Evening star., 1939-01-15
Better Films
May Result
From Suit
Antitrust Action
Leading Toward
Studio Action
By Douglas ". Churchill
BY Douglas ". Churchill.
HOLLYWOOD.

Anticipating de1eaC at the nandS
Of the Government in the antitrust
suit, there appears to be a movement
on to strengthen the product of the
major concerns. This week 1t was
learned that several lots are reduc-
ing the number of their B, c and D
pictures, while improving the quality
of those left on their schedules.
Optimists point out that with the
re-establishment of competition by
independent producers, in the event
that American theaters are opened
to their product, that it will be nee
essary for the major factories to in
crease the stature of their run-of-
the-mill epics.
While Hollywood is still quite un-
concerned over the Federal action,
the distributing division of the in
dustry appears aware of the neces-
sity for change. Recently delega-
ton from the sales organization of
Twentieth Century-Fox waited on
the studio and demanded that some
thing be done with the second and
third raters. AS result, number
of contemplated films were aban-
doned, and several highly-paid writ
ers were employed to work on the
scripts of a number of pictures de-
signed for the second spot on double
bills.
Warmers are cutting down the
number of their inferior pictures.
and it is probable that the studios
entire schedule will embrace but 4S
films for 1939-40 against go of year
ago. R-K-O, Paramount, Universal
and Metro are said to be reshapine
their programs to minimize to some
extent their insults to the publics
intelligence.
The customers must not get the
idea, however, that Utopia is in the
offing. Possibly the best way to de-
scribe the new order is to say that
in the future unworthy films will be
unintentional rather than delib-
crate. Most of the $50 900 to 5000 ,OOG
pictures have suffered from bad and
hasty writing With competent seem
artists allowed sufficient time to fash
ion their scripts, frequently they
can compensate for inept acting and
direction. The BIS are considered a
proving ground for new talent, but
the producers have been unable to
test thoroughly their discoveries
with the atrocious scenarios they
have been using. Not even good and
seasoned actors could appear to ad-
vantage in the second and third
raters.
Sally Rand's Art
Meets Obstacles.
The sponsors of Sally Rand S
screen career are experiencing diff
Guilty in getting their art in the
fullness of its beauty on the screen.
The latest obstacle has been in find
ing suitable title for the picture.
A whodunit of normal proportions
it was called originally Murder en-
the Sunset Strip" its locale being
that portion of Hollywood contain
ing number of night clubs and
known to the natives as The Strip.
With acquisition of Miss Rand, they
saw possibilities and changed it to
THE Sunset Strip Case" which, the
Hays Office felt, created an erroneous
impression. Upon the insistence of
that organization, it is now known
as THE Sunset Murder Case" there
being nothing suggestive about
either sunset or murder.
In photographing Miss Rand's
contribution to the epic, the usual
difficulties befell the producers. They
engaged her for one week at $2,50O.
The week was to end Saturday, and
she had an engagement in a local
club for 10 o'clock that night. Miss
Rand was ignored until $50 on Sat-
| urday afternoon, when the Peacock
production number, the high light
of the picture, had to be made. Be-
fore the eyes of four cameras set
at different angles, Miss Rand did
her dance, and approximately 5000
feet of film was made between $50
and $40 pm. She was then placed
in a car with a police escort and
| (Sao rIJTTpOUITI Dooo EoI