Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1933)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH II Pickups in and Around New York by Harry Ray PASSES AWAY Mark M. Dintenfass, pioneer motion picture distributor and one of the founders of Universal Pictures, passed away recently at his home in Grantwood, New Jersey. Funeral services will be held Sunday at Riverside Memorial Chapel, New York City. ENJOY INTERNATIONAL LUNCHEON Predicting a mutual raising of film standards through the "hands across the sea" policy on interchanging of stars recently inaugurated by GaumontBritish Picture Corporation and Fox Films, officials of the two firms held a get-together luncheon today at the Canadian Club. Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge (Mrs. Hulbert), Gaumont-British stars who are vacationing in New York, were guests of honor. Attending were: Arthur A. Lee, executive head of Gaumont-British Picture Corporation of America, Lowell V. Calvert, sales manager, N. L. Nathanson, head of the Famous Players Canadian circuit and Regal Films, which handles the GaumontBritish product, and the following Fox officials: W. C. Michel, C. C. McCarthy, Dan Michalove, Clayton Sheehan, N. L. Ahern, Irving Maas, Spyros Skouras, Joseph Pinkus, D. A. Doran and Robert Kane. * TIN EAR on BROADWAY * * By Mori Ruby * Sights at a glance, while holding the phone in the lobby of the St. Moritz hotel, here in the heart of N'York for swanky sleepers ... if I may call it that . . . calling to see if my partner for the evening set-to is almost ready to start out on another Personal Appearance Tours through the Gotham's Night Places ... off in the corner I spot Lyman's mousie . . . Goldstein, busy talking seven miles a minute and up to par, never giving the other fellow a chance to get a word in edgewise . . . nearby, Leonard and June Sillman the sister and brother team, late of "Low and Behold" ... a short nod, and they are off ... at the desk . . . Sam (Variety) Shain talking to some young Miss about something or other ... a thought about the ladies . . . gowns, furs, jew'els . . . like they were a dime a dozen . . . Hello, Vici . . . yes, you'll be down in a minute . . . okay, take your time, I'm having fun and getting material for something I hope might have some appeal to my readers ... I hang up the phone and brushing my shoulders right next to me is a familiar figure . . . what . . . can it be true . . . Bazel Maderia, whom I haven't seen in almost four years ... In half a minute I got the following . . . He's living at the hotel . . . doing very nicely . . . dressed as though he came from between the covers of 'Esquire' . . . Four years ago he left Hollywood and its Extra ranks Clyde Beatty Is Signed by Mascot for Their Great Animal Serial, "The Lost Continent" Nat Levine, president of Mascot Pictures Corporation, has contracted with Clyde Beatty and the Hagenback-Wallace Circus for the services of Mr. Beatty as well as the animals of the circus to appear in the next Mascot serial, "The Lost Continent." Mr. Levine made the announcement from Hollywood immediately upon his return by plane from Nashville, Tenn,. where he had gone to complete the final details of the deal. By the terms of this contract, the entire menagerie of the Hagenback-Wallace Circus will be available for the production of this gigantic serial, which will introduce authentic reproductions of every known variety of antedeluvian beasts, as well as lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, bears, pumas and every conceivable type of animal represented in the most comprehensive menagerie in the world. A showmanship innovation in the production and distribution of "The Lost Continent," will be the release of the first episode as a feature in seven reels, followed by the remaining eleven episodes in two reels each. The story of "The Lost Continent" is now being rounded into shape by Sherman Lowe, Wyndham Gittens and Albert Martin, and the serial will go into production immediately after the first of the year under the direction of Colbert Clark and David Howard. Clyde Beatty, who is in complete charge of the Hagenback-Wallace unit, is the only animal trainer in the world who has been able to put on an act where twenty lions and twenty tigers appear in the cage at one time. In "The Lost Continent" the script calls for a sequence of animal scenes in which approximately fifty animals — including not only lions and tigers, but leopards, bears and pumas also — will appear in one cage at the Clyde Beatty same time. to make his way to the Big City all due to a little gal who worked at the Christie hotel barber shop ... then to struggle for a while and happen to a successful marriage to a very Large Bundle ... to Honeymoon in Paris and do some high, wide and handsome traveling . . . The Hen that laid the Golden Eggs has flown the coop, but somehow Bazel gets along . . . With a hurried promise to ride with me this Sunday in Central Park ... he furnishing the horses ... he disappeared . . . To mention something of my Lady of the Evening . . . she has just closed after an unsuccessful 'rehearsal' of a show that would have offered to the public merriment and laughter, had not the Big Magoos run off with the Denwhile breaking in at Jackson Heights. The show carried the title of "Hot and Bothered" . . . Vici Carnot is the damsel and she has what it takes to make a great actress . . . Florence Reed saw her possibilities in "Shanghai Gesture" . . . She also has had numerous contracts for pictures in Hollywood . . . At last, from the crowded elevator she heads my way . . . only to be interrupted by some people she knew . . . I glance at my ticker and whoo, it's 8:15 and almost curtain time . . . Very coyly I step up, receive introductions of names that do not make any impression and we are soon wisked off in a new radio equipped taxi to the Alvin theater on West 52nd street . . . We are met at the door of the theater by my good friend, Norman C. Pincus, manager of the Alvin theater, who so graciously made it possible for us to see this show that has caused a sensation in the dramatic season of this year. Not because it being another Guild Play, but mainly Helen Hayes and her supporting cast . . . "Mary of Scotland" is the play, written by Maxwell Anderson and produced by the Theater Guild. Incidentally, I am fortunate in securing seats in the second row . .. this show is completely sold out for the next four weeks . . . from the critic page comes great praise . . . One little proof of its success showed that not a person came late and not a soul left their seats until the last bows were taken . . . My good advice to those who enjoy plays of this sort is to read this one. This season New York has certainly gone dramatic . . . During intermission, taking their short smoke in the lobby . . . Ralph Morgan of screen fame, chatting with other notables of Hollywood. The winter season fashion parade is on and were this column for describing women's apparel ... I could go on for days ... (if only people would dress in Hollywood as they do here . . . how beautiful it would be) . . . After the show we are hurried away by taxi to Paradise Cafe where Paul Whiteman holds forth with N. T. G's array of beautiful girls. The King of Jazz shows his worth and to praise the floor show again would be repeating myself as of three weeks ago. From there we head to the Embassy Club, and am reminded of one that carried the same name in Hollywood ... (but a little different atmosphere) . . . shot a quick glance at Polly Walters, late of Hollywood, talking to the famous Walter Winchell, who as usual was jotting down notes to make up his next column . . . After a few hours of real enjoyment among atmosphere that really is that of New York, I bid my escort a fond goodnight and tell her to be ready for tomorrow evening's orgie at the New Amsterdam theater where "Roberta" is playing. There stars Lyda Roberti, also late of Hollywood and whom you no doubt have seen. In this musical she really gets a chance to show people what she can do. The music was written by Jerome Kern and Max Gordon has somewhat of a musical hit. Bob Hope does the lead with Lyda and is supported by a very talented cast. From what I hear, this should go to make up another enjoyable evening of Good Ol' New York . . . Others on the list of musical shows to be reviewed are in order of available seats via Press Pass . . . "Let 'Em Eat Cake" . . . "Hold Your Horses" with Joe Cook and Frances Upton . . . "Champagne Sec" . . . and if I can wait long enough ... I will get to see the biggest hit that ever came to B'way . . . "As Thousands Cheer". From the line-up of dramatic shows I can name at least five that I am sure we will all see in picture form . . . and they will be good . . . Soooo with the faint strains of Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra . . . from the Cocoanut Grove at the Park Central hotel . . . (and not the Ambassador) ... I trip the light and fantastic ... off to bed ... In the big City . . . that's how pants and shoes are worn . . . out . . . ! MAJESTIC READY WITH FIVE PICTURES Majestic is all set to release five features in December. The first print of "The Sin of Nora Moran" with Zita Johann, Alan Dinehart, Paul Cavanagh and John Miljan prominently cast, arrived at the home office. Second on Majestic's December release schedule is the Constance Cummings starring vehicle, "The Charming Deceiver," which is booked to open at the Roxy theater on December 8th. The Thelma Todd-Stanley Lupino comedy, "You Made Me Love You," which is third on the list, is playing a pre-release date at the Fox San Francisco theater this week. "The Morning After," co-starring Sally Eilers and Ben Lyon, will be released late in December at the same time as the recently completed "Divorce Bed," which is now in the cutting room at the Coast.