Boxoffice-March.06.1948
. . Screen . . "Night . . Madeleine . . Marie : March . ^Mfw^Md ^efoont Seven New Story Properties Purchased During Week Writers and the agents who purvey thenbrain-children to the studios had good reason to be wearing broad smiles during the period, wherein a healthy total of seven properties were acquired by the film makers. MGM went for "Act of Violence," an original by Collier Young, purchasing it from the company formerly headed by the late Mark Hellinger. It will be produced by William Wright from a script now being prepared by Robert L. Richards . . . "September." an original screenplay by Robert Thoeren from an idea by Fritz Rotter, went to Hal Wallis as an addition to his independent schedule for Paramount release. The story concerns a woman pianist who forsakes love for a career . . . Radio writer Aleen Leslie sold an original, "Turn of the Century," to Columbia, where it will be produced as a musical by Burt Kelly . . . Jerry Gruskin's original comedy about a girl who is rescued from a watery grave by an underseas scientist, "The Octopus and Miss Smith," went to Warners, where it is being scripted by Harry Kurnitz. He is also set to produce rights were acquired by Harry Sherman to a series of western stories by W. C. Tuttle, featuring two cowpoke characters. "Hashknife" and "Sleepy," for independent production, possibly through Enterprise . Cry," a novel by William L. Stuart, was picked up by Frank Rosenberg's Colony Pictures, to be filmed PS a semidocumentary. He has set no release ... To Eagle Lion went "I Married a Communist," by George W. George and George P. Slavin, which is also slated for documentary film treatment under the guidance of Producer Aubrey Schenck. Screen Guild Adds Eight To Release Schedule Screen Guild Productions added eight subjects to its 1948 distribution schedule by acquiring two reissues and setting up a production deal for a half-dozen sagebrushers co-staning Lash LaRue and Al St. John, who were riding the PRC range until recently. The reissues are "Forbidden Music," with Jimmy Durante, and a Joe E. Brown comedy, "Flirting With Fate." The LaRue- St. John westerns will be turned out by Ron Ormond. Three More Independents To Release Through EL Whether the master-minds of Eagle Lion are deliberately pointing in that direction it or not, to if begins look as the company's 1948 will output reach astronomical proportions, at least as to quantity, judging by the number of distribution deals it has been setting up of late with various independent film-making units. Latest to announce plans for production unier the EL banner: William Moss Pictures, Inc., to make thi-ee films annually, the first to be "Judgment in the Wilderness," a Cinecolor outdoor drama based on an original by Morton Grant. Moss —who recently turned out two "Kilroy" subjects co-starring Jackie Cooper and Jackie 22 By IVAN SPEAR Coogan for Monogram—has charted a May starting date. John Sutherland Productions, which signed a two-picture commitment and scheduled "Lady at Midnight," from a story by Richard Sale, as its initialer, to go before the cameras immediately. Sherman Scott will direct. Additionally, EL has priority on United California Productions' next film, "That's Hollywood," described as the story of Robert Cummings' screen career to date. United's first, is "Let's Live a Little," now in work for EL release with Cummings and Hedy Lamarr as the co-stars. Cummings is developing "That's Hollywood" and will have the topline in the subject. Bing Crosby and Four Sons Signed for Disney Film The latest Crosby film venture is somewhat more than a mere casting commitment —it's practically a merger. Der Bingle has signed to narrate and sing three songs in Walt Disney's new animation-and-live-action feature, "Two Fabulous Characters" and going with liim in the package are his four sons, Philip, Gary. Dennis and Lindsay. They'll make their acting debut in the subject, which RKO Radio will release. Three Players Terminate Their Studio Contracts A rash of terminations-by-mutual-agreement of player-studio commitments broke out during the period. Lloyd Nolan checks out of 20th Century-Fox, after an eight-year association, when he completes "The Street With No Name;" Ellen Drew secured a release from the balance of her Columbia ticket; and Richard Hart and MGM called it quits. All announced plans to free lance in the future Carroll will resume her film career in "An Innocent . Af- fair," co-starring with Fred MacMurray in the James Nasser production for United Audrey Long replaced Anne Artists . Gwynne in Monogram's "Stage Struck," with PLAY IT LIKE THIS—Suggests Director Steve Sekeley (right) as he explains a scene in "Hollow Triunph" to Paul Henreid, co-starring with Joan Bennett in the Eagle Lion drama. Henreid is also producing the film, marking his debut in that category. P. J. Wolfson Planning Shakespeare Biography Old Will Shakespeare, who has had a hand in many a Hollywood opus (with and without screen credit), is coming into his own at last. A film version of the life and works of the Bard of Avon is in preparation as an independent venture by P. J. Wolfson, former Paramount writer-producer, for an as-yet undesignated release. Wolfson intends to get under way with the offering early next year, shooting it both in England and the U.S., on a high-budget scale. He has not yet lined up a cast. Conrad Nagel and Ralph Byrd also joining the cast . . . Lon McCallister, Julie London and AUene Roberts are toplined in Sol Lesser's new one for UA, "Girl Shy" . . . MGM handed Frank Morgan a role in "The Story of Monty Stratton," upcoming Van Johnson starrer. At the same studio Tom Drake was set to portray Richard Rodgers, the tunesmith, in "Words and Music." RKO Promotes Jack Gross To Schary's Assistant Intending to keep a sharp eye on production costs, RKO Radio has elevated Jack Gross, for five years an executive producer, to a new post as assistant to Dore Schary, wherein he will devote his energies to a "pre-filming analysis" of budgets, scripts and acting commitments Quigley, west coast as.sistant production to Joseph Bernhard, president of Film Classics, has replaced Phil Krasne as FC's production contact . . Michael F. Johnson, who for 15 years served in various production capacities with a number of British studios joined Jerry Fairbanks as studio manager . . . Added to the executive lineup of R. B. Roberts Productions as secretary-treasurer and general manager is Martin Jurow, formerly a partner in the James Saphier agency. Writing-Producing Chore For Seton Miller at WB "Fighter Squadron," a story of World War II aviation, will be written and produced at Warners by Seton I. Miller. On the same lot Delmer Davies was assigned the writingdirecting chore on "The Turquoise" . . . Paramount handed the producer-director assignment on "Look Homeward, Angel," the Thomas Wolfe novel, to William Wyler . . Over Eagle Lion way, Leonard Picker and Chuck Reisner were set to produce and direct, respectively. "Born to Fight," prize ring drama featuring Scott Brady. Descendant of Hamilton Plans Historical Films So great has interest become in the independent film-making field that even Alexander Hamilton is going to take a whirl at it. Not the first U.S. secretary of the treasuary, but a great-great grandson, bearing the same name and associated in the organization of Americana Productions with Jess Smith. The new outfit projects a series of films based on U.S. history, and plans to gun the first, as yet untitled, in June. BOXOFFICE : 6, 1948
, New I : March 1 3) Foreign Heads Hear About Export Rules NEW YORK-^Heads of foreign departments of the MPAA member companies have been briefed on the new Department of Commerce regulations covering U.S. exports to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. The new regulations, which went into effect March 1. cover film and film equipment as well as many other commodities. Details of the new rules were explained by Nathan D. Golden, chief of the fihn unit of the Department of Commerce. Golden pointed out that film and equipment exports must be shipped under a consolidated license. This type of hcense, he said, peiTnits the American shipper to send his goods to anybody within a designated area in the territories covered by the new regulations. However, certain conditions have to be met. The shipper must submit an estimate of the amount of goods he plans to send abroad within the next 90 days, but exportei-s of film and film equipment will be able to submit estimates for a four-month period ending July 1. In addition to all of Europe, including the British Isles and Iceland, the areas covered by the new regulations are: Asiatic Russia, Asiatic Turkey, Spanish possessions in Africa and tlie Spanish islands in the Mediterranean. The new license regulations, first announced January 16, are the result of congressional action taken last November to control the export of American commodities. Paramount Video Hearing Is Postponed to May 10 WASHINGTON—The FCC has postponed hearings on applications by Paramount affiliates for television stations and on Paramount's interest in Allen B. Du Mont Labiiratories from March 1 to May 10. The hearing in Washington was postponed after the FCC decided to hold field investigations of the applications for television stations. Tlae field hearings wUl be held in Detroit, March 15-17: Cleveland, March 18-24; San Francisco, April 5-9: Dallas, April 13-16: Boston, April 26-May 7. Menjou to Anti-Red Group WASHINGTON — Adolphe Menjou, motion picture star, is one of 14 distinguished Americans who have joined the Committee to Stop World Communism. Arthur Bliss Lane, co-chairman of the committee, announced. The objective of the committee is the preservation of American security and the restoration of freedom and democracy in Europe, said Lane, former ambassador to Poland. Train Has a Theatre PHILADELPHIA—The Pennsylvania railroad has a new all-coach streamliner with a theatre showing newsreels continuously and a children's playroom. The new train is in i service on the Jefferson run that operates r between New York. Philadelphia and St. Louis. BOXOFnCE : 6, 1948 7iJa4j^ui^t
- Page 1 and 2: Im /'cauon ucuiAe. m YEAR'S PRODUCT
- Page 3 and 4: A TERRIFIC TECHNICOLOR TRADE SHOW!
- Page 5 and 6: ROBERT ALDA'S.Z.SML - Directed by P
- Page 7 and 8: J I fl. S, '' ' ^^ , against ' Para
- Page 9 and 10: COURT SEES VTTER DISREGARD' FOR TER
- Page 11 and 12: : March UA Will Release Six The Tel
- Page 13 and 14: URE EVER HADE w m** tractions From
- Page 15 and 16: The Leading Figure In The Industry
- Page 17 and 18: ; I while I population , its ' 85 o
- Page 19 and 20: . Named : March . . . Such $61108,9
- Page 21: THE MATTERl:>. HNESS THAT A COLUMBI
- Page 25 and 26: % Cleveland, Boston, Cincinnati, Ka
- Page 27 and 28: : March 1 1 greater . . .2:30 Local
- Page 29 and 30: UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL presents ^
- Page 31 and 32: DeVry Adapts 16mm For Big Theatres
- Page 33 and 34: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
- Page 35 and 36: I of f Safety Council Okays Placard
- Page 37 and 38: . . Tom Mix Kiddy Parly And $300 in
- Page 39 and 40: Pass Bill for Control Of Child Patr
- Page 41 and 42: : March . . . Arthur . . Bernard .
- Page 43 and 44: I some ! Crashers : March • , . T
- Page 45 and 46: . . . The : March . . Ben . . Ray .
- Page 47 and 48: m^LT^QW NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODU
- Page 49 and 50: I :OHN , Friedman : March and MANN,
- Page 51 and 52: Fox Intermountain Powwow Next Week
- Page 53 and 54: : March 'Northside' Scores 190 For
- Page 55 and 56: . . Frank : March . . Bruce . . Ray
- Page 57 and 58: . . . Jean , . Arthm- . . Amato's .
- Page 59 and 60: V. U. Young Stricken Ai Home in Flo
- Page 61 and 62: St. Louis Anticipates Surge by Tele
- Page 63 and 64: . . Eugene : March . . in the 20th-
- Page 65 and 66: : March . . Mrs. . . The . . Willia
- Page 67 and 68: Co-Op Delivery Plan Formed by Allie
- Page 69 and 70: . . Don . . Rodney : March . . Leo
- Page 71 and 72: : March Cleveland Lays Plan To Curb
, New<br />
I<br />
: March<br />
1 3)<br />
Foreign Heads Hear<br />
About Export Rules<br />
NEW YORK-^Heads of foreign departments<br />
of the MPAA member companies have<br />
been briefed on the new Department of Commerce<br />
regulations covering U.S. exports to<br />
Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. The<br />
new regulations, which went into effect<br />
March 1. cover film and film equipment as<br />
well as many other commodities.<br />
Details of the new rules were explained by<br />
Nathan D. Golden, chief of the fihn unit of<br />
the Department of Commerce.<br />
Golden pointed out that film and equipment<br />
exports must be shipped under a consolidated<br />
license. This type of hcense, he<br />
said, peiTnits the American shipper to send<br />
his goods to anybody within a designated area<br />
in the territories covered by the new regulations.<br />
However, certain conditions have to<br />
be met. The shipper must submit an estimate<br />
of the amount of goods he plans to<br />
send abroad within the next 90 days, but<br />
exportei-s of film and film equipment will be<br />
able to submit estimates for a four-month<br />
period ending July 1.<br />
In addition to all of Europe, including the<br />
British Isles and Iceland, the areas covered<br />
by the new regulations are: Asiatic Russia,<br />
Asiatic Turkey, Spanish possessions in Africa<br />
and tlie Spanish islands in the Mediterranean.<br />
The new license regulations, first announced<br />
January 16, are the result of congressional<br />
action taken last November to control the<br />
export of American commodities.<br />
Paramount Video Hearing<br />
Is Postponed to May 10<br />
WASHINGTON—The FCC has postponed<br />
hearings on applications by Paramount affiliates<br />
for television stations and on Paramount's<br />
interest in Allen B. Du Mont Labiiratories<br />
from March 1 to May 10. The hearing<br />
in Washington was postponed after the<br />
FCC decided to hold field investigations of<br />
the applications for television stations.<br />
Tlae field hearings wUl be held in Detroit,<br />
March 15-17: Cleveland, March 18-24; San<br />
Francisco, April 5-9: Dallas, April 13-16: Boston,<br />
April 26-May 7.<br />
Menjou to Anti-Red Group<br />
WASHINGTON — Adolphe Menjou, motion<br />
picture star, is one of 14 distinguished<br />
Americans who have joined the Committee<br />
to Stop World Communism. Arthur Bliss<br />
Lane, co-chairman of the committee, announced.<br />
The objective of the committee is<br />
the preservation of American security and<br />
the restoration of freedom and democracy<br />
in Europe, said Lane, former ambassador to<br />
Poland.<br />
Train Has a Theatre<br />
PHILADELPHIA—The Pennsylvania railroad<br />
has a new all-coach streamliner with a<br />
theatre showing newsreels continuously and<br />
a children's playroom. The new train is in<br />
i service on the Jefferson run that operates<br />
r between New York. Philadelphia and St.<br />
Louis.<br />
BOXOFnCE :<br />
6, 1948<br />
7iJa4j^ui^t
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