Inside Facts of Stage and Screen (February 8, 1930)
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PRICE 10 CENTS ONLY THEATRICAL NEWSPAPER ON THE PACIFIC COAST ESTABLISHED 1924 EDITED BY JACK JOSEPHS Vol. XI Entered as Seconi Class Matter, April 29, 1927, at Post- Published Every Saturday at 800-801 Warner Bros. Down- office, Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday, February 8, 1930 under Act of March 3, 1879. town Building, 401 West Seventh St., Los Angelos, Calif. Now 6 BOB HAMILTON PREMIER ORGANIST RKO Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles PAGE TWO INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, FEB, 8, 1930 STANDARD BIG FILM PROBABLE Getting An Agent BREAK FOB EXHIDS That Newest Story is thought in Hollywood, but not A matter which given some Hollywood has found a new theme and is going to it foot, nearly enough thought, is the question of selecting an agent. IFC0NFE0E1CES horse and cannon. the influx of to pic- And, with continuing so many new people It is a cross between the classical recitation of Orpheus and tures, Inside Facts deems it not irrelevant at this time to sug- of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. gest that a person think twice before putting their name on any ABE SUCCESSFUL The theme is none other than that of voice sex appeal. dotted line binding them to an agent’s contract. Lawrence Tibbett, a Russian Robin Hood who should be de- This, by no manner of means should be understood to be spised by the aristocracy, nonetheless has such a golden voice of a warning that good agents cannot do a person a world Good cheer for the independent that a princess finds it an allure she cannot resist. That’s good. They can, and do. It refers to those agents who are not theatre owners was in prospect in “The Rogue Song.” so hot. at least one respect this week. Ramon Novarro, a hated Bonapartist, has a golden tenor The average person entering pictures deludes himself with which makes a noble lady of the Ancien Regime overcome all That is as regards the standardiza- the idea that “even if the agent doesn’t do me any good, he her scruples of the sans culotte and at last sink into his arms tion of wide film. Word was that can’t do me any more harm than taking away ten per cent of lovingly. That’s “Devil Care.” the big producers were practically May my earnings.” Maurice Chevalier has such a potent note in his voice that agreed to standardize the film, Nothing could be further from the truth. The poor or un- a queen has defied a nation in refusing marry, through conferences now negotiat- who whole to principled personal representative may cost his principal thou- cannot resist it, ing the various points involved. and Maurice becomes king consort. That’s sands of dollars in addition to the ten per cent fees. Parade.” The move would at least give the “Love Innumerable incidents are on the files of trade papers of out of three these pictures theatre owners a better choice of Two of are very good entertain- agents who have worked irreparable harm to their clients by ment, to-wit : product after they had gone to “The Rogue Song” and “The Love Parade,” and unconscionable or misguided activity. Some' agents, being “high the expense of equipping their the fact that they are here catagoried does not mean other- hat” or short of temper, will offend at moments which are wise. it is a to houses with what promises to be But warning Hollywood that the plot of the critical in an actors’ career. In one such instance, when the the necessary equipment for the Irresistible Voice is one which is already commencing to be person’s future hung in the balance, the agent, being asked next big innovation in picture used overtime, and a wise industry would restrict it to cease for some news, met the members of the press in haughty a making. where it will do the most good to their ablest singing stars. and uncongenial manner, and the paid-for work of a high- The word was that the pri?- Otherwise we are going to have another deluge of similarities, priced press agent was undone in the twinkling of an eye. unlike finally ducers, some of whom at least are not that which made many a movie patron, having Reviews, which might have been tempered with kindness, were, thus far against the whole matter seen several score slight variations of it, curse the day that instead, rather caustic further publicity concerning the actor ; of wide film, were getting to- “Broadway” was conceived. And college stories were given the was waste-basketed. And all because the agent happened to gether in a compromise" of the same treatment of being sent many times too many to the feel grouchy that particular morning. various new film widths and, when mill. There is another case even more flagrant. certain A woman manufacture in quantity lots got Of course, a scenario writer assigned to write about a golden Jiad just made a tremendous hit in a picture. Then she - was under way, would all be using the voice first thinks' of such a voice as proving irresistible to the negotiated for another picture, but she found no increase in same size. RKO and Fox are al- lady’s love. That’s a Hollywood natural which doubtlessly is salary offered her. turned 4 She would have down the offer had ready going into this species of hard to resist. It’s as obvious a way of selling great respect not her agent persuaded her that she would ruin her career by production, with others understood for the star’s voice to an audience as was Conan Doyle’s method so doing. She signed, and started herself on a down grade. to be ready to follow whenever of selling Sherlock Holmes’ keen mentality through the “ohs” Later she discovered that her agent had guaranteed to get her they deemed it advisable, all their and “ahs” of the somewhat dumb Dr. Watson. Humanity is for her old salary if the studio would let him also cast the equipment being practically ready. inclined to “oh” where others “oh” and to “ah” where others rfest^of the picture. Her career sacrificed was as bait for some Probably 70 mm “ah.” But before long, it looks like a good, bet now, every fat ten per cents for the agent. Present indications are that the second-rate singer in Hollywood will be given this plot as a Such examples could be given by the score, with the one standard width adopted will be vehicle, and then will come volleys of those unwelcome razz- moral outstanding—that selection of an agent is a most impor- the 70 mm. Reason for choice of ing laughs from the audience. It is a plot which should be tant matter, and one which should have the fullest investiga- the latter is that the film manu- handled as carefully as dynamite, and about as often. tion before action is taken. Inside Facts will gladly give infor- facturing companies now put out mation on the subject to any one in doubt concerning any film in the first process in the Hollywood agent. 70 width, before cutting it down to the standard 35 mm size. The producers holding out RECORD FIGURES AND WEAR against shooting on wide film have deemed it a most inopportune, mo- FILL OUT SPACES FOR NEW ment from an exhibitors' view- point to levy other equipment B. 0. IN PICTURE HOUSE WEE taxes on them. With a majority of them still under heavy in- Picture house business was on - '$1500 ALL-TIME RECORD AT MAJESTIC creased expenditure for the talkie under average with a $16,- 000 week on First National’s equipment, it was felt the further the up-and-down during the week, burden would have a decided ten- some houses doing records and “Dark Streets,” having Jack Mul- All records for the past 25 years'* 'no indication, however, as most hall and Lila Lee heading the cast dency to drive many of them com- near records others the of the support comes from the and on of or ever since the Majestic theatre pletely out of business. However, a stereotyped underworld cop- sale of season tickets. shady side of house averages. and-crook film, was built, were broken last Sat- with some going ahead with the and the usual num- Lucille La Verne at the Vine The best figures were turned in ber of vaude acts. Rudy Vallee’s urday when “The New Moon” big film, it is felt that all will St. did $4700 for her first week of by M-G-M’s “The Rogue Song” Radio Pictures’ have to join the procession, pro- vehicle, “The played- to $66.75 better than the the return engagement of “Sun- at the Chinese; M-G-M’s “Anna Vagabond vided, of course, that the big pic- Lover,” is the next best Saturday the house ever had. Up.” The show is in for an- Christie” at the Criterion, and screen feature, tures hold up to the sensation to be followed by In order to get this money in it other week, after which will be Paramount’s. “Love Parade” at Columbia’s they are expected to make. “Wall Street,” with was necessary to take off the spot- presented “The Nut Farm” by the Paramount. Ralph Ince Bound to One Co. and Aileen Pringle. light men and put them back in John Brownell. Principal among those in the Norma So those who have the interests Talmadge’s first talkie, the booth, the orchestra was The Duffy houses did their us- not-so-good class were M-G-M’s made for indes heart insofar as U.