Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 19, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 39 w THE STUDIO 265 Players Employed; Monthly Pay Totals $40,000; 37 Films Mix Finishes "Dude Ranch" with Director Ford; Estelle Taylor in Big Role of Chaney Film; Heavy M G M Schedule Under Way; O'Brien in "Son of Anak" (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 15. — Two hundred and sixty-five actors and actresses are working in parts here this week. Not counting salaries of stars these people are receiving salaries totaling approximately $1,300 a day. Total monthly checks for them are under $40,000 a month. According to estimates of casting agencies this item was $90,000 two years ago. There are 37 pictures in production today which is only slightly under the number in production two years ago. Nine studios are doing the bulk of the production work on feature pictures. LeBaron Adds Five to FBO List of Authors Of 1929-30 Productions (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 15.— William Le Baron, vice president in charge of production of FBO, announces that James A. Creelman, author and playwright, has been added to the list of writing talent being lined up for F B O's 1929-30 program. Creelman has been signed to write two original talking pictures, one of which, "Wolves of the Waterfront," he has already started. The second is as yet untitled. The line-up of authors for the new season's product, in addition to Creelman, include Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, co-authors of "The Front Page." Jane Murfin, Winifred Dunn, Jack Cunningham and Sidney Lazarus have been added to the scenario staff. Jane Murfin is the author of "Lilac Time," which she wrote in collaboration with Jane Cowl. Winifred Dunn has "Patent Leather Kid," "Twinkle Toes" and "Lonesome Ladies" to her credit, while Jack Cunningham is responsible for the scenarios of "The Covered Wagon," as well as the Douglas Fairbanks vehicles, "The Black Pirate" and "Don Q." Sidney Lazarus has been writing titles for two years. Zanuck Promoted to Associate Production Executive for Warners (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 15.— J. L. Warner has elevated Darryl Francis Zanuck to the post of associate executive in charge of production. For several years Zanuck has been right-handman to Warner in studio matters and this promotion, it is said, is in recognition of his conscientious work and untiring efforts. Zanuck first won professional distinction as a magazine writer. He entered picture work in 1921 and soon became one of Hollywood's leading scenarists. In this capacity, he made his first affiliation with the Warner studio, where later he was selected as J. L. Warner's principal aid. Many of Warner Bros, outstanding boxoffice successes have been written or adapted by Zanuck. He is the author of their mammoth spectacle, "Noah's Ark," starring Dolores Costello, the most ambitious undertaking in the production history of Warner Bros. First National's Story Division Reorganized; New Writers Engaged (Special to the Herald-World) BURBANK, Jan. 15. — A re-organization of the story department at First National studios has been effected since the appointment of Anthony Coldeway as assistant associate producer. There are 13 now writing adaptations, continuities and titles. The list with many new names includes Tom Geraghty, Bradley King, Monte Katterjohn, Louis Stevens, Forrest Halsey, Ewart Adamson, James Gruen, F. McGrew Willis, Humphrey Pearson, Walter Anthony, Gene Towne, Paul Perez and Edward Luddy. FBO quieted down this week when Tom Mix finished shooting "The Dude Ranch." His director was Eugene Ford. Tom had excellent support in the persons of Kathryn McGuire, Martha Mattox and Ernest Hilliard. The picture was exactly one month in the shooting, having been begun December 10, shooting through the holidays to Tanuarv 11. Nothing is in production at FBO this week. On the contrary Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer boasts eight productions under way after having begun three this week. Estelle Taylor Opposite Chaney Charlie Brabin, Tod Browning and Jack Conway are the directors of the new ones. Browning is shooting a Chaney picture, "Where East Is East." The charming Estelle Taylor provides practically all the pulchritude for this opera. Of course Lupe Yelez and Lloyd Hughes are also in the cast but their parts are subordinate to the aforementioned principals. While five United Artists pictures are in the making only three are being shot on the lot. They are "Coquette," starring Pickford; "Childs Fifth Avenue," starring Banky, and "Alibi," with an all-star cast. The two being made away from "home" are "Queen Kelly" and "Hell's Angels." Von Stroheim and Swanson moved their sets and equipment from the F B O to the Pathe lot last week to finish "Queen Kelly." The picture has been under way since November 1 and is now being wound up. Sawed Off Shot Gun Guards Estelle Taylor (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 16.— Estelle Taylor told her husband, Jack Dempsey, that she was afraid to sleep in the house alone while he was away, when Jack telephoned from New York the other night. Now a guard sits on the veranda all night with a sawed off shot gun across his knees. "Hell's Angels" has been in production since Columbus Day, 1927. Reginald Barker has begun a picture at Tiffany-Stahl lot called "Zeppelin.'' In the cast are Conway Tearle, Claire Windsor, co-stars, and Larry Kent. It is a big air picture. Frank Borzage will begin another FarrellGaynor drama this week. The story is by Tristam Tupper who wrote Borzage's last picture. The entire stage, number three, is being transformed from the wheat ranch recently used by Murnau into a countryside of New York State. The wheat ranch extended over the entire stage as will "the countryside." Rolling hills, woods, several houses, a country road, and a rambling brook are being built within the confines of a stage 300 feet long and 150 feet wide. Harry Oliver, who is making it, also made the big snow set for "The River." "Fog," the first 100 per cent talking picture to be made at the new Metropolitan Studios, under the Western Electric system, has been completed, and Herbert Wilcox is taking the first print to New York this week for showing. Marshall Neilan directed the picture for British and Dominions Film Corporation, Ltd. A very strong cast includes Mary Brian, loaned by Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation, James Kirkwood, Frank Reichner, John Loder, Lloyd Hamilton, Hallam Cooley, Noble Johnson, Ben Hendricks and Robert Ames. Blystone Begins Audien John Blystone commences shooting this week on his second feature-length Movietone for Fox. With Warner Baxter and Mary Duncan playing the leading roles, Blystone will embark on the great murder trial entitled "Through Different Eyes." It will have dialogue, but it will also have flash-backs and fade-outs which will embody the picture with actior.. The dialogue will be used only to emphasize the high lights of the picture. A story written by Ben Ames Williams and printed in the Saturday Evening Post is the next one to star George O'Brien. "False (Continued on next page1)