The Film Daily (1929)

THE m 6 I Short Shots from H New York Studios KSSSm^y ARTHUR W. EDDY ^^^ PIERRE COLLINGS, one of the screen's most expert adaptors and writers of originals, sailed Saturday for a brief European trip, during which he will visit England and France. While inhaling Atlantic Ocean ozone he'll focus his typewriter on three originals. * * * Frank Heath and H. Emerson Yorke, Paramount's casting impresarios, are busy with "The Cocoanuts," now in early stages of production at the Long Island plant. Two additions to the roster of players are Cyril Ring and Basil Ruysdall, both known to theater-going audiences. * * * Merle Johnson has finished giving Johann Strauss' "The Gypsy Baron" talker version for production by E. Spitz. He's written the dialogue and continuity. * ♦ ♦ "Romance, Inc.," from the fastclicking collaborating typewriters of H. H. Van Loan and Crane Wilbur, ivill be produced on Broadway immediately by A. H. Woods. It's a yarn of Hollyivood and. environs. Wilbur leaves Ttiesday for Oakland, Cal., to fulfill a stock engagement and will try out the play there and also "The State Trooper," oii which he also collaborated tvith Van Loan. When "Romance, Inc." reaches the Main Stem, Wilbur will play the male lead and his wife, Beatrice Blinn, probably ivill play opposite. * * * Thomas Holding, who works in pictures and shows with equal cleverness, is now rehearsing in "The Suicide Club," based upon Robert Louis Stevenson's story. ^t^ch at the A.M.RA. HOLlYWoOD MASQUi Ball/ Hotel Astor Aiar.'Z CAILV Monday, February 18, 1929 Treats Patrons New Haven, Conn. — Appreciation week at a local house here was marked by free distribution of candy and ginger ale to patrons. One thousand bottles of the beverage and 100 pounds of candy a day were distributed. Columbia Sales Trio on Tour of Exchanges With its talking program of both features and shorts launched, Columbia's trio of sales executives is on a tour of exchanges. \N. J. Morgan, after a brief stay in New York, has returned to the recently acquired southern territory to visit newly-annexed Columbia branches in New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta and Oklahoma City. Cecil E. Maberry is covering the Middle West. His itinerary includes Omaha, Des Moines, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Milwaukee. Joe Goldberg, West Coast head, has left his headquarters in Los Angeles for the survey of the Columbia branches in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Butte. Whitehall Cancels Contract London — Whitehall Pictures, which some months ago entered a contract with W. & F. Films whereby the latter distributed all Whitehall product in Great Britain, has cancelled its contract, it is reported. Whitehall is now completing "The Inseparables," its latest picture. "Dixie" Opening Feb. 25 "Hearts of Dixie" opens Feb. 25 at the Gaiety, New York, and not tonight as previously reported. Teufel Manager at Eugene, Ore. Eugene, Ore. — Fred Teufel of Portland, has been placed in charge of the Rex, according to Russell Brown, manager of the McDonald. Both houses are owned and operated by Universal. Waterman Gets R. I. House Providence, R. I. — The Uptown has been bought by Henry E. Waterman of East Providence at a public sale here for $51,000, it is reported. James C. Collins of Tillinghast & Collins represented Waterman. S. F. Granada Renovated San Francisco — Sam Katz, president of Publix, has ordered a number of improvements for the Granada here. Alterations are to be made without interrupting the show. Brownell with RKO John Brownell, playwright, scenarist and novelist, has been added to the Radio Pictures writing staff. He was for five years with fhiiversal and se\eral years with RobertsonCole and FBO. Coast Wire Service Academy Merit Awards CITATION fOR BEST WORK or '28 MADE Merit awards for work on pictures during the past year have been made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The awards embrace the v.'ork of stars, directors, authors and adaptors. Among the male players, Emil Jannings is first and Richard Barthelmess is given honorable mention. Among feminine players Janet Gaynor is first, with Gloria Swanson and Louise Dresser receiving honorable mention. In the field of dramatic directors Frank Borzage is chosen nrst for "7th Heaven." Herbert Brenon gets honorable mention for "Sorrell and Son." Lewis Milestone receives a first for comedy direction of "Two Arabian Knights." Ted Wilde gets honorable mention for directing "Speedy." For original stories Ben Hecht lands a first award for his "Underworld." Lajos Biro receives honorable mention for "The Last Command." Among adaptors Benjamin Gkazer is first for his work on "7th Heaven. ' Alfred Cohen gets honorable mention for adapting "The Jazz Singer," and Anthony Coldeway honorable mention for adapting "Glorious Betsy." Among title writers Joseph Farnliani wins the award for his titles, with George Marion, Jr., and Gerald Duffy receiving honorable mention. Among cinematographers, Charles Rosher and Karl Struss jointly receive first awards for their camera work on "Sunrise." George Barns gets the honorable mention for his camera work on "Sadie Thompson,'' "The Devil Dancer" and "Magic Flame." For art direction William Manzies gets the award and Rochus Gliese and Harry Oliver receive honorable mention. In the department of engineering effects, Roy Pomeroy won first for his work on "Wings," and Ralph Hammeras and Nugent Slaughter get honorable mention. Award for the most unique and artistic picture went to Fox for "Sunrise," Paramount received honorable mention for "Chang," and MG-M for "The Crowd." A special award for producing "the pioneer outstanding talker which revolutionized the industry" was given to Warners for "The Jazz Singer." A special award was given to Charlie Chaplin for writing, directing and producing "The Circus." A Little from if Lots >f By RALPH WILK Hollywood GLIMPSES at the Wampas dinner: Arthur Caesar's comments causing gales of laughter, and queries regarding his past and work; Con Conrad's parodies winning' applause. Earl Wingart proving an excellent master of ceremonies; President Barrett Kiesling busy with the gavel; Keith Weeks being introduced to the Wampas; President Karl Bickel of the United Artists refusing to "work for you tonight by making a speech"; Arthur Kay informing another Arthur— Caesar— that the latter had put him in "high-sterics"; Eddie Leonard, king of minstrelsy, forced to give five numbers; two Fox princesses of pulchritude — Dixie Lee and Dorothy Jordaai — proving pleasing eyefuls and full of talent. * * * Al De Gaetano, long Harry Langdon's film editor, is editing "The King of the Kyhber Rifles," which John Ford is directing, with Victor McLaglen m the stamping role. John Stone wrote the dialogue for the picture. * * * Al Ray is busy at TiffanyStahl, where he is directing "The Midway," which stars Joe E. Brown. Helen Foster and Wal'ace MacDonald are among the principals. Jackson Rose is handling the camera. * * * Pierre Gendron, Pathe dialogue writer, has had his play, "The Countess Wanta You," accepted for production in London. Pierre was the coauthor of "Cold Feet," which was produced in London and New York. He also wrote "Kept," which played in I New York. Denial Made of Report Rothacker with RKO Report that Watterson R. Rothacker is joining RKO Prod., is denied by officials of the latter. Rooney Subject Under Way Entitled "Love Birds," the latest of the series of six Movietone comedies being made by the Rooney family for Universal has just started production, with Ben Holmes directing. The story is by Edgar Allen Wolfe, who writes all the Rooney's stage and screen material. Gleason's Director Chosen Arvid E. Gillstrom is director assigned to make "Meet the Missus," starring James and Lucille Webster GJceason for Christie. Back in F. N. Cast Maurice Black has been signed by First National for "Broadway Babies," starring Alice White. Butler On O'Brien Film David Butler is busy at the Fox studio on "A Son of Anak," by Ben Ames Williams. George O'Brien is the star.