Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1934)

46 MOTION PICTURE HERALD November I 0, 1 934 THE CUTTING ROOM Advance outlines of productions nearing completion as seen by Gus McCarthy of Motion Picture Herald's Hollywood Bureau ||l""ii|fiil||| HELLDORADO Fox An analysis of this production reveals many showmanship potentialities. The story, refreshing and pleasing romantic love interest modern in tone, combines thrill, laugh-provoking comedy and continuous fast action. Occasioned by a spectacular cloudburst and flood, it sets its players down in a little abandoned desert ghost-mining town, where, preceded by action that develops the romantic quality, as well as comedy and adventure elements, a new highgeared gold rush not only adds to the excitement but creates a vein of suspense when the fortune hunters are disappointed that threaten dire fate to the hero and heroine prior to the happy ending climax. It is being produced by Jesse Lasky, from an original story by George M. Dazey and screen play by Frances Hyland. Direction is by James M. Cruze, remembered for many silent day successes and the recent "David Harum." While audiences have seen many thrill production stunts, the cloudburst flood sequences in this promise to add a new note. Richard Arlen, seen in many Paramount features, and Madge Evans, recently in "Grand Canary," are the story's hero and heroine. Supporting players include Ralph Bellamy, lately featured in "Spitfire," "Crime of Helen Santley" and "This Man is' Mine" ; James Gleason, Stepirx Fetchit and a 6-year-old colored boy, Lucky Hurlic, about whom the comedy episodes of the story revolve; Henry B. Walthall, Helen Jerome Eddy; Gertrude Short, seen in "The Thin Man" and "Perfect Week End" ; Stanley Fields, currently in "Kentucky Kernels," and Patricia Farr, one of the Fox juvenile stock company's players. Because of its production character and title, the story makes available much unusual exploitation which can take its theme from the modern gold rush angle. CARNIVAL Columbia The title being indicative of the atmosphere, this is a dramatic story of a carnival grifter, his great love for his motherless child and the experiences he undergoes to keep the youngster with him while he searches the country over for another wife, eventually to find her in the woman who alv/ays was the "shill" in his concessions. For this type of story, in which human interest is blended with and counterbalanced by comedy, spectacle, excitement and suspense, a little more consideration should be given the writing and direction credits. The author, Robert Riskin, who is also doing the screen play, adapted two of Columbia's most outstanding recent successes, "Lady for a Day" and "It Happened One Night." He is also the scenarist on the forthcoming "Broadway Bill." The director, Ben Stoloff, will be remembered for "Palooka" and "Transatlantic Merry-GoRound." The quality of entertainment which author and director represent is furthered by the cast selections. Lee Tracy's last lead in "Lemon Drop Kid" was similar in atmosphere and relationship. Likewise, Sally Eilers' last was seen in a picture — "Baby in the Ice Box" — where the welfare of a baby was the important feature. The presentations of this department are in no sense reviews of the pictures or evaluations of the productions. They are inventories of material. The endeavor is to inform the exhibitor of the nature of the story and the personnel and to set forth the elements of appeal which the producer is seeking to put into the product. "The Cutting Room" is published for the special service of exhibitors who require some detailed information concerning the character of the picture and its selling factors in advance of previews, reviews and press books. This department's survey of pictures in no tvay anticipates or supplants the functions of the Showmen's Reviews which are prepared when the finished product is made available. Players in support include Jimmy Durante, Fred Keating, vaudeville notable, seen in "The Captain Hates the Sea," Florence Rice who made her debut in "Fugitive Lady," and a brand new child actor, 2-year-old Dickie Walters. One of the production highlights of the story is a baby show which immediately suggests similar exploitation. Also the fact that practically all the action takes place against a carnival background makes possible colorful showmanship which can accentuate the past accomplishments of the author. THE VANISHING PIONEER Paramount Although this is a western story, the production is making a serious effort to keep away from hackneyed formula. Produced by Harold Hurley, it is directed by Charles Barton, whose recent "Wagon Wheels" is proving quite a success in the secondary and smaller town houses. Adaptation is by Louise Long, with the screen play by Edward E. Paramore, Jr., and Ethel Doherty. As an experiment is being made with story showmanship and entertainment values, a similar departure is noted in the selection of the cast. In the principal roles youthful names are balanced by several oldtimers, and a famous stage personality is introduced to the screen. Randolph Scott, who has been featured in practically all the Paramount westerns, has the lead. The new personality introduced to screen fans is Mrs. Leslie Carter, whose stage career and fame has extended over more than four decades. The other screen veterans are Chic Sale, Florence Roberts and George Marion. The younger players include Ann (formerly Clara Lou) Sheridan, Kathleen Burke, the original "Panther Woman," and James Eagles. Other supporting players are Willie Fung and Charles Wilson, who has been seen in minor parts in several recent Paramount features. Sans the usual western thrill heroics, but with more than the usual quota of situation and dialogue comedy, "The Vanishing Pioneer" is a murder mystery story. As a lot of unusual chicanery and double dealing is involved, the murderer attempts to pass himself off as the slain man, a mining engineer. His talents are combined with those of a timid wild west sheriff to solve the complicated crime. The commercial success of several of the recent Paramount westerns not only with the youngsters, but also among the grownup actionadventure fans, is a direct tip as to how this attraction is to be handled. THE NI0HT IS YOUNG MGM There being many valuable showmanship features to this, probably the most outstanding is the manner in which it adapts a new method of motion picture presentation technique. It will bring to the screen the technique of grand opera and musical operattas where every bit of action, line of dialogue and the lyrics, naturally, are synchronized to music. Even Leo's introductory role will be in rhythm with the accompanying background melodies. The story, "Student Prince" type, is modern, localed in Vienna, and detailing the romantic affair of a prince of the reigning house and a ballet dancer, is by Vicki Baum. It blends love interest, pathos that inspires human interest, comedy and color. The screen play is by Oscar Hammerstein II, Franz Schylz and Edgar Allen Woolf. Music is by Sigmund Romberg and the lyrics by Hammerstein. The director, Dudley Murphy, made "Emperor Jones." As the picture introduces a new method, it also introduces a new star, Evelyn Laye, one of Europe's most noted musical comedy artists. In the role of the ballet girl, she both sings and dances. Teamed with her in the lead is Ramon Novarro, last seen in "Cat and the Fiddle." The supporting cast includes two of the feature players in "The Merry Widow," Edward Everett Horton and Herman Bing. Also included are Donald Cook, Henry Stephenson, Rosalind Russell, currently in "Forsaking All Others," and "Evelyn Prentice" ; Charles Judels and Albert Conti. With the production trend indicating that musicals are going to figure largely in winter programs, it should be well to note the experiment that is being atempted in this picture. Likewise from the standpoint of novelty, it affords a talking angle that easily can be capitalized upon in creating interest for the show, not only on the part of music lovers but the rank and file patrons as well. I'VE BEEN AROUND Universal Related in a high society atmosphere, against exclusive Long Island estate backgrounds, swanky watering places and metropolitan New York, this is a story of tangled and disappointed love. The original story and screen play are by John Meehan, Jr., recently credited with "Wake Up and Dream." It is being directed by Phil Cahn, a former film cutter, elevated to his present status by B. F. Zeldman, the picture's producer, who similarly discovered Louis Milestone. Romance, which is given a strong dramatic twist, motivates the yarn. It is the story of an engaged girl, swept of¥ her feet by a fortune 1