Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

NOV. 5, 1932 Let 's See Who is Who hi/ Hurry Burns /^PP« [<£ 1*M Ft 1 BBB I "Life Begins" — But Where was Audience? Public Not Going for $2.00 Premieres The silk-hat premiere racket seems to be a dead issue where Hollywood is concerned. Times are too tough for Old John Public to shell out one, two and three dollars to see some galloping tintype make its bow amid the fanfare of trumpets, searchlights and the other trimmins'. Came the Brothers Warner with "Life Beg.ns" a few days ago, a long-awaited film with great exploitation possibilities. In the good old pre-depression days, it would have been a "natural" for a swank premiere night. But the Warner execs evidently forgot the much advertised poor times, and as a result most of the customers at the gilt-edged premiere were Warner satellites, stars, execs. Bosses Jack L. Warner-Darryl Francis Zanuck, who told the stay at homes via KFWB all about what they were missing and what to expect in the future, and close friends. Even our old pal, Sid Grauman, probably will admit that the first-night stuff "aint what it used to be." Grand openings were many and brilliant a few years ago, but in recent times, there has been a decided apathy upon the part of the populace for this sort of thing. And it's a cinch that the studio boys and girls can't support these regal debuts. Even if a picture warranted a special opening price in the dollar-end-up brackets for the first night splurge, there are too many counter attractions these days. People are scrambling for grub money, worrying about the presidential election, and wondering when good times are coming back to Hollywood. Ho, hum! "Life Begins," but it didn't gel away to such a grand start in Hollywood. PROMOTED Paul Wilkins has been promoted at the M-G-M Studios. From now on he will assist Benjamin Thau in the casting, turning over the casting of the extras and bits to Frank Renaldi, who has been with M-G-M Studios cast.ng department for years and who has a good record a mile long for handling the cast ng of extras that goes back to the silent picture days and before the Central Casting organization was formed. The promotion of Paul Wilkins is a bit of good judgment, for Paul knows what it takes to render a real service to producers and directors alike. And if you ask us, he will be stepping into the casting director's boots one of these days, if not for M-G-M, then for some other major studio. Leonard Murphy works shoulder to shoulder with Frank Renaldi, and he, too, is very popular and knows his end of the business. ANN HARDING TO BE STARRED IN DIFFERENT ROLE Ann Harding's next picture will present her in a role entirely different from anyth ng else she has ever done in her screen career. This was anounced yesterday when it was definitely decided that her next starring vehicle will be "The White Moth," from an original idea, and adapted to the screen by Zoe Akins, the famed playwright. While the nature of the character that Miss Harding will portray is being carefully guarded, it was learned that the picture will be laid in an English background. Dorothy Arzner, renowned woman director, has been signed to direct Miss Harding's next portrayal and is now on the lot working on prelimiary preparatios. It is expected that the picture will get into production by about November 21. Pandro Berman will be the associate producer. GIOVANNI MARTINELLI, ITALIAN TENOR, AT PHILHARMONIC NEXT TUESDAY EVENING Whether Giovanni Martinelli, who will be heard in concert recital Tuesday evening, November 8, at the Philharmonic auditorium under L. E. Behymer's management, would have become a good cabinet maker or not is a matter of mere conjecture. He certainly disappointed his father by not taking over the lalter's shop in the little town of Montagnana, Italy, where Giovanni grew up, the oldest of 14 children. The insistance of an army officer, who had heard him sing, ultimately resulted in young Giovanni's being sent to Milan to study under Professor Mandolini. In 1910 he made his operatic debut in that city in "Ernani," and two years later, having been "discovered" by Puccini while singing in Ancona, he made a hit in Rome in the great composer's American opera. "The Girl of the Golden West." From then on Martinelli's rise to fame was rapid. He was featured in opera in Genoa. Milan. Naples. Monte Carlo. Turin, Budapest, Brussels, and finally in London, where he made his British debut in 1912, only two years after his first public appearance. Covent Garden reverberated to the applause which England's music lovers gave the new Italian tenor, and a year later Martinelli repeated his English triumph in the Metropolitn Opera House in New York. Since then laurels have been heaped upon him. The King of Italy has twice decorated him. and Montagnana, his home town, has dedicated its opera house to the man who might have become its leading cabinet maker. Three continents have acclaimed him as one of the great tenors of all time. Col. W. S. Van Dyke Sends Radiogram to M-G-M Lot about Arctic Expedition "We are iced in, Van." Th's laconic radiogram received yesterady at the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer studios marks the beginning of perils faced by the polar expedition, under command of Col. W. S. Van Dyke, filming "Eskimo" with a native cast in the far north. It means that the long-awaited hour has arrived. The schooner Nanuk, in which the party of 35 technicians, cameramen, director and crew are housed, is on the last lap of its journey to the farthermost point inhabited by man. The ship is frozen in the ice floes, and will drift northward with them, while the company will work out into the ice fields on all sides with dog sleds. It will be spring before the ice thaws, and the boat, wherever she is, freed from its grip. Airplanes will, if possible, make connection with the ship on its daring voyage into the Arctic icelands. Van Dyke is accompanied by Capt. Peter Freuchen, author of the story, and the boat is stocked with provisions for the long stay in the ice. Radio keeps them in communication with the outside world. Caribou and walrus hunts, whaling and other thrills of the Arctic will figure in the picture. It will be practically a year in the making. The "Arctic Funnel" staged unexpected thrills that resulted in hazardaous rescues, flooding of a camp, and a dozen narrow escapes. Col. W. S. Van Dyke, directing the production, was working with a native cast and his crew on a sandpit some distance from the schooner Nanuk, which is the base of the expedition. They camped on the pit for the night, as the season's turn has ended the midnight sun and arctic nights are again dark. The contraction and expansion of water as ice forms for the winter created the "Funnel." Water rushes northward each year at this time, but cannot flow through the narrow Bering Straits fast enough, hence "backs up," forming a tidal wave. It isolated the camp from the shore, then inundated it. Edward Hearn, assistant director, saw the rise of the waters and managed to reach the camp with a launch in time to take off the party. "A MAN WITH A LOAD OF MISCHIEF" SLATED AT THE PASADENA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE Gladys Hurlbut, New York stage actress, will be featured in a limited engagement of "A Man with a Load of Mischief," comedy of romantic intrigue in the cavalier period of England, written in the modern manner by Ashley Dukes, to open the evening of November 8, for one week only, at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, it is announced by Gilmor Brown, producing director, in outlining plans in Pasadena. The new play opens on election night, and returns will be given between the acts and after the final curtain. George Melf ord Is Directing Monte Blue in "Officer 13" for M. H. HoffmanAllied Pictures "Officer 13" is the title of the next Monte Blue starring feature to go into production now according to an announcement made today by M. H. Hoffman, president of Allied Pictures Corporation. The cast selected to sunoort Monte is headed by Lila Lee and includes Seena Owen, Charles Delaney, Florence Roberts, Mickey McGuire, Jackie Searle, Frances Rich, Joseph Girard and Floyd Ingram. "Officer 13" is an original story by Adele Buffington and will be directed by George Melford. It is the third of the series of four Monte Blue Specials the star will make for the Allied 26 features for 1932-1933. Monte Blue just fin'shed "The Intruder," and immediately after the completion of "Officer 13" he will resume his Fanchon and Marco tour of personal appearances. MAKE BOW DEC. 1 The New York Telegraph and The Spectator are due to make their bow here on or about December I. We learned that the eastern publications are to print a four-page daily and Sunday edition which will bring the New York section with the local supplement thrown in for good measure. Welford Beaton told us that he, too, intends to start publishing about the same time after he had severed all connections with the Hollywood Star. MAKING GOOD Virginia Pearson is making good on the radio through some very interesting lectures, plays and original writings for others to use on the air. Miss Pearson is apt to tie up on one of the well known chain hours shortly, and if she does, she will be sitting pretty — yes, better than she has in years in pictures. Gaumont British Opens American Headquarters LARGEST ENGLISH PRODUCING CONCERN PROMISES FORTY TALKIES FOR THIS COUNTRY Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Ltd., England's largest motion picture producing and distributing company, has opened offices at 226 West 42nd street, New York, and is making preparations for nation-wide American showings of approximately 40 British made talking pictures within the next 12 months. Arthur Lee will direct the American activities of the company. Gaumont-British pictures for the 1932-1933 season, several of which have already been completed, will include the works of several world-famous authors and will present several well known American stars as well as the outstanding British stage and screen players. J. B. Priestley, Hugh Walpole and Edgar Wallace are among the long list of English novelists who will be represented by at least one production on the Gaumont-British list. T. Hayes Hunter, director of "Earthbound" and other successful American productions, Victor Saville, Walter Forde, William Thiele, Anthony Asquith and Sinclair Hill are among the Gaumont-British directors. Basil Rathbone, Esther Ralston, Conrad Veidt and Harry Green are included in the list of players who will be seen in the Gaumont-British pictures. Renate Muller, sden recently in "The Office Girl" has been cast for "Marry Me," an early release.