The Film Daily (1930)

m DAILV Wednesday, June 4, 1930 Coast W ire Service Latest Hollywood Happenings Fox Plans to Present Rogers in "Lightnin' ' Fox has selected "Lightnin'," the John Golden stage success, as a vehicle for Will Rogers. The play will be adapted by Samuel Behrman. while Sonya Levien will do the continuity. Charles Bickford Signed by Warners for Film Lead Warners has signed Charles Bickford for the leading role in a feature production on next year's schedule. The picture will be a screen transcription of a widely read novel. Paramount Starts "Better Wife" Production has started at Paramount on "The Better Wife," costarring Ruth Chatterton and Clivt Brook. The film, adapted by Zo< Akins from a story by Gouverneui Morris, is being directed by Dorothy Arzner. Other players are Paul Lukas, Virginia Hammond, Huntle\ Gordon, Juliette Compton, Cecil Cunningham, Tom Patricola and CharleGirard. Pathe Comedy Under Way "For Crying Out Loud," Pathe comedy, has gone into production with Robert Agnew in the chief role. Others in the cast are Phyllis Crane, Addie McPhail, Dick Stewart, Richard Carle and Spec O'Donnell. Fred Guiol is directing. Jane Keith Gets Break Jane Keith, practically a newcomer, is Milton Sills' leading lady in "The Sea Wolf," which Fox is producing from the Jack London novel. Tiffany to Remake Fire Film With Emory Johnson set as the director, Tiffany will re-make "The Third Alarm" as a talker. Johnson directed the silent film years ago for F. B. O., and its success has prompted Tiffany to revive the fire film. Roles for Maris, Moran Mona Maris and Lois Moran have been given leading roles in "Play Called Life," which Chandler Sprague will direct from the play "The Dancers" by Sir Gerald Du Maurier and Viola Tree. Pathe Completes "Holiday" Film version of Phillip Barry's >-tage success, "Holiday," has been completed at the Pathe studios. The cast includes Ann Harding, Mary \stor, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Ames and Hedda Hopper. Edward H. Griffith directed from Horace Jackson's adaptation. LeRoy to Direct "Gorilla" Mervyn l.cKoy will direct "The Gorilla" for First National. EAttle from "Lots" By RALPH WILK Hollywood T OTTI LODER, young Viennese actress imported by Warners did so well in her first assignment that J. L. Warner has rewarded her with the leading role in a forthcoming Vitaphone production. * * * "Roadhouse," just completed, is Leo McCarey's first directorial assignment for Fox. The film was produced under the supervision of Al Rockett. * * * The screen version and dialogue of "Adios," in which First National is starring Richard Barthelmess, have been completed by Bradley King. * * * The distinction has come to Lucien Littlefield of having a child named after him. The character actor is in receipt of a letter from a Mrs. J. C. Wendling of Goshen, Ind., informing him that she has become the mother of Lucien Littlefield Wendling. Casting is in progress at First National for "The Deep Purple," which Clarence Badger will direct. Robert N. Lee modernized the plot and dialogue from the stage play by Paul Potter and Wilson Mizner. Our Passing Show: Sam Behrendt showing Dr. Kahn points of interest at the Fox and Warner studios; Margaret Ettinger visiting Pathe on business; Don Eddy and Everett Marshall chatting at RKO. Howard Estabrook is completing the RKO's "Cimarron." the Edna Ferber story, in record time. Beatrice Lillie is jolly well glad that the end of her task in "Are You There?" her first effort for Fox, is in sight. Task is the word. For in the picture the English comedienne, playing a lady detective, is called upon to do many things that are physically discomforting — one of them being to take part in a fast and furious fox hunt. "Men on Call" marks the 50th Fox picture to be directed by John Blystone. The director's choice fell upon this story after he was given carte Mane by Fox executives in the selection of his next picture. Signing Interpreters For Foreign "Fables" Pathe is giving auditions to interpreters with a view to selecting suitable voices, as well as foreign speaking talent with an understanding of the American sense of humor, for the foreign versions of Aesop's Fables now being made. Wallace Smith Writes Play Wallace Smith, author under contract to RKO, has turned one of his novel's, "Tiger's Mate," into a play and expects to have it produced in Los Angeles in the Fall with a cast composed of screen players seeking stage experience. "Bar L Ranch" Started Biltmore has started "Bar L Ranch," to be released in July by Big Four. Harry Webb is directing. In the cast are Betty Baker, Buffalo Bill, Jr., Wally Wales, Yakima Canutt, Ben Corbctt and Fern Emmett. Change in "Sea Wolf" Cast Raymond Hackett has replaced Kenneth MacKenna in the cast of "The Sea Wolf." The change was made necessary by the latter's inability to complete his role in Mary I'ickford's "Secrets" in time to start work on the Fox film. Erwin Connelly in "Red Sky" Fox has added Erwin Connelly to the cast of "The Red Sky," in which Lois Moran and J. Harold Murray have the chief roles. 5allantine, are understood tu .— . withdrawn. The committee consisted if Richard A. Rowland. Frederick R. lyan, Robert W. Daniel and W. V. \. Waterman. liberty Co. May Adopt Five-Year Franchise Plan (Continued from Page 1) mit flexibility of programs to suit their needs, said Hoffman. Libertv will handle all advertising and ex "U" Starts "Outside the Law" "Outside the Law," starring Maryl Nolan, has gone into production ar Universal. Tod Browning is ''irect;ng. Edward G. Robinson has p featured role. Other players are Eddie Sturgis and John George. United States Detroit — William Israel has been appointed house manager at the Fox, with Fred Schader acting as director of publicity. Pembroke, Ont. — Reconstruction of the old Grand Opera House has been completed and the theater hah been reopened as the O'Brien with a talker policy. Ann Harding Leaves Cast Ann Harding has been replaced by Tune Collver in the east of Pathe's "Bevond Victory." The change was made at Miss Harding's request that she be allowed a rest before starting another picture. Columbia Plans Undersea Film "Fifty Fathoms Deep." an undersea story, will be produced by Columbia. Natick, Mass. — Informed that the Sunday show question would be settled at an election, the management of the Colonial has withdrawn its petition asking for permission to operate the theater on the Sabbath. San Francisco — Selma Rosenberg is an addition to the staff at the MG-M booking office here. Norwood, Mass. — Thomas Hayden has acquired the Premier, formerly under the ownership of Bill Breen and William Hayden. Spokane — The Post Street has suspended operations for the summer. Cleveland — Sam Lurie has opened the Crown, which he closed three weeks ago, contending that business is on the upgrade. Portland, Ore. — The Rivoli has been closed for the summer. It is a link in the J. J. Parker chain and will be reopened in September. Chelsea, Mass. — Albert Donovan, manager of the Olympia, has been shifted to the Strand, Dorchester. Joseph F. O'Hearn of Waltham succeeded him. West Mansfield, O.— The Opera House, operated by the city, has reopened after having been closed several weeks. Akron. O.— Max Federhar has closed the People's for an indefinite period. He is keeping the Waldorf. Regent and Cameo open. Foreign Berlin — Emil Jannings, back in Berlin, is arranging for his appearance in a new Ufatone picture. Hermannstadt, Rumania — The Ufa expedition to the Carpathian Mountains has established headquarters here. Danzig — Construction of the Ufa Palace is being rushed here so that the theater may be opened Sept. IS. The seating capacity will be 1200. Paris — A motion picture school where film players will be prepared for work in the talkers is being opened here by Victor Vina, French screen star.