Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 4, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 35 Mary Astor Faces Collapse If She Attempts to Diet (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2. — Mary Astor, widow of Kenneth Hawks, is facing one of the most peculiar problems in the history of the industry. Miss Astor's nervous system is so disorganized as the result of her plunging into work to forget her husband's death in an airplane crash that she cannot stand dieting. At the same time she is reported to be gaining weight rapidly. Physicians declare that any attempts at reduction would result in a complete nervous breakdown. Robert Harris Now Associate Producer At Columbia Studio (Special to the Herald-World) •NEW YORK, Oct. 2.— Columbia has signed Robert Harris, former head of the M G M scenario staff, as associate producer on a long term contract. Harris was at one time head of the recording department for Columbia Phonograph Company and later held an office with the Victor Talking Machine Company. When he joined M G M, Harris was first placed in charge of the story department, but with the inauguraion of sound he was entrusted with the organization of the music department, later returning to the scenario staff, from which he came to Columbia. 9> Thomas Moloney Leads "California's All Right (Special to the Herald-World) SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2.— State Senator Thomas A. Maloney has been made general manager of the "California's All Right League" organized to combat the daylight saving movement. The question will be balloted upon November 4. Maloney recently concluded duties as supervisor of the federal census in this district. Huston Gets Male Lead In "The Criminal Code" (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 2.— Walter Huston has been awarded the leading masculine role in Columbia's "The Criminal Code," a picturization of the stage success of the same name. Howard Hawks is to direct the production, which is scheduled as a special. Huston is to play the part of the district attorney. 9? Dialog Completed for Arliss' "Ruling Passion (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2. — The dialog for George Arliss' next Warner picture, "The Ruling Passion," has been completed by Booth Tarkington. The film is based on the book by Earle Derr Biggers. » Chase Shooting "High C's (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2.— Charlie Chase, comedian, has started shooting "High "Cs," a two-reel comedy involving Thelma Todd and tke K M T R Ranch Boys in a singing version of life in the trenches. Wanger and Schulberg Start Eastern Feature Work Soon Sam Jaffe, Production Manager at Hollywood Studios, to Accompany Executives to Astoria — Three Long Productions Now In Action — Dozen Shorts Underway at Warner's (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 2. — In connection with the recent decision on the part of Paramount executives to cease short subject production at the Eastern studio in Astoria until next spring, Walter F. Wagner and B. P. Schulberg are expected to leave the Coast shortly to launch the new feature production schedule here. Wanger, general manager of the produc Jack Hazzard, musical comedy player, tion department, and Schulberg, managing has the leading role in "The Darling director of production, will be accompanied by Sam Jaffe, production manager at the Hollywood studios. Ernst Lubitsch, expected East at the same time, will assume his new duties as supervising director of the Queens plant upon his arrival. This will mark Schulberg's first trip East in his present capacity, to which he was appointed several weeks ago when Jesse Lasky coordinated the operation and personnel of Paramount's production organization. Unusually Heavy Schedule It is anticipated that the New York studio will be taxed to capacity by the unusually heavy schedule planned for the coming months. Three features are at present in work, "The Royal Family," with Ina Claire, Frederic March, Mary Brian and Henrietta Crossman; "The Best People," with Miriam Hopkins, Charles Starrett and Frank Morgan; and Ed Wynn's comedy, "Manhattan Mary." Three others, "Two Against Death," starring Nancy Carroll; a Claudette Colbert story; and a film to be personally directed by Lubitsch are on the list for early production. It has been definitely decided to film "Ladies' Man," the talking screen version of Rupert Hughes' novel, at the Paramount Eastern studio. Paul Lukas is slated to assume the title role as a reward for the able performances he rendered in several previous pictures. Lothar Mendes will direct the picture, which will be the first screen work for Lukas in the East. Dozen Warner Shorts in Work Murray Roth and his henchmen at Warner's Brooklyn studio have increased their activities to the maximum capacity of the plant. At least a round dozen short subjects are at present in preparation, and four new ones have been completed within the past few days. Prominent Broadway names are conspicuous in the casts of the four latest to come from the Vitaphone studio. "Envy," a comedy drama bought by Roth from Geoffrey Kerr, actor-playwright, features Eric Dressier, Romney Brent and Madge Evans. Arthur Hurley handled the direction. Brute," a slapstick piece directed by Alf Goulding. Hazzard is supported by Helen Goodhue, William Halligan and Leslie Adams. Henry Santry and his Soldiers of Fortune come to the screen in another of the Varieties numbers. They offer a novelty musical revue in their best vaudeville manner, with songs and dances predominating. The fourth of the quartet, directed by Roy Mack, is the latest of the "Naggers" series. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Norworth are featured in "The Naggers Going South." Another of these Norworth domestic comedies is now in preparation. Academy Sets Annual Award of Merit Dinner At Ambassador Nov, 5 (Special te tke Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2.— The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold its annual business meeting and award of merit dinner at the Ambassador hotel here on November 5. Ballots are now being distributed to Academy members asking them to select from the nominees those whom they think best deserving of the Academy statuette for 1930. The committee on arrangements for the dinner includes Harry Rapf, Sam Hardy, Reginald Barker, Jack Warner, Robert Edeson, Al Cohn and Clinton Wunder. Hollywood Breakfast Club Given Phonofilm (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2. — The Breakfast Club, widely known ham-and-egg institution here, is to be wired for sound. M. A. Schlesinger, president of General Talking Pictures, during a recent visit offered the club a DeForest Phonofilm set. The formal donation of the contracts has been made and the installation is to follow. The song of love in the pioneer west John Wayne and Marguerite Churchill in the Fox epi of an empire, "The Big Trail.**