Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH Victor Schertzinger To Direct George Bancroft's Next Eric Von Stroheim To Produce His Own Pictures Paramount Selects "The Cave Man" as His Next Story "The Cave Man," the dramatic story of a battling hero of the steel mills who is forced into society when a girl seeks revenge on her circle of smart friends, has been acquired by Paramount and will serve as George Bancroft's next talking picture vehicle. This announcement comes from Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president in charge of production, immediately following the purchase of the rights to this successful play by Gelett Burgess. Doris Kenyon Signed At the same 'time, it was made known at Paramount's Hollywood studios that Doris Kenyon has been signed for the chief feminine role opposite Bancroft, as the wealth3' owner of the steel mills who seeks to teach her society world a lesson. Production is due to start within a fortnight under the direction of Victor Schertzinger, maker of "The Laughing Lady," who now is completing work on Charles "Buddy" Rogers' musical comedy, "Safety In Numbers." The adaptation and dialogue are being prepared by Bartlett Cormack, author of "The Racket," and William Slavens McNutt. Grover Jones is writing the screen play. Plays Virile Role Bancroft's role calls for another of his virile characterizations, that of the steel worker who, in crashing the gates of society, literally becomes the bull in the china shop. Bancroft is at the present time enacting the final scenes for his current production, "Ladies Love Brutes," in which the star is a building contractor whose romance with a daughter of wealth becomes entangled with a kidnapping plot. i 1 i IMPROVING Fritz Tilden, who was operated on at the Hollywood Hospital for appendicitis, is improving very rapidly, according to all reports. JOINS Mr. Robert (Bobbie) Webb, formerly with the Independent Casting Agency, has severed his connection with them, and now joins the Cinema Casting Agency, according to an announcement by Miss Florence Hume, manager of Cinema Casting Agency. This is another of Miss Hume's smart moves, as about a year ago she had Mr. Jack Rose join the Cinema Casting Agency. With these three with Cinema Casting Agency they are in a position to give the producer the best there is in bits, parts and extra talent. Miss Hume is to be congratulated on having such a staff associated with her. LOWELL SHERMAN "Ladies of Leisure," the screen adaptation of the famous Belasco stage success, "Ladies of the Evening," opened at the Orpheum Theatre Wednesday, following the close of the current film, "Rio Rita." Following closely the original, "Ladies of Leisure" has been pronounced by those who have previewed the film, to be one of the most outstanding dramatic productions of the season. Directed by Frank Capra, "Ladies of Leisure" boasts a cast which in itself should guarantee a flawless performance. Barbara Stanwyck, late of the New York stage and one of the most brilliant of the new recruits of the talking screen, has the feminine lead as one of the "Ladies of Leisure," while Ralph Graves, of "Flight" fame, plays opposite her. Marie Prevost is cast as Miss Stanwyck's friend and roommate and is said to give one of the finest performances of her career. Lowell Sherman is the menace, although in this case he is rather an easygoing, comical type of "heavy," who should evoke plenty of laughs. George Fawcettv as the boy's father; Nance O'Neil, as the mother, and Juliette Compton, brilliant English star, complete the cast. WHEN 30C MEANT BANKRUPTCY TO BEN LYON What a difference a few years make in the motion picture business! Today, Ben Lyon, who appears opposite Bebe Daniels in Radio Pictures' "French Gertie," rates four figures on his weekly pay check. But his first film job cost him money. He was called by the old World Film Company for extra work. He was to get $3 a day but had to wear a dress suit. Lacking a tuxedo, Ben rented one. It cost him $2.50 a day. Carfare was 30 cents and lunch 50 cents. Therefore, Ben lost 30 cents a day, and still was not discouraged. 111 WRITES Bess Meredyth is writing an original story, dialogue and continuity, for Lon Chaney's next production at the M-G-M Studios. OLIVE BORDEN SIGNS FOR OAKIE VEHICLE Olive Borden, one of Hollywood's most-sought free lance players, has been cast for the feminine menace role in "High Society," Paramount's first Jack Oakie starring picture. Her role will be that of a society siren and she will match charms against those of Mary Brian. Oakie's leading woman in the film. 1 1 1 "FENCING" W. Emile, who is teaching the artists in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs" properly, 'has so enthused everybody on the lot that they are ordering sets of rapiers and holding fencing contests. This in itself is a tribute to the fencing master, who was engaged by Alfred E. Green on the picture. Buys "Mitzi" From John Farrow, Who Will Co-operate With Him The combination of John Farrow's writing talent and Eric von Stroheim's flair in producing and directing has possibilities that may have far-flung results. This union took form today with the announcement that Farrow's original story, "Mitzi," has been purchased by Von Stroheim. The latter is completing financial arrangements to produce the story. Farrow:s story is laid in Vienna with the World War as its background. The hero is an Austrian naval officer and the heroine an entertainer of the cafes. Von Stroheim, with his usual store of knowledge of this period and setting, should be thoroughly equipped to convey it to the talking screen. His re-entry to the field of producing and directing should write another interesting chapter in screen history. Von Stroheim's latest exploit is as an actor, he having just completed a leading role in Warner Brothers' "Three Faces East." Farrow recently severed an alliance with Paramount for which company he wrote a series of unusually successful screen stories. i 1 1 FAY MARBE TO APPEAR AT BELASCO Fay Marbe, who has just completed her "One Girl Revue" in San Francisco, and who returned to Los Angeles a few days ago, was signed by Edward Belasco for a week at the Eelasco Theatre to follow immediately the conclusion of "East of Suez," starring Lenore Ulric, which is now running. Miss Marbe received the highest praise from critics in Paris and Vienna and had marked success in New York where her entertainment attained quite a vogue. She is noted for her "pep," for her stories and songs and for the sparkling smile and merry eye with which she enlivens the stage as well as for her very clever dancing. She sings in French, German and English and made her nrst appearance in Los Angeles several weeks ago at the Windsor Square Theatre. DO YOU NEED AN OFFICE? Have Just the Thing For You In Warner Theatre Building Phone HO. 5337 JACK RICHARDSON (THE HEAVY) HEmpstead 7709