The Film Daily (1936)

Monday, Apr. 6, 1936 DAILY 13 A "£ittU" fW Hollywood "Ms // By RALPH WILK "CROM Al Jolson to Lawrence Tibbett is a journey being made by "Save Me, Sister," a spiritual song with a love lyric by Edward Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen. Jolson and Wini Shaw sing the number in "The Singing Kid." Tibbett heard the selection and was so enthusastic over it that he has obtained permission to use it on his forthcoming concert tour. T T T Edward Halperin leaves April 8 for New York with a print of "The Revolt of the Zombies," which will have its premiere showing on Broadway. An exploitation campaign similar to that of "White Zombies," will be conducted for "The Revolt of the Zombies." ▼ T ▼ Paul Hoefler has returned from a four months' stay in New York. He is making plans for a series of 13 short subjects to be released through a major company. "The Country Beyond," a 20th Century-Fox picture, directed by Eugene Forde, was given an enthusiastic reception at a sneak preview at Huntington Park. ▼ ▼ » Robert C. Bruce will sail on April 11 for Hawaii, where he will make the second subject in his series of seven "Musical Romances," which will be released by Paramount. He recently produced "Arizona Sketches," the first subject in the j series. The subjects, which are onereelers, are being made in Techni1 color. ▼ T T Michael Markham has sold his play, "Answer Me That," to John J. Wildberg, New York attorney and producer. ▼ T T The Halperin brothers, heads of Academy-Halperin Productions, have signed Major C. Court Treatt, English author of "Black Cargo" and other works, to write the screenplay for their next production "Slave Ship." "Black Cargo" is running currently in all of the Hearst papers through the King Feature Syndicate. T T ▼ Bennie F. Zeidman, head of Zeldman Productions, is one of the busiest producers in Hollywood today. He has just completed his first picture, "Angels in White," and is currently working on "In His Steps," adapted from the famous best seller by Charles Monroe Sheldon and at the same time has accepted the completed script of "Rogues' Gallery," offered by Willard Keefe, dramatic editor of the Associated Press. T T T Hal E. Kern, who has been film editor on all of David 0. Selznick's pictures, has been signed to a longterm contract by Selznick Interna tional. Kern last edited "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and will be in charge of all editorial work. T T T Frank Friedrichsen, formerly with the Los Angeles Examiner, has joined Russell Birdwell's publicity department at Selznick International to found and run a research library. ▼ ▼ » Dale Van Every has been signed to write the screen play of Dumas' novel, "Son of Monte Cristo," which Edward Small is to produce as a Reliance picture for RKO Radio, with Robert Donat the probable star. ▼ T T Ralph Forbes has been signed by RKO Radio for "Mary of Scotland," now in produdction under the direction of John Ford. ▼ T T Mark Sandrich has returned from a vacation in Honolulu where he became a surfboard enthusiast. He is to direct Katharine Hepburn in "The Portrait of a Rebel." T T ▼ The first amateur trick-effects in color is a magic short made by Harold Arlen in Kodacolor. The song writer used as an actor and collaborator Edward "Yip" Harburg, and the picture will be a gift to the latter's youngsters in New York. Harburg and Arlen wrote the music for the Al Jolson picture, "The Singing Kid." ▼ T ▼ "The Making of O'Malley," which will be produced by Warner Bros., will have a thorough Irish flavor. Martin Mooney and Mary McCall, who are preparing the screenplay, were given the assignment on St. Patrick's Day. Pat O'Brien will be starred and all the characters in the picture will be Irish. T ▼ T A $10,000 ventilating system is being installed in the Marcal, Hollywood, which is operated by Galston and Sutton. An elaborate Easter show will be staged at the theater, with the Rayeve studios supplying their clever tots. T T ▼ Eddie Nugent, Don Alvarado, Fuzzy Knight, Maxine Doyle, Nick Stuart, Lucille Lund, Forrest Taylor, Ernie Adams, Joyce Kay and George Walsh are in the cast of "Rio Grande NEWS of the DAY Altoona, Pa. — Jake Silverman, local exhibitor, is back from a month's vacation in Florida. Wheeling, W. Va.— The Wheeling Theaters, Inc. has been organized here by Charles P. Mead, Helen B. Shaw and T. H. Duval. Acquisition of several houses around this territory is planned. Wellsburg, W. Va. — Construction of the New Rex by Charles Anderson of the Alpine Theater Circuit has been resumed. Pittsburgh — A son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bailey. Father is the former manager of the Stanley here and is now handling similar duties in Philadelphia. Waldoboro, Me. — A special town meeting has been called to offer inducements to Carroll T. Cooney to erect a picture theater in this town. Springfield, Mass. — James Erwin, usher at Poli's theater here, has gone to Hollywood, Cal., where he will engage in theater work. Pittsburgh — The three local dailies have resumed normal publication of their regular theatrical pages following a brief interruption due to the recent flood. Denver — The Graham Brothers Equipment Co. has made the following recent sales: to the Fox Lincoln, Cheyenne, Wyo., rectifiers and other equipment; Cameron, Denver, new booth equipment (this house is reopening after being closed for several years); to the University of Wyomjng, two thousand Ideal seats, public address system, and complete stage lighting equipment; the Acme, Riverton, Wyo., new heating, ventilating and booth equipment; the Rialto, Alamosa, Colo., new drapes; and to the Grand, Lander, Wyo., auditorium lighting fixtures and booth equipment. Seattle — The Rex will soon undergo extensive remodeling, improvement, and installation of new furnishings, as well as redecoration. Omaha — Sidney Epstein of the Epstein suburban theater circuit, here, has announced his engagement to Gertrude Robinson of Fort Dodge, la. Pittsburgh — Jimmy and Betty Ray, local dance team have returned from the Coast where they worked with Al Jolson in "The Singing Kid," made a personal appearance at Warner's Enright Theater. New Haven — The Bijou brought back "Naughty Marietta" for its fourth engagement at the theater last week. Romance," a Peter B. Kyne story, being directed by Robert F. Hill. Al Martin wrote the screenplay for the Victory picture, which Sam Katzman is producing. ▼ T T Frank Lawton has been cast for an important role in "Witch of Timbuktu," in which Tod Browning will direct Lionel Barrymore. Lawton appeared in "David Copperfield," "Cavalcade," "After Office Hours" and "Heads We Go." T T ▼ "Once Every Year," the new Jones Family picture, will go into production at 20th Century-Fox studios this week. Jed Prouty again will head the cast. ▼ T T With Gavin Muir and Gloria Stuart heading the cast, "The Mercy Killer" goes into production this week. Selected for location work was Tombstone, Ariz., once flourishing mining town of 15,000 persons, whose population dwindled after the gold rush to fewer than 300. Because of scanty accommodations, the 20th Century-Fox unit will be quartered in a special train while on location. . T T T Paul Harvey has been assigned by Darryl F. Zanuck to a role in "Private Number," starring Loretta Young. ▼ ▼ T Joe Lewis, master of ceremonies, has been signed to a long term contract by 20th Century-Fox. T * T Cesar Romero has been given a role with Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay and Robert Armstrong in "Public Enemy's Wife," now in production at Warner Bros. ▼ v y A new seven-year contract has been awarded by Warner Bros.First National to William Keighley, whose list of big pictures includes the direction of "G-Men" and the co-direction of "The Green Pastures" (with Marc Connelly) and "The Singing Kid" (with Bobby Connolly). T ▼ T Henry King is arranging his shooting plans for "Ramona," first all-color picture to be produced by 20th Century-Fox. It goes before the cameras May 4. King and Duncan Cramer, art director at the Western Ave. studio, will leave Tuesday for an aerial survey of possible location sites, in a plane piloted by King himself, who is a veteran flier. ▼ ▼ T Ruth Chatterton will play the role of teacher in "Girls' Dormitory," the 20th Century-Fox production based on the play "Matura" by Ladislas Fodor. Simone Simon will have a featured role. ▼ T ▼ Tony Martin, who graduated from saxophone playing to radio singing, has been signed by 20th CenturyFox to a long term contract.