Variety (Sep 1935)

VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, Seplember '4, 1935 Censor Boar^ on Vivisection Spree, Crack Down on Four Horror (hieras Hollywood, Sept. 3. Rough treatment, at the hands of censors has given producers ot so- called horror Alms a few ahudders of their own. Echoes of wholesale snipping, and In some cases com- plete rejection, are rumbling through the cutthig rooms and stu- dios are hewing to the line rather than have outsiders wield the shears and possibly ruin the con- tinuity. '■■"Universal and Metro have felt th:; sting of the world's monitors to' a greater degree than the others, each having two of their chillers tossed arburid: Shippers took « fall out ot U's 'VfercvfoK of London' r.nd 'The Raven.' Metro's 'Mad Love' and 'Mark of the Vampire' also suf- fered from severe deletions. Ontario, Canada, held no brief for the Poe classic, ordered it tossed out on.Us macabre ear. Rejection slip carried comment to the effect that 'It featured horror and shud- dering melodrama; Is full of fiend- ish and diabolical doings.' British Columbia's snipper.' gave It the raus but reconsidered after tiie objectional sequences were Iso- la:ted and gave exhib-e an 'adults only' pei'mlt. 'Quebec 'board de- clined to Issue a cettiflcate until shooting and knifing scenes were eliminated. ' Nor did 'The Raven' fare any bet- ter .in.thB staties. Pennsy kicked oiJt the nurnerouB torture "A-ndv shooting scenes;- Virginia ordered- virtually the same cut-outs; 01)Io fiild New York also' had a field day In the sixth and'seventh reels. Ontario hopped on ''Werewolf' and .after an expansive scissoring labeled it for grown-ups only. English censors ■ went after 'Mad Love* hot and heavy and before they ■were through," 20 scenes fell by the •wayside and every reel but one-felt the heavy touch of the morals equad. 'Mark of Vampire' had its vivisection period and came' out of the ether minus several sequences on liow murder was done. One of the- Canadiar. provinces ■ found tco. much unhealthy spine-tlngllnj; In the scene showing a bat Writhing after being shot down, decreed its exit. Same for shot of vermin crawling up and down gal's ac- coutrements. Pennsy also took a few whacks at '■Vampire' before it went out for exhibition. Other states couldn't tlnd much to get excited about in any of the heebie-jeebie operas, gave them clean bills with little more than a brief snip hither and yon. Beery, Oliver Teamed For Metro's Tettingiir Hollywood, Sept. 3. Success of Paramount'3 'Ruggles of Red Gap' has Metro getting ready to produce 'Ma Pettlngill,'. Harry Leon "Wilson's sequel to his 'Rug- gles' novel, with "Wallace Beery and Edna Miay Oliver co-starred. Harry Rapf will produce with Lawrence Hazzard doing the screen play. GRIFFITH OFF ENGLISH MEN BLOSSOMS' Murder Suspicion on Her, Mary Minter's Ma Asks 500G for Libel Los Angeles, Sept. 3. The "William Desmond Taylor mystery bobbed .up again with filing of $506,pOO libel suit against Blyth & Co. and J. La^wrehce Pagen by Mrs. Charlotte Shelby, mother of Mary Miles Minter. Mrs. Shelby's-suit Is based on claim that" she was Inferentially con- nected with Taylor murder through depositions taken bx the bond house trom Leslie B. Henry, her former broker, now in San Quentin for thefts from her. Depositions were for use in defense "of civil suit Mrs. Shelby has against Blyth & .Co., Pageh and Henry. Questions were" deliberately asked Henry, suit says, in "an^ effort to hurt her by throwing public suspi- cion upon "her. Name Of Miss Min- ter also appeared in complaint, and was, in deposition, also linked with Taylor death, suit said. SOBBIE AS HLM EXTRA WILL TELL ALL IN PRINT Hollywood, Sept. 3. Edythe Dixon, of Chicago Herald Examiner, is here to do a serial story on her experiences as a Holly- wood extra. Miss Dixon started migration westward by acting as stewardess on a sleeper plane, serving the pas- sengers en route and making beds. "When ^he arrived here she applied for a Job as an extra on the "Warner lot and got it. Now she is working in various pictures and also getting the slant of things locally frorii an extra's viewpoint. She figures on having enough stuff for a three-week yarn on Hollywood. Another Chicago&.n here is Clark Rodenbach of the Daily News, who, while vacationing, is getting mate- rial for the Saturday feature page of his publication on local personali- ties and sights. WILL MAHONEY "West Lancashire Eve. Post said: Mr. Mahoney Is a brilliant and versatile ■- entertainer, witii the added gift of novelty In his busi- ness. We have never seen dancing in Blackpool such as his, and neyer a xylphone played as he plays'It. Nor have we listened to such a wonder- ful creation as his touching ode to Lily. And these are only a few of the host of things that Mr, Mahoney captivates the audience with." Direction WM. MORRIS AGENCY Mayfalr' Theatre Building New York City Want Any Actors? Ma Doesn't; He's Just Going to H'wood for a Looii Rogers Drops Band For G-B Film Spot Hollywood, Sept. 3. Buddy Rogers disbands his or- chestra 'at the close of Gatallna en- gagement this week end and goes to Europe for one picture for Brltlsh- Gaumont. He's due back at Radio late In year for one film. Remhardt Set on Making Taust' at WB,(kboLead? Hollywood, Sept. 3. IJpoix completion of 'Green Pas- tures' at Warners, his next assign- ment, Max Reinhardt will try and sell the studio the idea of producing a spec version of the opera 'Faust.' Reinhardt produced the opera .In spec form at the Salzberg Festival this summer. Producer-director has had a yen to do the opera in. pictures for some time, _ Reinhardt has gone so far as to pick Ms cagL However, there's lit- tle chaiice he'll land his choice, Garbo, as the lead. Also wants Predric March for the male top and Bela Lugosl for Mephistopheles. Marc Connolly, who, In addition to writing the screen treatment for his 'Green Pastures* will also have a say on production and direction, closed out .at Metro last week, where he scripted 'Good Earth.' He sailed for a two-week round-trip to Hono lulu Saturday (23), returns to "War ners to begin his writing Job. Rogers'. Estate Set At ^mM All Willed to Widow Los Angeles, Sept. 3. Leaving estate described, as 'In excess of $10,000' to his widow, Mrs. Betty Rogers, Will Rogers will Is on file in Superior Court here. Un- official estimates place wealth at $4,000,000. Will .-was dated Aug.. 3, day be- fore he took his fatal plane flight and 12 days before he crashed' to death with Wiley Post in Alaska. Executors -are Mrs. Rogers, .Oscar Lawlor, James K. Blanke and O. N. Beasley. Document also provided, in case wife died before Rogers, that estate should be divided equally among their three- children. Probate hear- ing s»t for Sept. 16. Rogers left life Insurance policies aggregating in all $482,500, accord- ing to Oscar Lawler, attorney. This spikes the existence of a $2,600,- 000 accident policy with Lloyds of London. Lloyds office here was quoted as stating Rogers took out another $250,000 accident policy Just be- fore the plane Junket. Londofl, Sept. 3. D. W. Griffith, who came over here to direct a talker version of his 'Broken Blossoms' for Julius Hagen Is quitting by mutual consent. Hagen contracted Dolly Haas, German girl, for the lead role, while Griffith claimed he had a new find. Gilfflth was to get $30,000 for direct- ing. Another director will be brought from Germany for the job. Lederer No Pirate Los Angeles, Sept. 3. Verdict in favor of Francis Led- erer was returned by a Superior Court Jury here In the $150,000 plagiarism suit against player by Jack Quartaro. Superior Judge Smith ordered in- structed verdict on ground that Quartaro had. not presented suffi- cient evidence to prove story theft of material in 'Romance in Man- hattan.' Originally a defendant, RKO won a motion for a non-suit earlier In trial. Jackie Cooper's $1,100 In New Metro Contract N. T. Music Guild production of 'Faust' Is still In .story-writing' stage, but script should be completed within the next ivro weeks. Castin is to start about the middle of Sep- tember, with production hoped to get under way Oct. 1. Feature, which will be released by the Motion Picture Foundation of America, Is likely to be shot in the east, though studio Is still In doubt Soph's Pic David 0- Selznlck has signed Sophie Tucker for one picture, to be done late this fall cr winter. Miss Tucker will first complete her vaude engagements for RKO, ' The last of the rodhot mammas, who had film experience a year ago In Hollywood, was signatured by Selznlck at Saruloga Springs, JJ. Y., when he was visiting Jock Whitney there. Miss Tucker appeared at the Piping Rock club at the Spa this stHiBoitr " ■■ " - Los Angeles. Sept. 3. With player getting $200 a week less than before, new contract be- tween Jackie Cooper and Metro has been approved by Superior Judge McComb. Contract for 40 weeks at $1,100 a week runs for a year and begins upon completion of 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy.' Studio also takes one-year op- tion, which. If taken up, will give Cooper $1,500 a week. It is option in agreement whether .Jackie's name shall, appear; in ad- vertising a.s star or co-star; but studio agrees that names of not more' than two stars or co-stars shall precede Cooper's in billing. GUILD'S SENTRIES Scribs Posting Deputies in Studios to Expedite Squawks Hollywood, Sept. 3. Special deputies for^ the Screen. Writers Guild ■ will be appointed to represent the organlzallon in each major and Independent studio. Plan provides for the deputies to act as clearing agencies for members ot the Guild working on the individ- ual lots, and to function as direct cont.Tf.ts for the group's board of directors and various committees In order- to spocd up handling of vari- ous matters ))resented for attention by memliprs from time to time. | 'Ramona* Set Back to Await Miss Youngs, El Hollywood, Sept. 3. Production start on 'Ramona' has been set back two months by 20th Century-Fox. Delay due to edict of Loretta Toung'e physician that the player must rest and undergo treat ments to prevent a serious opera- tion. Picture was slated to start this week, but studio execs decided to wait for the return of the player to take the title role rather than sub stltute another In the part. EARLY CAUFORNIA LOCALE IN 4 FILMS Hollywood, Sept. 3. Picture Industry Is giving early California history a break with four films scheduled for winter release, all dealing with the gold rush and having, the San Franclsco-Suttter's Mill-Sonora-Stockton region as lo- cale. Pictures are 'Sutter's Gold,' at Universal; Metro's 'Robin Hood of El Dorado,' 'Sam Goldwyn's 'Bar- bary Coast* and Radio's 'Mother Lode.' Studios feel that the com- bination of western-gangster pic- tures with the attending action will be good fan fodder. Foy Salvaging China Clips for Del Rio Pic Hollywood, Sept. 3. Bryan Foy will incorporate nearly $100,000 worth of film rriade In China by Robert Florey for 'Shanghai Orchids' In a revamp of the stoty, now titled 'Blood of China,' to star Dolores Del Rio. Picture Is budgeted as the most pre- tentious handed Foy on this sea- son's program. Tom Reed and Abe Jacoby are scripting. By WOLFE KAUFMAN Alexander Korda Is in Hollywood looking around, but he's not look- ing at actors. He doesn't want to raid Hollywood. He doesn't want to touch Hollywood. He doesn't want to take anybody In Hollywood back with him.; Especially actoii. •What should I want actors for'." he asked Just before hopping oft for the coast. 'What I would like to know Is how to get rid of some of the actors I've, got In England now.' Korda is a decidedly negative gentleman.' He was in • Hollywood for a long time, but hasn't been there for about five years. In those days Hollywood knew him as a di- rector, but not such a much of -a much; the place was lousy -with di- rectors. Sp what? So Mr. Korda went to London and lo! Over night he became the. biggest of big qhot?. His pictures clicked, his name 'be- came something of an institution. Now he's going to look at Hollywood again. And Hollywood is going to look at him again. But he rehearsed saying 'no' for a full week In New York before going out. there. They ■said 'no'- to him once and—not that he's revengeful or anytl'iing like that —but no, no, no. Another thing that Korda Is neg- ative about is the whole-subject of British . fllnis.. England Not Best 'I suppose jfdu expect me to tell you that England Is the best place In this world to make films,' he said. 'Well, I won't.' He won't, Korda went on to point out, because he doesn't believe .that. Any place is a good place to make films—good films. It Just depends on whether you happen to know how to make good films. 'For me,' he pointed out, 'England worked out. For others It may not. It all. depends.'- It depends, he continued; mostly on talent. Good actors make good pictures. And that doesn't neces- sarily mean stars. At least not stars that thp world r6-C0Sfnizeff. 'I was talking to one of the Brit- ish producers,' he pointed out, 'And he told me, 'for you, it's easy, Alex. You have all the stars in the world. You have Laughton and Oberon and Leslie Howard and everybody else.' 'It made me laugh.' 'Who were these stars before I made illms with them? Laughton is (Continued on page 53) From Radio To Radio Picts. Hollywood, Sept. 3. Radio Picts signed optional con- tract with Tony Martin, CBS radio singer. Studio will spot him In a forth- coming fllmusical. H'wood's Tightened Purse-Strings Pic People, Fearful of Tax Tap, Passing Up Yachts and Big Cars Hollywood, Sept. 3. Local yacht brokers claim that Hollywood has pulled the purse- strings this year, blame the pros- pects of excessive taxation in the fall-ofi of scow buys. Those who did go for new punts stuck to the more economical 35-footer3, passed up the 65-foot-and-up boats which up to this time. Benefited have been up to this tlme;^ Benflted have been those who charter yachts. Their business has picked up, due to pic- ture people with .a sea yen prefer- ring to hire a boat for a weekend rather than invest In a purchase. Auto salesmen, too, claim that the big cars arc not moving in picture circles. ' Boles Adult Topper In Shirley's 'Rebel , Hollywood, Sept, 3. John Bples draws the male lead In 'The Littlest Rebel,' next Shirley Temple starrer at 20th Century-Fox. Boles will handle the part originally played on the stage by Dustin Far- num. Picture Is slated to get under way next week with David Butler direct- ing, under the production wing of Buddy De Sylva. Selwyns Vacationing Hollywood, Sept. 3. Ruth Selwyn planed to New York yesterday (Monday) to sail with her husband, Metro producer, Sept. 4 for a two-month European vacation. SAILINGS Sept. 13 (Genoa to New York) Katharine Cornell (Rex). Sept. 12 (New York to GenoaJ Alexander Korda, Sir C. Guthrie (Conte dl Savoia). Sept. 6 (Quebec to London) Jesse Lasky (Empress of Australia). Sept. 4 (New York to Paris) Helen Hayes, Charles MacArthur, Edgar Selwyn, Fredric March, Douglas Montgomery, Eric Locke, Harry F. Perry, Ruth Selwyn (Normandle). Aug. -31 (New York to Italy), Floyd Gibbons (Rex). ' Aug. 30 (New York to London) Henry Wilcoxon (Bremen). Aug. 2a (London to New York) Henry Hall, Cedrlc Gibbons, Austin C. Johnson, Hildegarde, Peter Mau- rice, Jimmy Phillips, Jimmy Ken*- nedy, Ian Stuart (Eerengarla). ARRIVALS Bela LuRosl, Milton Khubert, Grace Moore, Kdith Mason. Martha Eggerth, Jack Penrl, Eric Pommfr, Eric Woolheim, Eric Charrell, Dr. A. H. Giannlni, Ward and Van.