Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1929)

October 5, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 39 NEW YORK SHOWINGS "Faro Nell or In Old Calif orny" Louise Fazenda has a voice that occasionally twitters with the canaries. This we knew. That she also has what almost corresponds to a basso we found out last week when we saw her in a beautifully done travesty on the old Westerns, called "Faro Nell, or In Old Californy." We learned again that "there's gold in them thar hills" and that her husband had not "done right by our Nell." This picture should be especially amusing to all those who recall the galloping, six-gun Westerns of yore. It is, by the way, a Christie Talking Play and not a Christie Comedy. Another C. T. P. is "The Fatal Forceps" with Ford Sterling, again a burlesque. Sterling is being tried for felonious assault. It seems that he's a dentist and can never sleep because of the saxophonic tootings of the gentleman in the flat below him. This fellow comes to the dentist's chair. Sterling goes after him with the forceps and, after a tremendously realistic struggle, extracts every one of his teeth. He tells his story in court — is acquitted. A third C. T. P. gives us Taylor Holmes and Carmel Myers in "He Did His Best." Christie is getting feature stars to be featured in his two-reel talking plays. Educational Comedies Three Educational talking comedies were shown at R C A's 411 Fifth avenue studio last week. They were: Lupino Lane in "Fire Proof," Lloyd Hamilton in "Peaceful Alley," and Harry Gribbon, Andy Clyde and Thelma Hill in "The Golfers." The first part of the Lane picture consisted of gags we have seen Messrs. Laurel and Hardy get better use of. The last part was original and clever. "The Golfers," though, should appeal to anyone who has ever wielded a club. And outside of the humor there is some very nice play by Mr. Charlie Guest. James FitzPatrick showed two of his Traveltalks last week as well as a couple of his Movie Horoscopes. The former are very well done, the photographer has chosen some nice camera angles and picked his subjects well. Some of the shots are very beautiful and the explanatory dialogue which accompanies them is at once interesting and factual. The particular subjects cover a trip from Barcelona to Valencia and from Valencia to Granada. And the next best thing, in our mind, to going to these places is to see them and hear about them on the screen. The movie horoscopes were for the months of September and October. We were informed that they would appeal to women. As it is, they are neither serious nor amusing, but an awkward combination of the two. The Traveltalks, however, more than made up for any deficiency in the Horoscopes. — D. F. State Shows 11,000 Extras Registered and 7S0 Work (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 1.— The California state department of industrial relations has revealed statistics relating to the employment of extras in studios. There are 11,000 extras registered with the various casting agencies. Those working each day average 756, leaving 10,244 that do not work. The survey was made over a period of one year. Extras are paid from five to $15 per day. The average daily wage is close to nine dollars. John Stone Is Made Executive Of Fox Silent Film Staff of 30 Completes Silent Versions of "Cock Eyed World," "Salute" and "Behind That Curtain"; Staff Working on 30 Films for 1929-30 (Special to the Herald-lVorld) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 1. — In the new list of personnel and executives which was posted on the bulletin board this week, there appeared the line : "Silent Picture Department — John Stone, Editor." This recognition of John Stone's long and faithful service on the Fox lot, comes after a year of prolific writing to cap ten years of varied assignments. Starting as a reader in the scenario department in 1919, Stone, a former teacher in New York City, became one of Fox's ace writers turning out such successes as: "Three Bad Men," "Black Watch," "Prep and Pep," "Blue Skies," "Chasing Thru Europe," "Road House" and a majority of the Tom Mix specials for Fox. This record of ten years with one company remains a record in Hollywood, where transients are in the majority. During the past year he has been responsible for the scenarios of "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "The Girl That Wasn't Wanted," "The Girl From Havana" and the screen story of "Salute," which is proving to be a box office attraction. In his new role of chief of the newly created Silent Picture Department, Stone is in charge of more than 30 title writers, cutters, editors, assistant directors and cameramen who are turning out the 30 Fox films announced for the coming season. As editorial supervisor, Stone's long experience as a writer is standing him in excellent stead. Already the department has turned out silent pictures of "Behind That Curtain," "The Cock Eyed World" and others which are said to be marked by an interesting new style of editorial treatment. Walsh Directing McLaglen Production on an untitled film featuring Victor McLaglen started this week at the Fox studios. Raoul Walsh is directing. Fifi Dorsay has the feminine lead. Others in the cast are El Brendel, Charles Judels, August Tollaire, Eddie Dillon and Lennox Pawle. It is a sea story based on an idea of Walsh. Dudley Nichols wrote the scenario. The tail end of the Warner production season appears to be the kind of a tail that wags the dog. Most of the year's program has been completed. Two feature productions have started recently, "Mammy" and "The Man." It is understood that the Barrymore audien, "The Man," represents an entirely new talking picture field for Barrymore. William McGann, who was recently elevated to the ranks of directors, is shooting "On the Border," featuring Rin Tin Tin. Armida and John Litel have the romantic roles. The Warner short feature department is active with four productions before the cameras. Larry Ceballos is directing his first picture, "Night Club Baby." Ann Pennington has the lead. It is being filmed in technicolor. Phyllis Crane and Adrienne Dore are in the cast. Bryan Foy is directing "At the Church Festival." Dick Henderson has the lead. Immediately upon completing this Foy will start production on "The Head of the Family." Roy Mack is directing "Minstrel Days." A cast of 40 colored artists are featured. Howard Bretherton, who was directing Monte Blue in "The Isle of Escape," has been assigned to direct a number of the short features. Blue broke several ribs while making water scenes at Catalina recently. Metropolitan Studios Busy Activities at ■ the Metropolitan studios include the Sono-Art unit which will start pro duction on "Blaze O' Glory." Eddie Dowling has the leading role. The cast includes Frankie Darro, Henry B. Walthal, Ferdinand Shumann Heink and William Davidson. The James Cruze productions are preparing for another picture to start soon. The Robert C. Bruce Outdoor Talking Scenics are in active production. Broughton Reid productions are shooting "The Duke Wrangler." Lina Basquette and George Duryea have the leading roles. Mrs. Wallace Reid and Richard Thorpe are directing. The Halperin Brothers are ready to launch a series of pictures. They are using the Western Electric equipment for recording. The Halperin's are the eighth feature production organization to make use of the Metropolitan studies. Mai St. Clair at M G M Mai St. Clair will direct Joan Crawford in "Montana" for M G M. The story is a musical comedy of the West, with songs and other incidental numbers woven into a story of the wide open spaces. Joan Crawford recently signed a new starring agreement with MGM. Synchrotone at Tec Art The Colorart Synchrotone Corporation has established its headquarters at Tec Art studios. Production will begin shortly. The first feature will be made in color and will star Reginald Denny. Eric Von Stroheim, Esther Ralston and F. W. Murnau have been signed for a number of the Colorart pictures. Murnau is now in Tahiti working on a picture company. Audrey Scotto and John Reinhardt are preparing for a series of short features to start production soon. Edward Harris, who has perfected a new system for recording, has contributed his patents. They will be employed in the recording which Colorart will use and lease. Roach Busy Robert MacGowan started production this week on an untitled film at the Roach studios. It is an Our Gang comedy. There are four pictures being made and only one is titled. Laurel and Hardy are making "The Hoosegow." James Parrott is directing. Harry Langdon is doing a Charley's Aunt, playing a butler who impersonates his mistress in order to secure a proposal of marriage from her timid old beau. Charles Rogers is directing. Tuttle and Wellman Start Two pictures started this week at the Paramount studios. Nancy Carroll has the lead in an untitled film. William Wellman is directing. David Butler Signs at Fox ( Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 1.— David Butler has been signed on a new long term contract by Fox. Butler recently completed the direction of "Sunny Side Up." Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are featured. Others in the cast who received new contracts are Sharon Lynn, Majorie White, El Brendel, and Frank Richardson.