Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

20 May 3, 1930 DOINGS AMONG THE WRITING CRAFT Another famous New York playwright and stage producer has moved to Hollywood to lend his talents to talking pictures. He is William Anthony Maguire, veteran writer for the theatre, who is preparing an original story at the United Artists studios, which he will produce and direct under the terms of a contract with Joseph M. Schenck. Maguire, a successful Broadway author for the past eighteen years, has scores of plays and musical productions to his credit, several of which have been utilized for the screen, but this is his first original film work and his first experience in Hollywood. Among Maguire's plays are "Twelve Miles Out" and "Six-Cylinder Love." He wrote and staged the books for Ziegfeld productions, such as "Kid Boots," "Whoopee," "Three Musketeers" and "Rosalie." One of his latest New York assignments was the writing of "Ripples" for Fred Stone. Maguire's contract with the Schenck organization will permit him to alternate between talking picture production and activities for the New York stage. The eastern playwright was accompanied to Hollywood by his assistant, J. D. Hereford. t(7* It?* t2& Horatio Alger, Jr., never wrote a simpler, yet more sensational life story than the real life careers of "Amos 'n' Andy," blackface radio stars. Nine months ago a struggling radio team; today embryonic motion picture stars with a Radio Pictures contract which will net them approximately $1,000,000! The picture will be "Check and Double Check," a sentimental musical comedy drama to be produced in Hollywood this summer. But before last August, when they began their climb to fame? Here's the simple chronology — the date book of "Amos 'n' Andy": 1890— Charles J. Correll, now "Andy," born in Peoria, 111. 1899 — Freeman F. Gosden, now "Amos," born in Richmond, Va. 1919 — Gosden and Correll met in Durham, N. C. 1925 — They made their radio debut as singers in Chicago. 1926 — January 12, they create "Sam 'n' Henry," blackface radio characters. 1928 — March 19, they go on air as "Amos 'n' Andy." 1929 — August 19, they become National Broadcasting Company network artists at approximately $100 a week. 1930 — April 11, they sign a million dollar contract with Radio Pictures. *(?• t?» tt$* Mauri Grashin, well-known motion picture writer who now has his typewriter parked at the Pathe studio, had his rear license plate stolen from his car the other day, but bravely drove it just the same. As he approached the studio, he was halted by a traffic officer. "Where's your rear license plate?" the copper asked. "That's one on you," Grashin re plied. "I'm traveling incognito." "Oh, yeah?" said the copper, a puzzled expression creeping across his face. "Sure!" replied Grashin and without more ado, the writer gave a snappy au revoir salute and went merrily on his way. The next day Tom Lennon, who is working with Grashin on a few masterpieces, set out for the studio in Grashin's car. He was halted by the same coppei in the same place. Queried as to the whereabouts of the license. Lennon. recalling Grashin's ruse, pulled the same line. 'Ha-ha," he caroled, "I'm traveling incognito." "Well, here's a tag, prince," the copper cracked. "I looked up that word yesterday." 4 11 EDNA FERBER'S "SO BIG" IN VITAPHONE VARIETIES The Vitaphone Corporation continues to acquire stories for Vitaphone Varieties by the most popular authors of the day. It obtained the talking pictures rights to Edna Ferber's "So Big," which ranks with that author's "Show Boat" and "Cimarron" in popularity, and has made it into a two-reel drama. Beatrice Van made the adaptation and Richard Weil wrote the dialogue. Bryan Foy directed. Helen Jerome Eddy has the role of Selina and John Litel that of Dirk (So Big), her son. Gardner James is cast for the part of Roelf Pool,. George Irving is the Gen. Goguet, Marilyn Morgan is the Dallas and Isabel Keith the Paula. Other notable American authors from whom the Vitaphone Corporation has recently purchased stories for Vitaphone Varieties are George S. Kaufman, Ring Lardner, Fanny and Frederic Hatton, Guy Bolton, J. P. McEvoy and Gilbert Emery. ■t 1 1 AL SHORT RESIGNS FROM TIFFANY Al Short has severed his connections as musical director with Tiffany Productions, after synchronizing many productions emanating from this studio, during the past few months. Short has announced his intentions of affiliating himself with one of the big line companies, who are now dickering with him for his services. C. E. MATTSON JEWELER Watch, Clock and Jewelry Repairing, Etc. REASONABLE PRICES COURTEOUS CREDIT Headquarters for Wedding Rings Hollywood Western Bldg. 5502^ Hollywood Blvd. GRanite 642 WITH M. & R. Dixie McCoy, who is well known as a personal representative and producer of legitimate shows, has turned her attention to handling stories and writers for the offices of Mayer & Rapf, located in the Hollywood Bank Building. Miss McCoy has a great colony of friends in the industry and is sure of making a success in her present affiliation. 111 Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements have returned to Beverly Hills after a five weeks' vacation in Panama and the East. They stopped in New York long enough to see their new mystery novel, "Seven Suspects," off the press and to sign contracts for the publication of another book which will be brought out by D. Appleton and Company late this summer. 111 Madge Hunt, who has been in pictures for years and has now and then taken a flier into legitimate plays at the Beverly Hills Community Theatre activities, is becoming recognized for some of the fine "mother parts" that she has been playing. Miss Hunt's history in both show business and pictures is indeed a very attractive one, and is worthy of deep consideration whenever a fine part offers itself to some capable character actress. "PROBATION AFTER DEATH" Was the subject of the lessonsermon Sunday in all Churches of Christ. Scientist, branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. The golden Text was from Hebrews, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." One of the Scripture selections in the lesson-sermon, chosen from Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, included assurances as follows: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ . . . Every man's work shall be made manifest: ... If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." A correlative passage from the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," presented the following statements by Mary Baker Eddy: "The old man with his deeds must be put off. Nothing sensual or sinful is immortal. The death of a false material sense and of sin, not the death of organic matter, is what reveals man and Life, harmonious, real, and eternal." ALL IT TAKES IS A GOOD AGENT AND A LOT OF CONFIDENCE TO BACK HIM UP It wasn't so long ago that Slim Summerville directed most of his screen activities to the silent pictures, mostly comedies of the short reel variety. No one paid any particular attention to him, he worked here and there and everywhere. Along came Arthur Shadur, the pair struck up a business arrangement, Arthur makes a business of representing actors, actresses, writers and directors. Slim figured that Arthur knew him and his work best, for Mr. Shadur was at Universal when Slim was doing most of his work out that way. Well, folks, the rest is history. Slim Summerville, under the eagle eye of Arthur Shadur, gained better opportunities, and his salary went up by leaps and bounds, parts of greater importance came with these improvements, his work seemed to improve with each picture. His crowning work can now be seen at the Carthay Circle in "All Quiet on the Western Front," and while this picture is being screened the world over, Slim is still climbing upward, and if we cared to, we might even let you in on a little secret that has to do with a long-term contract that is liable to be signed most any time for Slim Summerville through the efforts of his old standby and agent, Arthur Shadur, but — we will put it this way — THAT'S ANOTHER STORY — which will keep until some other day. WALSH HATS Stylish Straws and Panamas By STETSON 6644 Hollywood Blvd. at Cherokee