Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

SEPT. 10, 1932 "Blessed Event" Premiere Proves Bloomer Event for Warner's Pat Gasey is Expected to Settle Labor Troubles GOOD PICTURE IS GIVEN A BAD START BY OVER BALLYHOO We wonder how many of the stars that were advertised to be present at the opening of "Blessed Event" last Thursday evening at the Warner Bros. Hollywood theatre, passed in review before the anxious public who stood outside for hours. No one of importance was seen to enter the front door. They finally decided that "Blessed Event" was a bloomer event for Warner Bros., for the stars and public alike passed this affair up even at $1 and $2 plus tax, not interested to see what was labeled "another Warner epic." The picture is above the Warner Bros, average. The star, Lee Tracy, should be very careful as to what side of his face they shoot when the cameraman sets up on him. The screen production was even better than the stage play, thanks to the fine direction of Roy Del Ruth. Why the Warner Bros, three-sheet their pictures without any outstanding stars like in "Blessed Event," is beyond us. The play was done here by Henry Duffy with Reginald Denny as the star, which sort of took the edge off of it, instead of help the public interest to arise to any given point. • • • ALVIN GREG IS A MAN OF MANY FACES Alvm Greg is a newcomer to Hollywood and carries in his equipment a wealth of that stuff lhat is an ever precious commodity to the industry — individuality and a grotesque sense of humor. Greg has specialized in bizarre character representations upon the European stage and his photographs mdicate a very mobile face. He speaks fluently the Russ an, French, Chinese and English languages and can also interpret in these tongues. He has had varied experience in the art of pantomime and should be an asset to foreign versions made here. Casting directors would do weH to interview this young man for the'.r records and possible future needs. THE TALK OF HOLLYWOOD Turkey Sandwiches, 15c Barbecued Chicken, 35c up BARBECUED CHICKEN Shop 1119 N. Western Ave. HO-9888 A Great Bet for Stage and Screen Bob Gilbert Creator of Rcoues and Screen Dancing TEACHER ACTOR MANAGER A ddresi 55441/2 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. Phone HO 9843 "Merry-Go-Round" Ten Strike for Big U Universal hits the high mark in one of the best pictures of the year on a subject that is given more thought and publicity than anything else in the public eye. This great story by Sklar and Maltz, and the excellent screen play by Tom Reed, is of the government of any big city in these United States, and concerns those in high office, as well as the lowly office holder. All are held in sway by a band of political racketeers. The leader of this band has them all in the hollow of his hand, by the fact that he holds cancelled checks that have been given to all in the city government for services rendered. This all comes to life when a rival racketeer is shot and killed and a bell boy, who was in the hotel room at the same time, is seriously injured by another bullet from the same gun. The boy lives and is finally forced to confess, by third degree methods, that the racketeer was killed by the leader of the rival gang. Here is where the crooked politicians step in, and send the boy away to allow the racketeer his freedom. The only mistake the politicians make however, is that there is a judge who refuses to enter into their crooked schemes. He finally causes their downfall by getting together a band of worthy citizens and the crooked politics are stamped out and justice rules. It's a vivid, dramatic story, with all the sordid details of crooked police methods under the higher ups. The clever work of the writers, the director and splendid cast holds the audience in a spell unH the final curtain. Edward Cahn did a masterly piece of work in this production that should place him high in the ranks of top notch directors. His novel idea of an electric s-gn to help the advancement of the story is extremely interesting. There are two outstanding characters in this production, Louis Calhern as the crooked district attorney, and Edwin Arnold as the boss racketeer. Few performances this year equal these two. Eric L'nden is so perfectly natural as the harrassed boy, who is the puppet of these men, that you really suffer with him in his trials. Sidney Fox, as his wife, does the best work of her career. Berton Churchill, as the crooked mayor, is perfect by the hypocrisy in swaying his constituents. Frank Sheridan makes a great deal out of the part of a police commissioner who tries hard to be honest, and Ian McLaren is ideal as the dominat'ng head of the political ring. Other players who add greatly to the unravelling of the plot are Tully Marshall, J. Carol Naish, George Meeker, Robert Warwick, J. Francis McDonald and Noel Francis. The photography of Carl Freund is of h:s famous high order. Here is a thrilling story of the happenings of today, and should be an object lesson to the careless voter. Universal Pictures have shown us some splendid pictures since the new season opened, but "Merry-Go-Round" is by far the best as it is grand entertainment, which theatre managers all over the country will cash in heavily on at the box office. —ARTHUR FORDE. "KARAMAZOV" AT THE FILMARTE THEATRE Beautiful Anna Sten, whom we shall see in Ho'lywood films shortly, is seen at the Filmarte Theatre in one of the greatest love stories, a masterpiece of Feodor Dostoevsky, the great Russian writer. This Tobis film is a vivid story of a murdered father, whose son's avarice causes him to be suspected of the crime. He is finally cleared by the confession of a servant but is sent to Siberia for other reasons. The writer, Dostoevsky, has lived and suffered as on'y a Russian can, and in this story he displays man's elemental passions in all their vividness. The picture is one that should greatly interest the student of the drama, as well as others who like someth'ng different in their screenfare, and is so well told pictorially, that a knowledge of German is not essential. Stirring scenes of the pleasures indulged in by the ar stocratics of Russ'a during the regime of the Czars and the nobility are shown. The wild dances of the Slavs and the orgies they indulged in to gratify their passions are aho clearly p-otrayed. The direction of Feodor Ozep is a distinct change to our local directors and the various types alone make the picture we'l worth see ng. We have see Fritz Kortner, who essays one of the Kiramazov brothers so vividly before, but in this great film he is very different. The Photography of this picture has many clever shots and if you Ike someth'ng different in your screen fare we feel sure that you will not only en:oy this vivid story but will find genuine entertainment at this theatre where fo-eign films are shown, and this week's program is one of the best. —ARTHUR FORDE. HARRY LANGDON CLICKS TN "THE BTG FLASH"— FROM PEN OF BOBBY VERNON He-e we have an Educat'onal short that is truly slice for any man's program. For a lau"h getter "The Big Flash" is unexcelled. It is pure hokum of the slappiest order, yet has a plot burlesquing the newspaper angle of the crime wve, that hangs together desp:te the absurdities. The gagging is novel particularly the pocketful of raw popcorn that pops under the heat of a fervid love scene. Harry Langdon is at his best ably assisted by Vernon Dent. His frozen pan blundering in the character of an assistant newspaper photoganher napping the robbery of a jewelry store, kept the audience at the Uptown screaming. Who ever said Harry Langdon is to make a comeback in pictures is absolutely wrong. As far as the public is concerned he never went away. He is more welcome than ever. Ruth Hiatt provides the love interest and Lita Chevret the vamp devilment. The latter gave evidence of possessing fine balance and understanding of values and is very pleasing to look at. Great credit should be given Bobby Vernon for the story. Frank Griffin, too, for the adaptation and dialogue, shares honors. The photography of Gus Peterson was exceptional especally the novelty fadeouts. Arvid G:lstrom did a sweet job of directing losing no opportunity for milking every situation of its fun possibilities. This short subject should rate high in the yearly score, —LOU JACOBS. ASSISTANT DIRECTORS AND SCRIPT CLERKS TO MEET SUNDAY FOR DISCUSSION The labor situation in the studios, which last week appeared to be acute with the walkout at Paramount, is at the present moment in a less critical situation, An agreement was reached by which the allied crafts returned to work pending the arrival of Pat Casey, national labor executive, from the east. Casey is expected to arrive in Hollywood some time next week when the differences will be arbitrated and it is expected that an amiable agreement will be reached. At the present time the crafts are determined to insist upon their demands and it is reported that one studio (Fox) is agreeable to them with the others still mainta'ning their objections. A special meeting of the Assistant Directors and Script Clerks has been set for Sunday when the attitude of this local will be determined. Both sides seem desirous of settling the questions involved in an amiable and peaceful manner and both are sanguine that further difficulty will be avoided. San Francisco by ROBERT A. HAZEL 378 Golden Gate Ave. Phone Franklin 7984 Filmograph's San Francisco Represenlaiive Much interest has centered around the opening of the President Theatre. Sam Harris, veteran showman, has completely renovated the house and will open Sept. 1 5th, with stage presentations and first-run pictures with a weekly change at 40 cents top. Herbert Harris has been appointed manager and Nell Harding will d'rect the stage presentations . . . Myron B. Goldsmith's military mystery melodrama, "G-2," which opened at the Alcazar Theatre Aug. 28, closed Saturday, leaving the house dark . . . The 1932 International Walk-A-Thon Derby, under the direction of Vernon Balfour, former Vaudevlle headliner, is now in its fifth week at the Golden Gate Ballroom playing to capacity houses. Forty couples started the congest which has now drifted down to 12 couples. Balfour is playing six Circus Acts, two Revues, two girl orchestras with Rookey Lewis as M. C. . . . "Rasputin, Saint or Sinner," the film now being screened at the Filmarte Theatre, has broken all box office records for this house . . . Aaron Goldberg, owner of a circuit of movies houses, has closed his Circle Theatre on Market street to be entirely renovated. The work is being done by Martin Rift, architect, and will be completed and ready to reopen as a model show house Oct. 1st . . . Bert Levey has removed his offices to the Golden Gate Theatre building . . . B II Drummond has resigned as manager of the New Lyceum Theatre in the Msjion district . . . The Capitol Theatre is showing five acts of Bert Levey Vaudeville, a 12-g'rl revue and two-feature pictures. John Goldsmith, manager, reports an increase in business . . . Much credit goes to Frank Burhans, manager of the Warfield Theatre, for the atmospheric lobby display on Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson's African thrill picture, "Congorilla." The jungle atmosphere is attracting considerable attention . . . John D. Clark, division manager, and Herman Wobber, Pacific Coast manager of Paramount Publix, are making a tour of the West Coast offices by airplane.