NEW SEASON'S FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1939, Page 15

NEW SEASON'S FILMS

COLUMBIA'S PLANS

IMPORTANT DIRECTORS

More than ever today, in films directors count. The names of Capra and Columbia Pictures have been linked in successively bigger films, and now for Columbia's 1939-40 season, details of which are announced by Mr. B. Vinsen, general manager for Columbia Pictures Proprietary, Ltd., of New Zealand, Capra has been joined by a whole group of top-flight Hollywood directors. They induce Frank Lloyd. Howard Hawks, Wesley Ruggles, Rouben Mamoulian, and Alexander Hall. The name of Frank Lloyd will always be associated with "epic" pictures. Picturegoers who remember "Mutiny on the Bounty," "If I Were King," "Wells Fargo," and "Cavalcade" will realise just what the Frank Lloyd touch means. Howard Hawks is admitted a master, of big aviation dramas, though this season he is directing a Hecht-Mc Arthur comedy. Wesley Ruggles, who is supervising two Columbia pictures, vill be remembered for his vigorous "Cimarron," and Mamoulian, whose "Golden Boy" will shortly be showing here, for Garbo's "Queen Christina," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and the NTino M*«rtini musical "The Gay Desperado." Alexander Hall was responsible for many bright touches in Columbia comedies such is "There's Always a Woman" and "Good Girls Go to Paris." CAPRA, THE GENIUS. It is Capra, however, who will go down in cinema history as the genius of Columbia. Capra, three times Academy Award winner, director of "You Can't .Take it With You," "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," and "Lost Horizon," is once again making Columbia's most important picture. It was the success of "Mr. Deeds" that prompted Columbia to entrust Capra with "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," a simple, amusing tale of a homespun lad who i» catapulted into the turmoil of a big city. Mr. Smith gets involved in all the intricacies of politics. Again Jean Arthur is the star, and James Stewart, who has become an important leading man, is Mr. Smith. The supporting cast includes Edward Arnold and Claude Rains. Capra insists on making just one picture a year. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is that picture. Howard Hawks has a distinct flair for comedy. A Howard Hawks picture which promises well is "His Girl Friday," which stars Gary Grant and Irene Dunne, both of whom will be remembered for their work in "The Awful Truth." Ralph Bellamy, who is rapidly rising to stardom, is also in the cast, and the original stage play was written by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur, sufficient guarantee of witty dialogue. Another Howard' Hawks production, untitled as yet, is also scheduled. Wesley Ruggles has already commenced production on "Arizona," a big Technicolor outdoor drama. "Arizona," in the "Cimmarron" tradition, is a story of America's west during the Civil War days. It stars Jean Arthur, who will be remembered for her characterisation as Calamity Jane in "The Plainsman." Warren William is also in the cast. A second Wesley Ruggles production Will be announced shortly. Frank Lloyd is directing two pictures, ■ the first entitled "The Tree of Liberty." This is a chronicle of the beginnings of American liberty, and was adapted from Elizabeth Page's best-selling! novel, liloyd's second production has not yet been announced, but it is ex-; pected to give him the broad, canvas he delights in. Rouben Mamoulian who made such a fine job of translating Clifford Odets's "Golden Boy" to the screen will also be in charge of one or more important films. BLONDELL AND DOUGLAS. Alexander Hall is one of Hollywood's most versatile directors. "Good Girls Go to Paris," a Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas picture now showing in New Zealand, demonstrates what he can do with comedy. "SuperClipper" reveals he is equally at home in aviation drama. "SuperClipper" includes some of the greatest flying thrills yet brought to the screen. Hailed as the best Alexander Hall comedy yet is "The Doctor Takes a Wife," which again stars Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas, who are proving one of the most popular comedy teams. Cycles of family pictures are here. One of the homeliest and most likeable families are the Bumsteads of the "Blondie" series. Several "Blondie" pictures including "Blondie Meets the Boss" and "Blondie Takes a Vacation" are already in New Zealand. "Blondie" pictures for 1939-40 are "Blondie Brings Up Baby" and two others. Other special productions featured include a couple of "Lone Wolf" productions starring, of course, Warren William. Those who have read and enjoyed the Louis Joseph Vance novels will agree that Warren William fits the Lone Wolf character. Another interesting series features Edith Fellowes, the brilliant child actress. This is known as the "Five Little Peppers" series, and the first' is "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew." They are all in the light vein suggested by the title. One of the most popular comedians on the screen is the widemouthed .Joe E. Brown, who is making two comedies. OTHER SPECIALS. Other specials which Columbia has in hand are "Men in Sing-Sing," a story of America's grim prison fortress on the Hudson; "I Married Adventure," another jungle story by Mrs. Martin Johnson, widow of the famous explorer; "American at Scotland Yard," the story of a New York detective transplanted to London; "Scandal Sheet," heralded as one of the biggest newspaper stories yet produced; and "Prison Surgeon," starring Walter Connolly. "Men in Sing-Sing" was written by Warden Lewis E. Lawes, who is supposed to know more than any other man about the American underworld. Further big Columbia productions will probably be chosen from among the'mass of story material In the studio files. "Literary properties" on Columbia's shelves include "The Life of Alfred Nobel." by Peter Freuchen, the life adventure of the man who invented dynamite: "Chopin," by Sid« ney Buchman: three "Saturday Evening Post" stories by Clarence Buddington Kelland, who wrote "Mr. Deeds" and "Arizona," entitled "The Stars Shine Twice," a quick-witted, sophisticated story by Clare Boothe. author of "The Women," and "Valley Forge," the famous Theatre Guild play by Maxwell Anderson." Columbia will release four Jack Holt productions during the coming year. Two other Western stars are Charles Starrett and Bill Elliott, both of whom are making several pictures. Columbia's short subjects include colour rhapsodies, cartoon fantasies, fables, community sines, screen snapshots, travelogues, and sports cavalcades. The serials promise to be more interesting than ever. First is one of Edear Wallace's most excitins stories. "The Green Archer," and then "The Shadow," which, as a radio programme, has thrilled millions of listeners in the United States. Then "Terry and

the Pirates," and finally "Deadwood Dick," which brings to life a character who has thrilled generations throughout the world. EUROPEAN PICTURES. Finally, special mention should be made of Columbia's arrangement with Denham Studios, England, whereby a limited number of pictures made in Denham by Columbia will be released. The first of these, "Clouds Over Europe." has just had its New Zealand premiere. If arrangements with Denham are not upset by the war, the coming season will see a further quota of British production? released here, including "The Spy in Black." featuring Valeric Hobson arid Conrad-Veidt, and "Ten Days in Paris," Credit must go to Columbia, incidentally, for assisting in educating New Zealand picturegoer? in Continental films. A remarkable French film which. Columbia Recently brouaht to New Zealand us Duviviet's "Un Carnet de Bal" (retitled "Life Dances On"), and further outstanding Continental pictures wjlj probably come here during the coming season.