Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1933)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH L ET'S SEE WHO'S WHO bit HARRY BURNS "Blood Money" Will Please the Masses ROWLAND BROWN WRITES AND DIRECTS OWN STORY VERY CREDIBLY Those four sterling players, George Bancroft, Judith Anderson, Frances Dee and Chick Chandler, carry the brunt of the very realistic story, "Blood Money," that Rowland Brown has written for the screen and which he so capably directed for United Artists. It deals with the bail bond racket which is a new theme to most theater patrons and although it is a low down underworld gang war affair, it is so smartly handled and crowded with witty remarks that the dialogue almost makes this picture a reality. When the climax is reached you rather wish that George Bancroft could have carried out his fight against the very gang that he had at one time protected. There is only one word that fits the characterizations of this quartet of players, and that is that they give a most delightful performance. In fact it is a 50-50 break all the way. Another big surprise is revealed when Blossom Seeley croons a ditty about "San Francisco Bay" in the good old days and then tops it by singing "My Melancholy Baby," which is the back-ground of the biggest scene of the picture, where George Bancroft gives Judith Anderson the well-known air for Frances Dee. At the fade-out of this sequence Judith Anderson proves a great actress. Others who hold up their end of the picture in very nice form are: Etienne Girardot, George Regis, Theresa Harris, Kathryn Williams, John Bliffer, Ann Brody, Henry Lewis, Jr., Sandra Shaw, Henry Kolker and Bradley Page. The producers of this picture were Joseph M. Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck. William Geotz and Raymond Griffith, associate producers. Hal Long assisted Rowland Brown with the screen play. James Van Trees is responsible for the exceptional photography. Lloyd Nosier was the film editor. Al D'Agostino, the art director and Alfred Newman, the musical director. MAX SHECK DIRECTS DANCES Max Sheck follows his success in London where he directed "Showboat" and ten other plays for Clayton Wallace Productions, with an engagement by Universal to direct the dance sequences in "I Like It That Way," starring Gloria Stuart, Roger Pryor and Marian Marsh, under the direction of Harry Lachman. Be-Hannesey Celebrates P. A. Be-Hannesey is celebrating his twenty-ninth anniversary in Hollywood. For the past sixteen years he has been in his present location on Western Avenue. Mr. Be-Hannesey recalls when he first started in business at the Hollywood Hotel at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland, and his first customers were Carl Laemmle and Arthur Letts, who purchased some Damascus, Syria, bed spreads. Since then Mr. Be-Hannesey has served a choice number of clients in the motion picture industry as well as in the society world. They always come back when they want something original or unusual to beautify their homes, which in itself speaks well for the quality of merchandise Mr. Be-Hannesey handles. HALL FAMILY ARRIVES Mrs. Al K. Hall, Roy Edwin and Eileen arrived in Los Angeles from the east last week and moved into their home in Beverly Hills. The famous funster, Al K. Hall, recently finished in "Mating Time," and we wouldn't be a bit surprised if the talkies not only sign him but Al K. Hall, Jr., too, who by the way, is. an ace flier with many honors. "Footlight Parade" Tops All Other Warner Brothers Musicals JAMES CAGNEY, JOAN BLONDELL, RUBY KEELER, FRANK McHUGH AND DICK POWELL SHINE BRIGHTLY There is no use trying to describe "Footlight Parade" for it would spoil the real amusement that the theater-goers will enjoy the minute the Warner Brothers film musical is screened before their eyes. It treats the back stage from a different angle this time, the home of prologue and revue creators. James Cagney matches his wits with everybody in a masterful way and comes out victorious as in all his pictures. He has great foils in Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Frank McHugh and Dick Powell. Ruby Keeler is proving with every picture that she can gradually forget her great dancing ability and stick to the histronic art of acting. Others who play an important part in holding the interest of the story are Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert, Claire Dodd, Arthur Hohl, Paul Porcasi, Renee Whitney, Gordon Westcott, Herman Bing, Hobart Cavanaugh, Barbara Rogers, Harry Seymour, Phillip Faversham, William V. Mong, Charles Wilson and many others. The "Waterfall" prologue in the picture staged by Busby Berkeley is the acme of art in this direction. Frank Murphy should have a word of praise for the wonderful electrical effects in the above number as well as the other ones. The "Shanghai Lil" sequence too, is worthy of special mention. Taking it all in all, Warner Brothers will have to either stop trying to outdo themselves as musical film producers or content themselves with making a runner-up picture to follow "Footlight Parade," which is from the pen of James Seymour and Manny Seff, with entrancing music by Al Dubin, Harry Warren, Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, with Leo Forbstein conducting the greater Vitaphone recording orchestra. Robert Lord supervised the production. It is needless to say that Lloyd Bacon directed this picture and if any academy awards are being given out for film musicals this year, Mr. Bacon should certainly win the award. • • • • • Paul Sloane's "Lone Cowboy" Is a Very Human Outdoor Picture JACKIE COOPER SHARES HONORS WITH ADDISON RICHARDS If you like good human interest, outdoor stories, you will just fall in love with "The Lone Cowboy," who is as close to reaching the droll humorous characterization of the one and only Will Rogers that we have seen portrayed on the screen. The minute that Jackie Cooper steps off of the train and is met by the "Lone Cowboy," the picture is just chuck full of laughs and many heartthrobbing moments. This may sound out of line, but we must say that Jackie Cooper is more human in this picture than any we have seen him in recently. He works so well with Addison Richards that we are prone to say that he shares honors with him. Others in the cast who give very fine performances are: Lila Lee, John Wray, Gavin Gordon, Charles B. Middleton, George Pearce, J. M. Kerrigan, William LeMaire, Joe Barton, Del Henderson and others. The screen play was also by Paul Sloane which was adapted by Agnes Brand Leahy and Bobby Vernon from a story by Will James. Theodor Sparkuhl deserves a word of praise for his photography. N. V. A. Stages Another Fine Show The S. R. O. sign was out before the first act did their turn at the third Clown Night of the N. V. A. Club, held in the Grand Lounge of the Hollywood Plaza hotel last Monday night. Each turn received a big hand from an audience of nintey per cent players. A turn that gets applause from an audience of actors and actresses who, like newspaper folks, are hard boiled, must not only have the goods but must know how to sell that kinda audience. The M. C.'s themselves on this Clown Night put over their business with a punch. Mr. and Mrs. Harry English, that beloved couple, who have charge of the local office of the N. V. A. Club, deserve high praise for their efforts in making this night outshine the two previous ones. Watch for the Fourth Clown Night. There is a surprise in store. Happily Re-united . . . LOYCE WHITEMAH Featured with JAY WHIDDEH ORCHESTRA Biltmore Hotel Supper Room Los Angeles THE ACME OF SOUTHLAND AMUSEMENTS Club Montmartre 6757 nonfood Bivd. NEVER A DULL MOMENT — THREE SHOWS NIGHTLY Apply for Membership Today . . . PHONE: GRANITE 3128 B 3 3 CLUB 853'/2 SOUTH SPRING STREET J Offering the BEST IN FLOOR SHOWS AND DANCE MUSIC \ ■ — -Be Sure and See Our Rilz Room! . . . Phone: MICHIGAN 1244 l