The Film Daily (1929)

THE DAILY Thursday, July 11, 1929 FABIAN QUITS STANLEY; CHAIN ALL WARNER NOW (Continued from Page 1) for Warners which control Stanley, is now running the circuit. Fabian operated the circuit bearing his family name until two years ago when he stepped into the operations of the Stanley Co. of America as vicepresident and film buyer. Now he intends entering the brokerage business and already is a director of the Bank of Paterson in New Jersey. The assumption of control of Stanley Fabian by the Stanley Co. has resulted in several other changes. Joseph Stern, whose circuit was absorbed by Stanley-Fabian and who has been operating it since Fabian came to New York, has resigned as have Sol Ullman, film buyer and Gordon Reid the latter district manager of downtown theaters in Newark. Nathanson Talks to Force by Wireless Telephone Niagara Falls, Ont. — Two hundred theater managers, distributors and others attending the Eastern convention of Famous Players Canadian Corp., heard the voice of N. L. Nathanson, managing director, from 4,000 miles away at the final day's session of the conference here. Nathanson addressed the convention from Carlsbad, Germany, his voice being transmitted by wireless ocean telephone to the Canadian convention city. An amplification in the convention hall of the Clifton House, Niagara Falls, enabled every person to hear the message of good will. The Famous Players managers were formally invited to hold their 1930 convention in Ottawa, the invitation being extended by J. M. Franklin, general representative of R-K-O interests in Canada and also a director of the Ottawa Businessmen's Ass'n. The convention closed with a banquet and cabaret, arranged by John Arthur. Kerry on Way to "U" City Norman Kerry is en route to Universal City, where he is to appear in dialogue sequences of "The Phantom of the Opera," which Carl Laemmle, Jr., is preparing for reissue soon. It is possible that Kerry will appear in "All Is Quiet on the Western Front," which is being adapted by Maxwell Anderson for early production. Beach Comedy at N. Y. Strand Pathe's Atlantic City talking comedy, "Beach Babies," produced by J. Gordon Bostock and directed by Bradley Barker is at the New York Strand this week. Evalyn Knapp and Charles L. Kempner are the leads in a cast that includes Naomi Claire Casey, Blanche Latell and Ted Marcell. Coast Wire Service First Nat'l Starting 1 8 JULY 13 TO SEE START OF RECORD F.N. ACTIVITY Beginning July 13, First National will launch its record schedule when 18 pictures will be started with releases set between Sept. 1 and Dec. 8th. The personnel engaged for this production task will include 18 directors and stars, 250 technicians, 3,000 extras and 94 cameramen. There will be approximately 4,000 peopleworking on the Burbank lot daily at an operating cost of approximately $100,000. Among the productions now in work are: "Footlights and Fools" with Colleen Moore; "Sally" featuring Marilyn Miller; "Paris" starring Irene Bordoni; "Little johnny Jones" with Eddie Buzzell and "A Most immoral Lady" with Leatrice Joy. Pictures now in the titling and editing stages include: "Smiling Irish Eyes," "The Isle of Lost Ships," "The Great Divide," "Hard to Get," "The Careless Age," "Fast Life," "Her Private Life," "Dark Streets," "Twin Beds" and "The Girl from Woolworths.' First National productions now in preparation are: "Young Nowheres" starring Richard Barthelmess; "The Forward Pass," with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.; "Lilies of the Field" with Corinne Griffith; "No, No, Nanette" with Bernice Claire in the lead and "Loose Ankles." Badger Signs Long Term F. N. Contract Clarence Badger, has been signed to a long term contract by First National. Badger is directing "Paris," the First National-Vitaphone film starring Irene Bordoni. 2 in Work and 4 Being Edited at Pathe Studio Four Pathe productions are now being edited, with two in work and two more being prepared for early shooting. Pictures being edited include; "A Sailor's Holiday" with Alan Hale; "The Awful Truth" Ina Claire's first all talker for Pathe; "The Sophomore" with Eddie Quillan and Sally O'Neil and "Big News" with Robert Armstrong and Carol Lombard. "Oh Yeah" with James Gleason and "Her Private Life" featuring Ann Harding are in work with preparations being made for the shooting of "Rich People" with Constance Bennett and "Red Hot Rhythm." • New Five Year Contract Signed by Vilma Banky Vilma Banky has signed a new five year contract with Samuel Goldwyn. Paul Page Married Paul Page, Fox featured player was married here last Monday to Miss Ethel Allis. The ceremony took place at the First Presbyterian Church. Page recently completed the lead in "The Girl From Havana." A Little from "Lots" By RALPH WILK T EO TOVER, for several years a ■" member of the camera staff at the Paramount Long Island studio, is photographing "The Very Idea" at RKO. It is being directed by Richard Rosson, also a graduate of the Paramount studio. Leo has received much praise for his work on "Street Girl," which was directed by Wesley Ruggles. Leo was with Herbert Brenon on several pictures. * * * Leonard Fields, formerly Universal's eastern scenario editor, who wrote the story, continuity and dialogue for the first all-talking college picture, "College Love," is putting the finishing touches to his original story, "The Mississippi Gambler," in which Joseph Schildkraut is slated to be starred. "Len" also wrote the treatment, continuity and dialogue for "One Rainy Night," starring Laura La Plante. Three pictures within six months and no golf games to interrupt. * * * Fox has introduced the dialogue-transcription department. A complete continuity is made after the picture is completed, and thus all adlibbing and additions made on the set are recorded. Peggy Lent and Helen Barnhart are in charge of the new department. * * * Alice D. G. Miller is one of our best little globe trotters. Count that summer lost that does not see Alice on the bounding deep. "Alice, where art thou going?" The answer this summer is Paris, Berlin and England. She is due back at her Paramount studio desk about Sept. 1. Holman Becomes Officer of Christie Company Win. S. Holman, long associated with the Christie interests in both pictures and real estate activities, has been elected a vice president of the Christie Film Co. He also is secretary and treasurer of Metropolitan Sound Studios, and is the manager of the Christie Realty Corp. Other officers of Christie Film Co. remain the same, with Al Christie as president, Charles H. Christie, vice president and general manager; E. D. Shanks, secretary, and Fred L. Porter, treasurer. Helen Kane in Hollywood Helen Kane has arrived in Hollywood to begin rehearsals in "Sweetie," which Paramount will produce. The story was written by George Marion, Jr. Nancy Carroll heads the cast. SOUNDS LIKE BEDTIME STORY JUT IT'S TRUE (.Continued from Page 1) commissioner, had previewed and endorsed the film several weeks ago, was seized upon by a reporter of "The Evening Post" as indicating that he had received his cue irifm the film, plot oif 'Which concerns: an undercover detective, slain by bandits. The story crashed the front page, together with a scene of Whalen congratulating Roland West, and a still of the death scene of the film policeman. The stills were secured from the United Artists office, in the absence of Warren Nolan, who handles publicity, and were given out under the impression they were to be used on the paper's picture page. With news associations picking up the story Nolan ascertained that the commissioner had not ^iven even an indication that his secret police plan was gleaned from the picture, and at once headed off further publication of it, a temptation-resisting task, hut one considered necessary in the cause of ethical publicity, particularly because of the co-operation, the commissioner previously had extended. ARBITRATION COURSE TO BE INDICATED AT DALLAS (Continued from Page 1) exhibitor arbitrators appointed bv the Texas M.P.T.O. "or otherwise," it is stated. The Texas unit withdrew from arbitration several weeks ago. Don C. Douglas, secretary of the Film Board, is reported to have been | busy rounding up non-members of the state unit to serve on the board. I Exchangemen believe there will be members of the state association who I will serve, due to dissatisfaction over the action of directors -in withdrawing from arbitration. However, if none can be secured, appeal wil! J>e made to the mayor, to appoint arbi 1 trators, under the rules. Should these attempts fail ex | changes may return to the advance deposit system, it is stated. Junior Western Electric Installed in Sydney House Dispatches from Sydney, Australia, announce the installation of the first Western Electric junior equipment for the use of small theaters playing the Fox Movietone features. These junior units will be installed rapidly in the suburban theaters of Australia and New Zealand, it is stated. London is the only other foreign city so equipped at present. Cleveland Exhibitors Meet Cleveland — The Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibtors Assn. held a spe ! cial meeting recently to discuss operating policies for the coming year.