Variety (May 1932)

Tuesday, May 3, 1932 PICTURES VARIETY OPEN UP STUDIO DOORS M-G SAYS GABLE TOO VALUABLE FOR POLO ' Hollywood, May 2. ,. Clark Gable is the first reported |r-3tdnce of a studio forblddlhff a player to participate In the haz- ardous sport of polo. Metro has cald nix to Gable's contemplated , debut ins a polo player. . . : Riding hardly more than a year, feable from a rank novice on the Griffith Park bridle path blossomed out on the practice field and was elated for his first public appear- ance a week or so ago. . This did iipt ma.eriallze and it is understood ■ ai" likelihood, of Gable being seen pii a .polo team Is cold. ' Meitro is said to have received Word !of several nasty spills Gable • tcok in practice and with visions Df their boudofr ki^ having his manly physique crushed under a horse. they quickly laid down the . law. ' ■ Gable, was also pursuaded that by allowing himself to be used ais a ' boxofllce. magnet for polo niatches • he would cheapen himself. Espe- cially if he were not equestrian I enough to live up. to the billing. Tone Down Hollywood i FSms' Inside Stuff For Boxoffice Safety Hollywood, May 2. In their production of Hollywood iBtories with a studio background producers have agreed not to. tip off too much about picture produc- tion.- .■ .. . Unlversal's 'Cohens aiid Kellys In Hollywood' and "The Lost Squadron* froiii Radio had more Inside picture stuff than will Radio's 'Truth About Hollywood,' Columbia's 'Hollywood Speaks* and Universal's 'Once in a Lifetime.' %yith half a dozen Hollywood pic- tures released, the feeling is that if too much is told about production the audiences will become, overwlse With a resultant boxofflce effect. GERMANY UKELY FOR DIETRICH-STERNBERG Hollywood, May 2. . Failing to settle their difficulties with Paramount, Joseph von Stern- berg and Marlene . pietrich will .. probably go to Germany for a pic- ture. It is doubtful whether Paramount could legally prevent the pair from Working in Germany although the Btudio said it would try. Reported von Sternberg is engaging Kathan fiurkan in the east to represent Miss, Dietrich and himself in any litlga- • lion. • ■ ' Suspension of th6 pair without salary followed their refusal to do •B. P. Schiilberg's altered treatment of 'Blonde Venus.^ . Josef Von Sternberg returns from New York tonight (2), with Para- mount suspension still effective but damage suit not filed, yet. ilarlenc Dietrich also suspended, hasn't left cUy at all. Muni-WB in July Hollywood, May 2. . Paiil Muni is-due here in July, to take up a permanent' contract, with the Warners. I'irst job win be a. fugitive from a Geor.qia cliaiii gang story by Ccorgc ? turns, CARILLO'S INDIE 4 l.iPi) C.'irillo is goin.i? back to tlie Coast in two weeks. He h.is a deal •on wiDi Joe Schnitzcr for four plc- ture.«, Latter will prorliice Inil"iion<h'iitly Testing Air Acts Chicago, May 2. Universal and Metro are making screen tests of local radio artists; Both tried- Wrlgley's 'Myrt and Marge| , company, Uhlvercai recording the entire cast of six and Metro looking over the leads, Margaret Vail arid Donna Danerel. Metro has also taken isL num^ ber of individual testa around the local >tatic>hs. Sbaron Lynn Spends $2,000 for Clothes In Free iegit Date Pasadena, May 2. . Advantage of even a little the- atre as , a showcase for players wanting to crash films is indicated by Sharon ; Lynn, who spent $2,000' on wardrobe for a part she is. doing gratis. Actress, off the screen for months, wants to make a comeback in dramatic roles, She is doing a supporting part In 'I liOve. an Ac-^ tress* at the Pasadena Coinmunity Playhouse. . Miss Lynn Is putting alV the flash possible Into her scenes in hope of attracting a studio-eye. Theatre Is well covered by film people. Douglass Montgomery, who high- hatted pictures when Metro made him change his namie to Kent Douglass, Is. due in Pasadena May 13 for several plays at the Pasa- dena Playhouse. Actor, who fled to New York dissatisfied with pictures, is believed to want a film comeback. His home is in Pasadena. $50 KIDNAP RACKET FLOURISHES IN L A. Hollywood, May 2, Petty kidnapping racket, evidently inspired by the Lindbergh case, has been annoying picture people for the past two weeks. Celebs have been receiving cryptic messages from an unknown claiming there is a plot to kidnap their child, biit for $50 they'll get complete details .of the plan. Several have handed over the $50 only to discover that it was. a gyp, with the crook ducking immediately after he received the money. Police have been called in, but in each case they have been told to let the affair drop, the picture people fearing resulting publicity would be a build-up for other racketeers. Same gag has heen worked on people outside of the pictutfe busi- ness and has been particularly popular in Pasadena. Activity of the Pasadena cops has chased the racketeers to,^ Hollywood. mTusmD M. C. Levee Pbints Out Pro- ducers Are Also Exhibo itor9—On<e. 'Studio's Good Product a Break for All~ Chides Division of Author- ity ahd Catering to the 'Boss* as a Grave Pro- duction Handicap -—. 46% Waste FIXED CHARGES' BANE Joe Schenck as New Operator of Caliente Los Angeles, May 2. •Joseph M. Schenck, head of United Artists, has been propositioned to assume ma.nagement of Agua Coll- ehte, Mexican resort, in which he is a large stockholder. Decision of the picture executive is not known as yet. ; ' It is also proposed to have Hal and Lou Wertheimer take over the gambling casino there with Joe Smoot, A'eterah race track operator, already having applied to Schenck for , charge of the Caliente track. Smoot is here following his han- dling o£ a Florida saucer the past winter. The Wertheimers ran The Dunes, roadhouse, jitst*. outside . Palm Sprinus, which ljp<*ame well known this winter.; UNITING PAIEBANKSES Hollywood, May 2. Mary Tickford is expected here fvom Xevv York Wednesday <4), two d.iys aliead of Dou!?la.« 'Falr- bank.s who arrives in Sun frantisco from Tahit'" on Friday. Mi.v.s rifUfwl^will be met iri .^an rromirilino liv Frano"'-* M.u ; jVi. By Cecilia Ag<er 'This 40% overhead on production that is strangling the picture indiis^ try today/ says M. C. Levee, 'is a burden which prevents' pictures from realizing little more than pro- duction costs—-frequently not even thaft much^—and. can he traced di- rectly to unnecessary write-offs on actors, directors, writers arid stories purc.haSed but never, used.' First of all, Levee points out. a $1,000 per week actor actually costs the studio. $2,000. a week on the: 40. weeks per annum basis contract Currently prevailing. He averagen four pictures a year, and the pro- duction period for each picture averages six weeks. So . he works 24 weeks a year, is paid at a mini- mum for 40, and the rest of his salary—unearned—becomes a studio carrying chargie, deadweight in- creasing the overhead. The same waste in salaries Is true of directors, says Levee, although not in as great a 'proportion,- for some directors work preparing their stories for several weeks In addition to their actual shooting time. The proportionate delivery by writers, compared to salaries paid, is all out of line, from Levee's view- point. A story becomes a football to be kicked around by a dozen Avriters, passing from one to an- other,, each changing it a little, each adding a little, each, distorting the original theme a little, until it Is turned into the boss who, like as hot, returns it to be kicked around again. Meanwhile, each writer is being paid a isalary week after week; in many instances writers have worked oh the lot a full year without any of their. contributions being utilized for production.' No Story 'Nut' Then there is the monei"; spent in the purchase of stories that never reach production, to add to the overhead which eats into suc- cessful pictures' potential profits. An Independent producer, explains Levee, never buys a story until he's absolutely certain he is going to use . it. If he has trouble with the adaptation of it he sticks .by it until he lIcUs it. Ha can't afford to pay bash for material and not get a return from it. And the point is, adds Levee, that neither can the big studios da this any more. . The current set-up in tlie studios, which entrusts absolute authority to one man for fixed annual pro- gram is of such size that. it is be- yond the physical capabilities of one human being to oversee In the way that the Investment demands. Eyeh with the errors of. judgment that are bound to arise under this sys- tem. If the producers would realize that they are now theatre owners and operators as well as producers, they would save themselves a bit of money and benefit the ihdu.stry be- sides. ' The Open Door y.vory major produc-ing company ht'ia* ihratres'to fill now; say's Levee, (Continued, on page Turpin's Two ITolIywood, May 2. P.fn TuPiiin is makiii!» lii.«! Pfirecn ronieliack with two parts set at otu' .sluilio, He gof^s into 'iMerton o( thf Talk- ies' and 'On '^'<mr M.'irk.' nt IViim- ill^i'Hil. .f if k S)i'-i riM ;«C4';ll'f'i|, Aiibther Caravan^ 1o Hofly^ Certain liut i^ Perfect Guest Hollywood, May 2. Picture actor, far the worse for. liquor; was. ta.ken to the home of a film ' comic by a friend during a party. Host was Very solicitous and oblig- ing' and asked the other. actor to call again. Drunk has done so quite often and never when, sober.. He thought from the first, and still thinks, that the comic's home Is a speakeasy and be- fore' coming always phones to know if the joint is .still open. By unice Koys And Fans Happy Hollywood, Alay 2. Supplying autographs of celebs for fans, mostly on photographs, has become a recognized business ad- junct of the studios although ft Is 99% synthetic. Some studios work, on the theory that any signature will fill the bill for the hinterland fans, with scores of different autographs of the same people scattered ; over the world and no one the wiser. This because any one from the office boy up— but not too far, up—signs the celeb signatures. However, occasionally comes a request fromi some one that mat- ters, generally an exhibitor, and these must be more or'less authen- tic. These autographs arelntrusted to the studio 'forgers'—^various studio employees: who have shown themselves adept at Imitating sig- natures. It's all jake with the stars be- eauise it saves them from possible writers' cramp. So far none of the legal forgers has tried the signa- tures on a check so that's jake again. Moore-Metro Hollywood, May 2. Colleen Moore hasn't autographed a contract yet, but her Metro deal is still likely. Meanwhile, Colleen is back In her old home here, which had been rented during her long absence, and gives hjr first Hollywood party as Mrs. Snott on May 8. Johnson's Motor Tour Hollywood, May 2. Joseph Johnson, his salary ac- tion against Fox adjusted, Ipaves Ilollywood today (Monday) by motor. He will go on an extended trip with a protracted stopover among his kinfplk at Atlanta, Georgia, and probably report at the Tammany wigwam before the pvesldontial elections. DARRO'S CONTRACT Los Angf-le.«, May'2. Nat T>vine has given 14-year.-old i'Vankie Dari'o a 52-week contraft iit $.',0 a wt'ck for his work in two .\Iaspf)t. pictures • and for .farming privilfgcs. Farming . agrormcnt lf< that the producer takes tlic ilr.ft .SJ,200 .ind any direct expenses for pnlilicity or prf^paring niatorial. aft'-r whi'-h tluj boy' afitur shart's .')0-o't. . .. ■ If r.«'\inf- iisf'S Parro in rl (liird Masfiii iiif'iii-f. ||(^ f-an-i'--: .•( ?;;0" Hollywood, May 2. Clo '. "g of the Icgit season in New York, suriimer railroad rates, hope that the Holly wood, rainbow is still shining, good transcontinental nio-, tor roads ahl' the continual boast- ing about Hollywood by both its employed and lay-offs, presages a heavy influx of eastern: show peo^; pie to Hollywood within the next few weeks. Alrer,dy the vanguard of the eastern contingent, is arriving by'. plane, boat, train, motor, and hitch hiking. : It's estimated that .200 . have dropped In during the past month, some With contracts, others with an aenemic grouch bag and ah abun- dance of hope. English Newcomers Closing of (Srace George's 'First Mrs. Fraser' left A, E. Mathews, Reginald ;.«Iason.and John Halloran In town to try pictures. Mathews is up for a contract at Metro, while the other two are in for one pic- ture at Warners. Billie Burke has decided to st<^y on the cc>ast for le- git and picture work. Gertrude Vanderbllt is here to try pictures. Miller aiid Mack from vaude are also flirting witii pictures. . Frank Fay is back again with nothing but the flickers in mind. Herb Wil- liams with the 'Vanities' has bought himself a home and will return here when the season closes. Sey- mour Fell:: and LeRoy Prlnz both dusted California about three months ago and are back again. Roth's Quickie Ralph Morgan and Arthur Pier- son are here for good; Morgan with Metro and Pleirson at Fox. Lew Brlce 'i aromoting. Murray Roth, In town thr- - days, set himself as a writer with Fox. John Miltern, •Tom Carrlgan, Roy Cummings, Robert Sparks, George Meeker, William P. Carleton, Marlon Burns and Claire Windsor are recent ar- rivals. Charles Campbell, currently in the Coast production of 'Church Moi de,' likes the climate .^nd will stick "or pictures. — . Despite all the optimism, climate is about the surest thing here and that has been double-crossing the natives and transplainted ones of late. J ny time an actor crosses, the state line into Calif rnla he's taking a cl ance. Bait There's plenty of bait held out for the easterner who has Just scraped (Continued on page C4) i INDEX t •••••••• 42 Bills .... Burlcfique Burlesque Routes Broadway Legit Reviews. Chatter .................. 36 Fdltorial • •« Exploitations ....,....... Film Hou.se Reviews..... Foreign Film News....... Foreign Show News inslde--Iiegit Inside—Jfuslc ...i.... Inside—Pictures ...... Inside—Radio Legitimate Letter List Literati ... Muslo ..... Ts'ew Acts..,........ ,.. Newt" from the Dailies... Nit»>Clubs ,, . Cibitiiary ,....>'..' Outdoors . Out of Town Reviews. ...... Piflurcs ;.....; 2 I'ifturc Rcv'if'ws. 14 liadio Radio Rcp'Tts......... Sports .......;..'...'.;. T;ilkiiig' Slirn-ts.,....;.,.» Ti)n<='S SqiifU-f .a?, V;iU(l('vlllii '...., \'aii(lc 'lloiiM'' Kfvif-w \\'i>ni(-i)'s I'itu*' '. I... * • ff ....... 32 B5 5S 44 ■39 41 17 29 11 46 41 63 41 C2 -4C 54 *7 52 30 34 52 55 55 44 -24 -15 4S ZTj 14 ■33 ■ 27 3U 40