Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

10 July 20, 1929 Plan Formation Foreign Talkie Combine $300,000,000 Co. Scheme to Break American Monopoly in Europe LONDON, July 18.— Negotiations are almost completed today for formation of a huge European talkie combine to break the American monopoly in Europe. This powerful new alliance, representing a capital of more than $300,000,000, is between British Talking Pictures, Ltd., and the German Klangfilm-Tobis group of Berlin and Amusterdam, which controls the largest electrical concerns in Europe. It marks the greatest step ever taken to put Europe on its feet in the film world. Details of the merger were revealed by Lawrence Termes, pioneer of photo-telegraphy in England, and the London representatives of Klangfilms. Hermes said: "We have been working on this combine since last February, and now it is only a matter of days before the final contracts will be signed. Its main purpose is the establishment of a united European front against the domination of American talkie interests. "The breakdown of the United States ban on British Talking Pictures equipment, which is the only European talkie apparatus that has been allowed free interchangeability by American producers, has hastened the conclusion of the deal. "Under the agreement the English and German companies will pool their sound-film activities and patents. We shall have our own distributing company and intend to flood the United States with our productions." This is the second attempt by European film interests to form a combine to break the monopoly held by the American film industry over the European market. The first, in spite of a $25,000,000 backing, failed. Financed by British interests, it was intended to be the biggest movie combine in the world and was to include German, French, British and Canadian companies. At the time it was being planned, however, the talkies had not arrived. The talkie invasion and its subsequent boom came just about the time the final negotiations were being concluded. The directors of the various companies forming the merger are still arguing whether to go all-talkie or continue with the proposed silent productions. What success the new combine will have in stemming the flow of American pictures remains to be seen, though in film circles here it is believed that Hollywood will remain supreme for many years to come. ■f 1 1 M. H. HOFFMAN RETURNS TO L. A. M. H. Hoffman, formerly associated with John M. Stahl in running the Tiffany-Stahl studios, has returned to Los Angeles after a trip to New York, and will bave an announcement soon to make aanctit a new affiliation. C<oll®®in M<o©:r<e's LIS® Story Born in Port Huron, Michigan, as Kathleen Morrison, the future Colleen Moore began life with a heritage of Irish and Scotch qualities. Her mother's side of the family is pure Celtic, while her paternal forebears were from the lowlands of Scotland. Throughout her childhood Colleen Moore insisted that she would some day become a great actress, and her determination never faltered. She played "show" during her early childhood and appeared in amateur theatricals during her convent days in Tampa, Florida. Before she knew it, she was an ardent movie fan. The screen idols of the time, Marguerite Clark and Grace Cunard, -were placed prominently on her list of immortals. Colleen kept a scrap-book of the pictures of her favorites, and exhibited faith in herself by leaving a page blank for her own picture — to be inserted when the day should come when she would attain stardom! During her school days, Colleen spent many Colleen Moore hours in serious study of the piano. She was a talented pupil, and upon leaving Tampa was enrolled in the Detroit Conservatory of Music, her parents planning to equip her for the concert stage. She liked music and studied diligently, but there was never a thought in her mind of anything but a motion picture career. Circumstances gave her the opportunity to meet D. W. Griffith during a visit to Chicago. The famous director looked at the eager young person and gave her a six-month contract as a member of his stock company in Hollywood. So, despite her lack of experience, Colleen arrived in the Celluloid Capital as an actress. Her mother and grandmother accompanied her and remained during her screen work. (Continued on Page 16.) Dont Be Alarmed Folks!~'It Hasn't Happened Yet Left to right — Millard Webb, director of "Glorifying the American Girl" (Paramount); Mary Nolan star, and Jack Dempsey guest on the set at Long Island City. During the filming of the picture, Millard Webb fell in love with Miss Eaton and no<w they are soon to ived in Hollywood. LeBaron's Stage Success Complete Talker Now William Le Baron's noted stage success "The Very Idea" became a completed Radio talking picture this week. Frank Craven, who did the stage direction and played a leading role, and Richard Rosson, pictorial director, finished camera work and recording exactly on schedule, although it was the first time either of them had made a talking. "The Very Idea" won signal success as a stage offering, having been produced in almost every country in the world. In transferring it to the screen via Photophone Craven and Rosson followed the stage version exclusively except that some of the dialogue was boiled down. The theme is a humorous application of the eugenic theory and provides a comedy of errors. Besides Craven the cast includes Hugh Trevor, Sally Blane, Allen Kearns, Olive Tell, Theodore Von Eltz, Doris Eaton, Janne de Bard and Adele Watson. 111 McCarey Says Local Previews Valuable The contemuplated abolishing of previews of pictures before local audiences is a gross mistake which ultimately will be reflected in critics' reviews. This opinion expressed by Leo McCarey, director under contract to the Pathe organization, was made recently in answer to the published announcement of a prominent producer that no purpose was being served by preview showing of talking pictures. McCarey's defense of previews is prompted, it is reported, by the reaction of an audience last week who passed judgment on his recently completed feature all-talkie picture for Pathe, "The Sophomore." An important situation in the production that engendered much pro and con discussion at the studio was definitely settled by the audience's manifestation at the preview. Since much of the previous and subsequent action hinged on this feature, McCarey was able to insert some business which had been taken out; previewed the picture again and saw a more enlightened and favorable reaction on the part of the audience. "Because we pass judgment on a finished production doesn't mean that the audience is going to accept it for good entertainment. And only through previews can we determine to a great extent whether it will register after its release,'' declared McCarey. 111 "Four Feathers" opens on July 24 at the United Artists Theatre. 111 Vivienne Segal, who created the feminine role in "The Desert Song" stage production is to play in "Golden Dawn" which Ray Enright will direct.