa Rodeo Jimmy Wakely and Lee "Lasses" White, star and featured player, respectively, in Monogram's new Jimmy Wakely Series, have been booked as stars of the annual Oklahoma Rhythm Rodeo, scheduled for the Coliseum in Tulsa on Jan. 23. Ryan Completes Comedy Script Tim Ryan has turned in to Monogram producers Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz completed original script on "Three to Make Ready," next commedy in the series co-starring Billy Gilbert, Shemp Howard and Maxie Rosenbloom. Frazee Gets Feminine Lead Jane Frazee has been assigned by Columbia to the feminine lead in "Ten Cents a Dance," with Bob Haymes in the top spot. THE BODY SNATCHER (RKO Radio) Horror. Principals: Boris Karloff, Russell Wade, Henry Daniell, Edith Atwater, Rita Corday, Bela Lugosi, Sharyn Moffett. Director, Robert Wise. Plot: A grave-robber and murderer, posing as a kindly old cabman, sells the products of his sinister activities to a doctor for research work. The doctor, who is being blackmailed by the cabman, finally kills him and carries on his ghastly work with the help of one of his students, but the dying warning of the cabman haunts him and leads to his eventual death. SCARED STIFF (Para.) Mystery. Principals: Jack Haley, Ann Savage, Barton MacLane, Veda Ann Borg, Arthur Aylesworth. Director, Frank McDonald. Plot: A mysterythriller about a group of travelers who become involved in a series of spooky murders in a California winery while trying to find a priceless set of antique chess men. Haley, a reporter with no nose for news, finally — and accidentally — captures the murderer, recovers the chess men and wins the girl. THE KID SISTER (PRC) Comedy. Principals: Roger Pryor, Judy Clark, Constance Worth, Frank Jenks, Tommy Dugan. Director, Sam Newfield. Plot: As the younger sister, an attractive girl is kept in the background while her mother tries to find a husband for the older daughter. The girl has different ideas, which lead her into many scatterbrained escapades, but she ends up by capturing the prize husband her mother had planned for her sister. IT'S A PLEASURE (RKO) Color. Principals: Sonja Henie, Michael O'Shea, Bill Johnson, Marie McDonald, Gus Schilling, Iris Adrian. Director, William A. Seiter. Plot: The husband of a young skater is spotted by a big-time impresario who plans to star him, but he neglects to show up for the opening show. His wife fills in and gets the contract. When he hears of this, he disappears so as not to be a threat to her career. Eventually they find each other again and all ends happily. ROMANCE, INCORPORATED (Univ.) Drama. Principals: Allan Jones, Grace McDonald, Vivian Austin, Raymond Walburn, William Haade, John Abbott. Director, Reginald Le Borg. Plot: When a prison choir loses a radio sponsor because their leader is pardoned, they make arrangements for a released member to incriminate him in a bank robbery so he can be returned by the police. Their plans fall through because of a young girl who loves the leader, and complications arising from the robbery. THERE GOES KELLY (Mono.) Drama. Principals: Jackie Moran, Wanda McKay, Sidney Miller, Ralph Sanford, Jan Wiley. Director, Phil Karlstein. Plot: Two page boj's, trying to help a young receptionist of a broadcasting company, fake an audition. When the star vocalist is found murdered and their hoax uncovered, they find themselves forced to get the killer. The man they suspect is also murdered before he can be questioned, so it's up to them to solve the mystery and clear everyone's name. HER HIGHNESS AND THE BELLBOY (MGM) Comedy-Drama. Principals: Hedy Lamarr, Rol^ert Walker, June Allyson, Rags Ragland, Warner Anderson, Agnes Moorehead. Director, Richard Thorpe. Plot: A princess of a mythical European country visits New York, looking for her childhood sweetheart and becomes acquainted with a {Continued on Page 38)