Motion Picture News (Apr - Jul 1930)

124 Motion Picture News May 24, 19 3 0 Mress JIgent M UFFS "A good old-fashioned snowball fight, staged by Clarence Brown for scenes in 'Romance,' in which Greta Garbo is starred, almost caused the director a day's work when he hired a group of newsboys to put on the battle. The youngsters were supplied with 'prop' snowballs for the scrimmage and Brown, with his camera, was stationed behind a window, shooting down into the street below. "In the midst of the battle, one of the kids hurled one of the 'loaded' missiles with wicked aim, smashing the window pane and just missing Brown and his camera." * * * "It will be news to practically every editor in the world — and to all press agents — that the United Artists studio gateman has never failed to recognize Marv Pickford." * * * "Buster Keaton, who will play a soldier in his next M-G-M starring vehicle, has dug up his old uniform, which he wore in actual service in France, and will use it in some of his scenes in his new talkie. 'I got kind of used to wearing it then, and it'll fit better than a wardrobe uniform,' he says." * * * "Ramon Novarro wonders, in these days of foreign versions of talkies, if they'll ever make Chinese versions of pictures. 'Imagine singing "Free and Ea.sy" or "The Rogue Song" in Cantonese,' he suggests. 'I guess it would sound like stones being dropped into a can.' " * * * "Harry Earles, the midget playing with Lon Chaney in 'The Unholy Three,' has a pet dog taller than himself. He is 'Rudolph,' a Great Dane. The huge pet never jumps on his diminutive master, and can be led on a leash, never pulling at it. 'It is something like when a bigger guy leads a horse,' says the tiny actor." "Mott Shea, famous theatrical man of New York, visited the M-G-M studios and, among other old friends among ex-vaudevillians there met Polly Moran. 'You fired me once,' she laughingly informed him, 'But I'll bet you couldn't hire me now!'" * * * "Hey ! Come down ofT that ladder. What are you trying to do, break your neck?' shouted a raucous voice. "Every pair of eyes turned toward the top of a very tall, wobbly stepladder and there on the top, maintaining a precarious seat, was Lotti Loder, the German star who is now making pictures for Warner Bros. She began an ignominious descent. "'If you want to kill yourself, wait until the picture is finished,' was the concluding remark of the owner of the raucous voice. When Lotti stepped off the bottom rung she had regained her composure. Anyway Lotti couldn't be upset for more than a minute and it was only the director speaking. Directors speak that wav to stars in Hollvwoofl." * * * Salisbury Field, dramatic author and writer of stage comedies, who often has been called "the Columbus of the bedroom," has been signed to a contract at the Paramount Publix studios in Hollywood, according to an executive announcement today. Stevens Acoustic Firm Acquired by Johns-Manville Assets and patents of the Stevens Sound Proofing Co., Chicago, have been acquired by Johns-Manville Corp. The Stevens firm manufactures patented structural products for sound insulations in walls, floors and ceilings and for constructing anti-vibration platforms under machinery. The deal adds to the present line of JohnsManville acoustical materials, Nashkote felts in various forms, with both perforated and plain covers ; Nashtile with a "plastic" finish and Sanacoustic tile, the latter product being a perforated metal tile containing rock wool. The Stevens systems are designed for theatres, studios, and other institutions. Franklin*s Free Show Ottawa — Joe Franklin, who manages B. F. Keith's, this week staged his annual free show^ for senior school pupils under the auspices of the Royal Humane Society, when 2,600 boys and girls crowded the tlicatre, these being the scholars who had taken nart in the societv's essay competition. The feature was "The Wagon Master," starring Ken Maynard, supplied by the Film Board of Trade, and short subjects were provided by the Canadian Government. Franklin is a director of the society. CLASSIFIED ADS. Equipment Theatre Lobby Frames, manufacturer to you. Low cost. Gem Frame Company, 2805 Brighton, Kansas City, Mo. Situation Wanted Manager, experienced, desires position. Furnish best of references. \\\\\ go anywhere. Apply Box 686, Motion Picture News, 729 Seventh Avenue, New York. OCA. LI TE BRILLIANT PICTURESPERFECT SOUND Clear, realistic pictures — Freedom from eyestrain— Natural tone quality — All these are essential to hold your patronage and are assured by VocaUte Sound Screen. THE BEST BY SCIENTIFIC TEST Descriptive Literature on Application B£4DED SCREEN COJRP 448 WeST 37^"STRttT N.Y. FACTOB-V ROOSEVELT, OiCW VORK THEATRE Construction PROVIDENCE, R. I.— Ground was broken this week for Samuel Domes' new house in East Providence, to cost about $150,000 and to have a capacity of 1,244. M. Davis Mason of Great Harrington, Mass., is the architect. WOODLAND. Cal.— Erection of a $200,000 theatre here, to seat 1,200, has been announced bji; L. R. Cook, president of the National Theatres Syndicate of San Francisco. LAKEVIEW, Ore.— The Marius will be the title of the new theatre to be built here by the two sons of the late Marius Miller, W. V. and Hobart Miller, together with M. E. Alger and R. E. Winchester. ALBEMARLE, X. C— A. F. Biles and R. L. Smith are to erect a theatre and lease it to the Stanly Amusement Co., operators of the Columbus. It will seat 700. BATON ROUGE, La.— Southern Amusement Co. will build a theatre here. LUBBOCK. Tex.— Mrs. G. T. Scales will spend $200,000 on erection of a theatre. WINNIPEG — A syndicate of Winnipeg business men has arranged for the construction of the Academy Theatre, an atmospheric and wired house, to cost $150,000. Fire Destroys Crescent Pampa, Tex. — An early morning blaze destroyed the Crescent, causing a loss of $50,000. For a time a number of adjoining buildings were threatened. Defective wiring is given as the cause. The theatre was recently remodeled for talking pictures. Qet This Vointl "Your public is mighty critical on sound — keep a step ahead of them" Use Sllman Synchronous DISC POINTS ^ The only perfect point for sound reproduction No Surface Scratch . . . More Natural Tone . . . Clearer Voice Articulation . . . Eliminate.s Blurry and Raspy Tone Try them .ind you'll appreciate this wonderful improvement over the old style needle Send TO-DAY for FREE Samples M a It lit lie t tire il l>\ Silman Distributing Co. Sotiitil Eqiiipiiintf and Apparatus 620 Grant St. Pittsburgh, Pa. UNIFORMS FOR HOUSE ATTACHES COSTUMES FOR STAGE PRESENTATIONS BROOKS 1437 B'way New York