Exhibitors Herald World (Jul-Sep 1929)

September 21, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 45 THE STUDIO Coast Production Hits Record With 63 Films Before Camera Fox, M G M, Paramount, First National and Warner Brothers Have Heaviest Schedules — Mae Murray Picture Starts At Tiffany-Stahl— Goulding at Pathe (Special to the Herald-World) LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17. — The pendulum swung farther this week and in fact brought production to a point unsurpassed in any month in the past several years. Sixty-three pictures are in production now. Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, First National and Warner Brothers show the heaviest schedules. Warner Brothers started production this week on "Mammy," starring Al Jolson. The story is an original by Irving Berlin and presents Jolson with a minstrel show background. Joseph Jackson wrote the dialog and Michael Curtiz is directing. The cast is not complete, but includes Lois Moran and Louise Dresser. With three pictures in production the Warner short feature staff is a busy group this week. Bryan Foy has recently completed "Finders Keepers." He is directing another playlet, "The Flattering Word," featuring Harrison Ford. Foy is also directing "The Flame," a one reel drama by Arthur Caesar. Al Cohn is directing "All Square," the third short feature. The cast includes Janet Adair, David Callis, Edwin Mills and Auston Jewell. While several numbers are being filmed simultaneously in natural colors for "The Show of Shows," the most pretentious number is an ensemble of over 300 chorus girls. It is being rehearsed for an early filming. Included in the ensemble is a chorus of over 50 negro girls. The entire number will be filmed in colors. Dorothy Mackaill in "The Queen of Jazz." The cast includes Warner Richmond, Sidney Biackmer, Mickey Bennett. Katherine Ward and Julanne Johnson. Humphrey Pearson wrote the dialog. Production started this week. The Alice White audien has started with Mervyn LeRoy directing. William Bakewell, who played opposite the star in "Hot Stuff" has the male lead. The music for this picture is by Bud Green and Sam Stept The story is by Vina Delmar. Another to start was "The Furies" with H. B. Warner and Lois Wilson. Alan Crosland is directing. Natalie Moorhead has an important role. Forrest Halsey did the adaption from the story by Zoe Akins. Richard Barthelmess has started production on "The Son of the Gods." Lloyd Bacon is directing. Billie Dove will make "The Other Tomorrow" as her next audien for First National. No cast announcements have been made. Frank Lloyd will direct. Production will start shortly. Defense Loses Round In U. S. Action Against West Coast j Trial Oct. 1 (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 17.— Federal Judge Henning denied a motion for a bill of particulars yesterday which was asked by the defense in the case of the United States against West Coast theatres and ten big distribution companies here. The case will go to trial October 1st before Judge Henning. It is brought on charges of violations of Sherman Anti-trust act. Indictment was returned last April and charges West Coast and several big distributors had conspired in a "freeze out" policy in and around Los Angeles. Pathe Studios Plan First Annual Golf Tournament On West Coast Sept. 22 (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Sept 17.— The Pathe West Coast studios have announced plans for their first annual golf tournament to be held here on Sunday. September 22. The committee consists of Elmer Cambert, Earl Hampton, and John J. Mescal. Mescal won first prize in the Herald-World tournament in 1928. He is also entered in the HekaldWorld meet this year and is considered a strong contender for first prize. There are to date 50 entries in the Pathe tournament, Fineman Contract Up at Paramount; Executive on First European Vacation (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Sept 17.— B. P. Fineman, for the past year assistant executive to the general manager of the Paramount studios, has left for Europe. It is his first vacation in three vears. His contract has expired at PFL. Movietone Studio City Dedicates New Buildings (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 17. — Ceremonies dedicating the new $100,000 Laboratory of Engineering Research and the Cafe de Paris at Fox Movietone Studios were held this week. The laboratory reflects the last word in up to date equipment and the cafe will seat 500 persons. Dr. Robert Millikan and Lois Moran dedicated the research building and Fifi Dorsay, French actress, dedicated the cafe. Lois Moran unveiled a plaque of Thomas A. Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Stein to Direct Gish in Molnar Play "The Swan" (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 17.— Lillian Gish will make "The Swan" as her first audien. United Artists will produce the picture under the direction of Paul L. Stein. The story is from the Molnar stage success and will begin production October 15. Mae Murray Starts Production on "Peacock Alley," starring Mae Murray, began this week at Tiffany-StahL George Barraud has the leading male role. Marcel De Sano, director and associate producer at Paramount, is directing. He has been borrowed from Paramount for the picture. Jason Robards has been signed for an important role. No other cast announcements have been made. It is understood that Tiffany Stahl will spare no expense in making the picture an outstanding one. Goulding at Pathe Edmund Goulding and Louis Stevens have collaborated in writing the original story and dialog for "The Grand Parade." It will be piesented as a special by Pathe. Goulding and Carl Hovey will supervise. Production has started with Helen Twelvetrees and (jeorge Scott in the featured roles. Tay Gamett Preparing Lilyan Tashman is the latest to sign for an important role in the Harry Richman picture, "P'ay Boy." Tay Gamett will direct. Others in the cast are James Gleason and Joan Bennett. Irving Berlin is putting the finishing touches to the musical part of the story. First National Busy There are seven pictures in production at First National. William Seiter is directing Ulric Starts at Fox Lenore Ulric, who recently completed "Frozen Justice" under the direction of Allan Dwan, has started her second picture with Dwan directing. It is "South Sea Rose." Production began this week. The "Lone Star Ranger" company has returned from the location in Arizona. George O'Brien and Sue Carol are featured. Hundreds of extras, each a carefully selected type appear in the picture. For the first time in months, the old stage coaches are being used, all are reminiscent of the old days when the wild and woolly westerns were in popular demand. Barker Starts at U With James Murray and Kathryn Crawford in the leading roles, the "College Racketeer" has gone into production at Universal under the direction of Reginald Barker. The supporting cast includes Hallam Cooley, Sarah Padden, Frank Campeau, Robert Elliott and Jackie Hanlon. Barker recently completed "The Mississippi Gambler." James Murray has completed "The Shanghai Lady" and Hallam Cooley has finished "Tonight at Twelve." All are Universal piciures. Glen Tryon is completing the leading role in "Skinner Steps Out" and will have "Paradise Ahoy" as his next vehicle. Laura La Plante (Continued on page 48)