The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1933)

(an. 6. 1933 Rl POINTS D^ Page Three E: •CAVALCADE' FINE PIC I lllli WII\S ACCLAIM AT PHEMIEIIE Diana Wynyard Is Magnificent 'New York. — Fox Films "Caval'cade" is a fine, splendid document of the folly and resultant decline of civilization through the tragedies of war. It is Noel Coward's contribution to the cause of peace and, as such, it is effective historic pageantry. tt is made human and compelling by virtue of the exquisite and well nigh perfect performance of Diana Wynyard in the role of the aristocratic, genteel and universally human Jane Marryot. It is her characterization of the mother who, in the early years of her marriage, goes through the hell of the Boer War and. later in life, must suffer her one remaining child to be sacrificed to the great Cod War for the gory glory of nations that gives the picture its appeal and its strength. It is this that makes it a story, not only of England, but of the needless, futile suffering that everyone the world over has gone through. In their efforts to give this production the universal flavor that was demanded of it to make it a success with American audiences, much of the pageantry that was England has been lost, and it is at times a little difficult to fathom all that Coward had in mind when he wrote this epic story of the decline of a civilization that is separated from us by more than just three thousand miles of water. However, in its place is revealed an interesting procession of events that forms an accurate historic record from the year 1899 to this day of grace. We are given the story of the Marryots and their household, consisting of the Bridges and their daughters, and their little world is representative of the world as a whole. The Marryots have two sons, the elder of whom marries his childhood friend. Edith Harris, and on their honeymoon they are lost in the Titanic disaster. The younger Marryot boy, on the eve of his departure for France, meets again the daughter of the Bridges, which family has progressed from being in service to being bourgeois. They fall in love, but marriage is not for them because Joe Marryot is claimed by the war and never returns. The story closes on New Year's Eve, 1932, in the home of the Marryots, who are quietly drinking a toast to the new year, together and quite alone just the same as they had always done, but with the vast difference of 33 years and two tragic wars behind them that have wrecked their little world and upset completely the world outside. Their toast is to the glory and strength of their country in peace. The picture has been admirably directed by Frank Lloyd, who has given it a quiet sense of power that, while it is not soul-stirring, is at all times something to watch and listen to. Enough cannot be said in praise of Diana Wynyard. The lady is superb in the difficult part of Jane Marryot and it is she who carries the picture's key '20,000 Years' Sets New House Record Binghamton. — The Warner production of "20.000 years in Sing Sing" had its world premiere at the Capitol Theatre here yesterday and broke all opening day records for that house. Cantor Laughs Pa. Censors Into An OK Philadelphia. — Eddie Cantor put on his greatest act here before the Pennsylvania censor board in his successful effort to get the censors to rescind their demands for cuts in "The Kid From Spain" that would have virtually taken out most of the entertainment in the picture. Cantor told them funny stories about the making of the picture, emphasized the loving care taken of the bulls in the bull fight .what they were fed, how they were fed, etc. He walked out with a certificate calling for a complete okay of the picture submitted. And Sam Goldwyn must be smiling. 'Laughing Boy' Set Again For Production Carl Laemmie Jr. of Universal has discovered a new angle for "Laughing Boy." and is figuring on putting the picture into production within the next four months. A completed script, prepared by John Huston prior to the time "U" abandoned the search for a lead in the picture, will be dusted off for use. Tully With Para. Paramount has signed Jim Tully to write an original story. Bren and Orsatti made the deal. to success. Ursula Jeans, Clive Brook, Frank Lawton, Irene Browne, and the children. Dick Henderson Jr.. Sheila MacCill and, more especially. Douglas Scott, must be individually mentioned for their full share of credit in contributing performances that make the picture a vital living thing. The photography is excellent and the detail in the depiction by the make-up men of age is something to be recommended to other studios. Whether or not it was the fault of the recording or the projection, it must be said here that too great a portion of the film was not only inaudible, but unintelligible, and a great many important speeches were lost to the first night audience. It is, all in all, a picture that can be highly recommended and commended for its honest/ of purpose and its magnificent characterizations, and one that deserves the very best in exploitation to put it over. Build up Diana Wynyard and you will build for future successes too. U' Wants Ludwig Back For Picture Universal is negotiating with Edward Ludwig to return to the company's directorial staff, with the deal centering about the production of "Next Door to Heaven." Ludwig's own story which the company purchased from him recently. Ludwig has asked to direct the picture with Sidney Fox. for whom negotiations are on for the leading role, and James Dunn, who has been borrowed from Fox in exchange for Lew Ayres. Universal, however, wants Ludwig to direct a Pitts-Summerville picture, the director's last assignment having been this team's "They Just Had To Cet Married." WiMis Kent Casting For 'Psychic Racket' Willis Kent is putting his new picture. "The Psychic Racket." into production tomorrow. Earl McCarthy has the lead, and others in the cast are Mae Busch. Fletcher Norton and Ralph Lewis. All deals made by the J. G. Mayer office. Two Cast In 'Fever' Arthur Vinton and Paul Porcasi have been added to the cast of "Ferer." the Jack Holt picture which Clarence Badger is directing for Columbia Jack Conway Better Jack Conway, who has been laid up with the flu. has returned to work at MCM. Spec O'Donnel At Col. Spec O'Donnell and his freckles will be seen in Columbia's production of "Parole Girl." Papers May Censor Ads (Continued from page 1 ) the brunt of the squawks. There is a good chance that the local dailies will install a rigid censorship of all theatre copy as a result of the reader reaction on the "Frisco Jenny" spread. Advertising representatives of Warner studio and theatre departments disclaimed responsibility for the layout, and inside reports declare the campaign came through from eastern headquarters with "must go" instructions attached. The ad was undoubtedly the most sensational published in a long time. It purports to quote "Frisco Jenny" as saying she has "broken all the ten Commandments and, if they ever make another one. I get first crack at it." It speaks of "sleeping in gutters and sleeping in silk." of wearing "diamonds by the quart," of the lady whose "name is shame from Shanghai to the Bowery." As an example of what used to be called a "businessgetter" it is a classic. As modern picture advertising, it slaps the Hays code in the face. BgSterd.ay in | The Hollywood Reporter crashes through with the first beeg picture reviewing scoop of the new year. Ever on the alert and on tiptoe, no matter where they try to hide it, the Reporter will find a "sneak preview." So, regardless of anyone's feelings in the matter, we give you an absolutely unprejudiced, unswayed -bythough t-ofadvertising review of "The Laird of Larchmont," a two-reeler produced by Tannhauser Company, a super-superspecial, starring W. Ray Johnston. . . The preview was held on New Year's Eve at the home of the star. Though primarily concerned with the moot problems of modern life, it is. strictly speaking, a costume picture. In fact, it might also be called a serial, having been started in 1912 and affectionately edited and cut by Mike Simmons, Johhny Harrington and a corps . of technical assistants in 1932 | W. Ray Johnston in the title role of ^ fered a touching personification of the J oft-cited axiom that nature in the f raw never fails to have its option tak | en up. ' • The reason that the picture has not been shown before is that Johnston, after having seen the rushes, demanded a twenty year "protection" clause on the showing of it, and his contract states that it is only to be released as an 'exclusive." . . . Which brings us right up to 1933 and the fact that we represent just about the only colyumist extant and partially tamed, who hasn't taken advantage of the new year to write a lot of words about the old and make predictions for the new. As a matter of fact, we believe predictions are a seasonal thing brought on by execs leaving New York and execs coming back to New York. . . . And so we predict there'll be the usual amount of predictions and forecasts for 1933, which could all be boiled down to one word beginning with "N," but if boiled down would leave an exec with practically no job at all and no publicity department to blame for misquoting him. . . . However, to get back to our original story, the W. Ray Johnstone picture, we feel pretty safe in predicting a great future for him in pictures as an exec, in fact, as a president. • A funny thing happened New Year's Day over the radio at about twelve o'clock, they tell us. Ted Husing and his portable broadcasting system were stationed in front of the Paramount Theatre, doing a rambling reporter act over the air. Several girls were asked what they hoped the new year would bring them and replied, in the best conventional manner, that they wanted rich, handsome husbands, or just rich. . . . Then they got hold of a man who was under the impression that he was still celebrating midnight "Auld Lang Syne" and he tripped a few words into the mike. And then a fellow stepped up and. in a loud, clear voice, said: "I hope MGM makes better pictures next year." And you can't convince the boys that it wasn't a plant. /