Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

50 EXHIBITORS HERALD -WORLD October 18, 1930 W HOLLYWOOD M G M Musical, "Southerner," Starts With Tibbett Starred Pathe's Decision to Set Aside Mary Lewis Picture Brings $25,000 Suit — 35 Pictures Underway on Coast, Decidedly Fewer Than Normal Number (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer today began shootingLawrence Tibbett's new picture, "The Southerner," with Harry Pollard at the megaphone. Esther Ralston is the feminine lead. It is a musical, and the only one at present in production here. Pathe's decision to set aside its plans for a Mary Lewis musical of proportions culminated this week in a suit brought by the opera star to recover damages. She states that her salary was to have been $25,000 and that of that amount she has received only ten per cent. 35 Pictures Underway There are 35 pictures underway at present, which is decidedly under the normal number for this season of the year. Columbia shows the greatest activity with two big pictures, "Dirigible," and "Tol'ble David," and four others being photographed. Warner Brothers and First National, United Artists, Educational and Tiffany are practically dark although United Artists will resume activity in a day or two with shooting on "Reaching for the Moon." Chaplin of course is finishing "City Lights" but his work is being done at his own lot. Clara Bow Film Starts Paramount is starring Clara Bow in "No Limit." She starts work this week. Norman Foster, stage actor, will appear opposite her. Frank Tuttle directs. Miss Bow's name recently ngured in eight column banner lines on front pages for her alleged attempt to stop payment on checks cashed in a Nevada gambling house. It is reported that her current vehicle had been chosen at the time of the affair; but the studio denied that the thing was a hoax staged for publicity purposes. Associate Producers Universal has named Robert Harris and Erwin Gelsey associate producers. Harris a few days ago left Columbia where he was in a similar post. Before going to Columbia he was scenario department head at MGM. Gelsey joined Universal three months ago as scenario department head. He was formerly with Paramount in the Eastern studios. Stahl Doing Script John M. Stahl. director of "A Lady Surrenders," has been transferred to the scenario department to prepare the script for his next directorial effort. Bela Lugosi Signs I'. la Lugosi, Hungarian who is developing rapidly as a heavy, and now playing the lead in "Dracula" for Universal, has been signed to a five year contract with that organization by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Efforts arc being i/j;idc: to find suitable material for him. Robert Warwick, stage favorite, who arrived in Hollywood ten days ago, already is clicking. He has a featured role in "Once a Sinner" for Fox and also one in "The Queen's Husband" for R K O. He is lined up for a second Fox production. Straus an Actor Oscar Straus, the famed composer, will be an actor. He will visit the star's homes, theatres, cafes and studio sets while the camera grinds, his role being that of a German film fan seeing Hollywood. In the cast will be Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Ramon Novarro, John Gilbert, Raauel Torres and others. The picture is MGM. Clift Adapts "Nurses" Denison Clift, playwright and film director, has been signed by M G M to adapt "Nurses," a story of San Francisco hospitals, to the screen for MGM. Alice Elinor is the author. Rogell's Next "The Beloved Enemy" will be the next production undertaken by Al Rogell for Tiffany release. Rogell will direct personally and selection of the cast will start soon. It will follow "Aloha." Jeanie Macpherson to Write for Paramount (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— Jeanie Macpherson has returned to Paramount after an absence of four years. The studio has signed her for scenario and dialog. She left De Mille three months ago and was succeeded by Elsie Janis. 9,975 Employed in All Studios, Survey Shows (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16. — While production is below normal because production has passed its peak for the year, and because First National and Warner Brothers have practically suspended production, there are at present 9,975 persons employed in all studios. MGM, Fox, RKO and Paramount lead in number of employees. MGM lists 2,100; Fox lists 2,000; Paramount, 1,625; and RKO 1,000. Figures were compiled by the Community Chest. Report Mary Pickf ord to Start Independent Producing (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16. — Although Mary Pickford refrains from confirming it there is a widespread report that she will soon leave United Artists to embark on an independent producing enterprise. "I Have Abandoned All Plans to Buy into UA, "Declares Hughes (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— Howard Hughes declared today that "I have abandoned all plans to buy into United Artists." He telegraphed from the East that "I was prepared to take over Art Cinema Finance Corporation at a reasonable figure but the price was too high." He has again signed Lewis Milestone, who will direct "Front Page." Paramount Official Group Goes East to Place Astoria Plant on Feature Schedule (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— The Paramount officials who are to put that organization's Long Island studio on a regular production schedule are now Eastbound. In the party are B. P. Schulberg, Walter Wanger, Ernst Lubitsch, Sam Jaffee, James Wilkerson, Franklin Hansen, Ernest Vajda, Max Martin, Herman Mankiewicz, Maurice Hamlin and Samson Raphaelson. Lubitsch will act as supervising director of the Eastern studios. RKO Hires Al Boasberg And Douglas MacLean As Associate Producers (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— Radio has signed s\\ Boasberg and Douglas MacLean to become associate producers. They begin work immediately. J. I. Schnitzer, president of Radio Pictures, will remain here two months, it is learned. During his past two weeks stay he has taken a big hand in hiring executives and talent and reports indicate that he will continue to do so for some time. » Chesterfield to Begin "The Midnight Special (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— With the arrival here shortly of George R. Batcheller, president of the Chesterfield Motion Picture Corporation, plans will be completed for the making of Chesterfield's all talking melodrama, "The Midnight Special," a railroad film. IM