The Film Daily (1930)

HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS AM^rm #■» • _ ^„.,„.««, «M tuv west rn&sT ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY AMONG STUDIOS ON THE WEST COAST IMPROVEMENT IN STORIES PREDICTED JW MCCARtY Better stories for the screen will be one of the major developments of the next year, it is predicted by Leo McCarey, Fox director, whose long association with the industry gives weight to his opinion. McCarey bases his prediction on the great amount of the worlds best literary talent that has been recruited into the film industry, the gradual familiarization with talker technique by these writers, and the continual process of elimination that is going on whereby only those who make good are retained by the producers. ~~ . . John Farrow, Dan Clark Slated for Directors John Farrow and Daniel B. Clark are reported to be slated for promotion to directors at Fox. Role for Noah Beery Noah Beery will have an important role in "Renegades," which Victor Fleming is to direct for Fox from Andre Armandy's novel "Le Renegat" Others in the cast will be Warner Baxter, Warren Hymer, Luan'a Alcaniz, Kenneth MacKenna and El Brendel. Young Fairbanks Assigned Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., has been assigned to a role in First National s "Little Caesar." "Little Caesar" Role for Ince Ralph Ince has been entrusted with a leading role in "Little Caesar, which First National is to produce from W. B. Burnett's novel under Mervyn LeRoy's direction. Edward G. Robinson will have the name role. Role for Guinn Williams A newcomer to the cast of First National's "College Lovers" is Guinn ("Big Boy") Williams. Mervyn LeRoy will direct, with Marian Nixon in the chief feminine role. Rubin Adapting RKO Film J. Walter Rubin is doing _ the adaptation and dialogue of "His Majesty, Bunker Bean," which RKO is to produce with Arthur Lake featured. The production will be directed jointly by Taylor Holmes and Lynn Shores. Change in "River's End" Cast Junior Coghlan has replaced Leon Janney in the cast of "River's End," which Warner is producing from the James Oliver Curwood novel. Others engaged for the film are Evalyn Knapp, Charles Bickford, David Torrence and Zasu Pitts. A Little from "Lots" ■ — By RALPH WILK JOSEPH W. G1RARD and KenJ neth Thomson are the most recent additions to the cast of "Just Imagine" the DtSylva, Brown and Henderson musical romance which Fox is producing. * * * William H. Tucker and George Bickel have beein given featured roles in "Soup to Nuts," which Fox is making from a Rube Goldberg story with Ted Healy in the principal role. * * * An army of extras, 1,600 strong, will be used by RKO in making "Half Shot at Sunrise," in which Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are to be starred. The pretty job of picking this mob of players fell to Rex Bailey, casting director for the company. The supers are to be used in scenes to be shot in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles. + * * LeRoy Stone, veteran film editor, is editing "The Lady Who Dared," starring Billie Dove. He also cut "The Bride of the Regiment" and "Sally." George D. Ellis is one of the oldest sound men, in point of service, among the sound technicians on the Coast. He began solving sound problems in 1923 as engineer at the WJY and WYZ radio stations in New York. Later, he was engineer at Station WRC in Washington, D. C. His first picture was "Strange Cargo" and his most recent one "Lawful Larceny." BROCK STARTS PRODUCTION AT HINTS MAST STUDIOS Production of the "Nick and Tony" series of shorts has been started at the RKO studios on the Coast by Louis Brock. Henry Armetta is being starred under the direction of Mark Sandrich. Brock also plans to start work soon or the first of four "Headliner" shorts starring stage and screen celebri ties. Alice D. G. Miller, who recently finished a year's contract with Paramount is now writing an original story for Joan Crawford. Miss Miller is one of the screen's most prolific writers, whose dialogue proficiency has been tested and proved. Stuart Erwin, whose rise as a comedian has been meteoric, is playing in "The Little Cafe" at Paramount. He recently finished work in "Love Among the Millionaires" and his next assignment is "Easy Come, Easy Go." * * * Richard Rodgers has arrived on the Coast to join Herbert Fields and Lorenz Hart, his team mates in the writing of musical shows. The trio's first combined effort for the screen is "The Hot Heiress," which First National is to produce with Ona Munson and Ben Lyon in the chief roles. * * * Some Franks — McHugh, Lawrence, Ware, Staples, Da zey. * * * Joe Frisco has had the envious distinction of having the "no smoking" rule at First National amended in his instance so that he may be permitted to carry around unth him the lighted cigar which is so inseparably a part of himself. Joe felt he could not act in "The Gorilla" without his familiar mouthpiece and told studio executives so. Well, as the saying goes, there's an exception to every rule. Roy J. Pomeroy is celebrating the seventh anniversary of his entry into the motion picture industry. Prior to coming to the Coast, he was a well known artist and illustrator in New York. He was also an inventor of note, having designed an aero camera, which was used by the government during the war. * * * By the way, Pomeroy was constantly specializing in trick photography and a few years after coming to Hollywood, he became known as the industry's leading technician and sound expert. "Interference," a pioneer all-talking picture was his initial directorial effort. He recently completed "Inside the Lines," for RKO. Warner Signs Toomey Warner has signed Regis Toome: to appear in "The Steel Highway.' Others in the cast are James Hal! Mary Astor, Grant Withers am Marian Nixon. past year was done on the Warner lot, where he appeared in "Noah's Ark," "The Show of Shows" and other talkers. He was 60 years old! md a member of the Lambs Club,! New York. J2ftHe Signs" Russell Gleason James Gleason's son, Russell, ht been placed under a long-term cot tract by Pathe. Para Signs Jack King Jack King, youthful composer, hi been placed under contract by Par mount. Knapp Replaces Mackaill Dorothy Mackaill has been replac by Evalyn Knapp in the chief femi ine role in Warner's "River's En< The change was made necessary Miss Mackaill's inability to compb her present role in time to beg work on the film. HOLLYWOOD PLAZA RIGHT in the heart of movieland . . . next door to theatres, cafes, fashion shops, and studios .... only a few minutes from the beaches, golf courses, bridle paths, etc. Modern, ideal homelike atmosphere, luxurious furnishings, excellent service, famous Pia 'n Whistle dining room. Rates are "reasonable. Write or wire for reservations, or beautiful illustrated booklet. Vine Street at Hollywood Boulevard HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA