Producers for MGM’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ want to have 350 or more little people to play the Munchkins. They have designs thereby to outdo Disney’s seven dwarfs. [Numbers vary according to differing sources. Mervyn LeRoy (and his casting director) had turned to Leo Singer who managed a troop of performing ‘midgets’ that he took on tours – around the country and the world. Normally based in Hollywood, when not traveling, the core group was numbered at 28. He set out to recruit more. Beginning in early September he would be paid $100 per week until October 4, after which he would be paid $200 per week until the little people were through with their scenes in the production].
Shooting completes at RKO on ‘The Mad Miss Manton.’ [It was released on Oct 8. Barbara Stanwyck moves from this film to work on ‘Union Pacific.’ Henry Fonda is just in time to begin work at Fox on ‘Jesse James’].
David Niven has been cast as the second lead in WB’s ‘Dawn Patrol.’ Also Basil Rathbone’s son Rodion will take a minor role in the film, to be listed as John Rodion. He will be taking a temporary leave from his job in the studio sound department. [Rodion has only one other screen credit as an actor – 1939’s ‘Tower of London’ from Universal. A film in which his father also appeared].
Hal Roach has terminated the contract of Stan Laurel, arguing that he is in breach of contract in two instances – failure to be available for retakes for ‘Blockheads,’ and was a ‘no-show’ for a story conference on Aug 1 for their next film. Laurel’s lawyer has countered that the comic is ready and willing to perform all the terms of his contract, and explained that he had been on a trip with his wife with the permission of the studio. Meanwhile another report adds that Harry Langdon is being put forward as a replacement for Laurel. [Hal Roach did put Oliver Hardy together with Harry Langdon in the feature – ‘Zenobia.’ The boys came back together for ‘The Flying Deuces,’ but not for Hal Roach. Boris Morros, the Paramount music director, produced it independently in the summer of 1939].
WB has announced two new historical films, both to be made in Technicolor. They are ‘Lincoln in the White House’ and ‘Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill.’ Dickie Moore will play Lincoln’s son Tad. [Both were part of the Technicolor film shorts series made by WB, the first in 1939, (and Dickie Moore did play Lincoln’s son). The second came out in 1940 under the title of ‘Teddy, the Rough Rider.’ It won the Oscar for best live short film that year].
Columnist Jimmie Fiddler had lunch with Jean Hersholt, who told him he had received a postcard from Warner Oland. Its message read, “Still going North. This is heaven.” Both were struck by the eeriness of the text. Oland, who played Charlie Chan, had passed away in Stockholm, his destination at the time of his postcard communication. [See Aug 6].
OUTSIDE HOLLYWOOD
Douglas Corrigan in Abany NY announced through the press that he denies that he signed any contract to appear in a film about his life. Nor did he sign to act as a technical adviser. A check with the studio’s home office in New York confirms that he did not sign a contract to appear or to be a tech adviser – but he did sign a contract giving RKO permission to film the story of his life.
Headline – “Don Ameche Home but Appendix in Holland” – after Ameche landed in New York City from the liner SS Rex. [See Aug 2].
