Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOCRAPH 11 MURDER ON THE 2nd FLOOR "Murder on the 2nd Floor" comes as a breath of fresh air for the theatregoer. It also comes from Warner Bros. -First National Picture produced at Heddington, On-the-Thames, England, bringing with it an entire English cast and the courage of conviction that English brains can match the American in the art of telling a story on the screen. Frank Vosper has written a mystery yarn that is interesting, and Rowland Perlwee has adapted this story with the technique of both stage and screen! These gentlemen violate an American convention by successfully using the retrospect, or flash back. A method, for some reason, convicted as tabu for the last ten years in American production. American screen authors decry the use of the retrospect with the criticism that it materially "slows up" the story; however, in "Murder on the 2nd Floor" the retrospect is necessary to supply answers to the many narrative questions, and the director, William McGan, unfolds it with interesting details. Progressive screen authors will be assured an interesting hour in viewing the work of Messrs. Vosper and Perlwee from the point of view of screen story analysis and in searching for a new angle for story treatment. The producers of this film do not attempt to SELL uls sets, production, individual acting ability or technical assets; but, they DO sell us STORY. Which results in an abundant return on their investment. This production radiates careful thinking, consideration of detail, and sincere effort from all departments, both artistically and technically. One is not "photography conscious," either, which is a high compliment to the photographer. He, too, takes a secondary place to story. Audience reaction at this pre-release showing was not favorable to many situations and incidents that were presupposed to bring laughs. Had the director and author been present they would have been enlightened for future production and American reaction. Wherever the humor and comedy was forced the audience maintained a dignified silence; however, their appreciation of sincere effort was warmly expressed. The cast, headed by John Longden and Miss Pat Patterson, includes suclh names as Florence Desmond, Amy Veness, Franklyn Bellam, Sidney Fairbrother, Ben Field, Oswald Skilbeck and John Turnbull. Each members work was excellent. While the English accent becomes fascinating to the ear, those actors imclined to a broad accent are difficult to understand when they speak quickly. KIDDIES BILLY'S CLICKING Little Billy Barty is becoming the champion benefit performer among the kiddies. In the past few weeks he has been traveling around faster than a clown in a three-ring circus. One night he was entertaining at an Orphans' Home; the next night Marion Davies had him at one of her parties. The following night he was out at the Shrine Auditorium as one of the special attractions for the juvenile artists benefit. The youngster has been doing everything from leading a juvenile orchestra to ice skating stunts at the rink. One of the finest presents that he received during the holidays was a drum and set of sticks from the famous Ludwig Drum Manufacturers of Southern California. <2* '&* <<5* When you see "Cannonball Express" you'll be interested in observing the two dark-eyed youngsters who so cleverly portray Leon Waycoff at two youthful stages, they being Gene O'Brien, and Byron Wells, Billy Sor THE MAN ON THE COVER CHRISTY CABANNE Back in the good old days when D. W. Griffith was the ace producerdirector in filmland, he considered Christy Cabanne who adorns our cover this week, one of his best megaphone wielders. "Christy" was the most dependable and as a commercial investment he made more money for the Griffith organization than any of 'em, and today when the talkies have : come into our midst and been proclaimed the king of the amusement world, we find Christy Cabanne among the leaders as far as directing pictures is concerned, and this week we find Hotel Continental his latest effort, showing at the Paramount Theatre. At the present time Director Cabanne is working at the Metropolitan studios, where he is directing 'The Midnight Patrol," with C. C. Burr as the producer. Edwina Booth and Regis Toomey are the stars, and is in line for better and greater opportunities in the present day pictures than he had with the old master D. W. Griffith. i i i WORKING Richard Thorpe is directing an all star cast for Invincible Pictures which George Bachellor and Maury Cohen are heads of. Their first picture of a series of six, carries the title of "Deceit." Sally Blane, Anthony Bushell, Walter Long, Carmelita Gerehity, Jameson Thomas, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jackson and many others are in the cast. Buddy Shyer is the assistant, while M A. Anderson is photographing the picture. The Texas State Society which puts on a Special Juvenile Program once a year celebrated the event February 12th, with a program featuring the stars of Filmdom and radioland of tomorrow. Little Mary Jo Ellis was mistress of ceremonies, Maryeruth Boone, noted acrobat, Maxine Bowman, Pablo Cabezub, Will Tutt, George Dunning, and Edythe Fellows contributed to the program. Clarence J. Marks, who has been a familiar figure at the U for some time and who collaborated on the story "The Information Kid" which Kurt Neuman is directing at Universal with Any Devine in the name part, is busily engaged gagging on the opus. Nan Preston played one of the leading characters in "Red Coat" at the Figueroa Theatre for the Friday Morning Club under the auspices of the Troupers Club, and is once more ready to get back into pictures. Nell Shipman informs us that she is about to produce a stage play — "The Phantom Beast," a mystery thriller, very shortly. The part of a FrenchCanadian girl to be played by Miss Shipman, the remainder of the cast has not been definitely decided upon, the play requiring a fine leading man and heavy as well as nine others to complete the cast. SCORING Old time friends of Edward Allen Biby, Casting Director and Production Executive of the pioneer days, are rejoicing over Mr. Biby's recent successes in the acting field. His work in feature parts of the William J. Burns detective series, is continuously winning marked attention. For four years Biby was Casting Director and Director of Publicity for Charlie Chaplin, and a few years later was Studio Manager for Jackie Coogan. In Chaplin's great picture "The Kid" Biby played a part that won advice from the eminent one to carry on with the grease-paint. THE HURRY CALL" Chic Sale is a "Wow" in this two reel short which Mark Sandrich directed for Louis Brock. It moves so fast that you have to watch yourself unless you will miss some of the fun-making. Chic is growing on his public with rapid strides, and if they keep giving as good stories in the features as they seem to give him in his shorts, why he will make a great place for himself in filmdom. Producer Brock used a story cleverly written by Mark Sandrich and Ben Holmes, and photographed perfectly for tempo and all that by Roy Hunt. Brock surrounded the famous comedian with such sterling players as Charles Judels, Aileen Carlyle, Bob McKenzie, Ben Holmes, Bud Jamison, Phil Dunham and others. Give us some more of these fun-films— the market is ready for 'em and how. enson plays Rex Lease as a boy, and all three little chaps state that railroad pictures are allright, when there are so many trains to play with! Tom Moore and Ruth Renick have the important roles in this Fanchon Royer production. ^5* t&& tt5* Margurite and Marilyn Bouveron are the four-year-old twins who went to the toy department with their mother in "Eight to Five'' for WarnersFirst National last week. T^'= ;s the dark-eyed little girls' first picture. &5* q£* «■?* Everybody who saw "Frankenstein" had words of praise for the clever bit little Marilyn Harris did with the monster, of whom she was not the least bit afraid. Marilyn's progress in swimming has earned her much praise during her picture career, and combined with her acting ability and her clear expressive voice, gave her an outstanding spot in the Universal feature. C(?* t£fr <&& Rabbi Isaacson Offers Brotherhood of Temple of Israel Fine Treat Last Monday evening the Brotherhood of Temple Israel were given quite a treat in their headquarters in Hollywood, with Ben Hershfield presiding as chairman, plans were outlined for the Temple Israel midnight benefit show which is to be staged at the Pautages theatre March 12. After all the business was transacted, the evening's entertainment was turned over to Harry Burns, who presented four acts. Harry Hanna sang his way into the hearts of the great audience present. Betty Jane Fetter proved one of the most capable child accordionists, dancers and singers. Ruth Magden scored a tremendous hit by whistling two numbers. Bevo Hemlock sang and played the accordion in such a manner that won him many new friends and followers, who will watch for his next appearance on the screen, which we learned may be in "Young America," a Fox Films production. Rabbi Isaacson was given quite an ovation when he appeared and made a very fine speech. 1 i i SUES Alice Thomas is suing Glenn Ellis for wages as secretary, while the latter was preparing we are told to produce a feature with Noah Beery and Raymond Hatton, which has failed to materialize as yet. The Labor Bureau heard the case the other dav. IRA MORGAN A. S. C. Photographed — HOTEL CONTINENTAL Now showing at the Paramount Theatre