Variety (Jun 1935)

VISftlETY PICT E S Wednesday, June 5, 1935 These Prophets Rate No Honor, Save in Their Own Backyard Hollywood, June 4. Picture editors throughout the ■world get never a word about Joe, Moe, Harry and Mike. They are of the legion of - least remembered, vi- tally important picture workers, but In. their cases names don't make the news._ Joe', Moe, Harry and Mike are cut- ters, sound men, electricians, car- penters, assistant directors, set de- signers and a flock of other Impor- tant human accessories to motion picture, production whose only chance to get into the papers Is •when, somebody takes a group pho- tograph of all the cast and techni- cians and' the Joes, Moes, etc., are ruhed in to till ui) the plate. Joe Is the cutter. The finished feature depends mostly on what he assembles into continuity. Moe is a laboratory worker who takes care of the printing and developing of the negative and- positive. He can make, the picture look sparkling or as limp as a wet rag. Harry is the gaffer of electricians. His job is to see that the stars and sets are properly lighted. Many a star who has been too high hat has discovered that electricians can make and unrhake careers by put- ting a lamp in the wrong place. ■Mike is a set dresser who can de- tract from the importance of any scene by misplacing a'doo-dad. Others contribute their small but all-important activities to the pro- duction of motion pictures, but stu- dios and public alike are' interested only'in stars. In the matter of irriportance to readers aind fails, star names come first. .\fter that, but away down, the reader interest' list, comes writers; that Is, if they are important or. popular novelists. Directors . are next, but less than a dozen megger^', names are familiar to the fans. ?ro-. duction executives trail. Pickford Closes Tour, East on UA Matters Hollywood, June 4. Mary Pickford returned from Portland yesterday (Monday), her coast tour in 'Coquette' for Henry Duffy having, been cut short because of required presence in Hollywood to discuss United Artists business' affairs with Samuel Goldwyn, Charles Chaplin, Al Lichtman and others. Only play dates. in Seattle and Portland were fulfillea. Miss Pickford goes to New York as soon as local confabs are finished. ;WB Seeks Charles Ray, Helene Chadwick Duo Hollywood, June 4. "Warners is skedding a series tit Bhoi-ts in which name players of Bilent era, now rarely in pictures, will be starred. Studio is trying to get Helene Chadwick and Charles Bay for the first of the group. ' Series will be directed by Ralph Staub who has just finished thfe Keystone cop short using old Sen- nett comics. Garbo Skeleton Los Angeles, June 4. Among farewell gestures to Greta Garbo, leaving for Sweden, was a superior court suit filed in behalf of David Schratter, foriner German film producer demanding $11,305 de- clared due on loans. Money is alleged to have been advanced years ago to the star in Stockholm and Berlin, biit circumstances were not dis- closed. JACK HYLTON'S BRITISH PIC; 5G'S A WEEK AND ^ London, May 26. ; After many negotiations, first with British International arid then with Gaumont-British, Jack Hyltoh is at last set to make a film debut in England. Julius Hagen, head of Twickenr ham Films, has signed the English maestro for a full-sized screen musical. Understood Hylton' is- to get $5,000 a week with four weeks guaranteed, plus 33% of the profitsl Shooting win start as soon as Hylton is through with his Palla-! dium season, which was originallj( set for four weeks but has been hel^ over and is now in its 10th week. ! U Wants Paul Robeson For Talker 'Show Boat' London, June 4. Universal is dickering "with Paul Robeson for the forthcoming talk- crlzed 'Show Boat,' with deal lin-, derstood' almost set. Original role in the show was played by Jules Bledsoe, biit Ttobe- son played it for a while. As a .silent,'"part was handled by'Stcpirl Fetch it. Doing Revised 'King's Hprscs' irt London for Sachs J. L. ■ SachH, London legit, pro-; ducer, coming over on the Norman-i die's maiden voyage, has Ramon] Novarro set for 'All the King's'] Horses' (stage) for September pro-' ductlon in London, and' Is angling, for q. Hollywood film name is his; ■vis-a-vls. Sach? plans a Hollywood' hop for that purpose. Show has been done before In America and abroad, also In pic tures, but a refurbished libretto and; score will mark the new stage ver- sion. Understood Novarro's getting $2,500 and a percentage. j Babes in Woods Hollywood, June 4. Trixie Friganza's debut picture oh her new I'ar contract will be di- rected by Otho Lovcring, cutter an<l film editor, who has just been upiied to director status. Picture marking Initiation for botli star and director is the Zane Grey story, 'Wiinderers of the ■Wa.stehintls.' Savc-Par Revival Jimmy Savo has another ))icture deal on with I'arumount. If materializinK it will include eonie exten.sivc romaklng on 'Once in a Blue AToon.' the temporarily shelved Hecht-MdcArthur produc- tion for Par. Milestone Gets Dietrich Hollywood, June •). I-'aram(jiml's plan to .switch, direc- tor.s on Marlene Dietrich pictiu'cs has Le\vi.>< Milestone doin^ her noxt, 'Invitatidii to Haiipincs.s.' Normandie Arrivals Making the maiden voyage of tht Normandie from Le Havre to New York, arriving Monday (4) were the following show people; Bill Goetz and wife, Rufus LeMalre, Max Gor- don, A. J. Richard, J. L. Sachs, Louis Dreyfus (music publisher), Martin Beck and wife, J. C. Stein and wife. Jack Connolly, Marcelle Chantal. WELCOME TICKET Oscar Serlin, Paramounl's New York talent iester, Is holding a ticket in thii Irish sweepstakes which should net him a minimum of $2,200. Bought the ticket in the name of his nine-month-old son, Michael David. Kid and Mrs. Serlin left for Hollywo.id Saturday (1) on a vaca- tion. MARCUS JOINS ZEPPO Hollywood, June 4. Slg Marcu.s joins Zeppo Marx as associate following resignation as vice-president and office manager Cor Selznick-Joyce. George Lovett succeeds. NEW PITTS-O'CONNELL Hollywood, June 4.. Nfu- Za.su Pitts-Hugh O'Connoll Icani-.starror for Universal is 'Lone- .sonio,' Arthur ("apsar original. Kiii't jNeuiii.'inn is directing. WILL MAHONEY Brighton Standard said; "As the central figure in a non-stop cabaret of song, dance and laughter, he keeps the audience In constant tit- ters of merriment; His whimsical- ities seem .never-endtng. 'Whether it be Blnglng, conducting a dance band, playing a cornet, a miniature accordion, or dancing, he gets fun out of them all. Direction WM. MORRIS AGENCY Mayfalr Theatre Building New York City Tm Telling You By Jack Osterman COAST FLITTERS Cantor Clan, Jessels Among Week's Migrators Flock of departures for the Coast from New Y'ork. Bennie Holtzman, Eddie Cantor's manager, left with the rest of the Cantor children. Comedian Is feeling much better after hla recent illness. Georgie Jessel and Norma Tal- madge shoved oft yesterday (Tues- day). Jessel has some Coast weeks and also 'a' picture deal. Mrs. jack Allcoate and Ruby de Remer also coastward the same day. SOCIAUTE EXTRAS FOR PAR'S'ANNAPOUy Ariiss as Hobo FortB;NoU.S. Film Set, Radio London, June 4. George Ariiss'' current film for Gaumont-British, the second of three slated for that company, will probably be labeled 'The Loafer.' It marks the English star's first stage or screen role as a hobo. Charac- terization Is a sentimental vagabond. Ariiss Is not set for any more U. S. film comtnitnients at present. He is, however, primed for 13 weeks of radio commercial in New York next winter, with any Hollywood film deals yet to be worked out. it will be Ariiss' radio debut other than one special program for United Artists. '—^'^ -" -Ht»ffyw</r«lT' Jtr!(e-4.'— While Fox-20th states it has no George Ariiss picture scheduled, it is figured hero next year's program will include at least one,-In view of Ariiss' past associations with Darryl Zanuck. Par Signs Olympe Bradna, 16 Yr. Old Cabaret Dancer Paramount has signatured Olympe Bradna, dancer currently In the French Oaslno, restaurant-theatre on Broadway. She goes out in Sep- tember. When landing on the Coast Par expects to start her In acting, rather than Just dancing. Miss Bradna Is only 16, and this is her first American stage engagement. She's from Czechoslovakia, although related to the Bradnas in U. S. cir- cus biz. Towne, Baker Subside Hollywood, June 4. "Writing team of Gene Towne and Graham Baker go separate ways this week, but only in the matter of a three weeks vacation. Towne planes to New York, Baker hits for Honolulu. Pair have written seven originals for major producers. Script for "Walter "Wanger awaits their re- turn. LEGIT TESTEES otto HuUete gets a screen test today ("Wednesday) at Fox. Actor is currently In 'Personal Appear- ance.' Another testec is Al Tho.np- son, leglter, who goes to Univ sal .same day. Both handled by Dick I^rakeur of Leo Morrison's office. Autry Doubling Ditties Los Angeles, June 4. Gene Aulry will write one original song for each of the eight western.', lie is contracted to make for Mascot. Collaborating witli Autry Is Smiley Burnett. First of the series, to be supervised by Armand Schafer, may pull tijie title 'Cow- boy's Heaven,' one of Aulry's mo.st widely recorded song.s. JUST TOO BUSY Grace Moore Can't Find Time for Frencti Reporters Paris, May 28. Grace Moore hit Paris Friday (26), talked almost perfect French to the newspaper photogs, and then did the usual American visiting stunt by refusing to co-operate with her local promoters. Couldn't get together on a time to meet the newspaper boys, or any- thing else, b\it consented to sing when she returns from her Covent Garden engagement, before the Gueules Cassees organization oC war veterans whose faces were dis- figured by shelirue. Lend Bretherton Hollywood, June 4. "Warners has loaned Howard Bretherton to Paramount to direct ■Hop Along Cassidy." This is Harry Sherman's Inltialer as Paramount producer. SHELIA BAERETT CLICKS London, June 4. Sheila Barrett opened at the Cafe de Pari.s to a good reception. Miss Barrett is in for a fortnight at the nltery with options and pretty certain that latter will be exercised. MRS. TUTTLE'S TROTTER Hollywood, June 4. Tatlana Tuttlc, dancer, wife of di- rector Frank Tuttle, will make a two-reeler, 'A Night with Pan.' Ballet Russe will be featured. Financing on her own. Ship Ahoy Attended a party given by th© new Commodore of the Hudson River Night Line, Sam Rossoft, and found out why Sam bought the lln«. He \ got tired standing up In hie subviotyr. pithing the Dirt Saw 'Tobacco Road' for. the first time. Understand there's a clause in the actors' contracts forbidding them" to bathe during the .run of th* P.l9.y. If anyone disobeys we knot? a couple of agents who can open tortlght. Good Idea Al Shayne, the Ambassador of Song, wa3 a patient at Medical .Arts last week. Had his nose lifted so they could hear him in the balcony. Baltimore, June 4. "VN'hat is possibly the classiest coterie of extras ever assembled for a single' production started yester- day (Monday) on a 4-day working assignment ' In AnnapoU's, where Paramount Is filming 'AnnapolI^^ Farewell' on grounds of the Naval Academy. Some 150 girls have been recruited .from "Washington and Balto, and with handful' of excep- tions they represent the unskimmed social cream of the two towns. Each drama and pic crick In Capital and here selected three girls ;."then those selected drafted a few ' friends. Working In; sequences depicting the social side of life In Academy, many of 'em are down in Annapolis these days for the a,ctual June ."Week gala as afore-lnvlted drags of the Mid- dies of the graduating class. Poll of the femipes. revealed that nearly two-thirds of 'em now on location are either currently or have been guests at a June Week or more. Tlie girls are getting $5 a day for their work, $2.50 less than the NRA scale for extras in Hollywood. Girls must also furnish all of wardrobe, as well as expenses. R.r. fare, plus chow, just about consumes dally coin allotment. Aside from indoor _and^outdoor morning, and afternoon dresses, they mus't~aTs*o~'sporT"evS- nlng gowns for scenes depicting the graduation ball in Dahlgren Hall. 'Annapolis Farewell' will wind up three weeks of work on Maryland soil next-Sat. (8). Company, headed by Sir Guy Standing, Dick Crom- well, Tom Brown, Rosalind Keith, Jack Coic and Louise Beavers -will head back Immediately for "West Coast. Will have about a week's work in Hollywood to forge through before reelage goes to cutting room. Force of Habi They tell the story' of the chfonic borrower who found himself broke in mid-ocean. Going over to i fel- low passenger he said, 'Buddy, loan me 10 bucks, my check doesn't ar- rive till tomorrow.' New Circuit Since Harry Hershfleld m.c'd. the opening of. Liggett's last week, he has been offered a week at Whalen'B at a raise. They want us at Gray's, but we'd have to take a cut. Matinee Idol Got a kick the other day watch- ing a mob of femmes at the stage door waiting for Leslie Howard. What would happen If one day Leslie got tired and sent Willie out in his place? Her Honor, The Duke Art Kramer, Broadway's bathtub beautician, has been commissioned by an heiress to furnish her with ^ sunken marble tub. When you're as clean as some of us since thei crash, a shower would be welcome. By the way, whatever happened to money? The Good Old Days Saw an old fashioned western thei, other day. Why not take Hoot Gib-i son. Ken Maynard, Rex Bell and Tom Mix, put 'em all in one flicKe?..,. SSa- tUle-^ti-.'^ft'iang"-A.Jl"^52«rst3.'* ' ' • Ostermania Glad the Normandie arrived okay now the. country can get back to normalcy After, we finish this, wonder if we can write about three minutes of talk for the man- ager of the Windsor hotel....En- Joyed Geo. M. Cohan's revival of 'Baldpate' Would like to know when someone is going to revive us Gene Baylose leaves for the Pine Brook Country Club A few. more of these openings and 46th street will be deserted... .The King's Jubilee sounds like the name of a unit Well, gotta go and see three inen about a horse. Are you reading? Veiller Ends as Producer, Scribs 'Bluebeard* at U, Hollywood, June 4. Bayard "Veiller, recently leaving his associate producer berth at Paramount, is on Universal's writ- ing staff. He Is writing the screen play of 'Bluebeard,' Boris Karloff starred. SAILINGS July 10 (New York to Moscow) Phil Spitalny orchestra (Norman- die). June 8 (New Y^ork to London) Madge Evans (Aquitania). June 7 (New York to Paris) Rich- ard Dlx, Bcrnico Claire (Norman- die). June 4 (New York to Stockhol Greta Garbo (Kungsholm). June 1 (New York to Paris) John M. Klrkland (Lafayette). June 1 (New Y'ork to Rome) Cleon Throckmorton (Conte Grande). May 31 (Los Angeles to Vancou- ver Guy Kibbee (H. F. Alexander), May 29 (Los Angeles to I-IonoUilxi) Jules Furthman (Mariposa). ARRIVALS M. Tabct, Florence "WaKon, Liign Poc, J. C. Stein, ilax Cloi'iU.n, Mar- celle ChaiUal, William G«ot7„ .Alar- tin Beck, Jack. Connolly, ]?urii.s Lo- Mairo, Cole Porter, M()s.« Ilavi. B. Shumiat.sky, V, Krmlor. \". Nici.^c'i, .Arthur Slnclaii', i^rix iiilmu r, Liuii. Dreyfus. \ '