The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1934)

5f MR.SAL'UEL MAI';., CULVER CITY,iJALIK. Vol. XX. No. 1 4. Price 5c. TODAY'S FILM NCWS TODAY l^ecday, March 27, 1934 DARRCW L$E$ BIG STICr Sets Rosenblatt Down Hard And Will Call Code Authority Members And Sales Heads by ROBERT WELSH •WE hope the news from Washington concerning Clarence Darrow's big stick massaging of Administrator Sol Rosenblatt will be read by a few local committees that have been entrusted with the operation of the NRA code in picture studios. We have no quarrel with their decisions, because they haven't made any. We have no quarrel with their activities, because they have not been active. And it is even possible that, when they do get into operation, we would find ourselves in agreement with everything they did. But in all kindness of heart we think a word of caution is needed for anybody blissfully trying to KID Franklin D. Roosevelt. • The Roosevelt "Big Stick" tradition is apparently an inheritance of the name. Leaned to Clarence Darrow, no mean citizen himself, it yesterday descended on the cranium of Sol A. Rosenblatt. When the master takes it back to do his own swinging, it may hit heads promiscuously. And so — this word to the wise. « Except for the Extra Committee, under Mrs. Mabel Kinney, which has at least TRIED to get into action, there hasn't been a darned thing happening in Hollywood in relation to the NRA and the motion picture industry since the beneficent visit of the infallible Rosenblatt in our midst. Mr. Creel, Mr. Casey and Mr Rosenblatt exchange politely vague telegrams every few days, issue them to the press, and give another ticket on the merry-go-round to one Franklin D. Roosevelt. With present indications being that a^ perpetual motion gadget has been hitched up to the merry-go-round. • For our part, when we start giving merry-go-round rides away, we'll avoid fellows whose very names are synonymous with the phrase, "The Big Stick." Robinson's 'Mystery Man' Is Eddie Himself The much publicized "mystery man" who has been engaged by Warners to play one of the important roles in the Edward G. Robinson picture, "Dark Tower," is none other than Edward G. Robinson, who has a dual role. We're letting you in on this just to be a bunch of old meanies. Para. Attorneys File To Shake Fetters New York. — Attorneys for Paramount have filed a petition in Federal courts here asking that the cornparry be discharged from bankruptcy. While it is the belief here that it will not be long before a reorganization plan is set up that will lift Paramount bankruptcy, the legal move behind yesterday's plea is the fact that a corporation has to file such an application within a year from the date of bankruptcy to assure retaining its corporate name for the future. Miriam Hopkins To Be Delilah' in Para. Film Cecil B. DeMille will make "Samson and Delilah" as his next picture for Paramount, following "Cleopatra," with Miriam Hopkins and Henry Wllcoxon sharing the top honors. The story is now being written by Jeanie MacPherson. Dove of Peace Lights Warners and George Brent have settled their difficulties with the player back in the good graces of the studio once more and waiting for an assignment. Brent refused to do the role offered him in "Mandalay" five months ago and started suit to recover salary due on his contract. 'ROTHSCHILD' Washington. — The National Recovery Review Board, headed by Clarence Darrow, and operating independently under direct appointment from President Roosevelt, yesterday took Sol Rosenblatt, heretofore czar of picture code conditions, for a long, hard ride over very hot coals. And after Rosenblatt squirmed, dodged and twisted on a very hard witness chair, the meeting terminated with the announcement from Darrow that every member of the film industry's Code Authority would be subpoenaed before the board for hearings starting Thurs( Continued on Page 2) George Raft's Wife Sues For Divorce New York. — Mrs. Grace Mulrooney Raft, wife of George Raft, Paramount star, has filed suit for divorce through her attorneys, Mackey, Herrlich and Breen. The papers were served yesterday. Mrs. Raft asserts that her husband has been earning at the rate of $300,000 a year and that, when they separated in 1932, George agreed to give her 10 per cent of his earnings. She alleges further that he will get $1 50,000 for his next three pictures, and she asks $1200 a week alimony. The reports of Raft's association with Virginia Peine Lehmann, she says, have caused her great humiliation. MCM-Bickford Dicker MGM is negotiating with Charles Bickford on a term deal. If the deal IS concluded, player will probably get the top spot in "Soviet." DAYS OF '39 BACK TO BROADWAY New York. — United Artists yesterday exercised its option on the Astor Theatre until August 1, with the betting still on Broadway that this is only the first half of a run of "House of Rothschild" that will extend around to the next Christmas holidays. The Zanuck picture did a sell-out over the week-end, with the prospects (Continued on Page 61 New Use for Dark Houses New York. — Crosby Gaige, in conjunction with A. G. Montague and Harry Levey, plans to turn vacant legit houses in New York into places where programs of amateur radio talent will be offered to the public at small admissions. If a bank okays the deal the Selwyn Theatre will be the first used. Set Deal forWurtzel To Do Big Pictures New York. — Hollywood reports that Sol Wurtzel would be rewarded with greater production opportunities have been confirmed in New York. As a result of conferences with Sidney Kent the official okay has been given to include a number of more expensive pictures in the Western Avenue output, with stars, directors, etc., on a par with the output from the Sheehan fortress at Westwood Hill9. Zeppo Marx Buys Into Bren-Orsatti Agency Zcppo Marx became ar\ artists' manager yesterday at a cost of $75,000 to hirrself, paying that sum for a third interest in the Bren-Orsatti firm. The office has 77 clients. Xath' Still London Best London — Three pictures were held over here this week. They are Paramount's "Bolero"; the British film, "Catherine the Great," which runs on and on, and "Emperor Jones." "The Cat and the Fiddle" went into the Empire. "Blood Money" opened at the New Gallery, and "Advice to the Lovelorn" at the Tivoli. Coward to Produce New York. — Noel Coward is seen behind the formation of a new stage producing company by John C. Wilson, Coward's manager, to produce in New York and London. The firm has acquired Keith Winter's play, "The Ringmaster." — Trem Carr Goes East Trem Carr leaves by train today for Atlantic City and the Monogram convention, which will be held there April 4 to 7. Floyd St. John, San Francisco franchise owner, and |. T. Sheffield, of Seattle, will join him in Salt Lake City EDWARD LUDWIG )UST COMPLETED FOR WARNERS "Friends of Hr, Sweeney"