Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH AL JOLSON Starts "The New Yorker" at United Artists Studios Tay Garnett Directs Okay U. S. A. at The Big U JOSEPH I. SCHNITZER to Produce 'The Hall of Justice" Southern California Aids American Olympic Drive Al Jolson SONGLAND'S FAVORITE SON WILL SOON OFFER THEATREGOERS THEIR FINEST TREAT Music is reluming to the screen. Al Jolson is learning twenty new songs in four languages — all different — for his latest picture, "The New Yorker," which goes into production within a few days. It is the longest song repertoire of Jolson's long career as a screen and stage star, and is the entertainer's answer to the question: "Is the public ready for a fresh cycle of films with plenty of music?" Jolson will warble for an international clientele, in German, French, and Spanish, as well as in English. Several special numbers have ben prepared for the French, German and Spanish speaking markets. Jolson says he believes the public is hungry for music in piclures. "The early days of talking pictures, with their deluge' of musicals, when songs were inserted al the least provocation without rhyme or reason, and when sound-recording was far from satisfactory, fed up audiences on that type of film," said Jolson. "The songs must fit the story, and the whole picture structure built from the ground up without sacrificing plot for music. , "Irving Caesar wrote the songs as we Went along with the adaptation and continuity of the Ben Hechl's story. When I sing in the picture it will be in a spot where the audience will react naturally to the melody and lyrics as pari of the story. "There won't be any busting into song without a logical reason for it, and it won't be anything about 'Mammy' or 'Sonny Boy . "Mammy" songs are ended as far as Al Jolson is concerned. Her memory lingers on but the grand old mythical lady is dead and will be permitted to rest in peace. Jolson made the announcement as he prepared to pass another milestone in his career as an entertainer. Minus blackface and definitely alienated from Mammy, Sonny Boy and other of his old stand-bys, the screen and stage star will make a new bid for character acting honors in his United Artists picture, "The New Yorker." Although Jolson isn't a comedian with a Hamlet complex, he says the trend, even for comedians is towards down-to-earth believable characters that audiences can understand and sympalize with as Well as laugh at. Jolson's new role is" geared to the times. His character, and practically all the other characters in the story, haven't any money, but they refuse to let depressions, politics and other worries of the day gel them down. Al Jolson will play a happy-go-lucky park loafer, leader of a group of tattered aliens and eccentrics, in his new screen Vehicle, with LEW AY RES PLAYS ROLE OF "GOSSIP" COLUMNISTHAS GREAT SUPPORTING CAST Tay Garnelt is directing "Okay, U. S. A." at Universal Studios, William Anthony McGuire's screen story written around the life of a "Gossip" columnist, starring Lew Ayres, with a cast of well known players such as Maureen O' Sullivan, Walter Catlelt, Allan Dinehart, Henry Armelta and Emerson Treacy. A complete newspaper office in detail with fifteen or more well known newspaper men and women appear in the scenes as "atmosphere." This is expected to be one of the big pictures of the year under the Laemmle banner. "GOD" "God" was the subject of the Lesson-Sermon on Sunday in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. The Golden Text was from Exodus: "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. One of the Bible selections in the Lesson-Sermon presented these verses from the First Book of the Kings : "And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: and he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepesl covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their hearts . . . But will God indeed dwell on earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" A correlative passage from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, stated, "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." Madge Evans appearing opposite him and Roland Young, Harry Langdon, Chester Conklin, Edgar Connor, Negro Comedian, and Bodil Rosing as other members of the cast. Harry D'Arrast will direct "The New Yorker," an original story by Ben Hecht, adapted by Charles Lederer. Lonnie D'Orsa is Director D'Arrasis' assistant. • • • SIGNED The Collennetle Ballet of Pasadena has been signed by Fanchon and Marco to be used in a forthcoming Idea staged by Larry Ceballos. ANN DVORAK PLAYS LEAD WHILE WILLIAM NIGH IS TO DIRECT R.K.O. RADIO FEATURE Joseph I. Schnitzer, president of Jefferson Pictures, Inc., announced definite plans for filming "The Hall of Justice," first of the series he will produce independently for RKO-Radio release. Ann Dvorak, sometimes called "the lucky leading lady" of the screen, has been signed for the principal feminine role. July 10 was set as the dale for starting production. Negotiations are under way with three of the industry's foremost directors, with every indication that one will be selected in the next few days. Tests are being made of more than a dozen leading men. The picture will be produced al the RKOPalhe Studio in Culver City, where the Jefferson corporation is housed. Within thirty days, Mr. Schnitzer indicated, his company will be in full production swing. "The Hall of Justice" is a fast-moving mystery melodrama by Ralph Ceder, and will be directed by William Nigh. THE EXTRA GIRL By The Spotter This issue finds beautiful Patsy Bellamy, a flamed red-headed girl 19 years old who possesses the "IT" of Clara Bow, and the sophistication of petite Bette Davis, al the helm of this column. With the recent showing of the "Red VIA PURCHASING EMBLEMATIC PINS SO COMMITTEE CAN RAISE $50,000 QUOTA Southern California's only method of raising its $50,000 quota in the national campaign for funds to finance the American Olympic team in its appearance in the Games here in August, is through the sale of official fifty-cent Olympic pins, members of the Southland division of the American Olympic committee declared today. Southland citizens were urged to purchase their emblems and wear them every day until the Games are over. The opening dale of the athletic event is July 30> only a few weeks away, and the fund must be realized before thai lime, it was pointed out. The money will be used to pay training, traveling and equipment expenses of the American Olympic learn. Pins may be purchased at any Safeway or Piggly Wiggly store in California. JACK WARNER CHARGES PIRACY (Continued from Page 1) into the new year's product For our own protection as well as for the good of our exhibitors, we are reserving those announcements for a future dale. The sixty pictures which J. L. Warner announces will be released by his companies during the twelve months beginning September I, will include thirty each from Warner Brothers and First National. In addition, the program calls for six "four-star" westerns, and an augmented program of Vitaphone short subjects. Releases up to Dec. 31, 1932, are definitely announced. Many of these are already in production and fifteen of them were completed July I. Headed Woman" at the Loews State, Patsy made personal appearances and added that little something to the stage show headed by Cilda Gray. Last seen in the "Lost Squadron", the "Beast of the City," and in six Torchy comedies with Ray Cooke; the "Spotter" predicts a brilliant future for this same sweet little girl who commands an audience. • • • , With James Gleason starred, Rockabye Cowboy," eighth Warren Doane-Universal two-reel comedy starts work this week at Universal studios under the direction of George Stevens. Vince Barnell, Raymond Halton and Marie Prevosl are cast in prominent support of the wise-cracking actor. Stevens and James Home collaborated on the humorous script. PRODUCERS SEEK NEW FACES (Continued from Page 1) versity of Utah, Salt Lake City, July 8 and 9; University of Wyoming, Laramie, July 13 and 14; University of Colorado, Boulder, July 15 and 16; the Robert Edmund Jones' Production al Central City, Colo., July 18; University of Denver al Denver, July 19 and 20; University of Montana, Missoula, July 25 and 26; Stale College of Montana al Bozeman, July 27. On his swing back to Hollywood he will lecture at the State College of Washington, al Pullman, July 28 and 29; the Cornish School, the University of Washington and the Repertory Playhouse, all at Seattle, July 30; August I and 2; University of Oregon al Eugene, August 3 and 4; Stale College of Oregon at Corvallis, August 5; Stanford University at Palo Alto, August 8 and 9; returning to Los Angeles about August 10 or 11. "We are particularly anxious to find new leading men," said Professor LoVejoy. "There is a great lack of capable young men in pictures today." Professor Lovejoy has so devised his schedule that he will be able to view university productions in most of the school towns. If this preliminary hunt for talent through eight western slates bears fruit, Mr. Selznick indicated that another quest for talenl on an even larger scale very likely would be launched in the fall.