Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

March 26, 1932 THE I DE DOPE With the promotion of Lynn Shores to head the new talent department at the RKO-Radio Studios, Charles Richards was appointed the studio's casting director. David O. Selznick, executive vice-president in charge of all production announced that the transfer was made at Shores' request. Richards formerly was casting director at the RKO-Pathe Studio, where he was employed since 1924. At his request Shores will remain in the casting department until he becomes familiarized with department routine and studio players. Shores will then take up his new duties of discovering potential talent for RKO pictures Bobby Mayo, who is Richards assistant, was formerly with RKO-Pathe nearly a year. Before that he was with Warner-First National casting office for eight and a half years. Both Richards and Mayo have made thousands of friends by their fair dealings and are well liked by everyone. "Bring 'Em Back Alive," Frank Buck's unique animal thriller, which The Van Beuren Corporation plans to roadshow at $2.00 top, is now in the cutting room. It is down to a mere 16,000 feet, which is not so bad when you consider that the expedition which went down into the Malay jungles brought back approximately 170,000 feet of thrills and excitement. John Arnold, president of the American Society of Cinematographers, yesterday announced the appointment of a special organization committee to complete the organization of the $1,0100 Amateur Movie Contest now being conducted by the Society's magazine, The American Cinematographer. The committee consists of George Schneiderman, chairman; John Arnold, Dan B. Clark, Charles G. Clarke, Elmer G. Dyer, Frank B. Good, Arthur Miller, John F. Seitz and William Stull. The contest, conducted by professional cameramen for amateur movie fans, has aroused the interest of amateurs the world over, and is to be judged by a special board of judges composed of outstanding producers, directors, writers, actors and cameramen. Frank Sheridan and Carl Gerard are the attorneys in the courtroom scenes of "The Roadhouse Murder," now in the can at the RKO-Radio Studio. William Morris is the judge, Harry Northrup the court clerk, Eddie Sturgis the bailiff and Chas. W. Herzinger the foreman of the jury. In the cast supporting Eric Linden and Dorothy Jordan, who are featured, are Mary Duncan, Rosco Ates, Purnell Pratt, Phyllis Clare, Bruce Cabot, David Landau, Gustav von Seyffertitz and Roscoe Karns. Frank Sheridan's address before the jury was proclaimed by all who listen in as a masterpiece. One forgot for the time being that it was a picture, so real and sincere was his deliverance. J. Walter Ruben directed this film story; Jimmy Anderson was his assistant. Roy Hunt was the cameraman — a good one, too. John Trilby sounds the picture. Claudia Dell, one of the screen's most beautiful and charming blondes, has been added to the cast of Christy Cabanne's next production, "Shandy." Miss Dell, who recently completed work in Tom Mix's Universal picture, "Destry Rides Again," was selected for the only feminine part in the film, and only after consideration was given to many others who wanted the part, but could not make the grade against the charming personality possessed by the ex-Follies miss. Others in the picture are J. Farrell MacDonald, Jackie Searle and Jean Hersholt. Production starts the coming week. Richard J. Pearl, well known young film executive for a number of years, has been connected in a number of important capacities for film companies, and who has just recently returned from Europe after an extensive tour of all European cities to tie up the independent market for sales and general release, has now accepted a position as vice-president and assistant to Alfred T. Mannon, president of Tec-Art Studios. BETTY FARRINCTON You name it and she will play it, said a well known stage producer to us the other day in talking about Betty Farrington, and we would say that such a statement is true in many ways, because this stage and screen actress knows her theatre and screen, and plays in comedies equally as well as in dramatic plays or production*. DORIS LLOYD There are very few actresses as capable of delivering the goods in the talkies as Doris Lloyd. This charming actress of stage and screen develops each part that she play, no matter how large or small it may be, to the entire satisfaction of everyone, from the author to the very theatregoer -who views the picture. Norman Phillips, Jr., juvenile star of stage and screen, has returned to Hollywood with his mother, Mrs. Norman Phillips, and is again ready to take up his picture career, where he left off some months ago. The fifteen-year-old youngster may be remembered for the part of "Skipper" Kelly in M-G-M's "Sidewalks of New York," and more recently as the brother in Robert Montgomery's picture, "Lovers Courageous," produced by the same studio. Roy J. Pomeroy, motion picture director and sound expert, upon returning from New York yesterday, made an announcement of a newly formed film producing organization, tentatively known as a cooperative producers association. The plan calls for twelve major features a year, together with a necessary quota of short featurettes on a total expenditure of between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. The release of the entire output of the new organization has been satisfactorily arranged for and is to be announced shortly. Pomeroy's first plans will be the purchase or lease of a suitable studio, the facilities of which will enable his organization to function on an expanding scale. Harold Schwartz, former Paramount, Radio and Pathe executive, will be associated with Pomeroy in the new deal. Another "big name" went onto the executive roster of RKO-Radio Pictures today. Edward J. Montagne, young veteran of motion picture production, became an associate producer on the staff of David O. Selznick, executive vicepresident in charge of all RKO production. He will be established in offices at the studio immediately. Mr. Selznick said his first assignment would be decided in a few days. Montagne has an enviable record of association ■with successful motion pictures. He supervised "Sarah and Son," starring Ruth Chatterton. For the past three years, in addition to supervising productions, he has been scenario editor-in-chief of the Paramount Studios. Previously, for a long time, he was supervising editor and producer of pictures for Universal. He has had approximately one hundred original stories produced on the screen, and has adapted about an equal number of books and plays. Universal Pictures declared an eight per cent dividend on its first preferred stock, due and payable as of April 1, 1932, to stockholders of record March 25, 1932. J. Stuart Blackton is due to make a comeback in pictures, it is rumored. He is now preparing to produce. He has plenty of story material from the silent days which is adaptable for talkies. Betty Jane Graham made Ye Editor cry bitter tears the other day when she appeared in a scene with Alexander Carr in "And God Smiles," and a few minutes later Dickie Moore made us howl with glee when he spoke his lines like a trouper and got over a scene that will make theatregoers roar with laughter. Lew Seiler directed at the Foy Studios at Culver City. EARL M. PINGREE is back home after undergoing an operation at the Soldiers' Home, and is feeling excellent and ready to go back to work. Earl played some very fine character parts up to the time that he became ill and was rushed to the hospital. AL ALBORN assisted Director William Dieterle at First NationalWarner Bros, studios on "Man Wanted" (A Dangerous Brunette), starring Kay Francis. Al is one of the most liked of aides that a megaphone wielder would like to have helping him.