Exhibitors Herald World (Apr-Jun 1929)

152 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD June 29, 1929 East Qets a New Sound Studio; Alden Builds in Connecticut Plant to Be Rented Part of Time to Outsiders — Production Begun at Powers Cinephone by Harry Delf By DOUGLAS FOX NEW YORK, June 25. — Eastern production is gettincr another studio, because, according to its owner, Alden Miller of the Alden Film Corporation, production costs in town have been prohibitive and recording has been poor. The studio is to be at Saybrook, Conn., and will be erected in from 45 to 60 days and will be available to independent producers. A swamp on one side, Long Island Sound on the other, meadows on a third, and no road within a thousand feet, insure it of reasonable quiet. NUMBER of buildings will rise on the age talking newsreel. We've heard parts of STUDIO PREVIEW A JNUMhSJlK ot buildings will rise on two and a quarter acre lot. The main stage will be 40 by 80, with 25 feet up to the light brackets, and seven feet clearance above that. Adjoining it is a smaller stage, 22 by 30. A balcony between houses the monitor recording and projection rooms so that work can be covered on both stages at once, and also so any exterior shooting may take place in the yard. The stages are double planked with hard and soft wood, roofs are of asbestos shingles. Over weekends the projection room will operate as a local theatre, thus winning the goodwill (we trust) of the natives. One Short a Week "We are prepared to do split sequence disc recording," Miller told the Her.'\ldWorld. "Our Scully equipment includes two machines and four turntables. We will make one short a week, a certain number of two-reelers and two features before the first of the year. We have not ordered any electrical equipment as yet. When we are ready for it, we'll get the latest thing and the best. We can afford to wait as it does not take long to install it. "Heat and power are supplied by steam. We've dug our own well and are putting up a power house, as well as offices, dressing rooms, storage plants, garages and the regular paraphernalia that goes with a well equipped studio. "And we are doing it for $150,000, which is a darn sight cheaper than you can do it in New York, and I guarantee we'll get better results. None of our recording in New York has been satisfactory. To be sure, we have only used small studios with low ceilings. The ceilings have ruined most of it. We are suing one company now in this connection. "We have already rented the studio one day a week to the Central Film Company. Commuting to New York is easy by boat or train. We can rush our waxes to the Columbia shop in Bridgeport to be processed and have them back the next morning. And you could not find a quieter spot in 100 miles. We intend to rent the studio at a price lower than anything in New York today and we are going to furnish the small producer the best in equipment and sound. "We've got a working office on location now and are shooting some exteriors. Opposite the plant we are putting up a row of nice little cottages for employees. Yes, I think we'll have a model studio out at Saybrook." The Alden Film Corporation has won the Camera Club Prize two years in succession. Tack Brown is the head cameraman. Start at Powers Plant Production begins today in the new Powers Long Island Studio. Harry Delf, who has been making a series of domestic comedies for Elbee at the General Talking Picture Studio ("At the Photographers," "Meet the Family" and "Bring on the Bride"), will begin the fourth, as yet untitled, in the Powers plant today. The P. A. Powers policy will be the production of novelties and features, chiefly novelties. And speaking of these, Delf on July 8, is starting a series of burlesques on the sound hews of the day, as presented up by the aver some of the scenarios read and there is lots of humor in them. Giegerich, who handles the publicity for Powers Cinephone, wrote the adaptation of the Craig Kennedy yarn, "Seismograph," recently finished as "Ghosts in Silk" by Weiss .Artclass Pictures at the General Talking Picture studio. The Fox interests have just bought the dialogue rights to Delf's play, "The Family Upstairs," which was on Broadway some time ago, and Lou Cantor, producer of "Courage," is producing his new play, "Innocents." ^ ^ ^ Reuben Mamoulian is very much the big shot over at Paramount these days. Everybody stands around and admires while he puts Miss Helen Morgan and her supporting cast through their paces. He had to capitulate to Morgan, though, when she insisted on dragging a piano into a scene that called for no such instrument. She used it to sit on while she sang a little song in much the same manner as she sang "Bill" for those who went to see "Show Boat" on the stage. "The Gay Lady," with Miss Gertrude Lawrence, is coming along nicely. Both productions, if you remember, are being made in the same studio at one and the same time So far there has been no real hitch in the progress of either opus. They made another short at Paramount this week. It is called "Over the Top" and is a one-reel war comedy with Johnny Burke. * ^ Captain John Noble, of the American Sound Recording Corporatioa, has been scoring four Vimmera photocolor shorts. It has been definitely decided that Charles E. Blaney will make one of his plays into a feature in the Noble shop. The play, one of a number of Broadway productions to the credit of its author, has not yet been chosen. Meanwhile Noble is organizing a stock company which may be used in all the feature work he does. * * * At the General Talking Picture Studio, with DeForest Phonofilm equipment, a musical background is being put into "Unmasked" last season's Broadway comedy-drama which will be readv for fall release. To Direct Dix Film (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, June 25.— Mel Brown has been selected by B. P. Schulberg to direct Richard Dix in his last picture for Paramount. Brown was signed bv Paramount to direct "Elmer the Great." Brown gave up "Elmer the Great" to start the Dix production. M G M Signs Dane (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, June 25.— Karl Dane has signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayei . He is one of the featured players in MetroGoldwyn-Maver's musical extravaganza, "The Hollvwood Revue of 1929." "The Soul ot a Peasant" "P^IRECTED by Julio de Aloraes. Featuring Lia Tora. Produced at the Tec-Art studios. A Brazilian Southern Cross Production. A man and his wife learn that certain interests are desirous of building a road through their property. He is called into town for a conference with the road engineers. A few drinks and he consents to the project, with the assurance that it is all for the future of his little son. He is obliged to house and feed the engineers, and one of them falls in love with his pretty wife. Tense moments prevail when Jose finds his wife in the arms of this would-be lover. A fight ensues in which the husband is wounded. The engineer accidentally fires the gun into his own heart. Jose recovers. The road is completed, and vows are renewed between the couple, to the satisfaction of all. The picture is well cast and beautifully photographed. It is a silent picture. The story is by Lia Tora and was directed by her husband, who is also the producer. It is released by Paramount. — D. H. Screen Acquir es Another Recruit in Kay Hommond; Signs for Swanson Film (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, June 25.— Kay Hammond, stage star, who has had several offers from directors and producers to appear in talking pictures, has at last succumbed. Miss Hammond, whose most recent appearance was in the feminine lead in a Henry Duffy play called "This Thing Called Love," has repeatedly refused to forsake the stage. A contract with an Eastern stage producer proved the barrier but persuasive eloquence on the part of Miss Hammond dissolved this obligation. No sooner was this made known than she received the offer to essay a featured role in Gloria Swanson's next all-talking picture. Film Academy Studying Studio Sound Processes (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, June 25.— The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expects to obtain information showing how every studio in town makes sound pictures. Lester T. Cowan is collecting data in the Academy's survey. Since the inception of talking pictures, producers have craftily prevented secrets of various processes from being known off the lot. Sound stages have been constructed in many ways. Set treatment and lighting causes considerable concern. Each studio has its own particular recording system. Projection is another problem that the Academy is delving into. No Guesswork to His Job, Says Ree of R K O (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD,^ June 25.— Max Ree, art supervisor for R K O, says that there is no guesswork connected with his job as head of the research department. "The research man," according to Max, "must be a browser, a bookworm, a hound for the facts and foibles of an age. He must spend his life ferreting for the elusive truth in costumes, customs, manners and traditions."