ROUND THE STUDIOS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 16

ROUND THE STUDIOS

W. C. Fields is discussing the possibility of playing the title role in “The Wizard of Oz.” Radio, wanting more big-name stars, have signed up Claudette Colbert and Bob Burns for one picture each. Tyrone Power, on his recent holiday, was refused permission by the studio to fly to New York. He had to go by train. One of next year’s Hardy family pictures will be “Andy Hardy at Vassar." Vassar is the great American girls* college. Richard Arlen turned down Columbia’s race-track film, “Thoroughbred," because he did not want to co-star with a horse. -Z When Robert Riskin left Columbia he left “Our Wife,” which he was to direct. But it will still be made, with Jean Arthur and Cary Grant co-star-ring. Paramount are meditating a remake of “Morocco.” Marlene Dietrich’s first American film, as a British quota picture. Frank Lloyd is being mentioned as director. Priscilla Dawson, who plays the Spanish beauty in “The Girl of the Golden West,” has a part in “Three Loves Has Nancy,” with Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery and Franchot Tone.

Leslie Fenton, husband of Ann Dvorak, gave up acting to direct. Lately he returned, at the request of Norman Taurog. for a part in “Boystown,” with Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.

“DAD AND DAVE COME TO TOWN" Cinesound have just completed their first cut copy of “Dad and Dave Come to Town.” and Associated British Empire Films executives are highly enthusiastic regarding its entertainment and box-office potentialities. Characteristic of this enthusiasm is the statement of general manager Gordon Ellis, who says:— “I have been advocating the promotion of another ‘Dad and Dave’ Cinesound comedy for a long time, and after seeing the first cut copy of ‘Dad and Dave Come to Town’ I have no hesitation in acclaiming it the greatest money-making certainty ever offered to Australian and New Zealand showmen. “The story moves from the country home of the famous Rudd family to an ultra-modern ladies* gown salon, which Dad has inherited, and which the family comes to town to run. It is literally crammed with comedy—honest, down-to-earth comedy, that kept our critical executive in convulsions of laughter. “It’s a big picture in every sense of of the term, and I have no doubt audiences everywhere will heartily agree when they see it. It is the intention of the Associated British Empire Films to release the film very shortly. Meanwhile, Cinesound’s cutting staff are busily engaged on the final cuts, under the supervision of producer-director Ken G. Hall, while the art department are already at work on the sets for the next production, Mr Chedworth Hits Out’ (tentative title), starring Cecil Kellaway, who will shortly arrive in Australia from Hollywood, for the leading role.” Bert Bailey, who has appeared with such success in his characterisations of “Dad” from Steel Rudd's book, “On Our Selection,” will make a personal tour with “Dad and Dave Come to Town,’’ and will be seen in the four New Zealand centres. NEW BRITISH COMPANY FORMED A new 7 company has been formed in London under the name of Capad to I bring about a close working arrange- ’ ment between various British studios i and production concerns. The direcI tors are Messrs Anthony Havelocki Allen. Reginald Baker. Michael Balcon, | Stephen Courtauld. Richard Norton i and Arthur Rank. The name is an ab--1 breviation of “Co-operative Association of Producers and Distributors.” “The company is being formed with a view to sponsoring the production nf economical British films at any of the major studios for release through Assot ated British Flm Distributors, the distributing unit for Associated Talking Pictures,” Mr Baker states. “The machinery of Capad will be available for all approved British productions. The general idea is to get a certain amount of co-operation betw’een the studios and the personnel and to interchange what is available, so as to avoid ‘lag.’ Some of the pictures will be made on a co-operative arrangement, and the scheme extends the idea of co-operation to the distributors as well.” At the moment Pinewood and Ealing are the two studios involved, but the new company is said to be negotiating with another major studio. Mr Stephen Courtauld, who built i Ealing studios, is the famous artificial silk manufacturer, and is considered one of England’s wealthiest men Mr R. P. Baker is managing director of many English companies. Mr l Michael Balcon was for years producer-in-chief of Gaumont-British, Gainsborough Flms and latterly M-G-M Mr Anthony Havelock-Allan is a film producer. Mr Arthur Rank is a multimillionaire flour merchant, who built Pinewood studios. Captain Richard Norton is a producer.