Variety (Nov 1938)

19 VARJETT PICTURl^ Wednesday, November 2, 193$ Advance Production Chart Preductton amtinues along an even keel, Oct. 26 iinitng 40 pictures be/ore tfc« cametvu, M in the cutting rooms, and 96 already previewed or released. Ainiinst the season's promise of S8Q, this leaves the studios with ttill 360 to produce. Grand ffational again returns to the charts having leveled off to produce a total,of 68 features and westerns for M88-39. Product'loill be turned out by various units on the lot, divided a< follows to date: Fine Arts, 26; Coronado, six; George Hirliman, six westerns plus several features; Dr. Eugene Frenke, two Anna Sten starrert; and others to be set. Metro and David L. Loew got .together on release of his last independent production starring Joe f?. Brown, 'FUrtino With Fate.' Number Number Now in Be FlaceA 8tail«a la •I Fix Com- Shoei- CuttiBf Btifar* rrcpMft- Promlsed pictcd Ibc Rooms CmMcnu Unm FMtercs 40 4 3 5 28 2B Westerns 16 4 0 2 > 10 10 Serials « • • I S S Total «0 8 3 8 41 41 Pictures now in the cutting rooms or awaiting previews are: 'THE SPIDER'S WEB/ formerly titled 'TH£ SPIDER,' serial (for 1938- 39), produced by Jack Fier for the Irving Briskin' unit; co-directed by Ray Taylor and James Home; screen play by Robert Kent, George Plymp- ton, Basil Dickey, Marty Ramson; photographed by Allen Seigler. Cast: Warren Hull, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Gloria BlOndell, Ann Doran, Marc Lawrence, Johnny Tyrrell, Kenneth Duncan, Beatrice Curtis, Charles Wilson. 'BiiONDIE,' produced by Robert Sparks, directed by Frank Strayer; screen play by Robert Flournoy from comic strip by Chic Young; photo- graphed by Henry Freulich. Cast: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Sims, Dan Mummert, Dorothy Moore, Kathleen Lockhart, Gene Lockhari Ann Doran, Gordon Oliver, Stanley Andrews, David Newell, Hooper Atch- ley, Dick Cuftis, Dick Fiske, Fay Helm, Charles Lane. Hal K. Dawson, Waller Soderling, Eugene Anderson, Jr., Irvin Bacon, JBud Jamison. len Wulf, James Flavin, Charles Hamilton, Emory Parnell. 'ADVENTURE IN SAHARA,' formerly titled 'REVOLT IN THE SAHARA,' produced,by Lou Appleton; directed, by D. Ross Lederman; screenplay by Maxwell Shane from original by Sammy Fuller; photo- graphed by Franz Planfer. Cast: Paul Kelly, C. Henry Gordon, Robert Fiske, Loma Gray, Dick Curtis, Marc Lawrence, Stanley Brown, Dwight Frye, Al Bridge, Raphael Bennett, Charles Moore. 'CALIFORNIA FRONTIER,' produced by Monroe . Shafl; directed by Elmer. Clifton; no writing credits released' as yet; photographed by Eddie Linden. Cast: Buck Jones, Carmen Bailey, Jose Perer, Porrest' Taylor, Milburn Stone, Stanley Blystone, Ernie Adams, Bob Terry, Carlos Villarias, Soledad Jiminez, Tom London, Billy Bletcher,. Paul ElUs, Ray T^iil, Carl Matthews. 'LXFCLE ADVENTURESS,' formerly titled 'THOROUGHBREDS;' pro- duced by Ralph Cphn for the Irving Briskin' unit; directed by D. Ross Lederman; screen play by Michael Simmons; photographed' by Henry Freulich. Cast: Edith Fellows, Cliif Edwards, Jacqueline Wells, Richard Fiske, Robert Paige, Helen Brown, Virginia Howell, Chai;led Waldron. 'HOMICIDE BUREAU' (for 1938-39 release); associate' producer. Jack Fier; directed by C. C. Coleman, Jr;; original screen play by Earle Snell; photographed by Benjamin Kline. Cast: Bruce Cabot, Rita Hayworth, Robert Paige, Marc Lawrence, Ed Fetherston, Richard Fiske, Jane Morgan. 'WRECKAGE,' produced by Larry Darmour; directed by Lewis D. C>>1- lins; screen play by Gordon Rigby and Tom Kilpatrick; photographed by James S. Brown, Jr. Cast: Jack Holt, Dolores Costello. -Pert Kelton, Addi- son Richards, Joseph Crehan, Donald Briggs, Holmes Herbert, .Carol Wayne, Dorothy Granger, Maxine Leslie, Al Bridge, Emerson Treacy, Jack Rice, Harry Harvey, Ray Bourbon. , 'TRAIL OF THE TUMBLEWEED, produced by Harry Decker for the Irving Briskin unit; directed by Sam Nelson; original screen play by J. Bennett Cohen; photographed by Lucien Ballard. Cast: Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Bob Nolan, Ed LeSaint, Frank Bell, Eddie Cobb, Art Mix, Slim Whittaker, Hal Taliaferro, Ed Peil, Dick Botiller, Robert Fiske. - ;« Columbia Pix Now in Productipn '.,: 'THERE'S THAT WOMAN AGAIN,' produced by B.^. Kahanie; directed by Al Hall; no writing credits released; photographed by .'Joseph Walker. Cast; Melvyn Douglas, Virginia Bruce, Margaret Lindsay, Marc Lawrence, Lucille Limd, Tom Dugan, Paul Harvey, Gordon Oliver, Stanley Ridges. INTERNATIONAL SPY,' formerly titled 'SPY RING,' produced by Jack Fier for Irving Briskin unit; directed by Christy Clabanne; no writing credits, released; photographed by Allen Seigler. Cast: Fay Wray, Ralph Bellamy, Warren Hull, Regis Toomey, Walter Kingsfordj Loma Gray, Ann Doran, Paul Whitney, Mae "Wallace, John Tyrrell, Dick Curtis. 'LIFE IS CHEAP,' produced -by Wallace McDonald for Irving Briskin unit; directed by D. Ross Ledermai?; no writing credits released; photo- graphed by Franz Planer. Cast: Betty Fumess, James CTraig. Keye Luke, Dick Curtis, Joseph Downing, Honorable Wu, Cy Kendall, Lotus Liu, John Tyrrell. Grand National Now Balance te Number Number Now in Be Placed Storlee in 'Of Pix Com- Shoot- Cuttinf Before Prepara^ Promised pleted ing Rooms Cameras tion Total 68 4 1 1 62 62 Pictures now in cutting rooms or awaiting previews, are: 'SUNSET STRIP CASE,' produced by George Hirliman; directed by Louis Gasnier; screen play by Arthur Hoerl and Paul Franklin from Liberty mag story, 'Murder On Sunset Boulevard,' by Harold Joyce; pho- tographed by Mack Stengler. Cast: Sally Rand, Reed Hadley, Dennie Moore, Sugar Kane, Esther Muir, Vince Barnett. Paul Sutton, Stanley Price, Henry King and band, Lena Andre, Frank O'Connor, Bruce Mitchell, Mary Brodell, Lester Dorr, Eddie Fordon. Grand National Pix New- In Production 'THE LONG SHOT,' Fine Arts production for Grand National release; produced by Franklyn Warner; associate producer-director. Charles La- ment;, screen play by Ewart Adamson; original story by Harry Beresford and George Callaghan; photographed by Arthur Martinelli. Cast: Gordon Jones, Marshal Hunt, C. Henry Gordon, George Meeker, Harry Daven- port, James Bobbins, George E. Stone ,Dorothy Fay, Prank Darrien, Tom Kennedy, Earle Hodgin, Emerson Treacy, Guy Seabrook, Lee Phelps, Ben Burt; Meko Features .... SelSRick-Int'l Total Number Number New ■ of Pix Com- Shoot- Promised plelcd inr 50 8 9 1 0 • 51 8 »' Now Balanee te in Be Placed Stories In Cuttjne Before Prepara- Rooms Cameras tlon 5 28 28 Oil 28 29 Pictures now in the cutting rooms or awaiting previews are: 'THE GREAT WALTZ' (for 1938-39 season), produced by Bernard Hyman; directed by Julien Ouvivier; no writing credits released as yet; photographed by Joseph Ruttenberg. Cast: Luise Rainer. Fernand Gravet. Miliza Korjus. Hugh Herbert, Lionel Atwill, Minna Gombell. George Houston, Herman Bing. Bert Roach. Christian Rub. 'OUT WEiST WITH THE HARDY'S,' no producer; directed by George Seitz; original screen play by Kay Van Riper, Agnes Christine Johnson and William Ludwig; photographed by Les White. Cast: Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney. Ann Rutherfn-d. Fry Holden. Virginia Weidler, Cecelia Parker, Ralph Morgan, Napa Bryant, Sara Haden, Giordon Jones. 'SPRING DANCE,' produced by Edward Chodorov; directed by C. Syl- van Simon; screenplay by Edward Chodorov from play by Philip Barry. Cast: Lew Ayres, Maureen O'SulUvan, Ruth Hussey, Ann Morriss. Joyce Compton, Jacqueline Wells, Burgess Meredith, Frank Albertson, Truman Bradley, Sterling HoUoway, Marjorie Gateson, Dick Baldwin. The SHINING HOUR' (for lfl38-39), produced by Joseph Mankiewicz directed by Frank Borzage; screen play by Ogden Nash from play by Keith Winters; photographed by George Folsey. Cast: ^oan Crawford. Margaret SuUavan, Robert Young Melvyn Douglas, Fay Bainter, Frank Albertson, Claire Owen, Roger Converse, Granville Bates, Jimmy Conlin, Hal Rand. 'SWEETHEARTS' (In Technicolor tor .1938-30 season), produced by Hiint Stromberg; directed by W. S. Van Dyke; screen play by Alan Campbell and Dorothy Parker; photographed by Olivei Marsh. Cast: Jeanette Mac- Donald, Nelson Eddy. Mischa Auer, Franic Morgan,,Ray Bolger. Hetman Bing, Minna Gombel, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, Raymond walburn, Lucille Watson, Florence Rice, Reginald Gardiner. AUyn Joslyn, Fay Holden. Olin Howland. Terry Kllburn. Betty Jaynes. Douglas McPhail. Metra Pix Now In Production 'DRAMATIC SCHOOL,' produced by Mervyn LeRoy; directed by Robert Sinclair; screen play by Ernest Vajda; photographed by Joe Ruttenberg. Cast; Luise Rainer. Paulette Goddiard, Alan Marshall, Henry Stephenson, Gale Sondergaard, Virginia Grey. Ann Rutherford. Lana.Turner, Carol Parker, Rand Brooks, Dorothy Grainger, Melville Cooper, Marie, Blake, Erik Rhodes, Genevieve Tobin, Anthony Allen, Hans Conried, Margaret Lamont, Frank Puglia, Esther Dale. 'STAND UP AND FIGHT,' produced by Mervyn LeRoy; directed by W. S. Van Dyke; no writing credits released yet; photographed by Oliver Marsh. Cast: Robert Tayldr, Wallace Beery, Florence Rice. Helen Broder- ick, Charley Grapewin, Clinton Rosemond, John Qualen, Barton MacLane, Robert Gleckler, Claudia Morgan. 'KATHERINE, THE LAST,' produced by Harry Rapf; directed by Nor- man Taurog; screien play by Gerald Savery and Jack Mintz^ photographed by Clive De Vinna. Cast: Franciska Gaal, Rita Johnson, Barnett Parker, Franthot Tone, Walter Connolly. 'CHRISTMAS CAROL,' produced by Joseph Mankiewicz; directed by Edwin L. Ma^in; no writing credits released; photographed by Sid Wag- ner. Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene land Kathleen Lockhart, Terry Kilbum, Gene Reynolds, Lynn Carver, Leo G. Carroll, Ann Rutherford, Lionel Brahamr 'ICE FOLLIES,' produced by Harry Rapf; directed by Reinhold Schun- zel; no writing credits r^eased; photographed by Oliver Marsh, Cast: Joan Crawford, James Stey^art, Lew Ayres, Ice Follies troupe. 'NEW YORK CINDERELLA,' produced by Lawrence Weingarten; di- rected by Josef von Sternberg; original story by Charles MacArthur; pho- tographed by Charles Lawton. Cast: Spencer Tracy, Hedy LaMarr, Fanny Brice, Walter Pidgeon. IDIOT'S. DELIGHT,' produced by Hunt Stromberg; directed by Clarence Brown; from play by Robert E. Sherwood; photographed by William Daniels. Cast: Clark Gable, Norma Shearer, Laura Hope Crews, Charles Cobum. ^ ' •THE WIZARD OF OZ' (Technicolor), produced by Mervyn LeRoy; directed by Richard Thorpe; based on story by Frank L. Baum; photo- graphed by Harold Rosson; for Technicolor. Allan Dazey. Cast: Frank Morgan, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger,- Bert Lahr, Buddy Ebsen, Charley Grapewin, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Pat Walsh. 'Honolulu,' produced by Jack ClUimmings; directed by Edward Buz- zell; no writing credits relieased; photographed by Ray June. Cast: Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, CJeorge Bums aftd Gracie Allen. Mon<M[ram B ^way-Wwood (Continued from page 1) Pictures in the cutting room: 'GANGSTER'S BOY,' produced by W. G. Lackey; directed by William Nigh; original story by Karl Brown; screen play by Robert . D. Andrew^ photographed by Harry Neumann. Cast: Jackie Cooper, Lucy Gilman, Robert Warwick, Tommy Wonder, Betty Blythe, Selmer Jackson, Bobby Stone, Bradley Metcalf, Louise Lorimer, Huntley Gordon, William Gould, Herbert Evans, Jack Kennedy. 'GANG BULLETS,' produced by E. B. Derr; associate producer, Frank Melford; directed by Lambert Hillyer; original screen play by John T. Neville; photographed by Arthur Martinelli. Cast: Ann Nagel, Robert Kent, Charles Trowbridge, Morgan Wallace, J. Farrell MacDonald, John T. Murray, Arthur Loft, John Merton, Roger Williams, Duke York, Donald Kerr, ..(^arleton Young, Stanley Mack, Harry Strang, Ernie Adams, Isabell Lamalle, Martin Spellman, Tom McGuire, Bill Worthington, Bill Lally, Eddie Hearn, Frank Nelson, Jack C. Smith, Kernan Kripps, Frank LaRue, Frank Hall-Crane. 'LITTLE TENDERFOOT,; produced ty Edward Finney; directed by Al Herman; original screen play by John Rathmell; photographed Ijy Frances Corbey. Cast: TeX Ritter, Jmx Falkenberg, Mary Ruth, Charles King, Tom London, Snub Pollard, Maurice Murphy, Frank LaRue, Bob Terry, 'Ernie Adams. Dave O'Brien, Dorothy Fay, Bud Osborne. Paramount studio Harry Sherman. Total Pictures now in cutting rooms or- awaiting previews are: 'PARIS HONEYMOON' (for 1938-39 season), produced by Harlan Thomp- son; directed by Frank Tuttle; screen play by Frank Butler and Don Hart- man; based on a story by Angela Sherwood; photographed by Karl Struss. Cast: Bing Crosby, Franciska- Gaal, Akim Tamiroff, Ben Blue, Edward Everett Horton, Shirley Ross,- Rafaela Ottiano. Keith Kenneth, George Gay, Norah Gale, Laurie .Lane, Louise Seidel, Paula de Cardo, Evelyn Keyes, Harrietle Haddon, r Maria Doray, Louise Seidel. Judy King, Janet Waldo. Cheryl Walker. Marion Weldon. Dorothy White. 'ESCAPE FROM LEAVENWORTH,' formerly titled 'THE LAST RIDE,' formerly titled 'ESCAPE FROM YESTERDAY' (for 1938-39 season), pro- duced by Jeff Lazarus; directed by Alfred E. Green; original story and screen play by Ferdinand Reyher and John C. Moffit; photographed by William Mellor. Cast:: Akim Tamiroff, Frances Farmer, Leif Erikson, Lynne Overman^ "Vladimir Sokolofl, Wade Crosby, Dewey Robinson, Wil- liam Newell, John Bliefer, Alex Woloshin, James Flavin. 'ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (for 1938-39 release), general manager office pro- duction; directed by Louis King; original screen play by Robert Yost, Lewis Fostei and Stuart Anthony; photographed by Henry Sharpe. Cast: J. Carroll Naish. Mary Carlisle, Robert Preston, Judith Barrett, Richard Stanley, Richard Denning, John Hart, Philip Warren, Dorothy Howe, Sheila Darcy, Dolores Casey. •ST. LOUIS BLITES' (for 1938-39 release), produced by Jeft Lazarus; directed by Raoul Walsh; screen play by John C. Moffitt and Malcolm (Continued on page 20) execs. Proponents of the Wharton plan are hopeful that it will prove acceptable to 'the Guild heads and general membership. Wharton's Plan In general, the Wharton plan calls for revision of the present set- up covering the purchase of screen rights to legit plays. Instead of the present method of bidding for rights, with the playwright the final authority in negotiating the sale, the new scheme would set a regular scale -^o determine the price. It would .Ailrork somewhat along the lines oif' the present legit produc- tion contract. That is, there would be a,..:''inihimum fee, plus added, mp^y according to the length of run and the total gross drawn by the show. There are numerous complicated provisions of the plan, but its sponsors think these can be nvorked out. Although the Guild has in the past steadfastly refused to consider any revision of its minimum basic agree- ment, it is reported that there has lately been some agitation among the membership for some solution of the Hollywood boycott problem. Survey made recently by some of ;he members showed that the num- jer of Broadway productions, which las been steadily declining during the last few years, has continued to drop this season. Claimed by some that the formation of the Play- wrights' Co. has tended to react in favor of the lesser-known drama- tists, since it has removed the name writers from the list of availables for the regular commercial pro- ducers. According to that, thought, several of the established managers are now looking for new authors. That would tend to give a break to the aspiring playwrights, but little production can be financed with- out increased backing—and that is where the Hdllywood coin would come in. Pix Sales Declined Another thought advanced by this group of Guild members is that the number of picture sales of legit plays has declined sharply since the establishment of the new minimum jasic agreement. In recent seasons, it is claimed,' only the hit plays have jeen sold, whereas in former years nhere were numerous sale of plays for $15,000 and $20,000 and similar amounts. Situation is also compared by film company officials to the condition ex- isting in London and Paris. In the British capital, it is argued, the thea- tre is thriving, with more produc- tions than normally, and for the first time even a greater number than in New York. In London, it is ob- served, the dramatists' organization is comparatively unimportant. Just the reverse is true in Paris, it is claimed. There the number of shows has steadily shrunk, and is currently at its lowest ebb. In Paris, it is ar- gued, the authors' organization is comparatively strong. In New York the Dramatists Guild is very strong. Studio execs see it as hardly a coin- cidence 'that the number of current productions in each of those three cities varies inversely according to the strength of the dramatists' group. Road Biz Off With the. road falling far under normal seasons, observers are already wondering what will happen next season unless steps are quickly taken to bring about an upturn in produc- tion. Number of touring shows is largely governed by the prevalence of Broadway hits the previous season. Thus, when Broadway has a success- ful season it generally means most of the hit shows will tour the following season. With the list of hits off last season, the road is slumping this sea- son. And with Broadway skidding further this season, it's feared the road may be on a starvation diet next season. Although there is a distinctly hope- ful feeling in the air mat something definite may be accomplished at the Guild's annual meeting next week, there is no positive indication that the organization's council ha.s changed its attitude. The last official expression of opinion on question of revision of the minimum basic agree- ment was voiced last year by Sidney Howard in his report as retiring president. At that time he expressed satisfaction with the way the con- tract was working and opposition to any changes. The membership at that time backed his views, and Rob- ert E. Sherwood, who succeeded him as president, has been repeatedly re- ported as being even more firmly than Howard against weakening the basic agreement.