Variety (Nov 1935)

2 VARIETY PICTORES Wednesday, November 6« 1935' 'Get a Manager' Liipe Yelez Advises Actors After South American Tour Rio de Janeiro, Oct. South America's reputation as a risky steer for North American stage" talfewt got a 'parthtl enxlorse- ment In the .fiery passing of Lupe Velez, though the Mexican star came through the ordeal pretty well Cnsaatfttia.'"• "JSy. .advice artists planning coming. south," she "said just before leaving for New York, "is to get a good business manager. If I ever come to South America again, I'll have contracts drawn up in thie United States ;to cover every single theatre and radio engagement for the wh'ole trip." "While Miss Velez's statement, coming on top of the letter from the American consul in Buenos AiTea to the State Department, may suggest that' S. America is a con- tinent of worthless contracts; it speaks well for Brazil that among hundreds of U.S. vaude players who have been In Rio In the last fe\v years, there has not been, one single Instance of a disputed contract. Mi^s Velez drew big houses dur Ing her two., weeks here, but she was no sensation at the b.o. She opened at a small theatre in the .Atlantico Casino building, but it was found that the distance from the city-arid the $1.25 admission was cutting down attendance. A lew days Jater she moved to an in- die house ill the city with a pro- gram of sotigs, sharipg the bill with a Brazilian film, at regular prices. Main upset in connection with ber visit was her-refusal to appear In the grill room of, the Casino, where a special floor show had been bull*^ up weeks in advance In prep- aration for her opening. This in- cluded the largest bill on one floor that haa ^vot been offered here^ some 33 artists, including three lines of girls, most of them Aiherlcah. WANGER CHINS NAST ON mOES OF 1935' Hollywood, Nov. 6. Waltw Wander planed to New Tcrk yesterday (Mon.) where he vill confer with Walter Pldgeon and Roy Hargrave, newly signed con- tract players. While there producer will also Iscuss production arid exploitation plans With Conde Nast on i>icture, •Vogues of 1935.' Marie Dressier Estate Hollywood, Nov. 5. Estate of Siarie Dressier amounted to $280,000. Actress', sister, Bonita Ganthony, recf^ives a cash bequest and 60% royalty on the life story of Miss Dressier. Kruger in London Legit Hollywood, Nov. 5. Otto Kruger is heading for Eng- land and the sta.ge production of 'The Tenth Man' in London. Kruger made the- deal on his re- cent picture making jaunt in Britain. F&M DANCERS' $10 FEB Hollywobd, Nov, 6; Franchon & Marco has agreed to pay dancers engaged for film work the minimum wage scale of $10 per day. Agreement was brought about by a complaint reglsteretl against the P. & M. drganlzia^tlon by George Calhoun, president of Screen Dancers after P. & M. had failed to comply with the mihimutn scale in engaging group of dancers for 20th- Pox, Fire Horse Buzzell .....Eddiel. .Ruzzell, .in New..TorK. from the Coast on vacation, attended 'Night of Jan. 16th,' at the. Ambassador, and was Willed. tP..i^^. 9.t5^j5v.t.J.P.rjr.>boi?.. . Buzzell spent the timie be- tween acts talking' to cast members with whom he had worked, and also had a tough time keeping from. walking, down to the li to tell jokes. Recently when; George Raft served as one of the Jurors, he took all the curtain calls 'with the regular, cast. CARRULO TOPPING IN BOBBY BREEN DEBUT DOT lEE'S DIVOECE Hollywood, Nov. 5. Dorothy Lee, film actress, was divorced Nov. 2 In Reno from Mat- ehall Duffleld, fornier U. S> C foot- ball star. bou0, Jr., Xmas Visitor Hollywood, Nov. B, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., will re- turn to New York during Christmas week for a Visit with his mother. Later returns to London, where he is under contract to Criterion Films, Ltd,, of which he is also part owner. Hollywood, Nov. Sol Lesser has signed Leo Car- rlllo to star "in 'We Sing Again,' which will introduce young Bobby Breeri' to pictures. Carrillo takes the place of Georgie Jessel, .who steps down from the acting role to de- vote al) of his time to the duties of associate producer! Picture is set for getaway Nov. 18. Switch of Carrillo into the place of Jessel does not disturb original plan of the latter to make a per- jsonal appearance tour of key cities with Bobby Breen when the picture is released. Warner Interment in LA Funeral services for Benjariiln Warner, father of the Warner brothers, will be held in Los An- geles Nov. 8, Rabbi S. M. Neches officiating. Body Is due to arrive frowi Toungstown, O., Thursday (-7). Burial will be in the family mausoleum in the Home of Peace cemetery in L. A. beside his wife. Who died last September, Father of the Warners die«i, in Toungstown where he was ylslting hJ(i daughter, Mrs. David Robins. Besides Harry M., Major Albert and Jack L. Warner, there is a daughter, Mrs. Harry Charnas. Blondell, Lee Sued by Agency on Note Deals Los Angeles,' Nov., 5. • Deriiand for money assertedly due on two promissory notes was made in municipal court by William Mor- ris agency against Sammy Lee and Joan Blondell. Lee and Margaret Murray were charged with failing to pay $1,068 and Miss Blondell was hit by $1,800 attachment suit. Miss Blondell made note for $4,- 500 last February, complaint said, and has refused to pay entire amount. Original note of the dance director, Lee, and his wife. Miss Mjrray, was for $1,475. Promise to pay carried agreement that Lee would reimburse agency at rate of its per week after obtaining job. After getting work on Sept. 25, com- plaint said, Lee stopped paying on note. Benny Rubin's Shorts Benny Rubin is authoring and will direct t\yo amateur shorts for Columbia, .shooting both, today (Wednesday) in New York. RUbin will also appear in both as m. c. A third short for Columbia will be the 'Inquiring Reporter,' Russ Brown being chased for the title role. This will also be shot in N. Y. after Rubin return.*! from two weekft fOr Lbew in Baltimore and Washington. ■Rubin's, eastern ."Stay may be indef. CRAZY OVER HORSES Hollywood, Nov. 5, Howard J. Green refuses to for- .sake his racing intei-ests with the .start of the new season here next miinth, and has turned down an ot'ei* to script two pictures, for Gau- mont-British, Green Instead has elected to do the "scripting for Co- lumbia on 'The Devils Squadron' fj-orn a Liberty niag story by Dick Grace. Erie Kenton will direct the pic- ture which Robert Norlh is to pro- duce. Lone Expounds on the Cinematic Thespic Art Minimizes Make-Up WILL MAHONEY The Birmingham Post, •'England, said:. "Mahoney is the perspniflca- tlon of all that is meant by 'the life and soul of the party.'. He dancesi sings, plays a xylophone with his feet, mimics, burlesques, and gets in the way of eveirybody to the satisfaction even of his vic- tims with.such zest and native wit that the show becomes centered iaround his irresistible personality.'' Direction WM. MORRIS AGENCY Mayfair Theatre Building New York City PIC DEtAYS STALL SWARTHODT AT MET ollywood, Nov. 5. Metropolitan Opera Co. has set back.Gladys Swarthout's contract until after the flrst of the year, due to piroductlon holdups on her two pictures" at Paramount, which will necessitate her remaining here,after Nov. 80, closing date oh the two- picture deal. First picture, 'Rose of the Rancho,' went away over production tirte due to story difficulty and considerable remaking. Now with Jan Klepura in *Give Ue This Night,' indications are that this picture will also be a stalier. - Company, on location at Laguna, has been forced to lay off for several days due to «reather condltipns. Re fusa,! of Klepura to. work more than a few hours daily la also no produc tion speeder. 'Good Earth' on the MoYe After Two Yrs. Hollywood, Nov. 6. Victor Fleming has been assigned to direct 'Good ilarth' at Metro. Story has been in the preparation stages for the past two years. Studio is location hunting for the pictyre's getaway, l^icture sched- uled to get start In a month.' Larrimore's First Hollywood, Nov. 5. Hays 0 ce has okayed an pri inal idea by James K. McGulnness as Francine Larrlmore's flrst Metro starrpr. Irving Thalberg will pro- duce. Edmund Gouldlng will direct the picture. No title yet. Von Sternberg Ties to Col. for 2 Years More Hollywood, Nov. 5. New deal with Columbia by Josef yon Sternberg calls for straight two-year ticket ith yearly options for an additional three. Pact goes into effect after director brings 'Cissy' under the wire. RE-ELECT MAJOR lEV^rSON Hollywood, .Nov. 6. Major , Nathian Levlnson, director of sound for Warner studios, has been reelected for third time to serve as chairman of, the Academy Tech- nicians Branch, executive commit- tee. Under his leadership, ranch membership has grown to a total of 226 active paying members. WERA EN&EIS CROSSINiK Holiywooij, Nov. 5. Immediately following preview of Universal's 'Great Impersonation,' Wera Engels will depart for Eng- land, where she is committed to play .the only femme rple in Ivan j Leba,deff's 'Legipn of Honor.' Basil Dean is producing the play. DonH Believe It Those in the Times Square area around 1 a.m. last Thurs- day (31) still' believe the earth- quake was. strictly by news- paper decision. People in the 12aiitl>6w Ro6m,*9Hrdto*C>ty, 05 floors abdVe the street, didn't f\en feel a quiver. A sQmi-offlcial explanation Is that Jimes Square may have been dead spot, unaffected by the temblor. HOLLYWOOMANS' GO ON SHOW SPLURCE The Hollywood o.p.'ers of the Broadway scene are running be- tween shows and the many new niteries. Harlan Thonipson will be in New York "a fortnight possibly leaving late this week, Edgar Allen WoOlf crowded In a week and re- turned to the Coast; Eddie Buzzell plans another three weeks hefe, Doris Warner (Mrs. Mervyn) LeRoy returns the end of this week; Leo Bobin and Ralph Ralnger, Para- mount's .collaborating staff, song- writers, are likewise golhg back In another week or so. Satn Brlskln remains cast on business propositions. Abe Lastfogel, head of the Wil- liam Morris agency In Hollywood, had been prolonging his stay but Is returning west the end of this week after setting the moving of the N. Y. Morris office from the Mayfair thea- tre building site into the Para- mount building around Jan, 1. TIeet' Steams Out Hollywood, Nov. 6. After a number of false starts, 'Follow the Fleet,' the new Astaire- Rogers feature, got away at Radio Friday (11), Mark Sandrich direct- ing. Supporting cast includes Ran- dolph* Scott, Harriet HiHard, Lucille Ball, Addison Randall, Maxine Jen- nings,' Jane Hamilton and Kitty McHugh. Radio Puts Harding In 'Witness Chair* .Hollywood, Nov. 6. Radio Is lining up 'The Witness Chair* as seconl and flnal picture for Ami Harding under her present ticket with that studio. Her next is slated to be 'The In- destructible Mrs, Ames,' original by P. J. Wolfson. Anthony Veiller is writing the screen play. WB Extends Froman Hollywood, Nov. 6. Warners picked up its option of Jane Proman yesterday (Monday) for three more pictures. Radio singer originally came out for one picture. Her salary for the next three on the deal negotiated by Charlie Morrison is $1,750 weekly. Donald Ross, Miss Proman's hus- band and; also from radio. Is being tested this weeTc by. Universal for the Ravenal role in 'Show Boat.' SAILlNGiS Nov. 9 (New York to' London) Charles Hart (Champlain), Nov. 7 (New York to London), Fred Herendeen (Empress of Bri- tain). Nov, 6 (London to New York) Winifred .Shotter (Britannic). Nov. 2 (New York to Paris) Jean de Cavagnaic (Lafayette).' _ Nov. 2 (New York to Hollywood) Mrs. Jack Robblns (Virginia). Nov. 2 (New York to Buenos Aires) Pally Markus (Southern Prince). Nov. 1 (San Francisco to Honor lulu) Ann Harding (President Coo- lidge). Oct. 16 (Sydney te^San Francisco) Sol Freeman, Cecil Marks (Mari- posa). ARRIVALS Pierre Monteaux, Marguerite d'Alvarez, James Hilton, E. Metz- ner, Mark Ostrer, Michael Balcon, Clark Gable, Lupe Velez, Belle Did- jah, Christopher Mann. By CECELIA AGER- . A demure little fellow In a long yellow great-coat that flapped about his ankleqi and a blg^ brown hat resting back upon his ears stood In the center of. ia sjvarm of chatter- ing Hungarians in the grand foyer of the Berengaria Thursday night, sKyly^cbfrectlKg iTieTr' aai^s.*" *" ^ Distracted by the hub-bub, an agent who'd come to' say good-bye to Hairy Foster, also ' sailing, glanced at the little fellow, and as quickly dismissed him. 'He looks like a Jack'Pepper stooge,' he Said. But \vhen the stir persisted,v he looked again, this time more judi- cloiisly. 'Maybe, a Ted-Hekly stooge,* he amended It. However, the little fellow, turned out to be Peter Lorre, the finest scarer of women-and-children and even growh-up hien since Lon Cha- ney, and nobody's stooge except possibly Harry Cohn's. Mr. Lorre's regard for Mr. Cohn (of the Colum'bla Cohns) came, out early In an interview, the day before he sailed. He was wearing then a pale grey buckskin jacket—very ar- tistic and full of zippers, on the pockets; his wife buys all his clothes, lie explained—and talking In his soft-spokien, gentle voice about how his acting career had never befen so easy and so pleasant as he found It in Hollywood. No Typee For instance, take Mr. Lorre Him- self. He doesn't want to be typed. There is, of course, nothing unusual about that. No actor does. But some actors are types, just that, and when they think they're different in their new. assignment, it means no riiore than they're wearing a different tie. Some actors, however, have in- herently the quality of a character actor. Laughtpn has, and so, he feels, has Lorre'himself. It's a great compliment to him to hear It said he's perfect as the pathological murderer in 'M,' but what else can he do? But it'? a far greater com- pliment that Cohn believed he was that perfect In 'M,' he would be as. good in something- entirely differ-: ent, and so let him do ^Crime and Punlshriient.' Not only let hini act it, but agree that though Lorre was an actor, he should ialsb work on the script. It Is, Lorre conceded, often, dangerous to. let an actor work on the script; he's apt to throw It off balance fat- tening his own part. But if an actor has, as Lorre says he himself has, a, dramaturgical mind, if he realizes that the script Is most im- portant for all concerned—more im- portant in the making of a good j;>ic- ture than the actors, the director, the producer—then It's better to let him work on it. The Script Advantage ..'A character Is developed, becomes human, complete, only through the script. Working too on the script, you avoid cold black and white In the story. You show that the char- acter has many sides to him and so make him genuine. And having worked on the script, you know how far you can go in a particular scene, for you know what follows. So you keep the picture building to Its in- evitable climax, Instead of lifting It up and flattening it down in smafl pieces.' Mr. Lorre always works on the scripts-of his pictures: that!s his approach to his art. Meanwhile, though the. script was 10 months in prepai'ation, the pic- ture took only 28 days to shoot. 'Under schedule,' he said, very proud. He said, that 'Crime and Punishment'- reveals the real Von Sternberg, who made of it a picture that could take place any- where, made it modestly and humanly, did it with no kind of chi- chi, kept it fluid and straightfor- ward, free, of brooding and free of heavy Russian despair. 'Because, for the flrst time in a long while, he had a script to work with, a story good enough and important enough to interest him, to keep his atten- tion' focused upon the core, of the screen instead of letting it get pre- occupied with the composition and decoration of its outer oilges.' Docile Menace Mr; Lorre paused now, diffidently, to ask how he wa.s doing, was he talking too much and was he saying anything. Reassured, the serious young face of the arch-flelcl of the screen lighted..up in a shy smile. Looking at him now, It was hard to • believe that he could even .shoo a - fly. But, since he had, how? Well, not with make-up certainly. Lorre has only contempt for maltf-- (Continued on page 61)