Members of the two writers’ guilds voted today in the Singapore Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to decide which of them, the Screenwriters’ Guild or the Screen Playrights, would represent screenwriters in the collective bargaining process. The Guild was the winner with 267 votes, to the Playrights tally of 57. Dudley Nichols, the president of the Guild was present. [In 1936 Nichols won the 1935 Academy Award for his screenplay for ‘The Informer,’ but refused it over a dispute between the Screenwriters’ Guild and the Academy. He did finally accept it during the 1938 Academy Awards. For the 1939 legends, he did a little work on the ‘Gunga Din’ script, and was at this time prepping ‘Stagecoach’].
Lucille Ball at RKO has had her contract at the studio torn up and was issued a better one, all based upon her recent successes in the ‘Annabel’ series. [See May 31]
Henry O’Neill has re-upped at WB for another year. That will mean eight years at the studio. He is currently on loan to MGM for ‘The Chaser.’ His first assignment at Warners on his new contract will be for ‘Brother Rat.’ [He will be kept busy in 14 films for 1939, including ‘Dodge City,’ ‘Juarez,’ and Confessions of a Nazi Spy].
Crane Wilbur, a screen writer files suit against Stuart Holmes asking $3211 damages for an motor accident. [Wilbur was Pearl White’s leading man in ‘The Perils of Pauline,’ one of the most popular silent serials. He also was the cousin of Tyrone Power. Eight films in 1938; followed by six credits for 1939].
OUTSIDE HOLLYWOOD
William Wyler is in New York, and will leave tomorrow for Europe. [Since he was out from under his Goldwyn commitment (having been replaced on ‘The Cowboy and the Lady’) he was looking forward to a time to relax and recover. Upon his return in September he will begin work on ‘Wuthering Heights’ with Merle Oberon].
Lloyd Bacon and his unit left early this week for Pensacola FL. They will be shooting for about two weeks for the WB production of ‘Wings over the Navy.’ Air shots are promised of the latest naval bombers and pursuit aircraft. Ronald Reagan and Henry O’Neill are set for principal roles. George Brent and Frank McHugh will join the crew in Pensacola later. [Bacon served in the navy in WWI, and was at this time a Lieutenant Commander in the reserves].
ON THE MOVE
Sonja Henie sails for Norway for a two month vacation.
Robert Coote just completed his role in ‘Mr Moto in Egypt,’ and will be joining the cast of ‘Gunga Din.’ [This has necessitated Coote’s withdrawal from a WB film at their studio in Teddington-on-the-Thames in Sept].
PER ED SULLIVAN
The columnist chides David O Selznick for missing the wave of popularity for the Mitchell book Gone with the Wind. He opines that he has lost the opportunity for historic grosses – and states he has fumbled the ball with his business inefficiency. [I think Mr Sullivan missed the boat on this prediction].
BORN ON THIS DAY
Bernard Herrmann – age 27 – composer and conductor – [Herrmann was hard at work in 1938 on Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater of the Air. He would follow Orson to Hollywood to work on his films at RKO – ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘Magnificent Ambersons.’ One of my favorites, especially his scores for Hitchcok in the 50s].
Joan Davis turns 26. [Just voted the screen’s number one comedienne per a nation-wide poll put on by a New York daily newspaper].
