The Film Daily (1930)

THE -.agg^ I PAILV Tuesday, January 14, I9j ' Timely Topics A Digest of Current Opinion € Talkers Becoming Better Than Legitimate Productions VrOR can it be denied that the ^^ technical development of the talkies has been almost as rapid as their spread. Voices sound far more human than they did six months ago and a method of story telling, half way between that of the stage and that of the screen, has been developed so successfully that it is possible to maintain with some show of reason that a film like that of George Arliss in "Disraeli" is better than the original production of the play from which it is taken. "The Nation" Revolutionary Improvements Predicted by John Ford THEATERGOERS of 1940 will accept as a matter of course performances that seem incredible today. Despite the remarkable advances made by talking pictures in the short year or so of their existence. I believe the revolutionary improvements in the making and reproducing of vocal films will bring about changes the modern "fan" never dreamed of. These changes, from my viewpoint, will consist in a greater degree of entertainment in exchange for his money at the ticket window— which, after all, is something toward which all producers are always striving. The point is that a combination and a development of new film and sound principles, principles already proved in the laboratory and in practice, will result in pictures as far ahead of today's best efforts as these efforts are ahead of the crude, productions of twenty years ago. John Ford in "New York Eventing Post" t THEIR FIRST JOBS J. G. BACHMAN evening mail Along The Rialto with Phil M. Daly, Jr. BURTON HOLMES, whose travelogues were known to every picture-going person about 10 years ago, was the attraction at Carnegie Hall yesterday with his film depicting the 1929 season in and about London Morrie Ryskind, who once received his pay checks for writing p. a. stuff for the Rialto but nowadays writes books for musical shows, did such work on "Strike Up the Band," which opens tonight at the Times Square. The cast of this Broadway arrival, incidentally, includes Clark & McCiillough, who have been talkerized, and Joyce Coles, who has done much dancing in de luxe houses along Incandescent Lane * * * * Bertram Bloch, Emgeeem scenario expert, is author of "Even in Egypt," comedy which is going through the tryout process at Werba's Flatbush, Brooklyn, this week. The cast, by the way, is headed by George Jessel "The Kat's Meow," latest release of the Krazy Kat series, recently had a theme song written especially for this cartoon. The lyrics are by Jimmy Bronis and the music by Joe DeNat, musical director of the Winkler studios Dave Bader, Saturday did some chirping over the radio on local biographies or something. No, it wasn't a slumber hour * * * « John Briggs, scenic artist, the other day threw a respectable but devilish little party all for the sole purpose of having the gang visit his new hide-away on 56th St. Harry Takiff, acted as mental gymnast, phrase juggler or ceremony guy Here is the latest line-up of steady house talent at the Beacon, J. J. Byrne, manager; S. Zins, assistant manager; T. Clinton, treasurer; and M. Kaplan, head usher * * * * Joseph Littau has assumed direction of the Roxy Symphony Orchestra, Joseph was born at Elizabeth, N. J Capt. Lisandro Garay, of the Honduras Army, who will attempt an air-mail trail between New York and Honduras in April, will be a guest of honor at Warners Beacon, tonight. Well, Capt., hit or miss, we're with you Jimmy Gleason just raked in three, more contracts. One each with Warners, Pathe and Tiffany * • * * Arthur Forde has been appointed Eastern representative for "Hollywood Filmograph," which Harry Burns guides H. M. Warner paid a visit to John J. Raskob at Wilmington. Del., the other night So the Ivan Abramson case will have to manage without the services of Senator Brookhart * * * * Ed Delaney, Loew publicity chieftain, is back in town after a trip to Boston to publicize Gene Dennis, psychic, who opens at Loew's State in that city Monday. She gave, a demonstration to Boston newspaper men which Ed vows was a wow * * * * The production personnel of every featiu^e released in America in 1929 will be included in the forthcoming FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK. JANUARY 14-MANY HAPPY RETURNS Best wishes and congratulations are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the following members of the industry, who are celebrating their birthdays today: Bebe Daniels A. S. Kirkpatrick Clara Beranger Edward Bowes Ray Hallor Mary Ann Jackson Hugh Saxon William Livingston -AND THAT'S THAT By PHIL M. DALY HOWARD HIGGIN, director . "The Racketeer," has sent us wilted orchid by air mail from Holb wood. You can imagine how oi heart went pitter patter, thinkin Clara Bow, or perhaps Louise F; zenda, was flirting around with u Then we saw Howard's name at tli bottom of the letter, and were disi. lusioned. He sent the exhibit b way of proof of the following story During the making of a scene i; this production it was necessary t' use reaT orchids. The intense hea of incandescent lights wilted th flowers almost as rapidly as the; were exposed. The orchid supply o seven florists, at six smackers per were used before the scene was phoi tographed. * * * Oh, well, that's Mr, Higgin's story, so we have writtei' him: Dear Howard: Next time pleast send the six bucks. Phil. * * * The National Association of Audubon Societies has caused a bill tc' be introduced in Congress to prevent killing bald eagles. — News Item * ♦ ♦ We know a fillum executive whc is a bald Elk who was almost murdered by his wife for coming home late from the Elks' Club, but nobody did anything about it. * * * "What's Trump?" (Sez Jack DeLacy) Over a no-trump on your right, don't bid a long established or establishable suit with weak or worthless side cards. In other words, a hand that holds a sure or good de fense against loss of game at notrumps, and no sure defense against loss of game should opponents shift! to their best suit, as they do wher] warned. . ! * * * 1 Add Spelling Bee: Syzygy. Yclept. TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY! IN ALLTHE NEW ALL THE TIM More than 300 theaters join First National Exhibitors of Ohio. Alexander Pantages reported forming producing unit. Ackerman & Harris plan 3,000 seat house in Los Angeles. C. B. Price applies for injunction restraining distribution of alleged duped print of U-35 picture.