Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

wmv 30 May 17, 1930 William Dietz had dubbed for this se WILLIAM DIETZ There will be no stock shots on New York and the harbor in the current Gloria Swanson film, "What a Widow." William D i etz, in charge of trick, miniature and special effects departments at the Pathe studios, leaves immediately for New York by plane to film the He de France, entering the harbor, from the air. The story calls for the actress to come to N e w York aboard this liner. Dietz has been working for weeks on impressionistic shots for her picture. Known as "the aerial camera man" of Hollywood, William Dietz goes into the air and takes his camera shots while piloting the ship with the other hand. He found much difficulty in telling pilots not trained to picture work what angles he wanted to film for Pathe News Reel and feature pictures 'requiring air scenes, so learned to fly himself. Dietz leaped into prominence in the photographic world when "Paris Bound" was released, showing the ballet sequence. He twenty films into one quence. A week will be spent taking air pictures of New York and unusual effects will be brought back to Hollywood. IRENE RICH Irene Rich has a busy and profitable year behind her. At the time many famous names are sinking into oblivion, this actress is gaining new laurels in talkig pictures. Now playing the ile of a sophisticated, worldly wise w o m an in "On Your Back," for Fox, Miss Rich claims this to be her favorite role to date. Another picture not yet released, will increase her popularity. It is "So This is London?'* opposite Will Rogers, for Fox. The well known actress gives credit for her present success to her vaudeville training which she underwent before playing the lead opposite Will Rogers in "They Had to See Paris." She resumed her stage engagement until brought back to Hollywood for the second film. "On Your Back" followed immediately, due to her good work in the two Rogers pictures. Irene Rich ESTELLE TAYLOR The silver screen began to sing as soon as it could talk, but Estelle Taylor evidently believes that an ac tress should talk Estelle Taylor first, for she has refused several offers to display her dramatic soprano in favor of an opportunity to play the seductive Mme. Muskat in Frank Borzage's production of "Lilliom" for Fox. In fact the very signing of her contract was held up for three hours while she listened to the offer of a director who wanted her to sing three songs in another picture. And that was the fourth offer she had had since Hollywood first heard her voice at the NVA benefit Saturday night. In the meantime eight weeks of vaudeville appearance on which she had been due to start May 15, ever since they were cancelled on her return to Hollywood earlier in the spring, have again been postponed. Mme. Muskat will be remembered by those who saw "Lilliom" on the stage as the owner of the merry-goround where Lilliom worked as a barker before he married. Through all of the humdrum of his wedded life Mme. Muskat represents to him not only the flesh and the devil, beer, cigars and a Bohemian life but his Art — for Lilliom thinks of himself as an artist torn from the life for which he is best fitted and tied by the bonds of domesticity. The role of Mme. Muskat has been built up for Miss Taylor and she will lead Charles Farrell, who is to play Lilliom, a much merrier chase than the character had on the stage. GEORGE COOPER George Cooper has been signed for a role in Richard Dix's third Radio starring film, tentatively called "Square Dice," according to an announcement today by W m. LeBaron, vice-president in charge of production. # Cooper has devoted 28 years to the stage and screen, and he claims to have appeared in more World War plays than any other actor. The Dix film is his first appearance in a Radio picture. Others in the cast are Mary Lawlor, who plays opposite Dix; William Janney, James Neil, and Mathew Betz. George Archainbaud is directing. George Cooper BERTRAM MILHAUSER Talking picture rights to "The Conspiracy," one of the most unusual melodramas ever produced on the Broadway stage, have been purchased by Radio Pictures, according to an an' nouncement: today by William LeBaron, vicepresident in charge of production. The play was written by John Emerson and Robert Baker. It was first presented in New York by Emerson, who also played one of the leading roles and directed it. "The oCnspiracy" will enter production as an all-talker next week at the RKO studio. Cast and director have not been seletedc. Bertram Milhauser is the associate producer. ■f 1 f MILLARD WEBB Bertram Milhauser With "Her Golden Calf," produced by Fox Films and directed by Millard Webb, meeting with excellent success throughout the country, the question that is being asked is, "Just what will be Millard Webb's next picture and with what company?" r 1 i SPUN GOLD THREADS CREATE NOVEL GOWN Pale golden threads, spun into a transparent, airy pattern of glittering yardage, create a hostess gown worn by Natalie Moorhead in Paramount'sproduction, "Shadow of the Law," starring William Powell. An interesting feature of Miss Moorhead's costume is the spiderweb cape that falls across the shoulders, terminating at the waist-line. RUDOLPH VALENTINODOLORES DEL RIO With civic leaders, public officials and members of the motion picture profession in attendance, a memorial statue to Rudolph Valentino Monday was unveiled by Dolores Del Rio, screen star, at De Longipre Park, |; ■ lll§ Hollywood. Miss «^tej ''^ Lei Rio voiced a j| W . * tribute in three _..'", . different languages Rudolph Valentino that was rec0rded by newsreels for English, Spanish and French speaking countries. The memorial, a gift of the late screen idol's admirers from all over the world, was formally accepted in behalf of the City of Los Angeles by Commissione r George H. Barnes. George U ll man, head of the Rudolph Valentino Memorial Association and Memorial Guild, with branches in forty countries, declared that this association was making it possible to continue showing Valentino's pic Dolores Del Rio tures. Fred Beetson, vice-president of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, presided at the unveiling. The Italian vice-consul, Alberto Mellini Ponce de Leon, was present. The sculptor of the memorial, called "Aspiration," was Roger Noble Burnham. ■ The . occasion of the unveiling was Valentino's birthday anniversary. Valentino died nearly four years ago "GINSBERG OF NEWBURG" Among the recently completed Vitaphone Varieties is "Ginsberg of Newburg," a comedy built ' around quick selling of real estate. Eddie Lambert and William Irving are again teamed as a comedy pair in this farcical film directed by Del Lord. Clarence Hennecke wrote the story. CLARA BOW FOSTERS RETURN OF BOLEROS The frock that flaunts a bolero bodice is assured a chic success this ' spring. Clara Bow, starring in Paramount's production, "True to the Navy," adopts the popular short jacket for a costume of green crepe and batiste. The eggshell batiste is used as a blouse beneath the bolero and as a collar and cuff set. t5* &?* *5* REQUESTS Claudia Dell's beauty is winning her renown. It is reported that the Warner Brothers' publicity department has received hundreds of requests from leading firms throughout the country asking for a picture of their newest star. Miss Dell's photograph having appeared in several eastern publications recently is said to be responsible for these requests.