The Film Daily (1931)

THE Sunday, May 31, 1931 -%£!k DAILY FOREIGN MARKETS By GEORGE REDDY 9 NEW PRODUCTIONS SET AT PARAMOUNT Paris — Paramount has definitely set nine features on its new season schedule to be made at the Joinville studios. The first of this group, "Delphine," has already been placed in work under the direction of Jean Marguenat, with Meg Lemonnier in the title role. Other vehicles in the lineup are "Le Cordon Bleu," adapted from the play by Tristan Bernard, the famous French humorous writer; "When You Kill Yourself," adapted from the work of Andre Dahl; "Nothing But the Truth," to be directed by Louis Mercanton; "The Azure Coast," adapted from a piece by G. Doloy and A. Birabeau; "With the Insurance," by Saint-Granier; "Nights at Port Said" and "Volpone," a French version of Ben Jonson's masterpiece. The above will be French film.-*, but at the same time films in other languages will be produced. Adelqui Millar will start shortly on the Spanish talkie, "The Lights of Buenos Aires," for which actors and actresses are being brought over from the Argentine. In all, Paramount plans to release 25 feature films in France between next September and May of 1932. 7 Features Next Season Planned by Aaf a, Germany Berlin — Seven feature pictures are planned for production by the Aafa Co. during the coming season. Among the stars who will appear in the films are Mady Christians, Leni Riefenstahl, Trude Berliner, Max Adalbert, Ernst Verebes and Johannes Riemann. Franz Lehar, composer, has been engaged for a 100 per cent musical film, which Rudolph Walther will direct. Ideal Shifts Headquarters London — Administrative offices of Ideal Films are now located at the Film House, Wardour St., W.l. The film dispatch, publicity and poster departments of the company remain temporarily at the old headquarters, 76-78 Wardour St. Gaumont Talker House for Prague Prague — A sound1' theater which will show French and Czechoslovakian talkers exclusively, will be opened here soon by Gaumont . Four Ufa Supers Berlin — Four super films with English versions are on the Ufa program of releases for this year. The first is tentatively titled "Monte Carlo Madness," with Sari Maritza in the leading role. THIRTY NEW THEATERS Glasgow — ■ A survey of theater building activity in Scotland shows that between 25 and 30 houses are in the course of construction, and a number of others scheduled. The Stirling territory tops the list for building progress with three houses of 2,000 or more seating capacity 'anned. Supers of approximately 2,000 seats are to be built in Stranraer, Burnside, Aberdeen and Peterhead. The new Paramount, on which work is expected to be launched in the city shortly will accommodate 3,000, and three additional large houses are programmed for Gallowgate, Riddrie and Cumbernauld Road, also in Glasgow. Box Office Survey Shows German Film Preferences Berlin — A survey of the most successful films shown in Germany during the first quarter of 1931 indicates that of 18 films that received more than average support at the box-office were mostly German made. The public prefers light subjects to dramas. Receipts of theaters during the first quarter of this year were very poor, and of the 18 successful films shown, six of them did not cover the amount of the guaranty. In the short film field, American cartoons are still very popular. Fox Quota Film Started London — "Rodney Steps In," a new. Fox quota picture has gone into production at Twickenham under the direction of Guy Newall. The film is from an original by Brock Williams, and the cast is headed by Richard Cooper. Tri-Lingual in Morocco Paris — Morocco will be the setting of "Les Cinq Gentlemens Maudits," a tri-lingual vehicle to be produced b Mons. Vandal. Vandal, who is now on his way to Africa will film French, German and English versions. A. B.C. Invading Belfast London — Negotiations are understood to have been completed by the A. B.C. circuit for the acquisition of the Hippodrome, a music-hall in Belfast. This will be A.B.C.'s first house in Belfast, and it will be operated with a talker and variety policy. 4 Film Theaters in Virgin Islands St. Thomas, V. I. — Four motion picture theaters, all equipped for sound, are now in operation in the Virgin Islands Two of these are in this city, and are owned by Americans, one is in Christiansted and the other in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Only English language films are shown. EASTERN STUDIO ACTIVITIES By HARRY N. BLAIR J "QTREET OF WOMEN," an original by Polan Banks, has been purchased by Paramount as a vehicle for Claudette Colbert. Karl Freund, officiating as chief cameraman on "Personal Maid," now in production at Paramount's New York studio, is famed for his work in such pictures as "Metropolis," "The Golem," "The Last Laugh" and "Variety." His most recent picture was "Dracula." He is regarded as the premier camerarnan of Europe. "Let George Do It" might well be the slogan of "The Personal Maid" set. Among the Georges at work on the picture are: George Hippard. assistant director: George Webber and George Hinners, cameramen, and George Chennels, standby. Gene Raymond, juvenile lead in "The Personal Maid," appeared with Do7iald Meek, who plays a character role in the same picture, in a recent Broadway play which bore the title of "Jonesey." George Cukor, Monta Bell, Harry D'Arrast and George Abbott are all domiciled in pent houses which command a sweeping view of Manhattan. It helps the creative urge. Bob Spencer, who appears in numerous Paramount pictures, was joint winner of the Charleston contest in Dallas, Texas, which started Ginger Rogers on a career. "My Sin," and not "China," will be Tallulah Bankhead's next picture for Paramount. Director and leading man as yet undecided. Monta Bell is trying out the idea of photographing the male members of the "Personal Maid" cast sans make-up. Rushes so far indicate that it gives the men greater expression. Vitaphone will release four organ and song numbers on its current short subject program. The first is entitled "Just A Gigolo" and was produced by Leon Schlesinger, producer of "Looney Tunes." This new series will be known as "organ songnatas." Georges Metaxa, Paramount's new leading man, will make his American radio debut over station WOR on Thursday evening, as the guest of Radie Harris, radio columnist. John W. Green, composer, will act as accompanist besides playing a solo consisting of numbers from "The Smiling Lieutenant." Nancy Carroll and Pat O'Brien both feel at home in their respective roles in "Personal Maid." Both have to act Irish, even to a brogue, it ml it all comes very natural si they are true descendants of old Erin. Cameraman turns actor. George Stoetzel, assigned as assistant cameraman on Johnny Farrell's first short for RKO Pathe, was picked by Director Cvde Elliott to play the iole of Johnny's golfing partner. This episode is called "The Duffer" and George is it. "Lady, Play Your Mandolin," an animated cartoon produced by Leon Schlesinger, of "Looney Tune" fame, will shortly be released by Vitaphone. Val (M-G-M) Lawton's first American novel, "Rape of Glory," comes out July 31. It is published by the Mohawk Press. Paramount Notes: Johnny Doran getting in shape for next Thursday's game . . . he'll pitch. . . . Arthur Cozine preparing for the big Air Meet on Cozine Field, July 4. . . . Tallulah Bankhead studying her lines for "My Sin." . . . Fredric March likewise. The Doran "Neverfrets" and the Priestly "Allscars" from the Paramount New York studio, met on the field of battle back of the car barns in Astoria. Johnny Doran pitched his team to a complete victory to the tune of 32-18. A return engagement is scheduled for next Thursday. Terry Carroll, sister of Nancy Carroll, will enact the part for screen purposes in "Personal Maid," now being directed by Monta Bell. Terry has played in numerous pictures as well as on the stage. She is a blonde and about the same height and weight as the Titian-haired Nancy. HAROLD MULLER FIRST CAMERAMAN Independence 3-0743 Wisconsin 7-541*