Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

36 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 29, 1930 Yv^ HOLLYWOOD Radio and Pathe Discourage Use of Amateurs' Scenarios Need Highly Trained People with Technical Knowledge, Says Derr — Radio Pictures Studio Is Making No Attempt to Read Works of Any But Known Authors and Agents By DOUGLAS HODGES HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — The scenario problem has brought about a fresh diversion of opinion in Hollywood's studios. In the face of statements made recently by Warner Brothers, calling upon newspapermen for ideas for pictures, and the encouraging attitude shown by Universal and others, Pathe and Radio Pictures this week issued statements discouraging amateurs. "The deluge of manuscripts into the Radio Pictures Studio now is so great that no attempt is made to read any scenario which does not carry the name of a reputable author or agent," declared Betty Roberts, head of the story department of that organization. "We return all manuscripts unopened," said E. B. Derr, president of Pathe. "If one is opened by mistake, we return it unread. Need Highly Trained Writers "To amateur writers trying to get jobs inside the studios, I give this advice — don't try. We can't use them. We need highly trained people with technical knowledge. An amateur writer, even if we could get him for nothing, would be a liability. "There is no place for inexperienced writers in the motion picture field. "We choose our stories with great care and for very definite reasons. Only experienced writers, in close touch with the public, can furnish the material we need." While most of the other studios are not so drastic in their indictment of young writers, they usually draw the line against beginners' work without bothering to read it. Columbia Goes Foreign Harry Cohn, of Columbia, following his trip to New York, announced this week that foreign language versions would be made of certain Columbia pictures. Features to receive first consideration are "Brothers," starring Bert Lytell, and "Criminal Code," with Walter Huston and Phillips Holmes. Ben Pivar will handle Spanish versions, which will begin immediately. Decision was reached after an extensive survey of work being done by other producers. Farnham Re-Contracted Joseph W. Farnham, noted screen writer and former stage and screen producer, will continue under the M G M banner for some time as the result of a contract signed this week. He recently won the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his titling of "The Big Parade." He did work on "The Big House," "The Flying Fleet" and "The Cameraman." Music Director Dr. Francis Gromon, graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music at Budapest, and an operatic conductor of international note, has been appointed director general of music for Pathe to succeed Josiah Zuro, killed recently in an automobile accident. Dr. Gromon has been in this country since 1923, and has been active in motion picture music circles most of this time. "Caught Cheating" "Caught Cheating," the new Charlie Murray-George Sidney starring product, is under production at Tiffany studios. Frank Strayer is directing. Tenen Holtz, noted character actor, for years with M GM, is a recent addition to the cast, which includes Robert Ellis, Nita Martan and Dorothy Christy. Story is by the prolific F. Scott Darling. It's comedy of underworld. All Done "Resurrection," the Edwine Carewe picture with Lupe Velez and John Boles, is in the cutting stage and will be previewed within the next week, probably. Finis Fox did screen play and dialog, with Herman Rosse. Sidney Fox Signs Universal has signed Sidney Fox, 19-yearold ingenue, to make her screen debut, following her stage triumph in "Lost Sheep." John Murray Anderson, resting: since "The King of Jazz," probably will direct her. She has had talking picture ambitions for some time. Ken's New One Tiffany is groping for a title to Ken Maynard's Western special, as yet untagged. There is a lot of riding, and there are many beautiful backgrounds in the product, which is a story of the Early West. Cast includes Jeannette Loff, Carmelita Geraghty, Wallace MacDonald and Lafe Keefe. A dditions Eddie Baker and Jack Duffy have been added to the cast of Ford Sterling's current Educational-Christie comedy being produced at Metropolitan Sound studios under the direction of William Watson. Del Ruth Loaned Roy Del Ruth will be loaned to Fox_ by Warner Brothers for a special production, following "OK" by Jack Warner and Darryl Zanuck. John Considine, Jr., Fox associate producer, wants him. Jack London's Widow Sues Columbia to Share Profits (Special to the HeraldWorld) LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28.— Mrs. Jack London has filed suit against the Columbia Pictures corporation for an accounting of profits from the film, "Smoke Bellew." After That, Alexander Was Home for Conference (Special to the Herald-Wo-:d) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— When duty calls, J. Grubb Alexander, Warner Brothers scenario writer, answers. Recently, he was far from a small town in British Columbia. Word reached him, via native runners, that he was wanted for a conference in Los Angeles. He climbed into an automobile and drove to Vancouver. He chartered an airplane to Seattle. He caught another fast plane at Seattle. He landed in Hollywood several hours less than two days from the time he got the message. Hookups with Television And Trailers Doubted Within Next Five Years (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— Faced with reports that several motion picture producing companies had completed plans for hookups with television in the near future and that trailers would be used in commercial advertising by television, officials at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared that they had heard nothing concerning the step. "Theatres are not equipped for such an experiment," declared Don Gledhill, Academy executive. "If any plans of this nature are underway, technicians are keeping them well under cover." Carl Dreher, chief of the sound department at Radio Pictures Studios, declared that present indications are that nothing of this sort "would be attempted within the next five years." Jack Warner Silent on Report Fox to Take Over Warner Houses on Coast (Special to the HeraldWorld) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— Upon his return from New York, J. L. Warner declined to comment on reports that the Warner Brothers Pacific Coast theatres might be taken over by the Fox West Coast organization. He declared that motion pictures will lead the country back to prosperity and that more than 70 feature pictures will be made by First National and Warner Brothers. Production starts within 30 days. a Boy Friends" Series to Continue Indefinitely (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— So successful have been the two releases of the "Boy Friends" series, starring Mary Kornman and Mickey Daniels, once leads in "Our Gang" comedies, that Hal Roach has decided to continue the series indefinitely, according to announcements from the studios.