The Film Daily (1929)

DAILY Sunday, Dec. 15, 1929 •lldXf^^Jeteice Song Writers Busy at Metropolitan Composing Number for Christie Comedies — Four Writers Get F. N. Contracts — Smith Signed by M-G-M, Ken Maynard Plans Talker House — RKO Signs Chorus of 41 — Wilk's Paragraphs and Other Coast News TRIO BUSY ON NEWSONGS FOR CHRISTIE COMEDIES A trio of composers comprising Irving Bibo, Henry Cohen and Harry Lawler are now busily engaged writing original songs and instrumental numbers at the Metropolitan studios. Three of the numbers the team has composed are for Christie Talking plays including "La La Papa," for Louise Fazenda, "So This is Paris Green," "The Night That I Found You," for Taylor Holmes in "Let Me Explain," and "I Don't Believe It, Dear," for James Gleason. "Lula" has been especially written for Lloyd Hamilton in "Grass Skirts." Warner Completes Four New Short Subjects Completion of four new Vitaphone Varieties is announced by Warner. They are "Persian Knights," "Honolulu," "To Die With a Smile," and "Holiday in Storyland." The lastnamed is a fantasy with a cast of thirty children. Schofield to Adapt Own Tale Paul Schofield has been engaged by RKO to write the adaptation and dialogue for "Framed," of which he is the author. George Archainbaud will direct. Stoloff to Direct Will Rogers Will Rogers' second talking picture for Fox will be directed by Benjamin Stoloff. The script and dialogue will be by Edwin Burke and George Middleton will act as associateproducer. Two M-G-M Films Renamed Two M-G-M films have been given new titles. "Playing the Field" is now "They Learned About Women, and "Happy Days" becomes "Chasing Rainbows." Lanfield Made Fox Director Sidney Lanfield, co-author of "Happy Days," has been made a director by Fox. "If I Was Along with You" will be his first assignment. RKO Plans Sprinkler System A telegraphically controlled watersprinkling system which will reduce insurance rates at the studio by half will be installed by RKO at a cost of $100,000. Baxter Film in Production "Such Men are Dangerous," with Warner Baxter in the cast, has been placed in production at Fox with Kenneth Hawks directing. EAttle from "Lots*' By RALPH W1LK T'OTHER evening the lobby of the Roosevelt hotel resembled the Longacre building, New York, when Al Grey, Fred Zweifel and Joe Shea dropped in for a chat. * * * Our Passing Show: Leo Lance, "who specializes in bad English," strolling on Hollywood Blvd.; Larry Darmour busy at his studio; Joseph Menchen enjoying the breezes at Catalina Island. * * * Warren Nolan, who came West to arrange the Columbia hookup on the "Condemned" opening, was a busy man here. He hobnobbed with several United Artists stars and players and a "host of friends," as the home-town papers would say. * * • Dorothv Farnum wrote the original story for "The Singer of Seville," which is attracting much attention. She also wrote the scenario for "The Unholy Night," which was made by M-G-M. * * » Jed Kiley, writer, under Universal banner, has sold Warner Bros, two all-talking "shorts," through his agent, Ivan Kahn. Kiley wrote the stories in Paris. "I'm Sailing Tomorrow," the title of one, was inspired when he decided to leave on the spur of the moment. He is at present completing "The ComeOn Girl," for Mary Nolan. * * * M. N. Charles, president of the Associated Artists Producers, is preparing to make a picture of the Lone Star state, dealing with the Alamo and surroundings. Betty Blount is preparing the story and dialogue. Theophelus Fitz, business manager, is in Texas making the necessary production arrangements. Production on "The Birth of Texas" is scheduled to start -about the middle of January. * * * Nora Lane, featured actress, is one of the most sought after persons of the screen. She was up for two parts before signing up with First National for "Sally," and also when she accepted the lead in Reginald Denny's last picture for Universal. In spite of the fact that she has lost her case against the street car company on refund on the seven cent fare issue, she is still happy, and is at present being featured in a series of modeling for Fashion. FIRST NATIONAL RE-SIGNS 4 WRITERS TO CONTRACTS Grubb Alexander, Gordon Rigby, Francis Faragoh and Humphrey Pearson will continue to write for First National under new contracts just signed with the company. Negro Chorus of 41 Gets Long-Term RKO Contract Hall's Chorus, a group of 41 colored singers, has been placed under a long-term contract by RKO as a result of its work in "Hit the Deck." Their next appearance will be in "Dixiana." Gay nor, Farrell, Butler Again to Work Together Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell and Director David Butler will be brought together again, this time in "High Society Blues," which Fox will make from a story by Dana Burnett. Songs to be by Hanley and McCarthy. Cast For "Song Writer" Wynn Gibson and May Boles have been added to the cast of "The Song Writer," which Marshall Neilan is directing for M. G. M. To Play in "Melody Man" Tenen Holtz, and Johnny Walker have been cast for Columbia's "The Melody Man," which R. William Neill is directing. Charley Murray in Talker Charlev Murray has just completed his first' talker, a Christie talking comedy called "The Duke of Dublin." Others in the cast are Monte Carter, Mary Gordon and Carol Wines. William Watson directed. Moran and Mack Start Second Production has started on "Two Black Crows in the A.E.F.," which Paramount is making with Moran and Mack in the cast. Other players are Joan Peers. Neil Hamilton, Walter Weems, Walter McGrail and Betty Farrington. Richard Wallace is the director. writing dialogue for "Paradise Ahoy" Star Plans Theater Ken Maynard is planning the construction of a talking picture house at Palm Springs, Cal., according to a report received here. Edgar Smith Signed to Write Libretto for M-G-M Edgar Smith has been engaged to write material for the use of Weber and Fields in the musical film which M-G-M plans to make with many old-time favorites in the cast. Noel Francis on Coast Noel Francis, former Ziegfeld player, has arrived here to play in Fox films. THE Doorway of HoapitoHty I/NTER the doorway of «*.!. popular hoetelry and you I eel at hoaMi There's an atmosphere of cordial well ■ all which marks the difference between tha Hollywood Pbua and ordinary hotel*. Your room, too, hai that addad of distinction. Picrurei on tha wall, •raffed furniture, a floor lamp and i lamp . . . these are but a few of tha featuaaa that make you fael at home. Plg'n WhUtle Dlntne; Service Insures tha beet of food. Therefore . when you are mesai la Lea Angelas ha aura to Investigate. THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL Vina Street at Hollywood Boulevard HOLLYWOOD. CALIFORNIA *