The Film Daily (1930)

THE Tuesday, July 22, 1930 •<Z£1 DAILY © Latest Hollywood Happenings © = Coast Wire Service = GEORGE BANCROFT STARTS WORK ON NEW SEA STORY George Bancroft's new starring vehicle for Paramount, a sea tale, as yet untitled, is now going into production under the direction of Rowland V. Lee, who directed Bancroft in his previous picture, "Ladies Love Brutes." The story is an original by William Slavens McNutt and Grover Jones, who did the adaptation for Bancroft of "The Mighty." Dialogue for the new picture was furnished by Max Marcin. In the supporting cast are Jessie Royce Landis, William Boyd, Donald Stuart, William Stack, James Durkin, Wade Boteler, William Walling, Brooks Benedict and Paul Porcasi. Five-Year RKO Contract Awarded Lowell Sherman Lowell Sherman has exchanged his two-year contract with RKO for a new agreement covering a period of five years. He will direct as well as act, his next vehicle being "The Losing Game," an original by Samuel Shipman. Glenn Tryon May Make Charles Ray Type Series Glenn Tryon, whose contract was Universal has just expired, may shortly become associated with another prominent producing organization, and it is understood he is likely to be starred in a series of stories similar to the ones which first brought screen fame to Charles Ray. Barthelmess Off for Vacation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barthelmess have left Hollywood for Canada on a vacation trip which they expect to -pend hunting, fishing and roughing it in the open. "Adios," the next Parthelmess starring picture, was finished at the First National Studio a few days ago. Additions Made to "Morocco" Additions of important players have just been made to "Morocco," the new Paramount talking picture in which Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich, distinguished German actress making her screen debut, are co-featured under the direction of Josef von Sternberg. Included in the cast are Paul Porcasi, Eve Southern. Albert Conti, Juliette Compton, Michael Visaroff and Robert De Couedic . A Little from "Lots" By RALPH WILK £VALYN KNAPP is a Kansas City girl, who has made good in New York and Hollywood. She did much stage work on Broadway and was brought to the Coast to play in "Penny Arcade," for Warner Brothers. She played the lead in "River's End," at Warners, and is now filling an important role in "Mother's Cry," at First National. Our Passing Show: Bobby North and Ernst Glendenning lunching at First National; Jay Chapman joining the publicity department at RKO; Marilyn Miller and Willian Seiter conferring at First National. * * * Lewis R. Foster is one of the busiest directors on the Coast. He is now directing "Pure and Simple," a Larry Darmour-RKO comedy, starring Louise Fazenda. He also directed Karl Dane and George K. Arthur in "Men Without Skirts," "Broken Wedding Bells" and "Limejuice Nights." He directed several Laurel and Hardy comedies before joining Darmour. * * * Sidney D. Mitchell combines business and pleasure. He has a radio attached to his automobile and when driving "listens in" for Mitchell Gottler and Meyer compositions. He, with Archie Gottler and George W. Meyer comprise a First National composing team. * * * Ben Silvey, Hollywood's largest assistant director, is very active. He is assisting Hobart Henley on "Mother's Cry." He worked under Frank Lloyd on "Adios" and has been on 12 talking pictures. * * * Sidney Walsh, veteran Christie film editor, is now cutting "Sweethearts on Parade," a Christie feature, which will be distributed by Columbia. * * * Burney Hershey has just completed an original script entitled "Curses," or "The Engineer's Daughter: In Two Parts," a composite drama of all the old-fashioned "blood and thunder" thrillers which flourished before the days of movies. * * * Several men whose names are big in current history, are working as extras in "Half Shot at Sunrise," the Bert Wheeler-Robert Woolsey comedy now in production. They include: Former Major General Alexander Ikonnikoff, who was Ad miral Kolchak's chief of staff; Major Owen Martin, famous dare devil commander of the British Samaliland campaign in East Africa, and Stanley Campbell, Canadian war ace with twelve German planes to his credit. * * * Marcia Manning, blonde stage actress who made an outstanding success in that noted hit, "White Collars," recently completed her third Pathe short, "Give Me Action," directed by Frank T. Davis. Harry Holman, New York stage comedian, has the leading role. John Hyams, former vaudeville actor, is also featured. * * * Julio Osma, who coaches Bori, of the Metropolitan Opera company and other operatic stars, has arrived on the Coast. He is a native of Spain and has composed Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese music. He has directed operettas in South and Central America. Bramwell Fletcher, who was brought to Hollywood by Sam Goldwyn, will play an important role in "The Man in the Sky," to be directed by Alfred E. Green, for Warners. Fletcher is still under contract to Goldwyn. N. Brewster Morse, who wrote "The Half-Naked Truth", a stage comedy, and was co-author of In the Blood," a mystery play, has written a new piece, which will be presented in Los Angeles by Mears Pitcher. It is untitled as yet, but is of a spectacular and sensational nature, and it is likely that James Kirkwood will play the lead. Morse wrote the scenarios for "Hell Harbor" and "Eyes of the World," which were directed by Henry King. * * * Harry Gribbon, popular character comedian, is considering offers to return to Broadway to appear in a revue or headline in vaudeville. Ben Bard is writing an act for Gribbon and May Emory, who toured in vaudeville for several years. Gribbon, who has also been with Ziegfeld "Follies," is completing his work as "Mulligan," the detective in "The Gorilla," for First National. * * * The latest gag in Hollywood: A young man is going to open a hat store here, which will cater exclusively to movie actors. Sizes carried will be from 14 to 18. T APPOINTS BERGERMAN HEAD OF SHORTS DEPT. M. Stanley Bergerman has beeff appointed general manager of the short production department at Universal City by Carl Laemmle, Jr., il is announced. Before joining Universal some time ago, Bergerman was an official oi the May Department Stores. He married Rosabelle Laemmle, daughter oi Carl Laemmle, two years ago, and since then he has been greatly interested in the motion picture industry. His appointment to the post o general manager of the Universa short production department follow an intensive, first-hand study of pro duction which he has made at Uni versal City. John Blystone to Direct "ToF able David" Talkei Columbia has signed John Bly stone to direct the talker version o "Tol'able David," now being adapt ed by Benjamin Glazer. A well known juvenile will be starred in th< production. Joan Bennett Opposite Lowe Joan Bennett has been signed b; Fox for the leading role of Sandr; in "Scotland Yard," opposite Ed mund Lowe. William K. Howan will direct this film version of Deni son Clift's stage play, with scree play and dialogue by Edmund Child Carpenter. Lumsden Hare has beei assigned to the cast also. Will Film Salmon Under Water Submarine cameras will be usei to photograph salmon runs in Alas ka in connection with the produc tion of "The Silver Horde." to b directed by George Archainbaud fo Radio Pictures from Rex Beach1 epic of the North. The salmon will be photographd from underwater locations as the make their wild dash from the opesea back to their birthplaces t spawn. Attempts will be made by cam eramen to record every movemen made by the fish from the time the head into the streams until they ar caught in huge traps and shipped t the canneries. Jeannette Mac Donald With Fox Jeannette Mac Donald has bee signed by Fox as J. Harold Mm ray's leading woman in "Stolei Thunder," based on the "Saturda Evening Post" story by Maurin Watkins. Sidney Lanfield will direc with Ned Marin as associate pre ducer.