Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1945)

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August 25, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 35 Sees Independent Forging Ahead Important realignments in the entire motion picture production setup are in the making as the result of the continued trend toward independent production, Edward Small, president of Edward Small Productions, said in Hollywood this week. The producer, a veteran in the independent field, has plans for filming five pictures on a total budget of $6 millions. The independent producer. Small said, now has reached the high state "where his position is comparable to that of the major studio." "This is a business of individualists," Small explains. "And only a man who is independent of all restraint has sufficient latitude to express his individualism. That is why the independent producer today is in the best position to turn out the finest in motion picture entertainment." One of the important factors aiding the independent producer today, Small said, is the decision of many top-flight name stars who are declining studio contracts to accept roles better suited to them in independent productions. Dear Mr. Exhibitor's Wife: Today we have a triple treat in store for us. We're going to 20th-Fox where Harry James, Maureen 'OHara and Dick Haymes are working in the Technicolor picture, "Kitten on the Keys." This means that we'll see three of our favorites at one time . . ; so get set for a wonderful visit. They've constructed on Stage 8, for the scene we are going to watch them shoot today, an enormous and gaily decorated nightclub. It's one of those modern, blue white and peach places with the most novel trimmings. The band stand is over on the left and seated at one of the small tables, not very far away, are all three stars. The men are showing Maureen the town. She is (or shall we say "was") a dignified, straight-laced Dean of a moss-covered College, who, through their rival intrigues, is transformed into a glamor girl on one cf her trips to New York. Camera has been placed close to the stars' table. All they're waiting for now is the okay to "go ahead," from Director Gregory Ratoff. This comes after he gives the players their final instructions and then steps back out of the camera's range. All this time it's been difficult to see what Maureen was wearing, for she's been seated. But when she rises from her chair, we see that it's a Blue and Silver Lame dress with a full skirt; that one shoulder has a cape sleeve and the other a rhinestone strap, and that she's wearing a rhinestone decoration in her upswept red hair. Thrown over the back of her chair is a beautiful Blue Fox Stoll. Next scene has Haymes singing to Maureen while James leads the band. We know what the song is in advance for it is played on the playback and is called As If I Didn't Have Enough On My Mind. They're setting up and it isn't long before Ratoff has things all lined up to go. Like most of the stars' enthusiastic fans, we sit there and glow while we listen to the music and song. We get more than our share (we're not complaining), for again they repeat several times before the final "take." Greetings to Maureen, Harry James and Dick follow and after a short chat with each, we leave with our head in the clouds. Until next week. Ann Lewis RKO Borrows Morgan Rosemary DeCamp and Henry Morgan have been signed by RK(3 Radio for major supporting roles in the tentatively titled "All Brides Are Beautiful," starring Joan Fontaine. Morgan, borrowed from 20th Century-Fox, is a former Group Theatre member who has appeared on the screen in such pictures as "The Ox Bow Incident," "Crash Dive," "Captain Eddie" and "A Bell For Adano." Top Billing for Bonita Bonita Granville will share top billing with Eddie Ryan for Exlward Golden's "Breakfast in Hollywood," featuring Tom Breneman. The picture is for United Artists release. ADV. Can't Get It? Joe Hornstein Has It Virginia Field Returning to Screen in Paramount Film Virginia Field, blonde beauty who has been off the screen for nearly three years to appear on Broadway and later to become a mother, will return to films as the comedienne in "Take This Woman," Ray Milland's next starring picture at Paramount. Miss Field will leave New York for Hollywood early in September to prepare for the film which has a tentative mid-September starting date. 'Bowery Boys' to Star Gorcey and Hall W. Ray Johnston, president of Monogram, last week announced the closing of a contract with Jan Grippo, president of Jewel Productions, for the release of four Jewel productions known as The Bowery Boys, to star Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall. Production of the first picture will start in September. Comes Back to 'Hargrove' Douglas Fowley returned to MGM Monday after two, years in the U. S. Navy. His last role before entering the service was in "See Here, Private Hargrove," and he returns in the same character, that of a GI buddy of Robert Walker in "What Next, Corporal Hargrove." Named for "HaJI the Chief" Roscoe Karns and Irving Bacon have been signed by Columbia to play a comedy team in "Hail the Chief," which Ray Enright will direct. Dennis O'Keefe, Willard Parker, Marguerite Chapman and Janis Carter head the cast, with Hugh Herbert and Dusty Anderson featured. Signed for "Swing Parade" Ruth Lee, Neil Craig, Jack Richardson and Lillian O'Malley have been added to the cast of "Swing Parade," current Monogram musical starring Gale Storm and Phil Regan. Another new cast member is Leon Belasco, signed when Franklin Pangborn was forced out by illness. Phil Karlson is directing for Producer Harry Romm. Blanke-Sherman Teamwork Jack L. Warner has assigned Henry Blanke as producer and Vincent Sherman as director of the Richard B. Traven novel, "Treasure of the Sierra Madre." The story is based on the search for a lost gold mine of the far west. Wynn for Van Johnson Vehicle Keenan Wynn has been assigned an important role as the buddy of Van Johnson in MGM's "No Leave, No Love." Vidor and Hayworth Join Forces As Director and Star of 'Gilda' Charles Vidor has been named by Columbia to direct Rita Hayworth in "Gilda," in which Miss Hayworth will return to straight drama following four years of appearing exclusively in musicals. "Gilda" is the second Hayworth starrer to be directed by Vidor. Last year the director and star combined talents in the outstandingly successful "Cover Girl." Since then, Vidor has directed "Together Again," "A Song to Remember" and "Over 21." Lesser Rushing 'Civilian Clothes' for Conversion Era The arrival of V-J Day decided Sol Lesser to rush plans for immediate production of "Civilian Clothes." Based on the play by Thompson Buchanan, the story deals with complications resulting from a change over to mufti from uniform when peace arrives. Present plans include the starring of Lon McCallister, still a member of the U. S. armed forces but who may be available by the time the script is ready. Features Big Bomb RKO's "First Yank Into Tokyo" will be among the first features to hit the theatre screens in which the Atomic bomb plays an important part. The story by J. Robert Bren and Gladys Atwater concerns the efforts of an American flyer to secure the release from a Japanese prison camp of an American scientist who holds the key to a super bomb destined to end the war with Japan and prevent future wars. GOOD MUSIC. Artur Rubinstein, one of the world's greatest pianists, plays a few notes on the concert grand at Republic Studio to the appreciative response of Herbert J. Yates, president of Republic Productions, who signed the artist to a contract under which he will play the piano score for Frank Borzage's film, "Concerto."