The Film Daily (1931)

THE Monday, June 8, 1931 -s&a DAILY A LITTLE from "LOTS ►// fly RALPH U1I.K HOLLYWOOD JOHN ROBERTSON has an unJ fulfilled ambition. He wants to direct "Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde," which he once did with John Barrymore in the silents. The Stevenson classic has always been an outstanding favorite with Robertson, who was responsible for "Sentimental Tommy,'' "Bright Shawl" and "Tess of the Storm Country." A long personal friendship with Lloyd Osborne, Stevenson's step-son, who lives in California, has only served to intensify his interest in the narrative. * * * John Garrick has been given a long-term contract by Charles R. Rogers at RKO Pathe. He is appearing with Helen Twelvetrees in "The Mad Marriage." * * * Bebe Daniels' next vehicle for First National will be "Bed and Board," by Lenore I. Coffee. * * * Dasheill Hammett has completed the script of "Divorce Detective," the next William Powell picture for Warner Bros. * * * Bramwell Fletcher, Frances Dade. Holmes Herbert, Nella Walker, Lawrence Grant and Nicholas Soussanin have been engaged by Paramount for "Daughter of the Dragon," the Sessue Hayakawa film. * * * Creighton Hale and Ann Christie have been signed to appear in the new Our Gang comedy, "Big Ears," now in production at the Hal Roach studio. * * * Daphne Pollard has started "Say Uncle," the first of the series of two-reelers that she is to contribute to the Universal short product program next season. Charles LaMont is directing and the cast includes Walter Merrill, Norma Drew and Billy Gilbert. * * * Dorothy Lee is the final selection for the feminine lead with Joe E. Brown in his latest First National starring picture, "Local Boy Makes Good." * * * Tyrell Davis will appear with Ruth Chatterton in "The Magnificent Lie" for Paramount. * * * Norman Houston, who, with Jimmy Gleason, wrote the dialogue for "Broadway Melody," is back to his "first love" — M-G-M. He is writing the adaptation and dialogue for an untitled original by Paul Fejos. While at M-G-M, he also directed "Copy," a newspaper short, which attracted much favorable attention. During his absence from the Culver City studio, he was with Paramount, Fox and Columbia. * * * Leslie Fenton, who was in "The Public Enemy" and "Kick In," has been signed for one of the featured roles in "The Pagan Lady," which John Francis Dillon is directing. * * * Natalie Kingston, who started in Mack Sennett's comedies, later going in for serious drama, returned to her first love— comedy — when she played the feminine lead opposite 3 Pix in 8 Weeks Within a period of eight weeks, Edward G. Robinson has, or will have, worked in three First National starring pictures. He recently completed "Smart Money." At present he is working on "Five Star Final." Then comes "The World Changes." Jimmy Savo in "The House Dick" at B Pictures. Lloyd French directed the comely for Lou Brock, the producer. * * * "Silence" is not a sequel to "The Sphinx Has Spoken," nor does the latter title apply to casting directors. * * * Marc I.achman, a Texas boy, who made good on Broadway, is spending his vacation llywood. He is now Boswell for Charles B. Dillingham. * * * I'ince Barnett, the Professional ribbcr, had a few of tlw diners at the Society of M. P. Engineers' banquet annoyed until an an neuncement was made that the "ribbing" was all in fun. Fifi Dorsay, Bctte Davis, Roberta Gale, Conchita Montenegro were among the players introduced at the banguet. * * * Josephine Lovett, screen writer, has returned from a hurried trip to Reno, where she went to get atmosphere for "The Road to Reno," which will be an original to be made by l'aramount. * * * Lai Chand Mehra, Indian scholar and authority on Far Eastern matters, who recently signed as technical advisor for "The Sphinx Has Spoken," will also play a part in the picture. * * * Winifred Win-low, casting director at Educational, admits she is engaged to a Chicago millionaire. Although she will "cast" him for the role of her husband, she refuses to disclose In name at present. * * * Neil Brant has finished the adaptation on "Leviathan," which will be made as a special by Universal. * * * Robert Ross, veteran production man, will co-direct "The Corsair," which will be a Roland West production. Ross directed the "Nick Carter" series in the East. Don Dillaway. who played the boy in "Min and Bill" and the Indian-lore loving son in "Cimarron," came to the movies from the New York stage. He has a juvenile role in Will Rogers next picture, "As Young aj You Feci." * * * Rae Dooley, for years a star comedienne of Ziegfeld's "Follies," in which she appeared with such stars as Will Rogers and Marilyn Miller, is playing a comedy role in "Honeymoon Lane," which stars her husband, Eddie Dov/ling. She portrays a child role, a characterization for which she is famous on the stage. * * * Art Levy, former press agent, who has just been made a junior writer at Radio Pictures, relates the story of the screen writer who sashed an executive. Then contract time came along and the writer was advised to eat his own words. "Oh I You want a literary digest," said the scribbler. * * * Tyler Brooke, who recently played an important role in "Sweepstakes" at RKO Pathe, is working in "The Magnificent Lie," starring Ruth Chatterton. * * * Word ha- been received that Alexander Km 'la will supervise and direct "Marios" at Paramount's Joinville, France, studio. Because of his excellent directorial work on "Left " Korda was also made a supervisor. Biro is head of the studio's scenario ment. * * * Leonard Spigclnnss, who, with Doris Mailoy wrote "Honeymoon," an original story for Fox, is now in Neiv York, viewing the neivest plays for Fox. * * * Johnt is $100 richer, title "Transgression" was chosen to r< "Tin Next Corner" at Radio Pictures. I iiy is one of the Coasts best publicity men and is a member of Radio ity depart ment. * * * Ralph Ince has joined the cast of Warners' "The Star Witness." replacing Lucicn Prival. Production Is Important To Everyone In Pictures Why Not Find Out Accurately All About WHERE? THE FILM DAILY DIRECTORS' ANNUAL and PRODUCTION GUIDE {i 2th Annual Edition) OUT IN JUNE