Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

October 5 , 19 2'J 1199 Hollywood President Acts On Mayer's Motion For School Talkies Hollywood, Oct. 3. — President Hoover has already appointed a commission to study the subject of educational pictures in the public schools, according* to the statement of Louis B. Mayer during a speech at the Los Angeles Women's Breakfast Club last week. Mayer declared that "a child can learn more in 10 minutes from a talking picture in school than in 10 hours from a textbook." He further stated that he had suggested the introduction of talking pictures in educational institutions to President Hoover, who appointed a commission within a few hours to investigate the matter. It is understood that Mr. Mayer has offered his fullest co-operation and support to President Hoover to further the project. Talk In Hollywood (Continued from page 1197) A CERTAIN production official who has made three trips to Europe during the past two years, recently returned to Hollywood. A friend greeted him on the street and said he would drop around the studio in a few days to have a chat. The official declared he had left the company. "Why did you quit?" he was asked. "I was tired of trips to Europe," he replied, "and walked out when they refused to send me to South America for six months." A WELL known producer who partici■^* pates in the big time poker games staged at frequent intervals by a group of producers and directors, sat in at one of the, games recently. During his absence, someone telephoned his home asking for certain information. The producer's wife informed the caller that he could not be disturbed as he "was relaxing." Inez Courtney will be featured comedienne in first National's Vitaphone and Technicolor version of the musical comedy, "Spring Is Here." Alexander Gray and Bernice Claire have the featured leads; J. F. Dillon will direct. Paramount has placed Zoe Akins under a term contract to write originals and adaptations. Miss Akins, noted fiction writer, came to Hollywood three months ago for Fox, later moving over to Paramount to adapt "Sarah and Son," upon completion of which she signed the term agreement. Pathe has assigned the leading feminine role in "This Thing Called Love," successful stage play, to Constance Bennett. Paul Stein will direct and Zasu Pitts will have a supporting part. Paul Muni and Marguerite Churchill are to play the leading roles in "Seven 'Faces," an adaptation of Richard Connell's short story "A Friend of Napoleon," with Jack Viertel directing and Lester Lonergan handling the dialogue. John Gilbert, who has played on the screen with such stage notables as Jeanne Eagels, has another gorgeous leading lady in the person of Catherine Dale Owen, the feminine lead in "His Glorious Night," a current release from Metro. It is the star's initial ail-talkie and was directed by Lionel Barrymore Lasky Details Plans For "Paramount On Parade" Film Special Paramount 's talking-musical production, to be known as "Paramount On Parade," is now being planned by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president, who is now in the East. All talent available in Paramount stock units will be included in the "cinephonie festival," states the executive, and all directors, authors, etc., will contribute to the work. B. P. Schulberg, general manager of production on West Coast, will supervise "Paramount On Parade," being aided by Albert A. Kaufman, aide to Lasky, and Elsie Janis. Production will present natural color as well as sound. Radio's Coast Units Ready To Shoot On Season's Schedule Radio's plans for studio expansion involving $2,500,000 having crystalized and with eight special talking-musical features in the offing, the Western studio of Radio is all set to embark on a busy season. One of the impending studio additions is a stage 150 by 500 feet wide. At the present time one of Radio's principal offerings, Rudy Vallee and his orchestra in "The Vagabond Lover," is well into production and other Radio stars will face cameras and mikes within a few days. Scenarists are at work on important story material including "Hit the Deck," "The Case of Sergeant Grischa," "The Firewalker" and "Hunted." Added to the roster of talent recently was Bert Wheeler, stage comedian. Another production on which the studio will soon concentrate is "Dixiana, " operetta being written directly for screen by Harry Tierney; Bebe Daniels will star. Hollywood Melody Makers {Continued from page 1197) ORIGINAL musical numbers have been written by J. C. Lewis, Jr., for "The Dancing Gob," which Christie is producing with Buster West starred. Two of the numbers are "Sailor Walk" and "Honest, Honev." WITH the opening of "Gold Diggers of Broadway" at Warners Downtown Theatre last week, Al Dubin and Joe Burke are receiving congratulations on the quantity and quality of the original melodies during the nlmusieal. AL BRYAN and EDDIE WARD are writing the original score for the new version of "Lady in Ermine," which First National will produce. Blue Injured, Vehicle Is Delayed For Three Weeks Hollywood, Oct. 3. — Due to accident last week in which Monte Blue was injured during water scenes for "Isle of Escape," production on picture has been delayed three weeks. While waiting for Blue to recover, Howard Bretherton, director of the picture, will direct a number of Vitaphone Varieties, first to be "White Lies," two reel comedy. Betty Compson Will Star In "The Lie" For Radio Pict. Hollywood, Oct. 3. — Betty Compson will be starred by RKO in "The Lie," as her next contract production. Story is adapted from play by Hugh Herbert, who is writing film adaptation and dialogue. Herbert was recently placed under term contract by RKO. Fox's largest production unit since "The Iron Horse" to go on location is "Cameo Kirby" company which was transported to Sacramento River to film sequences for filmusical under direction of Irving Cummings. Harold Murray and Norma Terris co-star, with balance of cast including John Hyams, Douglas Gilmore. Walter Donaldson and Edgar Leslie wrote songs for production. Harvey Thew and Robert Lord are adapting and dialoguing the film version of "Show Girl In Hollywood," which First National will produce with Alice White starred. Mervyn Le Roy will direct, while Bud Green and Sam Stept will write the songs and music for the production. Bert Roach, Will King and Natalie Joyce have been signed by Al Christie to play with Ford Sterling in a Christie Talking play, "The Fatal 'Forceps." William Watson will direct with play credited to C. L. V. Duffy. Major Edward Bowes, managing director Capitol Theatre, New York, arrived on coast to spend several days at M-G-M studios conferring with studio officials on production plans for next year.