The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1933)

March 2. 1933 JU^S Page Seven TWO iMOKE XEWPLAY!^ FAIL TO LI4i;ilTEI\ BllOADWAY'§ CiLOOM P3ggy Wood Charms ^.ikie w„„-, h,™ | Actors In Comedies In Owen Davis Opus Dr.ma, s.ys shaw On Cartoon Idea New York. — Peggy Wood returned to the local scene Tuesday night in Owen Davis' latest opus entitled, "A Saturday Night," produced by William A. Brady at his Playhouse. If is a mild and familiar little tale about the dissatisfied wife, the goodnatured fool of a husband and the best friend who would like to have an affair with the wfe |ust as the wife is about to take the fatal step with the handsome would-be seducer, the thought of her wifely duties to her husband, her home, her children and so fo. th overcome her and she determines to avoid what precarious happiness may be in store for her and stays home. This is about ail there is to it. The piece has been expertly written by Mr. Davis and well played by Miss Wood, Hugh O'Connell as the husband, and Arthur Margetson as the friend. The play is not likely to linger long and is very conventional picture materal. "Hangman's Whip" Bad Also opening was "Hangman's Whip," an incredibly bad. old-fashioned melodrama with an African background, dealing with a cruel old trader who hires ex-convicts and fugitives from justice to work for him so that he may completely dominate them. He has a beautiful young wife who falls in love with an aristocratic fugitive and they finally, after many harrowing experiences, manage to escape to freedom. There is also a tough American who is the old trader's equal in cruelty and cunning. These two are at each other's throats most of the time, but when trouble with the natives comes they unite to fight it out together. The American is killed and, as the final curtain falls, the trader is left with a gun across his knee, courageously waiting for the natives to come and get him. Montague Love, old time movie star, gives a cunning and highly colored portrait of the hard-boiled, sadistic English trader. Ian Keith and Helen Flint are the lovers, and Barton MacLane is adequate as the American. The play was written by Norman Reilly Raine and Frank Butler, and produced by William Brady jr.. Merline Taylor and George Kondolf. Plays of this type simply cannot expect to attract New York audiences any more, especially when they are as poorly done as "Hangman's Whip." It will probably run three weeks only for the picture rights, which some movie mogul will be fooled into buying. More Bridge Experts Crashing The Films New York — Oswald )acoby, Willard Karn and George Reith have signed contracts to make twelve bridge shorts in Photocolor. The series will be made at the Photocolor studios here, with Myron C. Fagen producing. Talkie Won't Harm Drama, Says Shaw Tokio. — In an interview published in one of the leading newspapers here, George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying that the talking picture will never hurt the legitimate drama. "The talkie is unnatural in every respect," he said. New York, — A series of comedies based on the cartoon idea, but using human players, is being produced by Flora La Breton at the Fox Movietone tsudios. The series is called "Crazy Mazie." The pictures are distinct novelties and Paramount has taken an option for their distribution, MGM's "Gabriel" A Sensation (Continued from Page 1 ) cials protest, he chucks them out unceremoniously. When unemployed millions threaten the White House, he enlists them under military discipline, begins to revolve the wheels of industry as in the war — without a cent of profit to anyone this time. Congress tries to interfere to protect party bulwarks. He has to threaten martial law to force it to adjourn sine die. Then, alone and single-handed, he proceeds to eliminate the troubles of an America which is basically sound. Gangsters who try to hamper his immediate solution of the liquor problem are courtmartialed by the U, S. Army — shot beneath the Statue of Liberty by a firing squad. The war debt problem threatens the peace of the world. He holds a debt conference on the deck of a dreadnaught, shows off the U. S. Navy and gives the world an ultimatum — cut out war, and armaments of fabulous cost, balance budgets all over the world — or the U. S. will start a navy program which will COMPEL peace throughout the world, because anybody will be afraid to start a war. Thus he accomplishes disarmament, world solutions of problems by the simple device of eliminating the jealousies which prompt martial competition. The Covenant of Washington is signed. His work is done How Gabriel, Messenger of Revelations from God to Man, accomplishes the final ending of the story must be seen, not described. All of this with a simplicity which baffles description. What will happen when this picture is first shown in any theatre in any town in America? A first performance gathering will rush out to tell all who will listen of the astounding nature of this film entertainment. If the newspapers have not heard about it up until this time, they will rush to print with laudatory comment on the entertainment, write editorials about the message it bears, and will give it more free space. MORE EDITORIAL SPACE, than has ever been given a picture before. Credit for the production of "Gabriel" goes first to the anonymous author of the novel, then to Walter Wanger, the new MGM producer (this being his first picture there) for having the courage to make the picture, to Carey Wilson for his fine script, to Gregory LaCava for his unusually fine direction, to Walter Huston for the greatest performance we have seen for some time, to Karen Morley and Franchot Tone for excellent acting, and to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for producing it. Mr. Exhibitor, rush, do not walk, to your nearest MGM exchange and arrange for the booking of "Gabriel." Act quickly or your competitor will beat you to it. The house that gets it will get the best money-maker of this and many other years. George Landy New Head of Wampas George Landy was elected president of the Wampas at the meeting last night at the Writers" Club, defeating Tom Baily, of Paramount. Other officers elected were: Vice-presidents, Lincoln Quarberg and Sam W. B. Cohn; secretary. Teet Carle; treasurer, Andy Hervey ; sergeant-at-arms. Roland V. McCurdy. The board of directors includes John LeRoy Johnston, Joseph Reddy. George Thomas, Phil Gersdorf, Wilson Heller, John P. Miles and Frank Whitbeck, The election was preceded by a dinner at which the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Ely Culbertson, and Sam Coslow and Fuzzy Knight, who entertained. Kalmar and Ruby Will Work On Wynn Picture Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby were signed by MGM yesterday to write the original, screen play, lyrics and music for the Ed Wynn starring filmusical, which Harry Rapf will produce for that company. Kalmar and Ruby leave for New York tonight to confer with Wynn on the story, and return here in three weeks. Hedda Hopper Off The MGM Contract List Hedda Hopper is off the MGM contract list, after three and a half years with that company. Her initial free lancing engagement will be in the stage production, '"Dinner at Eight," which is slated to open at the Belasco Theatre April 3. Alice White, Louis Calhern, Huntley Cordon and Jobyna Howland have been signed for the play. Hollywood Premiere of 42nd Street* Next Week Warners will premiere "Forty-second Street" at the Warner Hollywood March 8. with $1 and $2 scale for the opening The picture starts regular runs at both the Warner Hollywood and Downtown houses the following day. Mason and Block Sign To Write For Radio Ralph Block and Sarah Mason have been given writing assignments at Radio. Perrett Switched Arch Reeve has assigned Francis Perrett to take charge of publicity on all Fox units working at the Western Avenue studios. Perrett moves into offices today, and will clear all material through the Fox department at Movietone City. Hammons To Stick New York. — Earle Hammons, who is leaving for the coast within a few weeks, states that he intends to remain in independent feature production. joe Mank' To MGM Joseph Mankiewicz has been assigned to write material for the musical revue that Harry Rapf will produce at Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer,