The motion picture almanac (1932)

62 The MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC 1932 First National Pictures, Inc., Burbank, Cal. ; b. Chicago. 111., May 1, 1902; e. Harvard University; ni. Martha Bliss; has a (laughter, Evelyn. Recent pictures: "LiOcal Boy Makes Good," "Her Majesty Love," "Manhattan Parade" and "Fireman Save My Child." McCORMICK. JOHN: b. Kansas City, Mo., August 17, 1893; h. fi feet 1 inch; brown hair and eyes; w. 185 pounds; p. Anne Phelau and James S. McCormick, non-professionals; e, Broadway high school, Seattle. Wash., and the University of Washington; not married, hy. tennis. Began his stage career as usher in a Seattle theatre; after leaving college he became treasurer of the Empress theatre in San Francisco. Realizing the coming popularity of motion pictures, he entered this branch of the show business in 1914; bought rights to "Birth of a Nation" and "Tillie's Punctured Romance," for Pacific Northwest territory, and exploited and sold pictures in that locality; then became affiliated with Sol Lesser, first as exchange manager in Denver of All Star Features Distributors, then as publicity and exploitation manager for the entire organization. After the World war, in which he was commissioned an ensign in the Navy, he became publicity director of the newly organized First National Exhibitors Circuit; was Western head of this organization as it developed from a two-room office until it occupied its present two million dollar studio. In 1927 he resigned as general manager of First National Studio to devote his attention to producing Culle;n Moore pictures for First National release. Retired from pictures since 1929. McGOVERN. ELMER J.: Production Executive and Film Editor; b. New York City. July 22, 1885; e. public schools. Entered picture business in 1913 as assistant to president of New York motion picture corp., also film editor of the Ince and Sennett pictures of that Corp. Has edited innumerable pictures and the most recent the "Looking Back" series. Address 110 West 48th Street (The Friars) New York. McGUINNESS, JAMES: Associate producer and wnter; b. New York City, December 20, 1893; h. 5 feet 11% inches; gray eyes, dark brown hair; w. 177 pounds; e. New York public and high schools and New York University; hy. golf; is married. Newspaper work in New York and Philadelphia; sport column, New York Evening Telegram; Sun Dial, New York Sun; originated and ran for first year "The Talk of the Town" in the New Yorker; contributed to various national magazines. Entered pictures in February, 1927, through Winfleld Sheehan; produced for Fox: "A Girl in Every Port," "Romance of the Underworld," "Roadhouse," "Men Without Women," "Salute," "The Lone Star Ranger," "Born Reckless." MclNTYRE, ROBERT B.: Production manager, Samuel Goldwyn Productions ; b. Philadelphia, Pa. ; e. Philadelphia. Formerly theatrical business manager at Walnut Street theatre, Philadelphia, and with Wm. A. Brady in New York. Entered pictures in 1913. having been sent to Peerless Studios in Fort Lee by Wm. A. Brady. MAC LEAN, DOUGLAS: b. Philadelphia, Pa.; h. u feet 9 inches; brown hair and hazel eyes; w. 145 pounds ; e. Northwestern university, preparatory school and Lewis Institute of Technology in Chicago; div. Faith Cole, 1930; m. Lorraine Eddy, 1931; hy. golf and yachting. His first role on the stage was opposite Maude Adams in "Rosalind" on tour for one season; then one year in stock at Pittsfield. Mass., and one year at Moroseo, Los Angeles. He started screen career in the leading role opposite Alice Brady, In "As Ye Sow," for World Film Company; also played opposite Mary Pickford in 'Captain Kidd, Jr." and "Johanna Enlists"; also opposite Dorothy Dalton and Enid Bennett. StaYred in Thomas H. Ince Productions three years including: "Twenty-three and one half Hours Leave," "The Hottentot," etc. Subsequent six years produced independently his own starring pictures including "Going Up," "Yankee Consul," "Never Say Die," "Introduce Me," "Seven Keys to Baldpate," "That's My Baby," "Let It Rain," "Hold That Lion" and "Soft Cushions." Co-produced with Christie Film Company "Divorce Made Easy" and "The Carnation Kid" 1929. Became associated with Radio Pictures 1930 as Associate Producer. Produced "Cracked Nuts," "Too Many Cooks," "Laugh and Get Rich," 'Caught Plastered," the last two being originals by him, and "Ladies of the Jury." MACKINNON, DOUGLAS GEORGE: Member of of Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc., Hollywood; b. Mandalay, Burma, India; h. 6 feet 1 inch; light hair and blue eyes; w. 175 puonds; p. Annie Allan and Harry Douglas Mackinnon; e. Los Angeles high school; m. Ruth Palmer; hy. yachting, polo, golf. Address: 5504 Hollywood boulevard, Hollywood. MANNIX, EDWARD J.: Financial comptroller at MGM studios ; b. Fort Lee, N. J. ; e. Fort Lee and Hackensack, K, J. Connected with theatrical profession for five years as manager of eastern shows and for fourteen consecutive seasons as manager of Palisades Park. Entered pictures in 1916, affiliated with Allan Dwan; general connections and association with Jos. and Nicholas Sehenck. Following merger of old Metro, Goldwin and Mayer, became financial comptroller at MGM Studios. MANNON, ALFRED T.: b. Philadelphia, Pa., December 22, 1897; h. 5 feet 11 inches; brown hair and eyes; w. 170 pounds; p. May Reiff and George Henry Mannon, nonprofessionals; e. Stuyvesant high school. New York City, and Columbia college school of architecture; m. Marion R. Hlckson, non-professional. He is a production executive at Tec-Art Studios, Hollywood. Produced the "Star, The Voice of Hollywood" series and "Football for the Fan." MARKS. JOE: Leasing manager, Warner Bros, and First National studios, Hollywood and Burbank. Cal. ; b. Youngstown, Ohio, July 18. 1886; p. Henry and Kate Marks; e. public schools; not married. Twenty-six years In show business: usher; ticket taker; treasurer; stage property man; stage electrician; stage grip-assistant manager, summer amusement park; manager, penny arcade; business manager, sensational outdoor acts; theatre manager; theatre lessee; theatre concessionaire: theatre program publisher; owner, theatre curtain advertising company; state lighter of feature pictures; theatre scout; called the "first casting director to cast talking pictures"; now leasing manager. MAYER, LOUIS B.: Vice-president in charge of production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Culver City. Cal.; b. Europe, July 4. 1885; p. Sarah Meltzcr and Jacob Mayer, non-professionals; e. public schools, St. John, New Brunswick; m. Margaret Shenburg. His first theatrical venture was the operation of a small theatre in Haverhill. Mass. The house was in poor condition, but he renovated It and reopened it with "From the Manger to the Cross." Having won the confidence of his patrons, he soon had the leading theatre in the town. He then decided to give social attractions such as the Boston Opera Company. "Peter Pan," with Maude Adams and "The Littlest Rebel." with the Farnums as the attractions, which was also a huge success. One by one all of the five tutatres in Haverhill came under Mayer's control. Later he branched out and with Nat Gordon formed the GordonMayer theatrical chain, the strongest in New England at that time. He then became interested in the exchange end of the business, and soon was recognized as one of the biggest buyers of film productions in the country, as well as enjoying an enviable reputation as a rare judge of a picture's commercial possibilities. His background of sound experience and victories made him logical head of operations when the greatest merger up to that time in film history brought together the picture-making forces of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Under h.s management that organization has become one of the greatest film producing organizations in the world, producing an average of more than 60 pictures each year. He is President of the Motion Picture Producers Association. MEILIKEN, IRVING: b. New Yor!s City, June 2. 1902; h. 5 feet 6% inches; brown hair and eyes; w. 137 pounds; p. Joseph, non-professional; e. Morris High School: m. Claire, non-professional. For the past ten years he has been with the Tec Art Studios in Hollywood, as studio manager and secretary of the corporation. MENDOZA, DAVID: Musical director. Warner Bros. -First National Pictures, Burbank, Cal.: b. New York City, March 13, 1894; p. David and Wilhelmina; e. pupil at the Institute of Musical Art, New York City, violin with Franz Kneisel. composition with Percy Goetchins and Rubin Goldmark, also preparatory medical school; m. Dorothea Schoeps; has two sons. For two years was first violinist with Russian Symphony Orchestra, four years with the New York Symphony, orchestra conductor for the past twelve years. -Two years ago appeared at the Lewisohn Stadium with the New York Philharmonic as guest conductor. Nine years musical director of the Capitol theatre. New York. Scored and presented such productions as "The Big Parade," "Ben-Hur," "The Merry Widow," "White Shadows of the South Seas." "Dancing Daughters." "Don Juan" (first Vitaphone production). Did commercial broadcasting for a year and a half, on such radio hours as Fada, Maxwell House Coffee, Paramount, Eastman Kodak, Quaker State Green and White. Was associated with Roxy's Gang and Major Bowes' Family as musical director. Has been active in radio broadcasting since its inception. MEYER. HENRY D.: b. San Francisco, Cal.; hy. antique furniture. Secretary-Treasurer with James Cruze, Inc. MILLHAUSER, BERTRAM: Associate producer. R K O Radio Pictures, Hollywood; b. New York City. March 25, 1892; h. 5 feet 5% inches; brown hair and blue eyes; w. 135 pounds; p. Bertha and Isaac Millhauser; m. non-professional; hy. Dachshunds. For 10 years a writer of original stories and screen plays for Pathe, Universal, F B O, Warner Bros., Famous-PlayersLasky, Fox. Supervised twelve films for Cecil B. DeMille. Associate producer for Fox. Now associate producer of Radio Pictures. MITCHELL, PELL: Production manager. Darmour Productions. Hollywood; b. Fulton, Ky. . December 12. 1884; h. 5 feet 9 inches; brown hair and eyes; w. 145 pounds: p. Mary Elizabeth and Josiah Mitchell, nonprofessionals; e. Dixon, Tenn., and Vanderbilt university; m. Pearl Roberts, non-professional; hy. "reading the Bartenders' Guide, Hostetter's Almanac and O. O. Maclntyre's column, breeding Boston Terriors, yachting on Biscayne Bay." Stage experience: barnstorming. Editor of Mutual Weekly and Gaumont News for six years. Organized Fox News in 1919. MOOS, SIGMUND: Manager, leasing department. Universal Pictures Corporation, Universal City. Cal. ; b. Gailingen, Germany, August 25. 1871; p. Samuel and Esther Moos; e. high school. Constanz, Germany, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; m. Amalia ne Wachtel. In the United States 30 years and a citizen since 1906. Manager of the leasing department of the Universal City studios since 1916. Has made twelve trips to Europe, particularly Switzerland. Germany, France. Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway, and to North Africa. Is interested in art and history study. MOSER, FRANK: Born on a farm near Oketo, Kan. Graduate of the Marysville Kansas High School 1907. Attended Albert T. Reid Art School of Topeka, Kan.. 1907 and 1908. Attended Cumming School of Art in Des Moines, Iowa, 1908, 1909 and 1910, during which time he was associated with J. N. Ding, cartoonist for the "Des Moines Register," as part time illustrator, cartoonist and doing general utility sketch assignments. When Ding came to New York in 1910, Moser took the regular daily cartoon job on the "Des Moines Register" where he remained for two years. He went to New York in the fall of 1912 to continue studying art at the Art Students League and illustrated a daily story for the "New York Globe" known as "In Our School," which ran four years. In 1915 he began drawing moving pictures for The Edison Company (same studio and projection rooms now used by "Terrytoons") — a feature known as "Kid Kelly" — six of them. Established the cartoon department of International Film Service in 1916. making the first "Krazy Kat" for motion pictures as well as the first of "Bringing Up Father," "Happy Hooligan," "Little Jimmy" and "Jerry On The Job." About 1918 joined the Paramount Studios where he produced twenty-six comedies known as "Bud and Susie." Leaving Paramount in 1919 he joined Paul Terry and assisted Terry in the production of 430 Fables. In 1929 he entered a partnership with Terry and jointly created and established the present "Terrytoons." MOULTON, THOMAS T.: Chief engineer of the sound department. United Artists studios. Hollywood: b. Wausau. Wis.. January 1. 1896; p. Howard and Lorene Moulton; e. grammar school, high school, and university in electrical engineering; m. Eunice M. Moulton; one daughter Adelia May Moulton. Was electrical engineer for Pacific Fruit Express Company. San Francisco, for four years. Operated his own ice business and then sold it to Union Ice Company. Went to Los Angeles six years ago and has been actively engaged in the electric engineering profession ever since. MURPHY, JOHN LAWRENCE: Production manager of Harold Lloyd Corporation; b. Chicago. 111.. 1894; e. Portland, Ore.; played professional baseball in the old Inter -Mountain League just prior to the war; m. Hazel Connolly, Chicago. Enlisted in the aviation section in the World war, and immediately following his discharge went to Hollywood, where he Joined Brunton Film Company; later went with Rolin Film Company, which was then producing the Harold Lloyd comedies in the old Bradbury Mansion, Los Angeles. Participated in the building of the new Hal Roach plant at Culver City and remained there until Harold Lloyd branched out as an independent producer seven years ago. Went with the Lloyd corporation as production manager. Is a member of the Elks, Lakeside Golf Club and the Hollywood Athletic Club. NATHAN, AL: Producer; b. Chicago, HI., May 22. 1884; h. 5 feet 4 inches; brown eyes, brown hair; w. 165 pounds; e. Chicago, specializing in law and medicine; hy. yachting; is married. Formerly in theatrical business for 25 years as company manager, advance man for some of the largest theatrical organizations in New York and Chicago; also managed theatres in several cities for Carl Laemmle. Entered pictures In 1918. through Harry Cohn. of Columbia, and became vice president and general manager of Savoy Pictures, then producing Hallroom Boy Comedies with Fiannagan and Edwards; made all of the Carter DeHaven Comedies and his own series of Sunkist Bathing Girt Comedies, titled "Good to the Last Drop." NEITZ. ALVIN J.: b. Portownsend. Wash., March 23. 1894; h. 5 feet 11% inches; brown hair and blue eyes; w. 180 pounds; p. Harriett and Joseph Neitz, nonprofessionals; e. Los Angeles high school and University of Southern California; m. Marguerite E. Foss, professional; hy. bridge. Stage experience of two years, with Riley and Woods in "Casino Girls," also with Edward Winterbum. and as stage manager. Screen experience since 1911 being with the following companies: two years American Film Co., Santa Barbara, four years Thos. H. Ince, two years David Horsley and three years Triangle. Producing independently until June, 1929, and now with Fowler Studios. NOSLER, LLOYD: Supervising editor and codirector, Hollywood: b. Portland, Ore.. March 13. 1900; h. 5 feet 10 inches; brown hair and blue eyes: w. 157 pounds; e. Central high. Spokane. Wash.; m. Josephine Nosier; hy. polo, tennis and swimming. Joined the staff of Universal in 1915. Has edited the following productions: "Ben-Hur," "Flesh and the Devil." "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "The Cat and the Canary," "The Temptress," "Thy Name Is Woman." "Strangers of the Night." "Red Lily." and "The Famous Mrs. Fair." He held the position of supervising film editor at Universal, also supervising editor at Inspiration. Co-directed Douglas Fairbanks' picture, "Reaching for the Moon," for United Artists. PIVAR, BEN: Foreign production supervisor. Columbia Pictures Corporation. Hollywood: b. Manchester. England, March 23. 1901; p. Adolph and Anna Pivar; e. business college. Started as assistant editor, then became film editor, supervising film editor. Next he was appointed supervisor of American production and now is production executive in charge of foreign production and supervisor of American production. PIVAR, MAURICE: Supervising film editor. Universal studio; b. Manchester, England, October 11, 1896; e. New York public schools and College of the City of New York; m. Sue Pivar; hy. golf. Entered pictures seventeen vears ago; productions: "Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Merry Go Round." "Phantom of the Opera." "Man Who Laughs," "Cohens and Kellys," and others. POLLAK, ADOLPH: Organizer of new independent producing company formed by himself in April this year; b. Hungary, April 8, 1891. m. has three children, two girls and one boy; hy. finance. Came to the United States in 1906. First engaged in the tobacco business — on the manufacturing and selling end. In 1923 joined Universal Exchange as a salesman in the Brooklyn territory; left Universal after a year to become assistant manager of Commonwealth Exchange. A year later he joined Jack Bellman, as assistant, when the former started Renown Exchange. A year later, with Jack Bellman, he started Hollywood Pictures Corporation, of which he became vice-president, and later, when the business was sold to Columbia Pictures, he stayed behind as president of Hollywood Pictures Corporation, distributing independent pictures in the New York market. Later, when Jack Bellman returned to Hollywood Pictures, he relinquished his duties with Hollywood, retaining an interest, and formed peerless Productions, Inc. Resigned as president of Peerless to form new company. POPPE, HARRY T.: General superintendent, RKO Pathe Studios. Culver City, Cal.: b. Cincinnati, Ohio; h. 5 feet 10 inches. Theatrical experience as company manager and advance agent for Baker & Castle Attractions. "Graustark," and "The Goose Girl": advance agent for the American tour of the London Symphony Orchestra; with the Cincinnati SymDhony Orchestra and Heuck and Fennesy theatres, Cincinnati. Foregoing engagements covered the period from 1905 to 1913. Experience with motion picture productions for five years: Houdini Picture Corporation; B. A. Rolfe Productions ; Octagon Films: Yorke-Metro Productions (Harold Lockwood) and David Horsley Productions. Production manager. Pathe Studios. Culver City. Cal.. with which he has been connected since May. 1927. Now general superintendent of R K O Pathe Studios. PORTER, FRED. L. : Vice presdent and treasurer. Christie Film Company: b. Pennsylvania. June 18. 1870; h. 5 feet 8% inches: blue eyes, brown hair; w. 135 pounds; is married. Entered pictures in Hollywood. May, 1915: purchased stock in producing company and was made general manager. POST, CHARLES A.: Vice President and General Manager. Trem Carr Pictures, Ltd.. Los Angeles; b. Salt Lake City, Utah, November 3, 1897; p. C. H. and Clare B. Post: e. public schools of Salt Lake City; not married. Was an actor in the Ernest Wilkes Stock Company, Salt Lake City, 1916-17; went into motion picture acting in 1918, starting with Mary Pickford in "M'liss," Artcraft. Was in supporting casts with Wallace Reid, Frank Keenan, Sessue Hayakawa, Cecil B. DeMille Productions. George Melford Productions, Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, two years in Fox Sunshine Comedies, played Nicholas in King Vidor's "Wild Oranges," was co-featured with Irene Rich in Vitagraph's "Behold This Woman," with Corinne Griffith in First National's "Wilderness," with Josef