The Film Daily (1930)

DAILY Sunday, July 13, 1930 K HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY AMONG STUDIOS ON THE WEST COAST FIVE EDUCATIONAL UNITS BUSY ON NEW PROGRAM Five production units already have started work on Educational's comedy program for the new season, while preparations are being made to start production on the other four series in the line-up. Under the direction of Stephen Roberts, for several years ace director at the Educational Studios, the first in the series of Mermaid Talking Comedies has been placed under way, with Monty Collins and T. Roy Barnes in the principal comedy roles, and Greta Granstedt, Virginia Sale and Jules Cowles in the supporting cast. The comedy, which has been titled "His Error," is being made at the Educational Studios, where the remainder of the series will also be produced. At the Mack Sennett Studios, the writing and casting of the first of the Mack Sennett Talking Comedies has been completed. "Grandma's Girl" has been selected as the title of the comedy which will introduce this series. Andy Clyde will* be featured, with Margy "Babe" Kane, Lincoln Stedman and Florence Roberts in the supporting cast. Sennett is also combing the Hollywood beauty market for suitable material for the Mack Sennett Brevities, the single-reel series which will prominently feature beautiful girls. This series will be all-color, photographed by the Mack Sennett Color process, and while it is not an allgirlie series, it will portray irrepressible youth in its various forms of activity. Nat Ross has been selected to direct the first of the Vanity Series. The story, titled "The Freshman's Goat," was written by Dick Smith, Walter DeLeon and Neal Burns, and will be produced at the Metropolitan Studios. At the Audio Cinema Studios in Long Island City, Paul Terry and Frank Moser are maintaining a full staff of artists and cameramen who are working out their ideas for new Terry-Toons. Philip A. Scheib, eminent musician and composer, is in complete charge of orchestrations and synchronization of the series of 26 cartoons. The new series of Lyman H. Howe's Hodge Podge will be introduced by "A Flying Trip," a novelty combination of gorgeous scenic effects, amazing animation and tuneful music. Robert E. Ci'laum and Archie N. Griffith are respectively responsible for the editing, and animation and embellishment of the series. A Little from "Lots — — — ^mH By RALPH WILK ' " ' 9 9 Hollywood UOWARD J. GREEN, who is writing the screen play and dialogue for "The Princess and the Plumber," which will feature Charles Farrell and Maureen O'Sullivan, has written five pictures in seven months, at Fox. His contract was recently renewed. * * * Our Passing Show: William C. deMille, Ted von Eltz, Crauford Kent,. Martin Cornica, William Cowan watching the finals of the Pacific Coast tennis tournament; Robert Z. Leonard, Willie Collier, Gertrude Olmstead, Edward Cronjager, Phil Berg at "Caprice." * * * Noel Madison is playing "Killer" Peppi, an important role in "Little Caesar," at First National. He also worked in "Penny Arcade" and "Handful of Clouds," for Warner Bros. He has appeared as a leading man in New York and London successes during the past six years and is a son of Maurice Moscovitch, who starred in "The Outsider" at the Belasco, Los Angeles. * * * Do you remember when Rowland V. Lee played end and Joe Rock quarterback on the New York DeWitt Clinton high school team, and Bob Lee was the team's leading rooter? When Gil Pratt was on the DeWitt Clinton rowing squad? * * * William Janney, who recently played opposite Richard Dix in "Straight Shooting," has refused important roles in several stage plays, which Rudolph Friml and Russell Janney will present in Prague and Vienna. He prefers to remain in Hollywood and continue his picture career. * * * The Meyer Synchronizing Service is synchronizing "Camera Trails" and "Excuses," which Robert C. Bruce directed and produced. The picture will be released by Paramount. * * * Phillips Holmes was virtually forced into a motion picture career over night. It was while Holmes was attending Princeton that Frank Tuttle visited the campus to make scenes for "Varsity." He met Holmes and insisted that he take a test. The result was that Holmes played Buddy Rogei« viorn mate in the pic ture and was also signed to a long term contract by Paramount. * * * Gene Morgan and Arthur Hoyt emulated Shipwreck Kelly and other flagpole dare-devils the other day when they shinnied up a flagpole 10 stories above the ground on the roof of the Culver City Hotel for the thrilling final scenes of a new Pathe comedy, "The Boss's Orders." * * * More Passing Show: Gloria Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. James Gleason, Ivy Lee and Dr. Lee DeForest among the speakers and entertainers at the Wampas meeting; Edmund Grainger, Daniel B. Clark and Hayden Talbot conferring at Fox. * * * Arrangements have just been completed whereby Murral Feil, former New York agent, will remain in Hollywood as head of the William Morris Agency's qctivities on the Coast. Mr. Feil and William, Morris, Jr., came to Hollywood a few months ago to observe and study the talking picture situation. Some Russells — Hoff, Gleason, Hoover. * * * Ludwig Berger has finished shooting "The Little Cafe," his fourth production for Paramount. His other Paramount pictures include "The Vagabond King," "Sins of the Father" and "The Woman from Moscow." As soon as Berger finishes cutting "The Little Cafe," his AL RAY SET TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL COMEDY SERIES Al Ray, comedy director recently signed on a Universal contract, has been assigned to direct a series of comedy shorts in which Slim Summerville and Eddie Gribbon will be featured. Pauline Garon probably will have the feminine lead in the comedies. "The General" Starts Production on "The General," with Walter Huston in the title role, has begun at the Paramount studio. George Cukor and Louis Gasnier are co-directing. Kay Francis plays the feminine lead and the support includes Kenneth MacKenna, Jobyna Howland, Paul Cavanaugh, Eric Kolkhurst, Oscar Apfel, Gordon McLeod and Youcca Torubestkoy. Martin Brown did the screen adaptation and Louis Long wrote the continuity. Irvin Willat Back Irvin Willat has returned to Hollywood from an extensive trip ir European countries, where he studied production conditions. first comedy in America, he will start production on the French version of the picture. * * * Edward C. Jewell has succeede Harrison Wiley, resigned, as art di rector at Columbia. Jewell is alsc supervising the sets and draper departments at Columbia. * * * Charlie Chaplin is planning a trij to London upon completion of "City Lights." He may also visit France and Spain. HOLLYWOOD PLAZA DIGHT 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