COLUMBIA PICTURES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1939, Page 9

COLUMBIA PICTURES

NOTEWORTHY PRODUCTIONS. Mr B. Vinsen, general manager for Columbia Pictures Proprietary, Ltd., in New Zealand, has announced the completion of negotiations for the screening of his company’s product in the forthcoming year, through theatres operated by Fuller’s Theatres. J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation, Ltd., and N.Z. Theatres, Ltd., Circuits, throughout New Zealand. He stated that his company will maintain the high standard of entertainment achieved in previous years, by producing in Columbia Studios, both in America and England, a total of 40 feature productions. First and foremost is “You Can’t Take It With You,” a film which has attained outstanding success in its release in America. “You Can’t Take It With You” won world-wide recognition first as a Pulitzer Prize play, which ran continuously for a full year on Broadway, and it is a matter of note that Coulmbia Pictures paid the record sum of £50,000 for the screen rights to this play. However, such a large expenditure has been unquestionably justified as already this unusual film has proven its vast entertainment value. In choosing his cast for this unique comedy Frank Capra favoured stars.of tried ability. Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore and James Stewart, also Edward Arnold. While supporting players of note are Mischa Auer, Ann Miller. Spring Byington, Donald Meek and H. B. Warner. This attraction is already in New Zealand, and its early release date is eagerly awaited. The notable success of the previous Frank Capra film, “Mr Deeds Goes to Town,” is influencing the studios to produce a sequel, “Mr Deeds Goes to Washington”—for the starring role of which it is hoped to secure Gary Cooper. Jean Arthur is once again to play the feminine lead. Within the last two months Columbia studios in Hollywood have been busily seeking a youthful star who will be cast to interpret the title role in “Golden Boy.” Jean Arthur will co-star with the male lead ultimately chosen to take the title role. “Golden Boy” is the second eminently successful stage play to. have been purchased by Columbia in recent months. In past years some of the most popular productions of the company have been the comedies in which that charming star, Irene Dunne, has appeared. “The Awful Truth,” last year’s success, will be followed by a comedy, as yet untitled, which will feature this versatile star, in another such hilarious role. A dramatic film entitled "Let Us Live,” will feature Henry Fonda, who has been specially engaged for the film. Maureen O’Sullivan has been cast to play the leading feminine role. Other outstanding attractions are: — “There’s That Woman Again,” featuring Melvyn Douglas and Virginia Bruce. "Blondie” is a scries of three pictures and will be produced emphasising the comedy flair which has made Columbia famous in the producing world. These pictures are based on Chic Young’s universally popular cartoon strip. “Mr and Mrs Detective” is a further comedy story dealing with the escapades of “Mr and Mrs Reardon.” "Our Wife” is a new star team, featuring dashing Cary Grant, and Jean Arthur, in this gay, romantic comedy. "The Lost Atlantis” is the camera’s magic bringing to vivid spectacular life the ancient legend of a continent that vanished beneath the waters of the turbulent Atlantic. "Good Girls Go to Paris” is a scintillating story of modern youth set in the fast tempo of 1939. "Of Lena Geyer," from the well-known novel by Marcia Davenport, is a powerful story of career versus love in a woman's life.

Harry Cohn, president of Columbia Pictures, has recently signed Marlene Dietrich to appear under the company’s banner and this famous star will be featured in a picture in which she will co-star with Cary Grant. In "Plane No. 4" Cary Grant will appear in a vigorous aviation story entitled "Plane No. 4." "Coast Guard" is a tale of adventure on the sea. In "Lone Wolf's Daughter" fiction’s favourite "gentleman rogue” brings flaring and romance to the screen, with that fine dramatic star. Warren William, playing the role of the Lone Wolf. In "Smashing the Spy Ring," Ralph Bellamy is co-starred with Fay Wray, in a topical picture which throws much light on the activities of modern spy systems. "Super Dreadnought” is an adventure story of the navy. "Flying Fortress” deals with the lives of adventure and romance of the aviation corps. In "Flight to Fame” the chief players are Charles Farrell. JacQueline

Wells and Alexander D'Arcy. "Crime Takes a Holiday” features Jack Holt, who will also appear in three other productions. "The Squealer' is a dramatic story of the public and private life of a "respectable" crook. A novel departure from the company s programme is the decision to produce during the coming year at least three pictures at Denham, England. The first is “The Spy in Black,” featuring Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson, and "Q-Plancs” is the second, starring Laurence Olivier, and Valerie Hobson. It cun be seen from the foregoing that Columbia Pictures in the new season will be offering the theatregoing public a variegated selection of film fare of a particularly high standard, and in keeping with their meritorious prod actions of past seas o n s.