Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 23

s-5 OAKLAND TRIBUNE, SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1933 ItittlKT Tttr lli Al I ITimT a Turn MTr A rT? 3. Xx- wiiiiwwwwwwwwwvw SWVNWWWWMWWWWWWmw mm' aaavm.s wvvq.nvn-m-.-. WITH FOOTLIGHTS AND FLICKERS Cary Grant Qualifies At Throwing Javelin Leslie Howard Yields To Old Stage Call and Will Renounce Screen Glad Dressers In Films Find Steady Derfiand TOLLYWOOD, March 25. Al- Then Totes It in Film rl though Hollywood has ap-e proximately 20,000 extras wfio are estimated to average only two days a week each, a small group of Indifferent to Choice Offers, He Will Return to London at Close of Engagements, and May Put on Legitimate Play With Aid of Mary Pickford "Oh, That's Out," Director Says After Young English Actor at Hollywood Devoted Weeks Gaining Proficiency With Primitive Weapon. TOLLYWOOD, March 25 Les-.

By WOOD SOANES atmosphere players work almost continuously, because of the demand for their services. This favored group, totalling less than 200 are the smartly dressed men and women, used In films where the ultimate in sartorial and social elegance is demanded. assigned to the role of Cary Lock- lie Howard is going back to London and the stage just as soon as he can complete his present engagements. Not that he is dissatisfied with the work he has been given to do, but he doesn't like the silence of the big barnlike stages nor the general idea of of what they were about? Slapstick comedies, newsreels, lurid melodramait made no difference, just so they moved. It all was novelty.

Then talking pictures cam and entered into competition with stage plays; And the novelty was lost It's still lost We do not lools upon the 'movies' with the same enthusiasm we felt when that new divertissement first appeared. These glorified extras maintain their own extensive wardrobes and have qualifications that enable them to appear at ease In a London drawing room, a fashionable Paris cafe, or the exclusive manses of Fifth Avenue, according to Fred THEY were making "Madame' Butterfly" the day I talked to Cary Grant at Paramount and the dock set was overrun with extras in naval uniforms, Japanese in native costumes, an Eurasian youngster and Charlie Ruggles. Grant, togged out as the fickle Pinkerton of the fable, stood outside the enclosed set and discussed his beginnings in England, his notions of the screen, and his ajnbitions for the future a tall, slim chap with a lively sense of humor, virtually no accent, and a merry outlook on life. Life was rather sweet to him at that moment for he had just been assigned the coveted role of Pinker- canned entertainment turned out for wood, and that in ltseu was significant. Grant, I should explain, had not been Cary Grant at all during these years of show business.

He had been known by his real name, Archie Leach, and it was as Archie Leach that he started forth on a leisurely automobile jaunt across the country whjn the ill fated "Nikki" folded up. Among other cities, he intended to visit Hollywood. "I had no intention of becoming a picture star," he went on. "I had no idea that anyone would want me. After all, I had become a song distribution in celluloid.

'The best of the stage playen He'd rather hear and feel the im- audience I come to Hollywood for a while be- mediate response of an and know its reaction to his efforts Datig, Paramount casting director. When New York, Paris or Hollywood set new styles these special extras immediately readjust their wardrobes to conform to the latest than to wait for weeks when it is too late to do over again whatever cause of contracts engagements made alluring by money. They are sequestered in those big sound stages and told to act, which they do for a while, but before long movie" stuff of his which didn't "register." He has "Fellow Prisoners" to make for Warner Broth ton opposite Sylvia Sidney in the 'and dance man, and songs and ers and starts "Berkeley Square" dances were passe on the screen. But it so happened that I met some B. P.

Schulberg production, largely because Gary Cooper, who was to dictates of fashion, he states. Ranging in ages from 20 to 60, they are all expert dancers and thoroughly conversant with rules of social etiquette. According to Datig, who used more than a hundred of them In a British manorial scene in "The for Jesse Laskey on April 10, which they're thinking of the open theaters, the crowds, the direct applause and the personal touch of life. The 'movies' seem to be something on the side, something apart something mechanical, and you begin wanting to flee wanting to get back to contact with audiences'" means that in May or June he wilt be free to pack bag and baggage and sail for his beloved British Isles. film men socially and I was invited to take a film test.

"Lwkily I passed muster, but the first pop out of the box they demanded that I get a new name. It seemed that Archie Leach, or even Archibald Leach, might do well enough for the merry-merry, but it lacked dignity for the films. Even the fact that my grandfather man ONLY obligation outside MV those two productions," he said, "is to make "Alien Com," running in New York, it the product of Sidney Howard, former University of California man and Piedmont resident, and serves at a starring i 1 for Kath-erine Qprnell, who is shown in the fcrtfct's sketch in a scene opposite Siegfried Rumann. mm Somerset Maugham's 'Human Bondage' for R. K.

O. But that's to be after some stage work." Eagle and the Hawk," featuring Frederic March and Cary Grant, these extras are so important that often production schedules are re arranged for their convenience. Screen Studio Whiskers Take aged to be a good actor with the With the opening of "Secrets" op posite Mary Pickford, Howard had TOOT TOMOmOW HEARTY LAUGHTER AND HEART. DEEP DRAMA WITH WILL have played it, was involved with "A Farewell to Arms" and Fredric March was still occupied with "The Sign of the Cross." What Grant neglected to include In his speculations was that he had done excellent work in "This Is the Night" and "The Devil and the Deep," and the studio had come to the conclusion that here was a young man who might, with some grooming, develop into a star comparable with the other two mentioned and at the same time display Montgomery and Gable screen virtues. But this is all a laugh to Grant.

It is only when he speaks of the iage that he becomes at all serious. "The thing I miss most in Hollywood," he said, "is the smell of old theaters. I enjoy pictures immensely, although I have difficulty keeping characters developed; but I can't get away from that musty smell of the stage, that mixture of greasepaint and dust and tradition that will never be achieved here. In Hollywood things move too quickly, sets are up today and down tomorrow, and the only smells are those of fresh pain Marx Clowning completed 10 American screen plays. He was offered leading roles in double that number.

But confidentially, he doesn't think an awful lot of pictures. "They're a novelty," he declared, "and little more. Remember how at first we flocked to the theaters to see motion pictures, regardless Slump on Mart ROGERS i Fails to Make name of Percy Leach did not convince fee executives. "So, since they were paying the bills, ifho was I to argue about such a non-essential as a name. Cary was taken from my last stage role, and Grant fell out of the skies.

"HnHERE were lots of exciting I and amusing things during those first few weeks. When I heard that in my first picture, 'This Is the Night," with Lily Damita, I was to impersonate a javelin-thrower, I was determined to be the type. Javelins were a new thing to me, but I visited a sports shop and purchased a set. "Four weeks elapsed between my -r HOLLYWOOD, March 25. The market price on whiskers in Hollywood has practically dropped out of sight.

Time was when a first rate set of whiskers was Just as good as a meal ticket, especially when Alaskan and Cali fornia mining camp operas were the I vTOOBUSY Ij KV TO WORKvJft I rm wotm I -OTc-gJ SIXCE "SSMFUI I tSf PAUL RIGITIYD I FROM A CHAIN GANT big urge. Now. the order has gone out from Director Laugh HOLLYWOOD, March 25. For two years the Four Marx Brothers have been trying to make him laugh. Although a nation has "howled at their antics, they can't even get a snicker out of him.

He is Norman McLeod. who has direcied the Marxmen in two of their pictures, and who now is preparing to handle them again in their forthcoming "Grasshoppers." McLeod thinks the brothers are funny, yes. He thinks Groucho, in one Hollywood studio that in all signing and the start of the picture, so I put in mon of my spare time out in Griffith Park practicing javelin throwing. Gradually I acquired some proficiency. I mean "70V see my grandfather was I an actor in England, and I western pictures made there be-whiskered types are not to be used unless necessary to the plot of the story.

George O'Brien, western hero, is credited generally in the film capital with having brought about the that I was able to throw the javelin far enough not to spear my own feet. "When the picture went into pro duction I was proud not only of my skill but of my forethought in mastering the art. For a day or two there was no for a demon stration. Finally I bearded the di great change. O'Brien has taken the movie cowboy out of the saloon, staked him to a shave, haircut, bath and clean Clothes.

Pardner Jones, Who has been growing beards for the last forty years, almost diefl of pneumonia the first week he went barefaced. rector and asked when the exhibition would be in order, explaining that I wanted to use my own javelins you know, in an off-hand ran away from' home when I was 12 and became an acrobat. I joined Bob Pender's acrobatic troupe which did eccentric dancing, acrobatics and clown routines. I was with them four weeks when my father arrived on the scene. "Three years later I did the same trick, but this time father decided that I knew what I was about.

You see I was born in Bristol, where my father was a clothing manufacturer. It was while attending an academy there that I became interested in electricity and hit upon a new lighting effect. "It was not difficult for me to get entree to the Princess Theater in Bristol. The manager was interested in my device and let me install it and operate It for a show. That experience led me to stage acquaintances that prompted my runaway.

"For a year I trouped about Eneland with knock-about come way. 'Oh. he said. 'That's been cut out. You're a Javelin-thrower, but vou don't actually throw any.

Scene showing Mary Pickford in her latest picture, "Secrets," BEER'S BACK (With Kick) And Thit'i the Reaion New York BURLESQUE o. IS OFFERING THIS SHOW particular, is a genius. But he confines his show of appreciation to smiles. He simply doesn't laugh at the Marx brothers, or at anybody else. It isn't his nature to break into audible merriment, no matter how much he is amused.

Two years ago, when they first came to Hollywood, this lack Of mirth on the part of the director astonished the Marxes, and caused them to believe that their favorite "gags" were not registering. Even impromptu, spur-of-the-moment wit, not included in McLeod's well-worn script failed to bring forth any chuckles. Through entire weeks of filming McLeod never laughed once. Last year the Marxmen returned, leveled their best guns at McLeod, and still couldn't get even a snicker as a reward. They even You just carry them in and out of the house.

Today at 1 p. m. with Leslie Howard. Miss Pickford is now on her way to Europe for a vacation. Howard will appear in a film play with Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

and will then return to his native England. It BEER'S BACK THEN I talked to Grant he had just finished three pictures of widely different type "Devil and the Deep," in which he (A Kick From 6Urt to Flnlih) and First Oakland Showing "HIGH GEAR" Reduced Price played the young lieutenant who GREAT FIRST-RUN FEATURES Mnu. on a arouses tne ire ot ine maa capiain, All RfUn lie. Noon slaved by Charles Laughton; Toxical Pilot Schedules His Best Patrons Miss La Verne In Act Smokes Corn Cob Pipe "Blonde Venus," in which he was opposite Marlene Dietrich, and "Hot Saturday," a programmer. There had also been roles in Mae West's "She Done Him Wrong," and while he was at work on "Butterfly" You'll HOWL-You'll ROAR-at this frothy bubbling Bombast of Merriment ittUAl AM OLLYWOOD, March 25.

Har Junes Carney. Joan Blondell la "THE CIIOWD ROARS" Rulh Chatterton. Georte Brent In "THE RICH ARK ALWAYS WITH US" old Lloyd, Sylvia Sidney, Blister Keaton, Ben Turpin, dians. I got with Pender again, and what a break it was for me. He received a booking at the New York Hippodrome and I came to America with him.

The engagement In America lasted two years with few lay-offs. During one of them I did a stilt-walking stunt at Coney Island advertising somebody's hot dogs. "I realized that I -needed something more than an ability to do a nlp-up in order to become a theater personage. When the troupe returned to England I went with it and put in two years in stock, where I trained my voice, by exercising it on the public. It was during this period that I met Reginald Ham-merstein, who brought me back to New York.

"My first work was in the musical, 'Golden and then I determined to give my vonce some real training. I studied under numerous teachers, played in 'Polly' the following season and then was signed STARTING TODAY "ganged" him, and forcibly removed his trousers during the noon hour in the studio cafe, but the best they could get was an embarrassed protest. Kay Francis Cast As Woman Doctor HOLLYWOOD, March 25. Kay Fancis's next screen role will be that of an ultra-modern woman doctor The picture will be "Mary Stevens, M. based on an original story especially written for Miss Francis by Virginia Kellogg.

The picture will go into production at the Warner Bros, studios in the near future, which means that Miss Francis' New York vacation must come to an end within the next few HTEIl yLOXE AND IjAI'G he had been assigned to The Woman Accused," which will prob-Woman Accused," which will follow it on the screen of the Grand-Lake here. A busy young man, indeed. "It's all right with me," Grant said in this respect. "I realize that the life of a romantic leading man Is brief and I'm willing to work like blazes while I can. I would like to return to the stage occasionally, though.

But I'm sure I'd never want to return to the stage permanently. New Reduced Prices JIMMY KHNOZZU DURAilTE and Butter 15c All Mntinecs, Any heat touofrt lucre HOLLYWOOD, March 25. A new angle to the mannish vogue, now current among many feminine screen stars, was exhibited at a local studio when Lucille LaVerne appeared smoking a pipe. It was a corn cob pipe, the most mannish article extant, and the tobacco was a rough cut. The character actress, whose first masculine gesture occurred some years ago when she shocked London by playing Shylock, smoked the pipe for scenes of "Pilgrimage," which John Ford is directing.

And the smoking of it was quite all right, for Miss LaVerne was portraying the character of a Ten George Hafi, Natalie Talmadge and Marion Davies are favorites among screen celebrities of Los Angeles taxi drivers, according to James Pancoast, Hollywood cab driver for the past five years. "These persons never annoy the driver about the way he drives," Pancoast said. "They are considerate. They never haggle over the amount of the fare and they tip liberally." 600 sca.r 15c Orchestra 2(M Wy JAMES DUNN I EILERI COHEN mnv and then go into character IV Fox Comedy Hit A on may and then go into character studies. In other words, I hope to make a killing, but I'm willing to do my share." WX Novtlly Wmjgm, BrttyBoi days.

Miss Francis's most recently by the Shuberts to play opposite MADAME BUTTERFLY" I completed picture Is "The Keyhole," in which George Brent plays opposite her. "The Keyhole" will be released soon. jTOawvrtttwW Cite HtAMcwouf LYMAN rM ittKf ml) bnd I nessee mountaineer woman who With Sjrlvl Sidney Cary Grant Alio considers cigarettes effeminate. 1 "THEY JUST HAD Voice Hurling Champion Gets Post in Films TO GET MARRIED" v. (today) fl i Zasn Pitta 811m Summerrille 5 Jeanette Macr nald in 'Boom Boom both in New ork and Chicago.

"Miss MacDonald left us after the Chicago engagement and went to Hollywood. I went home on a vacation. Before I was back she was a star In 'The Love I came back to New York and played opposite Queenie Smith In 'Street and then went to the St. Louis Municipal Opera for a season." JT WAS when Grant returned to New York for "Nikki" with Fay Wray and Kent Douglass a play that became a picture, "The Last Flight," and in which Grant did the role created on the screen by ard Barthelmess that adventure In new fields awaited him. He was wm-i imJ C-M And on the flume Proffrnm Bsach Alameda afcMASK OF ill I BASBARA STANWYCK "SHOPWORN" WARREN WILLIAM In Mm West In "SHE DONE HIM WRONG" Ben Lyon limn Gleuon In "THE CROOKED CIRCLE" ruumm SATURDAY, APRIL 1 OAKLAND POLICE-FIREMEN'S ANNUAL KIDDIES' DAY I Action fl Thrills I Action Thrills "THE DARK HORSE'! tea BORIS BARLOW UWU BMUUf MM.

Comedy Romance ICE CREAM FREES h'irfilitHX I-D-E-S 'Parachute EASTB AY THEATER CALENDAR GOV. JAMES ROLPH JR. GI F.ST OF HONOR CAPT. DOBBSIE Program hj Popular. HmHo fltar HOLLYWOOD, March 25.

Possessor of the loudest voice In Southern California, Martin Shook, a worker at the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties unemployment camp, has made good in his first motion picture appearance. But his good luck is only half as good as It might have been, for his face will not be seen on the screen-in this picture. Shook was hired because he could call a lion better than any one else that could be found. The studio needed some one to roar like a lion as a decoy in a picture containing African sequences. Various other animal imitators were tried out, but they did not meet the requirements satisfactorily.

Animal experts and tracers proved equally incapable. Someone suggested Shook, and he was an Instant success. Shook spends all of his spare time, when he isn't building fir breaks and trails, hiking Into the hills back of the work camp. He shouts, hollers and roars to his heart's content. He times the echoes, and frequently has heard his own voice bouncing back at him four minutes after he sent the roar thundering on its way.

Shook also has been heard by his fellow-workers in camp when ha was ten or twelve miles distant. 3 DAYS ONLY "BILL" BOYD "CHIC" SALE Jumper' Iff to thir iimtmrm msm'I Yi TODAY! WILLIAM PCV7GLL "LAVfYClV MAM With JOAN BLONDEU. SUNDAY. APRIL 2ND CUT! Girls' Champion Swim Races ORIAT YjKiuiMy with DOROTHY WILSON Sensation upon sensation in the greatest thrill-p i ever filmed. doug.

Urban ks, jr. bette davis leo carrillo FOX Luck." FOX OAKLAND "Topaze." AMERICAN "The Crowd Roan," "The Rioh Are Always With Us." PREMIER Burlesque. CENTURY "Shopworn," "Dark Horse." GRAND LAKE "What, No Beer?" STATE "La wyrr Man," "Men of America." BROADWAY "Mask of Fu Man-chu," Pack Up Your Toubles." T. Busy to Work," "I'm a Fugitive." a. Starting Timed liOO, 3:20 STARTING TIMES: 11:80, 1:15, 4:40 7:00, 9:25 FIRST TIME HERE Mickey Lazarus and His Famous Band Modern Dancing Sat.

Sun. Sun. Aft. Old Style Dancing Tuesday and Thursday Eves. Swimming Open Sunday, March 26 5:45, 8:05, 10:30 BOA Good Balennr flettli 2fle VvSALCONVj gi NKW LOW PRICKS NEW LOW PRICKS Matlntt.

1 it 9. Nllhth Blcnr Mala rior 1st WARREN WILLIAM In THK MA1XJII KINJ' Tom Coakley and Hla Orchestra with MAX POIilN.