Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1946)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, June 22, 1946 65 Reference Library for Hollywood Is Planned HOLLYWOOD STUDIO NEWS & PROGRAM NOTES Hodiak, Gifford Teamed by MGM in 'Arnello Affair'; Preminger Named New Director of 'Forever Amber' Creation of a Hollywood reference library of 300,000 items from the vast catalogue of New York's billion-dollar collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art was projected recently by Museum Director Francis Taylor in addressing a Hollywood luncheon meeting of major studio research department heads. This working art library will be made on miniature film for immediate reference by film research directors and will be maintained by the museum and studio research departments as a service to authentic production in architecture, ornamentation, costume and applied design. The library will use the most modern miniature picture-recording and enlarging equipment as well as rapid reference cataloguing, Taylor explained. A substantial saving in time through use of the Hollywood microfilm library before requesting New York research offices to go to the museum source is predicted. 'Mood Clouds' Used in Filming 'Bella Donna' Complementing the background musical score in pointing up the changing atmosphere of the story, "mood clouds" will be used extensively throughout International Pictures' Merle Oberon starrer, "Bella Donna," to be released through United World Pictures. Taking full advantage of recent technical advances in interior cloud projection that enables perfect match-up with every cloud form found in nature. Director Irving Pichel has a crew of efifects men devising cloud patterns that conform with the varying moods and locales of the script. Two Cities to Film 'The Precious Bane' Filippo Del Giudico, managing director of Two Cities Films, London, has announced deal with Paul Soskin, noted British motion picture producer, for the filming of the celebrated novel "The Precious Bane" by Mary Webb. The leading male role will be played by Stewart Granger and it is hoped that Ingrid Bergman's crmmittments will enable her to journey to England early next year to enact the starring role. Writing Two Tunes .\llan Roberts and Doris Fisher, who recently completed the songs for Columbia's "Down to Earth" and "Thrill of Brazil," have been set to write two numbers for the Rosalind Russell-Melvyn Douglas starrer, "My Empty Heart." Virginia Van Upp produces and Charles Vidor directs. Hollister in Hollywood Paul Hollister, RKO Radio's New York studio representative, is in Hollywood for two weeks of conferences with President N. Peter Rathvon, in charge of studio operations. Ryan, Scott to Co-Star Robert Ryan will co-star with Randolph Scott in RKO Radio's outdoor drama "Trail Street," based on William Corcoran's novel. Filming starts on July 12. Cole Porter checks into MGM studios to start work on the score of "The Pirate," new musical film to star Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, which Arthur Freed will produce. Barbara Hale will have the co-starring role with Randolph Scott and Robert Ryan in RKO's "Trail Street," which Ray Enright will direct. Republic has signed Sterling Holloivay for the top featured comedy part in Gene Autry's musical western, "Sioux City Sue," now before the cameras with Lynne Roberts in the feminine lead, and the Cass County Boys signed to accompany Autry. Producer Mark Hellinger has picked two actors new to the screen to play the professional gunmen in "The Killers," Ernest Heminway story being filmed at Universal. They are William Conrad, radio actor, and Charles McGraw of New York's Group Theatre. Heading the picture's cast are Edtnond O'Brien, Ava Gardner and Burt Lancaster. Robert Siodmak directs. George Brent's next picture for Universal will be "Flame of Tripoli," in which he will be co-starred with Yvonne de Carlo. James Stewart has been signed to appear in "A Miracle Can Happen," to be produced by Be'ncdicf Bogeaits and Burgess Meredith. Stewart is currently working in Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," his first film since his return from the service. Stt::i Crandall and Dick Erdinan are set for featured roles in the Betfe Davis-Paul Henreid starrer, "Deception," which Irving Rapper directs and Henry Blanke produces for Warners. MGM will team John Hodiak and Frances Gifford as a new romantic duo in "The Arnello IT MUST BE FUNNY. Producer-director Frank Capra and star Jimmy Stewart apparently have found something to laugh about in this scene of them on the set of Liberty Films' "It's a Wonderful Life," which RKO Radio wilL release. Perhaps Capra and Stewart are happy to be making pictures again after four years of war service each. •Affair," which Arch Oholcr, author of the screenplay, will direct, and Jerry Bresler produce. Rickey Jordan, sensational boy radio singer, was given his first assignment in the RKO musical, "Beat the Band." He will appear with stars Frances Langjord, Gene Krupa, Phillip Tc>rry, Ralph Edzvards and June Clayworth. Minna Gonibell will make one of her rare screen appearances in Samuel Goldwyn's "Best Years of Our Lives," which is directed by William Wyler and stars Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andreivs, Teresa Wright and Virginia Mayo. Joan Welles and Ransom Sherman have been added to the cast of MGM's "High Barbaree," Eleven-year old Joan will portray June Allyson as a young girl and Sherman will play the part of her father. Everett Riskin is producing the Van Johnson starring vehicle. Jack Conway directs. Paul Gerard Smith has been signed by Eagle Lion Films to write the screenplay for the first picture to be produced by the new company titled, "It's A Joke, Son," and starring Kenny Delmar, the radio comedian who plays Senator Claghorn on Fred Allen's air show. Mitchell Leisen, who will direct Paramount's "Golden Earrings," is scouting locations duplicating the Black Forest, in Oregon and Northern California. Ray Milland and Marlene Dietrich will co-star in the film, which Harry Tugend is producing. George Givot has been signed by RKO to play a top supporting role in "Rififraf¥," which co-stars Pat O'Brien, Walter Slesak, and Anne Jeffreys. Ted Tet::laff is directing for Producer Nat Holt. Morini Olscn is set for a key role in Warners' filmization of "Life With Father," Technicolor picture which stars Irene Dunne and Willimn Powell, and is directed by Michael Curtis. Producers Loezv-Lczvin have chosen five-year old Karolyn Grimes for the role of Angela Lansbury's daughter in the George Sanders starrer, "Bel Ami." Otto Preminger has been named to direct "Forever Amber" when production on the picture is resumed at 20th-Fox in September. He replaces John Stahl who was directing when the production was suddenly halted several months ago. No new cast has been named as yet. Irish Actress Cast Una O'Connor, Irish actress. be prominently featured in RKO Radio's adaptation of the George Abbott musical, "Beat the Band," which stars Frances LansforH and Phillio Terry.