The Film Daily (1931)

THE Sunday, January 4, 1931 -z&*\ DAILY PRODUCTION IN THE EAST WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS PARAMOUNT STUDIO STAFF ON SINGLE JJCTURE BASIS A picture-to-picture contract basis is rapidly being applied not only to writers but also composers and directors attached to the Paramount New York studio staff. With the completion of long term contracts now in force, it is understood that no renewals will be made except on a picture-to-picture basis, barring one or two individual cases. Players now working on a pictureto-picture basis, with Paramount holding an option on their services are Miriam Hopkins, Ilka Chase, Charles Starrett and Henrietta Crossman. Writers whose contracts recently expired and were not renewed include Austin Parker and Paul GanglinT Directors who were not reengaged include Howard Bretherton ar\d Paul Ganglin. The music staff has also been curtailed, with E. Y. Harburg, Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal among those affected. New Measuring Device Invented by Cameraman A follow focus device, said to insure perfect accuracy, has been developed by Edward Hyland, assistant to Jos. Ruttenberg, Paramount cameraman. This device, which is attached to the camera truck for moving shots, works on the same principle as a speedometer, allowing the cameraman to tell exactly how far away the camera is from the object being photographed. Short Shots from Eastern Studios \By HARRY N. BLAIR, THE leading role in "An American Tragedy," considered one of the prize acting plums of the year, has been assigned to Phillips Holmes, based on his work in "Stolen Heaven," opposite Nancy Carroll. The Earl of Gosford, ranking as one of England's leading peers, and well known in business and social circles here, has become associated with Visugraphic Pictures, in addition to his other interests. Mack Staging Gaieties Roy Mack, who directs most of the Vitaphone musical shorts made here, has been chosen to stage the 1931 Warner Club Gaieties, to be presented in February. "New York Lady" Set "New York Lady," an original by Donald Ogden Stewart, starring Tallulah Bankhead, is definitely scheduled to start production at Paramount's studio here, on Jan. 19. Clive Brook will appear opposite, with George Cukor directing. More Screen Memoirs Tommy Madden, familiar character at the Paramount New York studio as general utility man and keeper of silence, is preparing his autobiography which will be published during the coming season. Madden was once middleweight boxing champion of Canada. Alf Goulding, Vitaphone comedy director, has a reputation of handling most of the leading comedy stars of the films. Just a few of the luminaries who have worked under Goulding are Harold Lloyd, Lloyd Hamilton, Karl Dane, George K. Arthur, and Harry Langdon. Goulding is now getting most of the Joe Penner assignments on the Vitaphone lot, as well as several of the "Naggers" series. Tom Hogan and a Pathe camera crew took possession of Harlem one night last week to photograph the Cotton Club floor show in action. Nicholas Caviliere, Frank Perugini and George Peters officiated at the cameras, with Albert Schuster in charge of recording. Nancy Carroll is planning to fly to the Coast for a hurry-up trip immediately upon completing a radio engagement on Jan. 16. She will then return to Paramount's New York studio for her next picture, as yet unannounced. A record in music composing has been accomplished by Jay Gorney of Paramount's composing staff. Gorney succeeded in writing the music for five songs, the words of which were sent to him from the West Coast, within four days after their arrival. The songs will be sung by Roberto Ray in Paramount's "Arriba El Telon," a Spanish feature, now in production. S'tough on a stuttering comedian to label his pictures with titles starting with the letter "S." Five of the six already completed by Penner come under this heading, these being "Seing Off Service," "Stuttering Romance," "Stepping Out," "Service Stripes" and "Sax Appeal." The latter, his latest, was directed by Alf Goulding and is said to have no connection with Rudy Vallee. ANOTHER SERIES ADDED TO VITAPHONE PROGRAM Vitaphone officials here are pursuing a policy of signing up stage players for a whole series in cases where they have definitely registered in their screen work in various Vitaphone shorts. The latest to be signed for a series is Joe Penner, musical comedy comedian, who has appeared in the "Greenwich Village Follies" the "Vanderbilt Revue" and other Broadway shows. Screen patrons are already familiar with his style of comedy through the six shorts he has made for Vitaphone. The Penner contract brings the number of Vitaphone series to five. Others already under contract are Bobby Jones, Robert L. Ripley and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Norworth while the S. S. Van Dine mystery series completes the group. Additional names are being sought for new series now in preparation. Arthur Hurley, Vitaphone director, is the biggest booster of all these "mail early" and "wrap securely" campaigns. Reason: Arthur's brother, William Hurley, is postmaster of Boston and trains the director to be a big help to the boys in gray. In reciprocation, Arthur has the postmaster tell all his Boston friends about Vitaphone comedies. William Gaxton, musical comedy star, who makes his talking picture debut in Warner Bros.' "Fifty Million Frenchmen," has completed his first Vitaphone short, "Partners," at the Warner studios in Brooklyn. Arthur Hurley directed. N. BREWSTER MORSE Originals, Adaptations, Dialogue, Continuity For Henry King "Hell Harbor" and "Eyes of the World" 527 5th Avenue, New York Murray Hill 2600 R ROMANCE omance is the lifeblood of the theatre. It flows throughkevery movement on stage or screen. And romance requires its proper setting and atmosphere — elements that can only thrive with the aid of Living Music. THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS (Comprising 140,000 professional musicians in the I 'nited Slates and Canada) JOSEPH N. WEBER, President 1440 Broadway, New York. N. Y.