Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 15 Chit* Chaf and Chaffer Pat O'Brien to Bring Jim Tully's Hero to Screen Tully have Pat O'Brien in mind the title under which Universal is Could it have been just a coincidence or did Jim for the screen play when he wrote "Laughter in Hell bringing Mr. Tully's book to the audible films. We know, of course, that his book deals in a vague sort of way with some of Jim s own experiences. But when we talked with Pat out on the set at the Big U, it struck us that he (Pat O'Brien) was perfectly suited for the hero of the burly Irish author's book. And is Pat all excited over the story? Well I guess. In fact he just came back from a location trip to Sonora where, he tells us, he had the thrill of his life. It was Pat's first try at running an engine — yes — and it's more of a thrill than guiding an airplane through the clouds, he tells us. But the real thrill came when he learned that this narrow gauge type engine was used to carry passengers in the gold rush of '49. This engine, a relic of American history, is now only being used to travel an abandoned road once or twice a month — enough to keep the line open. But, as we started to say before, Pat O'Brien is all enthusiastic over the prospects of "Laughter in Hell." And from what we learned it should be one of Universal's star vehicles this season. It is a drama of the Kentucky backwoodsmen and of a disillusioned youth who kills his sweetheart after learning of her infedility. He is given life sentence on the chain gang, from which he escapes after killing a guard. The story has plenty of atmosphere and is made up of that down-to-the-earth fiction that has always clicked with theatre audiences. Berton Churchill, Myrna Kennedy and Gloria Stuart are in support to Pat O'Brien. Edward Cahn, who has some novel ideas along the directorial line, handles the megaphone for the production. We look to "Laughter in Hell" as a top notch starring vehicle for Pat O'Brien, who is deserving of the best. • • • • • DULL, UNINTERESTING STORY SEEN IN "SCARLET DAWN" Warner Brothers muffed another one in "Scarlet Dawn." This story of two Russian refugees — one a baron, and the other his servant maid — taking up their lives together in Constandpoint, struggling for existence and trying to shake the social barrier between them, has been given a weak screen production. Director William Dieterle has been forced to substitute genuine story material for any number of newsreel stock shots and newspaper inserts of the rebellion in Russia. And the mast suffers this same source, for they appear at only hort intervals throughout the picture. "Scarlet Dawn" could have been a fine picture, worthy of starring efforts for both Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Nancy Carroll. As we viewed it, the picture is dull, with very little continuity and at no time does it achieve the classification of good entertainment. "Doug" Fairbanks, Jr., achieves some fine acting as the young aristocratic who becomes a roving peasant. Nancy Carroll has not much to do in the film except look pretty. It is a shame to waste such talent on this sort of entertainment. They are worthy of the best stories Warner Brothers can offer them. Lilyan Tashman is seen as a social flame and Guy Kibbee appears in ONLY TWO SHORT SCENES — yet he is introduced as part of the cast. Others in the cast include Sheila Terry, Frank Reicher and Earl Foxe. Ernest Haller's photography is seen to good advantage. "Scarlet Dawn" is taken from the Mary McCall, Jr., novel, "Revolt." MARGARET SEDDON IS ONCE MORE IN OUR MIDST We had a pleasant chat the other day with Margaret Seddon in the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Miss Seddon, you know, is one of Hollywood's pioneers .... in more ways than one .... she was one of the first Broaidwayites brought out here to appear in movies .... and it was for M-G-M's pioneer talkie .... "The Bellamy Trial" .... the screen adaptation of the famous Hall-Mills Murder Case .... Margaret Seddon was the outstanding character in the picture in which Leatrice Joy and Kenneth Thompson made their debut to the talking screen . . . not all of this picture was in sound, she tells us .... it was not until after the picture was finished and she was back in New York that the studio decided to retake the second half in sound .... so Miss Seddon was called back to Hollywood Monte Bell directed .... .... since then, she has been a welcomed personality in movieland .... her recent vehicle for the Culver City Studio was "Smilin' Thru" .... which is due for a big Downtown opening soon .... .... Margaret Seddon has appeared under the banner of every BIG theatrical producer .... which means .... the Shuberts, David Belasco, the Theater Guild, etc her role of the mother in the stage presentation of "Blessed Event" will long be remembered. .... at prsent she is making Hollywood her home, though she manages to visit Broadway on the average of once a year .... a real trouper, this person .... who can tell many glamourous stories of by-gone show days .... mary McCarthy has new ideas for screen Universal can well be pleased with the latest addition to their writing staff. She is Mary McCarthy who at present is working on "Ships of Chance" which will be Lew Ayres' next picture following "Out on Parol." Her latest screen effort, which is scheduled for early release, is "Slightly Married" and will be shown under the Invincible-Chesterfield banner. A splendid cast will be seen in Miss McCarthy's newest brain child including Walter Byron, Evalyn Knapp, Marie Prevost, Dorothy Christy and Jason Robards. Miss McCarthy advanced some clever ideas on dialogue writing when we spoke with her on the lot the other day. She should go far in the realm of creating novel fictional ideas for Universal. LAWRENCE KINO (Tenor) -KECA I [itzi Green Makes Great Comeback in "Little Orphan Annie" Radio's picturization of Harold Gray's newspaper comic strip, "Little Orphan Annie," is a high mark in entertainment for other studios to shoot at in their release of child pictures. Exhibitors, here is a picture that will click anywhere. Grownups as well as children will find in this one just the right sort of entertainment. It is splendid. Direction, under the guiding hand of John Robertson, has kept the picture at an even tempo. He brings to you, through his able understanding, the dreams, hopes and heartaches so dear to a child's heart. As "Little Orphan Annie," Mitzi Green turns in one of her best parts to date. She shows that she's a regular little lady, and that acting, whether dramatic or comic, is well suited to her talents. Running Mitzi a close second for acting honors and practically stealing each scene in which he appears is little five-year-old Buster Phelps. We understand that Radio has him scheduled for one more picture. If they are wise, they should sign him on a contract, because, unless we miss our guess, every studio in Hollywood will be after his services following the release of "Little Orphan Annie." May Robson, that grand old lady of the screen, also comes in for a good share of the thespic honors as the rich old grandma who accepts little Buster from the orphanage. Matt Moore, as the orphanage doctor, Edgar Kennedy as "Daddy Warburton" and Kate Lawson should all be recommended, for they turn in excellent roles. The story that Wanda Tuchock and Tom McNamara have woven into "Little Orphan Annie" deals mostly with the goings on in an orphanage, the adoption of little Buster and of how Mitzi steals away from the orphanage to see her little playmate. One thing in particular that this writer admires in the screen adaptation of "Little Orphan Annie" and that is that the picture has adhered to the true theme of the comic strip. All incidental theatrical romance and other trashy screen material that has spoiled so many of our recent films, has been totally abandoned in this picture. Bravo! Among other things, Jack McKinzie's photography is up to standard. Check "Little Orphan Annie" as one of Radio's top notchers. CLARK AND McCULLOUGH CUT CAPERS IN HILARIOUS COMEDY OF POLITICS One of RKO-Radio's better two-reel Iaughies is "The Gay Nighties," in which Clark and McCullough do most of the clowning. The picture is a gay satire on the art of framing a politician. All of the fun takes place in a hotel in which the dastardly deed is scheduled to take place. A beautiful countess walking in her sleep, a gangster chasing the house detective through the halls with a machine gun and a regiment of motor cycle cops following them through the room and up and down the halls hamper Clark and McCullough's well meant frameup plot. "The Gay Nighties' 'is a riot of fun in which the preview audience participated. Director Mark Sandrich who also is credited with the continuity of Ben Holmes' story, kept the excitement at a furious pace. Nick Musuraca was kept on the jump covering all of the action with his camera. • • • • • MORGAN WALLACE ACHIEVES NEW STAGE TRIUMPH IN "YOUNG IDEAS" As the curtain rose on Walter Brown's presentation of "Young Ideas" Tuesday night at the Hollywood Playhouse, a distinguished first night audience settled back into their seats to pass judgment on this newest theatrical adventure to grace the local rialto. And as the curtain dropped on the last act, murmurs of delight could be heard throughout the house as this same distinguished audience filed out after a pleasing evening in the realm of make-believe. "Young Ideas," a comedy of modern morals, treats in a satirical vain the problems that arise within the Saunders family, when a modern mother and her daughter try to convert their old fashioned father to the new age of gin fisses, cocktail parties, and high society blues. Morgan Wallace as Jim Saunders, an old fashioned Texas oil man who refuses to adhere to the new ideas of the age, but who finally does go off on a spree and by so doing wins his wife and daughter away from their lofty ideas of living, achieves a splendid performance. Mr. Wallace is a fine actor and scored a distinct triumph at the premiere of "Young Ideas." Adda Gleason as Harriet Saunders, his wife and Marie Gray as Millicent, their daughter, can be recommended for their excellent portrayals. Helene Millard as Janet Calhoun, enacts an hilarious love scene with Mr. Wallace that brought bellows of laughter. Another in the cast who is outstanding in his part is Ralph Remley as Charlie Watson, a friend from the Texas oil country. Most of the wise cracking dialogue is given to him and the manner in which he draws laughs establishes him as a comedian of no small ability. Edward Cooper as Algernon Phipps, the Saunders butler, who sees all and knows nothing, also comes in for his share of fine acting honor. Others who help the production along to a successful finish include Helen Kleep and Cornelius Keefe. "Young Ideas" is worthy of good patronage at the Hollywood Playhouse. After the few slow moments in the first act are ironed out, the tempo will be speeded up to conform with the rest of the production. We guarantee you an enjoyable evening in the theatre with this one and plenty of laughs thrown in for good measure. • • • • 5 Njghts a week— NBC 3 Nights a week— KR 6 Nights a week I Hollywood on the Air— NBC Transcontinental FEATURE ARTIST-- Jay Whidden's London Orchestra- There's a Reason i HOIly3115 HE 9781 "OH, PROMISE, ME," Peter B. Kyne story, will be the first Tom Mix story of the second series. Jack Cunningham wrote the screen story. Arthur Rossen will direct; Phil Karlstein, assistant. Stanley Bergerman is the producer. Following Mix pictures will be produced by Henry MacRae. ROSITA BUTLER performed for the soldiers at Sawtelle last Wednesday night. We caught a glimpse of her dancing and the veterans welcomed an enjoyable evening. TAD ALEXANDER, child actor who in a few recent pictures has established himself as one of the sensational features of the talking screen, was yesterday signed under a long term contract by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The contract is a result of his brilliant work in "Rasputin" with the three Barrymores, and the remarkable role he played in "Strange Interlude."