April 29, 1932

DEAF AND DUMB ROLE FOR CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Hollywood, April 29 (UP)
Charlie Chaplin is reported to have selected the role of a deaf and dumb clown for his next picture – a film which will be a talkie, and yet so far as he himself is concerned, silent. The picture has been titled, tentatively, “The Jester.”




GIRL CRAZY STAGE HIT IS AT PARAMOUNT

Musical Comedy Shown as It Appeared on Broadway with Same Star

Oakland Tribune, April 29
A new era in stage entertainment started today at the Paramount theater with the presentation of the complete musical comedy “Girl Crazy” exactly as produced in New York.

The star of the Broadway production, Ginger Rogers, and the original cast of sixty-five, will be seen at its local staging.

This is the first time in Oakland history that a deluxe picture house has added full length New York musical comedy to its screen program, at the same time maintained their regular price schedule.

The “Girl Crazy” engagement is the start of a series of greater stage attractions that will follow its week’s run at the Paramount theater. The next week brings Ted Lewis, in person, at the head of a rousing jubilee show with thirty featured entertainers. Then will be seen revues headed by Mae Murray and Raquel Torres.

George Gershwin wrote the music for “Girl Crazy” among which are such well known tunes as “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You” and “I’m Bidin’ My Time.”

This last named number is sung by the Sequoians, a quartet of cowboy singers, and is said to score one of the hits of the show. Comedy of the most uproarious variety and clever dance routines by an outstanding chorus are some of the other principal features.

The screen feature on the same program features Claudette Colbert in “The Wiser Sex,” the story of a daring society girl who becomes the ally of a member of the half-world in order to save her sweetheart from prison. Melvyn Douglas, new leading man, is seen in her support.




FOX GIVES CONTRACT TO THREE GIRL STARS

Los Angeles, April 29 (UP)
The contracts of three budding motion picture stars with Fox Studios were to be presented to the Superior Court today for approval.

The actresses are June Vlasek and Vivian Reid, 17, and Janet Chandler, 19. The law requires contracts entered into by minors to be submitted to the court. Miss Reid is from Pittsburgh.




From Luella O. Parsons:

Los Angeles, April 29
While George Arliss is enjoying the merry month of May in his dear old England, he will pause to talk story to Darryl Zanuck, Alfred Green and John Adolfi. These Warner Brothers folk, traveling abroad, will discuss with Arliss his next picture, “The Rise and Fall of Rothschild.”

It’s a story that is not unlike “Disraeli,” but it deals with one of the greatest financiers the world has ever seen, and sympathetically, you may be sure, if Arliss plays the lead.

There is a question as to whether Alfred Green or John Adolfi will direct “The Rise and Fall of Rothschild.” Both have directed Arliss pictures in the past and both are acceptable to the English actor, who is a bit of an autocrat on the Warner lot.




I picked up a copy of the book “They Call It Sin” by Alberta Stedman Eagan, and the lurid title caught my eye. Maybe it caught the eye of Warner Brothers, for they are producing it with Loretta Young and George Brent in the leading roles.

These two youngsters ought to do well together. But, oh dear, the title – can’t we change it? It sounds so sort or movie-fied. Thornton Freedland, who is now on the Warners lot, will direct it. Perhaps he will have a suggestion for a better title.




A special delivery letter sent James Cagney by Warner Brothers carried his official suspension yesterday. In plain English, the bad boy of Warner Brothers who twice has run out on his contract, was notified that each day that he is absent from the studio that time will be added to his contract if he returns.

He will be unable to work for any other company so long as his contract with Warners is unfinished. And, since only a year or so ago he was reported as getting $250 a week in the movies and he is now being paid $1400 a week. It would seem to a mere reporter that he’d better think twice before he juggles with his movie fate. He must take into consideration that Warners have given him every chance in the matter of good movies.




A group of motion picture enthusiasts were talking a few weeks ago about various actresses. Ann Dvorak, in the opinion of several, was considered the best emotional bet of the year. I admit at first I was a little bit loathe to accept her among our headliners. Then I saw her in several really exacting parts and I decided that my friends were right. She has now been put into “Revolt” opposite Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and from all I can hear she is going to get the best femme parts there at Warners.




Most New York importations for the screen are handsome leading men or petite ingénues. Here comes a heavy, brought out here by Radio, by name of Leslie Banks. He played in the New York stage production “Springtime for Henry,” and is brought to Hollywood for “The Most Dangerous Game,” featuring Joel McCrea and Margaret Perry.


Herbert Brenon is being mentioned as the director for “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” at Columbia.


Cedric Gibbons, art director and husband of the lovely Dolores Del Rio, has left Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, so we hear. His contract expired and he did not renew it.




Snapshots of Hollywood collected at random:

Mrs. Clark Gable, in bright blue ensemble and hat to match, guest of honor at a luncheon given her at the Ambassador by Minna Wallis. Seated next to Mrs. Gable was Norma Shearer, looking exceedingly well in a navy blue dress with white organdy collar.

Bebe Daniels, in a pale gray, fox-trimmed ensemble with gray shoes, leaving early to keep a business engagement. Mrs. Jack Warner, in becoming spring attire. Mrs. Harry Beaumont, ditto.

Seena Owen, in pale blue, glimpsed at the Warner Brothers opening of “The Crowd Roars.” Also, her sister, Lily Hayward, a Warner Brothers writer, all of the Warners executives, Marian Marsh, who has just left the company, and scores of others.

Zasu Pitts buying sports clothes at the Madge Evans shop. Thelma Todd and Zasu leaving for Santa Cruz for a holiday.




Last Minute Rialto News –

By Chester B. Bahn

I hear that –
Clara Bow's husband, Rex Bell, may be opposite her in the projected Fox comeback talkie. It’s Clara’s idea.




M-G-M denies that Marie Dressler’s illness is serious; following the completion of “Prosperity” she will spend a four-weeks’ vacation in the East, later returning to star in “The Old Gal” by Frances Marion.




Marian Marsh has walked the plank at Warner Brothers. Evalyn Knapp has secured her release at the same studio. Others dropped by Warners recently include Mae Madison, Vivienne Osborne, Adrienne Dore and Ruth Hall. Chic Sales also leaves Warners after one more talkie.

M-G-M has given a term contract to Louise Closser Hale.

Paramount is also flirting with Colleen Moore.

Warner Oland turns German in Elissa Landi’s “Burnt Offering.”

Norma Shearer will make “Smilin’ Through” as her next talkie. Sidney Franklin directing.

Ann Dvorak will be opposite Junior Fairbanks in “Revolt.” Doug sports his first mustache in it.

Bob Montgomery will be teamed with Marion Davies in “Good Time Girl.”

Marguerite Churchill will have a role in “Forgotten Commandments” for Paramount.




Franklyn Farnum, once a western star, will support Tom Mix in “The Good Bad Man.”

William Gargan will have the romantic lead opposite Joan Crawford in “Rain.” Then he goes to Radio for “The Animal Kingdom.”

Una Merkel will be in “The Red Headed Woman” supporting Jean Harlow.

Margaret Perry goes to Radio for “The Most Dangerous Game,” courtesy of M-G-M.




Barbara Stanwyck and her husband, Frank Fay, have no children - yet. But they say they intend to have two before long, and the names are already selected. They are Kathleen and Michael. Barbara is the star of “So Big,” based on Edna Ferber’s novel.




Roberti, the famous European circus clown, is the father of Lyda Roberti, blonde dancer who is making her screen debut in “Dancers in the Dark.”

Miss Roberti was born in Warsaw, Poland, and obtained all her education while traveling with different circuses which featured her father, in Russia, France, Hungary, Germany, Egypt and the Orient.

Paramount discovered her in a musical show in Chicago after she followed a married sister to the United States.


Tiffany has set 18 of the pictures it will have for next season, with the complete program to include about 26 pictures. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet,” Rider Haggard’s “She” and “The Last Mile” are among the leaders, while others will include: “Those We Love,” “The Death Kiss,” “Badge of Shame,” “Summer Widows,” “The Unpardonable Sin,” “Gentlemen of the Jury” and “Thirteen Men.”




Anita Page, for whom scenarists and casting directors invariably dictate and impending “blessed event,” usually under tragic circumstances, finally attains the dignity of cinematic motherhood in “Night Court.”

April 28, 1932

$100,000 ACTION AGAINST ACTRESS, DIRECTOR LOOMS

Paramount Studios Plan Suit As Result Of Dispute Over New Film

Hollywood, Calif., April 28 (AP)
Officials of the Paramount Studios said to-day they would file within the next few days a damage suit for $100,000 against its leading director and actress, Josef von Sternberg and Marlene Dietrich.

Both von Sternberg and Miss Dietrich are under suspension by the studio for failing to produce a story provided them by the studio, the director objecting to the story as “unsuitable” and Miss Dietrich siding with him in his contention.

The legal department of the studio, officials said, is preparing the suit, which will seek recompense for the delay and expense entailed by the director’s and star’s insurgency.

Von Sternberg is now in New York having left Hollywood last Saturday in the face of a studio ultimatum to proceed with production of the story provided him. His pay, as well as that of Miss Dietrich, has been stopped, and their future status with the film industry was a matter of conjecture to-day.

While Paramount Studios was having its difficulties, Warner Brothers-First National Studios continued their suspension of James Cagney, red-haired star. Cagney has demanded a $2400 increase in salary despite the fact he was signed at $1600 a week on a long-term contract. The studio said his demands were “out of reason” and suspended him.




VON STERNBERG SNIFFS AT SMALL SUM SOUGHT

New York, April 28 (AP)
Josef von Sternberg, Hollywood’s striking film director, was a bit contemptuous to-day about the report that Paramount Studios had started preparations for a $100,000 damage suit against him.

“One hundred thousand dollars, is that all?” the director asked.

“I valued myself higher than that. I think they are trying to humiliate me by asking for so little.”




FIRED FILM HEAD STANDS BY STAR

Sternberg Says Marlene Dietrich Not To Be Ordered About; Other Jobs Open

New York, April 27 (AP)
Marlene Dietrich, German movie actress, “certainly is not going to be ordered about like a soldier in the army,” Josef von Sternberg, suspended Paramount director, declared this afternoon.

Neither is Von Sternberg, he implied.

As for what happened in Hollywood to cause the rebellion and so result in Sternberg and Miss Dietrich temporarily being among the unemployed, he explained succinctly:

“The story of Blonde Venus (the Dietrich film he was directing) was my own. The treatment was mine too. They didn’t like the treatment and made another; I didn’t like that. They ordered me to direct a treatment I didn’t like, and I wouldn’t.

Simple, isn’t it?”

Miss Dietrich sided with Von Sternberg and, when Richard Wallace was appointed substitute director, she didn’t show up for work in Hollywood yesterday.

As for contracts purported to enjoin the director from directing and the actress from acting for anybody else, he said:

“Yes, they threaten eternal excommunication, or something like that, if we go elsewhere. But I don’t think they can prevent it. And I don’t anticipate either of us will have any trouble.

At the Paramount offices, it was said that unless Von Sternberg made a move to confer with officials, there would be no development here. The problem is up to B. P. Schulberg, Paramount’s director in Hollywood. Meanwhile, salaries are not being paid.

Von Sternberg said he would be here a day or two to visit his parents on Long Island, and then would return to Hollywood “to play some golf.”

He expects to go back to work soon, he said.

A reference to damage suits brought last year by Von Sternberg’s divorced wife, Mrs. Ziga von Sternberg, naming Miss Dietrich defendant and charging libel and alienation of affections, he waved aside.

“Domestic difficulties? I haven’t any,” he said. “I was just a passive party to all that, you know.”




ACTOR AWARDED DIVORCE DECREE

Los Angeles, April 28 (AP)
After testifying that his wife, Mrs. Gladys Frazin Banks, actress, had formed a habit of disappearing for a day or more without explanation, Monty Banks, film actor, was granted a divorce today by Superior Judge Lester W. Roth.

Banks, who charged Mrs. Banks with cruelty, cited her disappearance from his home April 7 as one of the many acts of alleged cruelty.

“We looked everywhere but could not find her,” Banks testified. “We finally located her, five days later, at a friend’s home. Many times she was intoxicated when she returned home from one of her disappearances.”




LITA DENIES SHE’LL MARRY CARPENTIER

Seattle, Wash., April 28 (UP)
Reports that she would marry Georges Carpentier, boxer and actor, were denied here to-day by Lita Grey Chaplin, who said she was too busy in vaudeville to think about marrying any one.

The actress said she was not worried about Chaplin’s illness at Singapore, because she understood it was not serious.




SCREEN ACTRESS IS CONVALESCENT

Wife of William Powell to Resume Film Work

Hollywood, Calif., April 27 (AP)
Seriously ill for the last two weeks as the result of a nervous breakdown, Carole Lombard, screen actress and wife of William Powell, actor, was reported out of danger today.

Announcement she had passed the crisis in her illness was the first news given the public that she had been ill.

Miss Lombard denied she was having differences with Paramount studio over her next picture. She said the story provided for her, “Hot Saturday,” was being altered to conform with her wishes.




BARTHELMESS TAKES CUT

Hollywood, Calif., April 27
Warner Brothers-First National Studios announced today Richard Barthelmess has signed a new two-year contract calling for a 33 1/3 per cent cut in salary, although his actual earning power will not be decreased.

Barthelmess, a star nearly as long as any celebrity in Hollywood, formerly made two pictures a year receiving $150,000 for each picture. In the future, he will be paid $100,000 a picture, but he will make three pictures annually.

In announcing the contract, the studio said the actor was “one of the first in Hollywood to realize studio revenues had been affected by economic conditions and volunteered to reframe his contract to meet present-day emergencies.




ROGERS, LYON WILL FLY TO RENO MAY 28

Reno, Nev., April 28
Will Rogers and Ben Lyon, motion picture stars, will be among the passengers of a fleet of 15 airplanes to visit Reno Saturday, May 28, officials of the Reno Chamber of Commerce advised yesterday.

The squadron will make a country-wide tour, advertising the Olympic games at Los Angeles, and the visitors in their stop here will be guests at a luncheon.




CLARA BOW CONTRACTS TO PLAY IN FILMS AGAIN

Hollywood, Cal., April 28 (AP)
Absent from the screen for more than nine months, Clara Bow has signed a contract with the Fox film corporation for six months with a renewal option for a long-term contract.

Originally scheduled to re-enter films via the smaller, independent companies, Miss Bow was successful in obtaining the Fox contract which will pay her between $125,000 and $150,000 for each picture.

The red-headed actress has been in retirement since she left the screen about nine months ago after a breakdown, which followed a host of other troubles. Breaking off her film career at Paramount Studio, Miss Bow went to the Nevada ranch of Rex Bell, cowboy actor, for a long rest. They were married soon afterward.




DONALD COOK MOTOR CRASH VICTIM

Actor Painfully Cut In Accident

Donald Cook, film actor, is confined to his home as the result of injuries received when his auto crashed into a parked car. The esrstwhile leading man was painfully cut about the head.




BARBARA PUTS “SO BIG” IN BEST CLASS

Talkie Is Favorite With Miss Stanwyck

Hollywood, April 28 (AP)
Barbara Stanwyck claims no “sixth sense,” but declares she can predict whether or not a new picture of hers is to be good or not after she has worked in it three days.

A recent film in which she starred she has never seen and does not intend to see, even though she made personal appearances with it for six weeks.

“Why should I see it? After three days on the set I knew it was a mistake,” she says. “How? Just a feeling. You can sense it in the way the director works, in the attitude of the other members of the cast, of your own reactions.”

Miss Stanwyck is exceptionally critical of her own pictures. “Forbidden,” a generally popular film, she liked “only in parts,” but “So Big” is one of her favorites.




TURNED DOWN

But is June Clyde laughing?

As one of 100 applicants for the lead part of a new picture not long ago, she was rejected by screen tester Thornton Freeland. And then, less than six months later, she got him for a husband! So now June, who is only 22, is doing fine in films.

Is she laughing!




From Luella O. Parsons:

Los Angeles, April 28
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio yesterday welcomed Marion Davies. She returned home after a vacation, ready to talk business on “Good Time Girl.” It’s a comedy, of course, and it seems fitting that Robert Montgomery should play the lead opposite her. Bob is an expert when it comes to playing these comedy parts.

Anita Loos has written the dialogue for Frances Marion’s story and it has moments that are as humorous as “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” The story might easily have been called “Two Blondes,” since two chorus girls are the central figures.

Someone asked Marion who ought to play the other girl. “Justine Johnston” was the answer, for it was Justine Johnston who was in the Ziegfeld chorus with Marion when they were struggling young actresses. Justine, however, has gone in for research work at Columbia University and has put the stage behind her.




Evalyn Knapp, the girl who broke her back and was out of pictures for some months, has obtained her release from First National. She said adieu to Warners one day and signed the next to play opposite John Breedon at Paramount.




That excellent comic, both off and on the screen, James Gleason, is on the Paramount lot. He is playing a part in George Bancroft’s “Challenger.”




Janet Gaynor and Charlie Farrell are back on the Fox lot after each having had a between-picture vacation. They had tests made and story conferences for “The First Year,’ their next picture, which goes into production next week.




Snapshots of Hollywood collected at random:

Hoot Gibson getting hundreds of reservations from the film crowd for his rodeo next week, one group taking a bus to drive there. Sally Eilers, home from New York, getting ready to help Hoot with his yearly event.

Joan Bennett and Ben Lyon studying dialog for their picture at Joan and Gene Markey’s dinner party. Alan Crosland, director of this Fox opera, a guest at the Markey’s. His wife, Natalie Moorhead, in pale blue.

Richard Barthelmess and Mike Curtiz getting together on the First National lot for Dick’s next.

Adolphe Menjou mentally saying a few things when he had to ride a horse on the Fox lot.

George Raft and a few friends trying all the rides at Ocean Park.




LAST MINUTE RIALTO NEWS –

By Chester B. Bahn
Grant Withers, once a picture comer, is leading an orchestra on a dance hall tour this summer.

The Marx’s “Horse Feathers” has stopped production due to Chico’s injuries in an automobile accident.

Not to be outdone by M-G-M’s Garbo publicity, Paramount is going in for some Dietrich tantrums – all in good fun, you may be assured.



Buddy Rogers is reported weary of New York and revues and is anxious to return to the Coast. It may be that he regrets being so hasty when Paramount ordered a salary cut or no new contract.

Florence Britton gets a good role in “Merrily We Go to Hell” supporting Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney.

“Good Earth,” as dramatized by Owen Davis and Son Donald from Pearl S. Buck’s novel, may be produced by the Theater Guild with M-G-M financial backing; the talkie rights would be a factor in the matter, of course.

Speaking of the Theater Guild and M-G-M, the studio again is negotiating with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne; the stars, however, are insistent upon the right to dictate story selection.



Billy West (remember him?) attempting a come-back in Chic Sales’ “Competition.”

Brian Aherne, legit actor, has rejected an M-G-M offer.

“Trick for Trick,” written by Shirley Warde, former stock actress, and Vivian Crosby and Harry Gribble, will be filmed by Fox; the studio paid $20,000 for the film rights… which is $6000 more than the rights to “Grand Hotel” cost M-G-M, if you’re interested.

Laurel and Hardy want $10,000 a week for personal appearances abroad this summer… Oh well, there’s no harm in wanting.

M-G-M will loan Margaret Perry to Radio to play opposite Joel McCrea in “The Most Dangerous Game.”

Genevieve Tobin goes to Columbia for the lead in “Hollywood Speaks.”

Warners have given Lee Tracy a term contract.




An old-timer who was the idol of feminine movie fans comes triumphantly back to the screen in “The Greeks Had a Word for Them,” Samuel Goldwyn’s United Artists production of Zoe Adkins comedy. He is Phillips Smalley, whose name the elder generation will at once recognize.




One of the infrequent cases of a film character actually impersonating a living character is embodied in Ralph Bellamy’s role in “Young America.” The actor plays the part of Judge Blake of the Juvenile Court, and models his portrayal on the characteristics and mannerisms of the real Judge Blake who presides over the Los Angeles Juvenile Court. Officials, serving as technical advisors on the picture, said the impersonation is remarkable.




Richard Arlen will make no more Westerns; his new Paramount contract guarantees that he shall not be cast in “horse op’rys.” Arlen, currently appearing in “Sky Bride,” has been loaned by his studio to Warners for “Tiger Shark” starring Edward G. Robinson. Warners are paying considerably more than the contract salary, and Dick will collect the difference as a bonus from Paramount.

April 27, 1932

CAGNEY, DIETRICH SUSPENDED BY FILM STUDIOS

Two of Movies Best Money Makers Facing Loss of Contracts

Hollywood, Cal., April 27 (AP)
Officials of two film studios girded their loins to-day for a court battle to get a decision in the clash of artistic temperament with studio executive authority.

Meanwhile, Marlene Dietrich, blonde German-born film star, and James Cagney, another screen star, were under suspension by their studios.

Miss Dietrich was suspended last night by the Paramount Studios because she refused to appear for work under a director other than Josef von Sternberg.

Von Sternberg last Saturday left Hollywood in a huff, declaring he considered the story provided for his next production unsuitable. He is now en route to New York, and is under suspension by Paramount Studios too.

Refuses To Appear

Miss Dietrich, siding in with the director, refused to appear at the studio where a substitute director, Richard Wallace, was to direct her. Her suspension followed.

The studio intimated to-day it would carry to the courts the fight for the authority to dictate to screen artists what pictures they are to appear in or direct.

The salaries of both Miss Dietrich and Von Sternberg were ordered stopped by the studio pending the outcome of the controversy.

Demands Increase

Cagney was suspended by the Warner Brothers-First National Studios yesterday after he had demanded a $2400 weekly increase in pay. He had been signed under a long term contract at $1600 weekly.

The actor refused to appear at a premier showing of his most recent picture, scheduled for to-morrow night. He said he would leave Hollywood within a few days on a motor trip through the Canadian Rockies and later, perhaps, make a trip to Europe.

Cagney said unless his salary demands are heeded by the studio he will quit motion pictures and enter Columbia University to study medicine. His two brothers are physicians, he said.

Procedure Undecided

No indication was given by the two studios what action they will take against the three artists under suspension, whether it will seek to have the contracts broken or if they will seek to have the agreements remain in force.

If the contracts are found legal and the studio is given the right to dictate to its artists and should the artists refuse to appear, they would be barred from other studios, according to an agreement made between leading producers of the film colony. The agreement is to the effect no studio will employ anyone who has broken his contract until the term of employment specified in it has run its course.




OUT OF DANGER

Hollywood, Cal., April 27 (UP)
Seriously ill for the past two weeks as the result of a nervous breakdown, Carole Lombard, screen actress and wife of William Powell, actor, was reported out of danger to-day. Announcement that she had passed the crisis in her illness was the first word given the public that she had been ill.




NORMA TALMADGE TO STAY MARRIED

Norma Talmadge, American screen star, who stated several days ago that when she obtains a divorce from Joseph M. Schenck, her film-producer husband, it will be in Reno, is now in Paris and has decided not to get a divorce at all, according to dispatches from Paris.

“You can say I have changed my mind about the divorce,” she said.

“I have talked to Mr. Schenck and decided that getting a divorce is too much trouble. So there will be no divorce.”

Miss Talmadge said she would remain in Europe for five or six months.




GARY COOPER BRINGS TROPHIES OF HUNT

Hollywood, April 27 (UP)
Gary Cooper returned to Hollywood today bringing with him a cargo of 60 mounted wild game species and a live baby chimpanzee, trophies of a hunting trip in Africa.




PROLIFIC ACTRESS

John Miljan, Myrna Loy and J. P. McGowan hold the championships for being the most prolific actor, actress and director respectively over the last five years. Their scores, compiled from Film Daily Year Book records, cover only feature pictures on which they were given screen credit.

Miljan has 55 pictures to his credit, an average of 11 annually for the five year period covered. Miss Loy, currently seen in “Vanity Fair,” is down for 45, an average of 9 yearly. McGowan, specializing in Westerns, not only directed 54 features but also appeared in 45 of them.

Only 20 players receiving screen credit appeared in an average of six or more features a year over the last five years.




From Luella O. Parsons:

Los Angeles, April 27
Joseph Schenck will have to find another Elizabeth Barrett for “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” Katharine Cornell has definitely made up her mind not to play the part in the screen version that she created so successfully on the stage.

A telegram was sent yesterday to Schenck in which Miss Cornell thanked him for his patience in waiting so long for her decision, but stated she would rather continue on the stage in the same play. Schenck’s agreement is such that if he doesn’t produce the play for United Artists himself it will revert to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He bought it with that understanding.




The Fox “gang” has been looking to see Clara Bow on the lot. I think I can say with truth that Clara will not start to make a picture until she has reduced. Sam Rork is sending a trainer to her Nevada ranch to get her back to the slender Clara of two years ago.

I won’t be difficult for her to reduce once she makes up her mind. It’s only the first few days that are difficult. Clara, thin again, will probably do “Call Her Savage” by Tiffany Thayer. That is the story that both Sam Rork and Richard Rowland have agreed upon, providing there is not too much money involved in its purchase.




It’s something to write a story and something else again to sell it. Clara Beranger and Forrest Halsey have authored many a yarn together and, curiously enough, they have never missed a sale since they collaborated.

Canal Boy is their latest joint effort. B. P. Schulberg bought it as soon as it was finished and he says it looks like a “natural” for Sylvia Sidney and Gary Cooper.

B. P. has had phones ringing , personal calls and telegrams on the Dietrich-Von Sternberg battle, published first in this column. He says it isn’t often any company will spend five weeks beyond schedule to be sure a story is right, and that’s what he did with “Blonde Venus.”




My two good friends, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, adopt a daughter in their next picture. I don’t know whether these two comics mean as much to you as they do to me, but every time I hear there is a Laurel and Hardy comedy being shown I put on the last year’s coat and bonnet and take myself to the theater.

Hal Roach tells me that these two consistently retain a great batting average at all the box offices.

I was particularly interested to hear that Anita Louise will play the lead in the next Laurel and Hardy comedy, an overseas picture where they fall heir to the daughter of a buddy. Hal Roach is one of the most interesting of the comedy producers. He sticks exclusively to comedy and does a mighty good job of it.




Snapshots of Hollywood collected at random:

Lilyan Tashman walking into the Brown Derby with one of those new saucer hats and giving the natives a treat.

Chico Marx, home from the hospital but still confined to the house.

Sally Eilers returned home with a whole trunk full of New York clothes.

Kay Francis getting a preview call the same night she was giving a party for fifty people. She went to the preview and let her husband, Kenneth McKenna, receive her guests. The guests admiring some excellent portraits of famous people done by Kenneth’s father.

Tallulah Bankhead taking another three months’ lease on William Haines’ house.




LAST MINUTE RIALTO NEWS –

Eddie Cantor’s “Kid from Spain” will be sans Technicolor to save $225,000.

Connie Bennett’s next for Warners will be “Two Against the World.”

Clarence Brown’s directorial contract will be extended two years by M-G-M.

Nina Cox Putnam has sold a third story to Universal. Called “Auto Camp” it will serve Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts.

Howard Phillips, after a year on the Fox payroll, has been set adrift.

Jeanette MacDonald is expected to desert Paramount to play the feminine lead in “Bitter Sweet” for Fox.

Paul Lukas’ first starring vehicle at Universal will be Louis Bromfield’s “No. 55”.

Madge Evans and M-G-M have kissed and made up, but it will cost the studio $250 more a week.

Two youngsters of little previous screen fame are given their first featured roles in “Young America,” Frank Borzage’s latest production. Tommy Conlon and Raymond Borzage, the latter a nephew of the director, share leading honors with Spencer Tracy, Doris Kenyon, Ralph Bellamy and Beryl Mercer in this new picture of modern home life.