Inside facts of stage and screen (September 27, 1930)

SEPT. 27, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE THREE FRANK VINCENT IN BIG VAUDE DEAL OLDKNOW TO SUCCEED FRANKLIN AS HEAD OF FOX WEST COAST - n n 0 n n WARNERS TO CLOSE STUDIO HERE, REPORT There is a very strong re- port current to the effect that Warner Brothers will abandon their Hollywood studios. Local office naturally denies this and account for 1he_ com- plete shut down here as in ac- cord with their usual custom, but it is known that this pro- duction concern has never shut down so early in the season nor for such a protracted period. It has been known for some time that W.B. have been seeking refi- nancing. There has been consider- able internal disag^reements upon the policy, and production money has not been easy. While they announce that they are up to their schedule for the season here, it is known that no cranks are turning on the Sunset boulevard lot although considerable production is in progress in New York. According to the report, it is fur- ther stated that such money as they are able to get has been with the economy clause that they make their pictures in New York. It is claimed expense of making pictures in Hollywood, by trans- porting casts and writers to the coast, adds to the overhead of the product, and as sunshine is no longer a factor in the manufacture of the talking product, that films can be made cheaper, and just as effectively in the east. It is considered by those in the know, that financiers, whom War- ners are endeavoring to interest, can best be wooed by a display of activity in New York, and if they are successful in getting the big ones to come in, all productions henceforth will be made back there. VON STROHEIM, JR., STUDIES THE TAP AT BUD MURRAY’S Tap and off-rhythm dancing has proved to be the most popular style among the ■''ounger generation of stage and screen notables, as still another illustrious son of a film ce- lebrity and executive starts study- ing daily with Bud Murray, prin- cipal of the Bud Murray School for Stage at 3636 Beverly Boulevard. Eric Von Stroheim jr. is train- ing in the art of tap dancing, and adds another name to the roster of sons of famous stage and screen stars, who have studied with Bud Murray, includng A1 K. Hall, Jr,, Robert McWade, Jr., of that fa- mous team of Kramer and Boyle, and Junior Coghlan, famous young Pathe juvenile star.' Mr. Murray is now organizing a special class for boys and girls with high school or military school cre- dentials, especially for theatrical children. Classes will be held twice a week at 4 an d7 under personal direction of Bud Murray and Lafe Page, with ballet for the girls di- rected by Miss Mary Frances Tay- lor, ballet directress of the Bud Murray school. ROSELAND STARTS “Roseland,” Columbia, started production under direction of Lionel Barrymore. Barbara Stanwyck, plays the lead feminine role. Mem- bers of supporting company include Monroe Owsley, Ricardo Cortez, Blanch Friderici, Sally Blane, Vic- tor Potel and Phyllis Crane. James Gleason delivered himself of this series of suggestions on bridge: “You won’t be a howling hit at any card table,” warned Gleason, “but you’ll have a great time.” Here are his suggestions: Pick up your cards as dealt. You’ll be ready to bid ahead of the others. If you have a bum hand be sure to mention it. This will guide your partner in his bid and play. If your partner bids first, don’t hesitate to raise. He has to play it. Never hurry. Try several cards on a trick before deciding which you prefer. Occasionally ask what ARMSTRONG AND GLEASON ENTER BIG FIGHT DEAL James Gleason and Robert Armstrong have opened an Athletic club near Los Angeles, and wiU stage fights weekly. Jack Perry, once welter weight champ, is associated with them as manager. The three have been tied in different ventures, and have been friends for five years. They were in the prize fight play, “Is Zat So,” for three- years, and then all went into films. Sometime ago they ran a fight ring at South Gate. This was a success, but too small a venture. Now they are in for bigger stuff. FILM FOR LATINS WILL START SOON An all-Spanish film, made ex- clusively for the Latin countries, will go into production shortly at the Larry Darmour studios on San- ta Monica Boulevard. F. C. Tam- ayo is here in interests of the Amer.-Angle Pictures Co., an in- ternational corporation located in New York City, and sponsor of the contemplated picture. Preliminary details for the pro- duction are now under way, with casting to start in about a week and actual shooting to begin around Oc- tober 1 at Darmour studio. MORE AREA TAKEN BY MEYER SYNCHRO Meyer Synchronizing Service has taken space at the Tec-Art studio in addition to headquarters at the Metropolitan Sound studios. Ex- pansion made owing to demand for their music. At the Tec Art branch, they will be able to record upon RCA Pho- tophone as well as the Western Electric recordings to which they have been limited. They will henceforth be equipped with one of the most complete syn- chronizing services in the industry. Their local facilities, together with their New York activities makes this organization the largest con- cern of the kind in the country. OSTRICH RUNNING Olga Printzlau’s play, “The Os- trich,” opened at the Theatre Mart for the week of Sept. 22 to 27, inclusive, prior to its November opening in New York. The cast includes, george Irving, Gloria Grey, Bodil Rosing, Carl Miller, Maryon Aye, Bruce Evans, Charles Schaeffer, and Don Lewis. ROBERTA ADDED Roberta Gale has been added to the cast of “Aunt’s in the Pants,” lively comedy, which Louis Brock is producing for RKO. In the comedy, which stars Walter Cat- lett of Broadway stage fame, are Monte Collins, Fred Kelsdy, Norma Cecil, Cissie Fitzgerald, Colin Camp- bell and Jack Ackroyd. Mark San- drich, is directing. GOES TO LIBERTY George Berthelon, former R.K.O. Pathe and P.D.C. executive has joined the Liberty Production Staff, working with Edward Halperin. trumps. It will show you are in- terested. When you are dummy help your partner with suggestions. Do not hesitate to criticise your partner. It will put him on his mettle. Always trump your partner’s tricks. Never take a chance. If it’s a money game, stop playing when you are ahead. . You will make an impression on people. Always explain every play, par- ticularly when set. It shows your card knowledge. Disagree with es- tablished rules and conventions. People will recognize you as an in- dependent thinker. Eat chocolate creams while play- ing. It prevents cards from skid- are ding. RESIGNATIONS ARE EXPECTED Oscar S. Oldknow, high ex- ecutive of Fox Theatres cor- poration, will succeed Harold B. Franklin, recently resigned as president of Fox West Coast, according to reports here. Oldknow, who will retain his vice-presidency of the eastern Fox string, is expected to put the two divisions of the circuit into close harmony. There is no talk of weld- ing the two divisions into one firm, something that Franklin is reporte-d to have tought considerably during his incumbency of the western of- fice. ■ Franklin’s contract as president of West Coast had still a year and a half to run, and it is said he was given $400,000 as a settlement to retire at once, although his salary is said to be $65,000 a year, and ten per cent of the profits. Change practically places all of the subsidiaries of the Fox exhibi- tion places and entertainment under one head. While not officially stated, it is believed Oldknow will make some radical changes in the personnel of the local Fox-W.C. offices. Also there may be a considerable shake-up in the managerial forces of the houses in the west. Franklin has been named in in- corporation papers of the Fox-Cos- mopolitan Theatre Company, Ltd., with Howard Sheehan, Fred A. Mil- ler and Roy O Miller, operators of the old California on Main street. Whether he will take active hand in the firm of whether his interest will be entirely financial, is a ques- tion being discussed. FOUR LANGUAGES IN COMEDY FILM Yiddish, Spanish, Italian and Eng- lish are spoken in the Educational- Ideal comedy, “Si, Si, Senor,” which features Tom Ptrcola and Joe Phil- lips. Story was written around spe- cial talents of Patricola and Phil- lips, and a good share of the laughs are derived from introduction of the foreign languages, as used by the coriiedians. The comedy will be released on September 21. TIES WITH DANCE SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25— RKO Golden Gate has tied up with the Balconades Ballroom for a dance tournament, which will have its final on the Gate stage the night of Sept. 30. S. F. MAKES TALKIES SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25—J. D. Barnes is making a series of one and two reel talkers at his local studios with Bruce Coleman dir- ecting. ‘DRACULA’ SIGNINGS Edward Van Sloan and Dwight Fry have been engaged for Uni- versal’s “Dracula,” supporting Bela Lugosi. Conference Qag On Baby Postal Harry Shutan has a new per- manent visitor in the form of a S-pound, 2-ounce actress, who although only two days old, is showing all the temperament of a movie star. A card just re- ceived from the lady starts in by telling this editor what a great guy he is and what a great actor and drector her dad is. Although she is new in town, she advances the info that her dad just completed SO consec- tive weeks, 30 of tests and 20 of conferences. She signs her- self “Shelia.” Harry now has a good press agent. She lives at 1466 Gundry Ave., Long Beach. Friends are extending their congratulations to Harry, mostly wrapped up in glass. ‘SEA WOLF’ MADE LAST TIME, SAYS FRIEND OF SILLS “The Sea Wolf,” it is said, has been made for the fourth and last time. Alfred Santell who directed Milton Sills in his last picture, said Sills gave such a characterization of the famous “Wolf Larson” that he believes no other actor will ever try it. Hobart Bosworth, Ralph Ince and Noah Beery played “Wolf” before sound pictures were made, but it remained for Sills to leave behind him a classic built on the Jack London story. THREE DIRECTORS TO RETURN HERE Returning to Hollywood soon are three directors who have been east on business. Edward H. Griffith has been in Boston and New York conferring with the author of “Rebound” on changes to be made. Louis Milestone, has been abroad vacationing. Alan Crosland, who was called to East Orange, New Jersey by the death of his father, will soon be back to superintend cutting and editing of “Children of Dreams,” recently completed. ‘SWAGGER INN’ NEW L. A. NIGHT SPOT “Swagger Inn,” a new night spot in the heart of Los Angeles down- town district, opened Thursday night in the old “Coffee Dan” loca- tion. Carl Pelly is manager. Art Varian, for the past five years associated with “Coffee Don’s” as master of ceremonies, assumed that role here, and with a five-piece orchestra, under the di- rection of Paul McPherson, fur- nishes the entertainment. Pelly announced to the pro- fession that no cover charge will be the rule, and various special nights will be in order, with added enter- tainments for highlights. Management recently renovated and redecorated the spot to the tune of $5000, and is bending every effort to offer the profession a night spot close-in, for the boys and girls backstage, where informality, to- gether with popular prices and good cuisine will be the rule. A three-day heavy opening cele- bration with kleig lights and fan fare will start the new “Swagger Inn” on its way to popularity. NEWS YARN TO START “Unfit to Print,” a dramatic news- paper story, has been selected as George Bancroft’s next starring vehicle, for Paramount. The pic- ture will be directed by John Crom- well, and the story is an original by Oliver H. P. Garrett. It goes into production in October. TALENT GLISTENS Universal had a remarkable ar- ray of talent in scenes made the other day for “The Boudoir Diplo- mat,” Mary Duncan, Julanne John- ston, Vivian Oakland, Lillian Rich, Blanche Le Clair, Margaret Adams, Ora Carewe, June Marlowe, Law- rence Grant, Lionel Belmore and Andre Beranger. At a meeting of the board of directors Colorart Pictures Cor- poration Ltd., the new name for the old Colorart Synchrotone Corpora- tion, which ran into financial diffi- culties during the making of the feature “Mamba,” last year, the resignation of President Burtis U. Cain was accepted, and Irvin Fur- man, elected as president. This organization, which started out with an elaborate program of production and manufacturing of sound equipment, got caught in the Wall St. debacle last October. It has been struggling along since while a plan of refinancing was be- ing put through. Plan now completed by Sanborn VINCENT GOES EAST; JOINS HIS BROTHER Frank Vincent, former offi- cial of RKO circuit, has left for New York, where it is un- derstood he will become asso- ciated with the Wilmer and Vincent circuit, of which his brother is part owner. Reports are that Vincent’s entry into the firm will bring about an ex- pansion policy, which will result in acquiring more than a score addi- tional houses, and extending the W. & V. chain into much new terri- tory. Opinion expressed is that Vin- cent will make no move to return to the two-a-day, notwithstanding the fact that for years he was iden- tified with big time, as it was before the entry of pictures into vaudeville bills. But being a died-in-the-wool vaudeville executive, it is apparent Vincent will see to it that vaude- ville is given a bigger play, with result that many of the old Orph- eum names may be expected soon playing the W. & V. time. Cliff Work has taken Vincent’s post in the west as divisonal direc- tor of California RKO theatres, and already is installed in the Los An- geles office. SAN DIEGO LAUDS TEMPTATION SHOWN DURING BREAK-IN “Temptations of 1930,” which is to open at the Mayan, Sept. 25, had its break at San Diego, where it opened last Monday night for three days. Papers of the southern city were enthusiastic in their praise of the Warner Franklin revue. It will be reviewed in these col- umns next week. DOUG WINS TROPHY Douglas Fairbanks has another golf trophy to add to his imposing collection. He has just been awarded the actors’ trophy in the motion picture tournament. In the competition on the difficult Lake- side Course, Fairbanks led the actors’ division wth a low gross score of 77, seven over par. NEW SOUND STAGE Columbia Pictures christened a sound stage, making the sxth to be put into service at this studio with- in the last year. The addition is on the old Chadwick Studio lot, re- cently leased by Columbia. STERLING TO WORK Ford Sterling will start on his first comedy for Educational as soon as the story, being specially written, is completed by Jimmy Starr and Harry McCoy. It will go into production at Metropolitan. GRANT COOK HERE Grant L. Cook, executive vice- president of ^Tiffany Productions, arrived in Hollywood from New York and will remain for an indef- inite stay. He is conferring with studio executives regarding the coming year’s production, which is to be the most elaborate in the his- tory of the studio. IN PATHE PICTURE Constance Bennett’s new 'star- ring picture, “Sin Takes a Holi- day,” by Pathe. and Company, a firm of San Fran- cisco brokers, will shortly bring in- to the coffers considerable capital from a group of eastern financiers, which will complete final steps in the effort to firmly re-establisb the corporation upon a sound financial structure. Product of Colorart Pictures, of which there are about 60 short subjects and several features, is being released by Tiffany, and has been making profitable returns dur- ing the past year. Reorganization of the staff will proceed, and a new schedule of pro- duction will ensue shortly, accord- ing to the newly elected president. GLEASON GIVES BRIDGE RULES COLORART ELECTS NEW HEAD