The Film Daily (1934)

THE Monday, April 9, 1934 DAILY 21 A TITTLE" from HOLLYWOOD TOTS"; By RALPH WILK (^.EORGE BRE/NT'S first picture since his return to the Warner Burbank studios will be the male lead in "Housewife." Bette Davis has been assigned to play one of the two feminine leads in this feature, which goes into production as soon as casting is completed. Warner Baxter's new starring picture for Fox is henceforth to be known as "9 Million Women," the amended title of what was previously "Too Many Women." The supporting cast in this story by Vera Caspary includes Rosemary Ames, Rochelle Hudson, Mona Barrie, Herbert Mundin and Henrietta Crosman. T T T In an effort to expedite the shooting of Leslie Howard's picture so the star could finish "Of Human Bondage" and go to the hospital and have his tonsils removed, Director John Cromwell evolved and put into effect a unique scheme which saved time and money on the picture. He had four scenes to be shot — small scenes, taken in a corner of a room, beside a window, outside a doorway leading into a house, inside a London station, and a box at a theater. The scenes required only a small space, so he converted a revolving stage that had been used in a musical picture and had the sets erected on this moving platform. It enabled him to shoot the scenes without having to move the lights or readjust the cameras for the entire sequence, and without the necessity of setting up for each scene. T T T "Native adventure pictures can never be made in Hollywood studios due to the obvious possibility of getting large numbers of any Wesley Barry in Comeback Wesley Barry, the freckled-faced lad who was discovered by Marshall Neilan 14 years ago and developed into one of the screen's favorite silent stars, is returning to pictures. His come-back will be an important role in Ann Harding's new starring vehicle, "The L'te of Vergie Winters," with John Boles in the leading male role. Wesley, now grown up, has been away from th? screen for a long time and has been devoting his time to personal appearances and stage work. This production is being directed by Al Santell. Pandro S. Berman is producing it for RKO Radio. The story is adapted from the short story by Louis Bromfield. Nicholls Made Full-Fledged Solo Director George Nicholls, Jr., who with Wanda Tuchock directed RKO's "Finishing School," has been given his first "solo" assignment. He will direct John Barrymore in "A Hat, a Coat and a Glove" tor Radio Pictures. Nicholls was formerly assistant to John Cromwell. Another promotion at She RKO studios advances George Stevens, director of comedy shorts to the direction ot the comedy feature, "The Great American Harem, " which Lou Brock will produce. native race or duplicating their actual living conditions," according to W. S. Van Dyke, M-G-M director. "No matter how carefully extras are made up, or backgrounds and properties reproduced to match any tribe in a distant locality, they are still only a sham and the veteran moviegoer is rarely deceived," says Van Dvke. AAA John Barrymore, accompanied by his wife, the former Dolores Costello, and their two children are setting sail aboard the Barrymore yacht for a month's vacation cruise to British Columbia. Barrymore said he plans to do some fishing and hunting down there. T T T Fay Wray, who was recently seen as leading lady in the Columbia production of "Once to Every Women," has been engaged to play opposite Jack Holt in the company's new picture, "Black Moon," which has gone into work this week under the direction of W. Roy Neill. Thi? is a picturization of Clements Ripley's "Haiti Moon," which appeared serially in the "Cosmpolitan Magazine." Wells Root did the screen treatment. T T T Although the photographic part of "Embarrassing Moments" is completed at Universal City, there is still considerable recording to be done while the picture is in the cutting room. This recording involves Walter Woolf, well known musica1 comedy and Broadway stage star. Woolf sings two songs in the production, written by Eddie Ward and George Waggner. The titles are "What a Fool Am I" and "I Won't Think About Tomorrow." Chester Morris is starred with Marion Nixon featured in this William Anthony McGuire story under the direction of Edward Laemmle. "Hello, Prosperity," the new Educational-Andy Clyde comedy, is in the process of cutting and editing at the Educational studios. The picture has been set for release on April 20. T T T Preparations are being made to put "I Give My Love" into work at Universal City this week. Already Paul Lukas has been assigned to play opposite Wynne Gibson in the lead, and Louise Lorimer, Carl Laemmle, Jr.'s, latest find, will also have an important role in this Vicki Baum story adapted by Doris Anderson. B. F. Zeidman is producing the picture. T T T Hazel Forbes, blonde heiress, will make her screen debut at RKO Radio. She has been signed by Lou Brock, producer, for a role in "Down to the Last Yacht," musical extravaganza. Miss Forbes joins a cast that includes Sidney Fox, Sidney Blackmer. Mary Boland, Ned Sparks. Polly Moran and others. Paul Sloane is directing this production. Gloria Stuart has been signed for the leading feminine role in Warner's. "Hey, Sailor," replacing Margaret Lindsay, who is not fully recovered from a recent appendix operation. Others in the cast of "Hey, Sailor" include James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Dorothy Tree and Frank McHugh. Cast of Paramount's "Many Happy Returns" includes five old-time headliners — Mary MacLaren, Stanley Taylor, Billy Engle, Jay Belasco and George Ovey. Johnny Weismuller is giving Nat Pendleton plenty of credit for some of the tricks Johnny uses in the animal scenes in "Tarzan and His Mate." Nat and Johnny spent many mornings in the wrestling ring where Nat is right at home, having once been a wrestling champion of some listing. Reginald Mason and Tom McGuire have been given parts in "Call It Luck," the Fox comedy featuring Herbert Mundin and "Pat" Paterson. James Tinling is directing. Stewart Erwin will possibly be chosen as pitcher for the M-G-M actors' baseball team this season. Erwin is ambidextrous. He pitches with either hand, bats harder with his right but not so accurately and is an excellent two-handed eater. Madge Evans and C. Henry Gordon, who a few years ago played in stock together, were recently reunited as co-players on the screen. Helen Flint has been signed for an important part in Fox's "Merry Andrew" with Will Rogers and Peggy Wood. Adrian Rosley, Gregory Gaye and Richard Tucker have been engaged for the same production. Although the song, "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," has been used in at least two pictures and sung by more than a score of actors out here, Lupe Velez has the snappiest version of all. Many a time she delayed the shooting of "Laughing Boy" with her original rendition of the number. The fan mail of Henry Bassetti, head chef of the Ambassador Hotel, is growing to huge proportions. Since Henry appeared in a couple of shorts, fans have been writing him from all over the United States for copies of his recipes. Contrary to the general belief, Greta Garbo uses less make-up than any star in pictures. Only a slight tinge of greasepaint covered by light powder is her entire facial make-up. Roger Imhof Writes Book Roger Imhof, Fox character actor, has completed his book, "A History ot Variety-Vaudeville," relating the story of vaudeville including the chronology of all "g'gs." Imhof is currently working in "Merry Andrew."