Paramount Around the World (1931)

Page 24 THE Q BS€R VATI ON TO W£ R • Tales They Tell Inside Paramount Studios! No-l^' and then the Editor takes a look! * SAME EXHIBITOR WINS AUSSIE SHIELD AGAIN SUIKLI) FOR SUOWMARSUIP! This is a reproduction of the coveted trophy for which Australia's best showmen uniitialty compete during Paramount Week, first week in September. J IC HrjBLER has done it ' again ! With the most comprehensive exploitation campaign ever to come to the notice of our Australian ofhce, Hobler won the Paramount Week Exploitation Shield for the third successive year. There is only one slight difference this year, and that is that the shield goes to the Wintergarden Theatre, Townsville, with which Hobler is now associated, whereas in 1929 and 1930, the honor of displaying the shield went to the Wintergarden Theatre, Ipswich. To outline Hobler’s campaign, which was awarded the maximum score of 100 points, would require more space than available here. Suffice to say that he utilized every avenue of advertising, publicity and exploitation. He effected tie-ups with everything of importance in his town, such as the Conversion Loan, fire brigade, ambulance brigade, taxi company, and with numerous local merchants. These took the form of window displays, over-printing on stationery, street ])arade, and display of huge banners nn noted landmarks. WAFFLES is a lap-dog, four pounds of fluffy, canine aristocracy, accustomed to dozing on silken pillows and j leading a sheltered life in the company of his mistress. He is also a screen actor, of sufficient importance in Marlene Dietrich’s new Paramount picture, "Shanghai Express," to have his name on the daily call sheets along with those of the star and her supporting players. Recently, on location during the filming of Chinese train scenes at Chatsworth, Calif., Waffles rebelled at his pampered existence and ran away. W'ork on the picture was held up for half an hour while Miss Dietrich, von Sternberg and scores of others joined in the search. W’affles finally was found l)ehind a Chinese village set, dirty, disheveled and happy, helping three mongrel dogs chase a flock of chickens and ducks. ^ * Mrs. RUTH RUSSEK. wife of Harold Russek and well known in New York society, has embarked on a career as a motion picture actress under a unique arrangement which prevents her em ployment depriving another woman of work. Mrs. Russek applied for work at Paramount’s New York studio with the understanding that if she were given a role she would find employment for some girl to he named by officials of the studio. "I could not be happy,” said Mrs. Russek, “if I felt that I was displacing a girl regularly employed by the studio." Mrs. Russek was offered a small part for which Barbara Sheldon had been considered in the forthcoming production of "Wayward” in which Nancy Carroll and Richard Arlen will appear. Mrs. Russek accepted the part and arranged for Miss Sheldon to go to wmrk as a model in Russek’s Fifth Ave., Inc., with cvhich Harold Russek is connected. Miss Sheldon is now at work in the store and Mrs. Russek is taking lessons in acting from John Hutchen. Miss Sheldon, who appeared in “The Girl Habit,” “Night Angel,” “Secrets of a Secretary” and other films made at Paramount’s New" York studio, has agreed to give Mrs. Russek lessons in the art of make-up for appearances before the camera. /tHARLES “BUDDY” ROGERS will not desert the screen wdien he becomes a radio star, he said at Paramount’s Hollycvood studios. Although he expects to become a headliner with a Ziegfeld show in January, and shortly afterward commence his radio programs for the National Broadcasting Company, he will continue to make two or three pictures a year. Rogers is at work in a role in “Second Chances,” heading a cast which includes Richard Bennett, Charlie Ruggles, Frances Dee, f’eggy Shannon and Frances Starr. “I do not want to desert the screen permanently," Rogers said. “I hojiC t<.) make two or three pictures a year after I take over my new work.” Rogers said that negotiations are on for him to become a Ziegfeld musical star but that a contract has not been signed. “Shortly after 1 g'o to New York I wdll start assembling a symphonic-jazz orchestra," he asserted. “I am going' to get the best musicians obtainable. We will play probal)ly in some hotel or show and Ijroadcast once or twice a week over a national network.” MR. KENTS PARENTS CELEBRATE GOLDEN U^EDDING ANNIVERSARY ! Mr. and Mrs. Sidney J. Kent, parents of Paramount's vice-president in charge of distribution, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in San Francisco, on November 13. They were presented with a hand-lettered parchment scroll, suitably framed, and signed by every member of the Home Office Distribution Department cabinet. Photo above shows the whole Kent family at the celebration. At the left .Mrs. Percy Kent, Lawrence Kent, Mrs. Lawrence Kent, Ernest TT'. Kent and Mrs. Ernest W. Kent. In the center: Mr. and Mrs. Sidney J. 'Kent, seated, with Arthur Kent, S. R. Kent and Percy Kent, .standing. At the. right: Bert P.arber. .Mrs. Bert Barber and .Mrs. S. R. Kent. M'e wish Mr. and Mrs. Sidney ,7. Kent many more happy wedding anniversaries!