Inside facts of stage and screen (February 15, 1930)

PAGE SIX INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, FEB. IS, 1930 Published Every Saturday One Year - - - $4.00 Foreign ... $5.00 ISRAELI' CHOSE! BEST 1 CRITICS' POLL OF 327 VOTES TEL-A-PHONEY tij) JAMES MADISON Hello, Jim Tulley. Hello, Harry Rapf. Advertising Rates on Application As a bi-monthly publication: Entered as Second Class Matter, No- vember 17, 1924, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. As a weekly publication: Entered as Second Class Matter, April 29, 1927, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published by Inside Facts Publishing Company, Inc. 800-801 Warner Bros. Downtown Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif. Telephone TUcker 7832 JACK JOSEPHS ...... President and Editor ARTHUR WM. GREEN .... Vice Pres, and Counsel WILLIAM C. OWENS - - - Secretary and General Manager Vol. XI Saturday, February 15, 1930 No. 7 In response to a story a couple of weeks ago, and to a subsequent editorial upon the subject, Inside Facts has re- ceived many letters expressing a most hearty approval of a projected move to form the acting profession into a strong political organization to insure a square deal for professionals and for the profession on the statute books of the state and the ordinance rolls of the cities. In a letter received from Albert E. Greenbaum, secretary of the musicians’ local in San Francisco, printed elsewhere in this issue, the suggestion is made that the move should be enlarged to include all people connected with show business, musicians, stage hands, etc. It is a wise suggestion, and when further steps are taken toward the organization—and such will be taken—it is deemed inevitable that the sponsors will see the wisdom of the suggestion. Show business has long been the football of politicians. On account of the readiness of the daily press to hop upon and sensationalize any stories concerning the profession, un- scrupulous politicians, reformers and what-not of the para- sitic citizenry have seen in it a ready field to be capitalized for personal exploitation. A concentrated voting strength, welded into an organization such as other levels of life have formed, would at least insure show people of as much respect in matters of government as have merchants, women’s clubs and other people no more entitled to fair treatment than are those of the ancient and honorable business of entertaining the public. As a striking example of what may be accomplished in the industry when the leading organizations pull together in harmony was exemplified last week by the energetic manner in which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and.Sciences and the Motion Picture Producers Association took hold of the problem of foreign languages. But a few days elapsed between the time that the Span- ish-speaking delegation brought to the attention of the Acad- emy the possible harm that might be accomplished in the misuse of dialects of their language in the films, and vigor- ous action in the matter. Realizing the importance of the problem, the Academy immediately appointed a committee to consider the ques- tion. Working right along with them, the Hays organiza- tion also appointed a committee to work with the Academy. Within a period of less than two weeks, both these com- mittees were functioning together in admirable co-ordina- tion with the result that not only was the matter brought to a reasonable point of adjustment with reference to the Spanish tongue but also the similar question with reference to other languages were considered. At the present time, this committee is meeting weekly or more frequently and it is believed that they will bring to the talking pictures a higher degree of appreciation and patronage in the foreign market than was heretofore enjoyed. It is in this manner of grappling with problems not ordi- narily brought to the attention of the general public that great credit must be given the workers of the two organi- zations. O’NEIL IN “SEVILLE” Nance O’Neil has been added to the cast of “The Singer of Se- ville,” Ramon Novarro’s starring vehicle at M-G-M. Says: Get an eyeful of the flash and color in “BAMBINA” and “NEW MOON.” Plenty of dough in those shows. • • •« P. S. — The CELLAR is at Cosmo Street and Hollywood Boulevard . . . between Vine and Cahuenga . . . the phone numbers are G-Ranite 3 3 8 2 and HOllywood 9 15 9 . . . parking is free at the lot across from the CELLAR . . . the CHRYSLER and SAM- SONS are there. Thank Yon. BAGGOT’S COMEBACK King Baggot, favorite of silent films some years ago, is making a comeback in the talkies through a role which he will portray in Universal’s “Czar of Broadway,” scheduled to get into production late this week. William James Craft will direct. Others in the cast are John Wray, in the title role, Betty Compson, John Har- ron, Wilbur Mack, George Byron and Claud Allister. OPPOSITE FREDERICK John Halliday has be^p signed by Warner Brothers to play the leading role opposite Pauline Fred- erick in “Fame,” which is sched- uled to go into production in March. John Adolfi will direct. Charles Kenyon is writing the sce- nario. BARNES AT M-G-M T. Roy Barnes has been cast for a role in the new Marie Dress- ler-Polly Moran talking comedy for M-G-M, “Margin Mugs.” The annual poll of critics for their selections for the 10 best pic- tures of 1929, conducted by the Film Daily, resulted in “Disraeli,” a Warner Brothers picture, di- rected by Alfred E. Green and starring George Arliss, leading the list. It was made from the stage play in which Arliss starred for many seasons. The vote was by 327 critic^ representing 331 newspapers, 40 trade papers and fan publications and three syndicates. The poll was taken in 212 cities and towns in 43 states and the District of Columbia. With a stage play leading the list, five other stage plays were in the first 10, making a total of six in this department to four written directly for the screen. The first 10 and an honor roll of 55 more, all of which got 10 or more votes, showed the fol- lowing totals for the various stu- dios : Hello, James Madison. What is your favorite pro- verb? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Hello, John Driscoll. Hello, James Madison. What is your description of Chicago Two shoots for the price of one. Hello, Wilbur Cushman. Hello, James Madison. I see that millionaire Bell has won out with his rock- crushing plant. After this, the town should be called Santa MONEYca. Paramount 19 M-G-M 12 United Artists 9 Warner Brothers 7 Fox 7 First National , 5 Sono-Art 2 R-K-O 1 Universal 1. 1 Pathe 1 Columbia 1 In the first 10 the studios scored as follows: M-G-M 4 Warner Brothers 2 Fox , 2 R-K-O 1 U. A 1 The 10 best were: Picture Director Votes “Disraeli”—Alfred E. Green 192 “Broadway Melody” — Harry Beaumont 163 “Madame X”—Lionel Barry- more 161 “Rio Rita”—Luther Reed 158 “Gold Diggers of Broadway”— Roy Del Ruth 139 “Bulldog Drummond—R. Rich- ard Jones 125 “In Old Arizona”—Irving Cum- mings L 121 “The Cockeyed World”—Raoul Walsh 113 “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney”— Sidney Franklin 110 “Hallelujah”-—King Vidor 101 Honor Roll was as follows: Picture Votes “The Letter” 81 “The Lady Lies” 87 “The Virginian” 72 “They Had to See Paris” 63 “The Cocoanuts” 61 “Gentlemen of the Press” —..61 “Wings” 60 “Trial of Mary Dugan”.... 60 “Taming of the Shrew” .t 57 “Show Boat” 57 “Alibi” : 56 “Welcome Danger” 48 “Desert Song” 47 “The Valiant” 40 “Dance of Life” 39 “Coquette” 38 “Doctor’s Secret” , 37 “Drag” 35 “Bridge of San Luis Rey” 34 “Thunderbolt” 32 “A Woman of Affairs” 30 “Flight” 30 “On With the Show” 29 “Four Feathers” —27 “Paris Bound” , 26 “Noah’s Ark” , 26 “Interference” 24 “Shopworn Angel” 24 “Great Gabbo” 23 “Sonny Boy” 22 “Weary River” 22 “Innocents of Paris” 21 “Hearts in Dixie” 21 “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929”—21 “Iron Mask” 21 “Charming Sinners” 19 “Young Nowheres” 19 “Wolf of Wall Street” 17 “Show of Shows” 16 “Marianne” 16 “Three Live Ghosts” 15 “Bellamy Trial” 14 “Four Devils” 14 “Canary Murder Case” 13 “Trail of ’98” — 13 “Sweetie” 12 “Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu” 12 “Alias Jimmy Valentine” 12 “Greene Murder Case” 12 “Fast Company” 11 “Condemned” 11 “Divine Lady” 10 “The Barker” 10 “The Pagan” 10 “Rainbow Man” 10 IN “MARSEILLAISE” Stuart Holmes has been signed to do Louis XVI arid Evelyn Hall Marie Antoinette in U’s “La Mar- seillaise.” Hello, Marie Dressier. Hello, James Madison. The other day I was in- troduced to a gay blade, named Gillette. Gillette is a good name for a blade. Hello, Olsen and Johnson. Hello, James Madison. Who is the biggest boob you’ve met lately? A carpenter who took his saw to a dentist to have its teeth looked after. UNIVERSAL OPENS HOUSE LONG CLOSED SEATTLE, February 13.—Uni- versal opened its long-closed Bea- con Theatre, south end suburban stand, last Sunday, after installing Western Electric sound, new pro- jection equipment and a complete new oil-burning heating plant. This renovation is looked upon as a gesture by U officials to make the house attractive for some pur- chaser. It is known that the Bea- con has been an elephant for years. Former managers of the Beacon look upon the installation of the oil burner as a tough break. Guardians of this house for the past three years under Uncle Carl’s wing were forced to stoke their own furnaces, and now the new man gets a break with an oil burner. FREE LOVE THEME “Lavender Ladies” is the cur- rent offering at the Pasadena Com- munity Playhouse. It is a free love theme. In the cast are Le- nore Shanewise, Margaret Clarke, Ruth Covell, Sharley Simpson, Eve Robertson, David Loring, Robert Morkill, Pauline McLaren and Mrs. James Hawks. “Lavender Ladies” is due to run two weeks, to be followed by “Our American Cousin.” SISTERS IN REVUE The Dodge Sisters, Beth and Betty, recently signed by M-G-M, will start soon on parts in “The March of Time” revue. TO MAKE U PICTURE E. M. Asher has been signed to produce for Universal LETTERS There are letters at the Los Angeles office of INSIDE FACTS for the following: ATES, Roscoe BIDMEAD Bro*. COLLINS, Harry EDWARDS, Chas. H. FOY, BUI GILLETTE, Bobby MacDONALD, E. Jeanne MAHRA The Great PARSONS, Ruth TAYLOR, Slade (Mike) TIFFANY, Owen Hello, James Madison. What is your chief produc- tion essential? Good pictures are para- mount. Hello, Arch Heath. Hello, James Madison. you look perplexed. I’m worried as to whether a vegetarian should eat animal crackers. Hello, Louis B. Mayer. Hello, James Madison. What is one of the things you’ve never seen? A negro tickled pink. Hello, D. W. Griffith. Hello, James Madison. I understand the Ku Klux Klan have had a march com- posed in their honor. I suppose that comes under the head of sheet music. Hello, Frank Craven. Hello, James Madison. What is the difference be- tween a roof habitation and a church? One is pent and the other a repent house. 15 M. C.’S, 25 ACTS 0! GUILD PROM The Sixth Annual Gambol of the Catholic Motion Picture Guild will be held at Philharmonic Audi- torium next Wednesday evening, February 19. This yearly event for the purpose of raising money for the Guild’s relief work in the industry, this year is under the guidance of Johnny Hines, chair- man of the Gambol committee, and Harry A. Bailey, who is stag- ing the show. They have assem- bled 25 acts including prominent names in pictures and on the stage, and will have 15 m. c.’s officiating. The masters of ceremonies will be Johnny Hines, Frank Fay, Jack Benny, Walter O’Kiefe, Benny Rubin, Edmund Lowe, Ben Bard, Pat O’Malley, Gene Morgan, Neil Hamilton. Eddie Dowling, Walter Catlett, James Hall, Eddie Quil- lan and Alan Hale. Making up the rest of the pro- gram will be Willie Collier, Lew Fields, Marie Dressier, Polly Mo- ran, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Cliff Edwards, Gus Ed- wards, Nancy Carroll, Jack Oakie, Robert Armstrong, James Glea- son, Robert Woolsey, Bert Wheel- er, Charles Farrell, Joseph Wag- staff, Polly Walker, J. Harold Murray, Stepin Fetchit. Charles King, the Duncan Sis- ters, El Brendel, Sharon Lynn, the Empire Comedy Four, Charles Althoff, Skeets Gallagher, Robert Frazer, Eddie Lambert, Frank Richardson, Marjorie White, Ed Tierney, Whispering Jack Smith, Yvonne Pellitier, Fifi D’Orsay, Charles Judels, Joseph Cawthorn, Catharine Dale Owen. Kathryn Crawford, Junior Cogh- lan, Ferd Scott, Charles Erwin, Esther Ralston, Lewis Meehan, Joe E. Brown, a Fanchon & Mar- co Idea, Mona Rica, Louis Mann, Buddy Rogers and the Biltmore Trio. The show is set for 8.30 Wed- nesday evening. Tickets are ob- tainable at the Philharmonic Au- ditorium box-office or at the head- quarters of the Catholic Motion Picture Guild in the T^aft build- ing, Hollywood. BACK FROM VACATION Lilly Jay Shadur, secretary to H. B. Franklin at the Fox West Coast Theatres’ main offices here, re- turned last week from a vacation at Palm Springs.