Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 19 FATHER TIME DEALS A CRUEL HAND TO SOME OF US, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE UNDESERVING OF CRUELTY The other day while on the Universal lot, we ran into Ethel Stecker. Many of you who have worked on the good old Big U lot remember Curly Stecker, king of animal trainers. Well, Curly was killed by Charley the Elephant. No, not outright. He suffered almost a year and finally passed out of the picture, leaving a wife and three children. Mrs. Stecker, who lives at 10832 Magnolia, North Hollywood, was left with very little to carry on. No fault of "Curly" — just some more tough breaks. She remarried after a long time, another baby came into her life, much unhappiness, and today she is stone broke, with no one who seems to care a rap whether school keeps or not. Curly Stecker had a lot of friends. His wife and family are entitled to a break in life. Ethel is not the crying type — she is brave and a real fighter. She was seen working extra the other day at Universal, where she used to be the Queen of the Ranch. The animal zoo faced her home, with Curly in charge. They were happy, and they made many others happy. Curly had a heart bigger than himself. DO WHAT YOU CAN, FOLKS, FOR ETHEL STECKER. Phone her at North Hollywood 1933-W. SHE DESIRES TO WORK IN PICTURES. OR MAYBE YOU CAN USE THE BABY OR THE OTHER CHILDREN. This is written by the very man who worked shoulder to shoulder with Curly Stecker as the director of the Joe Martin comedies, which made a fortune for Universal. Curly Stecker handled Joe Martin, Charley the Elephant, the lions and other wild animals in Universal pictures, as well as for outside companies who rented the animals and the services of Curly Stecker. HARRY BURNS. i 1 i LEON JANNEY, BOY MARVEL OF SCREEN, WAS BORN ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY Leon Janney, the 12-year-old lad who won his way into the hearts of everybody with his work in "Courage," has begun work on "Father's Son" for First National, his first starring vehicle under his long-term contract. He has done featured roles in two productions since the one which won him recognition, but this is the first really big opportunity. If there is any jinx on April Fool's Day, Leon has evidently lifted it, for although he was born on that day, the contract which he has just signed will net him nearly a half million dollars in the three years it has to go. Leon's earliest ambition, after the manner of the majority of small boys, was to be a truck driver or a fireman. Stories told him later about his great-grandfather— inventor of the Janney coupler, now used on all railroads— made him decide on the career of a Watt, a Bell or an Edison. It was probably his Saturday afternoon trips to the local vaudeville house which finally brought about his decision to be an actor. This decision is now a settled one. For several years he has been seen, first in vaudeville, then in the legitimate, and now in the talkies. Acting is Leon's real business, but he has three hobbies which take up most of his time when not working. They are riding, swimming and stamp collecting. Stamp collecting has affected him as it does all who take it up seriously. He is a fanatic on the subject. "Pre-cancels" and "wa ' termarks" are almost as important to him as meals or trie movies — but not quite. "SACRAMENT" Communion services were held Sunday in all branches of The Mother Church, The First Church cf Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. The subject of the LessonSermon was "Sacrament." One of the Scriptural citations included the following verses from John: "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread — Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then Cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead." A correlative passage from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, stated: "This spiritual meeting with our Lord in the dawn of a new light is the morning meal which Christian Scientists commemorate. They bow before Christ, Truth, to receive more of his reappearing and silently to commune with the divine Principle, Love." i 1 1 Davey Lee has a new act and is all ready to leave for another triumphant vaudeville tour unless he is stopped by producers with a contract. Right now he is at Columbia studios in "The Squealer." Junior Coghlan is playing the leading child role in "River's End" at First National. Little Billy Barty, a wonder for his age, who has been scoring a tremendous hit in the Mickey McGuire comedies for Larry Darmour, just played a fine part in "Soup to Nuts," the Rube Goldberg feature Fox Films talkie directed by Benjamin Stoloff at Fox's Westwood studios. He played the son of Dorothy Vernon. i i i Jackie Coogan is staging a comeback. He is to make "Tom Sawyer" for Paramount. Director Cromwell will handle the megaphone with Junior Durkin and Mitzi Green prominent in the cast. By CHARLES LEHMAN While at First National a young man came up and asked for a copy of Filmograph. He proffered a dime (a low price, but the usual one . . . Editor!) which we were loath to accept. But he insisted, half in jest and half in sorrow. And so we pocketed the coin — half in jest and half in sorrow. (Much conversation follows.) Later he returned the copy, stating he received it at home. We made as if to return his dime, but he waved his hand and said very calmly: "Give it to the starving Armenians." To which we answered, equally as calm: "Well, we're starving Armenians!" and thereupon pocketed the ten-cent piece for a second time. Later Radio Flashes, still in the character of a news peddler rather than news butcher, asked Harry Burns: "Who was that?" "Ben Lyon," answered the wellknown editor glibly. After regaining consciousness we mailed the dime to our kid sister, who is still thrilled by such things! ■£ -J* -J? Enough of filmland! If we remember correctly, the name of Flora Le Breton keeps recurring in this column. And that's because we think she has beautiful blonde hair — a marvelous voice and personality — plus! And now Flora regales us with the information that she is to be featured in a new musical comedy, "Oh, Judge," opening soon at the Vine Street Theatre. Ever since that first evening that we gazed upon Miss Le Breton at Station KHJ we predicted big things for her. Of course, remembering that she has been starred both in London and New York, our prediction might just as well have referred to Hoover's popularity in the Senate, or something equally as foolish. Nevertheless, "Oh, Judge" will have its premiere early this month. Considering that Miss Le Breton is making out so well. Radio Flashes feels privileged to shout: "We told you so, we told you so!" While wandering in downtown Los Angeles, we came upon excellent Radio material. Olvera street is the quaintest and most charming street Los Angeles boasts, and has the honor of housing the first building erected in town. And in front of a pleasant little inn we found Carolina, a charming Italian girl, playing classical, semi-classical and folk music on an accordion. She is brunette, beautiful, and the possessor of a marvelous voice. More of Carolina and Olvera street laterl EXCLUSIVE MOUNTAIN RETREAT 11 miles from romantic Santa Barbara, long historic San Marcos Pass; wooded crest, wonderful two-way new; about 40 acres; $15,000, terms. N. K. Eeam, 3015 Dolores St. L. A. Sacrifice rich furnishings of high class three-room apartment. Also two exceptional solid walnut hand-carved chairs — King Tut beauties. Will sell complete or by piece. Phone WHitney 2556, or call 736 So. Genessee Ave., Apt. 8. "HEAR YOURSELF AS OTHERS HEAR YOU" Instantaneous Recordings of Your Voice PBRSONAL phonograph records or music on permanent and nonbreakable phonograph records. They can be mailed. Prices $1.00 to $4.00 STUDIOS 1751 North Highland Avenue Holly-wood, California Phone GRanite 4108 for Appointment 'MO*M)l SLIP COVERS AND DRAPERIES HAND MADE FREE Providing You Buy Materials From Us HIGHEST CLASS WORK, GUARANTEED Phone ORegon 3301 for Free Estimates We Call at Your Home Day or Night With a Full Line of Samples LA BREA SLIP COVER AND DRAPERY CO. 1101 South La Brea