Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD May 3, 1930 Radio Lot Is Busiest on Coast; Other Plants Now “In Between’’ Those Companies Working Are Finishing Productions on Last Year’s Schedules — R K 0 Is Spending $6,000,000 on Buildings and Stages for New Product By DOUGLAS HODGES HOLLYWOOD, April 29. — The town is between pictures. In general, production is very slumpish. Those who are working are finishing up pictures on last year’s schedule. There are only a few who are already preparing films for the coming year. Radio's program has 15 pictures yet to be finished. It appears to be the busiest lot here. All the 15 are in one of three stages of production. It also happens that Radio’s lot is busy constructing new buildings and stages that are entirely removing any semblance of the lot that stood on the same location 18 months ago under the banner of Film Booking Offices. The company is said to be spending $6,000,000 on construction. But the business of production is not at all impeded. “Dixiana” is being completed. Mel Brown is in the throes of “She’s My Weakness” from the play “Tommy.” Sue Carol is the “weakness.” Roy Pomeroy, wizard of sound, is debutting as a director. His play debut is “Inside the Lines.” In addition to these there are six being prepared for preview and release, among them being “Alias French Gertie,” “The Runaway Bride,” “He Knew Women,” “Midnight Mystery” and “The Fall Guy.” Four pictures will be cast and placed on the shooting schedule within the next three weeks. Buck Jones Directors Louis King has taken the “Man from Hell's River” unit to Kearnsville to shoot outdoor sequences. Buck Jones heads the cast. Vera Reynolds is the feminine lead. The film is the first of a series of eight for Columbia. Bill Powell William Powell will play a famous criminal lawyer in his next for Paramount, “For the Defense.” John Cromwell is directing. Kay Francis plays opposite. Thomas Jackson will play an important role. Larry Darmour Expands Larry Darmour will share a large portion of R Iv O’s $2,000,000 budget on comedies for the coming year. Not only will the films cost more but they will be more of them. The Mickey McGuire series will be continued. A1 Hermans stays director, E. V. Durling writer. Franklin Month in May; Fox Coast to Celebrate (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29. — “Harold B. Franklin Month” will be celebrated by the entire Fox West Coast Theatres during May. The suggestion to honor Franklin was given by managers of the Los Angeles division. Everyone connected with the 43 local Fox West Coast Theatres attended a mass meeting here to hail the approach of “Franklin Month.” Speakers were John J. Franklin, division manager; Howard Sheehan, vicepresident; Frank Whitbeck, advertising and publicity director; H. B. Wright, manager of Grauman’s Chinese, and C. A. Buckley, legal advisor. Stars Aid State in Film “School” Case (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29. — Notable screen stars will appear against U. M. Dailey, charged with 11 counts of grand theft, in his trial as operator of the Cinema Schools, Inc., this week. Dailey avers he played a major role in the success of many screen stars. They will appear to deny this. Fox to Erect Big Los Angeles Building (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29.— Fox Film Corporation plans the erection of a height limit building in downtown Los Angeles beginning June 1. Fox holds a 99 year lease on the property located on Olive street between Sixth and Seventh. Alexander S. Kemper, representative, is here discussing plans. Norman Taurog Signed by Paramount , Also D. Kelly ( Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, April 29. — Norman Taurog is the latest addition to Paramount’s directorial staff, and Dan Kelly, former casting director at the First National studios, has been signed as assistant to Joe Egli in the operation of the casting office at Paramount’s Hollywood studio. Believe It Or Not! (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29.— What’s in a name? The question has been asked repeatedly and the situation that exists in the case of Wallace Smith is said to encompass the answer. Smith finished writing a book. It’s publishers and himself only knowing the contents. The name of the author, apparently, justifies the feeling that it must be good screen material as there have been five prominent producers trying to buy the story. St. John Assistant To Junior Laemmle; Howe Has Publicity (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29.— Ivan St. John, former publicity director, became assistant to Junior Laemmle this week at Llniversal. Milt Howe, who recently joined the staff, succeeds him as publicity head. Laemmle and St. John are in New York for the “All Quiet” opening. Henry Henigson was added to the executive staff at the same studio. He is taking over the duties of J. J. Gain who resigned. Cooper in “Spoilers” ; P F L Cancels Bancroft “Caveman” Due to Illness (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29.— Production on “The Caveman” at Paramount has been cancelled due to the illness of George Bancroft. Gary Cooper will play the leading role in “The Spoilers” originally assigned to Bancroft. Mrs. Ince Risks Share In Estate to Wed Actor (Special to the Herald-World) LOS ANGELES, April 29.— Mrs. Eleanor P. Ince, widow of Thomas H. Ince, pioneer motion picture producer, filed notice Saturday of her intention to marry Holmes Herbert, actor, thereby risking her share of her husband’s $1,600,000 estate. Ince’s will provided against her remarrying for seven years. He died in 1924. Dove f Disliking Stories, Leaves First National (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29. — Billie Dove has left First National at the end of four years in which she has become one of the most outstanding stars. It was at her request that the company release her because she complained First National would not agree to the kind of stories she preferred to appear in. Bradley King Scenario on Next Barthelmess “ Adios ” (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29. — Bradley King will write the screen version, dialog and scenario on “Adios.” It will be the fifth story that she has prepared for Richard Bathelmess. Frank Lloyd will direct for First National. Miss King was released from her contract with Fox to accept the assignment. Goetz Gets Executive Job On Wurtzel Staff for Fox (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, April 29.— William Goetz has signed with Fox as an executive on the staff of Sol Wurtzel. Gcetz was formerly general manager for the Corinne Griffith Productions and production manager for Buster Keaton. He married the daughter of Louis B. Mayer one month ago.