Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

12 July 26, 1930 LYRICS affiidl MUSIC BY RUTH FLORENCE UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES NEW MUSIC PUBLISHING FIRM Universal Pictures Corp. announces the formation of a new music company known as Universal Music Company, Ltd., formerly Handman, Kent and Goodman Music Publishing Company. Frank Goodman remains as president of the new firm which will handle music written for Universal pictures. Lou Handman, Universal contract song writer, will serve as vice-president. The main offices of the company will be maintained in New York City. Y -f i Harry Tierney's "Rio Rita," "Irene," and "Kid Boots" made stars of several hitherto obscure hoofers and singers following their appearance on Broadway in these vehicles. "Dixiana," the first original screen operetta by Tierney, has made a star out of Everett Marshall, who will assume stellar honors in his next picture. Tierney is already hard at work upon the task of creating an original screen light opera for Marshall. Tentative title of the operetta is "Heart of the Rockies." It will be a rugged tale with stirring music such as will bring out the baritone's virile qualities. ■f i i Carrie Jacobs Bond, America's best beloved modern composer, is to make her debut in talking pictures. The first song she has ever written for the screen, it was announced recently, will be sung by Grace Moore, Metropolitan opera star, in her first picture at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. "Lovely Hour" is the title of the new song. It is a smooth-flowing melody after the style Mrs. Bond popularized in "End of a Perfect Day," and others of her song hits, and, Miss Moore predicts, may be fully as popular as that number. Miss Moore will sing the song in the operatic sequences of the new picture, based on the life of Jenny Lind, and which Sidney Franklin is directing. Mrs. Bond is one of several famous composers writing songs for the picture, as Oscar Straus and Herbert Stothart are also represented in the song list. She will also sing "Casta Diva" from "Norma" and an aria from Donizetti's "Daughter of the Regiment." Reginald Denny plays the leading male role and Wallace Beery is playing P. T. Barnum in the scenes showing Jenny Lind's presentation in New York under Barnum's management. Jobyna Howland, Paul Porcassi, Gilbert Emery, Gus Shy, George Marion and others of note also appear. "LEATHERNECKING" SONGS Nine love songs, accompanied by Victor Baravalle's orchestra, and four ensemble dance sequences, comprise the musical and terpsichorean background for Radio Pictures' "Leathernecking." Two of the songs are sung by Irene Dunne, the screen's newest prima donna, and Eddie Foy, Jr. These are "Careless Kisses" and "All My Life." Ken Murray sings "Nice and Particular," while the other numbers, "Evening Star." "Shake It Off and Smile," "Kiss Me, Cinderella" and "You Took Advantage of Me," are sung by principals and chorus. With the exception of "You Took Advantage of Me," retained from the original stage play, "Present Arms," lyrics of the songs are by Sidney Clare and music by Oscar Levant, both under contract to Radio Pictures. i i 1 CHARLES EDSON RETURNS Charles F a r w e 1 1 Edson, noted basso and specialist of voice diagnosis, is being welcomed on his return to Hollywood, after five valued years spent in Chicago where he taught, lectured and was a most ardent advocate of the movement there to further American music and sponsor American singers. Mr. Edson's appearances, classes and programs, as wf.ll as his compositions and talks, always have been most popular here so his studio again will be sought by our m any musicians and music lovers. Mr. Edson was a well known opera singer for several years and is remembered locally for his roles with the Los Angeles Opera Company and the Ferris Hartman Company. He also created the role of Father Garcia in Carl Bronson's "California" and was prominent in the casts of many other productions presented throughout the state, including "Serra," "Angel Town" and "Ersa of the Red Trees." i 1 i UNIVERSAL COMPOSERS WRITE FOR "SEE AMERICA THIRST" "Taking the Whole World for a Ride" and "Do You, Dontcha? Wontcha?" are the two songs just completed by Lou Handman and Bernie Grossman, Universal's famous song-writing team, for "See America Thirst," the feature comedy soon to go into production under the direction of William James Craft. Harry Langdon and Slim Summerville will play two of the important featured roles in this hilarious comedy from the pen of Ed Luddy and Vin Moore. BULLY TALES BY NORMAN CERF L. CEPPARO VOCAL MAESTRO OF TRIESTE, ITALY 6202 AFTON PLACE HE. Audition by Appointment Only 6485 We understand that Sherman Lowe, author of Universal's "Dames Ahoy" and the continuity of "King of Jazz," has just 'Completed an original "Tin Can Tommy," which is being considered by one of the major producers for one of its bigger stars. '£* *£& c5* Ronnie Rondell, at present working in "Little Ceasar" for Mervyn LeRoy at F. N., has just completed the "heavy" role in the Nat RossChristie comedy, "The Freshman's Goat." •■?w tc'* !t?* Franklin Pangborn has just finished a nice role in "Her Man" for Tay Garnett at Pathe, and is now busily engaged at the U in "The Lady Surrenders," for John Stahl. Others in the cast are Genevieve Blinn, Vivian Oakland, Carmel Myers and Conrad Nagel. This story is from "Sincerity," the novel :by John Erskine, which was the subject of much comment in eastern circles. t£fr t&* t&* Leon Janney, who gets his first real 'break with "Father's Son" for Beaudine at F. N., also gets a very tough break. He contracted such a serious case of sunburn that he is at present confined in the Hollywood Hospital. However, we are pleased to learn that he is resting easier, and production will soon be resumed. ^5* it?* d?* Along with Edward G. Robinson, on Mervyn LeRoy's "Little Caesar" set at F. N., we ran into Noel Madison and Ivan Christy, C^W (,?* ((?• Wade Boteler is doing the coach for John Adolfi's football story, "College Lovers" at F. N. Edward Cline, famous for his knowledge of the ins and outs of football, is handling these sequences. ct5* (*?• <5* The folks out in Culver City seem to hold that Rajah of Rhythm, Paul Whi.teman, in such high esteem that they are billing John Boles in Universal's "King of Jazz." Cj5* **?* <^* While riding along, we were surprised by something which we have never seen before. The eight sheets on the billboards advertising "Oh Judge!" contains the names of no members of the cast. The only credits that appear are Edward Eisner, director, and Lucien P. Denni, who wrote the music. They evidently feel, as did Bill Shakespeare, that "The Play's the Thing." C^» %?* d?* Discussing the .present trend of talkies with Cliff Broughton, and got quite a kick out oif his statement that "unless better talkies are made, it will be great for the miniature golf courses." St St <£ Lunching at the M-G-M cafe the other day, we waved across the room to little Gordon Thorpe, that clever child actor. He came over clutching some coin of the realm, which he plunked down on the ta'ble in front of Ye Ed, saying that he had been away for a few months, and that the fastest way he could think of to keep up with things was to renew his subscription to Fil/mograph. Only a kid, but wise be3'ond his years. t(?w ^5* (,$• We want to take this opportunity of extending our best to Ro'scoe Ates, who has just been signed to a longterm contract by RKO. t£& t&& t&* Certainly enjoyed Marilyn Miller's dance on the "Sunny" set the other day. While wandering around trying to keep out of the way of genial Bill Seiter, we ran into Larry Gray, Barbara Bedford and Alyce McGormick. Incidentally, Wm. Davidson and Morey Eastman are doing the naval officers in the picture. (i?* fe?* fe?* Al Kelly, who is doing the "Leather Pushers" for Universal, is very fortunate in having that excellent trouper, Sam Hardy, doing the manager all through his series. *£• ^* <£* Because of his handling of "Outside the Law" an intimate crook drama starring Mary Nolan and his making more than 20 Lon Chaney features, Tod Browning has been assigned to direct Universal's talking film version of "Dracula." No cast selections or editorial assignments have been announced to date but E. M. Asher, associate producer, will supervise the production. ^» &£» to* Spencer Charters, who has been signed for an important role in Roland West's, "The Bat Whispers," featuring Chester Morris, has spent 37 years of his life behind the footlights, during which time he portrayed more than 600 different parts. £*l Ct?* e£* Joseph Macaulay has been signed to play the role of "Wilson" in Arthur Hammerstein's stage presentation of "The Bird of Paradise," Richard Walton Tully's exotic drama. This is the part made famous by Lewis Stone. Macaulay, a native Californian, leaves for New York this week. Rehearsals for the play are scheduled to begin July 21. Mary Duncan and Florence Reed seem destined to travel the same dramatic channels. Miss Duncan's greatest stage success was scored in "The Shanghai Gesture" in which Miss Reed played Madam Godam. Now Miss Duncan is essaying on the screen a role in which Miss Reed appeared on the stage in "Kismet" with Otis Skinner. The picture is now in production at First National under the direction of John Francis Dilion.