The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1933)

March 4. 1933 Pane Three strong;' ■§ ALL HEPBLItl^: -HIGH GEAR' GOOD PICTURE Shows What Indies Can Do If They Try Good Production, Cast and Direction "CHRISTOPHER STRONG' RKO-Radio Direction Dorothy Ar zner From novel by Gilbert Frankau Screen play Zoe Akins Photography Bert Glennon Cast: Katharine Hepburn. Colin Clive, Billie Burke. Ralph Forbes. Helen Chandler, Irene Browne. The Radio production of "Christopher Strong" will act as a stepping stone to higher stardom for Katharine Hepburn As a picture, it is solely interesting because of her acting and some exceedingly fine direction by Dorothy Arzner. When Hepburn is off the screen, the proceedings become rather dull, not because of anything particularly, except that you miss that gal and find yourself wondering what she is going to do on her next appearance and how she will be dressed for it. Katharine Hepburn, so far as this reviewer's opinion runs, is the next big star of pictures. She is distinctive in that no other person on the screen is like her. She photographs good and bad. At times she looks beautiful, at other times she is hideous, but always an artist, and what an artist! There was little doubt of Hepburn's popularity after "Bill of Divorcement." You could sense that at last night's preview. Accordingly. "Christopher Strong" should make money for exhibitors and return a profit to Radio. It is a story of a man married more than five years and still in love with his wife, and a girl, past 21. who has never had an affair with a man. They meet, fall in love with each other and then break all the precepts that gave them sufficient interest to be introduced to the story. What happens after they meet and how the affair ends consumes eight or nine reels of pictures. Dorothy Arzner has done a wonderful )ob with the direction. One of the most beautiful love scenes we have ever seen m pictures is in this production and to the credit of Miss Arzner. Colin Clive. as Christopher Strong, was excellent Billie Burke as his wife gave an impressive performance, as did Helen Chandler. Our advice to you, Mr. Exhibitor, is to make "Christopher Strong" incidental and go out for your business exploiting Katharine Hepburn. You can't miss, even though, after you have counted your receipts, you have little to count. But you may find out that you have assisted in building a new personality; and certainly the next time you play her you will cash and cash in strong. 'Octopus* Col. Title Columbia has set "Octopus" as release title for "Beneath The Sea." which was recently completed by Al Rogell with Fay Wray and Ralph Belamy featured. Grainger Tours To Learn Conditions New York. — To learn at first hand the actual conditions existing in the picture business all over the country, James R. Grainger is leaving on a tour which will take him into scores of exchanges and into contact with many exhibitors. Barrymore Signed .With MOM and Radio y^john Barry more has signed contracts with Radio and MCM to star m two productions during the coming year for the former and three for the latter His appearances in the five pictures between the two companies will be dovetailed in through cooperation of the producers. Warners Shut Down For '42nd Street' Opening Warners have decided to abandon production activities entirely Wednesday night to allow all the stars and personnel to attend the premiere of "Forty-Second Street"at Warners Hollywood theatre. From all indications this will be one of the biggest openings in the history of the business. New Castings For Two Rogers Productions Latest additions to the cast of Charles R. Rogers' "I Love That Man" include Grant Mitchell, Esther Muir, Lee Kohlmar. Belle Mitchell, Leon Holmes and Luis Alberni. Harry Joe Brown is directing. New members of "Beer Baron." second Rogers production nowshooting at Paramount, include ). P. McCowan, Bradley Page, Oscar Apfel. Gene Morgan, Richard Cramer and Dewey Robinson. George Frank North George Frank and Austin Sherman leave for Sacramento this morning to sponsor the AMA amendment to the Employment Agency Act MacLean's First Set Douglas MacLean's first picture at Paramount as an associate producer will be "Mamma Loves Papa," a comedy drama. Boland Due March 27 Mary Boland reports to Paramount studios March 27 for her next picture. "Don't Call Me Madame," She is touring the East in a stage ptay. Rita Kaufman East Rita Kaufman, head of the Fox studio fashion department, will leave for New York within the next week on a fashion scouting trip of six weeks. McCrath On Holt Yarn Williarn McCrath has been signed by Cofumbia to write an original story for jack Holt. HIGH GEAR" Goldsmil-h Direction Leigh jason Story and screen play : Leigh Jason, Rex Taylor, Charles Saxton. Photography Edward Kull Cast : lames Murray, ]oan Marsh. Jackie Searl, Eddie Lambert, Ann Brody. Theodor von Eltz. Lee Mor an, Mike Donlin. Gordon De Mam, Douglas Haig. Wesley Giraud. It IS surprising what an independent producer can do when he really determines to make a good picture or bust. Here is a picture, "High Gear," produced by Ken Goldsmith and as trim and neat an independent picture as could be asked by any man-jack in the business. To see it is to remove in part, if not entirely, the slur that has connoted the term "independent." It IS an excellent sample of what entertainment is and should be. Every independent producer m the industry should see this picture to find the answer to why independent product must be judged by the same set of standards laid down for major product, despite the divergence of budgets. "High Gear" will match any ma)or studio production, barring specials naturally. Its formula is as old as them thar hills. Yet, Its presentation on the screen, its "treatment," technically speaking, is as fresh as a baker's bun hot out of the oven. An automobile racing champ loses his nerve in a speedway accident, but regains it at the critical moment. Old? Yes. but look at It on the screen m this version and you won't dare say so. Everything seemed to conspire to make this picture outstanding, Jimmy Murray, as the racing champ, lends thorough credence to his portrayal. He could easily have murdered it with over-acting, Joan Marsh, playing opposite him, makes you believe in her characterization, while Eddie Lambert and Ann Brody contribute comedy that's funny. Jackie Searl and Theodor von Eltz add interesting performances. Leigh Jason's direction, and the story work by the director. Rex Taylor and Charles Saxton, are largely responsible for the fine quality. Don't be afraid of it for key spot showings, Mr. Exhibitor. Go it great guns. It's the McCoy. Marian Marsh Quits S-J Marian Marsh has severed her connection with the SelznickJoyce agency is now unattached. Plagiarism Cases Up (Continued from Page I ' the subiect of plagiarism. It will also try to arrange for authors to register their material in the form in which it IS submitted to producers, and asks further that the powers of the conciliation committee be broadened. It's funny how righteous indignation over a bad notice can so often become a boomerang to the parties suffering from righteous indignation. As witness: a moom pitcher company that had gotten a terrible review of one of Its productions in a well known trade paper, immediately sent out a letter to all the exchangemen in praise of said producton. adding that the publisher of the trade paper should never again be allowed to review a picture after what was said about theirs. ... All of which resulted mainly in arousing every exchangeman's curiosity and interest in what the review actually said and oversold the issue. Such poetic injustice! . . . That idea of Flora le Breton's to make short subjects as close to cartoon comedies as humans can get strikes us as peculiar. Most of them are far too dose to that for comfort anyway. • Wonder why gagmen don't hang around traffic courts and magistrates' courts more often? There's such a wealth of material in them that might seriously improve the comedy relief in court room drammers, . . . As, for instance, the case of a big brawny truck driver who was up for a minor infraction of the traffic laws. He said that he would like to plead guilty, only he couldn't fxjssibly pay a fine. The judge asked him why and he answered that he didn't have any money because he only earned five dollars a week. He then admitted that he owned the truck, but explained that the people for whom he did trucking paid all the expenses of its upkeep and only five dollars over and above those charges. . . . The judge was a kindly soul and told the driver that, if he could be sure he was telling the truth, he'd dismiss the case. Whereupon the truckdriver drew himself up to the very last inch of his six foot two. stuck out his chest and said: "It is the truth, sir. on my honor as a Boy Scout!" Case dismissed. • The home office of a very beeg picture company is having itself a swell laugh at the expense of the studio. The studio has been having plenty of trouble, not only in adapting a certain story but in getting one of its best bets to play the leading role because said role is such a nasty. And the story was bought by the studio which overrode plenty of objection and rejection on the part of the home office. . . . Credit Donald Henderson Clark with the vaguest, most all-inclusive statement of the year. He said he was talking over plans with A producer who had A problem. . . . Don. incidentally is working on a new novel. "Nina" or "Neena," Inot sure which way he wants it spelled because of pronunciation.) that he'd like everyone to know about because that's Val Lewton's mother's and daughter's name, and he wants to "protect the title." Val says that's the name of the patron saint of the Caucasus and her history is a good one. Well, everybody knows you've GOT to be good to be a saint.