Boxoffice_May.09.1960

UA
"
'Cry for Happy' Role
To Japanese Star
HOLLYWOO D—William Goetz has
signed James Shigeta to star with Glenn
Ford in "Cry for Happy" at Columbia.
George Marshall is directing the film,
slated to roll next month. Shigeta recently
completed "Walk Like a Dragon" at Paramount
for James Clavell. The Hawaiian
born Japanese star will play the role of
Ford's sailor buddy who helps rent a
geisha house in
Japan.
* * *
Although she first acted in films in
1914, Tsuru Aoki (Mrs. Sessue Hayakawa)
will be given the special billing, "Introducing
Tsuru Aoki," in "Hell to Eternity,"
Irving H. Levin's Atlantic Pictures production
for Allied Artists. The actress plays
the Nisei mother of war hero Guy Gabaldon
in the picture.
* « *
Anne Francis has been signed by 'Vanguard
Productions to star in a feature
titled "Girl in the Dark," with Max Rosenberg
producing and Joe Cates helming for
Warners release. The film, slated to roll
June 6 in New York, is based on Dr.
Harold Greenwald's book, "The Call Girl."
Oscar Presentation
To Be on British TV
HOLLYWOOD — England's
British
Broadcasting Co. will televise its own
Oscar ceremonies this week with the presentation
of two Academy Awards won by
Hugh Griffith and Elizabeth Haffenden.
The special program to be aired in London
will give properly inscribed Oscars,
flown there last week, to Griffith, whose
performance in "Ben-Hur" won him the
best supporting actor nod; and Miss Haffenden,
who won the color costume award
for the same picture. Both winners were
unable to be present here to accept their
awards.
Bartlett Options Title
'All the Young Women'
HOLLYWOOD—"All the Young Women"
has been set aside as the title for a
future film by Hall Bartlett Productions
following evidence of exhibitor enthusiasm
for Bartlett's current "All the Young
Men," starring Alan Ladd and Sidney
Poitier, soon to be released by Columbia.
"Women" will not be a sequel to "Men,"
treat with similar basic problems
but will
on the distaff side.
Raised Eyebrow Dept.
NEW YORK—Producer Jules Dassin has
a new title for his upcoming United Artists
release. It will be released under the title
of "Never on Sunday." The original title
"
was "The Happy Whore. is being
asked if the principal character is a believer
in the blue laws.
Director Parrish Sues
For Unpaid 'Evil' Salary
HOLLYWOOD—Director Robert Parrish
has filed suit in superior court against
Omat Productions, Howard Beck and Lester
Braunstein for recovery of part of his
salary on "Brotherhood of Evil." He is
seeking an unpaid balance of $30,000,
described as roughly half of the total
commitment.
Six weeks ago a suit was filed against
Omat by Louis Jourdan for $100,000. Since
that time, however, Jourdan has announced
his intention to secure the rights
to the film himself as a vehicle for his
own production company. It was originally
slated to star James Mason with
Jourdan for Omat, but folded prior to
principal photography when Mason bowed
out.
WB Will Ask Patrons
To Help Select Cast
HOLLYWOOD—Something new in talent
searching is being projected by Jack
M. Warner for his program of independent
productions. Warner is giving the theatre
audiences themselves a chance to help in
selecting the cast of a Hollywood motion
picture.
For his forthcoming "Pentagon" and "In
My Uniform of Blue," Warner will make
and send a film on a torn- of the country
with tests he has made of new faces and
personalities he is considering for roles in
the productions. He will act as commentator
and tell the public what roles he has
in mind for the individual actors and
actresses, asking the audience to write in
their opinions to the theatre in which they
have seen the tests.
"It is the public that makes or breaks
stars," the producer says, "and I'm going
to ask the people who criticize or acclaim
screenplays to cooperate in selecting the
players."
Romanoff Story to Fox
HOLLYWOOD — Seventy-five
thousand
dollars were reportedly paid to Mike Romanoff
by 2 0th -Fox for the option on his
life story. Charles Brackett will produce
the Luther Davis screenplay, with Frank
Tashlin to direct.
Ernest Lehman Wins Edgar
HOLLYWOOD — Ernest Lehman has
won the Mystei-y Writers of America's
annual Edgar award for his original
screenplay of "North by Northwest,"
which was voted the "year's best written
screenplay in the mystery field."
Space to Lancaster, Hecht
HOLLYWOOD— Six offices on the Columbia
lot have been rented by Burt
Lancaster and Harold Hecht, who have
inked a deal to lens "Matter of Conviction"
there for United Artists release.
Dorothy Malone Gets
Role in 'Eye of Heaven'
HOLLYWOOD—Dorothy Malone, who
gave birth to a baby daughter a few weeks
ago, has been signed by producers Eugene
Frenke and Edward Lewis for the femme
starring role opposite Rock Hudson and
Kirk Douglas in "The Hot Eye of Heaven,
Brynaprod film for U-I release. She will
portray a cattle rancher's wife who was
Douglas' sweetheart in her girlhood, but
eventually falls in love with Hudson.
The pictui-e was slated to roll in Mexico
this week, with Robert Aldi-ich helming.
* »
Fabian will replace Gary Crosby as the
juvenile lead in "Go North," formerly titled
"The Alaskans," at 20th-Pox.
* * «
One of Broadway's bright young lights.
Norma Crane, is being imported by Hal
Wallis to play Shirley MacLaine's manhungry
office coworker in "All in a
Night's Work."
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