Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

DEC. 10, 1932 "The Whispering Shadow" Now In Production At Mascot Vaudeville is Fighting Hard to Make a Comeback George Stevens to Direct Sidney -Murray for Big U CLARENCE MUSE To Stage Monster Benefit At Lincoln Theatre NAT LEVINE WILL RELEASE SERIAL EVERY TWELVE WEEKS Interest in serials is now showing marked improvement, is the statement of Nat Levine, president of Mascot Pictures Corp. In evidence of this fact, Mascot has now in production the serial "The Whispering Shadow." The cast of this picture boasts several big names, and judging from the performances these people have given us in the past, "The Whispering Shadow" should provide many thrilling moments. Bela Lugosi, Karl Dane, George Lewis, Bob Kortman, Robert Warwick, Malcolm McGregor, Doy D'Arcy and Henry B. Walthall are included in the large cast. Others to be seen in the serial are Tom London, Lafe McKee, Jack Perrin, Norman Feusier, George McGrill, Viva Tattersall, Lionel Backus, Ethel Clayton, Lloyd Whitlock and Max Wagner. From all indications it looks as though "The Whispering Shadow" will be ready for release about January 15th. Nine writers worked on the script of this picture for a period of ten weeks and some unique situations are said to be seen in the story. Nat Levine also announces that the policy of Mascot Pictures will be to produce and release a serial every twelve weeks. WILL TALLULAH STAY?— seems to to be the question of the moment since Paramount and M-G-M decided to do without the talents and popularity of the lady from London and New York. HE BRINGS THEM BACK— seems to be the slogan of Daryl Zanuck of WarnersFirst National as witness the fine work of Ruth Chatterton after her slide at other studios, and he might do the same for the exotic Tallulah. • • • GOOD MUSIC ALWAYS POPULAR— and the most beautiful of all oratorios, Handel's "Messiah," will be heard at Philharmonic auditorium December 17, and all music lovers will be there. THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA— in full strength, will be conducted by the famous John Smallman, and the soloists will be Blythe Taylor Burns, Fred Scott, Jean Chown Williamson and Alexander Kissellburgh. • • • FOUR GOOD ONES— seen and heard at the Writers Club, with "Vignette," a satire on modern divorce; "Bargain Day," with a department store theme, and "Autumn Leaves" translated from the German by Barney Glazer. THE REAL HIT— was "Bread on the Waters," which was first produced in 1862 and told of the stirring days of that period and Maude Fulton both directed and played a 17-year-old girl with distinction. TED HEALEY AND PAT CASEY WILL TRY TO AROUSE INTEREST There is a wide difference in optimism as to the future of vaudeville between the west and the east coast. Advises reached here last week to the effect that Pat Casey, the veteran vaudeville agent in connection with Ted Healey, equally well known in vaudeville circles, are to organize a large circuit in which to revive vaudeville. The crux of the eastern venture lies upon the ability of these agents to secure name acts at vastly reduced salaries. It was mentioned that $3000 acts are to be asked to accept $500 and lesser acts in comparison. The plan is to play two headliners and four lesser acts on each bill. The number of theaters said to be concerned will reach from coast to coast. Bert Levey, head of the Bert Levey Vaudeville Circuit, oldest and largest bookers and operators of vaudeville theaters in the west, was interviewed as to the possibilities of such a circuit on the Pacific coast. Levey gave the plan anything but encouragement. "Vaudeville," said Bert, "is a thing of the past. No amount of name acts nor low salaries can revive it. We are holding our own here in a desultory sort of way with excellent talent willing to work at any salary, but where are we to place them ? For the few houses still playing "flesh" there are a dozen acts for every spot. "Vaudeville is no longer an attraction. For example, we had a marvelous bill recently in an outlying theater, one which a few years ago would have packed the house, but there was only a small audience present on this occasion because the picture feature was not good. "Pictures have not only ruined vaudeville but are ruining themselves. At one time, pictures were used in vaudeville houses merely as chasers at the end of the show. Then they chased the show off the stage and now they are chasing themselves off the screen. "The future of show business seems to be behind it. The present outlet for talent seems to be the radio but that is so disorganized as to be an impossibility from a booking I WOMAN'S MART j j 1779 N. Highland Ave. GR-0405 { CORNELIA LYSAGHT, Mgr. Women's Wear, Home Cooking, Toys ' | Gifts, Etc. — Yarns, Pilgrim Hooked j i Rugs, Needle Arts, Stamped Goods j HOMER CROY AND VERNON SMITH HAVE FINISHED STORY FOR STARS George Stevens, recently director of comedies for the Warren Doane producing unit at Universal studios and author of many humorous scripts, has been given a long term contract by Universal to direct feature productions. Stevens' contract is the culmination of seven years' experience as a cameraman, author and short-reel director. Preceding his affiliation with the Doane organization, he photographed, wrote and directed for the Hal Roach studios. He is cred.ted with the photography on 32 Laurel-Hardy comedies, and the "Rex Wonder Horse" pictures. Stevens' first assignment under the new contract is the next George Sidney-Charlie Murray co-starring feature, "Salt Air, scheduled to go into production within a few weeks. Homer Croy and Vernon Smith have completed the script for the S.dney-Murray picture. SO BUSY Nella Walker arrived from New York recently and directly after leaving the train here she went to the Fox studio to begin rehearsals for her part of Lady Gregory in "Dangerously Yours," which Frank Tuttle is directing. SAW ALL THE SHOWS— in New York did Ramon Novarro and on his return was given the lead in one of M-G-M's specials, "A Man of the Nile," and is much pleased. GEORGE FITZMAURICE DIRECTS — and for extra measure they have assigned the lovely Madge Evans to play opposite Ramon, which should make a decided hit with the fans. standpoint. One doesn't book the station but the grocer and the baker and the soapmaker. The hope of vaudeville is the radio becoming showmanized soon. "Then too, it is difficult to balance a vaudeville program due to the fact that dancing acts are no longer an attraction. With every kid a tap dancer and an acrobat, better dancing can be seen in any home with a team of ten-year-olds than with the average act and the audiences seem surfeited with rhythm. "I don't know what they have in mind to revive vaudeville in the east and I hope it is a live idea that we can employ out here but from our present aspect, it isn't very encouraging." Maurice Gebber ' Election of furs Harris 6 Frank Building 635 South Hill Street Phone VA-6619 Room 702 THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 21 WILL FIND GALAXY OF STARS DOING THEIR BIT Poor and destitute folk on the East Side of town — people who turn to one another for help but wouldn't dream of going to organized charity for aid, and are consequently not reached by these usual relief organizations, will have a hearty Turkey dinner this Christmas as the result of a monster East Side Christmas Basket Benefit, sponsored by Clarence Muse, film actor, and featuring stars of every major studio in Hollywood, which will be presented at the Lincoln Theater the evening of December 21, at 8:30 o'clock. Muse, who yearly directs a charity movement for his own people at Christmas time, has this year enlarged his activities to take in the entire East Side. Seven fraternal and social organizations are cooperating with him in this philanthropic affair, including the Golden West Elks, Lodge No. 86, the Twenty-eighth Street Branch of the Y. M. C. A., the Twelfth Street Center of the Y. W. C. A., the Los Angeles Urban League, the Sojourner Truth Industrial Home, the Five and Over Charity Club and the East Side Shelter for Girls and Women. Negotiations are under way to have Kate Smith, radio star, head the Benefit Show, assisted by screen celebrities, radio stars and headline vaudeville acts. The entire Sebastians' Cotton Club Show headed by Broomfield and Greeley and Les Hite and his orchestra will be present, as well as the complete Club Alabam Revue, the "Lucky Day" Company, the Elks' Band of 60 pieces, Fuzzy Knight, Harrison Green of the HiJinks and numerous other intriguing attractions. ALLIED PICTURES PREPARING THREE FEATURES FOR EARLY PRODUCTION M. H. Hoffman, president of Allied Picture Corporation, announces three features in preparation for immediate production. They include a Hoot Gibson Special, a Classay Melodrama and a Stage Classic. "Boots of Destiny," by Barry Barringer, is the title of the fourth of the series of Hoot Gibson Specials, and will probably be the first to go into production. "A Shriek in the Night," by Ben Grauman Kohn, is the first of the series of fou,Classay melodramas, and will go into production within the next three weeks. "Eleventh Commandment," adapted from Brandon Fleming's stage play "The Pillory," is the sixth of the series of stage classics which will see early production at the Allied Studios. Monte Blue just completed two pictures in a row, "The Intruder" and "Officer 13, before leaving for his personal appearance tour of the country. DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS OF LOS ANGELES REk'rf^AA^OREE SHRINE AUDITCCIU/U INC. Qus j\rnheim, his Band of 20, and Artists of STAGE, SCREEN and RADIO