The Film Mercury (1928-1929)

Hollywood, Calif. THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1928 Page Fifty-One ♦: ♦: ♦: 44 Fancy Baggage Audrey Ferris Wallace MacDonald Hallam Cooley George Fawcett Edmund Breese Direction: John Adolfi Vitaphone Dramatization by C. GRAHAM BAKER WARNER BROTHERS >: :♦« >; >: 9 % 9 >; !Ji >; >: >: >; >; Jim Tully Jim Tully’s play, “Jarnegan,” opening in New York, the picturization of his novel, “Beggars of Life,” with his latest book, “Shanty Irish” being published at almost the same time, should indicate the popularity of the author’s works, if not the author. Probably one of the most misunderstood persons in Hollywood, Tully is criticized by the very individuals who become apoplectic if Tully writes frankly about them. It seems to be the privilege of those in the public eye to say anything — no matter how caustic or cruel — about those who write — but unethical, vicious or dastardly for a writer to put what he thinks of others on paper. That is, provided the remarks are not eulogistic. May I here remark that when something gracious kind or complimentary is made, the person about whom it is written takes it as his just due and does not bother himself or herself to thank the writer. Jim Tully has written uncomplimentary remarks about some film folk, but he has also been very kind to others. And, I believe, truthful regarding his own beliefs. As a writer, who has helped many aspiring players and directors towards their goal by lavish praise, I can understand Jim Tully’s attitude. Most of those to whom I have devoted laudatory space have never thanked me. On the other hand, many whose flaws I have pointed to, have given vent to vitriolic remarks about me. Thus, are we writers taught to comment as we sincerely feel, wen if it hurts the recipients of our observations. Jim Tully is sensitive, moody, kind. A man has a soul who will lie awake nights because his dog is lost, who remembers to put bones outside in case the dog should return hungry. A man who has done the little kindnesses that I know without publicizing them, is not a monster or mean. His pen and his tongue may be caustic at times, but there is a childlike quality in Tully that is charming. Tully is the greatest observer -An Analysis of people that I know. He strips them nude of their superficialities— he sees them as they are. Therein seems to be his crime in Hollywood. He is a brilliant analyzer of the motives of humans. From time to time there has been talk that someone else does Tully’s writings. That such is not true can be realized after half an hour with the man. And the persons who are credited for his works are inferior writers to Tully, whose articles and novels at times reach brilliance or greatness. That his writings are not saccharine or panegyrics is true, Dut that is not sufficient cause for censuring his work. That some do not like him is understandable, but his writings must be judged apart from the man. And I am one who goes on record as believing long after many of the screen luminaries have departed for another shore, that Tully’s literary efforts will survive. — ANABEL LANE. * * * English Obtain Gilda Gilda Gray has been signed by British International studios for the featured role in “Piccadilly Shiver” which will be put into production immediately. * * * First National’s “Chang lings” company has just returned to the Burbank studios after six weeks on the Hawaiian Islands. * * * Two new sound stages at First National are rising rapidly. * *■ * Present plans at Fox call for Director John G. Blystone, Louise Dresser and other players to leave for Italy November 15 to shoot a super film. In Zion National Park and Cedar City, Utah, Raoul Walsh has been three weeks directing Fox’s “In Old Arizona.” * * * The departmental forces of Paramount have been increased from 1200 to 1500 workers to take care of the production program now under way. New Writer Signs Richard Diggs, another member of Baker’s drama class at Yale, has joined Paramount as a writer. His assignment has not been announced. * * * Replicas of Australia and Singapore have been faithfully reproduced at the Fox Hills studios where “Captain Lash” is now at work. A fifteen acre set of a Holland Dutch village has also arisen at Fox Hills for “Street Fair.” Hiers Leaving Again Walter Hiers, who returned from a 26-weeks’ vaudeville tour some time ago, is leaving again, opening in Denver on the Publix circuit. * * * The John Barrymore company is now back on the United Artists lot after a location trip into the Canadian Rockies. * * * “Spite Marriage,” a comedy of backstage life, will be Buster Keaton’s next for M-G-M. James J. Tynan SCENARIST SMITTY SERIES SMITTY PRODUCTIONS HARRY WEBER