The Film Daily (1934)

THE JWk DAILY Tuesday, Jan. 30,1934 EXPECT NRA TO GRANT ASSENT EXTENSION {Continued from Page 1) tive Secretary John C. Flinn was confident that he would be advised to this effect. Flinn stated yesterday that the request was made when two associations, the Federation of the M. P. Industry and the Independent Theater Owners Ass'n of New York, requested more time in which to file compliances. The latter organization, in its petition, explained that its members have delayeJ in some instances as they were awaiting an NRA interpretation of some phases of the exhibitor labor clauses. Big Features Gets Weldon Film Louisville — Maxwell Cohn, president of Weldon Pictures, was here last week to arrange with Leo Goldberg of Big Feature Rights to act as distributor for "Damaged Lives" in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. With the recent return of Goldberg to Big Features, headed by Col. Fred Levy, A. H. Kaufman has opened an Indianapolis office under Sol Greenberg, formerly of Warners, and Sam Haber, who was with Fox and Warner, has been engaged as sales representative in Kentucky. Malkames to Shoot New Series Don Malkames, who has just completed writing and directing a series of Goofytones shorts for Gem Pictures, released by Universal, is starting photography this week on "Gags and Gals," the series of shorts based on Jefferson Machamer's newspaper page. Machamer will appear in the series. Duke Richards in Richmond Deal Richmond — Duke Richards, former technician with Hollywood studios and with Ufa in Berlin, has arrived from New York with Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Neal to revive legitimate plays at the Lyric. Former Censor Now a Columnist Richmond — Mrs. Emma Speed Sampson, who was replaced last week by Mrs. Elizabeth C. Chalkley as a member of the state censor board, will become a columnist on a local newspaper. Cleve. Exhibs Form Social Club Cleveland — Local theater managers have formed a Showman's Club for purely social purposes. Louis Sweet, manager of the Knickerbocker, is president. Would End Company Unions Indianapolis — An NRA amendment clearly defining "company unions" as illegal will be demanded by the American Federation of Labor, said President William Green in addressing convention of the United Mine Workers of America here yesterday. A LITTLE from "LOTS ►// By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD 'THE new year is starting off with a bang for Albertina Rasch and her dancing girls. Miss Rasch will create and direct the musical ensembles for "The Merry Widow," at MG-M. Miss Rasch's girls appeared in "Going Hollywood." In Miami, Fla., another Albertina Rasch ensemble is appearing at the Villa Venice, Florida's most swank night club. Gene "Fatty" Laymon is producing "Twisted Rails," an action-melodrama, with Al Herman directing. Jack Donovan and Alice Dahl are co-featured, with Philo McCulIough, Elyn Glyn, Donald Keith, Bob McKenzie, Pat Harmon and others. * * * Maureen O'Sullivan and John Farrow have announced their engagement. * * * Little Dorothy Gray, who did excellent work in "As the Earth Turns," is one of the busiest youngsters in the film colony. She has just completed work in "Men in White." Her other recent pictures include "Beloved" and "Bedside." * * * Mark Sandrich will direct Wheeler and Woolsey in an untitled comedy, now being written by Ben Holmes and Edward Kaufman. Sandrich also directed the comedians in "Hips, Hips, Hooray." * * * Columbia has exercised its option on Ethel Hill, the only woman writer on its scenario staff. She is now writing the screen play and dialogue for "Whirlpool," Jack Holt's next picture. * * * "Mickey's Medicine Men" is to be the next story produced in Larry Darmour's "Mickey McGuire" series. Joseph Levering, story editor, and other members of the Darmour writing department are preparing the story * * * Kitty Carlisle, star of the Broadway stage hit, "Champagne Sec," has arrived from New York to start her long term contract with Paramount. The deal was set by the Harry Weber office. * * * Spencer Tracy will play the title role in M-G-M's film version of George Kelly's play, "The ShowOff," under the direction of Charles Riesner. Supporting cast includes Madge Evans, Lois Wilson, Alan Edwards, Claude Gillingwater, Sterling Holloway and Henry Wadsworth. * * Three newcomers, Pauline True, Maxine Doyle and Barbara Blair, have been signed by Warners for grooming as screen attractions. Mary Jordan, sister of Dorothy Jordan, RKO Radio featured player, has been signed to make her film debut in that studio's production of "Finishing School." M-G-M has bought "Gems of 1934," an original story by Herman Timberg, and will produce a short subject based on this material. Sterling Holloway has been signed by H. N. Swanson, associate producer for RKO Radio studio, for "Strictly Dynamite." Jackie Boyle, son of the noted stage dancer, Jack Boyle, has been signed by B. G. DeSylva to make his professional debut in Fox Film's "Bottoms Up." He will lead a song and dance number with Pate Paterson and a chorus. Pandro Berman, assistant executive producer to Merian C. Cooper, started work on his new assignment, "Of Human Bondage," which will be Leslie Howard's new RKO starring vehicle for RKO Radio. It will be directed by John Cromwell from an adaptation of the Somerset Maugham story by Lester Cohen. * # * John Ford will direct "The World Moves On," original by Reginald Berkeley, with Madeleine Carroll. * * ♦ "Let's Be Ritzy" has been chosen by Universal as the title for the next Lew Ayres production. It was adapted from the William Anthony McGuire Broadway play, "A Great Little Guy." William Ludwig, the director, will have in the cast Frank McHugh, Isabell Jewell, Patricia Ellis, Berton Churchill, Hedda Hopper, Nydia Westman, Robert McWade and Addison Richards. * * * Clara Blandick, Selmer Jackson, Samuel Hinds and Howard Hickman were signed a few days ago by Columbia for "Sisters Under the Skin," which bore the earlier title of "Sonata." Elissa Landi and Joseph Schildkraut have the starring roles, with Frank Morgan in chief support. David Burton is directing Jo Swerling's adaptation of this story by S. K. Lauren. Camera work on Universal's "The Countess of Monte Cristo" having been finished, Paul Lukas, who was working with his arm in splints, will move over to the "Glamour" set, where he will be featured with Constance Cummings and Russ Columbo in this B. F. Zeidman production. William Wyler will direct. DeFOREST LICENSEES ASSURED PROTECTION (Continued from Page 1) wheel patent ruling obtained by American Tr,i-Ergon Corp. DeForest equipment is not involved in the original action, but the decision, if sustained by the higher courts, is expected to affect all types of sound equipment. In view of this, Stark has advised DeForest licensees "not to be unduly influenced by any misrepresentations relating to our reproducing apparatus." li: u Opera at Cosmopolitan Popular-priced opera will open soon at the Cosmopolitan, Columbus Circle, where C. F. Zittel offered a vaudefilm film policy for several months last year. The company going in will be under the direction of F. Cola Santo, who gave opera at the Broadway for a short time last year. A Russian opera troupe also opens Thursday night at the Casino. Reubenson Moves Office London — R. Reubenson has moved the offices of his R. R. Films, Ltd., to 174 Wardour St. here, where he will continue the selling of product for the United Kingdom and the continent. Cantor Film Sets New Record Wilmington, Del. — Eddie Cantor in "Roman Scandals" set a new boxoffice record at Loew's Parkway. Previous record was held by "Tarzan." New Virginia Corporation Richmond — Regent Theater Corp., Marion, Va., has been chartered with Harley Davidson as president. Virginia Theater Co. has been granted a revival of charter, with E. Feigner Neal as president. M-G-M Buys "Declasse" "Declasse," Zoe Akins play produced on Broadway in 1919, has been acquired by M-G-M. Carlyle Blackwell Buys Estate Carlyle Blackwell, star of the silent days, has bought a 30-acre estate in the Obtuse District of Brookfield, Conn. Gertrude Niessen's Fourth Vita. Gertrude Niessen, radio blues singer, has been signed by Sam Sax for her fourth Vitaphone musical. Third Week for "Fashions" First National's "Fashions of 1934" will be held for a third week at the Hollywood. Sues Over 'Sunday Afternoon' Suit for more than $1,000,000 on charges of p'-'P'Tism was filed in the U. S. District Court yesterday by Richard Washburn Child against the author and the stage and film producers of "One Sunday Afternoon." Picture was released by Paramount.