Inside facts of stage and screen (September 6, 1930)

page two INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 1930 ‘BIG TOPS’ CLOSING MUCH EARLIER * HUGHES SAID TO BE BUYING LAEMMLELOT There is a persistent rumor afloat that Howard Hughes is to purchase Universal. It is known that he has been in. the market for a studio for some time with his eye fixed long- ingly on the big Lankershim lot. Several conferences between the L,aemmeles and the producer of “Hell’s Angels” are known to have taken place and the report is that they have come to an agreement and the announcement of the deal is hourly expected. Larger Studios Being Operated By Bud Murray Bud Murray, New York and Los Angeles stage and dance director, formerly with Messrs. Shubert at Winter Garden and George White’s Scandals for IS years, came to Los Angeles two years ago to aid in the direction of “Good News,” after which he became dance di- rector for Grauman’s Chinese Thea- ter, RKO Theater presentations and several talking pictures. Recently he staged “Oh, Susanna.” During the two years he built up the high- class stage and screen school, which bears his name. The Bud Murray school now ranks among the foremost in its particular type. To meet increasing demands for space, Murray, during the summer months, has made extensive altera- tions and enlarged the studios to 4000 square feet, including a large comfortable waiting room, five prac- tice rooms, three dressing rooms, extra showers, a 42-foot ballet room, free auto park and large light and airy rooms on the sixth floor of the American Storage building. Murray further has re-signed his ballet directress, Mary Frances Taylor, a premier danseuse, former- ly with “Student Prince” “Gone Hollywood” and “Oh, Susanna,” and also Lafe Page, associate and instructor in tap and off-rhythm, and Gladys Murray, head of the children’s department. Fall classes will start on Sep- tember IS for beginners and ad- vanced pupils in ballet, tap and ac- robatic. He’d W ant Cash to Warm Bench In a City Park When every other person you meet in Hollywood is out of work, this yarn ought to go great with the masses. Freeman Lang, public address system expert, who also an- nounces and m. c.’s. whenever he’s paid enough, has played speakie bits in several recent pic- tures, getting $100 to $150 for half an hour’s actual work in front of the studio mike. Asked if he was going to keep on with it, Freeman retorted, “Why should I? I get one-fifty for 30 minutes, but have to hang around the studio all night. Too much stalling.” Somebody said Freeman was out because his bald dome gave off so much halation, when he did a recent technicolor with Alice White, that make-up guys had to snow his cranium under with talc at $3.50 a can. FILM COLONY MAN HELD ON CHARGES Record Mob On Johanna Smith* Over Week End It is estimated that 15,000 persons visited the gambling ship, Johanna Smith, during the three days holi- day last week and that upwards of $250,000 changed hands over the various tables. Most of the play went to roulette and craps, but the wheel of fortune and Chinese lottery got its mede of play. They stood three deep behind the stools of the black-jack table while vacancies at the stud games were at a premium. Restaurant, however, was not pa- tronized heavily, and there is some talk of turning the space over to gaming. Dance floor was 'deserted while the club room was packed. GOLF BACKING IS CONDEMNED Rube Is Silent About New ‘Tux’ Rube Wolf has been m. o-ing at the Loew’s State this week in a brand new tuxedo. Makes him look newer than his 1930 model cornet. Funny part is that Rube has- n’t mentioned Eddie Schmidt, the tailor, since his return from Brooklyn a few weeks ago. Wonder if Eddie made Rube pay for the tux? L.A.BANDMEN, SHOW CHIEFS SIGN ‘TREATY’ Lou Rich, Hollywood promoter, has been arrested on a charge of obtaining money under false pre- tenses, sworn to by Alfredo Ver- rico, motion picture producer and representative of foreign newspa- pers in Hollywood. He collected $25, according to Verrico, for an ap- pointment as special police captain. Rich is now out on bail, being held for trial before Department 8 of the Superior Court on Sept. 21. Rich has been operating for sev- eral months, collecting for police badges which, it is said, he did not deliver. Last December his opera- tions were exposed in “Inside Facts,” when he supposedly sold captaincys and lieutenantcys in the Culver City police department. Chief Hendy of Culver City was notified at that time and made an effort to suppress Rich and have the money returned, which, however, it is said Rich failed to do. McCORMICK NORTH LENI STENGEL CAST Leni Stengel, European actress, will portray the “Angel of Death” in “Beau Ideal,” new Radio picture production. Things We Can’t Understand By ARCH WOODY Why the cops checking up on automobiles don’t need search war- rants. Why Hollywood extra girls al- ways expect to be “handed a line” even when there is none being thrown. Why (Jake not Jack) Shubert isn’t in Hollywood now. Why the wet candidates polled such a large majority in such a dry state. Why Rube Wolf’s wish for an tnticipated blessed event should not be granted. Why Ted Leary, who is a good Conductor as well as a comedian isn’t waving a stick. Why Picture Plot Plotters, don’t plot. Gene Morgan the fellow who al- ways had a laugh for you at the Boulevard and at Loew’s State, is away far way, in Pittsburg, Pa. Gene’s at home in Pittsburg, be- cause he has played the town be- fore. Yes he did. Gene has played every town any size in the United States and how do you like this? Gene was in vaudeville once. He may get sore at us for opening it up on him but he was. Of course his background training of vaude- ville days, may have some bearing on his showmanship now. What of it?. Well, if pictures do not recall Gene Morgan, its just another thing we cannot understand. Gene McCormick, professional manager for the S. L. Cross Music corporation, publishers of “Rock-a- bye To Sleep in Dixie” and “To- night,” is in San Francisco to as- sume charge of the firm’s catalog there. He was joined by his recent bride, who is the former Joy Louise Athow of Tacoma, a non-profes- sional. ‘LIL” CAST READY The cast of “For the Love o’ Lil” at Columbia is now complete. Newly signed players are Jul'ia Swayne Gordon, Billy Bevan, Charles Sellon and Claire Du Brey. Picture is a film version of the Lib- erty Magazine cover series by Thrasher. Jack Mulhall, Elliot Nu- gent, Sally Starr and Margaret Liv- ingston head the cast. James Tin- ling is directing. TO SEE OWN PLAYS Denison Clift, Paramount play- wright and director, will be an hon- ored guest at the premier of two of his dramatic works this Fall. First he will attend the opening of Fox’s picturization of his Broadway play, “Scotland Yard,” which was re- cently filmed with Edmund Lowe and Joan Bennett in prominent roles. Later in the season he will journey to London to be present at the “first night” of his latest play, “Sin Becomes Fashionable,” a story of sophisticates, which is being, pro- duced in England. HICKMAN HERE Pearl Hickman, producer of Pearl Hickman’s Darlings, R. K. O. act, arrived in Los Angeles from San Francisco this week. Miss Hickman is seeking a suit- able location to branch out in her work, locating here permanently at the‘ conclusion of negotiations al- ready under way. PAIR TO HUNT LIONS “Cohens and Kellys in Africa” is the title of the 1930 Hebrew-Irish comedv feature which brings Char- les Murray and George Sidney to- gether again at Universal. Production is slated to begin Sep- tember 10, (Continued from Page 1) fad. and the publicity accorded the golf courses in a measure is a tie- up with theatres and actors. MANY IN IT Many of the prominent- theatri- cal folks have entered into the golf business. Mary Pickford set the fad by building one of the finest links in the country in Beverly Hills, and is naturally the gather- ing point for the big names in the picutres. Bob Woolsey and George Whit- ing, of vaudeville and picture fame, have gnoe into the golf business, having opened a magnificent toy golf pasture in Hollywood. A1 and Mort Nathan, former producers -of pictures, have opened a $31,000 pee wee spot off Hollywood boulevard Sid Algiers, formerly a Tiffany ex- ecutive, has opened a number of Alaskan village courses in and about Hollywood and Los Angeles The West Coast theatres also have opened a number of links on property around many of their the- atres, ostensibly to study the effect the game has upon theatre attend- ance. As these links are usually crowded and the theatres not so much so, -the W. C. are collecting both coming and going. SITUATION ACUTE The situation among the inde- pendent theatres and the neighbor- hood golf joints is becoming very acute, with several of the theatres threatening to -close down and be- come indoor golf courses. If it is golf the public wants, say some of these managers, let’s give it to them and bottle the pictures. Already several former dance halls which could not drag them in with good orchestras have been convert- ed into links and are packing them, using the radio for entertainment. A number of theatres, which were being kept closed as a matter of policy, have reopened with baby golf, and on cool nights are doing a land office business. Golf has become a very serious menact to the theatre and film in- terests, with the newspapers, uncer- tain which way the cat will jump, trying to carry water on both shoul- ders. The managers in other cities are bound to bring matters to an issue with the papers and orce them to decide upon a policy in support of the theatre or the golf bug. They are merely waiting until the weather cools off to see the effect the cold snaps will have on the game. They believe that, like the nickel dance and the skating craze of a few years back, golf will burn itself out when the novelty wears off. If it does not, the theatres will use pressure on the press, which will have to decide whether they prefer the advertising of the golf courses to that of the theatre. An agreement has been reached between the Los Angeles Musicians association and the Theatre Mana- gers association regarding wage scale and working conditions. The new compact goes into effect im- mediately and covers a period of two years. This action relieves the suspense of members of local 47 and settles all of the big questions that we have been trying to answer for the past few months. During the past year there have been as many, and probably more, musicians employed in the music business in Los Angeles than ever before. Other locals of the A F of M are very thankful that local 47 has been able to give work to many of their jobless members who have come here on transfer seeking employ- ment with which to pay up their instalments and union dues back in the old home town. Film Row Cuttings By THE ROUNDER DAMITA PLAYS LEAD Lily Darnita arrived in New York from Paris to play the lead- ing feminine role in Paramount’s production of “Fighting Caravans,” Zane Grey’s story which goes into production early in September With Gary Cooper, Ernest Torrence and Tully Marshall in the important male characterizations. Gary Coop- er is now completing work with Marlene Dietrich and Adolphe Men- jou on “Morocco” while Marshall is playing an important character role in “Tom Sawyer,” United Artists has issued new release dates on forthcoming pic- tures, superceding all other an- nouncements. “Lottery Bride,” Sept. 13; “Whoopee,” Sept. 27; “Du Barry,” Oct. 11; “What a Widow,” Oct. 25; “Abe Lincoln,” Nov. 29; the next Colman pic- ture, Dec. 20, and Evelyn Leigh’s picture, Jan. 10. * * * Reporter: Hello, how’s things? Exchange Manager: Great. R.: Glad to hear it. How’s busi- ness? E. M.: Terrible. R.: Well, what things are great? E. M.: The weather, mostly. ,'R.: Aren’t you selling any pic- tures? E. M.: Oh yes, a few. R.: Up to the average? E. M.: Well, just about. R.: Then, what’s so terrible? E. M.: Nobody’s buying anything. R.: Are the theatres going out of business? E. M.: Oh no, they’re operating all right. R.: On the same schedules? E. M.: Oh yeah. R.: Well, if they’re using the same number of pictures as always, what’s so terrible about the busi- ness? E. M.: I don’t know, but all the exhibitors are crying, trying to get us to cut prices and you’ve got to hold a gun over them to sign con- tracts. Why should they be the only ones to cry? If I told you business was good, you’d want me to buy advertising. R.: So you admit then that busi- ness is good. E. M.: Yes, good and rotten. R.: All right, see you next week. S'long. E. M.: T fgh! * * * Whether its pinochle, post- mortems or varities of business headaches that are being dis- cussed, it’s hard to judge, but this reporter found it impossible to lo- cate a smile on any face among the various groups that held front row last Tuesday. * * * The mournful, sympathetic faces of the listeners and its sad, dole- ful expressions of the talkers leads one to believe that all’s not well COUNTY FAIRS ARE GRABBING BUSINESSAWAY The big tops are -closing from four to eight weeks earlier than usual this season. Bad business is the reason. The whole country has been covered by the circuses, and generally it is reported that the tak- ings have been ’way less than usual. The John Robinson show closed September 1, at Freeport, 111., sev- eral weeks earlier than it has ever gone into winter quarters before. The Hagenback-Wallace show closes on the 5th, in Lincoln, Ne- braska, while the Ringling Bros, show is to close eight weeks earlier than has been its custom. While it is significant of the times that the circuses have temporarily lost their pull, this is not true of county and state fairs. Throughout the country, there has been a splen- did attendance at these local exhi- bitions. Whether it is local pride of the home accomplishment and a desire to keep their patronage for home industries, is not indicated, but the face remains that most all of the county fairs held in this state to date have reported a balance on the good side of the ledger. Los Angeles county holds its fair in Pomona on Sept. 12, in one of the largest buildings in the world for exhibition purposes. In it will be housed the various exhibits, both agricultural and in- dustrial, as well as stock. It is said to be of cantilever construction with no posts. Charles Hatch will be in charge of all the attractions before the grand stand. These will include many thrilling acrobatic acts, as well as more sensational exhibitions and contests. It is anticipated that over 100,000 persons will visit Pomona during the days of the fair. Hatch will also book the attrac- tions for the second annual Shrine Circus,. which will open at Shrine auditorium January 10. ‘MISS UNIVERSE’ SHOWS QUALITIES IN L. A. REVUE Miss Dorothy Goff, whose pic- ture appears on page one of this issue, was selected as the most bautiful girl in all the world, and was given the title “Miss Uni- verse” at Galveston, Texas. She was immediately signed by Fan- chon and Marco, and is featured in the American Beauty Idea at Loew’s State theatre, Los An- geles, this week. Dorothy is seventeen years old, weighs 122 pounds, is five feet six inches tall, wears a 5B shoe, bust 34, waist 26, hip 36, thigh 21, calf 13, ankle 8 inches. These measurements are per- fect in every way, according to the judges who selected Dorothy as the most perfect and beautiful girl. Dorothy has composed several songs, which she popularized over Radio station WSMB, New Orleans, and was a big favorite over that station. with the denizens of the row. We wonder if thy spent their weak end holiday at Tia Juana or aboard the Johanna Smith. * * * If anybody thinks that “Holiday” isn’t holding its own at the Carthay Circle, just let him tell it to Ex- change Manager Stout at the Pathe headquarters. * * * Last week, “Inside Facts” printed the third week’s receipts as $13,125 and through and error neglected to say that these figures represented but five days showing. Somebody tried to razz Stout and he, in turn, quit properly, told us wbat’s what and showed the state- ment. The week’s business was way up somewhere near 17 grand and those exhibitors who thought they were going to buy a bargain on the strength of our error, made an error of their own. MEYERS IN SEARCH Walter Meyers, executive mana- ger in charge of booking talent for Warner Bros, is coming to Holly- wood to secure screen and radio talent for personal appearances in Warner theatres.