Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1936)

26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD January 18, 1936 THE CUTTING ROOM Advance outlines of productions nearing completion as seen by Gus McCarthy of Motion Picture Herald's Hollywood Bureau Don't Get Persona (Universal) Comedy Romance That this production reunites the team of Sally Eilers and James Dunn, stars of "Bad Girl," "Dance Team" and "Sob Sister," is not the only factor that the producing company is counting upon to arouse unusual spectator and exhibitor interest. They further figure that the inclusion of singing and acting Pinky Tomlin, plus the straight comedy and light drama character of the motivating story in which laughs are anticipated to come thick and fast as result of action, situations and dialogue, will be a further medium of intriguing audience and showmanship attention. Modernly premised, the yarn concerns a couple of college graduates, depression victims, unable to get jobs, who finally resort to the "human slave" auction gag as a means of getting money. Bought by a girl, supposedly in the same circumstances, they blaze a trail of humorous adventures from New York to rural Ohio. Dunn and Miss Eilers, battling all the way to the amazement and chagrin of Tomlin, finally are married, when electrical engineer Dunn, unable to stand the shock of seeing Sally married to a home town snob, steals her from the altar. The story is adapted from the novel "Tomorrow Is a Better Day," by William Thiele and Edmund Hartmann. The screen play is by George Waggner, Clarence Marks and Houston Branch. Direction is by William Nigh, maker of the recent comedy features "His Night Out" and "She Gets Her Man." Though practically all the action is centered about Dunn, Miss Eilers and Tomlin, their experiences and escapades, substantiating features of the story emphasizing its comedy and dramatic contrast will be handled by Spencer Charters and Doris Lloyd as the girl's father and mother ; George Cleveland and Lillian Harmer as a pair of farm folk at whose home much of the production's fun appears; George Meeker, who sees his bride swiped away from him, and Charles Coleman as the butler in the girl's home. These Three (United Artists Goldwyn) Drama This production is a dramatic story of how biased maturity and not so innocent childish immaturity can play havoc with the course of true love. It is authored by and the screen play is also credited to Lillian Hellman, whose novel and play "The Children's Hour" was a matter of much publicity several months ago. Yet Samuel Goldwyn, who is producing the picture, is very emphatic in his declamations that the story to be picturized is not even remotely related to that widely discussed work. The story is that of two women in love with the same man. The women operate an exclusive younger girls' school. As a result of an innocent event, seen and later related by an ultrawise and incorrigible brat to the giddy minded aunt of one of the women, a situation is precipitated that brings the partners into court before a jury of rigidly moralistic New Engenders. They are condemned and forced to close their school, the aunt repents her evil doing, one of the partners is left alone, the other goes to Europe to forget and find solace with the man. •Miriam Hopkins, last in "Splendor" and "Barbary Coast," and Merle Oberon, seen in "Folies Bergere" and "Dark Angel," are the two partners. Joel McCrea, who played opposite Miss Hopkins in her two pictures, is the man. The catty, chattering aunt is Catherine Doucet, and the child responsible for most of the trouble is Bonita Granville. Supporting players included are Alma Kruger, Carmencita Johnson, Margaret Hamilton, Marie Louise Cooper, Walter Brennan, Anita Denniston and Mary Ann Durkin. The picture is being directed by William Wyler, maker of "The Gay Deception." In nature very much of a problem drama, the picture is being given a realistic treatment counted upon to emphasize the theme of its motivating story. The locale is New England and practically all action takes place within the neighborhood of a frame house which the Misses Hopkins and Oberon have reconstructed into a school with the aid of McCrea. Everybody's Old Man (20th Century -Fox) Comedy The star of this production, Irvin S. Cobb, is probably one of the best known contemporary personalities. Seen on the screen in several shorts and featured in "Steamboat Round the Bend," his magazine contributions, books, radio and lecture appearances plus his newspaper work have made him familiar to and appreciated by millions. Seldom has a picture player enjoyed such a buildup, which gauged by any standard should assure readymade audiences for his first starring screen appearance. The story provided for him, making it possible for him to display his acknowledged homely human and humorous talents, appears to be one of much potential entertainment and commercial worth. It tells of an old commercial tycoon who loses the lust for battle when his chief rival dies. In Europe he finds the son and daughter of his old foe and the sweetheart of his youth dissipating their inheritance. Contriving to become their guardian, he with them goes into competition with his own business being conducted by a very modern minded and efficient nephew. Routing conspirators who would loot his charges, he makes things so .hot for the nephew that only a successful business and romantic merger can be the result. In vein, the yarn has a human interest smash similar to that of one of George Arliss' most successful features, "Working Man." Based on an original story by Edgar Franklin, the screen play is by Patterson McNutt and A. E. Thomas. Direction is by James Flood. Principals in the supporting cast are Rochelle Hudson, last in "Curly Top," "Way Down East" and "Show Them No Mercy," and Johnny Downs, erstwhile "Our Gang" star, seen recently in "Coronado" and "College Scandal," as the wards of Cobb, and Norman Foster as his nephew. Sarah Haden now, in "Magnificent Obsession," appears as Cobb's sister. Alan Dinehart is the principal heavy. In prominent smaller parts will be Warren Hymer, Donald Meek, Maurice Cass, Hilda Vaughn, Charles Coleman, Ann Moultry, John Miltern, Walter Walker, Frederick Burton and Hal K. Dawson. To attain best commercial results, producers recommend a concentration on Cobb's appeal, seconded by the prestige that has accrued to Rochelle Hudson, but not overlooking the name values of others in the cast. Love Before Breakfast (Universal) Comedy Romance Here is a modernly atmosphered story of two individuals — the man madly in love with the girl, she rather resentful of his affection — who couldn't get along with or without each other. It is portrayed by a trio of principals who have scored notable successes in recent pictures. The production is suggested by a published novel, "Spinster Dinner," by Faith Baldwin, who incidentally is the author of another story currently in production, MGM's "Wife versus Secretary." It is being directed by Walter Lang, whose flair for comedy is attested by the recent "Hooray for Love," also "The Mighty Barnum," "Warrior's Husband" and "No More Orchids." Presently timed, localed in New York, being given the benefit of swanky but not too sophisticated production and moving to the pitch of many comic situations, the picture tells of a man who is determined to get his woman. Though he has to send the man with whom she is in love off to China; contrive to have him fall in love with one of his old flames, get the girl's mother on his side and lavish upon her all that money can buy, she is still adamant to his romantic pleas. When she tries to swim away from him, he has to pursue her, knock her cold and hold her tightly in his arms as his yacht captain marries them while she fumes and rages. Carole Lombard, whose "Hands Across the Table" is vividly remembered, and Preston Foster, last in "Annie Oakley" and "Pompeii," are the battling lovers. Cesar Romero, currently in "Metropolitan" and "A Tale of Two Cities," is the other side of the triangle. The fourth featured personality, Miss Lombard's mother, is Janet Beecher. The supporting cast lists Betty Lawford as the girl in whom Foster seeks to interest Romero ; Douglas Bouchly, Bert Roach, Andre de Beranger, Ed Barton, Diana Gibson, Joyce Compton and John King. Three Godfathers (MGM) (Tentative Title) Drama The producing company is not hesitant in heralding this feature as a western. At the same time it is not backward about labeling it as a different kind of western, one in which all the sock action thrill of an outdoor adventure picture is retained, but premised on an unusual motivating story. It deals with three (Continued on following page)