The Film Daily (1932)

THE 10 COLUMBIA STUDIO AT PEAK WITH 17FILMSUNDERWAY West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Columbia studios soared to a new peak in production this week with 17 pictures in various stages of production. Eight features are now shooting on the lot, six others are receiving story treatment and the remaining three are in the cutting rooms. Must Find New Sources For Cast Talent— Buzzell West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Declaring that not enough new player names are coming along to take the place of those who are gradually fading out of the picture, Eddie Buzzell, Columbia director, says a plan must be worked out to assure a steady supply of such talent. "Every director today is finding it increasingly difficult to cast his pictures with enough name's that mean anything at the boxoffice," says Buzzell. "It, therefore, behooves as to recruit, if necessary talent from outside of Hollywood for screen development. "Xcw talent selected should serve an apprenticeship of months in the extra ranks and while thus gaining experience, should be given .1 slow publicity build-up. Acquaint the public with these names and let them watch the gradual stepping-up. Those, naturally, who fail to elicit any encouragement from the public can be dropped. "This or some other method will have to be put into ei u too much money is involved in the old process of forcing overnight a new personality that eventually prow nvestment, resulting in an over indugence oi precaution on the part of the producer to try ag. DISTRIBUTING CAESAR FILMS Frank Pennino, general representative of Caesar Film Co. of Rome, has formed Empa Film with office at 680 Ninth Ave. to handle distribution of Caesar product here. Caesar Film will continue its present New York office at 261 Broadway, with Pennino in charge of this as well as Empa. Among pictures already received by Pennino from Italy are a feature, "La Vecchia Signora" ("The Old Lady"), with Emma Grammatica and Arturo Falconi, and a sinking short, "Veneziana," with Daniele Serra. MONOGRAM BOOK TIEUP Monogram Pictures has arranged with Grosset & Dunlap, publishers, to bring out a special de luxe motion picture edition of "Oliver Twist" coincident with the making of that picture by Herbert Brenon. "1 Foreign Appeal Monogram'; foreign mail this week brought a letter fron Ahmed Rifa.it Rachid, reading: "Please send mi pretty directly poses of the Molly Malonc and Wanda H.fw ley and 20 others Also of the direct lady poses attiring their evening WMf of nightgowns and bathing suits. Mike Simmons. Monogram's publicity director, had to write the Egyptian Archeologist that the co-^p -ly s of Maloncs and Hawlcys but that it has some fine new suggestive poses of Black Beauty DAILV Friday, Dec. 2, 1932 fciu.iu r.w VIM By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD TEE TRACY is reported negotiating for the purchase of a large tract of land at Palm Springs, where he plans to erect a beautiful home. For the past three weeks Tracy has been enjoying a complete rest at America's desert spot. * * * Merian C. Cooper, co-producer with Ernest B. Schoedsack of "Grass" and "Chang," and now an RKO associate producer, announces that his company has taken an option on W. H. Hudson's novel, "Green Mansions," to be filmed under his own direction. * * * Edward Griffith is elated to learn that "Animal Kingdom," which he directed, may be picked to open the new RKO Roxy in Radio City. * * * Yi-seng S. Kiang, vice-consul of the Republic of China, has opened offices in Los Angeles. He declares he will seek to eliminate misconceptions of Chinese life and customs that have appeared in some American made pictures dealing with China. He is anxious to cooperate with the producers. Samuel Schwartzberg, formerly of New York, is acting as attorney for the vice-consul. Harold Hecht, dance director of the stage and screen, has been signed by Paramount to stage the dances for Mae West's starring picture, "Ruby Red." * * * Production has started at M-G-M on "The Lady," being directed by Charles Brabin. Irene Dunne and Phillips Holmes have the leading roles, and the supporting cast so far selected includes Lionel Atwill, Una Merkel and Eileen Percy. * # ♦ Another Zane Grey story, "Under the Tonto Rim," has been bought by Paramount as a vehicle for Kent Taylor. Henry Hathaway will direct. ■i t * Sam JalTe is busy preparing for the new Irene Dunne picture, on which he makes his debut as an associate producer at RKO. * * * kf-G-M has acquired film rights to "Mortmain," the novel by Hugh Cecil Asterley which Sears Co. published last April. Howard Estabrook, whose "The Conquerors" is in its second week at the RKO Mayfair on Broadway, is progressing with the script of "The Masqnerader," in which Samuel Goldwyn will present Ronald Colman and Klissa Landi under the direction of Richard Wallace. Richard Wallace expects to start rehearsals soon with his cast for "The Masquerader" which he is to direct for Samuel Goldwyn. Howard Estabrook, winner of last year's Academy award for his script on "Cimarron," was borrowed to write the screen treatment for the Wallace assignment. * * • Frank Dolan has been signed by Columbia to collaborate with George Auerbach on a story. * * * Lillian Roth may have to temporarily abandon her Hollywood stay for a visit to New York. The beautiful Gotham stage star has received an insistent request from her Eastern representative that she return to discuss a tempting stage offer recently received. * * * William Bakewell, it is reported, is being seriously considered for the featured juvenile role in another RKO Radio special production. * * * With Ann Harding completely recovered from her recent illness, Edward H. Griffith has resumed filming of the final scenes for "Animal Kingdom," the RKO production which will be the opening attraction at the RKO Roxy in New York. David Newell, young stage actor, recently placed under contract at M-G-M, has been assigned his most important role. He will play "Radford," a navigation officer, in "Pigboats," which is being directed by Jack Conway. He recently played the Czar's aide in "Rasputin." "Night Life in Death Valley" is the subject of an unusual picture being made by Stacey Woodard, the young biologist, of Nathan, Woodaid and Fairbanks, who are producing the "Battle for Life" series for Educational. Our Passing Show: David Boehm, recently returned from New York, walking with his friend, Erwin Gelsey; Murray Feil and William Perlberg motoring to Burbank; Ollie Garver and Harold Murphy of National Screen Service autoing to Paramount. * * * Dudley Murphy is proudly displaying a new mural, the work of Sequiros, the famous Mexican painter. Murphy is showing much interest in Mexican art and plans to make a trip into Mexico as soon as he finishes the direction of "Now You See It," for RKO. * * * Horace Jackson's proposed vacation in Europe may have to be abandoned temporarily due to an im 10 FEATURE PICTURES IN PRODUCTION AT FOX West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Capacity operations are in progress at the Fox studios. With "Broadway Bad," "Dangerously Yours" and "Infernal Machine" going before the cameras this week, the list of pictures being made or in the cutting room will total ten. "Cavalcade" and "Handle With Care" are nearly done. Other productions nearing completion include <rState Fair," "Face In The Sky," "Canyon Walls," "Hot Pepper" and "Walking Down Broadway." pending assignment to do a script for a prominent star. Jackson recently completed a long term contract with RKO Radio. * * * Walter Weems and Harry Sweet are writing another "Mr. Average Man" comedy, which will star Edgar Kennedy, with Louis Brock as the producer. * * * Harrison Wiley, art director for the Charles R. Rogers Prods, at Paramount, has developed a special paint chart for motion picture settings, which designates to the fraction the exact photographic value of all practical colors. * * # Max Trell, who wrote "Lawyer Man," produced by Warner Bros., has joined the M-G-M scenario staff. * * * The number, "When He Comes Home te Me," sung by Sharon Lynn in "Brief Moment" at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, was written especially for her by Sam Coslow and arranged by Ralph Rainger. It is quite different from the song used by Francine Larrimore in the New 1 ork production of this sparkling S. N. Behrman comedy. * * * Mr. and Mrs. Hal Wallis expect the stork in March. Professionally, Mrs. Wallis is Louise Fazenda. * * * Simile — As helpless as a movie company auditor minus red ink. * * * Fred Jackman, veteran head of Warner -Bros., miniature department, is convalescing, following an operation for appendicitis. * * * Having completed the direction of RKO's "Half-Naked Truth," Gregory La Cava is preparing to film "Three Came Unarmed" for the David O. Selznick organization. Product Being Played Fast Warner-First National exchanges report product being played up faster than ever, according to A. W. Smith, sales executive, who returned this week from a trip through his territory. Comparatively few delinquent pictures are to be found in any of the eastern branches, says Smith.