Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

40 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 27, 1928 Qriffith Follows Academy Speech With Explanation on "Art" Universal to Make Sequel to "Phantom"; Will LaRocque Retire?" O'Brien and Bell on Fox B. B. Team; Extra Boy Makes Good By DOUGLAS HODGES HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 23.— D. W. Griffith explained today that he was misinterpreted following his address last week at the meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Reports of Griffith's speech caused a hullabaloo in film circles. A number of so-called trade journals, as well as daily papers, quoted him carelessly and added to an already growing interest in his statement regarding talking pictures. ON A LOT OF THE LOTS HE denies having said there is "no art in talking pictures." His statement is of interest, however, for other reasons. His words are as follows: "What I did say was that I personally preferred to have motion pictures called a business. I do not think the industry is yet deserving of being called an art. "I went on to say that when motion pictures had created something to compare with the plays of Euripides that have lasted these 2,000 years or the works of Homer or the plays of Shakespeare or of Ibsen or of Keats, 'Ode to a Nightingale,' or the music of Handel and Bach and Wagner, then let us call our new form of entertainment an art, but not before. "So far all our pictures I believe have been written on sand. The medium is perishable; the medium is far from being equal to the medium of words, written or spoken, and I welcome talking pictures, as it may be through this medium, where we can use words and music, that in the future it may be possible to produce motion pictures which can be classed with the great plays, paintings, poems, music and other proven art forms. "But so far the pictures made were only good for a few years and then, by their faulty medium, they became obsolete, while the dialogue of Shakespeare is as beautiful and telling as the day it was written. "Also I said I did not believe it was possible to make popular box office pictures that would appeal to the people that were also great artistic achievements. How can you expect this of the motion pictures when in the United States of America which is the greatest market, and without which you cannot live, it is plain fact that one 'Abie's Irish Rose' will bring in more money than all the plays of Shakespeare, Ibsen and the classics combined?" * * * Mae Murray's case for perjury came to an end last week when Mae dropped in at the District Attorney's office and said she did not sign "the papers." She said some one had obviously forged her name to the inventories and that she does not have any suspicions regarding the guilty party. Now let's hope that ends it! * * * Rod LaRocque Quitting Screen? The dailies carried an item last week that Rod LaRocque is contemplating a retirement from the screen. Vilma Banky, his wife, is working stead ily in Samuel Goldwyn productions and has a contract with two years yet to run. Her weekly salary is in four figures. * * * Edwards and Kaufman Wed Saulter Sisters Harry Edwards, director, and Eddie Kaufman, scenarist, at Educational were married last week. The director and the writer wedded sisters, Thelma and Georgia Saulter, at the home of E. H. Allen, general manager of the studios. William Russell was best man for Kaufman, William Daily best man for Edwards, and maids of honor were Margaret Shuman and Julie Taurog. * * * U Plans Sequel to "Phantom" Universal will make a picture to sequel "The Phantom of the Opera." It will be called "The Return of the Phantom" and it will be directed by Paul Leni. Carl Laemmle, Jr., is the probable supervisor and Conrad Veidt is the logical man for the big role. It was Chaney who had the "Phantom" role in the other. * * * Extra Boy Cops Casting Job J. Wellington Scott, former extra and bit player, is in the casting job with the Henry King unit for Inspiration picture, "She Goes to War." He has had a brief experience with Loretta Fitzpatrick in the casting business but his jobs in Hollywood have consisted mostly of $10 per day part work. * * * Schuman-Heink's son, Henry SchumanHeink, was found guilty of grand theft by a jury last week in San Diego. It was introduced in evidence that he had used securities which were the property of others. He was formerly in motion pictures. * * * Fox Basketball Team Called Murnau's Devils F. W. Murnau, director, has selected the members of the basketball team that will represent the Fox studios. They are Rex Bell, acting captain, George O'Brien, Big Boy Williams, Max Gold, Eddie Grainger, Ad Schaumer, and Charles Farrell. Williams has a good reputation in athletic circles gained at University of Texas. Gold was All-American in 1923; Schaumer was on the second All-American team in 1923. Grainger did a thing or two in B. B. at Fordham College three years ago. / Understand That CHARLES LAMONT Is Now Directing Dorothy Devore Comedies for Educational Dick Brandow Roland V. Lee Frank Merrill Natalie Kingston Frank Roderick Alona Tennant Regarding Leone Lane Esther Ralston James Hall Nora Lane Lela Mae Chambers William Gibbs William Wellman HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 23— Dick Brandow is gaining an enviable position at Paramount He was recently promoted from an assistant in the property department to head property man on Roland V. Lee's set, with a substantial increase in salary. Dick started on the lot with plenty of determination and his close observations have won promotions from time to time. Although only 22 years of age, he is due for great heights. Marriage can become a habit, says Frank Roderick, assistant casting director for Fox. On June 17, Roderick and Alona Tennant took a trip to Tiajuana, Mexico, where they were married. On that day, Frank took ill and was rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles, where he was operated on for appendicitis. Later he married Miss Tennant again. Frank is wondering if he has two anniversaries or what or which. Wire, write or phone him, care of Fox studios. Leone Lane, Paramount's recent acquisition, is working in her first picture under Paramount's banner. She has been chosen for an important role in "The Case of Lena Smith." The cast includes Esther Ralston, James Hall and Nora Lane. Lela Mae Chambers will again enter the films, after an absence of more than two years. She has been asked to appear in talking pictur.es, but owing to illness which might interfere with her work she refused the part. Her singing and talking voice is gaining a reputation she never had in pictures. Have just learned that William Gibbs, of the publicity department of Fox studios, is editing and titling the Fox newsreel for the West Coast. This edition is for last moment news to insure the exhibitors the latest and will be welcome during football season when Movietone will be heard as well as seen on the scren. William Wellman, director of "Wings," Paramount special, is busy on another feature, title of which lias not been announced. — FRAZIER. "Barker," First Talker of FN, Goes Into Work (Continued from preceding page) story of the French Foreign Legion. Buster Collier, Eddie Gribbon, George Stone and Alma Bennett are in the principal roles. The only productions started on the Fox lot during the past week were two short Movietone subjects. "The Maker of Dreams" features Nancy Drexel and David Rollins under direction of Marcel Silver. Norman Taurog is directing "The Diplomat," the story and dialogue of which was written by Arthur Caesar. It is a Clark and McCullough comedy vehicle. The Movietone subject, "Napoleon's Barber," which John Ford was directing for Fox, was completed during the week. Natalie Golitzin and Otto Maticson were featured. Al Rogell completed the direction of "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" for Columbia. The cast included Bert Lytell, Gertrude Olmsted, Lilyan Tashman and Robert Elliott. Paramount completed "Three Week Ends," Clara Bow's current starring vehicle. Clarence Badger directed.