Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

Toddling Along With the Infant By OLIVER UNDERWOOD It took an accident to maRe the industry really appreciate what a really big man William Fox is — and with what importance he is regarded by the country at large. The jolt he received when his automobile turned over vibrated through the ^whole country. When the shock hit the financial arteries of the country, for a moment they stopped flowing. Prices on the stock exchange in New York which had been steady, staggered and then started to fall. Fortunately news came through that the injuries were not serious and business recovered and started upward. All day Friday the financial tickers of the country carried hourly bulletins as to. his recovery, and when it was announced that he was well enough to talk business with associates the stock market went on a jamboree that created several new records even in a period where records are continually being established. It is refreshing to get this opinion from the business minds of the country as to where the financial value, of the Fox company really lies. The theatres, the producing company, the sales organization, are all enhanced because William Fox is looking after them. That is the judgment that was given. The financial brains of the country showed through their actions that in their opinion none of the Fox properties were worth as much without the genius who assembled them to run them. William Fox has kept much in the background as far as the ordinary activities of his companies are concerned. Outsiders have been inclined to give major credit for achievements to other individuals. That the man himself is not under-rated by his own organization. Jimmy Grainger heads a sales organization that is second to none, but he knew the source of the inspiration which has caused his men to accomplish miracles in sessing seasons. His first action when he learned that his chief had not been seriously hurt was to send telegrams to the Fox organizations everywhere containing the good news. He knew that all of them felt the same as he did himself — that they were able to do big things because they were working for a big man. And that the welfare of the chief was an acute anxiety to every worthwhile person in the Fox employ everywhere. William Fox hasn't the conceit that will make him think the tribute was deserved. It is a wonderful thing that the country at large and his own organization has this conceit for him. (■?■ t&* <&* It is curious how much expert help a man who doesn't need any can get. Take Sylvester Poli. When he was plugging along building up his theatre chain he got very little help. Then he sold out and retired to spend the $25,000,000. Now look at the help he is getting in spending the money. Hjs daughter gives him a titled sonin-law and three men sue him for $1,300,000 all in the same week. With exhibitors and Warner Bros, reported as withdrawing from arbitration maybe the Film Boards of NEW YORK july 27, i92» SECTION HOLLYWOOD ilmograph NEW YORK OFFICE— 236 WEST 44TH STREET— ROOM 903— PHONE PEN. 0633 : P-F-L CORPORATION SHOWS BIG PROFIT Trade can get some new customers by getting in touch with American Sound Recording Corporation and Adolphe Menjou. Menjou sails from New York loudly complaining he hasn't a job. American Sound announces they have given him one. Menjou arrives in France and loudly complains that he hasn't a job. To the one who settles the argument we offer the Jack Noble Peace Prize, Jack Noble being the director who will direct Menjou, if Menjou discovers he has a job with American Sound. <<?* t?* t£*i Jim Thornton, the vaudevillian, has loaned Howard Dietz of M-G-M for personal use only with full rights to an act in connection with "The Little Show," of which Howard wrote a considerable portion. The act consists of walking to the front of the stage and bending the body forward from the waist and smiling. Thornton originated the act some years ago, and in theatre parlance it is known "as taking a bow." i 1 i Charles Pincus, veteran theatre manager of Portland, Ore., is new division manager of the A. H. Blank chain of theatres, with headquarters in Omaha. Belasco Play to Open August 5th NEW YORK, July 25.— In one or another house out of town, the August dramas, harbingers of a new season in the theater, will get under way within the next few lays. This far ahead it seems that the honor task; or whatever you want to call it, of opening the new season on Broadway will fall upon David Belasco. But it is just possible that the busy Shuberts, who are turning out shows as fast as they can be listed, will bring "The Idol," the William Farnum starring play, to town first. "The Idol," which Martin Brown wrote, is on view at Werba's Jamaica Theater this week, and will will come to the Manhattan. But it may go elsewhere first. It is fairly certain, however, that Belasco's "It's a Wise Child" will make its Broadway bow during the week of August 5. In fact, the opening has been set for Tuesday evening, August 6. i i i A. R.' McNichol, pioneer Canadian motion picture exhibitor of Winnipeg, has donated his second million dollars to charities. Erlanger and Tyler, Famous Producers, Now Partners NEW YORK, July 26.— (Special.)— A. L. Erlanger and George C. Tyler, two of the best known theatrical producers in the world, have announced a producing partnership effective immediately, with main offices of the firm in New York City. The two men have been associated before in the production of individual plays, but it is the intention of the new firm to go into producing as extensively, perhaps, as did Klaw & Erlanger, the previous firm with which Mr. Erlanger was associated. Six plays are announced for immediate production by the new firm in an announcement that characterizes itself as a preliminary statement. The first states that many more are to follow. A new play for Mrs. Fiske, temporarily called "The Mixed Jury," heads the list. The play is by Fred Ballard, author of "Young America" and "Believe Me, Xantippe." It will be tried out in Baltimore and Atlantic City and will arrive at the Avon Theatre, in New York, on October 14. After her appearance in this play, Mrs. Fiske will go on tour in repertoire. "House Party," by Kenneth Philip Britten and Roy Hargrave, will open in New York at the Knickerbocker Theatre on September 25. The cast includes Mr. Hargrave, Anne Sutherland, Harriett McGibbon and Penelope Hubbard. Philip Dunning has written "Sweet Land of Liberty," which will arrive at the Liberty Theatre on October 7. "Your Uncle Dudley," starring Raymond Hitchcock, opens in Chicago early in September. The other plays on the preliminary list, in connection with which neither casts nor opening dates are announced, are "Travelyn's Ghost," a play by Dwight Taylor, son of Laurette Taylor, and "The Rose Bush of a Thousand Years," dramatized by Katherine Chisholm Cushing from the story of the same name by Mabel Wagnalls. H. B. Warner, who has been starring in talking pictures for Weiss Brothers at the De Forest Studios, will be starred in an early Fall production by the new firm, the title of which has not yet been announcde. Paramount Group Show Earnings of Over Two Million Dollars , NEW YORK. July 26— (Special) • — Paramount Famous Lasky. Corporation is doing a stupendous business this year. In a report just issued in New York the estimated profits of the corporation for April. Mayan d June were given as $2,550,-' 000. This is 58 per cent greater than the same three months in 1928, which up to that time had provided a record for the earning of the company for the spring months. For the half year ended on June 30 the profits are estimated at $5,112,000, which is 32 per cent ahead of the same six months in 1928. For shareholders these estimated earnings would supply a dividend of $1.14 a share. A year ago the earnings amounted to 78 cents a share, and two years ago for the similar three months the earnings were 76 cents a share. For the periods from December to June the earnings in 1929 are estimated at $2.30 a share, in 1928 they were $1.88 a share and in 1927, $1.87. Earnings for 1927 were far ahead of any year prior to that in the history of the company. i i i JACK PEPPER HURT Jack Pepper, formerly of the vaudeville team of Salt and Pepper, had his foot crushed in New York while trying to rescue a child playing on the street. The child, with its back turned, was nuaware of an approaching truck, which was moving slowly backward. Pepper, passing by, dashed underneath the truck and pulled the child to safety, but in so doing had his own foot run over. i i i MIDWEST CORP. FORMED Midwest Topeka Theatre Corporation, controlling sixteen theatres in Kansas and three in Missouri has been formed. L. M. Miller is head of the new company; G. L. Hooper, vice president; Maurice Jencks, secretary and E. C. Rhoden, treasurer. The chain operates the Grand, Jayhawk, Orpheum, Novelty. Gem, Best, Crystal and Isis theatres in Topeka, and also have houses in Kansas City, Winfield, Welling. Liberal, Newton, Dodge City, in Kansas and in Kansas City, Excelsior Springs and Kirks-. ville, in Missouri.