The Film Daily (1931)

+ ' Sunday, March 22, 1931 I HOLLYWOOD ACTIVITIES CURRENT HAPPENINGS FLASHED BY WIRE FROM THE COAST HENRY HOBART ASSIGNED FOUR RKO PRODUCTIONS Henry Hobart, who is back on the job at RKO after an illness of several weeks, has four production assignments ahead of him. First of the quartette which he is to supervise is "White Shoulders," based on the story by Rex Beach. It has started shooting under the direction of Melville Brown with a cast including Mary Astor, Jack Holt, Ricardo Cortez, Sidney Toler and Kitty Kelly. Then comes "High Stakes," the next acting-directing vehicle for Lowell Sherman, adapted from Willard Mack's Broadway play. Third is "Cock-Eyed Youth," an original by Wesley Ruggles, adapted by Howard Estabrook. Last comes "Strange Women," comedy-drama with a Russian locale, to be directed by Richard Boleslavsky from an adaptation by Benn W. Levy, with Ivan Lebedeff in a principal role. Ernesto Vilches Starts Spanish Talker Series Ernesto Vilches, star of the Spanish stage, has started the first of a series of Spanish talkies for John H. Auer Productions at Metropolitan Studios. The first picture is "The Comedian," which Vilches will also direct with the assistance of Leonard Fields. Release will be through Paramount. In the supporting cast are Betty Norton, Angelita Benitz, Antonio Vidal, Sorieno Viosca, Manuel Arbo, Romnaldo Tirado, Maria Calvo and Carmen Rodriquez. Ed Hearn, Jack Byron Cast Edward Hearn and Jack Byron have been added to "Clearing the Range," Hoot Gibson's western being made by M. H. Hoffman, Jr., for Allied Pictures Corp. Others in the cast are Sally Eilers, George Mendoza, Robert Homas, Mme. Eva Grippon, Hooper Atchley and Edward Piel. Otto Brower is directing. Wesley Ruggles Recovered Wesley Ruggles, RKO director who had a breakdown following his strenuous work on "Cimarron," is back on his feet at his Malibu Beach home and will start soon on "CockEyed Youth," an original written by him. New Color Films George Hill, directing for M-G-M, is working on four stories which are simply titled "the blue story," "the red story," "the white story" and "the green story," according to the color of paper on which they are being written. A LITTLE from "LOTS ►// . By RALPH WILK DO BERT L. JOHNSON, who held the distinction of being the youngest member of the scenario department in the Paramount New iork studios, has arrived in Los Angeles, following a vacation spent in Havana. Before leaving New York, he completed the adaptation of "Up Pops the Devil" in collaboration with Evelyn Gerstein. * * * William Collier, Sr., has been added to the cast of Fox's "Misbehaving," formerly known as "Good Gracious, Annabelle." Tom Meighan heads the cast with Jeanette MacDonald. Meighan's third picture for Fox will be "Hush Money," with Joan Bennett as his leading woman. * * * George O'Brien is homeward bound from two months of fun in the Orient. His homecoming, on a palatial ocean liner from Manila, is not so exciting, perhaps, but vastly more comfortable than this voyage to the East on a Norwegian tramp freighter. * * * Harold Schwartz has completed the direction of "Six-Stutter Sheriff," a comedy short, starring Rosco Ates. The comedy has a little record of its own, as its cast is minus any feminine principals. * * * Matt Taylor, former Fordham tennis star, who has been a scenarist for several years, is writing the treatment for the M-G-M shorts, which will star William Tilden. * * * Warner Oland has been assigned to "The Black Camel," Fox picture in which Sally Eilers and Frank Albertson also have principal roles. * * * Ruth Weston, New York society girl signed by Radio Pictures, has been cast in Frank Craven's "Too Many Cooks," now in production under William A. Seiter. * * * Robert Williams and Walter Walker, who were in the New York stage production of "Rebound," have been assigned roles in the screen version being made by RKO Pathe. * * * Marjorie Rambeau, Monroe Owsley, Charles Knox Robinson, Armand Kaliz and Zelda Sears have been selected as members of the supporting cast of "Girls Together," Joan Crawford's new starring film, which will go into production as soon as the star completes work in "The Torch Song." Nick Grinde will direct. Story is from the "College Humor" serial by Mildred Cram. Spencer Tracy and Warren Hymer will appear together again in Fox's "Blondie." William Haines has begun work in his new starring vehicle, "Dancing Partner," at M-G-M. The cast of this adaptation of the recent New York stage play includes Irene Purcell of the original stage cast; Charlotte Granville, C. Aubrey Smith, Lilian Bond, Lenore Bushman, Gerald Fielding and Albert Conti. Jack Conway is directing. Our Passing Show: Abraham Lehr, Mrs. Lawrence Tibbetts, Molly Merrick, Mark Larkin, Harry Wilson, J. Leo Meehan, Pat Cullinan, Margaret Ettinger, Harriett Parsons, Edward Woods, Lynn Farnol, Harry Brand, Nat Dyches at the reception in honor of Mile. Gabrielle Chanel; Ivan Lebedeff, Andres de Segurola and *Richard Boleslavsky chatting at Radio Pictures. Neil Jack, Charles Ftanklin and Leon M. Leon are handling the sound on "Defenders of the Law," a feature being produced by Larry Darmour, with Joseph Levering directing. Here and There: Messmore Kendall of New York and David Mendoza resuming acquaintances at First National; Ken Whitmore, formerly of Paramount, assuming his new duties in the First National publicity department. 6 NEW PICTURES FINISHED' AT FIRST NATIONAL STUDIO Since resuming operations the First National studio has completed work on six features. Some of them are now in the cutting rooms and the others are already on their way East. The group includes: "Big Business Girl," with Loretta Young, Frank Albertson and Ricardo Cortez; "Party Husband," with Dorothy Mackaill, James Rennie and Dorothy Peterson; "The Finger Points," with Richard Barthelmess and Fay Wray; "Broad Minded," a vehicle for Joe E. Brown and Ona Munson; "Chances," the Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., picture with Rose Hobart, and "You and I," which has Lewis Stone and Evalyn Knapp. Stein to Direct Connie Bennett Paul L. Stein has been assigned by RKO Pathe to direct Constance Bennett in "The Common Law." "Exhibitors, Ahoy' cries MICKEY MOUSE "I'm coming on a personal ap pearancOj tour by ar r a n gements between WALT DISNEY and FANCHON and MARCO. Watch for me and the girl friend Minnie." HOLLYWOOD PLAZA HoUyu>ootl'» most convenient hotel . . for your stay in Southern Culifornia RI'G HT in the center of everything to see and do . . next door to famoui studios, theatres, cafes, and shops . . near golf courses, bridle paths, and other amusement places. The Plaza offers you every modern convenience, unexcelled service, and a unique, homelike atmosphere that makes you feel at home as soon as you enter its well known "doorway of hospitality." Here, too, you may enjoy the company of interesting and famous people. European plan. $3.00 and up, single. $4.00 and up, double. $5.00 and up, twin beds. Special low weekly and monthly rates. Remember the Plaza for an unforgettable stay In Hollywood. Write for free folder. HOLLYWOOD PLAZA HOTEL.?. HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.