Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Oct 1934)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH By VIVIAN DENTON 'The Vidor Outlook" Today, King Vidor is just as optimistic as he was many years ago when he borrowed a small moving picture camera from his friend, a chauffeur in Houston, Texas, to take pictures of 11,000 troops who were ordered from Houston to Galveston to embark from Vera Cruz, that marked the beginning of his career in motion pictures. In an interview granted this writer on the United Artists lot, Mr. Vidor stated that his first picture under his own banner would be "Our Daily Bread." This will launch him as an independent producer releasing through U. A. "I feel," he said, "that big business methods are all that handcuffs pictures right now. Producers working for the major studios have much to contend with. And furthermore, he added: "I'm out to break away from the eternal cycles, the copying of style standardization." In the past it has been the King Vidor Productions, sponsored by a contractual company — today it is "King Vidor Productions," sponsored by King Vidor. The day has come, the spell of the cycle has broken, and King Vidor steps out alone, unafraid and unhampered by big business methods. He is courageous and his optimism stands out like a bright star, shining through the darkest night. If Mr. Vidor can keep his promise and supply the exhibitors with welldirected, original and interesting pictures, he will no doubt find a responsive public, for we are sorely in need of something new and somewhat different, as the appetites of Mr. and Mrs. Public have become jaded. Perhaps Mr. Vidor is the answer to the movie-lover's prayer, and a new era in production is in the making. "Dictaphoney" ., Not so many moons ago, a European scout for a major studio bought a story in London for a new star sensation here. The story was typically English and most of the dialogue was Cockney and its comedy value was lost because of the failure of the story editor to translate it into "Americanese." The buyer was nonplussed — he felt he had something! So he sent for a lassie whom he knew was familiar with Cockney "slanguage" and asked her if she would read the script and translate the whole thing as she read, so his bosses could get the drift. He promised in return that she should work on the screen adaptation later. She agreed, and so one afternoon she hied herself over to the studio in question and settled herself down for the reading. Silence reigned supreme while the girl read the aforementioned script slowly .and carefully, translating as she read. At the finish she was thanked and taken over to the commissary for tea — she left the studio with promises of much work later. A few days pass, and the girl is having luncheon with a friend at a wellknown Vine Street restaurant. Much to her surprise she hears her name mentioned in the next booth — she paused to listen. To her horror, she learned from the ensuing conversation that she had been duped and that her entire reading and clever translation had been recorded "dictaphonetically" and all for profuse thanks, badly made tea and a lot of phoney promises. NOTE: The proofs of the above story are in my possession, and another recurrence of same will produce names. "Varied Impressions" Leon Gordon's earnestness . . . Mr. Wright-O's benign appearance . . . Harry Edington's puzzled look Wednesday A. M. . . . Mary Philbin's sad face . . . P.atsy Kelly's walk . . . Mark Lar kin's office, the busiest beehive in town . . . Jud Kline's songs at Club Flamingo . . . The dejected look on the faces of the crowd outside Paramount gates Wednesday P. M. . . . Ted Fio-Rito's music . . . Kathleen Burke's exotic beauty . . . Ronald Colman's courtesy . . . Olive Faye's dancing . . . Alan Daly's manliness in "Men in White" . . . Sardi's coffee . . . and last but not least, my own private impression of the Contest Rackets via Radio. Beauty Shop Opens Auldine Beauty Shop has opened its Beauty Shop in the Owl Drug Co., Taft Building, and will specialize in bleaching and hair tinting. The shop is in a very convenient location for Hollywood patrons. Reasonable prices and service prevail at Auldine Beauty Shop. Caesar's Where FINE FOOD and REFRESHMENTS are a SPECIALTY HARLEM COLORED SINGING WAITERS AND ENTERTAINERS 7051 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD Phone HOIIywood 9157 Tribute It is with heartfelt regret that thi* writer heart of the passing of Lilyan/ Tashman. Very few knew or understood Lilyan. She was one of the bestnatured souls in Filmland, and many of her generous gestures never reached) the pages of our local papers, or crept into columnist's corners. She preferred her charitable deeds to be kept a secret, but I know of several people just recently who owe their life and soul to Lilyan's kindness. To Edmund Lowe goes my deepest sympathy in the loss of his wife and only sweetheart, and we who loved Lilyan as a pal will all miss her. Lorette Hurley Makes Her Debut Before a carefully selected group of patrons and patronesses of the Drama, Miss Lorette Hurley, well known in the East, made her Western debut at the Hollywood Studio Club. She works along the lines of Ruth Draper, and was especially good in some of her lighter characterizations. "The Doctor's Secretary" and "Talking Pictures" were extremely well done and her opening number, "At the Post Office," was a typical familiar scene that evoked gales of laughter from the audience. Miss Hurley is piquant and charming, and her enunciation perfect; it was indeed a treat to listen to her English — each word stood out alone and could be heard in the farthest corner of the theatre. Those of us who saw and enjoyed Lorette predict a brilliant future for her. Viola Brothers Shore Makes Good In a dispatch received from New York today comes the goods news regarding Viola Brothers Shore's play, "New Faces," which opened in New York March 17th. It is the talk of the town, and according to all reports, a smash hit. Open Forum I will gladly welcome letters appertaining to comments on "The Motion Picture Situation, Today" — Your letters must not be directed at any one person, but to the "Industry" as a whole. Sign your own name and address, and state whether you want it published. If not, care will be taken to cover your identity. Anonymous missives will reach the waste basket. Remember this column is not "a hit and run," but is devoted solely to facts. Julia Ellsworth Ford is Back in Hollywood Hollywood once more harbors Julia Ellsworth Ford, famous authoress and lover of children of stage and screen. When last here she staged her own children's play, "Snickerty Nick," with some of the best known cinema kiddies. One of her favorites, Shirley Jean Rickert, learned that Miss Ford w.as in the city when she received a birthday gift of a book, "Imagina," nicely autographed by the great writer, who is soon to entertain many of her followers with some of her plays and some interesting readings. Sam Briskin Puts Over a Great Show for Temple Israel at Pantages Theatre Sam Briskin, Columbia Studios executive, staged what was the best show and most profitable benefit that Temple Israel has so far enjoyed, when Saturday night he had Will Rogers, Fred Stone, Grace Moore, Ted Lewis, Ben Bernie, Dick Powell, Blossom Seeley, Benny Fields and many others take part in the show to the extent that every one voted it the best ever put on at the Pantages Theatre. Eddie Buzzell acted as M. C. and was relieved by Jack Oakie and Dick Powell. Jack Warren Heads Nineties Show as M. C. Jack Warren heads the Nineties show as M. C. and furnishes the music. This place is being operated by Jack Thompson, who has put it over the top. The singing waiters and about six acts made up of variety artists and the girl revue comes in for its share of attention of night spot lovers. FAMOUS 50c LUNCHEON 75c and $1.15 I Franco-Italian and American Dinners. Aftertheatre suppers | tt^ OXtord 1161 flMRClfeCOTIJg i J» WILSHIRE BLVD. AT REEVES DR. MILO MARCHETTI greeting new and old friends. OPEN 11 A.M. TO 10 ».M. | FRIDAY and SAT. 1 1 a.m. to 2 a m. Free Parking.