LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1946, Page 6

LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

M.

Murphy)

(SPECIAL — From Les.

"The Hunter is a Fugitive" ar original story by Leslie Eagely, has oeen purchased by Columbia to serve as the basis of the seventh picture in the studio's series based apon the "Whistler" radio programme. Edgely is. author of many of the playlecs used in tiie popuiar ••Wnistler" broadcasts. Forrest Tucker has the male lead m Coiumbia's. "Dangerous Business." Working in her first film since being married to Conrad Nagel, Lynn Merrick plays opposite i'ucKer. William Castle is now busy at Columbia studios direcuing "The Crime Doctor's Man Hura," the next series of mystery features, itarring Warner Baxter. Dusty Anderson, only member of the original "Cover Girl" group of beauties to remain under contract to Columbia, is cast as the second of Rita Hayworth's eight sister muses in the technicolour romantic musical, "Down to Earth." This is Dusty's third musical with Rita Hayworth. She made her movie debut in "Cover Girl" and followed this with a spot in "Tonight and Every Night." She scored her greatest success as the handmaiden in "1001 Nights." Arthur Shields, broiher of Barry Fitzgerald, portrays the role of a priest, a type of role in which his orother soared to fame in "Going My Way," in "Gallant Journey," which stars Glenn Ford and Janet Blair. Humphrey Bogart sets up "social security" (for Mr. Bogart) with the oigning of a 15-year contract with Warner Bros. studios. Mrs. Bogart (Lauren Bacall) immediately expressed her oft repeated wish to start raising a very large family. I cannot recall Bogart being faced vviih such a situation in any of his pictures. Monty Woolley nearly lost his famous beard during the filming of Warner's "Night and Day." At the end of a courtly bow for the benefit of the camera, he leaned too close to a bowl of flaming punch that graced the scene, and Mr.. Woolley's command of suitable adjectives for all occasions was delightfully in evidence. The experimenfal glass booth which was the forerunner of the "blimp" arouncl the modern camera, and a 1927 camera, both used in production of "The Jazz Singer,"' and now the property of the Cinerna Museum at U.S.C., wero borrowed for use as props in "The Jolson Story." The cla equipment was used in scenes depicting A1 Jolsen's experiencos while makiilg the pioneer sound film. Eileen Herlie, an unkncwn actress, who soared to stardom in the stage success "The Eagle Has Two Heads," will play the ti;ie role in the Orson Welles British film production "Salome." Dick Hayrnes and B'Tty Grable team together in "The Shocking Miss Pilgrim," which is shortly to be released in 'New Zealand. Haymes is now working in "Carnival in Costa Rica."

i The screenplay for "Lady Wind..srmere's "Fan," Oscar Wilde's famous story has been completed and bhe picture will be produced at Warner Bros. studios. Noted stage acoress,, Selena Royle. who made her film debut two years ago in "The Sullivans" has a featured role in "Gallant Journey." Miss Royle plays the part of Glenn -Ford's mother, and Ford plays John J. Montgomery, first man to piiot a heavier-than-air- machine. Selena Royle recently completed important roles in "The Green Y"ears" and "Till the End of Time."