Variety (May 1942)

20 PICTURES ITednesdaj, Mftj 6, 1942 Advance Production Chart . (Continued from page 16) Marjorie Main, Aline MacMah'on, Lee Bowman, Vir- ginia Grey. A TANK AT ETON, comedy-drama; prod., John Con- sldine: dir., Norman Taurog; no writing credits; camera, Karl Freund. Cast: Mickey Rooney, Freddie Bartholo- mew, Ian Hunter, Juanlta Quigley, Edmund Gwenn. Monogram Fromlnd Com- Shoot- Xow _ *l-4t plated Inc. OottlBS Togo Features 26 23 1 ' • « Westerns 16 17 2 • 0 Wayne re-Issues. .8 8 0 • • Totals 59 48 S • 0 Pictures In cutting room 'or awaiting release: Monogram Plx In ProdncUon DOWN TEXAS WAT, western* prod., Scott R. Dun- lap; dir., Howard Bretherton; screenplay, Jess Bowers; camera, Harry Neumann. Cast: Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, Raymond Hatton, Luana Walters, Dave O'Brien, Silver, Lois Austin, Glenn Strange, Harry Woods, Tom London, Kansas Moehring, Jack Daley. DO NOT DISTCRB, comedy; prod„ A. W. Hackel; dir., William Beaudlne; screenplay, Joseph Hoffman; camera, Marcel'Le Picard. Cast: John Beal, Wanda McKay, Tom Neal, Barbara Pepper, Warren Kpner. J. Farrell MacDonald, Ernie Adams, Lyntoh Brent, Jerome Sheldon, Jimmy O'Gatty. ' . V TEXAS TROUBLE SHOOTERS, western; pro<L George Weejfs; dir., S. Roy Luby; no wrltlsf tredttl| camera, undssigned. Cast: Ray Corrigan, Jons Xing, Max Terhune. Paramonnt PiomlMd Com- Shoot- _N«w _ ■ 41-42 plet«d loB Onltlac to go Studio 42 33 4 It 0 B. Sbennaa 9 7 1 > • Fleischer 1 1 • • • •' : • • Totals M . 41 . 4 1» . .• Pictures In cuttlQg room or awaiting TClMae> > - TOMBSTONE—THE TOWN TOO TOtGH tO SO, formerly THE TOWN TOO TOUOQ TO DIE, fonnnly TOMBSTONE, western; prod., Harry SKarman; dir. William McGann: no writing credits; camera, RuMeu Harlan. Cast: Richard Dix, Don Castle, Frances GU- ford, Edgar Buchanan, Clem Pevans, Kent Taylor, Rex Bell, Vlcto? Jory, Chrls-Pha Martin. ■ TOUNO AND WILLING, formerly OUT OF THE FRYING FAN, comedy; prod., Edward H. GrilHi]i; dir., E. H. Griffith; screen play, Virginia Van Upp. from the play by Francis Swann; camera, Lao Tovcr. Cast: William Holden, Susan Hayward, Eddia BracktB, Martha O'Driscoll, Jimmy Lydon, Robert BencUay, Bacbara Britton, Florence MacMlchael, Mabel Falgc, Jay Fassett HOLIDAY INN (Irving Berlin) mualcal qpiMdy; prod., dir., Mark Sandrich: screenplay, Claud* Blayon: 'based on orighial idea by Irving BerUn; eaauM, Nvld Abel. C:ast:^ing Crosby, Fred Astalra, Virgliua Data, Marjorie Reynolds, Walter Abel. MR. AND'MBS. CCGAT, comedy; aaio. prod, TfA- Kohlmar; dir., Norman Taurog; aeteeiqiUy, TtM ScfaJesinger jmd Frank Davis; adapted from novtl 1^ Isabel Rorlck; camera, Charles Lang. Cait: Bay Vll- land. Betty Field. Patricia Morlson, PhU Tair, IMt Erickson. CecU Kellaway, Kathleen Lockbart, UikhaU Rasumny. AMERICAN EBfFIRB, western; prod.^IIanT fh«r- man; dir., William McGann; screenplay, i)oB.Harona|i, Frank Butler; story by Melvin Frank. NoimaaPmama;' camera, Russell Harlan. Cast: Richard DIx, Piacton Foster, Frances Glflord. Leo Carrillo. Jack La Rua, Chris-Pin Martin, Ian MacDonald. I LIVE ON DANGER, drama: prods., William JPina- William Thomas; dir., Sam White; no wilting «i«dtts; camera, Fred Jackman, Jr. (Tast: Chester Uonlf, Jean Parker, Roger Pryor, Elisabeth Rlsdon, Oouglaa Fowley^ Edward Norrls, Dick PurcelL Bemadtne Hayes, Alice White, Charlotte Beniry, Rita Boro*. , THE PALM BEACH STOBT,-comedy; asao- prod., Paul Jones; dir, Preston Sturges; screemplay, Preston Sturges; camera, Victor Milner. Cast: Claudette Col- bert, Joel McCrea, William Demarest. , WILDCAT, (adventure)-prod., Wm. rae'and Wm. Ibomas; dir., Frank McDonald; no writing eiedlts; camera^red Jackman, Jr. Cast: Richard Alien, Arllne Judge, William Frawley, Buster Crabbe, Arthur Hunfii- ciitt, Eliaha Cook, Jr.. Ralcb Sanford, Alec Craig, John Dllson^ Ed Keane, Will Wright. Jessica Newcombe, Billy - Benedict, Billy Nelson. Tom Kenne^, Fred Sherman, William Hall.' John Fisher, AbduUBih Abbasi, Don Barclay, Dick Elliott MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY, comedy drama; prod., Sol C, Siegel: asso. prod., E. D. Leinln; dir., Robert Slodmak; original icreetaplay, F. Hugh Her- bert: camera, .JSaniel Fapp. Cast:- Richard Carlson, Manha O'Driscoll, Frances Gifford, Cecil Kellaway, Florence Bates, Mabel Paige/ Velma Berg, Francis Pierlot, Fern Emmett, Betty Farrington, Ifihon Klb- bee. MRS. WIOGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH, comedy drama; prod., Sol C. Slegel; asso. prod,, Ralph Murphy; dir., Ralph Murphy; no writing credits: camera, Xco Tover. Cast: Fay SaJnter. Carolyn Lee, Hugh Herbert, Vera Vague, Berbara Britton, Betty Brewer, Mary Thomas; Billy Lee, Carl 'Alfalfa' Swltzer. ' THE FOREST RANGERS, technicolor adventure; asso. prod., Robert Slsk; dir., (Seorge Marshall; acreen play, Harold Shumate: from a stoiy ^ nielma Strabel; camera, Charles Lang. Cast; fired Mac- Slurray, Paulette Goddard, Susan Hayward.. Albert Dekker, Lynne Overman, Phillip Terry, Jim Brown. THE GLASS KEY, mystery; aaso. prod., Fred Kohl- mar; dir., Stuart Helsler; screen play, Jonathan Lati- mer; based on novel by DashieU Hainmett: camera, Theodor Sparkunl. Cast: Brian Donlevy, Alan Ladd, Patricia Morison, Bonita Granville, Joseph Callela; HENRY ALDRICH, EDITOR, comedy-drama; prod., fol C. Slegel: asso. prod., Jules Schemer;'dir., Hugh ennett; original screen pl^, Uuriel.Roy Bolton and Val Burton; camerq, Daniel Fapp. Cast: Anmy Irydon. Charles Smith, John LlteL ' THE ROAD TO MOROCCO, comedy-dxama; aifo. prod., Paul Jones; dir., David Butler; no writhu credits: no camera credit set Cast: Blcyg Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Donna Drake, ^adimlt 8oko- loff, Mikhail Rasumny, J^mlel Hasson, UOnte Blue, Louise La Planche, Theo de Voe, Brooke Evans, Su2anne Rldgway, Patsy Mace, Yvonne de Carlo, Poppy Wilde, Ralph Penney, Dan Seymour, Pete G. Katche- nerb, Brandon Hurst, . Richard Loo, Leo Moatovoy, George Givot Leon Belasco. STREET OF CHANCE,iofinefly 'THE' HLACK CURTAIN, mystery; prod., Sol C, Siegel; asso,, prod,, Burt Kelly; dir.,'Jack Hively; screen play, Garrett. Fort; based on story by Cornell Woolrich; camera, .Theodor Sparkuhl. Cast: Burgess Meredith. Claire Trevor, Sheldon Leonard, Jerome Cowan, Frieda Ines- cort, Adeline De' Walt Reynolds, Louise Platt, Arthur Loft, Edwin Maxwell, Milton Klbbee, Creorge Watts, Gloria Williams, Keith Richards, Cliff Clark, Sonny Boy Williams, Helen MacKellar, Ruth Gillette, Harry trier, Besse wade, Ralph Dunn, James C. Morton. THE AfAJOR And the MINOR, romantic comedy; prod., Arthur Homblow; dir., Billy Wilder; no writing credits; camera, Leo Tover. Cast: Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland, Dorothy Comingore, Robert Benchley, DoUy Loehr, Edward Fielding Janet Beecher. Frankle Thomas, Jr., Charlie Smith, Dickie Jones, Billy. C!ook, Stanley Desmond, Mary Field, Will Wright, Freddie Mercer, Carlotta John, Ethel (Hayton, Lynda Grey, Gloria Williams, Tom Dugan, Tom McGuIre, William Newell, George Anderson, Stanley Andtews, Emory Parnell. PRIORITIES OF 1942, musical; prod., Sol C. Slegel; asso., prod., Burt Kelly; dir., Albert S. Rogell; no •writ- ing credits; camera, Daniel Fapp. Cast: Betty Jane Rhodes, Johnnie Johnston, Ann Miller, Vera Vague (Barbara Jo Allen), Jerry Colonna. WRECKING CREW, action-drama; prods, Williams Pine and Thomas; dir, Frank McDonald; no writing credits; camera, Fred ■ Jackman, Jr. Cast: Richard Arlen, Chester Morris, Jean Parker, Esther Dale, Pat West Joe Sawyer. Frank Melton, William HaU, George McKay, Eddie Waller, Fred Sherman, Alexander Gianach. Paramonnt Fix'' In Prodnotlon I MARRIED A 'WITCH, drama; asso. prod., Preston Sturges; dir„ Rene Clair; screenplay, Robert Pirosh and Marc Connelly; suggested by a story of Thome Smith and completed by Norman Matson; camera. Ted Tetelaff. Cait: Fredric March, Veronica Lake, Susan Hayward, Robert Behchley. Cecil Kellaway, Elizabeth Patterson, Esther Howard, Robert Warwick. SIL'VEB QUEEN, drama; drop., Harry Sherman; dir., Lloyd Baco^; nb writing credits; camera, Russell Har- lan. Cast: George Brent, Priscilla Lane, Bruce Cabot, Eugene Pallette, Lynne Overman; Gulnn 'Big Boy' Williams, Janet Beecher, Katharine Booth. HAPPY GO LUCKY, musical in technicolor; asso. prod., Harold Wilson; dir., Curtis Bernhardt; no writing credits; camera, Karl ■ Struss; color camera, Wilfred Gline. Cast: Mary Martin, Dick Powell, Eddie Bracken, Rudy Vallee, Betty Hutton, Mabel Paige. TRIUMPH'OVER PAIN, drama; prod.-dir., Preston Sturges; no writing credits; camera, 'Victor Milner. Cast: Joel McCh-ea, Betty Field, Susan Hayward, Harry Carey, Julius "Tannen, Janet Beecher, Lora Lee. WAKE ISLAND, drama; asso. prod., Joseph Slstrom; 'dtr.^' John Fairbw; no ■writing credits; camera, Theodor SparkuhL - Xast: Brian Donlevy, Robert Preston, Albert Dekker, Macdonald Carey, WiUiain Bendix, Barbara Britton. zatlons or both.- Big business men Instead of showmen are on the com- mittees In a number of cities and they have no knowledge of how tickets must be sold. Wherever there Is difficulty selling higher- priced seats it Is directly traceable to this local sponsorship failing to get into high gear, rather than the lack of intrinsic pulling power. in the show. Washington Remlsa In Washington, where tiie top was $20, stuffed-shlrters ^re understood to have sold only SO seats in two weeks of effort for Loew's 3,45Q-seat Capitol. Walter Winchell's plug on the air the Sunday night preceding the show, plus barrage of publicity attendant on the troupe's arrival, finally turned the trick when prices were brought down. Lower-priced seats in every town pre sold without trouble almost as soon as boxofces open. It's the $10 and $20 ones that need pressure. Cleveland presented the most dan- gerous; situation for the Caravan, with less than $10,000 in the Civic Auditorium tUl up to last Wednes- day (20). Apathetic altitude of the public was attributed not only to the botched local exploitation campaign Republic Featores Westerns BerUb,. PmnlMd Com- . 41-4S pletod ..30 U .. 32 19 ..4 3 Shoot- Bow Inc Oattlns To to S 3 9 2 1 10 9.1 0 19 Tetels ......... 86 37 B . 5 ' Pictures in cutting room or awaiting release: . GIRL FROM ALASKA, adventure; prod., Armand Schaefer; dir., Nick Grinde; no 'writing credits;- cam- era. Jack Marta. Cast: Ray Mlddleton, Jean Parker, Jerome CoWan, Robert Barrat,'Ray Mala, Francis Mc- Donald. / IN OLD CALIFORNIA, - historical drama; prod., Robert North, dir.. William McGann; original, J. Robert Bren, Gladys Atwater; screen play, Gertrude Pureell; camera. Jack Marta. Cast:' John. Payne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker, Dick Purcell, Edgar Kennedy,- Patsy Kelly, Lynne Carver. THE PERILS OF NYOKA, serial; prodl, William O'SuUivan; dir., WiUiam Witney; original screen play, Ronald Davidson, - Norman S. Hall, Willlanl Lizely, Joseph CDonnell, Joseph Poland; camera, Reggie Lan- nlng. C^st: Kay Aldridge,- Loma Gray, (Seorge Lewis, George Pembroke, Tristram Coffin. Forbes Murray, Charles Mlddleton, Robert Strange, Clayton Moore, WllUam Benedict. ROMANCE ON THE RANGE, formerly SPRING TIME IN THE ROCKIES, western;'prod.-dh:., Joseph Kane; no -writing credits; camera, unasslgned. Cast: /Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes. BepnbUo PIx In Prodnotlon LAZYBONES, comedy; asso. prod., Harriet Parsons; dir., Joseph Santley; no -writing credits; camera, Ernest Miller, (^ast: Judy Canova, Joe E. Brown, Eddie Foy, Jr., Alexander Granach, Anne Jeffreys, Otto Reichow, Wolfgang Zilzer, Don Clurtls. PHANTOM PLAlNSIdBN, western; prod., Lou Gray, dir.. Jack English; no writing credits'; camera, Bud Thackeray. Cast: Lois Collier, Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, Riife Davis, Charies Miller, Richard C^rone, Alex Cal- lam, Monte Montague, 'Robert O. Davis. CYCLONE KID, western; prod.-dlr., (3eorge Sher- man; no -writing credits; camera, Bud Thacjkeray. Cast: Don 'Red'"Barry, John James,'Lynn Merrick, Alex Callam, Joel Frledkln, SUm Andrews. MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE, muslbal; prod.-dlr., John H. Auer; originBl story, John H. Auer; Screenplay, Lawrence Kimble; camera, John Alton, (^ast: Dennis O'Keefe, Jane Frazee, Betty Kean, Eddie. Foy, Jr., Emo Verebes, Paul Harvey, Jed Prouty. FLYING TIGERS, air saga; prod., Edmund Grainger; dir., Wmtam O'SulUvan; original screenplay, Kenneth Gamet C^ast: John Wayne, John Carr<dl, Anna Lee, Bill Shirley, Tom Neal, Paul Kelly, Edmund Mac- Donald, Gordon Jones, David Bruce, Bud McTaggart, Gregg Barton, John James, Jimmy Dood. RKO-Radio FromlMd Cknn- 41-42 pletcd fltndlo 80 27 Westerns 6 8 W. Dlmey S 8 8. Oolawyn...... 8 2 H. Wilcox « . 0 W. Dleterle S 1 Jerrold Brandt... 8 - 2 J. Votlon 1 1 Shoot- Non Ids Cottlos To BO 2 2 ' ^ 0 0 8 0 0 0 8 8 0 8 ' . .8 . 9 8 1 8 8 Totals 52 39 2 2 Pictures in cutting room or awaiting r.elease: ' THE MAGNIFICENT' AMBEBSONS, drama; prod., (Continued bn- page 22) $218,000 'Caravan' Gross ;Conttnaed from page 4; Too Polite for B.O. Washington, May 5. Not until Loew's local thea- tre executive. Carter T. Barron, at the Capitol, .where the Cara- van performed Thursday night (30), took over.on sales was the final Impetus given to disposing of the $10 and $20 tickets. It proved .anew the fallacy of re- lying on socialite auspices who cannot be pushed; and yet whb, in turn, seem too poUte to push prospects for sales of the higher- priced ducats. In other key cities, where theatre men seem re- sponsible for the plugging, the advance sales were on more solid ground than was experienced In D. C. Thus, from a potential $40,000, re-scallng downwards of some of the $20-$10 tickets brought the gross, while a sellout' down to $24,000. . No cuffos; even the press tick- ets were paid for'by the film in- dustry, said Barron. onto the stage to receive it she went up to implant It upon him—and col- lect the cash. Chicago Stadium is scaled for $88,000. for tonight's performance and the gross is expected, to fall only a few thousand iollars short of that Yesterday morning there was $72,000 in the b.o. with 100 boxes sold at $250 apiece and 86 left Last-minute rescaling of them was being' con- sidered. There -were also BOO or 700 $10 seats available. Stars were pre- paring to go to the ball game .to sell tickets personally. Radio stations cooperated with heavy last-minute pitch. To provide more rest for the troupe, rallroadliig Is being so ar- ranged that, the 10-car special is shunted to sidings and doesn't ar- rive In any city officially until 1 p.m. Performers are doing all their sleep- ing on the train. Committees have also been asked to eliminate social functions because - of the hardships of the traveling and daily stands. Only function the company attend- ed was a rec^tion by Mrs. Roos'e- velt on the 'White House lawn a few hours' before the show's break-in. They drank some lightly-spiked punch and munched pastry while Groiicho Marx engaged Mrs. R. in a less-than-erudlte discussion of Jerry Colonna's mustache. First Lady topped the gold braid, diplomatic and socialite audience at the opening. Russian Ambassador Maxim' Lltvlnoff was another $20 seat-holder, while crowdis by the thousands lined 'Washington streets to see the stars and the holty audi- ence. Similar greetings by mobs took place in other towns, with mayors and other local celebs on hand to applaud. El Bingo Hops Caravan.. Hollywood, May 6. Bing Crbsby is .playing hookey from a pair of broadcasts so he can put in an abearance or two with the Hollywood Caravan and get in some golfing with Bob Hope for the Red Cross. He Joins the touring film stars at Chicago tomorrow (Wed). Likely that he'll, also take a pitch with the Caravaii at its two Texas stops as he'll be down that 'way watching the bangtails run at Churchill Dowhs. at the start (before showmen were' frantically called on), but the high- pressure of four or five conflicting war benefit, shows. Last-minute campaign, however, marked by the most intensive pub-, lidty drive ever staged in Cleveiandi put the A'ow over. Alarmed by the low advance sale, 'Mayor Frank Lausche called in newspaper editors and radio .execs for a pep talk that brought results. Patrons' $10 ducats were sliced in half. Downtown show- men, called In to save the day, three- sheeted the Caravan like a circus all over town and ran trailers. Rumor in Cleveland that, publicity firm of Miskell Sc Sution got $650 for its work was vehemently denied by the agency, which claimed it didn't ^e^ a cent Item mentioned, declared Rodney Sutton, covered only cost of window cards, trailers, newspaper ads, radio tran^riptlons and other expenses. Entire exploitation setup was ticklish and controversial, since it Involved services of the Cleveland Advertising Club and - top press agents loaned by do-wntown theatres. With local committees se^g t^eir own scales, PhUly was a source of regret to 'Caravan sponsors. Fear- ing that any higher figure would hurt collections in the Navy Relief drive, which starts soon, focstlltes set top at only -$5.50.- Tickets for>the 13,0D0-5eat Convention Hall could have been sold at much higher tops, it was felt by those travelhig with the Caravan. As a matter of i&et, scalpers were having no trouble get- ting $15 for them the aftemoQ.n be- fore the performance. Boston Garden, with a take of slightly over $78;000, was easily the most successful date. It was scaled from $11 to $1.10. Attendance -was better than 20,000 with 2,000 turned away after' all available striding room .--was sold at $2.20 a copy. In- cluded in the gross was $1,000 and $750 received for twb autographed programs. Highest bidder was of- fered a' kiss by Claudette Colbert and when he was too bashful to come $86,080 In Honston Houston. May 6. Houston fteatre and business men have gone all-out to make appear- ance of the Hollywood Victory Car- avan May 12 a complete success. Sam Houston Coliseum has been scaled to hring $^,000, wltb more funds to be raised fiirough sale of program' advertising. Tickets range from $1.10 to $11, with 800 patrons tickets at $27.60. PracUeally the en- ttre balcony, more than half of the patrons tickets and a great many seats on -the lower fioor were sold out the day the -boxofflce opened. The boxofflce. has been built on the sidewalk In front of the Rice hotel and is manned by representa- tives from Loew's State and the In- terstate theatres. Reservations have come In from as far away as Corpus Chrlsti, Freeport and Lake Charles. Par's $10,251,242 sssCoatlaned.fiom pate Also shows how Par bought In all second preferred shares by convert- ing into common and redeeming 51,- 110 shares on Feb. i at' $10.06 per share. iUso how the corporation cleared up $6,294,000 in corporate notes.via the issuance of new 4% convertible debentures, This ■ was done by exchanging $11,3^1,700 of 3Vi% debs for the new bonds and redeeming $1,336,300 of the SV4% convertible debentures on Dec. 12, <1041. 'Statement shows that an additional $1,190,000 worth of 4% jdebs due In 1958 had been issued since Jan. 3 In exchange for corporate ^notes and other obligations. Also that the company had' acquired an additional $1,250,000 of these deb? for sinking fund purposes. ' Theatre Gntted By Fire ; Boston, May 6. David - Square theatre In Somer- vllle, Mass., was gUtted by fire dur- ing the early motnlng of May 2. Fire gained such headway before it.Was discovered -that tiie Ho-use may have to be torn down and rebuilt before it c^ 'dgaln'be bireratbd.