Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

1190 M o t i o n V \ c t u r e N e w s : tl HUM .ii]i:ii;;:i:;:.,.!i,::! ,:i:.:!ii:;:,i..ii.;!.^ Under The Hollywood Lid {Continued from page 1189) ^nmnnraaim .: rci i ^ilii^iiei L:ii4:ri MiiijjTtiiisf s rii 1 1 n i im i tjifiaisii^nitiii ti n i ill* irt iii inttii tiiiLiLijiiiEitllid tiiiii ijiit nil lijiiiiimiiii i m iiitm eiDiiiTiiiiiitiin timiiui^in i lm ee j i nu ki 1 1 ■ i rcniLii nil iti [iiitMLii^ stern taskmaster and its demands arc not yet fully met. One important studio, which must remain unnamed, is working on the densities of the sound track. Here the objective is to secure a better registration of voice frequencies and, at the same time, a more true reproduction. Practically all studios are doing amazing work in "dubbing" sound into silent sequences and in juggling voices in order to make them fit into the dramatic construction of stories without sacrificing either lines or good music. A particular problem which has caused much puckering of brows is how to combine dialogue with the accepted picture technique to the end that movement is not sacrificed for spoken lines. As the studios turn over product to distributors and these films, in turn, reach theatres, it becomes at once apparent that progress in this direction holds promise that the eventual result will be satisfying. » • • OX all sides speculation ir rife about the technique which sound and motion pictures will finally assume. A definite division of opinion prevails. There are some — and their importance must not be discounted— who adhere to the belief that the straight musical comedy and operetta formulas will find their level and this shortly, too Their argument hinges principally around the theory that musical comedies and operettas both are successful on the stage when they are good. Therefore, why not in celluloid form, particularly when the rank and file of the theatregoers in the United States rarely see anything other than a No. 2 or No. 3 road company singing in average or less than average voice, performing in costumes no longer new against stage embellishments that are ragged and frayed? Others — and they, too, are figures >f weight — argue strenuously that logic and naturalness are primary rules on which motion pictures have been built up with the public ; that to tear these down is to hit at a fundamental of the entire structure, that it would be well to bear in mind that, while sound is here, it must not and should mil replace pictures, but rather add to their dramatic and entertainment ingredients. It has long been our own observation that the latter theory is correct and to it we again Milp-cribc. The reasons why will he outlined at some future time. Then, too, Hollywood wonders about the next cycle in production. Excitement over the back stage story has die,] down. Certainly the market has been surfeited with this t\] £ picture. The musical I i. nil the operetta are next destined to have then way, entering the arena of public favor hand in hand. Some studios are adamaat on I be idea of producing t hem with straight picture technique, embracing i ■ .i iei dance ens embles only when logically belong. i ':: • Le one hand, j od find a picture like "The Vagabond King" produced in Technii a straight operetta with Dennis King and Jeanette MacDonald co featured. When the final fade-out was shot at Paramount the other day, the cost sheet, read $1,200,000. That 's a lot of money to spend on a theory. On the other, following the experience of "The Desert Song," the Warners have veered completely toward the picture formula. Universal is producing "La Marseillaise" with John Boh- as a straight motion picture with musical interludes properly spaced. This, too, will cost $1,000,000 or more. On the M-G-M lot, Lawrence Tibbett, Metropolitan Opera luminary, is appeariug in "The Rogue's Song," an all-Technicolor film utilizing the motion picture formula. So it goes. One studio commits itself to one policy: another leans in a different direction. Nobody in Hollywood knows just •what to do and everybody is experimenting. The anticipation is, quite naturally, that a scheme will be evolved for general use. In the meantime and while experimentation couples hands with pioneering, the studios are doing the best they can. In view of the problems, the worries and the terrific overhead, it is eminently fair to point out that producers at all studios are doing a Gargantuan job extremely well. The industry at large, however, may prepare itself for one step immediately. There will be a limited number of straight musical revues every year. Harry Rapf argued his way through at M-G-M for "The Hollywood Revue," but he demonstrated thereby what a smart young man he really is. M-G-M, as in the case of "The Broadwav Melody,' showed Hollywood and the world at large that in the revue was not merely a germ but a full-grown idea. • • • AT the outset, many of the Hollywood wiseacres figured one revue was sufficient to skim the cream from the milk. Now, however, it's different. Over on Marathon St.. "Paramount on Parade" is progressing. Two months or so will elapse before the picture is finished, and when the picture is spoken about it is in whispers. The Paramount crowd is throwing the entire studio into it: stars, directors, writers, song hounds and the rest of the line-up. "The Show of Shows." which is the Warner offering before the revue altar, is in the laboratory. Pox plans a Movietone Follies of L930 and has just started "New Orleans Frolic" in which all of that plant's notables will strut their stuff. Pathe has one in work and others will probably hit davlight ere Ions. In other words, Hollywood has come to the sensible conclusion that revue in pic lure-, like revue on the stage, arc naturals everi year, always assuming that they are clever. Each of the major studios, there iir expected to produce one ' exl in > agar a affair annuallj from in." on Exhibitor Flies To Meet Memphis, Oct. .'!.— The Memphis Film Board of Trade fonnd one exhibitor Timoth\ A shea, of the Palace, McGehee, Ark. who took to the air last week rather than he late tu an arbitration committee meeting. Shea has been a pilot since the World War. Film Notables To Attend Dinner In Honor Of Kann A.M.P.A. Testimonial To News Editor On October 10th Will Be Important Event With approximately 150 reservations already made, including leaders in the producing, distribution and exhibition fields, the testimonial dinner-dance to be given by the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers on October 10th in honor of Maurice D. I "Red") Kann, Editor of Motion Picture News, gives promise of getting the Association's social season off to a flying -tart. The dinner-dance will be held at the Motion Picture Club, New York. Acceptances have been received from a large number of important executives of the industry, as well as those in allied scientific lines, including the electric companies. The list of speakers will include film notables and important figures from outside the industry. Paul Benjamin, Chairman of the A. M. P. A. House Committee, is in charge of arrangements and his committee includes Bruce Gallup, Thomas Wiley and Rutgers Neilson. Chairman Benjamin is handling reservations at Bryant 4900. Academy Will Elect 5 New Directors Of Board Oct. 19 Hollywood, Oct. 2. — Annual election of branch executive committees and members of Board of Directors of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been set for Saturday, Oct. 19. Five members will be elected to the board to fill vacancies of those expiring this year. Executive committees of five members each will be elected to head actors, directors, producer-, technicians and writers' branches. Adolph Zukor Sails Late This Month To Join Wife The report on the Coast that Adolph Zukor had left for Europe hurriedly last week was found to be erroneous. The head ot the Paramount corporation intends i, leave for the other side late this month and join his wife and son. Eugene, in England. The trip is one combining both business and pleasure. There is a possibility that it may have somel hittLr to do with the acquisition of the British Qaumont bouses bi Fox, Chillicothe Blues Licked Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 3. Th ppos ing Sunday movies in Chillicothe, Mo., went down to defeat by -core ot 1,079 to 1,024 la-t week when that city went to polls. Hardpressed bj ministers wrought up over public petition asking for Sunday shows, Chillicothe council decided to let roters settle question themselves despite fact that Missouri Supre Court ha ruled ordinances prohibiting Sunday shows illegal.