Variety (Jan 1935)

29th ANNIVERSARY NUMBER , Published. Weekly at.lS4 Weit 4(tb St., Nevv Tork, N. 1., by Varljty, Inc. Annue.1 aubaorlvtion, IS. Stngrle copies, 16 cehu. Bntered u aecond-clau matter December 22, 1906, at the Poet Ofllce at New Yprk. M. T., tinder the act of March 8, 1S79. COPYBIGHT. 1934, DT TABISTX. INC. ALr BIGHTS BESEBVED. VqL 117 No. 3 NEW YORK. TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1935 152 PAGES Drinkuig-Gamblii^ Hollywood Extras Face Booting From Films Hollywood, Dec. 81. -Drinking,—gamblins— and other- tomfoolery by extras drawing day pay at studios is out henceforth, ac- cording to edict of the Central Cast- ing Corporation, which routes the jobs for Hollywood's thousands of Bon-acting actors and actresses. X'ormal notice posted on bulletin ' boards of all studios that are meni- < bers of the Hays organization, ' btirled at the hordes like a t^ar gais ' bomb, indicating that ofterises have become so rampant among this —class -of- workers- that only drastic threats can take care of the situa- tion. Mobsters, it seems,. haVe been get- ting drunk, playing bridge and pin^ ochle to excess, shooting crap and Indulging in divers other breaches of discipline, such as leaving the set without permission. Central CasUng, which has evolved more rules and regulations since Campbell MacCulloch took charge than a field has mice, appears de- termined to emllypost the tlirong element into being refined; at least, while on the set. According to the notice sent out, following penalties will ensue for violators: First instance of getting drunk or eambllng during work period will (Continued on page 132) 500 DANCERS " AT WARNERS Hollywood, Dec. 31. With throe current productions Incorporating dance numbers, War- ners has total of 500 hoofers on the payroll rehearsing this week. Special production number for VJolddlggers of 1935' is using 175 boys and girls, with Busby Berkeley directing. Madame Nljinska is re- hearsing 150 stepper3.^fQi:i_immhfirfl. In 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' while Bobby Connolly has 125 in rehearsal for numbers to be In- cluded In 'Go Into Your Dance.' TEA-LEAF READERS NOW DOPING COCOAIL CUPS Baltimore, Dec. 31. With tea-rooms decidedly on the wane in these parts, those who for- merly baited patronage by reading the tea leaves for the customers have hopped over to another closely approximating form of fortune telling. They have Joined forces with the loop cocktalleries and hang around afternoons gazing In the crystal for the patrons—the crystal being the cocktail cups the spots have started using to stimulate the praotice. Confession liincoln, Dec.' 31; A tragedy was tersely spoken frpm a small town marquee last week. A film peddler had heard of the opening of a the- atre in the town and drove In to sell some pix. When he arrived the theatre was shut- tered and boarded with a large sign displayed: "OPENED BY MISTAKE." CANADIAN GOVT SPONSORING 2 AMI-WAR PIX Toronto, Dec. 31. With the current Interests in war and the anti-munitions attitude, the Canadian, government Is rushing two pictures through the cutting- room and applying sound effects. Both Govt, pix point out the folly of war, its heroisms and sacrifices, its tragic aftermath. One will .be_dlsJt!:lbute!L_by .Cfl.-_ lumbla; the other, sponsored by Premier Hepburn of Ontario, is'not yet set on distribution. It will probably be in shape for release be- fore the Federal film. In view of this situation, Lau- rence Stallings* 'The World War' (Fox) has been refused Canadian war clips for insertion in tliis country. The two Canadian govern- ment pictures will be ready for re- lease in February. 'Lest We For- get' (Col) is sponsored by the Canadian Legion; aegis of the second Is undetermined. Task is to select. In both cases, from the thousands of feet filmed of Canadian forces' activities at ■fiome, idngland and France. FTlms,' for years, have been gathering diust on the shelves of the Canadian gov- ernment's Motion Picture Bureau. Some weeks ago, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet inlnlsters had a view of the reels. Decision to as- semble a feature followed. Doc Off Snstaining Dr. Allan Dafoe, who came to world-wide attention In connection with the Dionne quintuplets, may go commercial. Liggett drug chain, which financed Dr. Dafoe's recent New York itinerary, is reported contem- plating marketing obstetrical prep- arations for expectant mothers, en- dorsed by the doc. An ether com- mercial hookup may also bo under- taken later on. Hearst also sig- natured the doc for a series of baby articles. By Arthur Ungar Hollywood, Dec. 81. The year of 1934 actually un- veiled one boxoffice sensation, the tot, Shirley Temple, who jumped to stardom and became a potent screen factor over night. Other players who had been unimportant in years gone by also leaped to the fore dur- ing the past 12 months, but on the whole -for -1934— while • star"poW6r could, g^t them in on an opening It couldn't hold them if the picture was not there. This explains mariy films which would open well arid then slip to ordinary grosses. How- ever, the condition was an improve- ment over '33 when no star could draw if the picture was weak. It is still a question of the nierlt of the t)lcture. If good, great for the star. If poor, or just fair. It's merely another picture which helps no one in particular all the way down the line. _._ The past year further marked a number of stars who had hopped to the top during '33 as going the other way In 1934. Possibly not their fault In several Instances but in most, es- pecially in the case of somo of the femmes. It was their own strategy which brought them down a peg or two, three or four. Turning from tlie players, for a minute, to name the six best money directors and pictures of the year, the top directors were: W. S. VanDyka Frank Capra Norman Taurog Lloyd Bacon George Cukor Victor Schertzjnger And for the best gross pictures of the year. Coast studios acclaim the following fllms_as the six leaders:_ 'Little Women' (Radio) M'm No Angel' (Par) 'Judge Priest' (Fox) 'Dinner at Eight' (M-G) 'It Happened Che Night' (Col) 'The Bowery' (UA) Particular data as to the reasons for these ratings will be found in later paragraphs. Standouts After you get by Shirley Temple, others who have also shone bright- ly during the period are Will (Continued on page 36) PROSPERITY IS BACK, SAY THE WAITERS Nlte life being a luxury proposi- tion basically, the catering staffs at any of the popular cafes and hotels only gauge economic conditions by one thing—the amount of the stake. With last night (New Year's eve) biz the b'est in four years, the tlpK to the reservation-takers was re- ported to be likewise in high per- centage of improvement Rose Bowrs $250,000 Hollywood, Dec. 31. Seats for tomorrow's football game in the Rose Bowl between Alabama and Stanford are practi- cally all gone, with a capacity of 85,000. At top of $4,40, the take will be an even $250,000. Amateurs Treated as Sensitive Artists at Feenamint Tryouts Bulb Dance Baltimore, Dec. 31. , Latest evolution of the fan dance is current at the Club Variety, downtown nlte spot. Billed 'Marclta, the human battery, in an electric - bulb dance. Niide but for three tiny bulbs.' The room Is blacked out dur- ing the routine. , DOLL-UP' GAG BURNS PARIS CRITICS Paris, Dec. 51. Paris theatrical. critics have de- clared sartorial Independence. Managers want them to come to first nights in white ties and tails, or at least In dinner jackets. Critics reply that they go to shows to work, not to display themselves, and they'll come In business suit s if the y "feeTTlkelU Row was started by evening dress request enclosed with critics' tickets to opening of French version of Noel Coward's 'Private Lives,' by Robert Trebor, mf.nager of Theatre Michel. Trebor figured that for an English piece he ought to have as many shtrtfronts as he would get in London. Edmond See, president of critics' associatio-. replied in an open letter recommending that re- viewers attend theatres dressed any way they pleased. Max Maurey, president of man- agers' association, countered with expression of hope that newsmen would help to make French theatre a 'decently d resse d pla ce.' and Tre bor wrote squawking against a re- porter Who recently, went to open- ing in sports clothes. UNUSED THEATRE Finest House in Southwest Not Available for Road Shows San Antonio, Dec. 31. The most beautifully appointed and equipped legit house in the southwest goes unused because It would become taxable if the local Shrine temple booked a profit-mak- ing show. Shrine temple, built at a seven- figure expense, has been open sev- eral years. It has an auditorium rating In appearance and equipment with any theatre here, but houses only benefits and shrine activities. Building, Just off the main stem, is tax free as long as the commer- cial theatre is kept out Radio's tender heart. Its yen to bo fa,'r a:nd squar', Its longing for the good-will of even the most mis- guided of God's children, warmed the Coluijibla Radio Playhouse Sat- urday, Dec. 29, where the prelimi- nary try-outs for National Amateur Night, siJonsored by Feen-a-mint. werfe being courteously conducted. ■Amateurs beyond a doubt filled the orebestra floor, awaiting their'turii In; the-steajdy two-and-a-half-ho.ur procession to. the platform . mike. Ray Perklnsf, the program's m.c, re- placed, when exhausted, by Arnold Johnson, the program's orchestral conductor, drew the aspirants' ap- plication cards at random from a w'astebasket. Much too gentlemanly to use the hook to cut short the bleating.s of farmyard fowl imitators, Irish falsetto tenors, sopranos timidly searching for high C, and harmony trios grimly murmuring pilnk- plunk, the, Judges sat safe in the thick glass screened control room, (Continued-on page 150) Revival of Leisurely B'way Feed-Bagging Has Showmen Guessing —Show blz^ history-ls-belng-made-on— Broadway in a manner which has showmen very much concerned. The revival of leisurely eating spells bonanza. for restaurant interests and prophesies possible detriment to the living theatre. The cinema alone figures to bene- fit as the new cabaret-theatres and large restaurants,, with their time- killing schedules, are deliberately designed to keep the diners on the premises past the regular curtain hour. Only at the 9:30-10 p.m. break, which is average, can the picture houses get some of that pat- ronage that has been brought down- town to Times Square. In the past week the sensational ^star.t-of—rhe:- new Fieiich - Casiiio's 'Folles Bergeres' revue (1,400 seatg), the 1,200 capacity of the Flying Trapeze restaurant on West 67th street, and the debut of the Con- gress cabaret with Polly Moran, Fifl Dorsay and Eddie Lowry head- ing the show—premierlng Tuesday, Thursday and Friday last week- gave theatre people much to won- der about. 'Folles Bergeres' opening night grossed |8,0OO, slid to |3,000 the sec- ond night (Wednesday) and tilted to $5,§00 the third night. lyUte House Favorites Chaney and Fox will dance tha 'Blue Danube' and 'Merry Widow* waltzes at the White House New Year's Party. It's a fourth time in the Executive Mansion for the dance team. Only pair ever so honored.