The Film Daily (1931)

THE -Z&* DAILV Sunday, February 8, 1931 HOLLYWOOD ACTIVITIES CURRENT HAPPENINGS FLASHED BY WIRE FROM THE COAST HECHT-M'ARTHUR TO WRITE STORY FOR RONALD COLMAN Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, authors of "The Front Page" and other stage and screen productions, have been signed in New York by Samuel Goldwyn to write an original for Ronald folman. The story will be a novel treatment of "The Port of Missing Men" theme. MacArthur is under contract to M-G-M, which has granted him permission to take the Goldwyn assignment. Making Spanish Version of "Ten Cents a Dance" Columbia is selecting players for a Spanish version of Barbara Stanwyck's starring vehicle, "Ten Cents a Dance." The picture, following closely upon the Spanish "Criminal I ode" will go into production within the week under the direction of Christie Cabanne. Lupita Tovar will interpret the role that was played in the English version by Barbara Stanwyck. Ramon 1'ereda will depict the male lead, with Carmen Guerrero, Rene Cardona and Nancy Torres rounding out the cast. The Spanish adaptation and dialogue of "Ten Cents a Dance" was written by Rene Borgia. Pathe Promotes Frazer To Comedy Directorship Pathe has promoted Harry Frazer, author of numerous two-reel comedies, to a directorship and he has already started work upon "Bare Knees," his first assignment. Daphne Pollard heads the cast which includes Hooper Atchley, James Durkin, Mildred Van Dorn, Jean DeBriac and Hal Prince. Wallace Fox has completed "Disappearing Enemies," the second Margaret Echard story to be made into a Pathe comedy. Rex Bell, Dot Farley, Edward McWade, Marion Shockley, Arthur Hoyt and Martha Mattox compose the cast. Office Boy Turns Actor William Maddox, 20-year-old Fox office boy, has been given a part in "Doctors' Wives." Maurice Watkins, author, "discovered" him. Oily Mae Murray had an oil well come in on her Venice property the other day, so she named it Lowell Sherman No. 1, as he was the man who advised her to buy the lot. Does this make Lowell a gusher? A LITTLE from "LOTS" By RALPH WILK. "T)ONALD H. CLARKE, author of the novel, "Millie," produced by Charles Rogers for Radio Pictures, paid tribute to Rogers' faithful transcription of his book. "Mr. Rogers," says Clarke, "has preserved the spirit of 'Millie' so amazingly well that it quite took my breath away when I first saw and heard her in celluloid." * * * Lucille Williams, pretty goldenhaired player ivho is being groomed by Pathe for future important roles, plays opposite Franklin Pangbom for the second time in a two reel comedy. The new picture is "What a Time," directed by Arch Heath. Sennett Making Satire A satire on the "Once in a Lifetime" theme, kidding the film industry, is being made by Mack Sennett under the title of "In Conference." It will be along somewhat the same lines as the stage play, which has aroused a pile of talk since it opened. Andy Clyde and Harry Gribbon will play the roles of producers, supported by Patsy O'Leary, George P. Wilson, Marion Sayers and others. Eddie Cline will direct. Sally O'Neill in Tiffany Production Sally O'Neill has been cast for James Cruze's personally directed feature, "Salvation Nell," to be released by Tiffany. Irene Rich in "Five and Ten" Irene Rich will play the mother in "Five and Ten," screen dramatization of Fannie Hurst's novel, shortly to go into production at the M-G-M studios under Jack Conway's direction. LOUELLA 0. PARSONS World famous writer says — "Mickey Mouse has a bigger screen follow ing than nine tenths of the stars in Hollywood. Ralph Spence is preparing the script for "Board and Room," from the original by Douglas MacLean, for production by RKO. The cast features Edna May Oliver, Hugh Herbert and Dorothy Lee. Others include Charles Sellon, John Harrorr, Robert Emmett Keane, Russell Gleason, Wade Boteler, Hector V. Sarno, George Davis, Maude Fealy, Lita Chevret and Louise Mcintosh. * * * "The Asbury Park Murder Mystery,' the third subject in the new Educational-William J. Burns Detective Mystery Series, is opening for an extended run at the Carthay Circle in Los Angeles. Casting Oakie's Next June Collyer, Stuart Erwin, Skeets Gallagher and Eugene Pallette have already been cast for "Dude Ranch," Jack Oakie's next Paramount vehicle, which Frank Tuttle will direct. Writing Marx Brothers Story S. J. Perelman and Will B. Johnstone are writing "Monkey Business," the new picture in which Paramount will present the Four Marx Brothers. The quartette will soon leave London, where they have been appearing on the stage, and proceed to Hollywood. DIRECTORS GET LEEWAY WITH NEW "FAST" FILM With the use of Eastman Kodak's new type motion picture film, said to be about three times as "fast" as that previously used, it will be possible to "stop down" lenses, increasing the depth of focus and permitting greater latitude to directors in moving their actors about before the camera, according to demonstrations here in the past few days. The characters will no longer have to remain in a narrow plane at a fixed distance from the lens under penalty of blurring into the background or becomng fuzzy in the foreground. The new film cuts down the necessary amount of lighting, thus reducing heat, glare and cost. It is expected to prove of especial advantage! in newsreel photography. M-G-M Signs Cliff Edwards Cliff Edwards, better known as Ukelele Ike, has been signed to a new long term contract, by M-G-M. He will play a part in "Shipmates," featuring Robert Montgomery. Added to "Daybreak" Carmelita Geraghjy and Clyde Cook have been added to the cast of M-G-M-'s "Daybreak," adapted from Arthur Schnitzler's famous novel. Ramon Novarro is starred and Jacques Feyder is directing. HOLLYWOOD PLAZA Hollywood's most convenient hotel. . . for your winter stay in Southern California ONE of California's most popular winter hotels. Right in the heart of movieland ...next door to famous theatres, studios, cafes, and shops. ..near golf courses, bridle paths, and other amusement places. The Plaza offers you luxurious appointments, excellent service, homelike hospitality, and the company of interesting and famous people. European plan. Special Winter Rates Now; $3.50, single. $5.00, double. $6.00, twin beds. Ask for weekly and monthly rates. Remember the Plaza ... for an unforgettable winter in Hollywood. HOLLYWOOD PLAZA HOTEL ... HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. Write for beautiful illustrated folder showing things to do while in Southern California.