Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH Longer Career for Stars —Predicts Director Stars of Ten Years Ago Are Still Retaining Public Popularity Longer careers for stars are forseen by Director John Robertson as a natural development accompanying current filming methods and schedules. Robertson contends that all factors involved tend to indicate that stardom will be perpetuated materially in the future. This, he believes, is good news for the fans as well as for the players themselves and their companies. "I do not believe the fans are as fickle as some would try to convince us," declares Robertson. "As a veteran director I can name many of the leading stars of today who were big attractions ten years ago. "One of the obvious reasons for their continued popularity is that they have made few and better pictures, thus encouraging the retention of their fan's glamorous and romantic conceptions of them. At the present time there is a definite tendency to make fewer pictures starring an individual each season. Of course this is due to some extent to greater preparation, including lengthy rehearsal periods, than was necessary in the late days of the silent picture when the mass of film productions were shot in less than two weeks. "For the most part, however, I believe that the producers realize that one of the surest ways of 'killing' a star is to rush picture after picture, similar in story and development on the market." Robertson is completing the direction of Universal's "La Marseillaise" with Laura La Plante and John Boles at present. i i i CLICKS Neal Jack, Darmour-RKO sound technician, has been forced to increase the capacity of his laugh clocking device. At the preview of the company's picture "Land of the Sky Blue Daughters," the device was called upon to register over the one hundred laughs it is capable of recording. With Westerns coining into their own, producers have started to bring Jack Richardson back into his old line parts, especially since he has such a fine speaking voice. Hoot Gibson has just used Jack Richardson in his last picture as the "heavy," and from all reports the western star and his director, Reaves Eason, were very pleased with their foresight in engaging J. R. for the part. FANCHON MARCO ACTS ON FILM NEW ENTERPRISE AT THE METROPOLITAN Craig Hutchinson has started production of Fanchon and Marco stage revue acts on talking film at Metropolitan Sound Studios in Hollywood, launching a series of talking and musical revue pictures which will be similar to the well known acts which Fanchon and Marco have been producing for Fox West Coast Theatres for many seasons. The producing firm of Fanchon and Marco, in association with Hutchinson, are jointly producing the new series, and the first picture, which will be approximately two reels in length, is being filmed with Harris Color process. An elaborate revue is being staged with choruses from the Fanchon-Marco revues. It is understood that entirely new revues are being staged from those which have already been produced for the picture house stages. All of the well known talent for specialty numbers which Fanchon and Marco have been presenting on the stage will be available, it is understood, for this series of sound film acts. LUPE VELEZ ENGAGED TO PLAY IN "THE STORM" Lupe Velez has replaced Laura La Plante as the heroine of "The Storm,' 'which William Taylor Wyler is directing for Universal. The services of the vivacious little Mexican actress were obtained when Miss La Plante was stricken with tonsilitis while on location with the company at Sonora, Calif. Paul Cavanaugh and William Boyd have the other featured roles. The company has now returned to Universal City, and will go again on location after filming several sequences at the studio. ill BUSY Max Scheck, well-known dance director, is now busily engaged staging and directing the most pretentious number in the "Fox Follies of 1930" for the Fox Studio. Cedar City, Utah. Mr. Harry Burns, c/o Hollywood Filmograph, Hollywood, California. Dear Harry: I'm up here with the Fox Company making the "Arizona Kid," with Warner Baxter, Carol Lombard, Mona Maris, Arthur Stone, Hank Mann, Sid Bracy, Wilfred Lucas, Walter Lewis, Larry McGrath and lots of others. It's a good location and we have a comfortable camp about 55 miles out from Cedar City, the nearest settlement being at Rockville across the Virgin River, about three miles away where there are a few scattered houses and one telephone. We were scheduled for four weeks up here but may be longer — see you when I return. Best wishes, THEODORE VON ELTZ. LAUREL NEMETH Just closed in "Bambina" at the Mayan Theatre Telephone HEmpstead 5248 MOREY EASTMAN Current Release as STANNARD in "THE NIGHT RIDE"— 100% TALKING With JOSEPH SCHILDKRAUT Universal — Directed by John Robertson 14 YEARS' STAGE EXPERIENCE— 5 DIALECTS— STRAIGHTS— CHARACTERSDUnkirk 2460 COURTESY TO ALL AGENTS -HEAVIES WAshington 9959