Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1933)

Dec. 9, 1933 "Smoky" Is Cleverly Transferred to Screen by Director Eugene Forde As long as man can remember, the horse has been famous and has taken a real part in the history of the world, but it fell to the lot of Will James to write the history of one horse in particular — from its infancy to old age — that has been read and enjoyed by millions. This is the story that has been so carefully and accurately transferred to the screen by Fox Films and everyone concerned in the production should be proud of their work as they have made an enthralling screen play that will live for a long time and be thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike. The picture can in no way be classed as the usual Western, as it has something entirely different from anything seen before, with much real humor, especially in the opening sequences where the colt did many amusing things so naturally that it kept the audience in roars of laughter. Eugene Forde, who was responsible for the direction of the film, had a hard job on his hands as it required infinite patience and attention to the smallest details. No smart dialogue or clever situations to help him out, but he held the attention of the audience from the beginning to the end. The author of the book told the story to the audience in his own droll way and kept them thoroughly enthralled by his narration. Of course, there were human actors necessary as the story progressed, but they fitted perfectly into the scheme and Victor Jory was an ideal type for the character of Clint, who seemed as if he walked out of the leaves of the book, while Irene Bentley was quite personable as the Girl. Hank Mann was amusing as Clint's buddy, and Frank Campeau, LeRoy Mason and Leonard Snegoff fitted perfectly into the other characters. One of the high lights of the production was the beautiful photography of Daniel Clark, as some of his scenes rivaled some of the finest etchings we have ever seen. Marie Rose and Billy Carroll Present Great Show to Shriners at Biltmore A luncheon in the Sala D'Or at the Biltmore hotel for the Shriners recently served to introduce some of the cleverest girls' acts seen here in some time, put on by Marie Rose and Billy Carroll, producers. These clever acts are becoming famous wherever known and one of them made a decided hit at one of the famous night clubs last week. These producers are kept busy producing acts for theater presentations, night clubs and private entertainment, as those who have seen them are of the opinion that Marie Rose and Billy Carroll are showing something far above the average of most of the acts seen in the eastern cities. What makes them so different is that they are not offering artists who have outgrown their usefulness, but young, inspiring, vivacious and refined singers and dancers who love their work and give their all to help put over the numbers that they appear in. We watched a dress rehearsal at the Marie Rose Dance studio the other afternoon with Billy Carroll putting the girls and boys through the paces in such a very clever and sympathetic manner that the kids just couldn't help stepping their best. The new adagio team, Keith and Sally, certainly opened our eyes and then Mabs Saunders proved a wonderful acrobatic contortionist. The Rhythm Rascals lived up to their title by cutting a few Canadian Capers and then out trotted Betty Stropp who is a Nell Kelly type of song and dance darling. Just about this time charming Rose Marie appeared in a business like manner and took charge of the festivities and right there and then we knew the reason for the success of this organization, for Miss Marie showed her hand which brought quick action from the youngsters and plenty of entertainment for us. But we heard the call of duty to move on and begged to be excused for we could see hours of entertainment and amusement ahead of us if we could have spared the time. So we bowed out politely and wended our way to Universal City. TAY STILL SEEKS A STORY Tay Garnett has just completed his fortieth script. That number represents the stories submitted to him by major studios that he might choose to direct one or more of them. To date Garnett has been unable to find the story he is seeking. MARY PICKFORD MAY DO A PLAY IN NEW YORK Mark Larkin is out as publicity director for Mary Pickford, owing to the fact that the star leaves for New York shortly. At present she has no immediate picture plans in mind, but states that she may possibly do a play in New York. If this project works out she most likely will make a screen production of the play, and then Larkin will resume her publicity work, if he is available. Miss Pickford said she would not announce the name or the producer of the play until it had been definitely scheduled for production. ARRIVES IN ENGLAND David Manners has arrived in England and is now busily engaged on his starring picture for British International Productions, "Contraband." The actor left Hollywood after completing his role in "Roman Scandals." In his British picture he will be seen with Greta Nissen, under the direction of Robert Milton, who directed "Outward Bound" and other Hollywood hits. Manners is due to return to Hollywood shortly, although he is being sought for other British productions. "BESSIE COTTER" Wallace Smith, Hollywood author and scenarist, has just received word that his new novel, "Bessie Cotter," will be on the spring lists of Covici Frede, with publication date set for March. Smith's last published novel, "The Captain Hates the Sea," is a current best-seller. Smith's most notable recent achievement is the screen play for the much-publicized 'Viva Villa." McCarthy heads m.p.p.d.a. publicity department Will H. Hays, president of Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., announces that there has been created within his organization an advertising advisory council headed by J. J. McCarthy. During the past sixteen years Mr. McCarthy has handled advertising and publicity for many of the more important picture productions, including "Birth of a Nation," "Intolerance," "Way Down East," "The Covered Wagon," "Ten Commandments," "The Big Parade," "Ben Hur" and many others. The purpose of this department is to render service and advice in connection with motion picture advertising and exploitation to the point of eliminating the objectionable features in all types of motion picture advertising. A number of meetings have already been held between the heads of the advertising departments of the major motion picture companies and the advertising advisory council, at which an effective and practical procedure has been worked out. Mr. McCarthy will have as assistant in his work, Lester Thompson, who has had a vast experience in motion picture exploitation and publicity. CHURCHES OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST "God the Only Cause and Creator" was the subject of the Lesson-Sermon on Sunday in all branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., The Golden Text presented the words of God as revealed to Isaiah: "I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King." The Lesson-Sermon included these verses from Genesis: "And God said. Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." It included also the verse from Deuteronomy, "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." A correlative passage from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, stated, "The starting-point of divine Science is that God, Spirit, is All-in-all, and that there is no other might nor Mind, — that God is Love, and therefore He is divine Principle." SHOPPING EARLY King Vidor believes in doing his Christmas shopping early, tree and took it home today, and it measures ten feet in height. He bought his The Best Show in Hollywood Is at Club Montmartre 6757 Hollywood Blvd. GR-3128 Sunday Night — Guest Star Night Three Shows Nightly with FRANK SHAW, M. C. BOB McGOWAN Orchestra Be Sure to Visit the FAMOUS RITZ ROOM AL BOASBERG TO DIRECT AT M-G-M Al Boasberg, screen writer and Hollywood "wisecracker," is to again tackle direction. He was signed to direct a two-reel musical subject, "Reformania," to be filmed in Technicolor by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The writerdirector has contributed "gags" to many pictures and recently completed several subjects for the Foy studios. A novel idea is being prepared for the new musical subject to be produced by Harry Rapf with Sam Berowitz supervising. 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