Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

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22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD May 2 3, 1 9 3 1 14 Features on Metro's Current Studio Schedule Big 4 Lining Up 1931-32 Product With 14 productions preparing, in production or editing, M-G-M's Culver City studio is now at its greatest peak for 1931. Five are currently working, and four more will start soon. Five have just been completed and are now being cut and edited. Greta Garbo starts immediately under direction of Robert Z. Leonard on the much-discussed version of David Graham Phillip's "Susan Lenox, Her Fall and Rise." She will be supported by Clark Gable. Also starting at once is George Hill, director, on "Sea Eagles," an original story of naval aviation by Lt. Com. Frank Wead, much of which is to be filmed aboard the naval aircraft carrier, U. S. S. "Saratoga." Featured will be Wallace Beery, Marjorie Rambeau and Clark Gable. Race Track Yarn Scheduled Seeking a race track picture to add to its program, M-G-M bought the Satevepost story, "Horseflesh," by Frederick Hazlett Brenan. Adaptation has been made by Wanda Tuchock, Willard Mack and Jack Cunningham. Director Charles Brabin has not yet completed his cast, but Ernest Torrence will have a part. Helen Hayes has rushed from New York to make her talking picture debut in "Lullaby," by Edward Knoblock. This will be directed by Edgar Selwyn. Support includes Neil Hamilton, Lewis Stone and Ruth Selwyn. It has been adapted from the play by Charles MacArthur. The five stories already in work, which the four above mentioned will join next week follow : Ramon Novarro is completing "Son of India," adapted by Ernest Vadja. Jacques Feyder is directing. The support lists Madge Evans, Conrad Nagel. Marjorie Rambeau, Nigel de Brulier, C. Aubrey Smith, John Miljan and Mitchell Lewis. Marie Dressier is appearing as a woman candidate for Mayor in "Politics," Charles Reisner directing, with Polly Moran as her campaign manager. "Politics" is by Robert Hopkins, with Wells Root, Zelda Sears and Malcolm Stuart Boylan collaborating on continuity and dialogue. Robert Montgomery is continuing with "Man In Possession," directed by Sam Wood. Adapted by Sarah Y. Mason and P. G. Wodehouse. Cast includes Charlotte Greenwood, Irene Purcell, C. Aubrey Smith, Beryl Mercer, Reginald Owen, Maude Eburne, Forrester Harvey and York Sherwood. Nearly half-way completed is "The Great Lover," which Harry Beaumont is directing with Adolphe Menjou in the lead. M-G-M purchased the rights from Cohan and Harris. Satire and "kidding" at the expense of gangster stories will be laid on thick in Buster Keaton's next, "Sidewalks of New York." The production is being directed by Zion Myers and Jules White, with Anita Page playing the feminine role. Another group of five productions have been completed within the past ten days and are now undergoing cutting and titling. Among these is "Five and Ten," next Marion Davies production, by Fannie Hurst. The director is Robert Z. Leonard. Tod Browning, Marcel De Sano, Paul Fejos, Harry Pollard, George Fitzmaurice, Arthur Robison, and W. S. Van Dyke, directors on the M-G-M payroll, are at work on new stories which will go into production in the near future. John Gilbert will start within a month or so on a new production, not yet titled. A new story is being prepared for Lawrence Tibbett as soon as he completes his current concert tour. John R. Freuler Big 4 is at work on its program for 19311932. The independent producer is finding it expedient to "mark time" while the major companies' programs are assembled, according to John R. Freuler, president of Big 4, who states that in this way product may be made consistent with the larger companies — this similarity of plan often resulting in additional playing time from the circuits. With this thought in mind Big 4 proposes to draft stories for its series of 12 Westerns and eight action melodramas. For the series of Westerns the plots will be "alternating." This will lift from a highly specialized field the danger of too great similarity. An advisory committee composed of afiiliated exchangemen is being formed to pass upon stories and stars to insure fulfillment of exhibitor requirements. Exchanges affiliated with Big 4 in the distribution of product follow : Standard, Albany; Arthur C. Bromberg, Atlanta; World Art, Boston; Standard, Buffalo; Sheffield, Butte; Bromberg, Charlotte; Security, Chicago; Fischer, Cincinnati; Fischer, Cleveland; Allied, Dallas; Sheffield, Denver; Excellent, Detroit; Security, Indianapolis; Midwest, Kansas City; Home State, Little Rock; Co-operative, Los Angeles; Big 4, Milwaukee; Celebrated, Mirmeapolis;; World) Art, New Haven; Bromberg, New Orleans; Capital, New York: Allied, Oklahoma City; Capitol, Omaha; Gold Medal, Philadelphia: Alexander, Pittsburgh; Slieffield, Portland; Sheffield, Salt Lake City; Co-operative, San Francisco; Sheffield, Seattle; Progressive, St. Louis; Bromberg, Tampa; Gold Medal, Washington; Excellent, Toronto, and Filmophone Renters, London. Wally Wales, who is appearing in six Westerns for Big 4, is leaving for Sonora. Cal., to appear in "Flying Lariats," final release of the series. David Kirkland will direct. Company will return to Universal for interiors when outdoor shooting has been completed. The Big 4 Western tentatively titled "Ridin' Kid" has been changed to "Flying Lariats," and completes the series of 12 Westerns on Big 4's current initial release schedule. Thirty-six towns in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina and Louisiana have been closed by the Arthur Bromberg Attractions on Big 4 Westerns, melodramas and two-reel comedies. Fox 1930-31 Schedule Done; Five New Pictures In Work Fox has completed all films on its 193031 schedule, extending into the latter part of July, has finished two of the new season's group, and has five in production. In work are "Bad Girl," "The Plutocrat," "Merely Mary Ann," "Skyline" and "Wicked." Wa rner-lst Not I Production Crew On Big Schedule All production records for Warners and First National were broken this week, according to J. L. Warner, vice-president in charge of production, when ten feature pictures were in production at the same time. Nine additional features will be in production by the first week of June. A check of the Hollywood studios shows that Warner pictures now in production include: "Night Nurse," with Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon and Joan Blondell, directed by William Wellman. "Side Show," Winnie Lightner, Charles Butterworth, Evalyn Knapp and Donald Cook, directed by Roy del Ruth. "Alexander Hamilton," starring George Arhss; cast includes Doris Kenyon, Dudley Digges, Alan Mowbray, June Collyer. "The Other Man," William Powell's first starring picture for Warners based on Roland Pertwee's original, directed by Alfred E. Green with Marian Marsh, Doris Kenyon and Louis Calhearn in support. "Bought," starring Constance Bennett, adapted from Harriet Henry's "Jackdaws Strut," with Ben Lyon, Richard Bennett and Dorothy Peterson in support and Archie Mayo directing. First National pictures now in production include : "Spent Bullets," starring Richard Barthelmess, with Helen Chandler, John Mack Brown, David Manners, Walter Byron and Elliot Nugent in the cast. This is from John Monk Saunder's "Single Lady." Directed by Wilhelm Dieterle. "Five Star Final," starring Edward G. Robinson, with Marian Marsh, H. B. Warner, Anthony Bushell and Ona Munson, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. "The Honor of the Family," Balzac's play, starring Bebe Daniels, with Warren William, and Alan Mowbray in the supporting cast. Lloyd Bacon directing. "Penrod and Sam" from Booth Tarkington's kids' story, with Leon Janney and Junior Coghlan, directed by William Beaudine. "I Like Your Nerve," an original by Roland Pertwee, with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Loretta Young, directed by William McGann. The nine pictures to start within the next few weeks are : For Warners: "The Star Witness," with a cast, headed by Charles Chic Sale, Jack Holt. Sally Blane, Eddie Nugent, Frances Starr and Grant Mitchell, directed by William Wellman; "Mister Hercules," with Frank Fay and Marian Marsh, directed by Michael Curtiz ; "The Mouthpiece." featuring Warren William ; "Safe In Hell," directed by Roy del Ruth ; "Larceny Lane," co-featuring James Cagney and Joan Blondell. For First National : "The Blue Moon Murder Mystery," Walter Huston in S. S. Van Dine's original ; "The World Changes," starring Edward G. Robinson and directed by Wilhelm Dieterle; "Local Boy Makes Good" with Joe E. Brown, Lloyd Bacon directing: "Our Social Whirl," starring Marilyn Miller, and directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Darryl Zanuck is the associate executive handling details of Warner production, with Hal Wallis and C. Graham Baker, in similar capacities for First National. Hughes Putting Three In Work Within Next 30 Days Within the next 30 days, Howard Hughes will have in production three films, "Ground Hogs," "Age for Love," with Billie Dove and "Scarface," gangster picture.