The Film Daily (1930)

Sunday, June 8, 1930 DAILY PRODUCTION IN THE EAST WHO'S WHO AND "WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS AUDIO CINEMA IS PIONEER IN SOUNDJICTURE HELD Among the leading pioneers in every branch of sound motion picture production is the Audio Cinema studios, formed in 1923 as the Carpenter-Goldman laboratories, of Long Island City. Besides being the first firm of consulting motion picture engineers, they were the first consultants ever employed by the Bell Telephone Laboratories, who sensed the arrival 'of talking pictures. As the result of I much experiment, a satisfactory laboratory technique for variable density sound films, was "developed. This was back in 1928, at which time the Audio Cinema engineers were the first to state the principles of "Acoustic Perspective." The following year, Audio Cinema was granted an independent producer license by Western Electric, the first to be so granted in the East. This has been followed by active production including "Pagliacci," the first complete opera in sound pictures and "Vikings of the North." the first sound picture to be filmed on the Arctic ice floes. The former was directed by Joe W. Coffman and the latter by George Melford. Walter Wanger Back Walter Wanger. upon his return to the New York studios after attending the Paramount convention on the West Coast, expressed himself as very well pleased with the prepress being made by Paramount in developing Eastern production. New Sound Channel Added production at the Paraount New York studios has made t necessary to install an additional recording sound channel, making six n all. The sound capacity here is now one-half that of Paramount's West Coast studios. Ruggles to Hollywood Charles Ruggles, Paramount feaured comedian, leaves Wednesday or the West Coast studios, where he viii appear in "Honeymoon Hate,' vith Jeanette MacDonald. Blumenstock Promoted Sid Blumenstock, formerly conlected with the accounting staff of he Paramount New York studio, has >een promoted to the post of assisant director. Short Shots from New York Studios By HARRY N. BLAIR ===_ TTHE past week has been "Peggy Ann" reunion week at the Paramount New York studios. This musical comedy hit of a few seasons back included Jack Oakie, Margaret Breen, Lulu McConnell and Betty Starbuck, all of whom are now working in various films at the same studio. Colorcraft Operating Colorcraft Corp. reports that its irst unit is now in operation at the lew laboratory in Long Island City. The first pictures for screen projecion are expected to be ready the later part of next week. Harold Beaudine, new Vita-phone director, is reeling 'em off at top speed. Beaudine has finished his first two Varieties, "The Substitutes" and "Grounds for Murder" and is now preparing "Barefoot Days" for shooting. Armida, the Mexican film actress now touring vaudeville, has just completed a short subject at the Paramount New York studios, under the direction of Ray Cozina. Both English and Spanish versions were made. "Moonlight and Monkey shines" and "Big Dame Hunting" are two of the titles selected by Louis Brock for forthcoming RKO comedies featuring the team of Nick and Tony, for whom new stories are being prepared by Mark Savdrich and Rube Welch. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Norworth scored such a big success in their Vitaphone Varieties, "The Nagger," that a sequel entitled "The Nagger at Breakfast," will be filmed shortly, with Roy Mack directing. Paramount's musical talent entered into the success of the current "Garrick" gaieties, with Vernon Duke, John Green, Jay Gomey and E. Y. Harburg, of the New Yorkstudio's music staff, all contributing their efforts. Madge Evans, who was formerly a child star in silent pictures, appears in "The Good Provider," a two reel Vitaphone short, directed by Arthur Hurley. Ferdinand Gottschalk, Wal ter Connolly, Jean Shelly and Janus Breedon are also in the cast. E. H. Jacobs, who is in charge of tilling silents at the Paramount studios here, is being congratulated on the birth of a son, Arthur David, born May 26. The U. S. Coast Guard Academy will be publicized in a feature picture for the first time in its 140 years' existence when "Heads Up" is released by Paramount. Frank A. Leamy, staff officer of the Academy, has been brought to the New York studios to act as technical advisor. Mark Sandrich, RKO director, who acquired the commuting habit by traveling to Trenton every day, has leased a home at Asbury Park for the summer, which is about the same distance from New York. Phil Quinn. staff assistant director at the Eastern Vitaphone studios, is also rejoicing in the birth or a daughter, who will be christened Phyllis. The baby's mother is well known in production circles as the former Kitty Mclver, film cutter. Arthur Kober is the latest addition to Paramount's writing staff. He has been assigned to assist on the "Skippy" script, scheduled for early production. BIG NAMES LINED UP EOR PARAMOUNT SHORTS An intensive schedule of short subject production is now under way at the Paramount New York studios, under the direction of Larry Kent, head of the short subject department. Among the various one and two reel sketches now in preparation are the following: Minor Watson in "Just a Pal"; Tom Howard in "Go Ahead and Sing"; "The Modiste Shop," with Billy House; "Four Rhythm Bellhops" and untitled sketches featuring Smith & Dale, Eugene and Willie Howard, Ginger Rogers, Willie, West and McGinty, and Marion Harris. Fifty extras employed to act as cadets in the Coast Guard Academy in "Heads Up," now being made at the Paramount New York studios under the direction of Victor Schertzinger, had to submit to having their heads clipped short, in the interest of accuracy. There never are any squirrels chasing O. V. Johnson, of Paramount's New York studio, even though this intrepid location scout happens to live on Walnut St. in the town of Nutley, N. J. Vitaphone Snapshots — Sam Sax sporting white flannels. . . .Roy Mack pounding chunes on Harold Levy's chune box between scenes of his latest picture Ed Dupar, Ray Foster and Jay Reseller all hopped up over the relief they'll have this summer with the new blimps.... Murray Roth conferring the title of "heaters" on the stogies he smokes. Dick Willis calling himself a cosmetician, when he's only a makeup man. ... WALTER STRE'NGE FIRST CAMERAMAN AVAILABLE AFTER JUNE 14 International Photographers, Local 644 233 W. 42nd St. Tel. Wisconsin 346") Shorts Titles Chosen With Eye to Box Office Titles are growing more important in the field of short subjects, with producers making special efforts to get attractive b.o. names. Once the star's name was all that counted, but now the public has to be sold the short itself. The trend in this direction is indicated in recent title changes for Vitaphone Varieties. "Rah, Rah, Roslyn" was changed to "The Collegiate Model"; "Round One" to "The Fight"; "Fish" to "The Poor Fish": "In the Good Old Summertime" to "23 Skidoo"; "The Shell Game" to "The Fowl Triangle"; "The Trade Builder" was made "A Good Mixer'' and later named "The Heart Breaker"; "Jolly Grenadiers" also had two twists, first to "Boys Will Be Girls" and finally "The Varsity Show." AT LIBERTY JULY 1st CAMERAMAN, with $3500 invested in camera equipment, who, for the past three years, has personally arranged, photographed and directed the highest type of Novelties and Industrial films. An expert with panchromatic and filters who will guarantee better photography and supervision on your product. Will purchase portable sound equipment, if reliable company offers good proposition on permanent basis. P.O. Box 157 Film Daily 1650 Broadway, N. Y. C.