Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 27 NEW YORK OFFICE NEW YORK 236 West 44th Street Talking It Over with Radie Harris There is a certain actor in town who is just about as popular as the roles he plays. The other day while was strolling through the Hoter Astor lobby, someone was overheard to remark, "Oh, look, there goes Blankety Blank!" "Yes," answered one of the local wisecrackers, "he's the guy that takes listerine for his haliotosis, but is unpopular anyway!" This is "Myrna Loy Week" on Broadway. The little red-haired, green-eyed charmer, who one hears is soon to marry Barry Norton, is appearing simultaneously in three Broadway houses. Over on 53rd Street at the Warner Theatre, she is sex-appealing in "The Desert Song." A few blocks further south at the Central, she is making box-office whoopee in "The Squall" for First National, and a block away at the Gaiety she is keeping the wolf away from Mr. Fox's door with "The Black Watch." For a further dissertation on Miss Loy's appeal, we refer you to Mr. Quinn Martin of the N. Y. Morning World. While all the papers were heralding Corinne Griffith's return from Europe this week. Corinne, accompanied by her husband, Walter Morosco, slipped into town a week ahead of schedule and was secretly registered at the Hotel St. Regis for several days before the news finally leaked out. When Corinne arrived here two months ago en route to Europe, it was just the day before "The Divine Lady" premiered at the Warner Theatre. Co-incidentally enough, she returned home just in time to see it open at the Mark Strand for the first time at popular prices. After a brief stop-over in New York, Corinne and her husband return to Burbank and the First National Studios where Beulah Livingston and the script of her first all-talking special, a William Hulbert play as yet untitled, are awaiting her. For anyone with an eye to business, we suggest the handkerchief concession in the lobby of the Sam Harris Theatre where "Madame X" is now holding forth. Talk about Alice and her pool of tears! This melodrama in which Ruth Chatterton is the woman who pays and pays, is causing so many sniffles and sobs among the paying patrons that M-GM is ceriously considering loaning Michael Curtiz from Warner Bros, to direct the flood scenes. So if you hear of another merger this week, you will know what prompted it! rels for himself these days at the lyricist and co-author of "The Little Show," the most outstanding theatrical hit on Broadway this spring. If you doubt the verity of this statement just try and get a ticket . . . no, nor from Howard, from the speculators! When "Four Devils" premiered at the Gaiety Theatre several months ago, Mary Duncan received equal billing with Janet Gaynor although Janet was an established star and it was Miss Duncan's first picture. When "Four Devils" opens at the Roxy next week for a limited run at popular prices, only Janet's name will be in electrics and publicized in the ads. Miss Duncan will not be played up at all . . . and for a VERY interesting reason. But that, like most interesting reasons, is not for publication. Boo-hoo! Among Those Present: Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Zukor, Mrs. Mildred Zukor Loew, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lasky, M a r i 1 y n n Miller, Mary Eaton, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx, Peggy Wood, Sam Harris, Betty Lawford, Monta Bell, Ivy Sawyer, Joseph Santley, Olive Shea, Walter Wanger, Justine Johnson, Alexander Woolcott, Theresa Helburn, Rouben Mamouliaa, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Case, Marie Gambrielli, Jean Limur, Robert Florey, E. G. Robinson, Bernice Mack and Mrs. Eddie Cantor at the world premiere of "The Cocoanuts" at the Rialto Theatre . . . Tiffany-Stahl entertaining the press in honor of Leo Carrillo . . . Jack Dempsey watching Estelle Taylor's performance in "East Is East" from a loge seat at the Capitol . . . Regina Crewe and Herb Cruikshank greeting friends over the luncheon table at Sardo's . . . Thomas Meighan, strolling down Broadway, unrecognized . . . your scribe, engrossed in a twelve-page letter from Lois Moron . . . thassal . . . until next week. Add Virginia Lee Corbin Virginia Lee Corbin has been added to the cast of "Footlights and Fools," Colleen Moore's next picture at First National. She has been recently featured in "Bare Knees" and "Head of the Family," both for Gotham. Lane Chandler, under contract to Paramount for the past two years, will free-lance following the completion of his present contract on July 6. Directing Juvenile Westerns Universal's series of juvenile westerns went into production with sevenyear-old Bobby Nelson as the star of the series. Jack Nelson, father of the boy, is directing this series of thirteen two-reelers, known as the "Pioneer Kid" series. And speaking of M-G-M reminds us of Howard Dietz, the major domo of the east coast publicity office. Howard, who it is rumored, put the "ME" in Metro, is gaining new lau Plans were announced this week for the erection of a de luxe house by Publix Theatres in Hollywood on the Paramount tract, where the old Lasky Studios were situated at Vine and Sunset Boulevard. Pickups on Broadway Millard Webb, now directing "Glorifying the American Girl" for Paramount at Long Island Studios, may sail for Europe shortly, before returning to Hollywood. i 1 i Bernard Levey, former newspaperman, is producing a play called "The Son of Lucrezia Borgia." It's his third this season. Cast includes Olga Olganova, Frances Dumas, and Mary Moore. » 1 1 i Another early production reported is "A Woman at the Bar," by Al Woods. Samuel Shipman and John Hymer wrote it. i i i The Shuberts have a play in rehearsal, "Stripped," with Lionel Atwill featured. They are also planning to open the musical version of "Street Scene" and an operatic production, "Cairo," this summer. i 1 i And Earl Carroll will start rehearsals shortly on his new revue, which was written by Eddie Cantor. i i i "Noah's Ark" will be pre-released as a road show by Warner Brothers on June 15. George Le Maire directed Harry Holman recently at the New York Pathe Studios in a talking short. ■$ <£ J* Weiss Brothers, coast producers who have a studio here ,are making another talking picture, with Robert Warwick starred. Edgar Lewis is directing. <■?* tO* 4^* Frank Mattison has arrived from Hollywood with two features that he directed. He may direct a picture in one of the local studios before returning to the coast. Meanwhile he is trying to arrange a release for the pictures that he has already made. Neal Hart, the former western star, is here with a picture that he made in Canada, and to which he is to add talking sequences in one of the New York studios. Kenneth Webb is to direct Fay Marbe, musical comedy actress, in her second talking picture for Sam Zierler of Excellent Pictures. City upon the sudden resignation of Robert E. Welch, former production head. Bert Lytell is still clicking along in "Brothers" at the 48th Street Theatre. & JS >£ Sterling Sherwin, composer of the Paramount-Christie theme song, "So Sweet," for "Divorce Made Easy," has placed the song with T. B. Harms, Inc. •„!* U* .jt Veloz and Yolanda, of "Pleasure Bound," have been engaged to dance at the St. Regis Roof until October. Chamberlain Brown's new musical "Right Off the Boat," will open in Philadelphia, June 3. It comes into. New York at the Vanderbilt Theatre, June 17, instead of June 3, as previously announced. ■J* ■£ Si Russell E Markert, dance director of "Hello Daddy," has been made a life member of the Dance Guild, an organization of famous dancers headed by Michio Ito. Markert has been an honorary member of the organization for some time. Mary Harrison, who sang the prima donna role in the southern company of "The Desert Song," is understudying Evelyn Herbert in "The New Moon." She took the place of Charlotte Lansing, who will be prima donna of the Chicago company. Sam Sax, president of Gotham Productions, is starting to cast his players for "Muldoon's Picnic," by Ollie Mack, a sequel to "McFadden's Flats," preparatory for early shooting in the East. Negotiations are being made with Charles Murray to play the title role. THE Doorway of Hospitality :>NTER the doorway of this popular hostelry and you feel at home. There's an atmosphere of cordial welcome which marks the difference between the Hollywood Plaza and ordinary hotels. Your room, too, has that added touch of distinction. Pictures on the wall, over' stuffed f i rure, a floor lamp and reading lamp tuese are but a few of the features that make you feel at home. Pig'n Whistle Dining Service insures the beat of food. Therefore, when you are next in Los Angeles be sure to investigate. THE HOLLYWOOD PLAZA HOTEL Vine Street at Hollywood Boulevard HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA