BIG FILM DEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23667, 26 November 1938, Page 9

BIG FILM DEAL

M.G.M. PRODUCTIONS IMPORTANT STARS AND STORIES One of the most important film deals of recent years was completed this week, when the 1939 output of motion pictures from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ltd., studios was secured by Fuller Theatre Corporation, Ltd., and John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation, Ltd., and New Zealand Theatres, Ltd.. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and these exhibiting organisations, who have the largest number of city, suburban, and provincial theatres throughout the Dominion, have been associated for an unbroken period of nine' years. The first-release theatres involved in Dunedin are the Empire, Regent, and St. In 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will have an array of outstanding productions. Among the famous and popular performers will be Norma Shearer, who has returned to the screen after a rather long absence since the untimely death of her producer-husband, Irving Thalberg, and who will be seen in the spectacular production "Marie Antoinette," in which Tyrone Power, Robert Morley, John Barrymore, Anita Louise, Joseph Schildkraut, and Gladys George also appear. Other stars who will be seen in a wide variety of films are Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer, Robert Donat, Robert Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, Mickey Rooney, Wallace Beery, Freddie Bartholomew. Margaret Sullavan, Melvyn Douglas, Maureen O'Sullivan; also such well-known players as Rosalind Russell, Frank Morgan. Judy. Garland, Lewis Stone, Henry Hull, Cecilia Parker, Robert Young James Stewart,' Walter Pidgeon. Franchot Tone, Janet Gaynor, Walter Connolly, Reginald Owen, Mary Astor, Paulette Goddard, H. B. Warner, Nat Pendelton, Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Denis O'Keefe, and Herbert Marshall.

Every possible kind of entertainment is embraced by the productions which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will present. In addition to "Marie Antoinette," major attractions will include " Sweethearts," v/ith Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Frank Morgan, Florence Rice, Mischa Auer; "Too Hot to Handle," with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy; "The Great Waltz," with Luise Rainer and Fernand Gravet; and "The Crowd Roars," an exciting boxing story and successor to "A Yank at Oxford, with the same stars, Robert Taylor and Maureen O'Sullivan and Frank Morgan- . „ ~ In view of the sensation caused by Dr Cronin's book, a special interest attaches to the film version of "The Citadel," with Robert Donat and Rosalind Russell in the principal roles. Another highly important feature, which breaks clean away from the usual, is "Boy's Town," with that ace of character actors Spencer Tracy playing, for the second time in his career, the role of a priest (the first occasion being in "San Francisco"). "Boy's Town" is the actual story of Father Flanagan's vast camp for homeless boys in Nebraska. It was founded 21 years ago by Father Flanagan, who insisted that the boys should govern themselves. From among their number they elect a Mayor and commissioners; they appoint their own punishments (to fit the crime) and their own rewards. As Father Flanagan .is still alive, Spencer Tracy's task in faithfully portraying him is made all the more difficult. Another unusual piece of splendid entertainment will be " Boy From Barnardo's," with those two splendid young actors Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, and a talented newcomer, Terry Kilburn. All the great traditions of Dr Barnardo's British institution are brought out in this story. There will also be " Love Finds Andy Hardy," one of the increasingly popular and wholesome " Judge Hardy's Children " series, with Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Lewis Stone, and Cecilia Parker. "The Shining Hour" will have a great cast in Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Melvyn Douglas, and Robert Young, likewise "Three Loves Has Nancy." with Robert Montgomery, Janet Gaynor, Franchot Tone, Claire Dodd, Reginald Owen and Guy Kibbee. " Stablemates " will star Wallace Beery, Mickey Rooney and Margaret Hamilton; " Shopworn Angel," Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart and Walter Pidgeon; "Listen, Darling," Freddie Bartholomew, Judy Garland, Walter Pidgeon and Mary Astor; "Rich Man, Poor Girl," Robert Young, Lew Ayres and Ruth Hussey; and "Fast Company," Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice. In addition to " The Great Waltz," Luise Rainer will be seen in " Dramatic School." in which she is supported by Alan Marshall and Paulette Goddard. and in the big success "Toy Wife," in which Melvyn Douglas is her leading man, and there also appear Robert Young. Barbara O'Neil and H. B. Warner. Other features will be "Young Doctor Kildare" (Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore), "Christmas Carol" (Reginald Owen, Terry Kilburn and Lynne Carver), " Vacation for Love " (Denis O'Keefe, Florence Rice and Reginald Owen), "Spring Dance" (Maureen O'Sullivan and Lew Ayres), "Woman Against Woman" (Virginia Bruce. Herbert Marshall. Mary Astor and Janet Beecher). and " The Chaser " (Denis O'Keefe, Ann Morriss. Lewis Stone and Nat Pendelton). Laurel and Hardy, the everpopular comedians who recently broke their long partnership, will be accorded ■ a farewell in what is described as their runniest comedy, " Blockheads." Other leading productions are to be announced" by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer later.

An outstanding feature of all Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer programmes has always been the excellence of the short subjects, the standard of which promises to be even higher next year. There will be a series of the uproarious Robert Benchley comedies, and of the entertaining Pete Smith Specialties. Sporting subjects will be dealt with in several " Miniatures," and there will be the usual popular Fitzpatrick Traveltalks in colour. The "Crime Doesn't Pay " series will be continued. An innovation will be the "Passing Parade " featurettes, which can be best described as miniature "Marches of Time," and there will also be included the M.G.M. Musicals, the Metrotone News and the " Our Gang " comedies. Great directors under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are Frank Borzage, Clarence Brown. Jack Conway ("A Yank at Oxford"). George Cukor ("Romeo and Juliet"), George Fitz Maurice, Victor Fleming ("Captains Courageous"). Sidney Franklin ("The Good Earth"), Robert Leonard ("Maytime"), Walter Ruben, George Seitz, and the celebrated W. S. Van Dyke, who made "After the Thin Man" and more recently was responsible for "Marie Antoinette."