Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

November 15, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 43 w HOLLYWOOD You Can't Hide Anything in Golf (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 13.— Talking pictures have brought about some strange situations in private lives. Recently John Holland, who played the lead in "Eyes of the World" appeared on the golf course with a week's growth of beard and played in a foursome with a stranger for a partner. "I've met you before," said the stranger. "I recognize your voice." The stranger was surprised to learn that his partner was John Holland and that he had recalled the voice because he had heard it on the screen. Jack Holt, Fred Kelsey Set for "Subway Express" (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 13.— Speculation regarding the casting of leading roles in Columbia's adaptation of "Subway Express," Broadway stage play of the last theatrical season, ended this week with the assignment of the principal parts to Jack Holt and Fred Kelsey. Holt will portray the major delineation — that of the detective — in this special, with Kelsey supplying the comedy interest as the dumb assistant "dick." "Subway Express," from the collaborative pens of Eva Kay Flint and Martha Madison, effects the first screen reunion of Holt and Kelsey since their initial appearance together in "The Donovan Affair," and affords these players new roles which closely parallel their performances in the latter production. Nan Cochrane Becomes Universal Story Editor (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 13.— Nan Cochrane has been named story editor at Universal City by Carl Laemmle, Jr., general manager of all Universal production. She succeeds Leon Ajbrams, resigned. She has spent seven years in the reading, scenario and production departments. Prior to coming to Hollywood in 1923, Miss Cochrane was active in literary work in Chicago and New York. She is the author of numerous short stories and magazine articles. Commission Seeks to Indict Stock Seller (Special to the Herald-World) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13.— The California State Corporation Commission has asked the grand jury to indict Paul Corbeil for selling stock in the "Duncan Sisters, Inc." without a state license. One of the first victims of the alleged illegal stock selling scheme was Nils Asther. Corbeil, it is claimed, represented that the company was formed to promote the work of amateur song writers by having the Duncan Sisters "plug" their numbers. M G M Leaders Confer on Big Plans for 1931 Productions Construction Work Alone for Enlarged Schedule Involve Expending Hundreds of Thousands — Officials Confident Business in General Will Spurt in Next Few Months By DOUGLAS HODGES HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 13. — Following the announcement, greeted on all sides with enthusiasm, that M G M would produce as many foreign versions as English during 1931, a conference got underway today among executives of that organization for enlarging the company's activities until it covered even a larger scope. Nicholas M. Schenck, president of M G M, J. Robert Rubin, vice-president and general counsel, and Charles Moskowitz, an official of Loew's, Inc., arrived here for the conference this week. Also attending will be Louis B. Mayer, Irving Thalberg, Arthur Loew, in charge of foreign activities, and Felix Feist, general sales manager. Many Big Specials Planned The conference will decide on the bulk of the product for the coming year, which will include many elaborate specials with famous stage and screen stars, in addition to the increased foreign language schedule. The new schedule, doubling the studio's activity, means that a large sum of money will be spent in making the pictures. Elaborate construction plans, employment of players and technicians, and doubling of purchase of supplies and materials are involved. Construction work incidental to the new schedule will also involve spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is said. M G M officials express themselves as confident that the current business depression is at an end and that other industries, as well as motion pictures, will spurt during the next few months. 'U' Writers Busy Universal City writers are working overtime this week, adapting stage hits and original stories to the screen. Tom Reed is working on "Steel" and plans a tour of steel mills for atmosphere. Leonore Coffee is adapting Charles G. Norris' "Seed," Erich Von Stroheim is high in the hills applying himself to the script of "Blind Husbands," Kenvon Nicholson and Ann Price are busy pn "The Up and Up," Billy K. Wells, Edward Luddy and C. Jerome Horwin are on an original story. John Wexley is writing an original and Finis Fox is adapting "Merry Go Round." Houston Branch is doing an original story. Gladys Lehman is through with "Many a Slip," but Neil Brandt is preparing an original story and Monta Bell and James Whitaker are busy with "Fires of Youth." Jack Moffitt has been signed for an original story. The serial department is busy, also. Owsley Signs Monroe Owsley, the juvenile who smashed through to success after only a few months in Hollywood, has signed a long term Paramount contract and will soon be working on "Strictly Business" with Claudette Colbert. Wallace in New Job Richard Wallace was so successful in directing Ruth Chatterton in "The Right to Love," in which she played a dual role, that Paramount has assigned him to the megaphone in "Death Takes a Holiday." The cast has not yet been selected. Tiffany Active On the Tiffany list is one Western special starring Ken Maynard, a two-reel comedy with the Chimp family and a two-reel underworld comedy featuring Paul Hurst. The Maynard special is "The Midnight Stage," directed by William Nigh. Jeanette L off has the feminine lead. Frances Hyland is winding up the script on "The Single Sin." Joan Bennett Busy Joan Bennett has been loaned by United Artists to Universal and will co-star with Lewis Ayres in "Babies Won't Tell." She has a new United Artists contract which requires that she do two pictures a year but she is free to work elsewhere when her services are not in demand. Miss Bennett was scheduled for "Smilin' Thru" for United Artists, but this has been postponed. Football "Let's Go Pigskin," comedy on football, has been finished by Universal. Monte Collins leads. Stephen Roberts directed. Dick Alexander, Marion Shockley, Pitzie Katz and Jack White are in the cast. "Dirigible" Soon Frank R. Capra, Columbia's top director, is using two stages and is working night and day with a double technical crew to get "Dirigible" into the theatres. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves again, of course. The United States Navy is cooperating. Newmeyer's New Job Fred Newmeyer will direct "Subway Express" for Columbia. It is a mystery melodrama by Eva K. Flint and Martha Madison, and bowed to the public via Broadway. Jack Holt and Fred Kelsey will be featured. They worked together in "The Donovan Affair." "Aloha" Completed Al Rogell, producer-director of pictures for Tiffany release, has completed "Aloha," his special feature. The cast is headed by Ben Lyon, with Raquel Torres, Thelma Todd, Alan Hale, Marian Douglas, T. Roy Barnes, Robert Ellis and Donald Reed backing him up. Rogell calls it "lavish" ; it has 37 interior sets, among other things.