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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1930.
Behind the Scenee
in HollywoodTM
DENNY'S LEAD
[By Dorothy Hertog.)
There's nothing like A robust rumour to set of u column. Dabble along into the talky Reginal Denny plans to make, "The Dark Chapter." They do be a-sayin' that Florence Eldredge will heroine for Reggie. Miss. Eldredge is married to Frederick March, who romances for Paramount. She has made a couple of Two-Reelers for Christie. Griffith was to have directed Donny in "the Dark Chapter," but whai with that and thus, another megaphoner will take charge and Eddie begins work shortly on some flick.
SKYROCKETING **
E. H.
Of course, Joseph March planted himself on the map with "The Wild Party" and "The Set Up."
Howard Hughes the "Hell's Angels" shooter-has Mr. March under
a long term contract at a riaing scale salary said to start with $750 a week.
at
Noah Beary, motion picture bad man, is waging a desperate battle against the death
he has so ably portrayed in numerous villainous roles on the screen. At the Hollywood Hospital, where the Alm star underwent an operation for appendicitis, his condition is described as dangerous.
THE CHINA
MAIL.
ings for the theatre-goer and pro-conferences, he succeeded in con- (the 1928-29 accounting), and under ducer alike,
vincing the producers that "Wings" other companies follow Until the beginning of the year should have realistic sound effects. different systems of accounting.
At Universal studios, the dat 1929, motion picture producers had He gathered a few tools, experi been merely "thinking" sound.mented avidly and developed the earnings for the year totalled 1,500,- a000. This represents a huge in- During the year practically the drone of airplanes in fight, entire output has been converted to crescendo of guns, and the scream-crease over the previous year, In- the new medium. As a resulting cries of men-all of which he asmuch as all equipment and ap- the combined industry has moved transmitted to phonograph records, paratus costs have been charged off.
B.K.O. Success figures from the red deficit side of A few weeks after the picture's first
R.K.O.'s success for a company the ledger to the profit-sharing showing, any layman could see what
that only released its first showings entry leaf, and the start of 1930 was coming.
Át approximately the same in May of this year, is reflected in ands it predicting the greatest period in its brief but amazing his time, experimentation by Warner the large accountings. from ale and 14 straight Brothers in developing Vitaphone,super-picture tory.
produced the aame anticipation. feature releases. During 1928, the Short news reels with sound proved Keith-Orpheum chain of theatres effective. But the question of showed a loss of $1,600,000. In "talking" pictures was carefully January after Radio-Keith-Orpheum There wore Immense had been formed, only $70,000 in avoided.
were recorded. During the obstacles to surmount, and the task loses
naxt quarter a proßt of $600,000 was was delicate. —
In the Arst words ever heard made, and in the last quarter the directly from the acrean, Will H. combination realised $1,300,000 In Haya, president of the Association profit. This is held due to the sub. of Motion Picture Producers and stitution of talking pictures for Distributors of America, might well vaudeville. have predicted the entire status and future of sound films.
Values at Crest In the span of a twelvemonth, values have risen on the crast of unprecedented theatre attendance. Confidence has dispelled producers' disparagement, while the public continues to express its encouraging sentiments in no uncertain terms.
It has been a rocky road over which motion pictures have fought back to popularity. Two years ago found Hollywood'a Industry, the fourth in the United States, taking a back-slide. Admissions bad been steadily falling off, production shut down for months-all due to the fact that theatre-goers no longer believed "movies" offered much in the way of entertainment
The visible trend of proits from sound pictures may be traced from 'Far Flung as To-morrow”. the records of Paramount studios. "The future of Vitaphone is sa far in the first quarter of the year, a flung as all of to-morrow," he said. 14 per cent. increase was published And the echoes of this speech were followed by 59 per cent. In the fully reflected throughout the in-second quarter and 119 per cent. In the third. Profits for the fourth dustry in 1920.
An impresario of the exhibition field revived the jaded appetites of No one who witnessed "The Jazz quarter amounted to $5,500,000 or the public with an innovation. He Singer," Al Jolson's first release, 100 per cent. greater than 1928, or the total net profits of heralded as the first with
within was Sid Grauman, theatrical show-which was man extraordinary, who developed talking picture, will readily forget $15,000,000 reaching to the prologue. He gave his patrons the spinal thrill the singer's first $1,500,000 of the total combined net
lavish spectacle on the stage that words produced. That direct and Incomes of 1927 and 1928,
What will 1930 bring in the way actually proved the brst drawing wholly impromptu speech to his
mother in the beginning of the pic of entertainment as well as profit? card.
ture immediately confirmed the success of the talking picture ven- ture.
Prologue in Favour
His success was repeated in other cities by other ambitious showmen. "Roxy" famed for his ventures in the East as Grauman was celebrated In the West, became another leader in the movement, Between them they revived a fallen art. They satis-
ing for novelty, but the tinsel even- tually wore off.
Yet it was little more than three months ago that this same Mr. March trailed into town to go tu work for M.-G.-M. He report ed the studio and nobody knew who in thunder he was. They purchased for every song except didn't know how he got there ex- those he sings in French, German cept someone had sent him And and Italian. From these fourteen inasmuch as big toes are easily in- recorded vocal numbers, eight will jured, no one at the studio stepped be selected for the picture, and no on a possible big toe by precipitat-announcement of their names will be ing Mr. March through the gate. Į made until the film is ready for re-fied a curious psychological yearn
He release. He remained at M.-G.-M. mained, drawing salary, until his three-month contract had expired! Then he left. Then Howard Hughes snapped him up. Then Mr. March astounded a stony industry by actually writing dialogue for "Hell's Angels" that was used in its entirety P. D. Q. Then he loaned to Tiffany to touch here and there the dialogue for "Journey's End."
was
1929 REVIEWED
New Era of Sound
Production
Los
Jack Lewis wrote In a Angeles paper at the end of 1929:
The day of the Nickelodeon thriller and its planoforte accom- paniment of "Hearts and Flowers" along with the tense allent drama
With Vitaphone leading the way. and both great plants of Western Electric and General Electric work- ing overtime to evolve talking pic- ture apparatus for sound films, the industry swung into a new stride- a definite, unfaltering advance
Total increased business during 1929 over 1928 was quoted today
Since Their Birth
Her Two Children Have Never Needed Medical Ald.
Canadian Mother's Grateful Tribute To
Baby's Own Tablets.
Mrs. Griffith, of 21, Merchison
The subject of the prologue was debated pro and con during another by the producers' association as Avenue, East Hamilton, Ontario, lax period. Its value in the eyes of boing in excess of 25 per cent. With writes:"My baby boy was 'air the public waned and again reflected this increase manifesting itself in weeks old when I first used on box-office receipts. A lull in huge profits to sach company, ex-Baby's Own Tablets for him, and activities developed, the producers pansion plans for 1980 extend far I have never been without them
beyond any self-admittedly were stumped.
previous estimate. since for. they then proved worth Now the About this time, "Paramount pro- Nothing, apparently, can halt the their weight, in gold.
boy la four and a half years and duced a great epic of the air. In onward trend.
a picture of health. Public Response Great the pre-view of "Wings," executives
"My nine months old baby is And now, Mr. Hughes has loaned
found something desirable, yet lack. A few figures gleaned from some Mr. March to Famous Players to
Ing the certain "kick" to make of it of the larger studios, show that the aldo well and happy. Both chil- dialogue Gary Cooper's next talkie,
a tremendous attraction. In the public has responded enthusiasticdren are good. examples of what "Civilian Clothes." This is a play of the films and Its claborate pro-audience sat an expert technician, ally to, the first year of talking Baby's Own Tablets can do, for I have never yet needed a doctor of old penned by Thompson logue has passed into the particular one who could forsee the event of pictures."
interests -The Fox.
reported for either of them." Ruchanan, the writer who married eternity reserved for entertain- sound.
Mothers who keep Baby's Own before she wrote ment of the ancients. Into a now
increased earnings of $88,000,- Their Sound Effects" Joan Lowell "Cradle of the Deep," and is now
That man, who shed the first light 000; Warner Brothers, $30,000,- Tablets in the house have a specl- Paramount, $15,000,000; de remedy at hand whenever gotting his freedom from her since
on the ultimate destiny of pictures, 000;
$6,818,918 their children, from Infancy on- the book splashed over the literary
Was Roy J. Pomeroy., Afteveral | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
ward, show gymptoms of indiges- top.
tion, constipation, colic, feverish- A Story Writer
diet Chinese "B" and the "Somerness, diarrhoes, croup, cold, teeth- no doubt be out for revenge. Isets" defeating the University and ing trouble or worms. Uned
Kowloon respectively.
era has marched the talking, sing- of the audible screen, ing vision bringing prosperous New Year tid-
Lois Moran confesses writing CHAT ON LOCAL
three short stories that avorage in length between 2,000 and 3,000 words. Lois' also confesses she is going to send them out under a pen She doesn't care what hap- pens to her vanity.
name.
TO ROME
FOOTBALL
(Continued from Page 9.)
Ewo and the Club had a gruelling game and hard work apparently up set their tempers for no fever than three of the players came under the John McCormack will finish his ban of the referes. Ewo's only initial vocalloid In a few weeks. He success was recorded by the aid of will also complete his one picture Kam Sik-wai during the first half. contract with Fox, and until March with the concluding thirty-five he will retire to the 153-acre estate minutos a blank so far as scoring he has purchased within a block's went. walk of
residential Hollywood
King's Park last December and will
fancy the visitors bagging both points..
Kowloon are at home to the Somersets. The peninsula team were defeated last Saturday by Recreio and the "Sets" also lost both points by the same score. If those results are a true guide, Kowloon and the "Sets" should divide the spolls to-morrow but with the Soldiers returning to the winning vain I predict them pulling out that little extra and returning with both points.
.
Full Programme Division I. (4.80 p.m.). St. Joseph's v. Recreio, it Joseph's Ground, Happy Valley.
Kowloon v. Samerseta, Kowloon F.C. Ground,'
South China v. Athletic, Caroline Hill Ground. --
Police v. Navy, The Club ground, Happy Valley.
Division II. (8 p.m.) University v. Chinese "B" St Joseph's Ground, Happy Valley.
Ewo v. St. Joseph's, Chinese Ground, Happy Valley.
South China "B" v. Chinese "A", Caroline Hill Ground.
The game of the day is to be seen at Caroline Hill, where South China and the Athletic will be on view On December 7 last at the Stadium
Eastern v Navy, Navy Ground, the points were shared in a goal- less draw. If the Athletic have Happy Valley,
intentions
South China "A" v. Club, The of being serious concerned in the League honours Club Ground, Happy Valley
fall by
Somersets v. Kowloon, Kowloon they will rise or to-morrow's verdict. On paper F.C. Ground.
South. we have strength in China's defence (only twelve goals against) as against forty goals from
Mid-Week Games Boulevard. In March, McCormack One Senior Axture was decided a ateams to Rome to serve as the last Wednesday, the Club defeating official interpreter for the American the Police by the odd goal in three, representatives attending the Easter The game can best be described in
McCormack Papal conference.
a few words as one of many lost speaks fluent Italian. Hence, the opportunities. On the run of the honour conferred upon him. Later, play it should have been a victory he goes to bis cartis In Ireland, for the Folice for at least two easy Moore Abbey, where he remains scoring chances were not snapped until October. He has received up. I am afraid this reverse has flattering offer from a British now definitely decided their position motion picture company, to produce of last in the League table. a vocallold in Britain. But he Of the four Junior games, the Intimated ho prefers
mako Navy ran riot by recording nine tion a great game should be follow-x.0.A.B. .20 11′ 8.8 AB 21-28 another picture in Hollywood without response. This heavy scored. The result is decidedly open Perhaps because of his estate hore. Ing will stand the Senior Service in with possibly a anatch goal carrying Perhaps not......
good stead as their goal average is the points. Can the Athletic get now 6.46 as against the K.0.9.B. at goal?
to
WORLD RIGHTS TO SONGS
the Athletic's front line, so with these formidable forces in opposi-
LEAGUE TABLES TO DATE
Division L
PW.D. L. PA. Pts.
Royal Navy 18 11 5 2 38 20 Athletic ...17 11 8 8 40 18.25 16:10 2.4 87 1299 Somersets South China 16 844-26 12 BA209 2 9. 81-832-20
6.60. The "Gunners" were com On the Club ground. the Police Kod: 81 253
Cub
Recreio 16 4 1 10 18 St. Joseph's 19114 1715 Pelos: 2005-13 9 911
as the score de-will appose the Navy. If the H.K.F.A. Sward the Senior Service the two points from Kowloon the curtain will be lowered to-morrow on the Navy programme for this season. With H.M.S. Kent away the Navy will be without the services of E.0.8.8. McGregor, Jones, Tiley and Cart Royal Navy, 22-17-43-22
pletely over-run zioten. In apeaking of world rights to Chinese "A" suffered their second songs, this bureau learned a rather reverse of the season by the "Bets" interesting fact. A group of Amer netting twice, Wong Shui-ws put Icans trekked to Europe soine time ting through his own goal and ago and bought up sole rights to Denmead registering the other. 10,000 songs for distribution in By this unexpected reverse the
23 21 22
China 20:18 1366 10 88
varens corottles Thorlt & plebars thinase have seriously jeopardized wright. Those
four players cannot
| CEL
to lose another game will definitely
Kowloon
company, desire to incorporate one their chance in the League race and be replaced with equal strength and Somersete of those in a picture, they must
ons despairs of their chances of Eastern
St. Joseph's settle with this company. The time put them out of the running. clinching the Championship to and expenditure is prodigious." For A very interesting encounter took morrow. The Follo, although at the KA this reason, if no other, the music place between the RAM G and bottom of the table, have the un departments of studios are econom- Eastern, the latter bagging both happy knack of upsetting form, so
leadership being farbbar
fcally Important. It also indicates points by scoring the odd goal there is a youtheity of that the composer whether he be in seven.
jazz or classic composer.
significant money-saver to the lots.
Little can be suld with by the Navy ragard to the Club varaus. However, the
Victor Melagian and Eddie Lowa Ewo match Last Saturday thresbest and wit
as you know,are to
marins shooter gelept
ed A scape
toss
(tha pict
tar in a play were cautioned but in the
st er 12 6 8 6
257 8.15-27 61 17
*B* 21 6-3′ 12182 60 15
21
4 1321-80 14
promptly, these pleasant tasting and easily administered Tablets have saved many little lives.
of chemists everywhere, or post free, 60 cents per vial, from the. Dr. Williams Medicine Co., 60, Kiangae Road, Shanghai.
Cool
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL:
11
HONG KONG HOTEL: REPULSE BAY HOTEL I PEAK HOTEL
AND
SHANGHAI
ASTOR HOUSE: PALACE HOTEL :
MAJESTIC HOTEL.
HOTELS,
LIMITED
In association with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lits, Peking.
DAILY CROSS-WORD PUZZLE.
(This cross-ward puzzle has been made by an expert but our readers are warned to look out for occasional phonatio - spellings, such as harbor, plow, and altho.)
12.
19
10
12.
14
•
17
113
36
140.
45
25
HORIZONTAL { HORIZONTAL {Cont}{ 1-Sacred bull of Egypt 34-A German repubite B-Burmounte: /==50746-Farisi
16 17 18
VERTICAL (Cont.)
10-A possible thing
Ti-One who'wäara'a
D-A medicinal foot.of/17-Bame as Flodida"... madles Ma
... 38-Course hemp fiber 14–River (Spanish)
Maxico
11-Pertaining to a wall) 40–Eideta.
12-One or any 13-And not
15-Chance 16-Behold 17-To equip
19-Man'a narse 20-Churah bench ·· -21-A cape in Nova
Scotia 23-Cuttlefish 25-Brazilian coln 26-Vase
27-61ääveless Arablan
Garment 25-To plead 29-Prefix three 30-A hedgerow (ng-) 12-A sity of Switzer
Jand
15-POMENII --
| 41-Possessive.pronaan, † 18–A fish
· 42–To acquire
|44-Parsonst, prosoun
afrino way
147-A black bird
| 49-Presently 50-To droop
VERTICAL
1-Partly open
20-A fastener
| 22-Approachas
24-Empelled **
25-A Goottish cap
| 31-Full of molature
| 32′′N. American' buffate
23-Gresk goddess of
-the dawn |s4jMulky2,
2-Budden overpower-15-Christmas
Ing Course N Preform of
4-A
river of Poland;' 5-A rim
'6-Conjunction
Z-Blanched B-Licking speed
66-East Indian musical -
Instrument
20-Prossided
46-Gulla-sama sa
45-A gama of marbles 46-Hetvy affilotion
48-Roman number
(The solution of the above cross-word puzzle will appear in to-morroide issue along with a new cross-word pusele.)"
and Refreshing
FLAK