The Film Mercury (1928-1929)

Page Two THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1929 Hollywood, Calif. Immigration Officials Start Alien Round-up Rothacker Pathe Studio Head, Report None other than Watterson Rothacker, former production head at First National, m&y take over the reins at the Pathe studio, according to advices which reached The Film Mercury this week. Rothacker has been inactive in production circles since resigning from the F. N. post. Nothing official has been announced as yet, but with the arrival of Joseph Kennedy in Hollywood this week it is believed that several announcements of importance will be made relative to Pathe. Kennedy has recently issued denials regarding various mergers iri which the name of Pathe has been included, although it is generally predicted that Pathe will line up with RKO or one of the other big concerns within the next few weeks. Joe E. Brown Getting Break in Movies Joe E. Brown, noted stage comedian, recruited from Broadway, appears to be getting a big break in the movie racket. Since scoring his impressive hit in “Hit of the Show” Brown has been in big demand at local studios. F. B. O. featured him in two additional productions, then he was engaged for two pictures by Tiffany-Stahl Scoring heavily in these Brown was recently signed to be starred in three TS features at a fifty per cent increase in salary. In addition, Warner Bros, signed him last week at an increased salary for a Vitaphone special. Brown is also slated to appear in a big United Artists release. * * * Snell Vacationing Earle Snell is taking a brief vacation after completing the continuity of his latest original story, “Companionate Troubles” for Universal. U. S. Immigration authorities have started a drive to round up alien visitors who have overstayed their time limit. During the past week several European actors were taken in charge by Immigration officials and will be deported. This action is certain to have wide-spread effects in the Hollywood film colony, which contains a large number of foreign film workers who did not come into the country via the quota, but are visitors. It is understood that many of the foremost foreign stars and directors will be hailed before the authorities within the next few days and ordered to leave the country. Some may be allowed an extension of time but most of them will be forced to return to Europe. Their only recourse then will be to make another re-entry into America as a short term visitor, or to remain in their own country and come in with the quota, which might mean a lengthy wait. The government has been lax in enforcing its immigration rules in connection with foreign screen workers because of the fact that most of them earn large salaries and there is no danger of their becoming public charges. Why the immigration authorities have suddenly started upon a drive is surrounded in mystery. * * * Bodil Rosing In F. N. Talk Film Bodil Rosing has been signed for a featured role in Alice White’s new picture “Broadway Babies,” which Mervyn LeRoy is directing for First National. This picture will be Bodil’s first experience in a dialogue film. In Preparation: “REDEMPTION” HOWARD J. GREEN WROTE Screen Version and Dialogue — Columbia’s All-Talkie — “THE DONOVAN AFFAIR” Directed by FRANK CAPRA FREE-LANCING Management Edward Small Company