Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOCRAPH Tiffany Leads Independent Feature Field Hotel Continental Clicks at Paramount — Lena Rivers Is Finished Ever since Burt Kelly came to the West Coast and took the reins of the Tiffany studios, coupled with Sam Bischoff's handling the production, it seems that the product has been improving in a great measure with each picture. Hotel Continental is clicking in great shape at the Paramount Theatre this week while at the studios "Lena Rivers," from the famous novel by Mary J. Holmes will write finis this week, with "Strangers of the Evening," an original by Barry Barringer, due to go in to production some time next week. Better stories, casts and productions than the run of independent feature producing companies have been putting into their products makes Tiffany the outstanding producers of those now numbered among the major studios in filmland. i 1 1 RUTH MACDEN Considered one of the greatest whistlers of the present day artists, Miss Ruth Magden is in our midst and is appearing in various entertainments throughout the Southland. Monday evening we found Miss Magden entertaining the Brotherhood of the Temple of Israel in Hollywood, where she caused quite a furore. It is so unusual to see a pretty girl whistle, especially some of the most classical numbers, with such ease and grace, that her audience was held spellbound. Here is a young lady who should be quite a hit over the radio and can fill the bill perfectly in any vaudeville theatre where they want an act in one and when it comes to entertaining one's guests at a house party, why she would just make 'em all sit up and take notice. 1 i i Class entertainment, as well as mass entertainment will feature the production program of the motion picture industry in 1932, according to Will H. Hays, who arrived here yesterday to attend the annual meeting of the Producers Association. "Instead of leveling entertainment to a fixed common denominator, the industry is stepping up its entertainment standards to meet the needs of every element of the potential motion picture audience. Such pictures are turning millions of casual moviegoers and nonattenders into regular patrons. 111 New York. — Charles Rosenzweig, general sales manager of RKO-Radio Pictures, today announced his resignation effective immediately. He said he would occupy a similar executive post with Columbia. Rosenzweig's resignation was accepted by Ned E. Depinet, vice president in charge of distribution. Ruth Magden Let's See — Who's Who By HARRY BURNS JAMES GLEASON Casting James Gleason to play the outstanding role of "Cue Ball" Kelly, Carl Laemmle, Jr., production chief at Universal studios yesterday announced that "Information K i d" was now before the cameras. Gleason ro u n d s out a group of players which, by coincident, is entirely of Irish descent. Tom Brown and Maureen O'Sullivan will have the romantic leads and Mickey McG u i r e and Andy Devine will have other prominent roles. Kid" is an original Snell with dialogue Kurt James Gleason "Information story by Earle provided by Clarence Marks Neumann, recently promoted to feature plays after making a series of Shadow Detective shorts and a series of Summerville comedies, in Spanish, is directing this new fast moving comedy-drama. The production is in the seventh feature to go into work at Universal City during February, bringing the Laemmle studios to the peak of their current film making season. 1 1 1 ANNA MAY WONG Anna May Wong, gifted Chinese actress, today was cast for an important role in RKO Radio Pictures' forthcoming production, "The Roar of the Dragon." The assignment was made by David O. Selznick, executive vicepresident in charge of all RKO productions. In this drama of war torn China, which will star Richard Dix with Irene Dunne carrying the feminine lead, Miss Wong is to portray a mysterious and alluring daughter of the Orient who puts loyalty above love. Occupying a niche peculiarly her own as a portrayer of Oriental roles, Miss Wong has been a leading figure in motion pictures for several years, having won success in both silent and talking films. Recently, she returned to the screen after a triumphant stage engagement in London. "The Roar of the Dragon," which brings her to RKO-Radio Pictures, is based upon an original story by Merian C. Cooper, producer of mystery and adventure films. Howard Estabrook is doing the screen play and Wesley Ruggles will direct. Anna May Wong Al Rogell AL ROGELL "Death Valley" is the tentative title given the original story which will serve as Tom Mix's second Universal starring vehicle. Jack Cunningham and M. Stanley Bergerman, the latter, producer of the Mix series of features, are coauthors of the new Mix western drama slated to enter production before the end of February. Mix just completed his first Universal talking picture, "Destry Rides Again" with Claud i a Dell, Earle Foxe and Stanley Fields prominent in his support, which Ben Stoloff directed. Al Rogell returns to the Universal lot, after an absence of three years, to direct Mix in "Death Valley.-" i i 1 TALA BIRELL Distinctively beautiful former Viennese stage star recently brought to Hollywood by Universal, is finding plenty of opportunity to display the talent that won her a long distance contract. Miss B i r e 1 1 ' s American screen debut will be made opposite Luis Trenker in "Mountains i n Flame" which Cyril Gardner is directing. Her first day on the set demanded Miss Birell cry for most of five hours. The second day Tala Birell made it necessary that she say her prayers through most of the filming. Another day was devoted to tensely dramatic action, terror scenes in which the Viennese artiste appeared with both Trenker and Victor Varconi and another was given over to scenes in which Miss Birell, as the wife of a soldier awaits word as to the safety of loved ones trying to break through the lines of an enemy outpost on the summit of the Alps. 111 BACK Madge Bellamy is back in Hollywood and is to work with Victo and Edward Halperin in "Zombie" which is their next gesture that they are preparing to produce at the big U WAMPAS TO HONOR CARL LAEMMLE, FILM PIONEER, ON 26th JUBILEE Carl Laemmle, Universal Pictures president and film pioneer, celebrating his 26th anniversary as a motion picture executive, will be honored at the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers, The Wampas, at a dinner at The Writers Club, Wednesday evening, February 23rd. The final event of the current Wampas year, members of the Board of Directors will join with President John LeRoy Johnston in the development of a program of entertainment which will include singing, dancing, and one or two appropriate sketches featuring famous film folk and bring together a group of outstanding newspaper, magazine and motion picture leaders. The annual Wampas election will occur on March 8 with Frank Whitbeck and Paul Snell as candidates for the presidency. 1 1 1 PEGGY SHANNON Theatregoers this week at the Paramount Theatre are having a fine opportunity to judge Peggy Shannon in "Hotel Continental," a Tiffany feature, who for some time was a Paramount player who was being groomed for real stardom and who bought her release from that organization, so that she might play the kind of parts that best suited her talents. Miss Shannon shares leading honors with Theodore Von Eltz and the picture was very capably directed by Christy Cabanne. RUSSIAN GRILL BREAKFAST LUNCH FIVE COURSE DINNER 1759 No. Cahuenga HO 6769 DEFECTIVE SPEECH CORRECTED FREE LECTURE By B. LEWIS, from the VIENNA UNIVERSITY CLINIC Next Tuesday Evening 8 P. M. at Her Studio 2048 CAHUENGA BLVD. GRanite 5072