Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

November 29, 1930 EXHIBITOKS HERALD-WORLD Most Unusual Sets In U History Used To Film "Dracula" Cobwebs 18 Feet in Diameter Stretch Across Ruined Castle — Beautiful Crypt in Abbey (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— Some of the most remarkable sets ever made and certainly the most unusual ones ever erected at Universal studios, are being used in the filming of "Dracula," the strange story which brings to the screen what has been acclaimed as "the weirdest character in fiction" — Count Dracula, a human vampire who lies dead in his casket during the daytime only to rise during the hours of darkness and feast on the blood of living persons. The earlier sequences of this terrifying drama are laid in Dracula's Transylvanian castle, a great stone structure fallen into ruin and decay, and deserted for '500 years except for its one ghostly occupant. Massive columns support the ceilings, and even the floors are made of stone flagging. The fireplace in the great central hall is higher than a man can reach. Cobwebs 18 Feet in Diameter The entire interior, begrimed with the dust of centuries, is festooned with cobwebs, one of these great silken meshes being more than 18 feet in diameter and extending entirely across the grand stairway. The wall hangings droop in tatters, blackened with age and dust. Fallen blocks of granite litter the floors, and enormous trees thrust their dead branches in at the window openings. The scene is one of utter desolation. Later the scene of "Dracula" shifts to England, and here the sinister Count takes up his abode in a deserted abbey, the one place in the country which most resembles his castle in Transylvania. The ancient building is of stone inside and out, and much of the action takes place below the level of the land, in the vaulted burial crypt, where Dracula lies each day in a semblance of death In a great boxlike coffin lined with his native earth. Architectural Beauty Perhaps the most beautiful setting in the picture is the steep, narrow stairway leading down into the crypt — a seemingly endless succession of steps in a single unbroken curve. As an example of simple architectural beauty, this set is said to constitute a veritable triumph for Danny Hall, art director of the picture. Bela Lugosi, the Count Dracula of the original New York stage production, plays the same role on the screen, and two other members of the stage cast, Edward Van Sloan and Herbert Bunston, are seen in the roles which they created four years ago. Other important parts in the picture are played by Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Frances Dade, David Manners, Charles Gerrard, Moon Carroll and Joan Standing. "Dracula" was directed by Tod Browning:, famous as author and director of many of Lon Chaney's films. Trem Carr in New York to Confer with Grant L. Cook (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 28.— Trem Carr, producer of Western pictures for Tiffany, has arrived in New York for conference with Grant L. Cook, executive vice president of the company, on the future product. Louis Heifetz on Stories; Handles Darmour Publicity (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 27.— Louis Heifetz is now sittins: in story conferences at Darmour studios. He is also handling the studio publicity. Paramount to Do 17 Features In East by August Next Year Largest Schedule Attempted by an Eastern Plant Since Sound Came In, Says Lasky — Warner Vitaphone Studio Turns Out Four More Shorts — Sennett Studio in Plane (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 28. — Jesse L. Lasky, vice president in charge of production for Paramount, has announced a total of 17 feature productions to be completed at the Astoria Studios of the company between now and August, 1931. Maurice Chevalier will star in two pictures to be directed by Ernst Lubitsch; Nancy Carroll, who is now at work on "Stolen Heaven," will make three films; Claudette Colbert, Frederic March, Clive Brook, Charles Ruggles and other stars, will contribute to the program. Ernst Lubitsch will direct one other film in addition to the pair for Chevalier; and George Abbott, Dorothy Arzner, George Cukor, Edmund Goulding and Edward Sloman are scheduled each to direct one or more pictures. Largest Attempted Under Sound The list of writers who will prepare script for the feature program includes Donald Ogden Stewart, Preston Sturges, Austin Parker, Ursula Parrott, Ernest Vajda, Dana Burnet, Rosalie Stewart, Albert Hackett, Gertrude Purcell and several others. Commenting on the new schedule, Lasky said, "The 1930-31 program for the New York Studio is numerically the largest and most ambitious ever attempted by the Eastern plant since sound came to the screen. Every production is designed as a worthy successor to recent hit pictures produced here." The list includes "Stolen Heaven," "Sex in Business," "Her Past," " Up Pops the Devil," "Mendel, Inc.," "Schoolgirl," "Week End," "Wild Beauty," "The Man I Killed," "Follow the Leader," "The Royal Family," and six features as yet untitled, three of which will not be produced until next summer. 10,546 Extras Employed During the period from July to November of this year, the Paramount Studio here employed 10,546 extras in various productions. Frank Heath, casting director, has announced that 400 additional will be taken on for the film, "Stolen Heaven," with more to be hired as the 1930-31 program gets well under way. The cast of "Stolen Heaven" now includes Louis Calhern, Phillips Holmes, Edward Keane, Joan Carr, G. Albert Smith, Dagmar Oakland, Joseph Crehan, Buford Armitage and Toan Kenvon. George Abbott is directing. The title "Strictly Business" has been replaced by "Another Man's Wife" as the tentative title for the Claudette Colbert vehicle which is scheduled to go into production about December 1. AAA Four More Vitaphone Shorts Holding to its production pace, the Warner Vitaphone studio in Brooklyn, has turned out four new short subjects this week. Arthur Hurley directed a. mystery film, Bannister Is Still Ann Harding's Lead (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — And he's still her leading man! It was disclosed this week that the first time Ann Harding met Harry Bannister, her husband, she engaged him as her leading man for the stock company she headed in Detroit during one summer season. "Good leading man and a delightful husband," is her comment. "The Strange Case," in which Charles Halon, Gerald Oliver Smith, Florella Montague and Ray Collins are cast. Martinelli, famous Metropolitan Opera star, has recorded two popular songs in English as a Vitaphone Varieties number. They are "Song of Songs" and "Homing." Joe Penner is featured in a two-reel comedy, "Making Good," which was written by Stanley Rauh and directed by Alf Goulding. Others in the subject are Ulita Trogerhon and Irene Blair. The fourth of the films completed this week is "The Hangover," a one-reel comedy, in which Roy Mack directed Neally Edwards, who wrote the script, Bernard Granville and Josephine Williams. Wilfred Lytell, brother of Bert Lytell, has been signed to appear in a comedy at the Brooklyn studio, which is shortly to go into production. It will be his talking screen debut. Casev Robinson, a member of _ the scenario staff, has been selected to direct "Mardi Gras," a two reeler for which he wrote the script. It is said to be one of the most elaborate films ever planned for Vitaphone Varieties. AAA Elaborate Sennett Comedy Mack Sennett is producing an elaborate comedy for Educational, which will feature a transcontinental chase, in which several different mediums of transportation will be used, including planes. Shooting will take place at the Newark Airport, where Sennett has arranged for fitting up a complete studio in one of the planes. During the flight across country, which is part of the comedy, stops will be made for the shooting of points of scenic interest. The picture will be filmed in natural color, through the use of Sennett's own process. AAA Mack Stark of Simple Simon Comedies has started production on the second of the series at the Ideal Studios in Hudson Heights, N. J., with direction in the hands of Mort Blumenstock. Louis Simon is featured in the comedy, "Radio Madness," from an original story by William A. Grew. In the cast are Nina Sorel, Rube Welch, who assisted in the adaptation, Peggy Cunard and Ernie Melrose. AAA Three more of the Music Masters series have been turned out by FitzPatrick Pictures. They feature the lives of Guiseppe Verdi, Johann Strauss and Felix Mendelssohn, with accompanying music rendered by Nathaniel Shilkret and his orchestra and by the Vocal Radio Artists. Billy Clifford, Actor And Exhibitor, Dies (Special to the Herald-World) URBANA, O., Nov. 28.— Billy "Single" Clifford, operator of the Clifford theatre, died at his home here a few days ago. Clifford had operated the theatre bearing his name for three years, leaving the stage to do so. His full name was William Clifford Shyrigh but he shortened it when he went on the stage. He was a deputy state fire marshal.