Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

42 MOTION PICTURE HERALD May 9, 193 however, to marry for money, so, aided by the coaxing of Marie Prevost, another chorus girl, she plans to get Kerr by trickery. The plan works well until Joe Cawthorn, an actor appearing as Mary's father, imbibes too freely and discloses the plan. Kerr, ready to marry Miss Brian, plans to go through with the ceremony until the last vow is to be taken and then refuse. Mary, just before the ceremony, decides to quit the game and leave town. She loves Kerr and doesn't want to win him by trickery. Kerr, however, brings her to the church and the ceremony is performed, but not as planned. Kerr says yes, much to the surprise of his friends. All is explained when Kerr shows that Mary had written him a letter telling the details of the plan. Use cartoons, travelogues or musicals for best results here. Produced and distributed by Radio Pictures. Asso ciate producer, Louis Sarecky. Story and adaptation by Alfred Jackson and Barney Sarecky. Directed by William J. Cra8t. Assistant director. Tommy Atkins. Photography by Ray Ranahan. Sound recording by George D. Ellis. Art direction by Max Ree. CAST Fred Geoffrey Kerr Evelyn 'Mary Brian Howard Johnny Hines Margy Marie Prevost Lou Joseph Cawthorn William Crouch Sheer Luck (Big 4) Fair Action Bobby Vernon uses his best efforts as a comedian to save this film from being decidedly weak, and almost tiresome. There is little enough, and practically nothing at all new, in the story. Philo McCullough as the villain, attempts to win the girl, played by Jobyna Ralston, with his dastardly machinations. Of course, he is foiled by Nick Stuart, hero in the best style, with the able assistance of Bobby Vernon, whose comic antics are a saving and life-giving bright spot in the otherwise weak picture. Picture patrons who enjoy the action type of film, should derive some little enjoyment from the effort. Build up the program "with strong and diversified shorts. Produced by Big 4. Directed by Bruce Mitchell. Story, adaptation and dialogue by Brownie Mitchell. Edited by Viola Roehl. Cameraman, Paul Al-en. Release date February 7, 1931. Footage, 5,450. Running time, 61 minutes. THE CAST Betty Carver Jobyna Ralston Jimmy Reid Nick Stuart Archibald Smith Bobby Vernon Rabbit Rossi Reed Howes Milton Blackburn Philo McCullough Mrs. Hiram Carver Margaret Landis Hiram Carver John Ince Washington Jefferson Smith Oscar Smith A Rider of the Plains ( Syndicate) Entertaining Western Two contributing factors serve to make this Western a thoroughly enjoyable and fast moving bit of picture entertainment. In the first place both performances of the players and the direction of J. P. McCarthy are notably sincere and convey the impression of reality ; and secondly by reason of the entertaining child appeal embodied in the film through the efforts of Tom Tyler's partner, Sandy. There is nothing startlingly new in the story itself, being patterned more or less on the rather general type of Western story, but the treatment has served to make it a decidedly entertaining bit of screen fare. The plot concerns the fortunes and misfortunes which come to a stranger and his partner, who arrive in one of the old centers of the West, with the hero naturally falling in love with the girl. He is accused of holding up the express office only to vindicate himself later through the evidence supplied by his partner. Tom Tyler wins out over the parson in the concluding sequence, and everybody is completely happy at the end. Llewellyn Totman did the screen adaptation for the film. Run cartoon and comedy numbers, or musicals to fill out the program. Produced by Trem Carr. Story and dialogue by Wellyn Totman. Photography by Archie Stout. Release date March 15, 1931. Footage 5,504. Running time 52 minutes. THE CAOT Blackie Tom Tyler Sandy Andy -Shtrford Betty Lillian Bond Gaynes Al Bridge American Silents Head Egypt Market; French Talkers Strong Consul Horace Remillard at Port Said, Egypt, has reported to the Department of Commerce that American silent films have nothing to fear from European importations, since the inarket continues among lower class native element. Animated cartoons and newsreels in sound go well because of their superiority over European product. The prospect for talkers, however, is not so bright, since the French product is severe competition. He suggests that American producers send out talkers in French and with French actors. Florida Senate Bill Asks 10% on Theatre Adnnissions Tampa — A Senate bill, introduced by Senator Stewart, would levy a 10% tax on theatre admissions of 50c or more, the money so raised to go to schools. Last week a bill was introduced in the House asking for a 20% tax on receipts of theatres, ball games, prize fights, etc. Both bills are in committee. Owners in Riga, Latvia Will Close If Taxes Rennain High Riga, Latvia — Local exhibitors and distributors have threatened to close unless the recent 35% tax on sound film is lowered. The newly elected city council has also been requested to lower the electrical current rate for theatres, at present double that charged other consumers. Party for Cinema Club Portland, Ore. — The Cinema Social Club of Oregon will hold its mid-summer meeting here on June 3. Exhibitors and other film people from the Pacific Northwest are expected. Houses in Union Agreement St. Louis, Mo. — Fox, St. Louis, Mo., Ambassador and Loew's State have signed new working agreements with Electrical Workers, Local No. 1. Miss Miller Chooses Next Hollywood — Marilyn Miller is selecting one of three screen plays for her next film, at First National. Th ree-Fourths I Of Theatres in Britain Wirec London — Nearly three-fourths of the the I atres in the British Isles are wired fo: talkers, according to a census complete! by Western Electric as of April 1 an( showing a rapid growth to a total of 5,07! motion picture theatres in England, Scot| land, Wales and Ireland. This figure in eludes those open only once a week. There are also 220 theatres in construction. ' Of the 5,079 houses, averaging one t(j each square mile, 3,395 are wired for talk ! ers, 1,265 of them with Western Electrii equipment. Ireland has 286 theatres, 14! of them wired and 31 by Western Electric -t Scotland 616, with 342 wired, 127 by West | ern Electric; Wales 346, with 222 wire<l and 62 by that company ; and Eneland 3,1 831, with Western Electric in 1,045 of th(i 2,683 sound-equipped. | Under construction in Ireland are seven with 7 in Wales, 26 in Scotland and 18(i in England. 1 RKO Deal Leaves Fox Without a Madison House Madison, Wis. — With the leasing bjj RKO of the Strand and Parkway here, the circuit assures itself of control of the city's four large downtown theatres. The Strand I is now leased by Fox Midwesco, but upon expiration of the lease in 18 months, RKO will assume operation. The Parkway, oldest theatre in the city, comes under RKO supervision immediately and will be remodeled. R. R. Miller present manager, is expected to be retained. Legitimate attractions will continue. i RKO now controls, in addition to thei , Parkway, the Capital and Orpheum. The"; deal leaves Fox without a theatre in|| Madison. ij Peggy Shannon Is Replacing Clara Bow in "Secret Call"! Hollywood — Peggy Shannon, newly contracted Broadway player, has been named in place of Clara Bow, who collapsed on; the set and was removed to Glendale sani-j tarium last week, as the feminine lead in "The Secret Call," in which Miss Bow wasi playing. j The star's physicians declared a complete rest is absolutely imperative, and that it would be highly dangerous for her to con-j tinue production work at this time. .| Catholic Alumnae Has Party At Warner's Eastern Studio Motion Picture Bureau of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae held a studio party at the Warner Brooklyn studio Wednesday night. Guests witnessed a picture being made, saw a premier in the , projection room and met various stars. Mrs. Thomas A. McGoldrick is chairman of the Federation, and Mrs. Thomas J. Bannin was chairman of the studio party. Circuit Sells One Clark Amusement Corporation has sold the Liberty at Irvington, N. J. i