PRODUCTION PARS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 13

PRODUCTION PARS

Production has started at the Metro-Goldvvyn-Mayer Studios on the Pwobert Taylor-Heady Lamarr starring picture, temporarily entitled “Lady of the Tropics.” The supporting cast includes Ernest Cossart and Margaret Pedula. Sam Zimbalist is the producer. * * * * An announcement by the Warner Bros, studio states that Michael Curtiz will be given the directorial assignment on the company’s “Four Wives,” which will be a sequel to the outstandingly successful “Four Daughters” and other notable successes. * * * * Anthony Asquith is making splendid progress on “French Without Tears,” Paramount’s film based on the twoyear London stage success. Ray Milland and Ellen Drew specially went from America for the roles, and in add'tion to David Tree. Janine Darcey. Jim Gerald and others, Asquith, who made “Pygmalion,” has with him on this production the crew and technicians he had with that picture. This is being made at Sound City, Shepparton. * * * * Warners advise that “The Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” to which repeated reference has already been made in “The Film Weekly,” has been passed both by the censorship in Australia and the censorship in New Zealand. “The Confessions of a Nazi Spy” is a dramatic exposure of spy methods, and — because of its timeliness, its importance, and its story—its launching should be terrific. The picture, in short, presents the whole unvarnished truth regarding the subject with which it deals. y ¥ * * Just prior to his departure for the Coast and the Convention in Los Angeles, John W. Hicks, Junr., Paramount’s chief of foreign distribution, found time to write about the latest Irene Dunne Picture, “Invitation to Happiness.” He says that the screen's loveliest lady has never made a better film or given a better performance. Wesley Ruggles, the director-producer, known for his power to weave the human interest in stories, has excelled himself. “The picture brings a new and more understanding Fred Mac Murray,” says Mr Hicks.

Charles Reisner has been signed by Walter Wanger to direct his forthcoming production, “Winter Carnival,” for which background and atmosphericsequences were shot at Dartmouth during the College's carnival in New Hampshire. Y T Y Y Wanger's next release through United Artists will be “Stagecoach,” an adventure romance of American pioneering days with John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, George Bancroft, Thomas Mitchell and John Carradine and directed by John Ford. * ■¥• * * Lee Tracy returns to RKO-Radio late this month to play the title role in “The Spellbinder,” and to find opposite him a new leading lady—Barbara Read, recipient also of a long-term contract with the producing studio. Miss Read’s contract with RKO, and her elevation to a leading screen role is the direct result of a brilliant performance recently completed in the Anne ShirleyJames Ellison film, “That Girl From College.” * * * * Edward Small announces for future production, “Captain Frisco,” a story dealing with the romance and drama of the giant bridge between San Francisco and Oakland, and with the World’s Fair on Treasure Island as the exciting background. * * * * Already made at Denham is the sequel to “This Man is News,” called “This Man in Paris,” and with Valerie Hobson, Barry K. Barnes and Alastair Sim, the three who made a name for themselves in the former picture just released. In addition, Paramount has also made a very topical picture in “The Silent Battle” in which Valerie Hobson is also featured with Rex Harrison and John Loder. * * * * Ready for production by Mayflower Corporation is the Erich PommerCharles Laughton picture, “The Admirable Crichton.” This James M. Barrie play will also have Elsa Lanchester, Laughton’s wife, and Maureen O’Hara, a new discovery in this picture. This will be released in Australia and New Zealand by Paramount as will the already made “Jamaica Inn,” also starring Charles Laughton.