Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1945)

May 5, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 37 Republic to Star Don Barry In Three Gangster Dramas Immediately following completion of his starring role in E. Jocelyn White's mystery-thriller for Republic, "The Crooked Mile" which goes before the cameras soon, Donald Barry will be starred in three gangster films by the studio, based on the lives of three of America's most notorious gangster-killers. Barry will also collaborate with the writers on the screenplays, according to William O' Sullivan, who will produce the group. First of the trio will be "Baby Face Nelson," on the screen treatment of which Barry is collaborating with Royal King Cole, writer. Next will be "Gangs of Kansas City," based on official files of the notorious "Ma" Parker and the Karpis gang. Last of the trio is to be "Pretty Boy Floyd," the story of that gangster and his pal-in-crime, Red Hamilton, who with titianhaired Bonnie Parker, terrorized Texas. 'Guest Wife' Made in 53 Days As Location Trips Are Canceled Elimination of location trips during the filming of the Jack H. Skirball-Bruce Manning film comedy, "Guest Wife," which was directed by Sam Wood for United Artists release, resulted in the picture being filmed in the record period of 53 days. Substitution of special photographic effects and more extensive stage settings for distance locations, enabled Wood to keep his actors working virtually without interruption. The film set a new record for the number of consecutive days the actors appeared before the cameras. Don Ameche and Claudette Colbert are costarred in the romantic comedy which features Richard Foran. The cast includes Grant Mitchell, Charles iDingle, Maurice Costello and Chester Clute. Boy Choristers Signed for Film The St. Luke's Choristers of Long Beach, famous boys' choir, have been signed by Leo McCarey as the 8th grade graduation class in "The Bells of St. Mary's," first Rainbow Production for RKO Radio release starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Choristers are conducted by William Ripley Dorr. In Washington for Conferences Dore Schary, Selznick International producer, and Allen Rivkin, writer, were in Washington this week for conferences with Lieutenant-General Alexander Vandergrift, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, on the film version of Niven Busch's best-selling novel, 'They Dream of Home." Martha Sleeper Back to Screen • Martha Sleeper, who left Hollywood nearly ine years ago to devote her talents to the Broadway stage, returns to the screen with a prominent role in "The Bells of St. Mary's," Rainbow Production being produced and directed by Leo McCarey for RKO Radio. MGM Signs Jan Clayton Jan Clayton, currently featured in the Theatre Guild hit, "Carousel," on Broadway, has been signed to a new long-term contract at MGM. Her first picture for the studio was "This Man's Navy." Hubbard Signs With Universal Lucien Hubbard has signed °a term deal at Universal to write and produce two pictures yearly. Hubbard was formerly with MetroGoldwyn-Mayer, Paramount and Fox. PARTNERS IN PICTURE-MAKING. Don Ameche (left) the star. Jack H. Skirball (center) the producer, and Sam Wood, the director, discuss their recently formed partnership arrangement in connection with the making of "Guest Wife," in which Ameche co-stars with Claudette Colbert. Under a new and unique production setup, Ameche and Wood are partners with Skirball and Bruce Manning, and will share in the picture's profits. Mil. SAaiuman Qoml Dear Mr. Exhibitor's Wife: We're going to meet Nancy Kelly and John Loder today over on the set of the Walter Colmes picture, "The Web," which Colmes is making for Republic release. It's a psychological drama about a mysterious woman who appears suddenly in Nancy Kelly's life, and who claims acquaintance with one of her ancestors who died three hundred years before. This "sets" Nancy off and it's up to Loder, as a doctor, to cure her. Our entrance onto the set brings us right smack into a fireplace. As we face it, we see behind the burning logs something that looks like "witchery," but which is actually some kids having a Halloween Party. The camera is practically in-the-flames, for this is a close-up to be used as the opening scene in the picture. When Colmes, who is also directing, gives the okay, we all move into "The Tavern" where the party is taking place. There, among furnishings that are typically Early American, we find not only the children, but Loder and Ruth Ford. She was in the Fox picture, "Wilson," and plays Loder's sister in this picture. As we enter we hear someone shouting, "all extras please clear the room for setup," meaning that they want to prepare the room for the next scene. This is to take place at the hax, which is in the left-hand corner of the room, up several steps. While the technicians are working, we visit with Ruth Ford, whom we learn was one of the original members of Orson Welles' Repertory Group. She turns the laugh on herself by repeating something that just happened. As she explains it : she overheard one of the men saying "if she wore her hair differently, she'd be very attractive and much more glamorous" ; at which she piped in that she never wore her hair any differently. Needless to say, he was slightly taken aback. There's definitely nothing glamorous about the costume she's wearing at present ; a plain, striped blue-and-white cottori dress, with her hair drawn tightly to the top of her head; but since she's a fine actress, who cares? The first question we ask Loder is: "When is the new arrival due?" (in case you don't remember, he happens to be married to Hedy Lamarr) and we're told "not very long now." Then we speak of other things until he's called for the shooting. We meet Nancy Kelly on our way out, for she doesn't appear in the scene we just witnessed. Until next week. Ann Lewis RKO Radio Swings Into Tune Groove With Musicals RKO Radio is swinging back into the tunefilm groove. Its current production schedule counts more musicals than it has known in the past six years. In editing stages are "George White's Scandals" starring Joan Davis and Jack Haley, and "Sing Your Way Home," starring Haley, Anne Jeffreys, Marcy McGuire and Glenn Vernon. "Radio Stars on Parade" is before the cameras. This novelty comedy musical stars Wally Brown, Alan Carney and Frances Langford. Cantinflas, Mexico's famed comedian, and George Murphy will star in "The Magnificent Tramp." Lena Horne and an all-Negro cast will be featured in "Sweet Georgia Brown." The studio will also film George Abbott's Broadway hit, "Beat the Band." Eddie Cantor's new musical, in which Joan Davis will co-star, will have a western background. Frank Sinatra will sing again for RKO Radio in "Bar of Music," his third picture for the studio. Bringing the total of musicals to 10 will be "Riverboat Rhythm" and "Ding Dong Williams," musical based upon the Richard English magazine stories and starring Glenn Vernon and Marcy McGuire. B Monogram Films for May Three new films will be under way at Monogram during May. "Sunbonnet Sue," Scott R. Dunlap production with Gale Storm and Phil Regan, with Ralph Murphy directing, has already started and will continue through most of May. Starting May IS will be the third of the current season's "Cisco Kid" films, with Duncan Renaldo starred ; and "The Cobra Strikes," sixth of the Charlie Chan series starring Sidney Toler, goes before the cameras on the 23rd. New Monogram Casting Director Menifee I. Johnstone, for the past 18 years head of her own organization as Hollywood artists' representative, has been signed as casting director at Monogram studios, according to announcement by Trem Carr, executive producer. Rose Alexander, former secretary to Casting Director Paul Cox, becomes assistant to Miss Johnstone. CoU SI Troilec for America' Leading Showmen mm Makers^ lerica's M ling fl nen!^H SEASON with SAYOROL POPCORN SEASONING $17.50 per hundred pounds — not rationed Bester Products Co. BOX 278 NASHVILLE 2, TENN. Scripting 'High School Kids' George Plympton and Ande Lamb have commenced work on an original screenplay for "High School Kids," first of Producer Sam Katzman's new Monogram series to be grouped under the same title. Can't Get It? Joe Hornstein Has It