The motion picture almanac (1931)

1931 The MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC 413 celebrities on tie radio. The list includes Joan Crawford. Douglas Fairbanks. Jr., Nancy Carroll, Charles (Buddy) Rogers, Frederic March, Claudette Colbert. Philip Holmes. Grace Moore. Mary Duncan, Jean Harlow. Lois Moran. Fin Dorsay. Bert Lytell. Laura LaFlante, Stanley Smith. Catherine Dale Owen, Lillian Roth, Sue Carol, Nick Stuart. Marian Nixon. Helen Twelvetrees, Sally O'Neil, Eddie Buzzell, Mary Doran, Lucille Gleason, June Collyer, Buth Boland. Estelle Taylor, Irene Delroy, Sylvia Sidney. James Hall. Lina BasQuette, Marie Saxon. Carmel Myers and Stewart Erwin, HARTER, RICHARD ROBERTS: Pen name. Dick Harter. Amusement editor. Canton Repository. Canton. Ohio; b. Canton, Ohio. May 31. 18S7; p. Isaac and Emma B. Harter; e. Kenyon college (Ph.B.. 1912), also attended the Tome school. Port Deposit, Md. . Trinity Hall, Washington, Pa., and Chateau De Lancy. Geneva, Switzerland. Served as assistant to Dennis B. Smith, amusement editor of the Canton Daily News The latter paper was purchased by the Bepository July 3. 1930. Smith is now a member of the Repository staff, and many of the pictures exhibited in Canton are covered by his excellent reviews. HASKELL, WILLIAM H.: Drama ("if any") and motion picture editor, Knickerbocker Press and Albany Evening News, Albany. N. Y. ; b. Albany, N. Y.. June 6, 1890; e. Albany public and high school, "later in meeting some exhibitors' reactions to reviews"; not married. HAUFLER, CHARLES: Motion picture editor. Newark Evening News. Newark, N. J. HAYNES. WILLIAM J. A., JR.: Pen name. Will Haynes. Motion picture critic and editor. Star. Portsmouth. Va. ; b. Clover. Va., March 5. 1899; p. Bev. W. J. A. Haynes. D. D. ; e. grade school in Portsmouth, Va.. high school in Bichmond. Va.. Randolph Macon College. Ashland. Va. ; not married. News reporter on the Richmond (Va. ) Journal, advance agent for Radcliffe Chautauqua, news reporter for the Lynchburg (Va.) News; news reporter for the Lynchburg (Va.) Advance, for brief periods at various times. Has served as press agent for vaudeville and motion picture theatres. On the editorial staff of the Portsmouth (Va. ) S'ar since February, 1923. HEARON. FANNING MILES: Managing editor. Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, S. C. : b. Bristol. Va.. August 16, 1905; p. Charles O. and Belle McLaughlin Hearon; e. Washington and Lee University (A.B.); not married. Though his father owned two papers, he started as a newsboy during grammar school and has been in the newspaper business since, working to managing editor, assistant editor, columnist, feature writer and literary and dramatic critic. HEFFERNAN. HAROLD: Motion picture editor. Detroit News; b. 1895. Grand Rapids. Mich.: married, has two children. Newspaper work as sports editor. Grand Rapids Herald. Grand Rapids News. Later became reporter, assistant city editor and motion picture editor. Detroit News. Was with First National Pictures' publicity department. Detroit and New York, for three years. Headed his own advertising bureau In Detroit one year, then returned to Detroit News to take over motion pictures. HENDERSON. JEAN: Photoplay editor and critic. Florida Times-t'nion. Jacksonville. Fla. : b. Peoria. 111.. July 15. 1904: p. Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Simmons: e. high school, college. European travel: divorced: has one daughter. Fifl Henderson. Trained for concert singer, started newspaper work at 16. then went into business and returned to the newspaper in 1929. HERMANN. IDA: Motion picture critic and dramatic editor. Courier-Post. Camden. N. J. ; b. Camden. N. J.. March 2. 1907: p. Emestlna and Simon Hermann; e. high school graduate and two years of college: not married. "Just hoping to get the right kind of breaks and make good in a big way." she says. Was always interested In newspaper work, particularly dramatics, and through sheer perseverance and determination won her present position. HEWITT. PURSER: Managing editor. Daily Clarion-Ledger. Jackson. Miss.; b. Columbus. Miss. Mav 21 1905; p. Rev W. A. and Olive Haley Hewitt: e. public schools. Dallas. Texas, central high of Jackson. Miss.. Mississippi College. Clinton: University of Chicago and Norwestem University. Evanston: m. Julia Toy Johnson. Hattiesburg. Miss.: has one daughter born November 29, 1929. Principal and athletic director of the Hazlehurst (Miss.) high school. 1925-26. sports and city reporting for the ClarionLedger. 192629. Managing editor. Clarion-Ledger. 1929 to the present. HICKMAN. WALTER D.: Motion picture critic. Indianapolis Times. Indianapolis. Ind ; b Wavnesvllle 111.. March 29. 1890: p. Warren N. Hickman. Ella Thompson Hickman: e. private instruction, grade school and high school at Clinton. 111. Higher education at Illinois College. Jacksonville, 111., and DePaw University at Greencastle. Ind.: not married. In 1912 went to the Terre Haute Post then to the Scripps-McCrea paper in Evansville. Ind.. and back to Terre Haute. In 1919 berame dramatic editor, motion picture critic and feature writer on the Indianapolis Sun. Indianapolis, which later was purchased by Scripps-Howard. Retained same positions but added music and books. For the last two years has been lecturing over the state and also giving a half hour theatrical review weekly over WKBF. HILLMAN. GORDON MALHERBE: Assistant dramatic editor. Dally Record. Boston. Mass. : h. Dvanston 111.. August 31. 1900: p. Mr. and Mrs. F. H Ilillman: e. Noble and Greenough school. Boston; not married. Began as motion picture critic of the Boston Transcript, also connected at times with the Christian Science Monitor, Saturday Review (N. Y). and American Parade Magazine. Worked In pictures with Griffith and Rex Ingram, also for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Crltio on one film magazine, contributor to others. Has written short stories and verse for the Saturday Evening Post. Woman's Home Companion. American Magazine. Ladies Home Journal. McCall's, and others here and abroad HOMAN. W. ERLE: Motion picture editor. Reading Times. Reading. Pa.: b. Reading. Pa.. September 17. 1896: p. Henry and Elizabeth Homan: e. common school and high school; m Clara E. Blatt ; has a son. W. Erie, Jr. Began editorial department work at age of 14, and became successively reporter, assistant cEy editor, city editor, telegraph editor and news editor of the Beading Times: also worked in Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania cities. Served In the A. E. F. 1917-19 and now is a captain. Military Intelligence. Reserve Corps. HOLMES. EDWARD M. : Dramatic and motion picture editor, Ledger-Dispatch, Norfolk, Va, ; b. Norfolk. Va. ; p. Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Holmes; e. high school in the good old days and picked up the remainder of it on various desks for thirty years; married; has one son, E. M Holmes, medical student at George . town University. He started in the composing room, went to the city room as office boy early in 1896 and after varied routines he went on the city desk about twenty-five years ago and has been doing dramatics and news desks since that time. He covered the first experiments with talking pictures in Norfolk and the first motion picture shown in Norfolk. Began his career as critic by reviewing a circus during his cub days and then tackled everything except opera. He tackled the first of the talkies and "has suffered with them since the first effort to make them intelligible." Has specialized in vaudeville for many years but prefers musical revues, "which were abundant before the first intellectual drought struck the hinterland," He has no hopes that the road will ever come back but still believes that a good agent can sell a bad show and can prove that this has been done and that clever exploitation has put over many poor motion pictures, silent and otherwise. He is beginning to believe that critics are being tolerated by the public, "which always laughs at the serious efforts of reviewers to enlighten a certain percentage of dumb customers who give no thought to the story or any other necessary actor in the success of a picture." HOSKINS, F. LORELL.: Pen name. BeU. Dramatic critic, telegraph editor and columnist. Sharon Herald, Sharon, Pa.; b. Ddinboro. Pa., June 1. 1905; p. Hon. Francis L. and Margaret B. 11 skins; e. Conneaut high school, McGuffey Academy, Syracuse University, Westminster College; not married. Summer residence is maintained at Hotel Conneaut, Conneaut Lake Park. Pa., serving as director of publicity for owners of the resort and hotels. Wrote "Cora's Acre." "Friendly Portals." "The Conneautees. " "Sand and Driftwood." and "Rell's Ramblings," all published by Glopfer and Company. HOUSTON. LONA MARCEIL: Pen name. Marceil Houston. Motion picture editor. Ashland Times Gazette. Ashland. Ohio: b. Olivesburg. Ohio. September 10, 1911; p. Mr. and Mrs. James V. Houston: e. graduate of Ashland high school; not married. Member of the Ashland Times-Gazette staff since September, 1929. Only training in journalism was during attendance at high school. Served as editor and assistant editor of high school news. HUGHEY. NINA: Motion picture editor. Cedar Valley Daily Times. Vinton. Iowa : b. Vinton. Iowa, March 28. 1910: p. George and Jennie Hughey; e. high school : not married. HUGHSTON. JOSEPHINE: Motion picture editor. San Jose Mercury Herald. San Jose. Cal. ; b. New Haven. Conn. : p. Alice McLure and George Thompson Pratt: m. Cornelius Bushnell Hughston; has two children. HUNT. HAROLD: Dramatic editor. Journal. Portland. Ore. ; b. February 11. 1887. in Ottawa. 111. : p. James E. and Myrtle Chapman Hunt: m. Florence Marquis. June 18. 1912. and has two daughters and one son. Sarah Margaret. 17. Nancy. 13. and Phillip 10: hy. theatre, legitimate and screen, solitaire and some golf. Was brought to Portland in 1890. Did newspaper correspondence while at the University of Oregon, where he was graduated in 1909. Became a reporter for the Journal in June. 1911. and northwest editor in Frhrusry. 1919. Was made dramatic editor August 1. 1928. JACOBS. EDWARD H.: Motion picture editor and critic. Cleveland News. Cleveland. Ohio: b. London. Ohio: p. Mr. anil Mrs. George E. Jacobs: e. parochial schools. Columbus Ohio, and Watterson Catholic College: m Marj' Elizabeth Lictner: has one daughter. Genevieve Elizabeth. 18. Innate love of the theatre followed his first contact with "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at the age of 9. Prominent In amateur theatricals and intimate theatre contact in the role of correspondent for 18 years of the New York Dramatic News for Columbus and Cleveland. Most active business that of advertising manager for various commercial institutions. Accepted the position as motion picture editor of the Cleveland News. June 18. 1926. JARREAU. HUNTER: Motion picture editor. Alexandria Daily Town T:Uk, Alexandria. La.: b. Alexandria. La.. October 17. 1880: e. public schools and newspaper work; m. Blanche Adams. JONES. RALPH T. : Motion picture editor. Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta. Ga ; b. Liverpool. England. July 19. 1885: p. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones; e. English public school at Blckerton (this corresponds to prep or military school in the United Statesi : m. Bessie May Lipscomb; has four children. Newspaper man since 1905. Was with many papers and in many cities prior to 1913. when he married and settled down, but is "still trying to settle up." Joined the Constitution staff in 1912. I/eft a couple of times and returned. Now realizes that, "while the Constitution wouldn't miss him. he can't get along without the Constitution's weekly (careful with that thar spelling) stipend." KEILMANN. E. D.: pen name. "Ki." Amusements editor. Topeka Daily Capitol. Topeka. Kan.; b. Montreal. Canada. March 13. 1886: p. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Keilmann: e. University of Kansas, Journalism: m. Blanche Nates: has one daughter. Lucy Jane. Fourteen years with Capper publications. Served three vears in the regular army, being discharged in 1915: served with the National Guard on the Mexican border in 1916 and as United States correspondent ; served with the A. E. F. as first lieutenant. O A C Has worked on the following newspapers: Topeka State Journal Topeka Dailv Capitol. Lawrence Dally Journal World. Manhattan Nationalist. Hutchinson Gazette. Kansas City Po«t. Kansas City Star. Was manager for two years of the Grand theatre at Topeka and explolteer for Goldwvn pictures. For the past four years, in addition to his amusement editorship he has been conducting The Junior Capital. Sunday children's page and dallv broadcast (known as "Uncle Dave") for the members of The Junior Capital Club via Station WLBW. Author of short stories for several magazines. Colliers and Blue Book and of children's stories, syndicated and in book form. KELLER. JOE: Dramatic editor. Dayton Evening Herald. Dajton. Ohio; b. Dayton, Ohio. April 9. 1907; e. Bachelor of Arts. Bachelor of Law. University of Dayton. Dayton. Ohio (A. B. and B . L.I: not married. Dramatic editor for the past five years. KENNARD, JAMES R. : Motion picture editor. Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah; b. Utah; e. public schools. Brigham Young College and University of Utah; married, has four children; hy. normal community activities. Was raised on a dry farm and ranch. Traveled from the Atlantic seaboard to Pacific coast, and northwest. Has been a newspaper man nineteen years; on local staff, copy desk, feature writer and dramatic critic. KERN, (MRS.) ROBERT L. : Advertising manager. News-Democrat. Belleville. 111.; b. Belleville, 111., February 28. 1903; p. Henry and Louise Schrodi, nee Thebus; e. grade and high schools; m. Bobert L. Kern, son of Fred J. Kern, former congressman and president of the state board of administration. Has been connected with the newspaper for ten years. KETNER, LESTER; b. St. Louis, Mo.. September 26. 1903; e. St. Louis and San Antonio grammar schools; hy. boxing, reading, writing and movies. Author of weekly film and dramatic column now appearing in The Record, tabloid newspaper, of which he is motion picture editor and feature staff writer. Has also interviewed several of the leading stage and screen stars, both in San Antonio and in Hollywood. KIRKLEY. DONALD: Pen name. D. K. Dramatic critic and motion picture critic. Sun and Sunday Sun. Baltimore. Md. ; b. Baltimore. Md.. May 2, 1901; p. William C. and Susie Howe Kirkley; e. Baltimore public schools, nigh school, Johns Hopkins University; m. Gertrude Beaird Kirkley. KNAPP, HARRY L. : Pen name. The CaU Boy. Dramatic and motion picture editor. Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pa. ; b. Bloomsburg. Pa. . May 22, 1863: p. James B. and Caroline Knapp; e. limited to public schools until 11 years of age, then had to go out into the world; m. Alice R. S perry. Years ago was a telegraph operator, then took to the stage, his last engagement having been in 1890 as stage director of American Comic Opera Company. That year he became associated with the Inquirer and has been with it ever since. Originated "The Call Boy's Chat" in 1893. Chairman, Pennsylvania State Board of Motion Picture Censors, from 1919 until the present time. KNIGHT. ERIC M. : Motion picture editor. Public Ledger. Philadelphia, Pa. ; b. Menston, Yorks, England. April 10. 1897: p. Frederic H. and Hilda M. Knight; e. Bewerley School. England; Cambridge (Mass.) Latin: Boston Museum of Fine Arts; National Academy of Design (N. Y.); Beaux Arts Institute. In the World war he served with the Princess Pats. He has worked on newspapers in New York. Connecticut and Philadelphia, and has written a number of short stories for Liberty and other publications. KRUG. KARL BERNARD: Dramatic and motion picture critic. Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh. Pa.; b. Sistersvillt. W. Va.. May 20. 1897: p. Charles A. and Matilda Krug; e. Sistersville high school. Randolph Macon Academy. Fort Boyal. Va. ; m. Katharyn Wermuth Krug; has two children. Karl Bernard, Jr.. and Frederick Charles. Dramatic and motion picture critic of the Pittsburgh Press since 1924; writes a daily and Sunday column. "The Show Shops"; was former police reporter, the Wheeling News; began newspaper work as city editor. Sistersville Dally Oil Beview, and has been in that work since 1918. KURTZ. JEROME: Dramatic editor. Newark Ledger. Newark. N. J.; b. Newark. N. J., February 12. 1905; p. Mr. and Mrs. A. Kurtz; e. grammar and high schools; not married. LA BELLE. CLAUDE A.: Drama editor. San Francisco News. San Francisco. Cal. ; b. Concord. N. H.. April 26. 1893; p. Louis and Mary LaBelle: e. Colby C ollege. Waterville. Maine. School of Law. Boston University: m. Margaret Clark Nye. Has done newspaper work in New Hampshire. Maine, Boston. Washington. Chicago and San Francisco. Did press agent and motion picture trade paper work in New York, and was in the advertising business in Manila. Philippines. Was a lieutenant in the Signal Corps during the World war. Author of numerous volumes of Juvenile fiction for A. L. Burt A Company. New York. Is a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and Mystic Shrine. LAIRD. LANDON: Dramatic and motion picture editor. Kansas City Star. Kansas City. Mo. ; b. Kansas City. Mo.. March 10. 1S95; p. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Laird; e. grade school. Westport high school. Kansas City. University of Kansas. Lawrence, Kan. ; not married. Entered newspaper work. Kansas City Star. 1914. assistant sporting editor, assistant telegraph editor, assistant city editor. Star. 1914-1917. Entered the Army in 1917. Photoplay editor. Star, the first the paper ever had. in 1917. One year in the A. E. F. in the World war. Returned to the Star. 1919-1924: assistant dramatic editor. 1920-21; dramatic editor. 1922 to date. Has been motion picture editor of the Star since John C. Moffltt. former editor, went to Hollywood to join the scenario department of Universal Pictures Corporation. Has written feature articles and fiction for The American Magazine and other magazines. LAWTON, DOROTHY M.: Motion picture editor. Racine Journal-News. Racine. Wis.: b. Racine. Wis.. November 30. 1900: p. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Lawton: e. public and high schools at Racine, class of 1924 at University of Wisconsin, extension work at Columbia. Marquette and University of Wisconsin: member of Theta Sigma Phi: not married. Her official rapacity on the Journal-News is society editor hut she also handles theatres (including free space and criticisms, etc.) and for variety takes general assignments, covers most conventions, does the church page. etc. In the Racine theatres they have had some of the outstanding staae and screen personages and it has been Miss Lawton's privilege to interview many of them. Feature stories for nearby newspapers have been included in her work occasionally. LEEDY. CHARLES A.: Dramatic editor and columnist. Youngstown Telegram. He has been dramatic editor for this paper for over twenty years, and also handles the moving picture department. He has written 100 000 jokes in twenty years, and has made millions laugh. His "Jibes and Jabs" has become an Institution in Youngstown. and is quoted both in America and abroad. He has written for America's leading humorous weeklies, including Life, and Judge. His Jokes have been flashed on the screen before the eyes of millions in "Topics of the Day." Leedy recently was given recognition in "Mirrors of the Year." when he was picked by Robert TJmmet Sherwood, editor of Life, as one of the nation's outstanding newspaper humorists. Before he started making people laugh by his printed Jokes. Leedy made them laugh from the stage. For eleven years he trouped with minstrel com