Inside facts of stage and screen (June 28, 1930)

PAGE TWO INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1930 “Ingagi” Fight Second Round WHAM ANSWER SUIT BY 1NDES FOR $3,365,000 Round two in the Hays organi- zation—Congo Pictures controversy over the film “Ingagi”—started off with a $3,365,000 bang this week, when the inde firm brought suit for that amount here in Federal Court, naming the following de- fendants: Will H. Hays, Carl E. Millikan, Motion Picture Producers and Dis- tributors, Inc., familiarly known as the “Hays organization,” and the National Better Business Bureau, Inc. The suit asks $365,000 under the heading of actual damages and $3,000,000 as exemplary or puni- tive damages. Samuel H. London, Hollywood lawyer, represents the inde company. From its inception several weeks ago, when the first shot was fired by the Hays group, the battle has maintained a distinct resemblance to the current heavyweight boxing situation with cries of “foul” fill- ing the air. Congo Pictures executives claim they have been “goaded beyond en- durance by the concerted attack launched” against them by the above-named defendants. The following general statement was issued to the Los Angeles press this week by the inde picture company in conjunction with the filing of the damage suit: “The history of the alleged ef- fort to destroy ‘Ingagi’ w’ill be fa- miliar to the majority of readers because of the publicity it has been accorded by the press as a result of the Hays ban, so called, which has been denied by his office but which has resulted in the cancellation of contracts by members of the Hays group. “Congo Pictures, Ltd., claims that ‘Ingagi’ is entitled to the ap- pellation ‘an authentic record of African adventure’ because approx- imately no more than 15 per cent of the film is studio-made. It maintains that this license is grant- ed in even a greater degree to every producer of wild animal or other pictures. “The Better Business Bureau has issued edicts against ‘Ingagi,’ and there have been, the complainants allege, many channels invoked by those who are attempting to de- stroy ‘Ingagi.’ “Nat H. Spitzer, president of Congo Pictures, Ltd., declares that his organization is in the fight to stay and to win, and that Congo Pictures, Ltd., is representing, in effect, all independent producers who must, as he asserts, suffer from what he calls the trust meth- ods employed by the bigger com- panies affiliated with the Hays group. Spitzer maintains that many pictures passed by the Hays organization are far more objec- tionable in character than ‘Ingagi’ and depend upon what is common- ly termed ‘sex interest’ for their boxoffice appeal. “ ‘If,’ says Mr. Spitzer, ‘Mr. Hays and his associates are sincere in an effort to cleanse the film industry, the independent is with Hays heart and soul. Then let us begin with the official personnel of the organ- izations named in our suit and con- tinue down the line, including stars and others who have already been, or may be, proven in need of cleansing. I wish to make it plain that we are actuated by the laud- able motives generally proclaimed by and attributed to the organi- zations in question, ostensibly seek- ing to purify the film industry. To this end we are now engaged in tabulating and compiling a large amount of data which may be placed before the public and used as the broom with which to really clean house. “ ‘We feel that Mr. Hays and his associates will appreciate this effort to support them and realize that they must suffer from the same conscientious scruples that affect the independent. “ ‘If we are forced to expose the film industry, let us expose all producers’ methods which permit the use of. doubles, both in action and voice, miniatures and glass shots upon the screen and the em- ployment of many studio-made “foreign scenes” and other trick Rosi, Famed Ballet Master Murray SIGNOR G. V. ROSI Lon Murray, head of the Lon Murray School for Stage Dan- cing and Dramatics, has signed Signor G. V. Rosi under a long- term contract to head the Ballet Department of his school. Rosi, noted for his brilliant teaching of the world famous “Cec- chetti Technique,” was formerly Ballet Director at the Alhambra Theatre in London and of the La Scala, Milano; he is consid- ered Italy’s foremost Ballet Master, having served Sir Oswald Stoll in London in such capacity for seven years. His contract having expired, he is in no way connected with the Bud Murray School and will immediately take up his duties with the Lon Murray School for Stage Dancing and Dramatics. Rosi also brings with him his able assistant, Miss Cleo Page, who directs children’s classes. There are new classes commencing this week for both beginners and advanced, children and adults, under Prof. Rosi’s personal direction. HOLLYW’D MIDSUMMER JUBILEE AT BOWL ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT Staged under the guiding hand of Florenz Ziegfeld, an- nual Hollywood Midsummer Jubilee will be held at Holly- wood Bowl Wednesday night, July 2. Finishing touches are now being applied to special addi- tions to the Bowl stage for the film colony testimonial to the Los Angeles Sanatorium, free and non-sectarian tuberculosis institution at Duarte, while Ziegfeld whips into shape an impressive array of celebs who will appear in the Jubilee performance. ♦ —— Opera, jazz, elaborate revue pre- sentations and sparkling personali- ties are being combined on the program, which will, feature stars of all major studios and outstand- ing free-lance personalities. Complete final arrangements were not yet set late this week as a number of stars were still at- tempting to arrange studio shoot- ing schedules to be present’ while the masters-of-ceremonies and gen- eral musical director had not been selected either. Don Jose Mojica and Everett Marshall, brought to the talking screen from the operatic stage, will be particular features of the entertainment. Mojica, Chicago Grand Opera tenor, will head the list of Fox Film stars, which will include: Marjorie White and Frankie Rich- ardson, comedy-singing hits of “Sunnyside Up”; Ted Healy and his “Racketeers,” brought to the films from musical comedy and vaudeville; Eddie Tierney; Richard Keene, singing-dancing juvenile; J. Harold Murray, singing star of “Cameo Kirby”; the studio mixed vocal ensemble of 24 voices and 26 “Movietone Follies” misses in a revue presentation with musical arrangement directed by Arthur Kay. Everett Marshall, young Amer- ican baritone, who scored an out- standing success with the Metro- politan Orepa organization and is now starring in Radio * Pictures, will head a group from that stu- and so-called travel pictures, and not confine it only to the inde- pendent. “ ‘I claim “Ingagi” to be clean and extraordinary entertainment, and instructive as well, and I be- lieve that this effort on our part will clarify the situation and awaken the public mind to the evi- dent purpose of the Film Trust—- to destroy any attempt on the part of the independent producer to exist.’ ” dio. composed of: Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, comedy team hit of “Cuckoos”; the studio’s col- ored singing chorus and a unit of the remarkable Tiller “Sun- shine Girls.” Abe Lyman and his famous re- cording orchestra, currently play- ing at the Carthay Circle Theatre, will appear while another outstand- ing feature will be a special revue from the Warner Brothers and First National studios, personally staged by Harry Ceballos. From the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios will come Charles King of “Broadway Melody” and other hits; Lottice Howell, charming singer, new to the talking screen; Cliff “Ukelele Ike” Edwards and Dance Director Sammy Lee’s beauties in another special stage revue; while Paramount-Publix will present Lillian Roth, popular sing- ing comedienne; laugh-provoking Harry Green, and the clever juve- nile mimic, little Mitzi Green. CUher features scheduled for the Jubilee program include: The Los Angeles Grand Opera Chorus, the Albertina Rasch Ballet, the Mos- coni Brother with their 16 ballet dancers, Rose Perfect, featured for five years in George White’s “Scandals,” and the South Pasa- dena American Legion Post No. 140 Drum and Bugle Corps of 48 pieces. Tickets for the Jubilee, scaled at from $1 to $5, are available at special committee headquarters at 6769 Hollywood boulevard; at all motion picture studios and down- town theatres and at all Gittelson, Equity and Lloyd Mitchell branch theatre ticket offices. Following the example of the artists on the Jubilee program, the ticket ex- changes are donating their services for the occasion. STYLES FOR FALL Fashion News, talker style au- thority, in its July release, which Meredith Fulton directed, will fea- ture Laura La Plante in hats and dresses for early fall wear. SCARE ADDED TO OPPOSITION FOR FILM BIZ SOCKS (Continued from Page 1 ) a spurt for its eighth and closing week, grossing $13,026, close to the house average. “Divorcee” at the Criterion, in its fifth and next to closing week, declined two grand further to a gross of $9165, thirty-five hundred under house average. “Not Damaged” at Loew’s State, with F. & M. “Country Club” Idea in support, achieved the low record for the year with a gross of $19,597. Previous low was $20,048 with M-G-M’s “Hollywood Revue.” “Arizona Kid” boosted the Boulevard over average, grossing $10,178. F. & M. Varieties sup- ported. The Egyptian went under average with a total of $10,795. “Once a Gentleman,” Edward Everett Horton’s picture, grossed $22,940 at the new Hollywood Pantages. F. & M. “Romance Idea” was in support. The Warner Brothers houses also were down at summer lows. The Hollywood grossed $12,400 with “Dancing Sweeties,” and the Downtown did $11,300 with “Hearts in Exile.” Maurice Chevalier’s “The Big Pond,” held over for a fourth ■week at the United Artists, brought in $9400, which cracked the nut for that week and made the pic- ture a profitable booking for the run. “Border Legion” at the Para- mount grossed around $20,000. The Orpheum did not do sen- sationally with its one week of “Captain of the Guard.” The gross was around $13,500, about four thousand under house average. SHOW BIZ WILL FIGHT MEDDLING (Continued from Page 1) sentatives of the mob, and finally, from just plain busy-bodies. Fourth—The persistent interfer- ence of the medical autocracy with its series of sporadic scares, in- variably exploited by a warning to stay away from theatres, yet say- ing nothing about churches, schools, concerts and similar gath- erings, despite that the modern pic- ture house is far safer as to san- ity, ventilation, etc., than the other gathering places that are not inter- fered with. These are but a part of the ma- jor group of annoyances, imposi- tions and unfair activities under which the show business struggles. While undercover work went on this week on the plans of the minority group to shove daylight saving over at the next election, no startling developments occurred during the past week, with the group evidently saving most of their ammunition for a time closer to election, show business leaders were on the alert and prepared to battle the meddlers to a standstill. WALLACE NORMAL COURSE In keeping with Earle Wallace’s annual policy of offering advanced training for professional dancers and teachers, the Earle Wallace Normal Course will be given this year from July 7 to August 2. The course this year will consist of three distinct branches. A teach- ers' Normal course; a course for artists seeking new material and for advanced students, and a course for advanced children in professional work. Courses will be under the personal lirection of Earle Wallace and his celebrated staff of teachers. COMBINATION CLASSES With the closing of public schools, Bud Murray, of the Bud Murray School for Stage and Screen, is starting “combination summer classes” in Tap and Ballet, start- ing July 1, with reduced summer rates in effect. Mary Frances Tay- lor, teacher of “modern ballet,” is the latest addition to the Bud Mur- ray staff of instructors, and has been especially engaged for this branch of work, being a premiere danseuse of national repute. LOCATION TRIP BUG HITS FILM CROWD HEAVILY There are plenty of film com- panies on location work these days with Raoul Walsh keeping a big company on the jump to film “The Oregon Trail,” and Harold Lloyd taking shots in San Francisco after returning from Honolulu locations, and flocks of actors and directors are missing from their usual haunts. Radio Pictures has five location parties out this month. George Berthelon with a party of camera- men and technical workers i= .ow in Alaska filming scenes an > look- ing for locations for Rex Beach’s “The Silver Horde.” George Arch- ainbaud, director, will soon start north with the principals and the main filming unit. Doran M. Cox, assistant director, is busy filming Indian cere'mcwues... near Pawhuska, Okla., for use in Edna Ferber’s “Cimarron.” George B. Seitz has just brought to a successful close a 25,000-mile loca- tion trip during which “The Rec- ord Run” was filmed in nearly a dozen states of the north and middlewest. In England this week the com- pany under the direction of -Basil Dean is filming scenes for “Es- cape” at the famous Dartmoor prison. Meanwhile Manhattan scenes for Amos and Andy’s first Radio film, “Check and Double Check,” are being shot in New York City. Actual production on this story begins in July. Paramount has five units out in addition to the Lloyd company. Richard Arlen and Fay Wray are heading a cast of players photo- graphing “The Sea God” in the Pacific ocean, usnig a small island near Southern California as the base of operation. Atmospheric war scenes for Gary Cooper’s new starring vehicle, “A Man From Wyoming,” are under way at the Paramount ranch, 35 miles from Hollywood, while Cooper himself—having completed his work in the latter production— has joined a camp of 500 actors, technicians and other workers at Point Hume, California, where “The Spoilers” is in production. The golf sequences for the all- technicolor musical comedy, “Fol- low Thru,” are drawing attention to several of the southland’s fair- ways and the opening scenes of “Grumpy” are being filmed 100 miles from Hollywood, on the Kern river near Bakersfield. Director Alfred Santell and “The Sea Wolf” unit is cruising 40 or 0 miles off the coast of northern California and filming both in- terior and evterior scenes of Jack London’s story for Fox. Milton Sills plays the title role with Jane Keith as the girl and Raymond Hackett as the young author. The company is aboard the Metha Nel- son, old time sailing schooner which has been equipped with an auxiliary motor and motor gen- erators to supply light for cabin scenes. The ship will be at sea for at least three weeks. Lake Maligne, largest body of water in the Canadian Rockies, is the present scene of action in “The Red Sky,” which A. F. Erickson is directing for Fox with a cast headed by J. Harold Murray, Lois Moran, J. M. Kerrigan, Rex Bell, George Brent, Marie Saxon and Erwin Connolly. The company “packed in” on horseback to Lake Maligne from Jasper, Alberta, Can- ada. “The Red Sky” is a red- blooded drama of the northwest written by Tom Barry. A complete Coast Guard station has been constructed at Monterey Bay to take advantage of the na- tural beauty of that rock strewn coast for the filming of “Men On Call,” John Blystone’s _ Fox-Movie- tone production in which Edmund Lwe has the featured role of a man who joins the Coast Guard after being disillusioned in love. MACK PLANS ACTS Frank Mack returned here last week in quest of talent for two new acts he is planning on pro- ducing in the near future. Mack was manager and producer of Crockett’s Mountaineers, who have just completed a lengthy contract with R-K-0 vaude. He discovered the rube musicians at a local radio station and built their act into a feature attraction. Sidney Fox, seen as the ingenue lead in “Lost Sheep” on Broadway, has been signed by Universal. Miss Fox leaves for Hollywood within the next week.