Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1934)

October 2 7, 19 3 4 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 39 THE CUTTING ROOM Advance outlines of productions nearing completion as seen by Gus McCarthy of Motion Picture Herald's Hollywood Bureau m PORTRAIT OF LAURA BAYLES (Tentative Title) Radio On paper this story promises not only pleasing entertainment but likewise showmanship possibilities distinctly out of the ordinary. The yarn has a unique premise. It paints a school teacher in a heretofore unattempted manner. May Robson has the leading role. Devoting her life to bringing her pupils up to all prescribed forms, she finds herself whirled into conflict with conniving politicians, a keeper of a backroom saloon — forces which are undermining all she is trying to build up. Turning gambler herself, she outsmarts the slickers, gets herself mixed up in a scandal, and when things look blackest has no one but the man who tried to harm her the most arrange with the President of the United States, a former pupil, to eulogize her into reinstatement. The original story is by Wanda Tuchock. The adaptation is by Arthur Homan and the screen play by Milton Krims and John Twist. John Robertson, maker of "His Greatest Gamble," is the director. With the prestige of "Lady for a Day" and "Lady by Choice" to use in embellishing May Robson's draw, the supporting cast also offers some good commercial names. Included are Mary Carlisle, currently in "Kentucky Kernels" ; Fred MacMurray, a newcomer from the stage making his first screen appearance ; Alan Hale, Hale Hamilton, Etienne Girardot, Edward Van Sloan, William Burress, Fred Kohler, Jr., Ben Alexander, Onest Conley, Virginia Reid and Ward Bond. Being of the character that indicates appeal to both the more mature patrons as well as the younger element, this forthcoming production seems to be the type for topical showmanship. ENCHANTED APRIL Radio Here is romantic comedy. In addition to being a widely read novel, it also was presented successfully as a stage play. Not a love story according to the usual formula, it is rather a light idyllic story of a married woman, her ambitions and their repercussions. Because of their most popular successes, more than ordinary showmanship has been shown in the selection of the two leads, Ann Harding and Frank Morgan. Similar smartness has been demonstrated in the selection of the scenarists and director. Credited with the screen play are Samuel Hoffenstein, who recently did "Change of Heart," and Ray Harris, remembered for "Three Cornered Moon," "Many Happy Returns" and "We're Rich Again." Harry Beaumont, director, has proved his adaptability to this kind of material in "When Ladies Meet" and "Should Ladies Behave." Supporting Miss Harding and Frank Morgan, whose current picture is "Affairs of Cellini," are Katherine Alexander, previously with Miss Harding in "When Ladies Meet" and seen in "Operator 13" ; Reginald Owen, now in "Madame duBarry" ; Jane Baxter, British actress in "The Constant Nymph" ; Ralph Forbes, recently in "Twentieth Century" : Eric Blore, who made his Hollywood debut in "The Gay Divorcee," and Ralph Forbes. Locales are London and an Italian villa. Charming gayness and absence of heavy The presentations of this department are in no sense reviews of the pictures or evaluations of the productions. They are inventories of material. The endeavor is to inform the exhibitor of the nature of the story and the personnel and to set forth the elements of appeal which the producer is seeking to put into the product. "The Cutting Room" is published for the special service of exhibitors who require some detailed information concerning the character of the picture and its selling factors in advance of previews, reviews and press books. This department's survey of pictures in no way anticipates or supplants the functions of the Showmen's Reviews which are prepared when the finished product is made available. drama appear to be the most potent qualities to capitalize. CONCEALMENT Warner This story, featuring Barbara Stanwyck, is of a dramatic character particularly adapted to her talents as established by such recent pictures as "Bitter Tea of General Yen," "Baby Face," "Gambling Lady" and "A Lost Lady." Adapted from an unproduced stage play, it is a gripping yarn of present day political plots, mysterious murders and the impeachment of a governor on bribery charges. The romantic accompaniment to the drama is given an unusual twist. In it Miss Stanwyck, the daughter of the governor (Arthur Byron) is secretly married to the attorney general (Warren William), who is duty bound to prosecute her father. In this situation the possibilities for smash entertainment, involving conflict between love and duty, are readily apparent. The screen play was prepared by a trio whose recent accomplishments indicate knowledge of this type of story. Tom Buckingham did the scenario on James Cagney's "He Was Her Man." In addition to many others, F. Hugh Herbert recently collaborated on "The Dragon Murder Case" and Mary McCall wrote the screen play for "Desirable." The director, William Diertele, was similarly associated with "Fog Over Frisco," "The Firebird' and "Madame du Barry." The cast supporting Miss Stanwyck, William and Byron is composed of a familiar list of Warner stock players and one or two outsiders. Included are Grant Mitchell, recently in Universal's "One Exciting Adventure" ; Glenda Farrell, in "Kansas City Princess" ; Douglas Dumbrille, Henry O'Neill, William Davidson. Willard Robertson, Arthur Aylesworth, Russell Hicks and Vince Barnett. Not only is there commercial value to the title and personnel, but inasmuch as its release probably will be coincidental with the election season, the political content of the story automatically suggests topical exploitation. STAKE OUT Columbia Semi-gangster in atmosphere, this is an action story of cops and crooks. Original story and screen play are by Lambert Hillyer, who also is directing. Similar pictures with which he has been associated are "Defense Rests" and "One Is Guilty" as director, and "The Man Trailer," in which he functioned the same as in this production. Bruce Cabot, currently in Monogram's "Red Head," is the story's hero. Judith Allen has the leading feminine role. Supporting players include Ward Bond, Charles Sabin, who is being groomed for bigger things by Columbia, John Kelly, Arthur Rankin, Matthew Betz, Walter McGrail and Maidel Turner. Thrill entertainment being its essence, the story has Cabot as a police sergeant promoted for the success of his stake-out methods in trapping criminals. When he makes the arrest in a murder, the Sabin headed gang determines to rub him out. Warned by Miss Allen, waitress in a drive-in barbecue, who has dreams of Hollywood screen stardom, he escapes a trap. Later, when he believes the girl to be in league with Sabin's mob, romance cools. However, as the gangsters plan a new job, she informs Cabot and again his stake-out methods prove effective. The yarn appears to be full of the exciting brand of entertainment. CODE OF THE WEST Paramount Probably the most outstanding showmanship factor of this picture is the fact that it brings Jackie Coogan back, now fully grown up. Millions of theatregoers will remember him for his picture with Charles Chaplin, "The Kid." The story, an action drama localed in Alaska and the States, is by Zane Grey. It has a rather novel premise, dealing with three crooks who specialize in peddling "salted" gold mines. When they attempt to swindle a man with whom the woman member of the trio has fallen in love, things begin to happen at a fast and furious pace. The screen play is by Ethel Doherty, who did "Sailor Be Good" and "Men Are Such Fools," and Grant Garrett. Direction is by Arthur Jacobson. While Jackie Coogan is the big name value, another player, Evelyn Brent, who also has been absent from the screen for some time, will be seen. Last in "World Gone Mad," she has many successful picture appearances to her credit. Sharing top honors with these two is Randolph Scott, who has played in many Paramount westerns, including "To the Last Man." "The Last Round Up" and "The Thundering Herd." Other well known names are Addison Richards, Fuzzy Knight, Lou Sheridan. Richard Carle and Ralph Remley. Lesser known players are Dean Jagger, Howard Wilson. Phillip Morris, Albert Hard. Frances Sayles and Alfred Delcambre. Elements substantiating Coogan's natural draw are the fact that the story is a Zane Grey adventure yarn, a type of entertainment that never lacked enthusiasts. Many incidents in the production suggests uniaue exploitation ideas which can be adapted to the current topical subject of gold.