Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH As Seen and Heard by Arthur Forde Arthur Forde WERE YOU IN LONDON RECENTLY?— If not, the mammoth sets erected on the Fox lot for their production of "Cavalcade" gives you real atmosphere and saves you a sea trip. TRAFALGAR SQUARE — with those famous British lions, the Nelson monument, and the buildings fronting this famous spot, will soon be alive with people, under Frank Lloyd's directorial supervision. "GRAND PASSION " — sounds interesting for Tala Birell's first starring vehicle for Universal Films, and is an original yarn by Dale van Emery and Harold Wilson. WATCHED TALA WORK— recently, and from all indications it looks as if this story with a European background should be a winner for the latest find from Austria. • • • ALL STARS CASTS — are certainly coming into vogue with all the studios, but the latest at the Fox Studio for "State Fair" should establish a precedent for all others. LOOK OVER THIS LIST— Will Rogers, Sally Eilers, James Dunn, Janet Gaynor, Spencer Tracy, Louise Dresser, and the first, second and fourth prize hogs from Iowa. • • • DID YOU SEE — the latest casting directory that Clifford Robertson has placed yith all the executives and casting directors at the studios? LOOKED IT OVER— and found not only a fine picture of all prominent players, with their phone number, but also a short biography that gave us much needed information. • • • GOING TO MALAY— is Marion Burns to play the leading role in Clyde Elliott's wild animal picture, which is planned to be full of thrills. A PROMINENT ROLE— in "Pier 13," Raoul Walsh's assignment, was given Miss Burns. She carried this off with honors, and won the prize for the Malayan picture, that many others were anxious to gain. • • • TEAMED UP— are Sylvia Sidney and George Raft with Courtney Terrett and Jane Sturm, already at work at the adaptation. "PICK UP"— is the title of the picture and should fit George like a glove, and especially when you realize that Vina Delmar is the authoress. • • • UPSET THE APPLE BARREL— is just what Carol Lombard did at the Warner Studio when she failed to go into the Cagney opus. BACK TO PARAMOUNT— with concession on both sides, to play the ace femme role in "The Billion Dollar Scandal." • • • LOS ANGELES WINS— another famous personage in the decision of Gouvernour Morris, after looking over the entire world. A WRITER IN THE FILM CAPITAL — means a comfortable home and many friends, while other places are just a stopoff. • • • IT TOOK 32 YEARS— for Alison Skipworth to win fame in the hearts of the public on the stage and finally via the silver screen route. "GOOD COMPANY" — a Paramount LITTLE STORIES i "Letie fit quod bene feriur onus" (That load becomes light which is cheerfully | borne) — OVID-Amorum. Some people have troubles thrust upon them so frequently and yet cast them off j so easily that they become a great example to others. We have in mind just at this moment, Lila Lee who has reached the top ladder | of fame once more, after vicissitudes that would stagger most people. Her recent j success with Lowell Sherman in "False Faces" and "Unholy Love" for M. H. Hoff ! man, easily proves this assertion. Lila Lee was the first child to become a picture star. At the age of nine she j was nationally known as "Cuddles Lee" in Gus Edwards' "School Days" when she ! was placed under contract by Lasky Films to make a series of pictures. From that time on she was gradually advanced to the position of dramatic leading j lady, who not only became noted, but had a great following of picture fans. At j sixteen Lila fell madly in love with a popular leading man of the films, but as there J was a vast difference in their ages her many friends tried to dissuade her. But, I against the advice of all, they eloped and became separated from the screen and stage j and tried ranch life in the orange groves of California. They were quite happy ! for a time and a little son was born who seemed to cement the tie closer together, j Their knowledge of farming was so meager that they failed. Back to Hollywood, j which forgets you so soon — and they found the rule worked in their case. A good j friend, Bryan Foy, remembered little Lila, and persuaded Warner Brothers to give \ her a chance, where she appeared in several important productions. Everything was j going along merrily when Lila's health broke down and she was ordered by the j doctors to go to a sanitarium for a complete rest. Like a good trouper she did as she was told and was getting along so well that I she was looking forward to her return to Hollywood. But, to throw another dis j couragement in her path, a prominent Hollywod bank failed, which contained all her ' hard earned savings. However, she rallied through all this and finally that most J precious gift of all — Health — returned and Universal gave her a trial in "Radio j Patrol" where she made good. Success after success followed and she has not only regained her precious health, I1 but is rapidly acquiring a "nest egg" as well as fame, which only goes to show that j if you have the right brand of courage it overcomes everything else. j picture, written by Nina Wilcox Putnam, will be directed by Norman McLeod who has made some of the great hits for Paramount. • • • LILY PON'S MANY TESTS— looks like a final winning for the Metro-Goldwyn Studios in Culver City, and the dainty star will probably settle here. AN ACE DIRECTOR— Robert Leonard, was at the helm of the last test, and it looks as if the famous Lily will soon be seen and heard on the silver screen. • • • A REAL TOWN — is under construction at the Fox Westwood Studios for the accomodation of the many famous writers under contract at present. SCATTERED ALL OVER— were the scribes, but the new buildings will have them all in one place, which will be a great help to directors and supervisors. • • • COULD A WOMAN BE HAPPY— with $75,000 worth of clothing bought at one time and delivered at the house for the wearer to dazzle her friends? THIS IS THE ESTIMATE— given by Paulette Goddard, the millionaire movie actress, but it's true and she returned from New York with it recently. • • • MANY FLYING PICTURESunder way these days and the latest, "Fledglings," for Fox, with Jimmy Dunn, El Brendel and Spencer Tracy, should win. COMMERCIAL AVIATION— is a winner, and with Barthelmess for Warners, Cooper and Raft for Paramount, and "Air Hostess" for Columbia, it looks like a big season ahead. "SHE'S SPLENDID"— seems to be the verdict of Ellisa Landi's work in "Sign of the Cross." That means a real start for this sterling actress. OPPOSITE RONALD COLMAN— in "Masqueraders" for Sam Goldwyn, will be just one of the rewards that Landi will receive for her fine work with De Mille. • • • "LADY OF THE BAR"— isn't just what you may think it means but it is an original yarn by that clever writer and director, Al Breslau. A WOMAN LAWYER— is what this Columbia yarn is all about, and from what we gather in our rounds, Constance Cummings is just the right woman for the lead. • • • 500 BABIES AT ONCE— is what we saw at the Educational Studios where the mothers brought their offsprings to get a chance at the movies. YOU SHOULD SEE THEM— all lined up at once for Jack Hayes' inspection, and he had a fine job deciding whether he wanted blondes, brunettes or redheads. "YOUNG IDEAS" — seems to be occupying the minds of Al Christie and Ernest Pagano at the Educational Studios where they are supervisor and writer respectively. ANDY CLYDE LEADS— but it is only a comedy with Harry Edwards directing. Al and Harry are old team mates for years and years. • • • OUR GANG OF THE PAST— will join Our Gang of the present when Mary Kornman, Joe (Fatty) Cobb and Mickey Daniels join the new ones in special parts. THE NEW OUR GANG— of Dickie Moore, Spanky and Cotton are making great headway since the start of the new season with the veteran Bob McGowan directing. • • • "DARING DAUGHTERS"— sounds intriguing but it's only an original that Sam Mintz is writing for Sig Neufeld. CHRISTY CABANNE DIRECTS— this one for Tower Productions. And they are assembling a great cast which will go into production shortly. • • • "MAN'S LAW" — sounds like an interesting subject, and when you realize that it is one of the famous Peter B. Kyne stories, you will know it has thrills. LACKEY GAVE US "KLONDIKE" and he promises us greater things for his new one, for the Monogram program — that is getting bigger and better. A ZEPPLIN YARN— will probably be the first one for the boy wonder, Howard Hughes, now that he has decided to produce again. FRANK GARBUTT LEASES — the Multi-color Lab., which will take many worries from Howard's shoulders, and allow him to put full time in picture making. • • • STILL LOANING STARS— and Paramount hands over Stuart Edwin to Fox to put the needed comedy into Charlie Farrell's picture. "FACE IN THE SKY"— is a mighty good title, and after the good work Stu performed in the recent radio yarn, he should be very valuable. • • • "TAR AND FEATHER"— will be the very next one for Joseph Schnitzer, who is releasing through Radio and producing at the RKO-Pathe in Culver City. JAMES CRUZE DIRECTS— This should be an added attraction as Jimmy has a number of fine ones to his credit in the past. • • • "CHARLIE CHASE DIRECTS" — sounds good to us, and it has become a reality at the Roach Studio, where Manager Ginsberg recognizes real talent. GOOD ONE FOR A START— when you hear that Zasu Pitts and lovely Thelma Tood are the ones handed to Charlie for his first assignment. • • • LARRY DARMOUR AGAIN— is well under way at his studio on Santa Monica Boulevard to give us some more of those excellent productions of recent times. "HOUSE OF CHANCE" will be the name of the first one that Lew Foster is busily writing and promises to be another good one for the Indies. • • • "PUT ME TO BED" — sounds intriguing and should be one for the movies if titles mean anything. H. H. van Loan is busy in New York writing. A STAGE PLAY— with Peggy Fears and A. C. Blumenthal as producers, for the New York stage, and Dorothy Hall in the leading role. • • • MR. GINSBERG, OF ROACH— means a great deal these days and he has engaged James Morton of stage fame as writer and actor. A new combination. TOUR FINISHED^f Hal Roach who took his fast plane on a visit to all the MG-M exchanges where he found business much improved. • • • REX BELL AGAIN — is to start another Western for Monogram Pictures, after the Convention decided that he was a great hit. THE BIRTHDAY PARTY— at Clara's new home, near Los Feliz Road, in honor of Rex, was one of the greatest and happiest for Clara and Rex. ! Filmarte Theatre I 1228 VINE ST. Hollywood i j "Barcarolle" j a marvellous Karl Froehlich production j Featuring \ Gustav Froelich and Alexa Engstrum j ! Jarmila Nowotna j and the Chorus and Orchestra of the j BERLIN STATE OPERA Under the direction of Bruno SeidlerWinkler