1937-38 international motion picture almanac (1938)

stories into plays; in 1923 when the intelligentsia of Moscow was agitated over the question of whether Russian theatrical art was to be dominated by influences from the East or West, was sent to Siberia. Mongolia and Tibet; the following year was dispatched to this country on a similar mission; in Chicago he produced Kelser's "Gas" at the Goodman Memorial theatre; executive eiperlence obtained in Chicago 1925-27 when he founded and directed the Chicago Play Producing company: in 1927 wrote a book on the American theatre which was published in Russia; found that New York producers were unwilling to entrust him with American plays, on account of his sliglit knowledge of English, so he bought the rights to "Skidding" with a partner and produced it himself: likewise "Broken Dishes" and "Lost Sheep." Directed "Bad Girl" and other plays in New York. Under contract to Paramount. Directed "I Take This Woman," "Twenty-four Hours" and "Ladies of the Big House," "Devil and the Deep." "Madame Butterfly." In 19?,^: "Jennie Gerhardt." "Pick-Up." Paramount. In 1934: directed "Good Dame," "Thirty Day Prinoe.s.i,' "Ready for Love." Paramount. In 193.'): "Rumba." Paramount; "Lady of Secrets," Columbia. In 1936: "Rose of the Rancho." Paramount. In 1937: "Thunder in the City." Columbia. GERMAN. EDWARD: (See 1936-37 Motion Picture .■iliiianac.) GERMAN. WILLIAM J.: Vice president and general manager, J. E. Brulatour. Inc. ; b. Port Hope, Canada; p. U. JIary and Henry German; e. Ontario business college; m. Estelle E. Wehnert; has two chililren. Began work with Eastman Kodak Company at Rix'hester in 1906; from 1906 to 1911 in cost accountins department at Kodak Park Works; from 1911 to 1916 in Stockhouse auditing department; from 1916 to 1921 in charge of planning and distribution departmcjit: in 1921 to New York as manager of G. M. Laboratories in Long Island City and Paragon & Sen Jacq Laboratories in Fort Lee. N. J. ; in 1922 became associated with .7. E. Brulatour. Inc., distributors of motion picture Him fur Eastman Ko<lak Company of Rochester, N. Y. GERMONPREZ. LOUIS: Assistant director. In 193.5"Escape from iJevils Island," "Song of the Damned " Columbia. In 1936: "Comin" Round the Mountain." ReBet." BIP; "Mister Hobo," Gaumont-British Pictures Corporation. GERNARDI. FRANK: Actor. In 1935: "Dinky Warner. GEROLDT, LUIS: (See 1936-37 Motion Picture Al manac. ) GERRARD. DOUGLAS: Actor and Director; r D D. G. McMurrogh Kavanagh; b. County Dublin, Ireland August 12, 1888; h. 5 feet lOVa inches; brown hail and eyes; w. 175 pounds; e. Heidelberg University, Germany, Stonyhurst College, England and Dublin Universities; hobbies include yachting, swimming, rowing and fox hunting. While in college specialized to elocution, oratory and literature. Began stage career as Shakespearean actor. Entered pictures in March 1913 opposite Pavlowa in her only film. Played with Paullnt Frederick and Mary Pickford, then Carl Laemmle made him feature director at Universal. Returned to acting and appeared in the following productions: "Footloosf Widows, "Wolf's Clothing," "Sailor Made Man," Omar the Tent Maker," "Commanding Officer," Ladles of the Night Club." "Lord and Lady Algy " "Painted Angel" (1929). First National; "Madonna 'of Avenue A" (1929), Warner Bros. In 1934: "Bombay Mall," Universal; "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back." Iinlted Artists-20th Century. In 1935: "The Ghost Walks." Invincible. In 1936: "Under Two Flags " 20th Cenlury-Fox. GERRARD, GENE: Actor, r. n. Eugene O'SulIivan; b. Claoham, London, England. August 31, 1892: h. 5 feet 10 Inches: dark hair, dark brown eyes; hy. motoring, flying, gardening; p. non-professionals. Went on stage as a youth and toured the world. Served during the war in Italy. Then formed own show with Gertrude Lawrence. Appeared in many West End mqslcal comedies, 'Katja, The Dancer." "Lucky Girl," "New Moon," 'Rose Marie" and "Little Tommy Tucker." Entered films in 1912 with the old Hepworth Company. Re-entered films in 1931 with B.LP.. appearing in "Let's Love and Laugh" and "My Wife's Family." Subsequently .took on direction as well as lead in comedy fllmi making "Out of the Blue:" In 1932: "Brother Alfred." Lucky Girl," "Let Me Explain Dear" and "Leave It to Me. Playing exclusively for BIP. In 1935: "It's a Bet." BIP; "Mister Hobo," GB Pictures Ger — Ger GERRARD, HENRY W.: Cameraman. In 1933: "Blind Adventure," "Little Women," Radio. In 1934: "Man of Two Worlds." "Success at Any Price." "Of Human Bondage," "The Little Minister." RKO. GERRIE, FRASER M.: News editor. The Journal, Edmonton, Alberta: b. Toronto, Ontario. Oct. 16. 1892; 0. Rev. Capt. J. P. Gerrie and Mrs. Gerrle: e. father was graduate of McGlU University, Montreal: married, no children. Started with Herald, Stratford. Ont.. at age of 15; later with The Beacon, Stratford, Ont.: then with the Advertiser. London. Ont. Went to western Canada at 18 as editor of The Times (weekly), Yorkton. Saskatchewan: six months later to Edmonton. Alberta. as sports editor of the Bulletin: two years with Bulletin (1911-12): then two years with the Journal. Edmonton, as sports editor (1913-14). Served overseas with Princess Patricias in Canadian Expeditionary Force for four years 1915-16-17-18. Returned to the Journal: appointed city editor in 1928. Appointed news editor, 1935. GERRITS, PAUL: Actor, b. West Wrlghtstown. Wis.; h. 5 feet, lOVi inches; brown hair and blue eyes; w. 160 pounds: e. local grammar and high schools; hy. sports. Worked in paper mills in Appleton and Kaukauna, later in bridge and Iron works in North Milwaukee for 18 months. Traveled about the country, stopping In Seattle, bricklaying for two years. Went back to roller skating, as instructor, then in exhibitions at dance halls and county fairs. In 1927 joined two other skaters, forming the Crystal Pool trio, and played vaudeville for five years. In 1932 left the act to do a single, with monologue. In 1933 in "Murder at the Vanities" on stage In New York. After show closed, did four weeks of yaudeville. To Hollywood In August, 1934. Appeared In "Stolen Harmony," Paramount. In 1935: "Four Hours to Kill." Paramount. In 1937: "On the Avenue," 20th Century-Fox. GERRON. KURT: Actor. Played In "The Blue Angel," Ufa. GERSDORF, PHIL: Publicity, b. Sherman. Texas. Aug. 31. 190U; h. 5 feet 11 Inches; brown hair and blue eyes; w. 165 pounds; p. Laura C. Gersdorf and George Richard Gersdorf, non^professionals: e. East Denver high in Denver, Col., and Lewis and Clark high in Spokane, Wash.; m. Beulah L. Metcalf. non -professional; hy. fishing ■ and golf. Publicity experience in Terry Ramsaye's department at the Rlvoli and Rlalto, New York; former city manager for Southern Enterprises in Macon, Ga. : also managed theatres and did publicity work in Detroit for Charles H. Miles, also in Jacksonville. Fla., and Atlanta, Ga.. was field exploitation man for Ooldwyn Pictures, stationed in the Cincinnati. Ohio, exchange; went to California as director of publicity for Hunt Stromberg. who was producing independently at the time: later with Metro, then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. then with Metropolitan Pictures and with Cecil B. DeMlUe. remaining with Pathe studio when DeMllle left to join Metro-GoIdwyn-Mayer. Was director of publicity for RKO Pathe Studios in Culver City and then transferred to RKO studios in Hollywood with merging of Pathe and Radio organizations. Was director of publicity for Charles R. Rogers Productions in 1933. 1933-34. studio puiilicity director for Samuel Goldwyn. In 1935 publicity director .Sol Lesser Enterprises, Inc. With 20th Cent. -Fox. GERSHWIN. GEORGE: Music Composer, b. Brooklyn. N. Y.. September 26, 1898; h. 5 feet 10% Inches; black hair and brown eyes; w. 151 pounds: e. public schools of New York and high school of Commerce. Took a summer course in orchestration at Columbia University: hy. painting. After leaving school became a song plugger for a music publishing house. Studied piano with Charles Hambltzer and took harmony from Edward Kllenyl. Was on the stage as accompanist for Louise Dresser and Nora Bayes. Soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. New York Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Boston Symphony Orchestra; Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and others. His best known composition is probably "Rhapsody in Blue." Wrote "Preludes," "An American in Paris," "Second Rhapsody." "Cuban Overture." "Concerto in P." Composed such songs as "La. La. Lucile," "Our Neil." "Girl Crazy." "Sweet Little Devil." "Lady. Be Good." "Oh Kay." "Strike Up the Band." "Show Girl." "Tip Toes," "Tell Me More." "Funny Face." Wrote the music for George White's "Scandals" during the years 1920 to 1924. Composed the music for "Primrose" and English productions. Songs. "Swanee," "The Man I Love." Opera: "Porgy and Bess," Theatre Guild production; Pulitzer Prizewinner, "Of Thee I Sing"; "Let 'Em Eat I'ake" Motion pictures: "Delicious," Fox. In 1937: "Sliall We Dance?" RKO-Radio. GERSHWIN, IRA: Music Composer. b. New York T H E 9 3 7 MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC 379