12 NO. 5 VOL. 1938 3, DEC. \ I ^ | \ METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER I T U D I 0 N E _w s 3 Numbers 3 New Myrna Loy’s Pet Pooch by Crawford Sung To Play A sta Role In Follies* ' For Ice New Thin Man Picure Headed straight for the hit parades of Myrna Loy’s wire-hair terrier, the country are three songs sun<? by Joan Published In the Interests of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Spike, will play the famous role of Follies of 1939,“ her California Crawford in “Ice Studios . Culver City, Asta in “The Thin Man Returns.” — new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring pro- Spike, whose brother was fea- duction in which she appears with James tured in a national contest by Stewart and Lew Ayres. Mark Taxes Hellinger, is being trained for the Realistic Film Battle The songs are “Something’s Gotta Hap- part when William Powell and Miss pen Soon,” by Brown and Freed, “Here Loy resume their popular roles in Again,” by Roger Stars I Co Falling In Love Endurance of Stand Up the “Thin Man” series. Edens, and “It’s All So New to Me,” by Petkere and Symes. The original Asta later became Mr. Smith in another picture, but Preview performances of the numbers the name Asta belongs to Metro- by Miss Crawford have already clicked, Goldwyn-Mayer. Spike’s ability to but the songs will not be used for record- learn tricks gave Miss Loy the idea ing or broadcast until shortly before the of giving him a chance to play the release of the film. Asta part and Spike is making rapid Follies of 1939” finds Miss Craw- “Ice progress. ford cast, for the first time, in the role Hunt Stromberg will produce of a singer. The picture, brought to the with W. S. Van Dyke II directing. screen by Harry Rapf, is directed by Rein- hold Schunzel. Nelson Eddy Sings Race Drivers Burn Cowboy Melodies In Speed In Race Film 'Song of the West* Dennis O’Keefe’s latest role puts him In ten-gallon hat and chaps, Nelson in the company of the world’s greatest Eddy went before the cameras this week racers, as he becomes the title character in “Song of the West,” surrounded by in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Burn ’Em one of the strongest casts ever assembled. Up O’Connor.” Appearing opposite the singing star is Cecilia Parker is seen opposite O'Keefe Virginia Bruce as his childhood sweet- Carey, racing as the daughter of Harry heart. Lionel Barrymore is Eddy's father, Pendleton, as car manufacturer. Nat a pioneer farmer; Edward Arnold is a rail- O’Keefe’s mechanic, and Charley Grape- road tycoon and Victor McLaglen is his win, as Doc Heath, supply the comedy Irish foreman. in the first of this new sport series, pro- The supporting cast includes Allen Jen- duced by Harry Rapf. Alan Curtis, Tru- kins, H. B. Warner, Guy Kibbee, Raymond man Bradley, Tom Neal, Tom Collins and Walburn and Sarah Padden. Phillip Terry have important roles. Jack Conway directs, with Harry Rapf Star drivers Louis Meyer, three-time producing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from Indianapolis winner, Kelly Petiilo, Rex Ben Hecht’s original story. Mays, Sam Hanks, Bob Swanson, Ron- part in sequences nie Householder take 1 filmed for the feature which Edward 'Nude Finn Starts Sedgwick directs. On River Location Double Marx Doubles With location on the Sacramento River, production started this week on “Huckle- berry Finn,” Mark Twain’s story of the In Honolulu Quartet Mississippi, starring Mickey Rooney. The Marx Brothers will appear The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture is proxy in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s by being directed by Richard Thorpe and new Eleanor Powell dancing musi- produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The cal, “Honolulu.” cast includes Rooney in the title role, the They will be impersonated by Walter Connolly, Rex Ingram, William quartette, but since King’s Men, a Frawley, Elizabeth Risdon, Minor Wat- there are four King’s Men and only son, Lynne Carver, Jo Ann Sayers, Sarah be three Marx Brothers, there will Edwards and Harlan Briggs. two Grouchos. The story deals with a Mississippi Groucho is not the only actor who River boy trying to smuggle an escaped will be seen double in “Honolulu.” slave to freedom. The story revolves around mistaken • • • identity and Robert Young plays a dual role. McKENNA SIGNED George Burns and Cracie Allen Kenneth McKenna has been signed to are featured in comedy roles. Jack a new long-term contract as story editor Cummings is the producer. for M-C-M. G!ad to call it quits after a week of grappling with one another George Murphy Signs They're Really Knee- in the snow, Robert Taylor and Wallace Beery completed the second New M-G-M Contract of two climactic fights for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Stand Up and George Murphy, triple-threat man Deep in Midgets Now an actor, Fight.” with his diversified talents as One hundred and four midgets, dancer, has been signed to a of film battles, could not name any which singer and gathered from ail parts of the In the first battle, fought in a stable- contract by Metro-Gold- been more strenuous. new long-term United States, have started re- yard under a hot sun, Beery whips had wyn-Mayer. hearsals for song and dance num- Taylor. In the return engagement The two stars head a cast which in- He has appeared in a number of bers as the Munchkins in “The the script required Taylor to reverse the cludes Florence Rice as leading lady, dancing-singing roles, his most recent be- Wizard of Oz.” In addition to decision, but the uncertain footing of a Helen Broderick, Charles Bickford, Barton ing “Little Miss Broadway” with Shirley his original troupe, Leo Singer foot of snow made the struggle anybody’s MacLane, Charley Grapewin, John Qualen, Temple, and “A Letter of Introduction.” toured the country, finding addi- battle, with Taylor admitting that the Robert Gleckler, Clinton Rosemond, Clau- The studio plans to feature the actor tional midgets at Miami, Chicago, wild scramble and slugging match taxed dia Morgan and Jonathan Hale. W. S. in a number of its new musical produc- and other points. him more than his ring work in “The Van Dyke directs, with Mervyn LeRoy Crowd Roars.” Beery, veteran of scores producing. tions. ' MacDonald Starts Brilliant Cast With Shearer New Singing Role in Idiot*s Delight And Gable In 'Broadway' Film Norma Shearer and Clark Cable are supported by one of the Making her second modern role, Jean- season’s most notable name casts in “Idiot’s Delight,” Metro-Gold- ette MacDonald launched work this week wyn-Mayer picture, which reunites them as co-stars for the first time on “Broadway Serenade.” Lew Ayres wins his most important as- since “A Free Soul” and “Strange Interlude.” signment to date as the star’s teammate Edward Arnold, Charles Coburn, Joseph Schildkraut, Burgess and husband, while Ian Hunter is his rival Meredith, Pat Paterson, Skeets Gallagher for the MacDonald hand. and Laura Hope Crews, head the players Also in the featured cast are William Brown for Gargan, Rita Johnson, Virginia Grey and selected by Director Clarence Hardys Voice Xmas With the actual filming of “Father the picturization of Robert Sherwood’s Katherine Alexander. Damien” completed this week, Carey Wil- 5 directs his own Pulitzer Prize winning play. Greetings In Ai GAT Robert Z. Leonard production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. son will begin recording the usual com- Gable, as a song-and-dance man, is Charles Lederer wrote the original story. mentary notes he adds to all his Metro- accompanied by the niftiest chorus of Yu I e t i d e Trailer The screen play is by Lederer, Lew Lipton blonde beauties in America, “Gable’s Goldwyn-Mayer miniatures. In this edi- A special holiday season trailer and Hans Kraly. Glamour Girls,” Virginia Grey, Paula tion, Wilson depicts the hardships and has been produced under the title Stone, Virginia Dale, Lorraine Krueger, of “Hearty Greetings from the experiences of Father Damien in his fight Bernadene Hayes and Joan Marsh. Hardy Family” for the Metro-Gold- New Song Vehicle to Christianize the lepers on the island Others prominently featured in the pic- wyn-Mayer accounts throughout the of Molokai. ture, which Hunt Stromberg brings to country. The entire Hardy family For Miliza Korjus the screen, are Peter Willes, Edward appears in a scene on Christmas The colorful role of a girl, reared Wilson is also working Raquello, Clem Bevins, Fritz Held and on the script morning and Lewis Stone greets the among the romantic gypsies or rural Hun- William Edmonds. of his next edition of the “What Do You audience in the name of the Hardy gary will be the next screen vehicle for family and all of the stars of the the golden-voiced Miliza Korjus, who Think?” series, which is as yet untitled. studio. A special card at the end made her screen debut as the singing !na Claire Joins of the trailer adds the best wishes star of “The Great Waltz.” "The Wrong Way Out,” which went of the theatre management. The story, an original by Walter Reisch, into production at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Traey-Lamarr Cast is based on an incident in the life of the this week, is the latest, edition of the picturesque Hungarian bandit leader Rosza “Crime Does Not Pay” Ina Claire this week returned to Holly- Taurog Re-Signed series and deals wood under a long-term contract with Sandor. with a young couple, who in spite of the Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer.