Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH As Seen and Heard by Arthur Forde FUNNIER THAN EVER— are those Taxi Boys, Ben Blue and Billy Gilbert, whom we watched cavort on the set at Hal Roach Studios a few days ago on their latest comedy that centers around mistaken identity. WE OFTEN WONDER— how comedians can keep up year after year, giving the public something to relieve their troubles but after watching Del Lord direct for a short time, we realized that he had a great deal to do with their success. • • • SPEAKING OF Arthur Forde COMICS — have you seen Chic Sales without his famous mustache, which is just what he is doing in the comedy "Pals" by Ronnie Asher that he is making at Universal Studios. WROTE A FAMOUS BOOK— which you will remember, but this story has nothing to do with that, but has a dog for its pivot and Zion Myers is directing this interesting story. « • • CHESTERFIELD A GREAT NAME — and the latest to be produced under that banner is "House of Fear" that will surely live up to the famous name with Richard Thorpe directing. NEVER HEARD LONGER LINES— than Hale Hamilton was rehearsing a few days ago at Universal, and they have Gloria Shea, John Darrow, Michael Visaroff and Jane Keckley in the cast. • • « EXACT CHANGE IS NECESSARY — from one reel to ano'.her in perfect project'on and the latest is Pricherd Automatic Projection that was explaned to us a few days ago by the inventor. PROJECTIONISTS TROUBLES — will soon be over if all the things promised by this latest invention come true, and will be a boon to the picture makers and studios. • • • SID GRAUMAN WINS— the honor of showing the huge spectacle "Cavalcade that Frank Lloyd directed so beautifully for Fox, and was such a del-ght to the extras a short while back. THIS FAMOUS PLAY— by Noel Coward will be seen at the Ch nese Theatre on January 12, and we feel sure that Winnie Sheehan's pet will have a grand reception at the opening. w * ~* WILL HE GET HIS WISH— is the question that Junior Laemmle would like to be answered at once after buying ' The Triton" a picture of the sea by Gordon Morris that promises to be a great thing for the screen. JOHNNY WEISMULLER WANTED — for the title role, but he has a Tarzan picture to make first for M-G-M but we could see no one else with his aquatic ability and attraction for the fans. • • • SORRY TO HEAR— that our favorite actress, Constance Cummings, is to leave the Columbia banner, and perhaps our shores at the same time, but you can never tell what the girls will do. NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE— as far as Columbia and Connie are concerned, as she has been loaned out so often to other companies, and made good, that she hardly knew where her home studio was. LITTLE STORIES "Consilia callida et aud.cia prima specia laela tractutu dura, eventu tristia sunt. (Hasty and adventurous schemes are at first view flattering, in execution difficult id in the issue disastrous.) Livy-Annales. xxxv-32. Milton Cashy We have heard so much about the men who manage the affairs of the motion pic lure stars of today that we became curious enough to interview one who has many famous names under his watchful eye. What really came to our notice first, was something we observed on a motion picture set a short while back, in which the jury of twelve good men in a court scene was composed of eight ex-directors and four former leading men, who were all working on a day cheque, as they had not saved their money for a certain rainy day that surely happens in the short life of anyone working in pictures, and especially the stars. Milton Cashy told us that the life of the motion picture star is about four years. Of course there are a few exceptions, the same as any other rule. Hs business was to advise them of safe investments, so that when the short "big money" days are no longer, they will be provided for in the future. Nothing to do with their engagements, as agents do this work, but in many cases he is asked his opinion, and sometimes, as an outsider, his advise is valuable. Another important thing that the business manager attends to is that old bugaboo "income tax," which has caused many former stars trouble, is filed correctly. In fact, "Uncle Sam almost rattled the bars is the way one of the prominent ones so naively stated when he got caught in the income tax whirl. Mr. Cashy advises that his clients set aside one third of their incomes as a reserve in either Liberty bonds or funds in the bank, to take care of this necessary item. He advises that they put aside a life trust fund and in this way assure their independence against the day when a fickle public decide that their former favorite be succeeded by another. These personal business representatives of the stars, directors and wr.ters, must have the necessary banking and legal knowledge to keep them out of d.fficulties. They must also teach them common sense in their bus ness dealings, such as not buying a fleet of expensive cars, or acquiring an enormous estate, that would need a permanent income to maintain. They must also keep them clear of sharpers, who offer to double their money in a month, or, in other words, he must understand the problems that assail the man whose enormous financial returns are only for a short t me. We asked Milton Cashy why he was particularly suited for this paticular work and he told us that he was educated at the Chicago Univers.ty in business and law, had been ten years with the Continental Bank of Chicago, as well as the Security and Bank of Italy in California, for eleven years. This looks good enough for his clients to have confidence in, and as he has a limited number of clients, it enables him to handle each case carefully and properly. After this little talk, we realized that the personal business manager is an excellent idea and the "big money men and women" of the motion picture profession, who have men of business experience to guide them, w 11 not have to resort to the "extra list" when their pay days are at an end, but can complete their lives in a contented and honorable manner. A TRAIN OF SILK— is the theme f the latest for the screen that Daryl Zanuck bought for Warner-First National and concerns the shipment of silk from Japan to the East coast. A BRAND NEW IDEA— that is always welcome, and from what we hear they are going to get up a story to match the cast, and from what we know of Houston Branch s story will have to be first class. • • FROM DEAR OLD LONDON— comes Benita Hume, who will play the lead in the much talked of production "Clear All Wires" at M-G-M Studios, where this much talked of play was bought. A GOOD MAN WINS— the title of leading man as Lee Tracy has been cast in the screen version, and whenever Lee settles down, you may be sure that no one could do a better job. THE DEAD RECKONING"— interesting and especially when you sounds knowthat it is a murder yarn that takes place on one of those palatial yachts and was written by Robert Presnell. RIGHT AFTER CHEVALIER— is finished, lovely Carole Lombard will go into this interesting story at Paramount. A'ith Sari Maritza as the other girl and clever Erie Kenton directing. • • • WALTER WANGER FLITS — will soon be the watchword of our moving execu J five as no sooner did they get his desk all oiled and ready for work, than he resigned from Columbia and Harry Cohn. A STORY MIND is the specialty of this clever man and is so rare in any md vidual that he will always be in demand but we hear that slight differences of opinion caused his last move. • • • TWO GOOD ONES— in the cast of' Phil Goldstone s Sing You Sinner" when Leila Hyams and Paul Lukas were selected but the independents seem to be getting the best these days. A TORCH SINGER— is the theme of the story and it should be a g eat bet as Libby Holman and. her troubles have been getting "front page" for a long time and Christy Cabanne is directing. AT LAST A GOOD ONE— has reached the New York stage in "Biography" a Theatre Guild find and v/ith the addition of clever Ina Claire, looks as if the stage has a real attraction. THE RACE IS ON— to see who will get this clever and interesting play for the screen, as that is the ultimate goal for anything good in the way of entertainment and the scouts are all excited. • • • MUSICAL COMEDIES AGAIN— are surely to be revised in the near future, as M. G. M. will soon have Rogers and Hart, those clever New York boys, who know all there is in that line. TWO GOOD PROSPECTS — are Thornton Smith's "Turnabout" and "I Marr.ed an Angel," and we hear that tuneful music and clever lyrics will soon grace the screens of the country. • • • "TECHNOCRACY"— seems to be the subject of the hour in everybody's mouth these days and we have no doubt that a succession of pictures will soon be seen and heard in the theatres. FIRST ON THE SCREEN— will be Bryan Foy's picture on this subject and from what we hear of this production, it should be a great favorite with the disciples of th s new politics. • • • ORCHESTRA IN THE PIT— is always welcome and Arthur Kay's efforts at the Playhouse were well received on the opening night, with lovely music to put you in the spirit of the play. "A PLAIN MAN AND HIS WIFE"— went over big for Louise Dresser and her splendid company and especially w.th her many friends and admirers, but the music helped greatly. • • • LOS ANGELES THEATRE GUILD — is a welcome addition to those interested in the best for the stage and the former Egan theatre should be an attractive spot to the theatre lovers. "LIFE'S PASSPORT"— their first play got off to a good start and Lucille La Verne and her notable cast should be one of the places to go when wishing something different to screen plays. • • • TWO JOBS IN ONE— has B. B. Kahane the President of Radio Pictures, as well as the new production chief who arrived in the Film Capital recently to take over the addit onal duties. MANY NEW IDEAS— seems to be under way at the huge plant on Gower street, that has seen many changes of executives in a short time but have produced some pictures that have made good. • • • WILL GARBO RETURN— seems to be a much mooted question with the executives as well as the fans debating the question since the Swedish star left our shores but she's still elusive. QUIETLY GROOMING OTHERS— may be the solution of this difficult problem and there are two mentioned in the persons of Norma Gregor and Charlotte Susa, who have showed to advantage in tests and only await public approval. • • • ONE MORE FOR JACK— and "Rivets" the John McDermott story that MetroGoldwyn-Mayer bought for Jack Gilbert, will conclude the long term contract as player but Jack has other plans. HIGHEST PAID MAN — in pictures but from what we heard, he has great ambitions to be a director and there seems to be no reason why he should not make good, with all hs experiences on the stage and screen. 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