Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH Roland West To Direct "The Bat Whispers" Glenn Hunter Comes To El Capitan Soon Chester Morris Is to Be Featured by United Artists Roland West's "The Bat Whispers," film comedy drama featuring Chester Morris, will enter rehearsals at the United Artists studios within the next two weeks, according to announcement made yesterday by the noted producer-director who never makes more than one picture a year. "The Bat Whispers," adapted and dialogued by West from the New York stage play, "Whispers," is the producer's first undertaking since "Alibi," United Artists' earliest alltalking feature and the screen hit that skyrocketed Morris and several others to fame. In "The Bat Whispers'' Morris will be featured alone. The cast of supporting principals recruited by West is a notable one. and as in "Alibi" this producer who prefers to write and direct his own pictures has signed some combination screen and stage personalities and others who, although well known before the footlights, are unknown on the screen. Una Merkel, Gustav Von Seyffertitz, Ben Bard, Grace Hampton, Spencer Charters, Charles Dow Clark and Maud Eburne are among the players signed. Miss Merkel, former young New York stage actress now under contract to the Joseph M. Schenck organization, has appeared in only two pictures, D. W. Griffith's "Abraham Lincoln," in which she is featured with Walter Huston, and "Eyes of the World." Miss Hampton, Charters, Clark and Miss Eburne are from the New York and London stage. He has engaged Ray June, who photographed "Alibi" as chief of the camera battery. Paul Roe Crawley, former draughtsman at the United Artists studios, has been elevated to the post of West's art director. Several of the big sets for "The Bat Whispers" have been completed. Roger Heman and Charles H. Smith will be West's production assistants. MAYO IKEDA RI. 2416 HO. 5954 Newlyn's Beautypeel (Patented in U. S. and Canada) A Hollywood product — 10 years' success — creates Beautiful Complexions — the safe method — money back guarantee — an absolutely Painless and harmless non-acid lotion — (not a mask) — that acts like magic in less than a week — makes you look 10 yeaxs younger — Home treatment that eliminates blackheads, freckles, pimples, liver spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores, tan, acne, muddy and oily skin — "unmasks your hidden beauty." TRIAL COSTS NOTHING Write for Newlyn's Beauty Pamphlet and Sworn Proofs NEWLYN LABORATORIES, Ltd. Dept. J-102 6038 Hollywood Boulevard HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. Preview "ROGUE OF THE RIO GRANDE" Previewed at the Belmont Theatre "Rogue of the Rio Grande" brings a new, dark-skinned hero of the far flung mesas of Mexico to the photophones in the person of Jose Bohr, a handsome Argentina. He essays the role of El Malo, a sort of roistering, fearless chief of a band of marauders who depredate in and around a sunbaked burg called Sierra Blanco. Overweening vanity and pride of soul are El Malo's besetting weaknesses and in the long run they almost spell his ruin. He flies into an uncontrolled rage when he discovers a placard offering 1000 pesos for his capture. It is not the solicitation that tears him up the back, but the puny amount of the reward offered. Like all swashbuckling bandits he falls for a skirt, Senorita Carmeta (Myrna Loy), a dancing vamp. This gives him an opportunity to swing a lonely troubador on her with a guitar. At her home he pulls off a Mexican Romeo and Juliet, but Carmeta's jealous dancing partner tips off the romantic bandit to Sierra Blanco's sheriff, and the volatile El Malo is brought to grief as he enters the dance hall. Then things happen fast and furious, but we shall let the auditor get the denouement at first hand. Senor Bohr hits off El Malo with cool, deliberate unconcern. In striking contrast to most characterizations in this line, he gives the bandit chief a more reserved, subtle interpretation, usually maintaining an unruffled, level tone of voice. His Spanish accent is perfect and he possesses an infectious smile, but there is wanting that dash and fervor that one associates with the chartered characters of the big open spaces. Myrna Loy was excellent as the vampish Carmeta, and Raymond Hatton, as El Malo's side kick, almost stole the picture with his droll antics and expressive wise cracks. Others in the cast that did well were Walter Miller, Carmelita Geraghty, J. Morgan, Florence Dudley, William Persley and Fred Parker. Spencer Gordon Bennett directed with a dexterous hand and we have words of high praise for the photography, in natural colors, of Ed Snyder and Jack Breamer. "Rogue of the Rio Grande" is too draggy. It is lacking in action, except in the final sequence, and the tempo needs to be whipped up, especially in some of the early episodes. A story of this kind should be full of fast-fire action. ED O'MALLEY. Preview "DOUBLE CROSS ROADS" "Double Cross Roads," furnished, burnished and sheared of its firstblush crudities, was projected in its public clothes at the Belmont Theatre last Saturday night to the eyes of a well-filled house. It is with a feeling of peculiar delight that we pronounce it one of the best crook photophones we have ever centered an eye on. The cast, taken in its entirety, breathes high class and we doubt whether it could have been improved on. Apart from overstepping the bounds of actual life, in several episodes appertaining to the society bazaar, during which a $50,000.00 pearl necklace is lifted from the home of a millionairess, the situations in the gradually cumulative interest of the yarn are in the main, true to life. The moral tone of the story is eloquently shadowed forth in the rehabilitation of David Harvey (Robert Ames), a crooked, bank-lock expert who sees the "white light" of real life in the eyes of Mary Carlisle (Lila Lee). Mary, who is the "come on" of a gang of yeggmen, turns a glance upward the moment David comes into her life. The romantic appeal of these chastened spirits is sublimely etched when Harvey, in a qualm of selfreproach, unfolds his criminal past to M'ary. It is one of the never-to-beforgotten "moments'' of the movies. Lila Lee is superb and from now on she must be regarded as one of the few bona-fide stars of the talkies. Robert Ames' David is by far his best contribution to the screen to date. Tom Jackson turns in a masterpiece of underworld villainy in the character of "Deuce" Wilson. His slow, measured, weighty, dog-like snarl of enunciation is the acme of case-hardened criminality. Montagu Love, as Gene Dykes, and Ned Sparks as Dyke's shadow, have never been seen to better advantage. Others that made up this wonderful cast were: Edith Chapman, Charlotte Walker, George McFarland, William Mong and Thos. Jefferson. Al Wuerker's directing and Joe August's photograph}' are the last word in movie art. My dear readers — if you like pictures of this type, don't miss "Double Cross Roads," for it is rammed full of gripping, breath-taking episodes, intriguing suspense and searching heart appeal. ED O'MALLEY. "To the Ladies" Is Selected as His Starring Vehicle For the production of "To the Ladies," which opens at the El Capitan Theatre Sunday matinee, July 13, Glenn Hunter, star of "Merton of the Movies," "Clarence," "Penrod," "Seventeen,'' "Young Woodley" and other outstanding Broadway hits, has heen engaged to play the leading role. The opening of this new attraction, to follow "Nancy's Private Affair," will also mark the celebration of the third anniversary of the El Capitan under the supervision of Henry Duffy. "To the Ladies," a comedy satire glorifying the efficiency of the American wife, is by Marc Connelly and George S. Kaufman who have a series of conspicuous successes to their credit. Kaufman's latest hit is "June Moon," while Marc Connelly is the author of "Green Pastures" which is the dramatic sensation of the season. Together Kaufman and Connelly authored "Merton of the Movies," "Dulcy," "Beggar on Horseback" and other hits. Rehearsals have started under the direction of Edwin H. Curtis and announcement will be made in a few days of the balance of the cast which will support Mr. Hunter. "Nancy's Private Affair," featuring Minna Gombell and Ernest Glendinning, is now in its last fortnight. i 1 i Harry Delmar Signed to Direct Shorts for Pathe Harry Delmar, prominent shortsubject director, has been signed by the Pathe West Coast Studios to handle the megaphone on a group of forthcoming comedies. Delmar made a series of eight two-reelers for Pathe in New York last year. "All For Mabel" has been selected as Delmar's first short and production commences this week. Bob Carney wrote the original story and is also featured in the cast. Sally S+arr, Sy Wills, Cupid Ainsworth, Leila McIntyre, James Mack and Rod McLennan all have important roles in this two-reeler. 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