Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH Hal Roach Plans Extensive Campaign Silent Versions of 20 of Next Year's Releases Are Scheduled Hal Roach will make silent versions of twenty of the thirtytwo all-talking comedies he has scheduled for next year's production. Because of the demand of the foreign distributors and of small-town exhibitors for the Roach-M.-G.-M. comedies, Mr. Roach has changed his decision to make no silent pictures. The soundless two reelers will be re-cut versions of the original talkies. Each of his four production units, Laurel and Hardy, Harry Langdon, Charley Chase and Our Gang, will make eight talkfilms. In addition, the studio will release synchronized versions of four recently completed silent comedies, Laurel and Hardy's "Bacon Grabbers" and "Angora Love." and Our Gang's "Saturday's Lesson" and "Cat, Dog and Co." Production Cost Heavy The Roach studio estimates a production cost one and a half million dollars for the coming year's program. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars is the scheduled expenditure for improvements and additions to the sound stages and equipment. Each of the four production units will have made five alltalking pictures when the present fiscal year ends on July 27. The studio started production of sound pictures on March 25, Laurel and Hardy's "Unaccustomed As We Are " being the first talkie. i i 1 2000th Sound System Has Been Installed LONDON, July 2.— Installation of the two thousandth Western Electric sound system to go into theatres of the world has been completed in the Princess Cinema, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. While the installation was completed around the middle of May, publication of the fact was withheld pending the arrival of photographs of the theatre. i 1 1 Paramount Leaders Lauded in Talks The Hon. George Akerson, secretary to President Hoover, and Mayor James J. Walker of New York City, praised the leaders of the Paramount organization at the banquet which closed the convention of that organization at Atlantic City. Adolf Zukor, Jesse J. Lasky, Sidney R. Kent and Emanuel Cohen were the subjects of laudatory speeches, following addresses by Adolf Zukor and others. 'THE BIG FOUR1 OF THE 'RECORD-BREAKERS' SERIES Reading from left to right: Al Heman, director; Al Cooke, Alberta Vaughn and Larry Darmour, producer. Darmour Productions are turning out a series of t=wo-reelers based on the stories of H. C. Witixier. They will be released by R-K-O. YankFrench Clash Comes to Head The American-French clash over film distribution and quota differences came to a head during the week, judging from dispatches announcing that American representatives of leading film companies have resigned from the French Cinema Syndicate, the organization representing the French film industry. The abrupt termination of relationship was due to the fact that the French government had not answered a note from the United States on March 30 protesting against the increased quota of French films to be taken in exchange for American films. American representatives declared that it seemed that unless American interests would subsidize French films, they would be forced to abandon France as a distribution field. Resignations included representatives of Paramount, Fox, Warner Brothers, United Artists, Radio-KeithOrpheum, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. i i -f Albert Roccardi is to play the Foreign Minister in "The Love Parade," starring Maurice Chevalier and directed by Ernst Lubitsch at the Paramount studios. ASCERTAIN NEED OF NEW "TAKE" DEVICE Academy Sends Questionnaire to All Cameramen, Film Editors and Technicians The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is sending a questionnaire to all camera men, film editors and technicians with regard to the necessity for an automatic "take" device. The questionnaire is the result of inquiry on the part of the Bell and Howell Company, who have been experimenting with the device, and wish to know more definitely the requirements of the industry before going to further time and expense in perfecting it. The Academy will tabulate replies given in answer to the questionnaire, which submits the proposed function of the instrument for consideration. The numbering device would: 1. Automatically print a number on the side of the perforations of the negative while it is being taken, like key numbers are printed now. 2. It would require no extensive changes in the camera. 3. It would replace the system of photographing a slate after each scene by registering (photographing) the desired indications on the margin of the film outside the perforations, throughout the length of the film, at the same interval. 4. It could incorporate a footage marking which could be made to change at every foot and help in matching negatives and prints, the number of key markings being practically unlimited. Eddie Gives Short Course in Motoring Eddie Quillan, popular Pathe comedian, submits the following list of questions and answers which should make the navigation of Hollywood boulevard a simple matter: 1. Question: When two cars meet at an intersection, which one has the right of way? Answer: The bigger vehicle. 2. Q.: When a woman signals for a left turn, what should the driver in back of her do? A.: Stop, shift into reverse and back up slowly until the car in front has left the highway. 3. Q.: What is the correct way to signal for a right turn? A.: Extend left arm out of left side of car, bend said limb at the elbow in a slow, graceful movement until it reaches a 45 degree angle, clinch the fist but leave the forefinger outstretched and pointing upward, inhale deeply and mumble a prayer that the driver in back is not crosseyed. 4. Q.: When nearing a rail road crossing while a train is approaching, what to do? A.: For the Pessimist: Stop your car about a block from the crossing and shut off the motor. For the Optimist: Step on the gas and try to beat the train. For the Indifferent: Light a Murad and hope it isn't a tie. 5. Q.: What shouldn't you say when a motorcycle-cop stops you for speeding? A.: If you are a woman — "Sure, I was going sixty and if I hadn't hit a lot of traffic, you never would have caught me." If you're a man — "Here, my good man, have a cigar. Aren't you mistaken about my speed, officer?" After over one hundred scripts were turned down for Paul Whiteman, who is to star in "The King of Jazz" at Universal City, the story by Frank Dazey was O. K'd by the powers that be, and from now on it will be a matter of casting the picture and starting the cameras a grinding. ■f i i Harriett Hixon and Rose Lehman have worked together on the following sets as make-up artists and hair dressers. "Burlesque," "Hollywood Revue," "Broadway Melody," "The Great Gabbo" and "Rio Rita," the last named they are working on right now.