Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HGLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 19 George Olsen Signs Up for "Whoopee11 Popular Orchestra Leader and Boys to Work With Eddie Cantor George Olsen, premiere band leader of the Pacific Coast, and his orchestra, were recently signed by Florenz Ziegfeld and Samuel Goldwyn to furnish all music for the screen version of ""Whoopee" which goes into production next month. Olsen and his band were in the original stage version of "Whoopee" as presented by Florenz Ziegfeld in New York City and the orchestra leader contributed greatly to the unusual orchestrations and novel effects of that presentation. Olsen, in private life, is the husband of Ethel Shutta, who was recently signed by Mr. Goldwyn, to play the same role she played in the original "Whoopee" on the stage. Eddie Cantor, who will be starred in the screen version, will leave Chicago on the close of the present run of "Whoopee" for the Pacific Coast. He will be preceded by Florenz Ziegfeld, who will arrive here shortly after the first of the month. Thornton Freeland will direct the production. ■f i i EXTRACTS FROM LONDON'S TODAYS CINEMA One of the most forceful and striking speeches ever heard from a prominent member of the film industry was made on January 25 by Sidned R. Kent, general manager of Paramount-Famous-Lasky-Players, to a gathering of the press at the Savoy Hotel, over which J. C. Graham. Baritone GENE WOLFF Coming Soon in "The Vagabond King" Monk in Funeral Dirge TWO YEARS WITH "BLOSSOM TIME" OPERA COMPANY Phone HO. 9111 FILMLAND MOURNS THEIR GREATEST FRIEND AND BOOSTER, MABEL NORMAND, WHO LOVED TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY When you know one as well as we have known the true Mabel Normand, you can't help but say that words fail us at this time to pay the tribute that is worthy to such a great friend of the motion picture industry as she has proven herself to be at a time that the industry needed personalities and friends to carry it over the rocky roads. Mabel Normand never hurt a living soul. She worked — yes, slaved — to give happiness to the world. She gave her all — dollars, time, effort, love, devotion — in fact, it would be hard to describe what Mabel Normand has meant to us all. SHE IS NO LONGER IN OUR MIDST —BUT HER MEMORY WILL REMAIN AS LONG AS MOTION PICTURES DO IN THIS OLD WORLD OF OURS. The darling of the screen, the king's jester — she had a heart of gold that never tarnished, even when she was so sick that she no longer realized what was going on about her. MABEL NORMAND, you are not gone; just away, to carry on in the unknown land your great work, which no one else can fill but you — your place will always remain in our hearts, your loyal worshipers, your friends and admirers, and we know you are still the Queen of Entertainers where you are today. HARRY BURNS. managing director of Paramount, presided. Mr. Kent ranged far and wide over the conditions of the industry today in Europe and America. Salient passages in his speech were: I do not want to comment on the affairs of another company (i. e., Fox), but I can say that we are all hopeful in the United States that this great organization is going to work out. It is too big for anything to overturn it. An injury to one in the industry is an injury to all. But we have learned from its troubles that this is an industry in which a monopoly can never endure; and just a lot of money doesn't mean anything. Any man with imagination can overturn a monopoly. There is one thing in this industry worth investing in, and that is brains and man-power. Size and money mean so little. It is not how big, but how good. We want men who build by practical operating and honest methods. As regards Paramount Famous Players-Lasky, although some damage was done in the Wall Street Flurry, everything is in shape, and I want to express my pride in the standing of this company both in ^JAZJNG OFFE& luMcity&'CastfcurHiotos. Copies of your favonte pose on post cards. Approved by Casting Directors and Fans IconomMiHffitiaitiMail us your photo-AW arrfl^,BaLoftt,e°CQD~#Ar Service. also XS 8X10 PROF. COPIES 154 EACH. 100 8X10 PROF. COPIES 12,4 EACH. Pius 754 for Negitive?Dep. of Vs with order ^OIOTOOD tJJBUCITY BUREAU IZ3« W. PICO ST. LOS ANOELES CALIF. WE.I68T America and here. Its position in the United Kingdom is felt by all from top to bottom to be due to the personality of J. C. Graham. Remarkable hints and prophesies of the future of the film industry in the next few years contained in the annual report of the secretary of the K. R. S., Frank Hill . . . Striking points in the official report, which was issued are: The years that lie immediately ahead will witness changes that will not only eclipse all happenings of the last three or four years, but will leave their marks both in relation to persons and to the film industry in general . . . What is taking place in other industries— will apply (hints the report) the increase of America's financial interest in Britain — will apply in the British cinema and film industry . . . That interest — it is clear from the K. R. S. secretary's hints — will be centered largely in the electrical interests which, since the talking film, have begun to dominate the cinema industry . . . Mr. Hill also quotes the statement of a prominent U. S. film executive, that: "The basic weakness of our situation abroad is theatre control" ... A strong hint to ithe P. R. S. is contained in the passage which refers to musical copyright. ■£ J* ■£ A new television process is promised from Paris. A new apparatus said to be much in advance of others, especially the American type, has been perfected and patented by a French engineer, namely, M. Bernard, of the French Radio Corporation. The basis of the proposed is publicity . . . Pictures would be broadcast to receivers without charge, but the company would be authorized to protect advertising matter. t5* (£?• (J* Statistics published by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce shows a decrease of imports of features from all countries into Austria last year except Great Britain. The full import figures for the last three years are: The United States, 236; Germany, 162; France, 12; Russia, 6; Great Britain, 16; other countries, 3. ■J* -JS .JX The Regal is the only cinema in London using the wide screen. The last reel of "Gold Diggers of Broadway" has been projected this way at every performance lately. The process used, it is understood, is not unlike the Magnascope. The pres-ntation has, according to reports, been highly successful. It has been found that the process largely does away with "graining." Furthermore, it has been proved that color film does not give a mottled impression on a wide screen to the extent that a black and white positive would JS <£ .jt In London they believe that Hollywood has practically solved the biggest problem of multi-lingual production, and will in the immediate future be able to make every star in its talking films speak in any language desired by an ingenious method now being perfected, is the prophesy of Sidney R. Kent. "Before I left for Europe. I saw results which were definitely amazing," declared Mr. Kent . . . For months past scientists in the studio laboratories of New York and Hollywood have been experimenting with a method of putting speech in many languages into the mouths of our film stars . . . "To my knowledge twenty scientists have been engaged on this problem, which will solve the difficulty of having to import or substitute obscure artists to make different language versions of our pictures. "And it indicates a new lease for the star whose name is world-known . . ." It will now be possible to have Harold Lloyd, Charles Chaplin, any of the big stars, speaking to the screen of half a dozen nationalities by substitution which defies detection. i i 1 Hugh Crumplin has been signed for the part of "Merton," a Scotland Yard detective, in "Raffles," Ronald Colman's next starring picture for United Artists. JACK RICHARDSON (THE HEAVY) HEmpstead 7709 Let me adjust your voice for the screen. NELL ENZER HOLLYWOOD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC Phone for Appointment — GLadstone 8337