Variety (Dec 1941)

18 PICTURES Wednesday,, December 3, 1941' Advance Production Chart Hollvwood, Dec. 2. Studios here are reallv pouring it on and production has hit top speed, with 329 pictures either in the com- pleted, shootinff or cutting zXaqea and 198 remaining to complete the season's promised output. Paramount is nearest its goal o/ 47 with six flms to go. 5tud<o has completed, tradeshoum, preoleujed, and released 18 JiljTis; nme are in production and 14 either awaiting re- lease or being edited. RKO is next with nine pictures le/t on its schedule, having already sent out 23. Twentieth-Fox has the largest number (26) com- pleted, tradeshoum, previewed or released, Be/or«'th« cameras are seven pictures and being reached /or re^ lease ore yive. " , 0/ 627 picture* frvmSitA to exhibitors, 185 have either been released, trodeshown or previewed; 45 JUm» ore working; 99 ore in the editing jtoge or awaiting release, and 198 in preporotion. A total o/ 329 yitms hove been released, previewed, trodeshown, in shooting or cutting siage at this date. Fcataren . Westerns Serlttia .. FromlAcd Com- Hhcwt- 41-42 pleted Ins .. 48 15 3 ..16 5 • .. 4 e 0 Now Cutllos Toco 12 18 7 4 1 S Totals 68 20 S Z* Pictures in cutting room or awaiting releases: THE LADT IS WtttlNO, comedy-drama; prod.-dir., Michell Leisen;. no writing, credits; camera, Theodore, Tetzlafl. ■ Cast: Marlene Dietrich, Fred MacMurray, Aline MacMahon, Roger Clark, Marietta Canty, Ruth Ford, Stanley Ridges, Chester Clute, David James, Eddie Acuff. BEDTIME STOKT, comedy-drama; prod., B. P. Schul-. berg; dir., Alexander Hall; story, Horace Jackson, Grant Garrett; screenplay, Richard Floumoy; camera, Jo- seph Walker. Cast: Loretta Young, Fredric March, Robert Benchley, Eve Arden, AUyn Joslyn, Helen West- ley, Grady Sutton, Joyce Compton. CONFESSIONS OF BOSTON BLACKIE, meller; prod., William Berkc; dir., Edward Dmytryk; story, Paul YawiU, Jay Dratler; screenplay, Paul. Yawitz; cam- era, Phil Tannura. Cast: Chester Morris, Har- riet Hilliard, Richard Lane, George E. Stone, IJoyd Corrlgan, Ralph Theodore, Kenneth McDonald. BIDEBS OF THE BADLANDS, formerly OUTLAW BANGER, western: prod., William Berke; dir., Howard Bretheron; original screeplay, B6tty Burbridge; camera, Benjamin Kline. Cast: Charles Starrett, Russell Hay- den, Cliff Edwards, Edith Leach, Ilene 3rewer, Kay Hughes, Roy Bancroft, Ethan Laidlaw, George Lewis. BLONDIE GOES TO COLLEGE, comedy; prod., Robert Sparks; dir., Frank Strayer, story. Warren Wil- son, Clyde Bruckman; screenplay. Lou Breslow;. camera, TIeniy Freulich. Cast: Penny Singleton, Arthur-Lake, Larry Slmms, Daisy, Janet Blair, Cliff Kazarrd. HONOLCLD LU, cbmedy-drama; prod., Wallace Mac- Donald; dir., Charles Barton; story, Eliot Gibbons; screenplay, Eliot Gibbons, Paul Yawitz; camera, Franz Planer. Cast: Bruce Bennett, Lupe Velez,-Leo Carrillo, Adele Mara, Eileen O'Heam, Roger Clark, Larry Parks, John Tyrrell, Don Beddoe, Marjorie. Gateson. Serial HOLT OF THE SECRET SEBVICE; prod., Larry garmour; dir., James Hom^; original screenplay, Basil ickey, George Plympton, Wyndham Gittens;' cam- era, James Brown: Cast: Jack Holt, Evelyn Brew. Joe McGuinn, Tristram CoSin, Ray Parsons. Ted Adams, George Larkin, Pierce Lyden, John Ward. CADETS ON PABADE, drama: prod., WaUace Mac- Donald; dir.. Lew Landers; story, Frank Fenton Martha Barnett; screenplay, Howard J. Green; Phil Tannura. Cast: Freddie Bartholomew, Jimmy Lydon, Minna Gombefl, Raymond Hatton, Joseph Crehan, Robert Warwick.' -■ , THE DEVIL'S TBAIL, western; prod., Leon Barjha; dir., Lambert HlUyer; .no writing credits; camera, George Meeh&n.- Cfast: Bill Elliott, Tex Ritter, Ilene O'Hearn, Ruth Ford, Frank Mitchell, Noah Beery, Tristram CoSin. WEST OF TOMBSTONE, western; prod., William Berke: dir., Howard Brethprton; original story, Maurice Gcraghty: camera, George Meehan. Cast: Charles Starrett, . Russell Hayden, Marcella Martin, Cliff Edwards, Gordon Demain, Jack Kirk, Clancy Cooper, Bud Buster, Tom London: BULLETS FOB BANDITS, formerly HONOB. OF THE WEST, western; prod., Leon Barsha; dir., Wally ^Fox; scr^nplay, Robert Lee Johnson-film editor, Mel HThorsen;. camera, iSeorge Meehan. Cast: Bill Elliott, ■Tex Ritter. Dorothy Short, Joe McGuinn, Ralph Theo- ^dore, Frahk Mitchell, Art Mix, Forrest Taylor, HA^A&D HEBE I COME,,comedy: prod., Wallace MacDonald; dir.. Lew Landers; story, Karl Brown; screenplay, Albert Duffy; additional dialog, Ned Dandy; camera, Franz Planier. Cast: Maxie Rosenbloom, Ar- line Judge, Marie Wilson, Don Beddoe, Stanley Brown, Byron Foulger, Virginia Sale, George McKay, John Tyrrell. Mary AinslM, Julius Tannen^ Tom Herljert, ' Larry Parks, Lloyd Bridges, Boyd Davis, Walter Bald- win. , , _ NORTH OF THE ROCKIES,. western; prod., Leon "Barsha; original screenplay, Herbert Dalmas; dir., Lam- bert Hillyer; camera, George Meehan. Cast: Bill Elliott, Tex Ritter .Frank Mitchell, Larry Parks, Earl Gunn, John Miljan, Ian MacDonald, Shirley Patterson, Lloyd Bridges, Boyd Irwin, Frances Sayles. THE MAN WHO BETDBNED TO LIFE, drama; prod., Wallace MacDonald; dir.. Lew Landers; no writ- ing credits; camera, Phil Tannura. Cast: John Howard. Lucile Fairbanks, Ruth Ford, Marcella Martin, Roger Clark, Paul GuiUoyle. LAWLESS PLAINSMEN, western; prod., Jack Fier dir., William Berke; no writing credits; camera, Ben- jamin Kline. Cast: Charles' Starrett. Rusisell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Luana Walters, Gwen Kenyon, Raphael Bennett, Frank La Rue, Dick BotiUer, Ed Laughton, Stanley Brown, Forrest Taylor. TBINIDAD, comedy drama; prod., Sam Bischoff; dir., Gregory Ratoff; no- writing credits; camera, Phil Tan- nura. Cast: Pat O'Brien, Brian Donlevy, Janet Blair, Veda Ann Borg, Roger Clark, Frank Jenks, Frank Sully. SHUT Mr BIG MOUTH, comedy; prod.. Robert Sparks; dir., Charles Barton; no writing credits; camera, Henry Freulich. Cast; Joe Brown. Adele Mara, Fritz Feld, Victor Jory, WiU Wright, Don Beddoe, Ralph Peters, Lloyd Bridges! Forrest Tucker, Art Mix, Black- iack Ward, Hank Bell, Earl Hbdgins, Roy Gardner (oor«, Eddie Wahler, Fern Einmett, Russell Simpson, Lew KeUy. MARTIN EDEN, melodrama: prods., B. P. Scliulberg and Samuel Bronston; dir., Sidney Salkow; no writing credits; camera, Franz Planar.,..Cast: Glenn Ford,^ Claire, Trevor, Evelyn Keyes," Ian MacDonald, Dickie- Mooi:e, Stuart Erwin, Frank Conroy, Mimi Aguglia, Piei^re Watkin. Metro rromlwd Com- Sbeat- Mew 41-4t pitted lof Cattlas T»(* Featarea 50 M 7 9. I4 Pictures In cutting room or awaiting release: PANAMA HATTIE, musical; prodL, Arthur Freed; dir„ Norman McLeod; no writing credits; camera credits not set. Cast: Ann Sothem, George Murphy, Red Skelton, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue. THE YEARLING' (production suspended until spring), drama (Technicolor), asso. prod- Sidney R'anklin; dir., Victor Fleming; orig. screenplay, Mar- jorle Kinnan Rawllngs; camera, HI Rosson. Cast: Spencer T^acy, Gene Echman, Ann Revere, ChUI Wills, Adeline deWalt Reynolds. WOMAN OF THE TEAB, drama; prod'., Joseph L. Manklewicz; dir., George Stevens; original, Michael Kanln, Ring Lardner, Jr.; camera, Joseph Ruttenberg. Cast: Spencer T^cy, Katharine Hepburn, Fay Bainter, Reginald Owen. THE BUGLE SOUNDS, formerly DOAN OF THE U. S. A„ formerly STEEL CAVALRY,- drama; prod., J. Walter Ruben; dir., S. Sylvan Simon; no writing credits; camera, Clyde DeVinna. Ca'st: Wallace Beery, Marjorie Main, L,ewis Stone, Geocge Bancroft, WUliam Lundigan, Donna Reed, Henry O'Neill, Chill Wills. WE WEBE DANCING, drama; prod., Robert Z. Leonard and Orvllle O. Dull; dir., Robert Z. Leon- ard; oViginal^ Noel Coward; camera, Robert Planck. Cast: Norma Shearer, Melvyn Douglas, Lee Bowman, Marjorie Main, Reginald Owen, Nella Walker. MB. AND MBS. NOKTH, comedy; prodn Irvine Asher; dir., Robert Sinclair; original, Richard and Frances Lockridge; camera, Harry Stradllng. Cast: Grade Allen, 'William Post, Jr., Paul Kel^, Rose Hobart, Thomas Conway, Millard Mitchell,. Virginia Grey, Henry O'Neill, Felix Bressart, Inez Cooper, Fortunio'Bonanova. JOE SMITH, AMEBICAN, drama; prod.. Jack Cher- tok; dir., Richard Thorpe^orlginal, Paul (jalUco; cam- era, Karl Freund. Cast: Robert Young, Marsha Hunt, Van Heflin, Harvey Stephens. CHINA CABAVAN,'drama; pro4-, Sam Marx; dir.', George Seitz; no writing credits; camera, Les White. Cast: Laralne Day, Barry Nelson, Keye Luke. BOBN TO SING, drama; prodl, Frederick Stephani: dir., Edward Ludwig; no writing credits; camera, Sid Wagner. Cast:. Ray McDonald, Virginia Weidler, Leo Gorcey, Rags Ragland, Larry Nunn. Henry O'Neill, Douglas McPhalL Richard Hall, Beverly Hudson, Maria Flynn, Dana Hood. I MABBIED AN ANGEL, musical; prod.. Hunt Stromberg; dir., Roy Del Ruth; Original, , Richard Rodgers and Loreiiz Hart; camera, L*n Smith.' Cast: Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Mona Maris, Ed- ward Everett Horton, Reginald Owen, BInnle Barnes, Veda Ann Borg, Inez Cooper, Carol Hughes. IWETBO FIX IN ntODUCnON MBS. MINIVEB, drama; prod., Sidney Franklin; dir., William Wyler; story, Jan Stnithers; camera, ' Joseph Ruttenberg. Cast: Greer Grason, Walter Pldgeon, Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, Henry Wilcoxon, Henry Travers. OUT OF THE FAST, drama; prod., Irving Asher; dir.. Jules Dassbi; no writing credits; camera, Harry Stradllng. Cast: Conrad Veldt, Ann Ayars, Dorotl^ Tree, Ivan Simpson. I'LL TAKE MANILA, musical-comedy: prod.. Jack Cummings; dir., Eddie Buzzell; no writing credits; camera, Leonard Smith. Cast: Eleanor PoweU, Red Skelton, Bert Lahr, Virginia O'Brien. BIO BITA, musical-comedy; prod:, Pandro Berman; dir.. Sylvan Simon; no writing credits; camera, George Folsey. Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Kathryn Grayson, John Carroll. TORTILLA FLAT, drama; prod., Sam Zimbalist; dir., Victor Fleming; story, John Steinbeck; camera, Harold Hosson. Cast: Spencer Tracy, John Gar&eld, Hedy LaMarr, Akim Tamiroff. Steel Againat the Sky while his brothers are Craig Stevens and Edward Brophy, Stevens, shouldering the love Interest, Is- a newcomer who shows considerable promise. He handles htmselt well and Is a good romantic type. . The girl Is Alexis Smith, a looker. She's capable and shapes up as a pretty good bet among the younger crop of featured players. Walter Catlett, as a wacky pro- fessor, is on the comedy a s sig nm ent and gets the most out of the trail material hande4 him. Chor. The Body Ditappeais Wontar Bros. releoM of Brran Foy «nd Bon SloloS pradttcUon. .Stam JeBny Lynn, Jan* Wmuin; fntnro* B. B. Horton, H«r- bert Andonon. DIrocttd by S. Ron Ledtr-. m«n. ScnenpUy by Boott Darling »nd Ema Lazania; cnmern. Alton 0. RloRler; rdltor Prederldi Blohardi. Tradcshown In N. T., D«a 1. '41. Running Umo. 1« MINB. Peter DeHaven Jottroy Lynn Lynn Slhoteobuiy J«no Wymnn Piof. Slloteabur7...Bdiviird Everett Horton WIIUo Willie Best Chrietlne Lnnce(ord...Metguerlte Cbepmnn Mra. Lunoeford NetoUe achaefter Bujrett Sidney Brocy Inapeetor Doming Wade Boteler 'Doo* Oeo.. Appleby Herbert Anderaon JImmIe Barbour David Bruce Terrence Abbott DeWoIt Hopper Robert Btruck Cnlg Stevona Dean Claxten Ivan SImpaon Judge Monton .Hobait Boaworth Bill Wcliael Amea Fromlaed Com- 41-42 plete« Fcalnrc: 26 8 Westerns 16 S Wayna re-lssaes.. 8 8 Shoot- ing • 1 0 Now Cutting To go 2 16 2 7 0 0 Totals 50 22 1 4 23 Pictures in cutting room or awaiting release: BOAD TO HAPPINESS, formerly. BOY OF MINE, drama; prod., Scott R. Dunlap; dir., Phil Rosen; screen- play, Robert D. Andrews; from mag story, Matt Taylor; camera, Harry Neumann, Cast: John Boles, Mona Barrle, Billy Lee, Roscoe Karns, Lillian Elliott. SNUFFY SMITH, the Yard Bird, comedy; prod., Edward Gross; dir., Edward Cllne; based*.on cartoon character by Billy De Beck; camera. Marcel Le Plcard. Cast: Bud Duncan, Edgar Kennedy,', .Sarah Padden, Doris Linden, Andria Palmer, J. Farrell MacDonald, Pat McVeigh, Frank Austin, Jimmie Dodd. FBECKLES COMES HOME, drama; prod., Llndslev Parsons; dir., Jean Yarbrough; screenplay, Edmon'd Kelso, based on story by Gene Stratton Porter; camera, Max Stengler. 'Cast: Johnny Downs, Gale Storm, Mantan Moreland, Bradley Page, Betty Blythc Marvin Stephens, Walter Sande, Max Hoffman, Jr. Irving Bacon, Lawrence Criner, John Ince, Irvin- Mitchell, Gene CDonnell. FORBIDDEN TRAILS, western; nrod., Scott R. Dur. lap; dir., Robert N. Bradbury; original screenplay. Jer Bowers; camera, Harry Neumann. Cast: Buck Jonc Tim McCoy, Raymond Hatton, Tristram Coffin, Chart- King, Christine Mclntyre, Glen Strange, Lynto- Brendt, Jerry Sheldon, Hal Price, Dave O'Brien. THUNDER RIVER FEUD, western: prod., Geo- Weeks; dir., S. Roy Luby; original screenplay, Ea' Snell: additional dialog. John Vlrho's; csmcra; Rob' Kline, r'-st: Ray Corrigan, John King, Max Tcrhn- Jan Wiley. (Continued on pace 20) Film Reviews ^ Contlnned from page is Lightweight programmer based on the Invisible man motif Is headed for less Important spotting In dual situ- ations. Mystery Intent Is vague 'and comedy effect rather mild. Theme of invisibility as presented here ts along conventional, innocuous lines. Jeffrey Lynn and Jane Wy- man turn in as good a performance as thin scripting permits, while Ed- ward Everett Horton and WlU'e Best, colored comic, do exceptlonall.v well considering Indifferent material. Dif- ficulties of director D. Ross. Leder- man in handling yarn of this calibre are evident throughout. Story unfolds In a courtroom scene via the flashback - routine. Ooens with a bachelor party for a college man wherein the heavily pla.<^ered groom-to-be, Lynn, Is convoyed to a college 'dissecting room. Horton, the college prof working on a formula for making bodies in- visible and bringing dead back to life, hijacks the presumably, dead Lynn and administers an Injection that makes the latter Invisible. Eventially the nrof, his daughter, Jane ^l^man, and Lynn all become Invisible, with Horton locked up by his colleagues In the boobv hatch on grounds he's gone nuts. Invisibility teaches Lynn'that his brtde-to-be k unfaithful and that true love \s with Miss Wyman. JVfoH. Sing for Your Supper . (WITH SONGS) Colombia releaae of T.eon Baraha' produc- tion. Features Jinx Falkenbunr. Cbailea 'Buddy* Rogera. Bert .Gordon. Bve .Arden. Dlreeted by Cbarlea Barton. Btory and ndnptatlon, Harry Rebuna: oonga. Sammy Cahn and Saal ChaplIn; editor, Arthur Sold: photognpby, Franz F. Planer. At Coitral, N. T., dual, week Nov. S9, '41. Running time. M MIKa Evelyn Palmer Jinx Falkenbnrg Ij>rry Haya Charlea Buddy Rbgeni 'The Mad Runinn' Bert Qordon Barbara Stevens Rve Arden Wing Boley Don Beddoe Kay Martin nernadene Hayea Myron T. Hayworlh Henry Kolker William Bennv nakar Bonzo Dewey Roblnaon This Is 68 minutes of humdrum romantic comedy carrying two song numbers, neither of which means anything. Faces a struggle as a busi- ness-getter, and doubtlessly will be hard to move. The title, 'Sing for Your Supper,' was used for one of the WPA shows In 1939, and It also was a song out of one of the hit legits, 'Boys from Syr- acuse,' three years back, but It has no particular connection with the theme or plot of this film. Original story and adaptaUon, a feeble effort, are credited to Harry Rebuas (nee Saubcr). It concerns a bandleader in a dime-a-dance joint and the girl owner of the place, who lakes an interest In the lad and, with- out revealing her identity, becomes ine of the hostesses. Charles "Buddy* Rogers, leading 'he band, also has a lease on the ■"ance emporium. He's about to be dispossessed when Jinx Falkenburg, 2ft with a lot of real estate and a "uardian, refuses to sign the papers 'uf permits an extension instead, ""and is about to move into a swank- ~r place when lb manneer and pub- "?lty rep learns Miss Falkenburg i- ctually a sociaUte and spreads <, ■cr the papers. The headlines are 1 bigger type than most foundrie- •ake, and the one in 'Variety' is ? 'O-liner across the page, which thl.-- oer never iiies. "Bert Gordon is spotted as' a m^- r of Rogers' band for comedy oir >es, but the laughs are all light. Rogers performs with case, an^ Miss Falkenburg doesn't' displease. Latter might show something with better material, but her slngiilg of "Why Is It So7' Indicates «he ha^ lit- tle to offer as a' vocalist . Number, la. reprised by her once, while she also figures In the novelty tune, "Booglle Wooglle Piggy,' with Ilogers anil Gordoa Minor cast members Include Eve Arden, who gets no chance at all'.u a daneery hostess; Don Beddoe, bando manager, doing a fair job, and Henrjir Kolker, vet tictor handling a cherac- ter part capably. Char. SEALED LIPS Hollywood, -Nov. 28.'. ITnlvenal releaae of Jack. Bernhard pro-' ductlon. f^eatarea WllUam Oargan, Juna Clyde, John Utel, Ann* Nacel. Directed by Oeotge Wanner; original by Waggner; camera, Stanley Cortea: edl^, Arthur Hil- ton. Previewed In alodlo.projection room, Nov. Z7, '41. Running time. St MINB. William Gargan Lola June Clyde Morton I Ro(ano (JohnLltel Mary Anno Nagel Mra. Morton Mary Cordon Lipa Rail Uaroldo Dugan * Joe Crehan Benson Addlaon Richards Evans Russell Hicks Warden Bd SUnley Dixon -....Charlea Lane Slntor, William Gould Blake Walter Sand* 'Sealed Ups' is a compact and en- tertaining B programmer that injects some fresh angles to the cops-chasing gangster formula. It's good meller entertainment to groove as above- par supporter in the duals. Director-writer George Waggner swings his tale along at a consist^Uy breezy i>ace in both departments, keying the dramatic highlights with sufficient touches of romance and ex- citement to hold Interest William Gargan clicks as the sleuth who un- covers the gangster leader plot which Is ingeniously devised .to circumvent the law and have a double serve his prison term. Half Harolde, as Gar- gan's aide, and June Clyde, as the girl reporter, provide prominent as- sistance in support which also In- cludes John LItel. Anne Nagel, Mary Gordon, Joe Crehan, Russell Hicks and Cnarles Lane. Walt. TUXEDO JUNCTION Republic releaae of Armand Schaofcr pro- duction. Feature* Weaver Broe. ft Elvlry ' (Leon Weaver, Frank Woaver, Jun* '• Weaver). Directed by Frank McDonald. Screenplay, Dorrell MoOowan, Stuart McGowan; camera, Brneat Miller; editor, . Cbarln CraXt; nmslo, Cy Feuer. Previewed ■ In projection room. N. T., Nov. 28, '41. Running time, M lOMSw Abner ...Leon Woaver Blvlry •..Jiine Weaver Cicero...... Prank Weaver Doug Gordon ...Thurston Hall Bock Frankle Dairo Pansy Sally Payn* Bill Bennett Clayton Moor* Joan Lorna Gray Plecmat Billy Benedict Soapy Feten Kenneth Lundr Judge Rivera Howard Hickman Jenklna Leonard Caray.- Mlsa Hornblower Betty Blyth* Judge Lewis Sam Flint Little Vagabonds Themsclve* In the Republic series that has featured the hiUbllly Weaver Broth- ^s & Elviry, "Tuxedo Junction* looms possibly as their best- com- edy. Angled for the Christmas-New Year's trade, particularly in tha provinces. It'll do at least as well as any of the others in the series, and probably more. Title, Incidentally, I« vague, having neither any hookup with the song of that name nor th» story. Yarn makes no pretenses at being other than hinterland hokum, but there's enough credibility in this one to warrant the higher rating. This time the theme is adopted from tha annual New Year's Day Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, Cal., with tha crux of the story concerning the dif- Acuities overcome by a group of mi- grant boys in their efforts to build a float to compete with the more ostentatious si>ectacles. A rather moving, razor-edged ' climax that finds them victors gives the film a knockout punch. Story, Itself, Is not so new, of course, but it's the scrlpters' varia- tion, plus the able direction, that makes 'Junction' assume its moder- ately click proportions. Sub-plot concerns the obstreperous mien of Frankie Darro, as the'leader of the boys, and his gradual conversion to the kindly nature of the Weaver Bros. & Elviry, whose humanitarian instincts prompt them to help the youngsters find a place for them- selvest The frefes Weaver are their usual, home-spun self, along with Leon Weaver s wife, June, as Elviry, while Darro shares lead honors with them in a standard type of role for him. Thurston Hall, as the dout' money- bags who would crimp the young- sters; Sally Payne, as the romantic daughter of the Weaver:: Clayton Moore, the juvenile, and Lorna Qray, as the rohiantic interest opposite 'Coore, ^o okay In lesser roJes. Miss "^rEy, incidentally, is possibly the -.i.p.. ^^gj. have placed a Republic picture, and that includes bo.n c.iac:..s and phiz. Naka.