The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1933)

Page Two l^il?>©[aT[ FRANK POPE Managing Editor Published and copyrighted by THE WILKERSON DAILY CORP.. Ltd, Executive-Editorial Offices and Office of Publication. 6717 Sunset Boulevard. Hollywood. (Los Angeles*. California Telephone Hollywood 3957 New York Office: Abraham Bernstein, Mgr.; 229 W. 42nd St. Wisconsin 7-7193; Chicago, 6 N. Michigan Ave,; London, 41 A Carlisle Mansions; Paris. 122 Blvd. Murat; Berlin. 83-84 Mauerstrasse; Buenos Aires. San Martin 501; Sydney. 198 Pitt St. Published every day with the exception 6f Sundays and Holidays. Subscription rates,' including postage, per year in the United States and Canada. $20, Foreign, $25. Single copies, lOc, Entered as second class matter June 4. 1932, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, under the act of March 3. 1879. The heat is being turned on in the home of a big picture exec and his tres fed-up wife. She hasn't walked out yet — but the only thing that is holding her up along with the divorce proceedings is the "little" matter of a huge settlement. The wife's terms call for practically everything and would leave the husband with only a few pennies to make a fresh start — or something. To add to the exec's troubles, he is fully aware of the fact that he is not exactly sitting pretty at the big movie factory where he is employed. The opening date for Sardi's (Eddie Brandstatter's new $50,000 restaurant) at Hollywood and Vine, is definitely set now for January 19. Eddie, w.ho has earned the affection of all the picture .folk, has had plenty of troubles — but let's hope they're all over now, Frank Bolano, formerly chef at the Victor Hugo, will have charge of the kitchen, and Alex (you now Alex) will head-waiter it. Brandstatter has imported a pastry chef from Vienna — and, of course, Eddie has his beer application signed, sealed and delivered. Eddie says he will have eight pretty girls at the fountain — but, so far, we have no description of the waiters in the dining room, but are hoping for the best. j^ Irene Thirer. motion picture critic oT the New York Daily News, will probably be more careful of the way she distributes her stars after what the publicity men did to her estimate of that double bill of "Penguin Pool Murder" and "Little Orphan Annie" at the Mayfair. The lady evidently bunched the two pictures and collectively, gave them four and a half stars. iTjt a large sign in front of the theatre olazoned the heading, "The first time in history, the News gives four and a half stars to a show." "ANIMAL KINGDOM" Radio prod.; director, E. H. Griffith; writers. Philip Barry, Horace Jackson. RKO-Roxv Theatre American: Crackling, crisp, bright, brisk and brittle. A distinguished picture in a distinguished setting. Times: It is a picture in which the playwright's ideas have been adhered to faithfully. It has the subtlety and restraint of the stage work, and the settings are always in good taste. Herald-Tribune: The cinema edition is a faithful photograph of the original play which, despite the customary pruning of the dialogue, should please those who found the Barry work a modern masterpiece of wit and wisdom. Sun: I suspect, indeed, that "The Animal Kingdom," despite a few superficial trimmings, may even be among the American classics for some time to come. World-Telegram: Thanks to the skilful playing of its cast and, in particular, to the excellent work of Mr. Howard, it is saved from becoming tiresome and dull, and emerges on the whole as a reasonably diverting, although by no means an exceptional piece of screen entertainment. News: The movie was directed by Edward H. Griffith, who cast it with care and handled it with delicate skill all the way through. Settings and photography are 1 00 per cent perfect. Mirror: Graciously played by Miss Harding and Leslie Howard, intelligently directed by E. H, Griffith, it is adult and urbane. Posf: It is a well-acted picture and there are times when Myrna Loy's cautiously malignant portrait of the wife comes near to rising on top of the rest. loumal: Following the play very closely, the picture is smoothly developed and has the the advantage of splendid performances. "SON DAUGHTER' MCM prod. ; director. Clarence Brown ; writers, David Belasco, George Scarborough, lohn Goodrich. Cl^udine West, Leon Gordon. Capitol Theatre American: Thoroughly appealing, exquisitely wrought entertainment. Herald-Tribune: Miss Hayes manages to steer her way through the pitfalls of the part so brilliantly that, even though the part is tricky and artificial, she is always touching and honest and entirely believab'e. She even makes "Son Daughter" seem an interesting romantic tragedy. Sun: Not even the magic of Miss Hayes" acting, it is painful to report, can overcome the handicaps encountered — stock situations, not for a moment believable, wholly artificial dialogue, and a clumsy heavy plot, lacking the element of suspense. News: "Son Daughter" was directed with an eye to exquisite backgrounds, tender love scenes and delightfully quaint dialogue. The film is heavy — tragic in theme — but it has its light moments which are a joy to see and hear. Mirror: "Son Daughter" is beautifully staged and briskly directed. It is an unusual picture, distinguished by the presence of a most interesting cast. Post: It is a heavy-handed and cumbersome melodrama, richly costumed and photographed, but it does not succeed in arousing any plot interest. Without Miss Hayes, it would be blatantly clap-trap. journal: Handsomely mounted and given a splendid supporting cast. "SonDaughter" relates entertainingly the Oriental drama that was presented on the stage by David Belasco. "NO MAN OF HER OWN" Paramount prod.; director, Wesley Ruggles; writers. Edmund Goulding, Benjamin Clazer. Maurine Watkrns. Milton Cropper. New York and Brooklyn Paramounts American: Here's a Hollywood holiday for the fans to cheer about. A triumph for Miss Lombard. Mr, Gable and Director Ruggles. Times: Miss Lombard and Mr. Gable keep a rather usual sort of melodrama hustling along at a lively clip and sustain a pleasing illusion of handsome romantics and dashing humor. Herald-Tribune: The latter half of the picture makes it not a masterpiece by any means, but marks it as a picture a bit off the beaten track and with an idea behind it. Sun: Under the skilful hands of Maurine Watkrns and Milton Cropper, it comes out full of good '^Lilogue and , asant siirr''"'^es. News: A snappy, always enterta 'i' jrogram picture, mixing small-town placidity with big city swindii -i^. Post: The picture I^ight and 3fru-;ir., and both Mr. Gable and Miss Lombard make the mos[ "^T their rr'cs lournal: In its prese'it form i* r verting little piece and there are some amusing touche-^ Ian. 4. 193$ Jack Pickford Dies In Paris Hospital jack Pickford died yesterday at the American Hospital at Neuilly. outside of Paris. He was thirty-six. Dr. Edmund L. Gros, attending physician, attributed death to "multiple neuritis, finally affecting the brain center." Although his critical condition was known, his passing came as a shock yesterday to Mary Pickford, and production on "Secrets" at United Artists was called off for the day. Funeral arrangements are awaiting word from Miss Pickford. 'Water Front' Delayed The starting date of "I Cover Tha Water Front," the Edward Small picture which United Artists is releasing, has been postponed another weoV as the story Is not yet in shape nor has the cast been set. Sackheim Assigned jerry Sackheim has been assignrd to do the continuity on "Maiden Voyage." the original feature lengtn musical yarn by Ben Holmes and Mark Sandrich, with the latter directing. Lou Brock is producing for Radio. Brock After Pallette Lou Brock wants Eugene Pallette for his next short, as yet untitled. The deal depends on whether or not Pallette finishes at MCM in "Pigboats" next week. Ray McCarey will direct. Kober On 'Refuge* Arthur Kober has been assigned t** write the dialogue for Heather Angel's first starring vehicle, "The House of Refuge." with Alexander Kirkland, for Fox. Alfred Santell will direct. Holman At Paramount Harry Holman is the latest cast ad dition to "The Woman Accused" a Paramount. Tradeviews (Continued from page 1 ) told many people of late that she dit.' not like America, its people or thei customs. She will, no doubt, be abk to do all the work she chooses to ac cept on the other side, but her pay a the end of the week will hardly meas ure up to what Paramount has bee? paying her each week, • And inasmuch as Miss Dietriclchooses to act the way she does witf the company she has been identifiec with, and continues to break socia customs here in the matter of het dress, appearing at parties in a tuxedo suit, on the boulevard in full mannish attire, it's our guess that Paramount and the entire industry will not be the loser if she does return to Germany and stays there. "1 NOTICE TO THE TRADE: Nat Bregstein does not represent Harrison's Reports. P. S. HARRISON, , I . , i