The Film Daily (1934)

DAILV Monday, Jan. 15,1934 A LITTLE from "LOTS" By RALPH WILK (^ OUVERNEUR MORRIS, noted novelist and screen writer, has been signed to write the screen play for "The Sea Girl," RKO picture which is slated for production early in March. Shirley Burden is associate producer. * * * Harry Green is the father of a seven-pound boy. * * * William Wellman is reading the script of "Stingaree," RKO vehicle for Irene Dunne, and may start directing it about the middle of February. David Lewis will supervise. * * * Twelve of the mannequins of "Fashions of 1934," First National picture starring William Powell which will have its world premiere in New York on Thursday evening, will fly to New York in order to be present that evening. Orry-Kelly, fashion creator, is expected to go east by the same plane. * * * "Flirtation Walk," a story by Delmar Daves, has been bought by Warners and the adaptation is now being prepared. It will have a musical comedy sequence. 3|? jjf j£ "Two Alone" is definitely announced as the final release title for RKO Radio Pictures screen version of Dan Totheroh's play, "Wild Birds." Jean Parker and Tom Brown are featured in the production, which was directed by Elliott Nugent. * * * Richard Barthelmess's next for Warners will be "One Man Woman." Alan Crosland will be the director. * * * Production of the Stuart Palmer mystery thriller, "Murder on the Blackboard," as a sequel to "Penguin Pool Murder Case," is in preparation at RKO. Willis Goldbeck has been signed to write the screen play and George Archainbaud will probably direct. Kenneth Macgowan is associate producer. * * * Charles Lamont will direct the next Educational-Andy Clyde Comedy shortly to go into production. A departure for this series, this comedy, as yet untitled, will have original songs with music by Alfonse Corelli. Story is by Ewart Adamson. Kenneth Peach, ace cameraman who photographed Hal Roach's feature, "Sons of the Desert," has been assigned to do. the camera work on HOLLYWOOD , "Babes in Toyland," which will also be produced by Roach. Old and New On the same evening that First National's "Fashions of 1934" has its premiere at the Hollywood theater, next Thursday, the Warner theater across the street will present the opening of "The World a Million Years Ago," recent World's Fair attraction. Anderson Lawler has been assigned to an important role in "Rip Tide," starring Norma Shearer. Lawler is represented by .Ralph G. Farnum. * * * W. F. "Bill" Crouch, former movie critic, is now publicity director for the Agua Caliente Broadcasting Co. The company's station, XEAC, went on the air Jan. 6 for the first time. 9fi $ $ Harry Segall, Broadway playwright, now under contract to MG-M, is writing an original story for Wallace Beery. His play, "The Strange Behaviour of Mrs. Crane," will be picturized by Universal under the title of "Bachelor Wife." * * * Gordon Douglas, Hal Roach writer, is versatile, to say the least. When there is a lull in his writing duties, he does acting. He was a member of the Roach casting department for several years. % % £ Harold M. Sherman, whose original story, "Are We Civilized," is being directed by Edwin Carewe for Raspin Productions, is the author of 40 published novels. His plays, "Her Supporting Cast" and "The Little Black Book," were produced on Broadway. He is regarded as the most prolific writer of novels dealing with boys and sports. * * * "Take the Stand," suggested by the Earl Derr Biggers story, "Deuce of Hearts," has been selected for the third production in the series of eight special features to be produced by Liberty Pictures. It will so into production shortly at the Pathe Studios, Culver City, under the direction of Phil Rosen. A cast of well known cinema names is being assembled by M. H. Hoffman, president of Liberty. Screen adaptation is by Albert DeMond. * * * Elissa Landi, placed under contract by Columbia Pictures several months ago, has been assigned to her first starring role for the company. She has been selected to play opposite Joseph Schildkraut in "Sonata," taking the place of Carole Lombard, who was recently signed for this part, but because of work on other productions is unable to meet the shooting schedule. Production on "Sonata," an original by Jo Swerling, will start this week under David Burton's direction. * * * "Gimme My Quarterback," college satire in Educational's Baby Burlesk series, has just been completed, and prints are being rushed to the Fox exchanges throughout the country. * * * Willard Robertson and Vincent Sherman are working in Columbia's "One Is Guilty." N-E-W-S OF THE DAY m Boston — Robert Nunes has been appointed western Massachusetts and Connecticut sales manager for First Division. Donora, Pa. — Irwin Weiss, until recently in the Philadelphia district for Warner Bros., has been named manager of the Harris here, replacing Bill Decker, promoted to city manager of Warner houses in Johnstown. Canton, 0. — L. Ward Farrar has assumed his duties as manager of Loew's, replacing George Kraska, who has gone to New York to become manager of Loew's Paradise. Farrar comes from Columbus. Providence — The Columbia, directed by Henry Iannotti, will close Jan. 16, according to present plans. Boston — Bert Mackenzie, New England exploitation manager for M-G-M, is recuperating from an illness at the Hotel Bradford. Orangeburg, S. C. — Edisto Theater Corp. has reopened the old Bluebird under the new name of Ritz with H. L. Frazier as manager. Cowpens, S. C. — Sam Reevin is operating the Cowpens, recently reopened. Mocksville, N. C. — The Princess, under the management of H. F. Moore, is open again. Akron, O. — Warner's Strand has definitely decided to continue previews and the Colonial will follow. Detroit — A. J. Norris, owner of the Michigan Film Library, has taken over the Ritz, East Side house, from A. Stanley Janiszewski. Detroit — The Madison, which reopened recently after being closed four years, is to be taken over by United Detroit Theaters, which owns the building. James Wickert is managing the house.