Variety (Mar 1939)

Wednesday* March 22, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY 25 United Artists Now Balance t* Nnmber Nnmber Now In Be Placed Stories In of Fix Com- Shoot- Cattinf Before Prepara- Promised pleted Ing Booms Cameras Hon Samael Goldwyn. .. 4 1 1 11 1 ScUnlok 5 5 • • • • Walter Wanjer..... * I * * * * Ssr.::::::::::: » ' • ? 1 1 London Films S 3 • • t t Edward Small 6 S 1 • . S Z Xotal • S3 13 S . 2 16 1« Pictures in the cutting room or''awaiting 'previews are: 'WDTUEBINO HEIGHTS/ produced by Samuel Goldwyn; directed by William Wyler; from novel by Emily Bronte; photographed by Greg Toland. Cast; Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, - Hugh Williams, Flora Robson, Geraldlne .Fitzgerald, Leo G. Carroll, David Niven, Donald Crisp, Cecil Humphries, Romaine' Callander. ' 'CAPTAIN FDBT,'produced and directed by Hal Roach; original screen play by Jack Jevne, Grover Jones, and William de Mille; photographed by Norbert Brodine. Cast: Brian Aheame, Victor McLaglen, June Lang, Paiil Luicas, George Zucco, John Carradinc, John Warburton, Claud AUister, Will Stanton, Gibbons Gowland, Charles Middleton, Virginia Field, Luns- den Hare, Margaret Roach, Eddie Brian, Nichols Sussanin, Leonard Willey. UA Pix Now In Prodaetlon •THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK,' produced by Edward Small; directed by James Whale; screen play by George Bruce; based on the novel by Alexander Dumas; photo^aphed by Robert Planck. Cast: Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett, Warren Wiuiam, Joseph Schildkraut, Alan Hale, Miles Mander, Bert Roach, Marian Martin, WiUia;m Royle, Montagu Love. (UNTITLED JASCHA HEIFETZ feature) drama with music; produced by Samuel Goldwyn; directed by Archie Mayo; no writing credits released; photographed by Gregg Toland. Cast: Jascha Heifetz, Joel McCrea, Walter Brennan, Margot Stevenson. Unirersal Now Balaneet* Nnmber Nnmber Now in Be Placed Stories In of Plx Com- SIteet- CottlDg Before Prepara- Promlsed pleted Ing Booms Cameras tlon Features 40 21 t 4 7 - 7 Western 12 12 • • t • Serials 4 4 1 ■ • 0 , • ToUI 56 43 3 4 7 7 Pictures In the cutting rooms or awaiting previews: •MTSTERT OF THE WHITE BOOM,' formerly tiUed <MDBDEB IN 8UBGEBT,' Crime Club production; produced by Irving Starr; .directed by Otis Garrett; vriglnal story by James G. Edwards, M. D.; screen play by Alex Gottlieb; photographed by John Boyle. Cast: Bruce Cabot, Helen Mack, Joan Woodbury, Mable Todd, Constance Worth, Tom Dugan, Rowland Drew, Addison Richards, Tommy Jackson. 'EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN,' no producer credit; directed by David Butler; screen play by William Conselman; original by David Butler and Herb Polesie; photographed by George Bobinson. Cast: Bing Crosby, Joan Blon- dell, Mischa Auer, Jerome Cowan, Jane Goude, Sandy Henville, Herb Ashley, Joe King, Lelab Tyler.. <THE FAHDLT NEXT DOOB,' produced by Max Golden; directed by Joseph Stanley; original screen play by Mortimer Offner; photographed by- Milton Krasner. Cast: Hugh Hubert, Ruth Donnelly, Joy Hodges, Eddie Qulllan, Juanita Quigley, Bennie Bartlett, Tom Beck. ■BIG TOWN CZAB,' produced by Ken Goldsmith; directed by Arthur ^ubin; screen play by Edmund L. Hartmann; original by Ed Sullivan; photographed by Elwood Brendell. Cast: Barton MacLane, Tom. Brown, Eve Arden, Ed Sullivan, Frank Jenks, Clyde Dilspn, Oscar Polk. Universal Plx Now in Prednetlon 'OREGON TBAHi' (1939-40 release), western serial;, produced by Henry MacRae; directed by Ford Beebe and Saul Goodkind; original screen play by Georgfr Plympton. Basil Dickey, Edmund Kelso and W. W. Watson; photographed by Jen7 Ash. Cast: Johnny Mack Brown, Louise Stanley, Fuzzy Knight, Ed LeSaint, Bill Cody, Jr., Colin Kenny, Jim Toney, Jack C. Smith, Charles Stevens, Charles Murphy, Roy Barcroft, James Blaine, Charles King, Forrest Taylor. TOB LOVE OB MONBT/ comedy; produced by Max Golden; directed by Al Rogell; screen play by Charles Grayson. from original- by Julian Blaustein, Daiklel Taradash and Bernard Feins; photographed by Stanley Cortez. Cast: June Lang, Robert Kent, Edward Brophy, Richard Iiane, Addison Richards, Tony Merrill, Horace MacMahon, Etienne Girardot, Charles Regan, Dora Clement ' THE SDN NEVER SETS,' romantic drama; produced and directed by Rowland V. Lee; original story by Jerry Horwin and Arthur Fitz-Richard; screen pl^ by W. P. Lipscomb: photographed by George Robinson. Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Basil Rathbone, Barbara O'Neil, Virginia Field, Mary Forbes, Arthur Mulliner, John Burton. Warners Now Balance (o Nnmber Nnmber Now in Be Placed Stories In of' Ptx Coor- Shoot- Cutting Before Prepara- Promised pleted Ing Booms Cameras tion Total 52 27 7 13 5 S Pictures in the cutting rooms or awaiting previews are: TOBCHT BUNS FOB BEATOB,' produced by Bryan Foy; directed by Ray McCarey; original screen play by Earl Snell; photographed by Warren Lynch. Cast: Glenda Farrell, Barton MacLane, Tom Kennedy, Joe Cun- ningham, Frank Shannon, George Guhl, John Miljan, Joseph Downing, Charles Riclunan, Irying Bacon. 'CODE OF THE SECRET SEBVICE,' formerly tiUed 'iSMASBING THE MONET BING,' produced by Bryan Foy; directed by Noel Smith; screen play by Lee Katz and Dean Franklin; photographed by Ted McCord. Cast: Ronald Reagan, Rosella Towne, Eddie Foy, Jr., Moroni Olsen, John Gal- laudet, John Litel, June Glttelson, Steffi Duna. 'DODGE CITY' (in Technicolor), produced by Robert Lord; directed by Michael Curtiz; original screen play by Robert Buckner; photographed by Sol Pollto; Technicolor photography by Ray Rennahan. Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan, Bruce Cabot, Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, Victor Jory, Heniy Travers, John Litel, Henry O'Neill, Gwmn Wil- liams, Gloria Holden, Douglas Fowley, William Lundigan, Bob Watson, Paul Guilfoyle, Elizabeth Rlsdon, Charles Halton, Cora Witherspoon, Olin HQwland, Russell Simpson, Thurston Hall, Robert Homans, Spencer Char- ters, Nat Carr, Cliff Clark, Joseph Crehan. Bud Osborne, Chester Clute, Monte Blue. 'SWEEPSTAKES WINNER,' produced by Milton Shubert for the Bryan Foy imit; directed by William McGann; no writing credits released; photo- graphed by Arthuir Edeson. Cast: Marie Wilson, Johnny Davis, Allen Jen- kins, Jerry Colonna, Frankie Burke, Charles Foy, Maxie Rosenbloom. 'ON TBIAV produced by Milton Siubert for the Bryan Foy unit; di- rected by Terry Morse, no writing credits released; photographed by Lou O'0)nnell. Cast: Margaret Lindsay. John Litel, Janet Chapman, Edward Norris, James Stephenson, Larrv Williams, Henry O'Neill. Gordon Hart, Charles Trowbridge.. - ^ 'NAUGHTY, BUT NICE/ formerly titled THE FBOFESSOB STEPS OUT/ ftirmerly tlUed 'ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING/ produced by Sam, BischoS; directed by Ray Enright; screen play by Jerry Wald and Richard Macauley: photographed by Arthur Todd. Cast: Dick Powell, Gale Page, Ann Sheridan, ZaSu Pitts, Maxie Rosenbloom, Allen Jenkins, Jerry Colonna, Halliwell Hobbes, Granville Bates. Ronald Reagan, Helen BrodericK. 'HELL'S KITCHEN/ produced by Mark Bellinger for the Bryan Foy unit:, directed by E. A. Dtmont; no writing credits released; photographed by Charles Rosher. Cast: Dead End Kids. Margaret Lindsay, Stanley Fields, Ronald ReaRan, Grant Mitchell, Frank E. Burke, Charlie Foy, Fred Lozere. "WATEE FBONT/ produced by Bryan Foy; directed by Tferrr Morse; no *>'it)Os{ .credits Yeleasad: ohotographed by James Van Trees. Cast: Dennis Making It Public Wilmington, Del., March 21, Indications of the ' increasing tendency of exhibs to carry their battles with what they term the 'producer-monopolies' to the'public was seen here last week in a talk given by Charles Horn, Jr, operator of the Audi- torium, Lewes, and the Blue Heni Rehobeth Beach, before the Zwaanehdael Club. Horn discussed contract pecu- liarities with the entirely non- ttide group. He explained the block booking system and said he had to contract a year in ad- vance for a budget of pictures, many of which he won't' get anyhow. He declared there often aren't enough prints to go around and exhibs have to bat- tle to get preference. ' U HURRIES PRODUCT; 5 IN WORK, 4 SKEDDED Hollywood, March 21. With five pictures in work. Uni- versal rolls tour morie within two weeks, beginning with 'Metropoli- tan Police,' a Crihie Clubber, tomor- row (Wednesday). 'Hawaiian Nights' and They Asked for If start March 30 and 'ModernI Cinderella' goes April 3. First School Film Catalog Now Ready Initial catalog of the Association of School Film Libraries, which is ex- pected to be the central distributor for educational subjects, is due out this week. It goes only to members and contains the listings of some 100 subjects. Fanning Hearon, director of Film Libraries, which headquarters in Ra- dio City, noy, is visiting members of' the association and calling on prospective members from New York to the Coast. New 'Invisible Man' Hollywood, March 21. Sequel to The Invisible Man,' made in 1933, is slated for early production at Universal under the title,' The Invisible Man Returns.' Kurt Siodmak is developing the story. PUHy Exhibs Meet to Staye Off Unreal' of Hk^er-Bracket Dnak SPOT XASTLES' INTO 25DDAY-T-DATERS Going into the Music Hall, New York, April 30 on pre-release, RKO has set The Castles,' based on life of the dancers, into 250 day4nd-date first runs for Easter week.- . The national, release date for 'CasUes' is April 28. Derr Unlutehes From Mono, Seeks New Ootlet Hollywood, March'21. Crescent Pictures, headed by E. B. Derr, is dropping its releasing hook- up with Monogram on completion of two remaining pictures due on the 1938-39 contract Films are 'Prison Born' and The Girl from Rio/ to be finished within a. month, Derr, viho has released through Mono for two years, is seeking an- other outlet for four features to be based on the 'Secret Service Smith' stories, written by Major R. T. M. Scott. ~ RKO Reties Comics Hollywood, March 21. Edgar Kennedy and Ray Whitley signed for six more shorts for the 1939-40 program at RKO. Charles Roberts was. re-pacted as writer-director for the series. SEITZ'S 'EHEMIES' Hollywood, March 21. Cieorge Seitz gets the directing chore on '6,000 Enemies,' Lucien Hubbard's first production since his return to the Metro lot. Walter Pidgeon and Rita Johnson share'top spots. John Cooke Bankrupt Los Angeles, March 21. John Alden Cooke, agent, filed a bankruptcy petition in U. S. court here. Liabilities are listed at $1,131 and assets. $100, claimed exempt. Morgan, Gloria Dickson, Marie Wilson, Sheila Bromley, Ward Bond, Arthur Gardner, George Lloyd, Aldrich Bowker. 'NANCY DBEW, TROUBLE SHOOTER,' produced by Bryan Foy; directed by William Clemens; from original by Caroline Keene; photo- graphed by Lou O'Connell. Cast: Bonita Granville, Frankie Thomas, John Litel, Charlotte Wynters, Aldrich Bowker, Edgar Edwards, Ervill« Al- derson. THE KID FBOM KOKOMO/ formerly titled 'BBOADWAY CAVALIEB,' produced by Sam BischoS; directed by Lew Seller; screen play by Michael Fessier from original by Dalton Trumbo. Cast: Pat O'Brien, Joan Blon- dell, Wayne Morris, Jane Wyman, Maxie Rosenbloom, Max Robson, Stanlev Fields, Morgan' Conway, Sidney Toler, Ed Brophy, Olin Howland, Jack Roper, Clem Bevans. 1 AH NOT AFRAID/ formerly titled 'HEBO FOB A DAY/ produced by Gordon HoUingshead for the Bryan Foy unit; directed by Crane Wilbur; no writing credits released; photographed by Arthur Todd, Cast: Charles Grapewin, Jane Bryan, Henry O'Neill.' Elisabeth Rlsdon, Dickie Jones, John Russell, Fred Xiozere, James McCallion. THE BOABING CBOWD/ formerly titled THE BOABING BOAD/ pro- duced by Max Siegel; directed by. Lloyd Bacon; no writing credits re- leased; photographed by Sid Hickox. Cast: Pat O'Brien, John Payne, Gail Page, Ann Sheridan, Frank McHugh, Ronald Reagan, Granville Bates, Regis Toomey. 'JUAKEZ,' produced by Henry Blanke: directed by William DIeterle: screen play by John Houston, Aeneas McKenzie, Wolfgang Reinant and Aben Finkel; from story by Mrs. Perdila Harding; photographed by Tony Gaudie. Cast: Paul Muni. Bette Davis, Brian Ahern, Claude Rains, John Garfield, Donald Crisp, Gilbert Roland, Joseph Calleia. Moiitaeu Love, Harry Davenport, Henry O'Neill. Gale Sondergaard, William Wilkinson. Pedro De Cordoba, John Miljan. Hugh Sothern, Robert Warwick, Georgia Caine. Warner Plx Now in Production 'CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY/ produced by Robert Lord; directed by Anatole Litvak; no writing credits released; photographed by Sol Polito. Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Francis Iiederer, Paul Lukas, Dorothy Tree, Joe Sawyer, George Sanders, James Stephenson, Lya Icfs, Grace- Stafford. 'GANTBY, THE GBEAT/ produced by Bryan Foy; directed by William McGann; no writing credits released; photographed by Ted McCord. Cast- Edith Fellows, Jimmy McCallion, Granville Bates, DeWoU Hopper, Frankie- Burke, Fred Lozcre. 'EACH DAWN I DIE/ produced by David Lewis; directed by William Kelghley; original by Jerome Odium; photographed by Arthur Edcfson. Cast: James Cagney, George Raft, Jane Bryan, George Bancroft, Willard Robertson, Mastie Rosenbloom. Victor Jory,- John Wray, Stanley Ridges, Louis Jean Heydt,.Ed Pawley^ Joseph Downing, Alan Baxter, Aldrich Bow- ker, Fred Lozere, Charles Trowbridge. 'FAMILY REUNION/ formerly tiUed 'AHEBICAN FAMILY/ produced by Henry Blanke; directed by Michael Curtiz; no writing credits released: photographed by James Wong Howe. Cast: John Garfield, Prlsdlla Lane, Gale Page, Jeffrey Lynn, Fay Bainter, Claude Rains, May Robson, Lola Lane, Rosemary Lane. Dick Foran, Frank McHugh. > 'BATTLE OF CITY HALL,' comedy drama; produced by Max Sie.gel: directed by Ray Enright: no writing credits released; photographed by Arthur Todd. Cast: 'Dead End' Kids. Ronald Reagan, Ann Sheridan. Bonita Granville, Frankie Thomas, Berton Churchill. Eduaido Clannelll, Franklin Pangbom, Bernard Nedell, Egon Biecher, Henry O'Neill, Minor Watson. Japi:ie Searle. Marjorie Main, Sara Padden. THE OLD MAID,' drama; produced by Henry Blanke; directed by Ed- mund Gouldini;; screen play by Cafey Robinson from play by Zoe Aklns; photograohed by Tony'Gaudin. Cast: Bette Davis. Miriam Hopkins, Hum- phrey Bopart, Jane Bryan, Cissy Loftus, Donald Crisp, Jerome Cowan, iVank Darien. 'ENE^iy AGENT,' mellcr: produced by Bryan Foy; ar'iciate producer. Mark Hellineer; no writing crepllts released;' directed by Terry Morse. ghotographed by Sid Hickox. Cast: Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay, [o^nes Herbert. Maris Wrlxon, Bruce liCster, Leonard Mudle, Clarence Detwent. ,' '" ''' •-.•'■•« Philadelphia, March 21. A mass meeting of exhibs was held at the Broadwood hotel today (Tues- - day) to discuss a threat that .the Warner circuit may go into duals and to take steps to keep Pfailly in'the single-feature category. Those pres- ent were- asked to sign pledges that . they will not twin A or B product. Although WB has «aid nothing, nor made any outward move to indicate it is even considering double-fea-' tures, a mysterious undercurrent of fear has been growing hare during the past two weeks that WB will jump into twins if forced to do so by competing indies, it Is to forestall the indies from pushing the circuit over the brink that the mass meeting was called. ' It is known that Warner district managers, in whose territories oppo- sition' Indies are using duals, have been harassing Ted .^cblanger, WB zone manager, to allow them to fight fire with fire.; Indies fear that the doubles will quickly work upward fron; the subsequent-run spots to more important houses arid the ter- ritory will be overrun with twins, once Warners start. In sucf^ a. case they know they would be licked, at their own game as the result of the WB buying power. There is no'objection here to duel- ing of. product below the A and B classification. That is accepted as justifiable. REP. PAYS $450,0e0 FOR SENNETT STUDIO Hollywood, March 21. Republic closed the deal to buy the studio it has been occupying for the last four years. Price agreed on by Herbert J. Yates, chairman of the Republic board, and Carl Bush, president of the Guaranty Liquidat-' ing Corp., Is around $450,000. - Studio was built by Mack Sennett in 1928, taken over by the liquidat- ing company in 1035 and leased to Monogram until the formation of the present Republic outfit. Yates and his associates plan an extensive building campaign as soon as the details of the transfer are complete. 20(i Snit Vs. Theatres Based on Parking Lot Omaha, March 21. Suit for $20,200 damages was filed Saturday (18) against the R. D. Goldberg Theatres Corp., operators of the Avenue and Arbor here, in district court by Mrs. Rose I. Robin- son. Suit alleges the theatres are op- erating a parking lot adjacent to her home and Mrs. Robinson claims the cars disturb her. As a result of the alleged 'nuisance,' she claims her health was impaired to such an ex* tent that she lost her job and that parking lot, without permit from the city fathers, has depreciated value of her home by $2,000. Skouras Puts Blame On Distrib in 'Nation' Suit Skouras Theatres Corp., defend* ants In the suit brought by the- Epoch Producing Corp., and Thomas Dixon, filed a cross suit in federal court. New York, Thursday (16) against M. L...Mayer, of the Treo Film Exchange, claiming that it was on Mayer's okay that it booked The Birth of a Nation' in the Thalia the- atre. Skouras aslts that Mayer be liable (or any damages awarded Epoch and Dfacon. The suit charges the unauthorized exhibition of 'Nation' in April, 1938» and series an accounting. Besides Skouras, other defendants include the Stone Film Library, Inc., Marian T. Stone, Trco Film Exchange, Es- quire Amuse. Corp., Max A. Cohen, Major Film Exchange, Inc., and David M. Sohmer. Cinecolor's New Home Hollywood. March 21. Cinecolor. .opened its new $250,000 plant in Burbank. Laboratory covers nearly four acres and ' is equipped to handle 720,000 feet of film per month. The old plant's capacity was 150,000 J[^^^^.1 „ ■ ■ II ■ II II » i. n B (r Q 0 fi p ■