Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 1, 1949 29 Studio Roundup Although only four new pictures went into production during the past week, there was a new twist in the call for extras. Of the human element, Columbia used about ISO for two of its pictures now shooting. But from circuses and zoos George Emerson, one of Hollywood's foremost animal experts, lined up lions, chimpanzees, giraffes, llamas and assorted other animals as extras in MGM's !'Reformer and the Redhead," ' which co-stars June Allyson and Dick Powell. The four films started last week included a Charles Starrett western, "Trail of the Rustler," which Ray Nazarro is directing at Columbia ; another "Bomba" picture at Monogram for Johnny Sheffield, with Ford Beebe directing ; RKO's "Carriage Entrance," with Robert Stevenson directing Ava Gardner, Melvyn Douglas and others ; and "Twilight in the Sierras," another Roy Rogers Trucolor film at Republic. 3 Independents Start Although starting dates are somewhat vague on films away on location, we have added three independent productions to the lineup just to be sure we have them in work, regardless of exact camera time. These are: "The Dark Road," shooting in Rome with Janis Paige and an Italian star, Massimo Serato; "Beloved," shooting in Mexico with Paulette Goddard and -Pedro Armendariz ; and "A Dog's Life," shooting in Michigan, with Harold Lloyd, Jr., and Cathy Downs. A long list 6f featured roles were handed out to players at Universal-International for the Crane Wilbur picture, "Outside the Wall." Set were Signe Hasso, who hasn't been in a film since she played opposite Ronald Colman in U-I's "A Double Life" two years ago, and Anne Pearce, Lloyd Gough and Henry Morgan. An international flavor was given to the studio's "Deported," Marta Toren-Jeff Chandler costarrer to be shot in Rome, when deals were closed with Claude Dauphin, popular French star, Silvio Minciotti, and Mimi Aguglia. Italian actor and actress. Release Canceled While Sally Forrest of "Not Wanted" fame was checking-in at the Kabet-Kaiser Institute at Santa M onica for the role she is to play in "Never Fear," that of a dancer stricken with polio. Director Ida Lupino and her husband, Collier Young, were canceling release of the film by Film Classics. Negotiations are on for another release, but meanwhile shooting will continue. ^Glass Heart' Set by Cummings for Columbia "The Glass Heart," an original by Marty Holland, has been set by Robert Cummings as his independent production for Columbia. The picture, to be made under the banner of California Productions, will star Cummings and is -cheduled to go before the cameras early in 1950. Subject on Japan Japan's democratic progress since VJ da\ will be shown in a two-reel Technicolor film, "The Light of Asia," to be made on the Nipponese islands by Warner Bros. LONDON OBSERVATIONS Packed House Acclaims Variety Club Benefit Function; Daily Express Film Ball Lacks Zing of Previous Years By JOCK MacGREGOR The Variety Club, despite the devaluing of the pound, the sacking of more technicians and threatened crises in the industry, has called the London melody this week. Tent No. 36 had a royal send-of¥ when H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh attended its first public function, the Midnight Matinee at the Coliseum. A packed house saw a performance rivaled only by the Royal Command for talent, and enthusiastically acclaimed the fiteen acts headed by Gracie Fields, Gigli, the Inkspots, Borrah Minevitch's Harmonica Rascals and Joe E. Brown. Over £7,000 (a lot of sterling at any rate of J°ck MacGregor exchange) was raised for the National Playing Fields Association. A most gratifying aspect of the evening was the turnout which,, while representative of all sections of London life, was dominated by show people. Exhibitors and renters were prominent and this augurs well for the future of the Tent, for it is on their support that a great deal of its success depends. Happiest man in the Coliseum was unquestionably International Chief Barker Bob O'Donnell, and when I met him during the interval with C. J. Latta, he said he thought it was the greatest show he had seen and was determined not to be late back in his seat far the second half. It was a proud moment for him to see the heart of show business capture the heart of London. * * * The previous night, Bob O'Donnell had had another slice of British showmanship at the Daily Express Film Ball at the Albert Hall where he met many artists headed by Jane Wym.an, Robert Montgomery, Joe E. Brown, Jane Russell and Richard Todd, London's sensational discovery. Thoug'h the band strummed selections from "Oklahoma!" for the third year, the evening, lacked the zing of previous years. British topliners, unlike their American cousins, were as conspicuous by their absence as at the Venice and Cannes festivals. The labeling of the various boxes — Associated British, Rank or British Lion ( Coiitinncd on Third Cover) LOMDON VARIETY CLUB OFF TO ROYHL START An all-star show featuring some of the finest artists of the stage, screen and concert hall launched the first pubHc charity event sponsored by the new London Variety Club. The event, which raised 7,000 pounds for the National Playing Fields Association, attracted a brilliant audience to the midnight matinee at the Colisseum Sept. 22. In photo at top: C. J. Latta, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, Bob Wolff and International Chief Barker R. J. O'Donnell. Left to right immediately above are: Gene Tierney; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Goodlatte; Ben Lyon and his daughter, Barbara.