Motion Picture Classic (Jul-Dec 1928)

Sixth and Last of a Series of Voyages Toward the F'urther reassiiraru^e from Paramount studio that Art is all that counts in Hollywood : "Savitsky came to Hollywood with the circus and left it, preferring to try pictures. In that difficult task, Savitsky's former titles and his association with the late Czar's family have been of little avail. His moustache, however, has been of great aid to him." Ociartiy (jreen or (jreenish Cream? "Alice White has . . . her living room done in green and buff." (From Nancy Smith press-agent manifesto.) "Alice White has the combination of cream and bufF for her living quarters." (Same manifesto, 12 lines lower.) Specimen of Hollywood's wild enthusiasm for itself, showing how for its sake punctuation and grammar are thrown to the four winds; from the Fox propagandists: "From Winfield Sheehan, energetic vice-president of the organization and genius of production, down to the page boys optimism and pride is rampant throughout the vast acreage of the twin studios." Keally, Miss Crawford! "Joan Crawford is to play the leading male in 'Adrienne Lecouvreur' which is to be filmed by MetroGoldwyn-Mayer as Fred Niblo's newest directorial effort." (Announcement from M-G-M campus.) More heroic sacrifices for Art recorded by Paramount's league of truth: "Ruth Chatterton has temporarily lost her voice through too much talking during the filming of silent scenes for a motion picture. In some highly emotional quarrel scenes, she was required to weep, to talk furiously and even to scream. Several retakes were necessary, so trying was the work. When they were finished, Miss Chatterton's voice had vanished." Tender new development in the world-famed Love Life of Hollywjod, reported by TilTany-Stah! studio watchdogs: "Buster Collier has introduced a new fad — gold sucpender buckles containing a space for a girl's photograph. Many of Buster's friends are trying to guess the name of the girl smiling out from the frame of his golden suspender buckle." Interesting glimpse into the mental workings of a famous lilui columnist, showing distinction between what license with grammar may and what may not be taken without apology: "In the opinion of them what knows, if you will pardon my grammar, Zazu Pitts can troupe." (From Louella Parsons's daily Hollywood column.) "Pieces of news of interest to those who read their film tidbits with their coffee is that Luther Reed has been elevated to the exalted position of supervisor by Fox." (Same column, same week.) Altogether superfluous assurance to the world of Hollywood's meticulous observance of the Eighteenth Amendment, from United Artists studio: "Two large wine vats — relics of the Spanish-rule days in Southern California — were transported from San Diego for use in 'The Love Song.' Needless to say, the vats were empty on arrival." Particularly rash guess hazarded by Tiffany-Stahi publicists, who should know better: "No one in Hollywood has yet seen a closeup of the handsome Frenchman paying such devoted attention to Claire Windsor of late. Among the daily gifts arriving at the Tiffany-Stahl studio is a cut glass jewelled bottle, containing a delicious perfume — a scent from the Gods, with the following inscription written in gold on the front of the bottle — 'Amour de Clairette — Pour — Claire Windsor' . . . 'Oh, this is a daily occurrence,' she laughed. Flowers, candy, jewels, and now a special perfume — and we hear he is worth oodles of money — and with Claire looking so happy riding around town in her new LaSalle who knows what's in the wind — perhaps wedding bells f" Touching endorsement, from the fortresses of the new Art of Movie, of the antiquated Shakespearian sally about "sermons in stones, books in running brooks, and good in everything"; from First National: "Speaking of orchestras to inspire movie actors at their work, First National is using something futuristic in that line for 'The Haunted House,' a current, spooky, mystery production. No ordinary instruments could produce music sufficiently crawly, so Director Benjamin Christensen used fire-sirens off-scene." 34