Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

JUNE 18, 1932 AS SEEN AND HEARD By Arthur Porde "TEMPEST" (Stuerme der Leiderscaft) Slorms of Passion— Filmarte Theatre. It would be greatly to the advantage of every director, actor and actress should they make a visit to the Filmarte Theatre this week and see the work of Robert Siodmak, the director, Anna Sten playing "Annya" and Emil Jannings as 'Gustav' in "Tempest." A great story of the underworld of Berlin with its love, passion, drama and locale. Other splendid players are Franz Nicklisch, Anton Pointer, Otto Wernicke, Trude Hesterberg and Julius Falkensiein. Robert Liebman, author of 'Congress Dan Arthur FoRDE ces' and Hans Muller, of "Blue Angel" fame wrote the story. We won't tell you the plot as it screens well and it Would be much better should you see it yourself. Eric Pommer, whose fame is World wide and also gave us "Congress Dances" supervised, and Frederick Hollaender who Wrote "Falling in Love Again" which assured Marlene Dietrich's success on the screen has composed for this screen offering "I Don't Know to Whom I Belong" which is even a greater hit than his former effort. Then the photography of Guniher Riltau is on a par with the rest of the production. Not only is this a screen offering of fine dramatic Value but the musical direction of Cerrard Jacobson is noteworthy. Had this one been made in Hollywood, the Chinese Theatre would have had another "Grand Opening." However, you'd be foolish to miss "Tempest as the work of Anna Sten who is now with us and Emil Jannings, whose acting ability is unquestionable, appear in it. • • • "THUNDER BELOW" And Stage Show at the Paramount Theatre. The stage undoubtedly "has it" at the big theatre at Sixth and Hill Street this week as lovely Rosita Moreno is mighty attractive and her act is colorful and smacks of Showmanship." Then we have the Four Romeros and Marian Teresa Silva with her group of Mexican Native Dancers. Rudolph Hoyos, also contributes, not forgetting Paramount's Dancing Beauties and they are really beautiful and exceedingly sprightly. Of course we have Ceorgie Stoll and his musicians with us so long that we don't really appreciate them, but they carry the show along with a rhymatic swing. The feature picture is "Thunder Below" which is a disagreeable story of the Tropics where a young husband whose wife carries on an "affair" with his best friend and if this is not trouble enough for him, he is stricken blind. The wife commits suicide on the rocks below the house from which the title of the story is taken and you don't feel sorry al all for her finish. Charles Bickford, Paul Lukas, Eugene Palette, Ralph Forbes, Leslie Fenlon, James Finlayson, Edward von Sloan, Mona Rico, Carlos Salazar, Enrique Acosta, and Godfrey Rioas give their excellent talents to a sordid story. We are afraid that if Paramount doesn't give Tullalah a belter vehicle than this one she will never become a favorite. However, the stage show is so good that you get more than your money's worth at this week's show. • • • "BACHELOR'S FOLLY" A Gainsborough-British Lion Picture. Another from London and quite good as that sterling actor Herbert Marshall plays the principal role. The story is of the aristocracy of England, with their betting proclivities and love of the sport of kings. While the photography was a little spotty al times, we are shown the lovely Epsom Downs which always has color, life and incidentally the people of England in holiday allire. T. Hayes Hunter directed and was a little old-fashioned in some of his shots, especially in travelling from one person to another. The cast was exceptionally good and those British actors know their delivery of lines and diction. Edna Best Was charming as the ingenue and Anne Gray as "The Lady Villian" Was exceedingly clever. Gordon Harker, Nigel Bruce, Leslie Perrins and Melville Cooper Were all expert players but Alfred Drayton as an ex-burglar and gentleman's man to Herbert Marshall received the laughs of the evening. Like most British pictures the action Was a trifle slow but the picture as a whole Was good entertainment. The preview audience al the Fairfax theatre Were a Utile restless but the excellent acting of Herbert Marshall held them down. Sono-Art — World Wide pictures are to release this one and it will be greatly enjoyed by smart audiences everywhere. • • • HOFFMAN— ROBINSON A new agency is going merrily along at 1626 N. Vine St., and Milton Hoffman and Fred Robinson are now in partnership. These boys are thoroughly conversant with all artists as well as officials in the studio and they should make a splendid team. • • • LIVING MUSIC Organs have been mule for a long time but recently on one of our recent visits to the Fairfax Theatre, where the genial manager, Mr. Weider reigns, we had the pleasure of listening to a splendid organ recital of "living music." Not the canned variety, which we have endured so long, but real selections from an organ and a capable musician. If you think theatre audiences were glad to get rid of "real music" in the theatres you would be greatly mistaken should you have heard the applause at the conclusion of the clever organ selections al the Fairfax Theatre. • • • IT IS RUMORED THAT— Richard J. Pearl, vice-president of Tec Art Studios has tendered his resignation and has accepted an executive position with Benny Zeidman. In addition, Mr. Pearl is to make 6 pictures for Stale Rights release. The first one will be a vivid melodrama, "Bachelor Mother", which promises to be a sensation. a • ■ BACK AGAIN Perhaps some of you remember pelile Dulcie Cooper who left us some years ago to play on the New York Stage. She was featured in "Spitfire" and for 42 weeks played in "Courage" with Janet Beecher asd Junior Durkin. We came across Miss Cooper al Universal a few days ago where she Was making lests as she is to return to pictures after her recent success on the New York stage. WHISTLING IN THE DARK Messers Belasco and Curran in association with Alexander McKaig have another winner in "Whistling in the Dark" at the Belasco theatre starring Ernest Truex. Southland theatregoers once more showed that they appreciate a real show with just as real a star, and turned out in fine form and humor, and went away even better than they came. Ernest Truex is one of those personalities that grows on you and the more he matches wits with those on the stage with him, the better the audiences seem to like him, and what could be a better tribute to an artist than this? So, We will say that Mr. Truex played at his best and that the vehicle was Well worth while his talents. The rest of the cast commands attention. Edward Arnold as the boss heavy, Claire Trevor, Martha Mayo, Charles Hallon, S. Henry Noreli, Ralph Theodore, Gene Gehrung, Arthur R. Vinton, George Shaw, and John Irwin, all look and act like they actually belong in such a locale. Frank Craven directed the play with real understanding. It Was writ(en\ by Laurence Gross and Edward Childs Carpenter. Harold Lloyd is to play in "Whistling in the Dark" when the United Artists produce it, and many believe it will prove an ideal vehicle for him. If you want to laugh and leave care go it's own way, drop into the Belasco and enjoy Ernest Truex, a true artist in a fine show. DRIFTING SOULS With a story that hold you all the Way, Morris Schlank can sit back and feel that independent producers will be very happy with his latest production, "Drifting Souls." It has\ everything thai one cares in entertainment; langhs, heart throbs, and above all actors and actresses who know their limitations, and give everything that they have to their respective parts. Lois Wilson carries the burden of the story. She is aided and abetted by Gene Gowing, Raymond Hatton, Theodore Von Eltz, Shirley Gray, Guinn (Big Boy) Williams and Micha Auer command attention, while such well known players as Edmund Brees, Bryant Washburn, Edward J. Le Saint, Dorothy Vernon and others help matters along. Louis Kink, who's years of directing are short, but, who has had a World of experience and come through with flying colors, has another to credit to his list of successes. /( was well photographed by William Hyer, from a story by Barbara Hunter, with adaptation and dialogue by Douglas Doty and Norman Houston. "Drifting Souls" is good exhibitor fodder to shoot al the public at this time. Raymond Hatton and Guinn Big Boy Williams put over some fine laughs that lighten the dramatic pari of the story. Enough said. 'THE DRAMA OF JOB" The Beverly Hills Community Players are to be complimented on putting on such a pretentious little production as "The Drama of Job." It was indeed a daring undertaking and along with this, a very fine sign of their understanding of the present day state of mind of the majority of fine people throughout the world. Norman Stuart was a revelation in the part of Job. His interpretation of the role was worthy of one of the biggest theatres instead of a community amusement center. Ruth Vonnegut and Beth Lytton as the Narrators gave the play it's start in the right direction, and the pace set was easily maintained by such fine players as Norman Pabst, Jr., Jack Holland, Ian Mac Donald and Clifton Camp. Ian Mac Donald Was exceptionally fine as "The Vioce of the Lord." The backgrounds and scenery were exceptionally good, and were designed by Aimee Jeanne Laisne, assisted by Lex McAtee. The singing chorus, composed of Elora Sorinsen, Cricket Edwards, Edmunde McCarthy, Barry McGralh, Jack Griffin, Willard Larsen, John Naitland, Katherine and Elizabeth McNaught, helped place the play in the proper atmosphere. The direction by Marjorie Marqis was remarkable for the short lime she had to rehearse the players. The adaptation of the play was by Stuart Walker. • • • • • JOE E. BROWN entertained The Masquers al his home Thursday al a bridge parly. GEORGE E. STONE is back from New York. SANDY ROTH plays a great pari in The Liberty Road directed by Rowland Brown at Radio studios. RICHARD THORPE directs another for Chesterfield at the big U. REAVES EASON is directing Tim McCoy for Irving Briskin. RAY SCHROCK is working al the M. G. M. GENE GEHRUNG is Very much in evidence in "Whistling in the Dark" at the Belasco. HARRY JOLSON IS IN TOWN AND HAS A DEAL FOR AN INDEPENDENT PICTURE PENDING. Chris Pin Martin is working at Fox studios with WILLIAM STAGE BOYD under Jack Blystone direction. BING CROSBY started Working at Senneit's, Babe Stafford directs. HULLABALOO is held over for a third Week. It is raising a Hullabaloo if you ask us. W INFIELD SHEEHAN IS BACK AT FOX'S Out Westwood Way where the Fox Films have their studio, there is plenty of happiness and activity, all because Winfield Sheehan is back on the job. Bets were laid in film circles 10 to I when he left that he would go the Way of all studio heads when they leave the lot and go away on a vacation. Winfield Sheehan is the man who CAN AND DID come back and now that he is on the job, let us all put our shoulder to the wheel and see if We can't Help put Fox Films over the lop once more. — HARRY BURNS. • • • • • Christian Science The subject of the Lesson-Sermon Was "God the Preserver of Man" on Sunday in all branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. One of the Bible selections included these verses from the Acts: "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb Was carried, whom they laid daily at the gale of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms .... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." A passage from "Science and Health with Key to the Scripture," by Mary Baker Eddy, stated, "In divine Science, where prayers are mental, ALL may avail themselves of God as 'a Very present help in trouble.' "