Variety (April 1933)

Tuesday, April 4, 1933 VARIETY S t B. S. THOUGHT APPARENTLY Hollywood, April 3. Claiming that neither Hollywood par England's studios were far enough advanced to produce any of Ills plays as pictures, George Ber- nard Shaw wisecracked his way through Metro's reception for him Tuesday (28), adding that perhaps he'd return here some day anc show Hollywood how to make films. ■ Marlon Davles played guide to the Irishman, personally conducting blm through the studio. In defer- ence to their guest's reputation, Metro's wisecrackers, professional and amateur, deferred from topping his gags. Knowing well the men- tality of 'yes men,' the Bard threw Ills barbs right and left. To some-, lie was a source of sarcastic wit, to others Just a bewhiskered rude old man. Playwright, as far as is known, didn't talk business with Louis B. Mayer, who was host to Shaw at a studio luncheon. When introduced to the producer, Shaw exclaimed, •So there really Is a Mayer?' Gave Nothing Away Shaw was surrounded by Metro's great at the luncheon. Charles Chaplin also was on hand. Qther than the introductions, everybody kept quiet and allowed the Irish wit to speak. He said nothing that could be copped for a picture. Shaw flew here from the Hearst ranch at San Simeon, rejoining the Empress oi Britain, which left Los Anneles on the last leg of its round-the- world tour Tuesday night. Shaw had embarked from the boat at San Francisco Saturday (25). Studio Invited the local press and I wire services to meet Shaw. Scribes were Introduced as the 'Hollywood press.' •Hollywood press?' questioned the . traveler. 'So far on this trip I have v.met the Italian press, the Russian : press, the Japanese press and the Australian press. What ha IToUy- wood to do with the pi-ess. Noth- ing Important happens here. Holly- wood press, bosh!' Someone tried to enlighten him that Hollywood was important enough to have a press. 'AH right, then,' he Interrupted hlii enllghtencr, and turned to the thoroughly squashed representative of the press, saying, 'Ask me some questions.' When no questions of any impor- tance were forthcoming he turned on his heel and left the press be- hind the eisrht ball. Foreign Play<^rs Get Lift Out of U. S. to Bar Deport Stigma Hollywood, April 3. Shows to aid foreign film players ordered deported by the Govern- ment is the newest form of benefit performances here. Benefits are thrown by com- patriots in order that the players ordered from the country by immi- gration authorities can pay their own fare back home without hav- ing the stigma of deportation, which would bar them from re- entering this country. One of these benefits given by Spanish players for a fellow coun- tryman at a small downtown the- atre netted $340, which, with cash gifts here and there, enables the leave stayer to return home in more or less style. Other foreign groups are plan- ning similar stage benefits for those 'vho have been given notice to get out of the country within a stated-time or get tossed out. Merger, Merger Albert Deane of Paramount's foreign department got a letter last week addressed to him, care of 'Paramount United Artists Fox Metro Goldwyn Mayer Corp., New York, U. S. A.' Letter came from Italy, but the postman delivered it. High-Prked Stars, Rhzy No More, Meet Unionizing Idea Half Way ACTORS' MUGGS IN DEMAND FOR ADS 4 PLAYERS SCRAP OLD FOR NEW PAR PACTS Hollywood, April 3. Four Paramount contract play- ers. Chevalier, Fredrlc March, Rich- ard Arlen and Carole Lombard, have signed new papers with Para- mount Productions while confetti was niade out of their old Par- Publix documents. Deals were ne- gotiated by Walter Tuller, of O'Melveny, Tuller & Myers, local attorneys for the receivers, who Is dickering to switch papers similar- ly for Norman Taurog, Steve Rob- erts, Louis D. Lighton and Gary Cooper. Latter talked with Sam Katz, but It- didn't get past the Conversation point. Eckels Nosing h on Whitbeck, for Katz Job Hollywood, April 3. Eddie Eckels, director of pub- licity for RKO Radio Studios, is negotiating to leave the organiza- tion and Join Sam Katz's new com- pany. He stepped in to edge out Frank Whitbeck, who was up for Job. Whitbeck a. year ago was high and mighty in the press agent group. He is now handling exploi- tation on a sexer at a downtown Ii. A. 900-sieat grind house. President Gives Okay Hollywood, April 3. President Roosevelt has granted permission to use the title of his book, •Looking Forward,' for that of the Metro pictui > originally made as 'Service.' An excerpt from the book will be used as a title lead for the picture, saying title was suggested from a paragraph on op- timism In the President's book. Picture will be released as Cos- mopolitan production Instead of Metro, with Hearst newspapers to give big advertising campaign In all Hearst publications' centers. As result of the title change, the release date originally set for April 7 will be changed to the latter part of the month. Hollywood, April 3. Requests for advertising tieups with major studio players are on the increase. Wise to the fact that studios object to their players in- dorsing most articles, the requests from the manufacturers and ad agencies aire only for photographs to be used for display purposes or throwaways. Gardner Advertising Co. of St. Louis, handling the Rals- ton Purina account, is asking for permission to use players in a comic strip circulated through the Hearst Sunday papers. First to fall in line on the strip is Tom Mix. Cartoon is full page in color and has continuity, with the latter aiming to illustrate what eat- ing Ralston Wheat cereal will do for youngsters. Desiring to get more comedy in the strips, advertis- ing house is trying to get permis- sion to use EI Brendel, Jimmy Durante and Buster Keaton in future strips. Halligan Candy Co. of Davenport, la., is requesting players photo- graphs to insert in their candy bars. Idea will be similar to that used by cigaret companies in previous years. Pictures here would be miniature. Fromader Advertising Service, also of Davenport, has a similar idea for other manufacturers, American Creations, ad company of Jersey City, wants stars photo- graphs for several of their adver- tising accounts. According to" re- quests, picture names seem to help the sale,of any and all low priced commodities from candy bars to puzzles. Studios as a rule turn down the requests, but players re- cently are granting them as a pos- sible opportunity to Increase their Income. One player has sot a figure of $250 for all indorsements, or the granting of permission to use her photograph. John Barrymore Set for Col. Lawrence Role Hollywood, April 3. John Barrymore will play the part of Col. D. E. Lawrence, who headed an army of Arabians in the war, In liadio's 'Fugtive From Glory,' film based on the book, 'With Lawrence in Arabia.' This is the picture for which Ernest Schoedsaclc went to Mesopo- tamia for background material a few months ago. "Kugitive' was formerly dubbed 'The Uncrowned King.* VON STERNBERG, METRO TALK; DIETRICH MAYBE Hollywood, April 3. Returning from Europe last week, Josef von Sternberg conferred with Watler Wangcr at Metro on a three picture deal. Understood that with Marlenc Dietrich's Paramount contract ex- piring upon the completion of 'Song of Songs,' she will line up with the director on the Metro deal. Maharaja Toms Angel Marie Dressier Quite III Hollywood, April 3. Strong probability Marie Dressier wUI be unable to play In 'Tugboat Annie' and 'The Late Christopher Bean,' both of which figure promi- nently in Metro's calendar of '33- '14 releases. Since her retu-n from New York, following her operation, she has been far from strong, but insisted upon going into 'Dinner at Eight,' now In production. Current opinion I# that the strain of working in this feature will necessitate an indefinite vacation. Harry langdon, Song Writer Hollywood, April 3. Harry Langdon is trying his hand at song writing. Comedian did words and music of a pop tune called 'Calling All Cars.' Langdon now peddling the song, and starting to write another one. McGowan Eastbound; Will Join Roach in Europe Hollywood, April 3. Robert McGowan, who directs the Roach 'Our Gang' comedies, left here Saturday (1) for New York, following signing of a new contract to continue megging the same se- ries next year. After a few days on Broadway he sails for England, to Join Hal Roach, and will probably direct the picture to be produced there this summer by Roach for Metro quota release. McGowan carries with him to New York his first book, 'Gangster's Baby,' a yarn on racketeers from the kid point of view, picked up discussing gangsters with his Juve- nile actors. He hopes to get a pub- lisher for It before sailing. Cabot, Jordan Teamed Hollywood, April 3. Rado will bracket Bruce Cabot and Dorothy Jordan in 'Hide in tho Dark.' Yarn ia a new buy from Frances Noyes Hart, 'Satevepost' writer. Metro's 2 for Lukas Hollywood, April 3. Metro la negotiating to borrow Paul Lukas from Universal for two pictures. First will be 'Rhapsody.' Hollywood, April 3. Maharaja of Johore, Indian ruler of the Malay Peninsula, will turn picture angel to finance Ward Wing, producer, in making a travel drama In India- Wing leaves here this week by auto for New York, accom- panied by his wife, Lorl Bara, sister of Theda Bara. He sails for India in May. Wing met the Maharaja while making 'Samarang' in the ruler's country. Latter picture was financed and released by Bennle Zeldman, who has a contract to buy all foot- age made by Wing during the com- ing year. Argentine Editor Here L. S. Saslavsky, motion picture editor of 'La Naclon,' leading Bue- nos Aires daily, Is" in New York for a look-see of conditions. After a week or jo here, he goes tr the Coast where he'll look about the studios, then he'll double-o the Brit- ish and European film spots before going home. Saslavsky ia all for .^.merlcan flickers claiming that a year ago he couldn't speak any English, but picked up the language with suffi- cient ease to get along entirely by looking at the Hollywood output when it reached the Argentine. Hollywood, April 8. Present attempts by picture play- ers and writers to organize find the high priced actors and scribes head- ing the movement. In the past It has been impossible to interest most high salaried contract people in or- ganization, the feeling among them being that with contracts, their positions were secure. Formerly, the only people interested in or- ganization were those getting small- er pay and the free lance people. Present unrest in picture business with considerable talk of bankrupt- cies and receiverships has been 9 considerable source of worry t< those in high places who realizt^ that their positions are as muck in Jeopardy as the smaller people, and they have taken up the cry o( 'organization.' It's all flattering to the small fry who for the first time in picture business are flnding themselves fighting for a common cause, with their high priced co-workers, who in the past ritzed them. A showdown with fireworks la expected at an actors' branch meet- ing at the Academy Wednesday (B). Indications are that the meeting will be-, a virtual inquest on the question as to whether actors or a group of them, members of the Academy, will go through with plans for an afflliation with Equity to bring them under the wing of the American Federation of Labor. Session will be open to all play- ers who signed waivers agreeing to take the recent salary cuts, with their agents and attorneys per- mitted at the gathering. Academy Emergency committee will attend with its counsel, John O. Mott, who is expected to answer any criticism aimed In its direc- tion from so-called disgruntled players who are reported to have charged this group with misman- agement of the salary cut adjust- ment. Grant Offering to Quit Lawrence Grant, alternate rep- resentative to Walter Huston on the actor committee, who has been under criticism from the radical group, will offer his resignation. Claiming that charges aimed at its members are unfair, the emerg- ency cdmmittee is expected to re- port that several of the major com- panies will resume full pay before the eight-week period has expired. This restoration. It la said, will result from the flnding In a checkup of financial information being sup- plied by the studios. Harry Cohn is expected to announce full re- sumption at Columbia immediately, with Metro expected to follow. In- timation of MO restoration was given In a statement by Louis B. Mayer In answer to Will H. Hays* Ave point scheme. Radio also haa given hints that the cut won't last long at that studio. METRO RETAINS BOBSON Hollywood, April 3. Metro has taken up Its option on May Robson. Vet legit actreaa will be on the lot for another 40 weeks. Beyer- MacArthur handled the deal. GEORGE STEVENS Tattle on Cantor Hollywood, April 3. Frank Tuttle will direct 'Andro- clea and the Lion,' starring Eddie Cantor, In the Sam Goldwyn pro- duction due to begin at United Artists' studios May 15. Bannister to Orient As Hearst Reporter Hollywood, April 3. Harry Bannister sails Saturday (8) for Shanghai, where he goes as correspondent for International - Xews Service (Hearst). Actor for a number of years haa fleslred to Join the ranks of news- papermen, and under his year's contract with INS he will cover the Orient for spot news artd features. He takes with him a plane and two '■ameras, newsrcel and still. Director Who scored a box-offloe winner for Universal In "The C.'ohen.s and K' llys In Trouble," his first a.s.signment on a fcalure Ipr.^tli picture. h:i» been signed by Radio to direct their next "ilecidllncr Comfdy." .Stcven.s wa.s formerly one of the ace cameramen of tlie InduHtry and won liis dircr- torial .spurs at the Hal Roach studios. Ills work in tl;is 1;it'st ■••dIi- tis and Kellys" picture labels him as the most promLsIng dirr-cto? i;il rn.ii rial to emerge from the two-reel field. auake Benefits Net $4,000 Los Angeles, April 3. Benefit performances staged In a majority of circuit and Indie houses a wetk ago for the earthquake vic- tims netted around $4,000, with a few houses yet to report. Theatres save 25% of their gross ' I'-i-cipts for the muse. Compara- li-.elv I II;" attributed to lack ii|\:iMic (.•.'■ijloitatlon.