Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

Hollywood Higk Lights 53 It happened at her home in Glendale during her endeavor to protect a puppy from a feline onslaught. The cat was a hard-boiled alley denizen, and after having mauled the dog belonging to Miss Dresser, gave battle to Louise herself. Miss Dresser had attempted to rescue her dog during his affray with the age-old enemy of all canines. The dog and the cat were having a fearful tussle and the dog was getting the worst of it. Louise intervened in the midst of the conflict, first using the garden hose on the battling pair, and then trying to pull her dog out of danger with her hands. Her interference so angered the cat that the animal turned on her and bit and scratched her legs, inflicting such severe injuries that the family physician had to be called, and Louise ordered to bed until she recovered from the wounds. Journeys Become Voluble. New name for location trips. Marcel Silver of Fox "Follies" being its sponsor, as appertains to talkies — "Locution trips." Ruth's Triumphal Progress. "Madame X" lives again vibrantly on the screen. Ruth Chatterton is her impersonator, and she adds another glowing set of laurels to her waxing celebrity as a talkie actress. We saw the picture at a preview and it is a true tearwringer. The courtroom scene is notably well done, with young Raymond Hackett winning almost as much honor as the star for his portrayal of the son who defends his mother on trial for murder. The production is distinctly one of the best talkers to date. Bill Hart, Jr., Hurt. William S. Hart, Jr., — Bill Hart's six-year-old son — played in very bad luck recently. He broke his leg and was forced to stay in bed for six or eight weeks. At Last — Together! Douglas Fairbanks, as Petruchio; Mary Pickford, as Katherine. And that means, in case you haven't heard the news already, that these two famous stars plan to appear together in "The Taming of the Shrew." Yes, Mr. Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" — legitimately adapted and properly condensed. It all happened one rainy morning at Pickfair, their decision to costar. Doug was feeling a bit glum, because he couldn't go out to play golf. Also he wasunsettled about just how he was going to inaugurate his dialogic career. Right then, half in earnest, half lightly, Mary made the suggestion, "How would you like to play Petruchio in 'The Taming of the Shrew' — how would it be if we did it together ?" The idea struck fire immediately. "Will you shake on that?" Doug queried. "I will," replied Mary. "O. K. — it's set," he answered. So, just like that, the plan the two stars have often talked about — namely playing in a film together — matured into a definite project. Talkies seem to bring about all sorts of long-deferred decisions, and also some rather "Lummox" is Chosen. Winifred Westover is another who has sprung" a surprise. After an absence of fully eight or nine years from the screen, she is returning in one of the big roles of the year, in Fannie Hurst's "Lummox." Dozens of actresses have been literally fighting for the chance to play this role. The fame of the story, the fact that the character is both dramatic and super-sympathetic, and that the picture itself is to be big, has proved a threefold lure. Nearly a hundred different actresses were tested by Herbert Brenon, the director. Then, one day, Miss Westover flashed upon the horizon. She saw Mr. Brenon in New York, and indicated her keen interest in the role. Her arguments were in a degree effective, but did not fully convince. However, she obtained a test. It was not only a photographic test, but also a voice test. The results were good. It took some consulting back and forth between studio executives, Mr. Brenon and other people connected with the production, but finally Miss Westover was the choice. As you know, she was once the wife of William S. Hart, from whom she was divorced. A New Outburst. A bright announcement from Universal City contains the advice that a picture in the making there, called "The Climax," will proffer twelve different varieties of sound, many of which have never before been used in films. They are enumerated as follows : Singing, playing of the flute, violin, organ and piano ; playing of a full-piece orchestra, whistling, a Swiss music box, roosters crowing, doves cooing, dialogue and an entirely new musical sound, which will be kept secret until the picture is shown. We are on the toes of anticipation for the last named. Yes, yes, what can it be? Perhaps some smart boy at the "U" studio has invented a new kind of saxophone. Fine Financial Distinctions. Puzzle : What is a star's income ? Also how much ? The inquiry applies to directors, too. It springs from the recent indictment of an income tax counselor, who assisted various people of the screen in making out their returns to the government. Without going into details of the controversy, it may be noted that some interesting and rather exact figures were "divulged on what the film celebrities make during a year. For example, Ramon Novarro's gross income during 1927 was shown to have been $244,833.33, according to figures supplied by his income-tax adviser. The government claimed that it ran $248,452.23. George O'Brien's was $45,266.66, according to his agent's report, versus $45,813.33, government claim; Raoul Walsh's $100,266.66 versus $121,808.33; Fred Niblo's $166,241.57 versus $166,316.27. Continued on page 100 What is David Rollins reading that so amuses him? Ah, that is indeed a question his fans had best answer for themselves. Photo by Kahle