Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 19 Stoloff To Direct Goldberg Story for Fox Mei LaivFang To Play Week at Philharmonic Inglewood Community Players to Stage Show "Soup to Nuts" Title of First Picture Written By Cartoonist Rube Goldberg, whose cartoons are printed daily in 150 papers, and who has contributed much in late years in the matter of writing magazine articles, vaudeville sketches and syndicated newspaper articles, has arrived in Hollywood and taken up his quarters at the Fox studios where le will write a merry musical play, 'Soup to Nuts," which will serve to introduce as a screen personality America's clown, Ted Healey. The latter, with his "gang," rated the greatest assemblage of "nut comics" now living, will arrive shortly to start work. Ben Stoloff is to direct. i i i Oscar Balzer, Hollywood business man, was recently elected as chairman of the newly reorganized boulevard division of the Merchantors' Bureau. Mr. Balzer has been serving as temporary chairman since the division's reorganization several weeks ago. Mr. Balzer promises an intensive program for boosting and beautifying Hollywood boulevard. Ora C. Matthess was elected vicechairman of the division. The election was held by the executive committee at a meeting at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. / y Mrs. Soledad Jiminez, character actress who has appeared in every production Raoul Walsh has directed in California, will be a supporting player in "Dust and Sun," which features Victor McLaglen and Mona Maris. Starting May 13th With Fine Supporting Cast Mei Lan-Fang, China's leading actor, and the idol of five million playgoers in China and Japan, will appear in a series of scenes from his best-known plays, for one week, beginning May 13, at Philharmonic Auditorium under L. E. Behmyer's management. He will bring not only his own company and his own musicians and costumes and settings, but a kind of theatre which — as everyone knows with or without having had a foretaste of its mysteries in the Chinatowns of our larger cities — is entirely different from our own. To make his art intelligible for Western audiences, there is a mistress of ceremonies, Miss Soo Yong, who appears before the curtain before each playlet, explaining the theme and directing attention to the conventions of the acting involved. Mr. Mei plays feminine roles, for by virtue of an old tradition women have not until recently appeared on the Chinese stage. Lan-Fang reaches across a barrier of language. With glances and movements of the hands, with the undulating grace of his body and even with the inflections of his voice — he makes the audience understand most of what he means. In his acting he, like his fellow players, aims not at creating one particularized individual, but a general and idealized type. To speak of Mr. Mei as a "female impersonator" is, of course, to give quite a false idea to those who have not seen him and take the phrase in its usual American sense. He plays feminine roles, to be sure, but the women he represents are not actual everyday women, but embodiment of the Chinese notion of the eternal womanly. He is bringing with him all the century-old color and artistry and music and dance which makes his nation look upon him as the chief exponent of Chinese drama. His is a subtle and rich art, the product of centuries of accumulated civilization. (*?• (t?* t,?* OPENS COMMERCIAL PHOTO ESTABLISHMENT Paul H. Allen, well known cameraman, has opened a commercial photographic establishment at 1121^4 Lillian Way, Hollywood, specializing in portraiture, industrial, catalogue photos, quick news event photos, magazine lay-outs and whatever work a camera may be needed for. He assures twenty-four-hour service and quality, with a camera and cameraman ready at all times, day or night. DOROTHY JANIS HEADS CAST IN JUNGLE FILM Dorothy Janis has been signed for the leading feminine role in Universal's jungle drama, "Ourang," which will be filmed in Borneo. The company of thirty with full equipment will embark May 5 for a five months' expedition to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. Harry Garson will direct. Without any previous experience on either the stage or screen, she was selected for the leading feminine role in "Fleet Wing," by Fox. Her ability and talent were immediately -recognized, and a successful performance in this picture was responsible for her selection for the lead opposite Ramon Novarro in "The Pagan." She had prominent roles in "Kit Carson," starring Fred Thompson, and more recently, "Lummox," featuring Winifred Westover. "The Mystery Man," May 15-16-17, at the Women's Club Betty Farrington who is well-known in film circles here is responsible for the Inglewood California Community Players, and they are staging May 15-16-17 a three-act play, "The Mystery Man," which was produced in New York last year to great success on Broadway. The show is slated for the Woman's Club, located at Hillcrest and Redondo Boulevard, Inglewood, and will be under the supervision of Miss Farrington, who recently appeared in Moran & Mack's comedy, "Anybody's War," in which she played Camilla." Prior to that she worked in "The Fall of Eve" for Columbia. Her last stage appearance was in "The Roval Familv" at the Belasco THE BIG SMASH Over 60,000 Copies Sold Last Month THE BOOK OF THE CENTURY— THE LID IS OFF SEND FOR IT TODAY! Ecwn fRCNT CN The Aisle BY EDDIE SHAYNE Mr. Eddie Shayne, 202 Warner Theatre BIdg., Hollywood, California. Enclosed find $1.00. Send copy "DOWN FRONT ON THE AISLE" to Name .-.--J-.--" ■■■■: ~ :;— :?;-?■:■*?•--• ;-: Address ,......,.,..-