The Film Daily (1929)

DAILY Friday, April 26, 1929 > Coast Wire^Service Hollywood Happenings Pathe Working on Four Talkies for New Season First all-talkie for the new season to be placed in production at Pathe is "Paris Bound," featuring Ann Harding, stage star. It is from Philip Barry's stage play. William Boyd's next, "Flymg Fool," with Marie Prevost as lead, is half completed. This is also an all dialogue picture. "Black Narcissus," first Hugh Wiley "Wildcat" story to be filmed, will be completed this week. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have almost completed their second all-talking comedy. "U" to Make "Scotland Yard" in Serial Form Production will shortly start at Universal on "The Return of Blake of Scotland Yard," a 10 two reel episode serial under the direction of Ray Taylor. Craufurd Kent, Grace Cunard, Arthur Pryor, Monty Montague, Florence Allen and Albert Priscoe have been signed. Beetson Denies Equity to Operate Coast Call Bureau Fred Beetson denies that Actors Equity is to operate a call bureau in Hollywood. Mason for "The Climax" LeRoy Mason has been cast by Universal for a part in "The Climax" being directed by Renaud Hoffman with Jean Hersholt in the lead. The picture is an adaptation from the stage play by Edward Locke. Chandler in Garbo Film Lane Chandler will be seen as Greta Garbo's brother in M-G-M's "Single Standard," an adaptation of Adela Rogers St. Johns' story. John Robertson is directing and John Mack Brown has the lead. Huston for "Brothers" Walter Huston, stage player, soon will leave New York for Hollywood to portray the featured role in "Brothers," which will be directed by William A. Wellman for Paramount. Chester Morris, is also cast. Drive Planned by Catholic Guild ' Membership drive is planned by ■Catholic M. P. Guild starting June 1. ' Election of officers will take place •May 13. 'Archainbaud for "College Coquette" ' George Archainbaud, recently sign ' ed by Columbia to direct a series of four talkers, has been assigned "The College Coquette," as his first. Josephine Dunn Signed Josephine Dunn has been signed 'ly Universal for the lead in Eddie Leonard's vehicle, "Harmony Lane," to be directed by Robert Hill. A Little from **Lots By RALPH WILK G "Show Boat" Opened At Eight Keys; 11 More Set "Show Boat" is now playing prerelease in the following theaters in various sections of the country: Rialto, Washington; Hamrick's Music Box, Portland and Seattle; Blue Mouse, Tacoma; Royal, Kansas City; Publix, Houston; Liberty, Oklahoma City and Grand Central, St. Louis. Eleven more are set. Hollywood ARY COOPER made his first stage appearance as a singer, when he made a personal appearance at the Paramount, Los Angeles, and sang two numbers from "The Wolf Song." ♦ ♦ * "King for a Day" is a title that can be applied to a certain studio executive. This week he was given added duties and authority, with the result that his hat became too small for him. Twenty-four hours after he had assumed the new duties, he was given his discharge, with the studio records indicating it was a case of too much tempera' ment. ♦ * * By the way, "King for a Day" is one of the songs that Ted Lewis has made famous. Incidentally, we met the Circleville, O., boy recently in the company of Archie Mayo, who will guide him in his initial talker, "Is Everybody Happy." Archie also directed Fanny Brice in her first talker, "My Man," and has "On Trial," "Sonny Boy," "State Street Sadie" and several other pictures to his credit. ♦ ♦ ♦ Six months ago, Weldon Melick, as reception clerk at Columbia, answered many of our inquiries. Now, he has been placed under a three year contract to write titles for Columbia— and we're happy to cheer for him. Weldon, former University of Nebraska student, came to Hollywood to write, but because of his youth, could not make connections. His money nearly gone, he applied for any sort of work at Columbia. He was made reception clerk and later was allowed to submit titles. On his third try, his work overshadowed that of a veteran title writer, assigned to the same picture — and the contract followed. ♦ ♦ ♦ Arthur Caeser has been called in at Columbia to put the "words" to Frank Capra vehicle, "The Flying Marine." "Show Boat" Set for L. A. IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — ■ "Show Boat" will have its premiere at the Biltmore, on May 6. AND THATS THAT By PHIL M. DALY Edwin J. Mayer to Direct M-G-M has made Edwin Justus Mayer, playwright and author, a director. No assignment as yet. New Dialoguer at Pathe Rollo Lloyds will direct dialogue for Pathe. 228 Traveltones Sold for New England Distribution New England Traveltone Equipment, Inc., has purchased from Traveltone 228 machines for installation in that territory. Montague, McConville, Haase and Mekelburg operate the branch, with headquarters in Boston. Morris Posner has purchased four for his Boston theaters. Birmont Theaters Incorporated Montgomery, Ala. — Birmont Theaters, Inc., has been incorporated with capital of $90,000 in stock consisting of 1,800 shares of no par value common and 900 shares of preferred at $100 a share. The company plans to build a theater at Montgomery and Molton Sts. Officers are: D. S. Meyer, of Birmingham, president; Dr. George E. Blue, vice president, and W. P. Engel, of Birmingham, secretary-treasurer. Theater Deed Transferred Nashville, Tenn. — The Orpheum,, included in property valued at $139,800, has been transferred to the Central Properties Co. The theater was valued at $124,000 and was transferred by Col. and Mrs. Luke Lee. Embassy Amuse. Co. Incorporated Wilmington, Del. — Embassy Amusement Enterprise, Inc., has been incorporated here with a capital of $100000 to operate theaters. Gooksh Manager at Vicksburg Vicksburg, Miss. — Asa Gooksh has been appointed manager of the Alamo, succeeding J. F. Thames, Jr., who has been transferred to Jackson as manager of the Istrione. Gooksh was formerly with Saenger theaters at New Orleans, Hattiesburg and Gulfport. Two Added to Scenario Staff Harry Cohn has added Enid Hibbard and Gladys Lehman to Columbia's scenario department. Wilmington Parkway Sold Wilmington, Del. — -The Parkway has been bought by Parkway Co., Inc., a new company recently incorporated. Among the directors are: William L. Todd, Mrs. Mary T. Gambrill, E. Warren Smith and George Isenberg. New Pathe Manager at New Haven New Haven — John J. Lane has been appointed Pathe branch manager to succeed B. M. Moran, resigned. TIMMY STARR, motion picture editor of the "Los Angeles Record," sez that Columbia's "The Donovan Affair" both chilled and tickled his funny bone. The tickle part is all right, but if producers are going to chill the summer patrons what's going to happen to all these theater cooling devices? * * * THEME SONG "Rainbow Man, I Love Your BoxOff ice Hues." * * * Director Harry Delf, unable) to secure twin babies for a forthcoming Ellbee picture, is rumored to have advertised as follows: WANTED: Mixed duo (must be twins) not more than two weeks of age. Previous experience not essential. Experience, eh? Any twins two weeks old have staged more squawkies than Harry has. _ * * * LAB NOTE Nat Saland of Hedwig Laboratories has developed a short subject that will probably cost him plenty. Nat and the missus call it Ronald Stanley. It ain't a comedy number, but has all kinds of sounds. * ♦ * The Crime Wave Hitting the high spots of the corn belt, our roving correspondent Epidemic Smoosh reports: "Just saw a talking film that had no trial scene, but it should have had for it sure gets away with murder." * * * DAILY POME Wee Willie Winkie Runs throaigh the town Offering house For a down. his film dollar Definitions Independent— An obsolete species, now only to be found in poorhouses. * * * Famous Film Conversations "$-$—$—$—$$"