Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 56

PART POUR THE DETROIT FREE "PRESS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, t929 fought all through the World war as a member of the Canadian regiment, the Forty-second Highlanders, better known as the "Canadian Black Watch," makes certain that I Hollywood Film Letter lBSSSSSB 3rd IsJeekl Lloyd Hughes' Fine Singing Voice Lupino Lane to Make Long Features Jack and Ina Home from Europe Another Chaplin Romance Rumored Arliss to Make "Old English" Julian Eltinge Will Return to Pictures Other News. 'Sunny Side Up' Brings Epidemic Of New Contracts When there is an epidemic of contract signing at a studio, it is a pretty fair sign that executives are more than satisfied with a picture that has just been completed. "Sunny Side Up," the original musical comedy by Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson, recently completed, must be a "wow." The old fountain pen has been working overtime ever since executives pre-vlewed this Janet Gaynor-Charles Farrell co-starring film recently at Oakland and San Jose. David Butler, the director, was called in and his old contract torn up and a brand new one extending over a period of years handed out. Sharon Lynn, who plays one of the featured roles, is sporting a new contract, and so is Marjorie White who sings and dances as well as acts.

El Brendel and Frank Richardson also featured in the cast, were called in before the picture was half finished and given new long termers. Janet and Charlie already had long-time contracts, so It was unnecessary to fix them up. J-w. i 4 x- ii i Detroit Favorites Two stage favorites can be heard from local screens this week instead of from local stages in Ann Harding, who has delighted blase Broadway in a series of sophisticated roles on the stage, who is at the Fisher in "Her Private Affair," and Pauline Frederick at the Madison in "Evidence." Both stars appear in screen versions of stage plays. "Her Private Affair," is an adaptation of Leo Urgantzov's society melodrama "The Right To Kill," which created a furor in Europe when It was first produced in 1926.

"Evidence" Is the silver-sheet version of "Divorce Evidence," the Du Rocher Mac Pherson play. Two well-known male stage stars make their talkie V. U4 i-i Mr SOUND CREATES SET PROBLEMS Acoustic Design Overshadow Everything Else With Scenic Artists. New York, Oct 12. (Special to The Free Press.) Sound has created a new problem for the scenic designer of motion picture sets, declares Ernest Fegte, art director, owing to the Introduction of the acoustic element.

In silent photoplay production, the principal considerations of adaptability, color, artistic conception, and allowance for facility in movement by the actors, were outstanding, Fegte declared. Today, with sound, the matter of acoustic design overshadows all else. Formerly In Berlin. Fegte, who was associated with UFA In Berlin, and later in this country designed the brilliantly executed settings for "Trail of '98," "Jealousy." "The Letter," "Nothing But the Truth," and other produc tions of that caliber, has evolved a method of set design by fiat and curved surfaces which produces absolutely no reverberation or reflection of sound. In co-operation with the expert RCA Photophone sound engineers at Gramercy studios, each setting Is first planned on paper, then built for test and rigidly analyzed for Its sound qualities.

An example of realism in setting as designed by Fegte, which at the same time affords a perfect sound medium for a large chorus in restricted area. Is now on view at the Rlalto, New York. Gary Wears Kilts Through Wartime Picture, "Medals" That every details of sets, ward robe, character and speech may be absolutely authentic, five technical directors are assisting Richard Wal lace, director, in the production of Medals," Gary Cooper's first star ring picture. Wartime London and the trenches In Flanders are the background for the story, and a technical director has been assigned to each major phase of the picture. Bertram Johns, former English actor, is in charge of the wardrobe of the Cockney characters employed in the London sequence.

Frank Terry, actor, scenario writer, and former music hall favorite in London, will advise on the music hall sequence, which will be one of the major entertainment features of "Medals." Lieutenant-Colonel Mc Donnell, formerly of the Canadian Princess Pats, will assist on the war scenes of the production. "Sailor Blllv" Vincent, ex-welterwelght champion of the United States, has charge of the rough-and-tumble bat tle between soldiers and sailor, which occurs In the public house sequence. Billy Brighton, who every detail of Cooper's uniform and military procedure Is correct. Cooper is cast as a member of Brighton's former regiment, and wears Hts throughout the picture gS on Local Screens debuts in these pictures. Harry Bannister playing the husband of Miss Harding (to whom he is really married in private life,) and William Courtenay appearing with Miss Frederick.

All four players are well-known In this city and are great favorites here. Miss Frederick has played extended legitimate theater engagements here, and her first talking picture "On Trial," remained several weeks at the State. Miss Harding and Mr. Bannister were here together In Miss Harding's stock company, at the old Garrick theater, and in previous years Miss Harding belonged to Jesse Bonstelle's stock company. Courtenay has frequently appeared in Detroit theaters.

'Ern and Ieave 'Em." "Broadway," "Four Walls" and "Coquette." He also did some writing on "Spread Eagle" and "Jarnegan." He directed the stage versions of "Chicago" and "Gentlemen of the Press," then he went to Hollywood and proved himself capable as a talking picture director. "Why Bring That Up?" is his first feature picture, but Paramount has him under contract to direct several more films. 7VF ab puu KL NSKV I Tin. epf I I JIG art of 'I h-tUS Cutr vole i I soul! She I A jTdePthsofa A 1 7 I Voice Will r-1 I JU Charm Yu; I IBlB I I I rd3 LsPfegi It Was a Long Road But Had Right Turning at Last for George Abbott :0 PUBLIX THE ATP liimiiiiii mn 1,11 ii hear a picture full of action; full suspense; full of romance and glorified Vitaphone's greatest talking cast! rt MdGAf KUNSKVCIRCLE Hear MU RP Warner Bros. Vitaphone DM COME of by with GRANT KIRKWOOD, Lovely Uolorti reveal! nn VACATION 0AY' Mamm BY COXI.OX.

Hollywood's newest overnight surprise is Lloyd Hughes. It's his voice. Without warning he was announced one evening over the First National radio hour singing two ballads. When the Hughes's dramatic tenor voice rang out in "Rose of My Heart" and "I Kins Your Hand, Madame," Hollywood gasped with pleased amazement Nobody knew he could sign a note let along warble so ably. This lad really has a.

splendid voice and he is due for an even greater career than he ever enjoyed it the old silent pictures. Twelve rVurs later Warner Brother? V'dcasting Btation was flooded rfh letters requesting "more. Hughes," and 24 later the RKO company had signed him toning and play the leading role opposite Bebe Daniels In her next picture, "The Wild Heart." This ts a great break for Hughes as It means that his voice is recognized by the producers as an asset they cannot get along without. For the last year Lloyd has been going quietly along making a talking picture here and there. It was noticed that he could speak lines correctly, but he wasn't getting anywhere in particular.

Secretly, he had been perfecting his singing voice for a year, under a noted teacher, and when he burst forth over the radio it was only because the professor had said: "On your mark, get set. Go." While Lloyd SOc UNTIL P. M. TODAY She's for what you'vr got to have! tomeay laiira imm fmim. aa im I MAN, Coma and Meet Walter Scott S'fctndom'B neurit talker you'll tart about himt OTHER FEATURES All-Talking Comedy Tip llaby Tulks" Movietone Screen Act JAN CAREER'S BAND BENNY RUBIN "Tht Actor" MAURICE WONDERLY ill the primi PATHE NEWS ANNEX Orflnd River lor Rom) Alt-Tiilkinr THE I.AhT OF MRS.

HKVNKV with or a Mifrr "Buyinf a Mtn." AN-Taltunp Comedy Movieton Nw COLONIAL Woodward at bib ley VII Talking Hitd SiPffirijr "nrFRT MIMi" with 4hn Bon-Ira Llojtl Hamilton in AU-Taikittp remedy ''Hi Bir Minute'" N'ovt-Hy Adult 2fVf rhiMrpn CLADWIN (Tenon at flatwworke AU-Talkinr Pramat'" Hit MMI F.K4IIF.." AM-stnr i oirtMity Ottwr Parking FERRY FIELD (rand Hf HlMi. Vitanhnnf Talk in? PMtirr Milton HIU and Dorolhr Mi hi ill fit 'HI- IMVK WllMW" Laurel ami iti Hi BumiHJiH The Ril'rt4 A-l Kitioirraina rutitinuou i tn I KUNSKY ALHAMBRA Kirhrd HarttirlmrMi In "UK A J- kifit AUu iiit- Ctimcty A'U find Path' viuml fa KUNSKY DELUXE (rrrhrtal at I Fnrk.lrw An AH mith Alirf tAty, l'H) Klrlwrd K.i-.i'if. luo'i ta.iiin- ml sinriMt- I KUNolW OIHANU I llirrmrd Rarlhrlnv-n' i "Ik 'l ii A-1 I A CAI I PAuTICU at In 4ALLC UMnbCn Grans Bit 4. ii-il-nune A'-i MARTHA WASHINGTON mpio an 10 'T YUW wiili Rrri Adore Ia REGENT UK IIK-I HI i TUXEDO Hfntfliiri Btftf oJ 1111 MIKiMV" vi B58BF i i I won't make the fans forget Laurence Tihbett, John Boles, Al Jolson or Maurice Chevalier, I'm making the prediction that his singing voice will soon establish him as one of the most popular of screen stars. Bigger and Better.

Lupino Lane is ready for bigger and better things. He is discontinuing his short subject comedy career under the educational banner after three yean of leading the Meld as a box office attraction. Due to his success in the featured comedy role In Ernst Lubitsch's production, "The Love Parade," in which Paramount is starring Maurice Chevalier, Lane has decided to embark upon a feature career. He recently completed the featured comedy role in "Golden Dawn," Warner Brothers Vitaphona musical comedy picture and is now finishing the last of his series of educational comedies, "The Honey-mooners," in which he has the excellent support of Betty Boyd and Phyiis Crane in the feminine leads, and Wallace Lupino and Stanley Blystone. Lane himself Is directing this last comedy of his short subject career.

Jack and Ina. The "great lovers," Jack Gilbert and Ina Claire, are back in y-wood after their European, honeymoon. They indignantly deny all rumors that they had any tiffs during their European honeymoon tour. In fact, they claim to be as happy as two doves in a nest. With the return of Gilbert to Hollywood, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer company is hustling about trying to find the right story for his next starring picture.

It is rumored that he mav revive "The Talc of Two Cities," which William Farnum once played with such great success in the old-fashioned movies. The dual hero role in the Dickens classic should prove ideal for Gilbert, so It is to be hoped that the company goes ahead with the plana for the revival. To be near Jack, the clever Miss Claire intends to continue her audible screen career. Ruth Roland, Too. Although Ruth Roland is the richest woman in motion pictures, due to her real estate business sagacity, she has never lost her ambition.

Miss Roland has an excellent singing voire and toured In vaudeville recently as a headliner. She has been signed to a contract by the new Sono-Art company to star In one musical comedy "Reno," written by Cornelius Yanderbllt, Jr. Doris Kenvon's Debut. We hear great things of Doris Kenyon who is scheduled to make her Tvew York debut in a recital called "Lyric Silhouettes." Accord ing to Charles L. Wagner, the operatic Impressarlo, Miss Kenyon will score a hit.

The screen star, who is listed in "Who's Who in America" for her talents as a poetess rather than for her acting ability, speaks seven different languages. After her recital in New York, It is believed that Miss Kenyon and her husband, Milton Sills, will return to Hollywood. It Is rumored that Sills may be tendered a new First National contract, Chaplin's Girls, Yes, Charlie Chaplin is still work ing on "City Streets," which Is run ning "Hell's Angels" a close race for long distance records in production. However, this yarn is about a couple of pretty young ladies. Just when every body was scenting a romance between the jester and his young leading lady, Virginia Cher- rill, she goes and gets herself en caged to Buster West, an up-and- coming young comedian and dancer.

I'll let you In on a secret. The girl that Charlie Is really interested in is Georgia Hale, whom he discov ered a couple of years ago in the cast of "Salvation Hunters," which made Josef Von Sternberg famous. Chaplin and Miss Hale are seen together along Hollywood boulevard constantly and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this will prove the real romance. Lungdon Returns. Hal Roach has so much faith in the ability of Harry Langdon as an actor that he will leave no stone unturned to make the comedian's first picture under his new starring contract a wow.

To that end, Roach Is going to direct the picture himself. Thelma Todd will play opposite the baby-faced comedian. The comedy is as yet untitled, but the character that Langdon will play is that of a man-of-all-work in a railroad station where a theatrical company conies to town. Harry Langdon has had a lot of tough breaks on the screen so here hoping he makes a successful comeback. "Old Knglish." As perdicted in this column previously, the combination of Geoige Arliss and Director Alfred E.

Green has proven exceptionally successful in talking pictures. "Disraeli" has scored such a terrific hit with the critics that the Warner tsroiners have persuaded Mr. Arliss to return from England in January to renew his screen career. It goes without saying that they lost no time in signing Director Green to a new contract to direct the famous actor in one of his greatest plays, "Old English." In the meantime. Green is directing John Barrymore In a comedy Urania entitled "The Man." Kltlnge Returns.

The gieatent of all female impersonators. Julian Eltinge, will add his talents to the sinking and talking screen, lb' Is to be starred in tn an Indpnendent. production which will be filmed and recotded at the Tec-Art st'lillos. Sit of the Fong numbers in this vlc- Kerltn. Besides the importance of Eltinge'S debut on the audible screen, it ix interesting to not that Hetty Boyd has been assigned a featured Mi-s Boyd, who is one of the Wampas Unby Stars of Ui-'fl, has bei-n making rapid prog-j ress recently.

She has just flnii-hed role with l.onnne Gritiith in "I.il- Ues of the Field" at and plays the lead opposite, Lupino Lane in his comedy. says "Maid to Order" offers Betty a great opportunity. "Spring I Here." Hollywood's sine'T? are crtainlv out v.fyc nc it the- I' if tn Y01 i'-n! ft 1 l' ii-re." n.s they ef rif in the Is ii'ai c't'n- I IN EXILE" WITHERS, GEORGE FAWCETT, JAMES TOM DUGAN, DAVID TORRENCE new emotional ulcnli that will anuue you I has achieved another marvel of all-talking dramat -I riot in talking comedies so now she will try out her voice. Another old Mack Sennett-Keystone favorite, Ford Sterling, is to have the hading male comedy role. Bernlce Claire and Alexander Gray, for mer "Desert Song" pair, who have hits in First National' production of "No, No, Nanette." will sing the romantic leads.

Courtney will also have a role. John Francis Dillon is directing the screen version of Owen Davis' play In which Glenn Hunter was starred in New York last season. "Opportunity." Hollywood is going to create Its own singing and dancing talent for the screen. In other words, Hollywood is giving Broadway tha air. No longer will movie producers have to look to New York for audible screen material if an experiment planned at Warner Brothers proves successful.

Bryan Foy, executive head of Vltaphone Varieties, has the bright idea which may bring about the change. The son of the late Eddie Foy plans to recruit a new group of star material from the ranks of filmland's hundreds of chorus girls and boys. Foy is filming and recording a special Vita-phone short subject entitled "Opportunity." He has turned to his coworker, Larry Ceballos, for 75 of the dance producers' chorus girls and boys. They will have an exceptional chance to display their in- mvldual ability. According to Ceballos.

who will stage and direct the number, there is a wealth of talent among these youngsters. At any rate, it's a grand idea, Awalttt Stork. Dolores Costello, known in private life as Mrs. John Barrymore, has announced her retirement from the screen. She will not appear in a screen production for an Indefinite period because of the expected arrival of an heir in the Barrymore household.

Jack Warner, in chBrge of production of Warner Bro'hers made the announcement when he declared that Miss Costello had completed her contractual obligations for the season. "We are so happy over the approaching event that we have purposely refrained from complicating our future plans with thoughts of any other nature, but if Mrs. Barrymore should wish to return to the screen I do not anticipate that I could object," John declares. Miss Costello has enjoyed one of the most successful of screen careers, attaining the rank of star within four years which followed her tlrst prominent role opposite Barrymore in "The Sea Beast." It was during the filming of this picture the Costcllo-Barrymore romance begnn. Change I'luces.

Monte Blue and his good friend, Jack Muihall, have changed places, temporarily. The big wave which threw Monte against a raft out on the Parlllc, breaking three ribs, also raised havoc with the cast of "Murder Will Out," a First National picture. When Monte's ribs heal he will have to complete "Isle of Escape" for the Warner Brothers. Muihall gave up a vacation to take Monte's place. Jack has just completed his starring role in a First National picture, "In the Room." For "Murder Will Out," Muihall will have Lila Lee as his feminine lead instead of Lois Wil son ho was to have played the role opposite Blue.

Clarence Badger Is directing. Incidentally Blue went ahead with the shooting of the final scenes on the raft in Isle of ks cape" before being taken to the hospital. That's nerve. Notes. John MoCormack.

famous Irish tenor and his director, Frank Bor- zage, are not returning to the Fox studio empty-handed. They are bringing a little 18-ycar-old Irish colleen, named Maureen O'Sullivan. to the picture world. Borzage made tests, of her in Dublin and then placed her under a six months contract. She has a role in the McCormack picture.

That splendid vllllan, William Powell, is to be starred by Paramount at last His first electric light picture will be "The Color of Money." It is a gambling t'ory with John Cromwell directing. Kay Francis will play opposite. It is rumored that the grand team of Victor Macljiglen and Edmund Lowe will be renewed by Fox for a sequel to "The Cock Eyed World," which in turn was a sequel to "What Price Glory." Also, Lowe is to appear again with Warner Baxter in "The Cisco Kid." It will be remembered they were together in "Old Arizona." At the Pathe studios it Is rumored that Jane Cowl's stage success. "The Road to Rome," will be brought to the screen with Ann Harding In the leading role. Although Miss Harding doesn't look anything like Miss Cowl, she is a splendid actress and should do very well by Jane's play.

If you have been wondering what has become of Antonio Moreno. can tell you that he is now plriying! one of the featured roles in a ish picture which Fox is producing featuring the Chlmeo Grand Onera tenor. Don Jose Mojica. Incidentally, Llla Lee, who is now one of the busiest girls in Hollywood, is playing the leading feminine role. At lest we have the first talking picture serial and it is onlv fifing liutt oldest ff all enrn panies.

should prod'ire it. Heel ha hern Mned to t-Tomp 'he t.i.-t t.rk;ri' p-ir' ite serial hero iVt rv of hp s. Kae, (in' of th real HM.ry of Who knows dpl? jlf '0(utunossht Tha Bcrten'M dramatic rfarf Come to the house of melody! All-Tailing J(j 'ay t3t eCPS yU um' mam Immms LI Pi'UEQ PRIVATE: Icoio ut.M Mt 1-" WINNIE LIGHTNER i "H.r'!n,r,rBorf rsr fl Another college dramatic student makes gooiR Such might be the trite phrase used to describe the story of George Abbott, one of tne leauers of the legitimate stage, wno has made the transition 10 the dialogue motion picture screen. Abbott has just completed the ui-rettion of Juoran anu Ddack, "Two Black Crows," in "Wny Bring That Up?" their first starring motion picture for Paramount. Abbott was born in tne little town of Salamanca, Y.

When he was in the seconu grade, his father De-come a government laud agent and moved tne family 10 Cneyenne, Wyo. Tne family remained there for live years during wnich time George worked on ranches in tne summer and attended military academy. Abbott's schooling irom that lime on was very coloiiul. He went to Hamburg, near Bulialo, where he attended high schuol and worked during the tummer as crane man for tne Lackawana steel plant. He then entered the University of Rochester wnere he acted in the dramatic club, wrote the student-prouueed piays and maae tne toot-oall and nocitey trams.

Aext ne went to Harvard to student under frolessor Geoige fierce Baker in the English 47 course. His one act play, of tne Family," was produced by the dramatic ciub, and another, 1 he Man in tne Manhole," won a prize oilered by Keith's theater. Aboott became superintendent of the theater in and in 1914 went to iew iork where for five years he struggled thtougu minor parts, barely muking a living as an actor. During this period, he tried writing, but without success, then he and James Gleason wrote "The Fail Guy," which proved a success, and the following year he collaborated with Vincent Smith on "The Holy Terror," and played the lead, his last role on the stage, for he was established as a writer and director. Plays which Abbott has Co-au thored and co-directed are: "Love Make More Silents As Months Pass, SaysC.

B.DeMille "I think that an Increasing number of silents will be made as the months go by," Cecil B. DeMille says. "Perhaps it will be four or five years before we know exactly what proportion of silent and talking picture is best. At present it seems quite logical that producers should take advantage of the heightened interest In talking films by offering more of them than they will, possibly, two years from now. "I think it is foolish for any one to say that the talking films have killed the silent screen.

There has been no killing. But the entertainment possibilities of the screen have been greatly enlarged. The talking newsreel is a great step forward for the motion pictures. And the addition of good music to pictures is a boon to millions of persons who never had the benefit of the big city picture house orchestra." opening monday night little theatre house of shadow silence silent pictures rare bits in an atmosphere that's different the story of taj mahal a love that thrilled the world for centuries a picture rJetroit won't org? 54 Columbia east phone ch. 4548 yZwA I A l.

jm 5 EN ATOR r. I I N16UT KID" pp; 5 tfjp ffP MV 888 ffl Hi I 'Ann. I Al Talking Yr 1 I M. A-Sk 6 v. I JUrllN LilLBLK 1 lm nWA.MmMWmW'W norma shearer tVW(b ft-.

KN JOAN CRAWFORD 'f I WMWmPT bessielove i 1 Sensation! if jj. jm yG ml 4 11 WEEK FREDERICK 1 1 If I Mj "Wt jwj- overj a hs y. uir ap'un. v..