Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12

AL JOLSON will not abandon the
- stage. but he has signed long
term contract to work in pictures Tor
Warner Bros. John Barrymore is said
to be negotiating with the same firm for
his appearance in sound pictures.
II is reported by Film Daily that
sound and color pictures are to be made
of the Wagnerian ring" operas which
are to be presented in this country In
January by the German Grand OPP
era Co.
A cablegram from Berlin states that
Karl Grune, directing for Emelka, is 10
make a German screen version OF the
Battle of Waterloo.
Alfred Hitchcock. an English producer,
is to make a screen version oil tne HAN
Game story. The Manxman." an Amer
lean version of which was mace some
time ago.
Texas enterprise is reflected in the re.
cent action of the Jefferson Amusement
Co. of Beaumont, Tex. In delegating 80
girls TO make q house clubhouse survey
Of picture patrons preferences.
Merchants OF Columbus, Mo. are lin
ing I'D against the organized efforts OF
the ministers Of that place to close tne
motion picture houses on Sunday, De
cause it makes the patrons go TO Jefer-
son City and takes trade away from Co
lumbus. The voters are going to vote
on the question very soon, the report
states.
Mary INLAY TayIor's novel. THE Can
die in the Wind" Is TO be put upon the
screen under the title Conquest ny
Warner Bros, with Monte Blue. Lois
Wilson, II. B. Warner, Edmund Breese.
Tully Marshall and Holmes Herbert In
the cast.
Two screen players want 10 change
their names and have taken action
looking thereto, IL Is said. Dolores
Asunsolo Martinez Del Rio wants TO be
called Dolores Del Rio. and Isabelle
Stei1el Of Universal wants TO be known
as BETSY Lee. There are many like
them, and not all screen players.
Universal has changed the title Of
Mary Philbin's picture. which was made
under the working titles Salvage" and
Forbidden Love-" to Port OF Dreams.
Richard A. Rowland. who recently re-
signed as general and production man
ager of First Natiopal, in statement
printed in Film Daily. the movie Brad
street. says his resignation Is the Gull
mination of a decision reached two years
ago: that Joseph P. Kennedy. who has
now taken over the supervisory manage
ment of the corporation, requested him
to remain, but that after practically 30
wears of motion pictures he is anxious
to get away from the trials and tribula-
lions of production and to have more
time for himself.
And now comes Hal Roach, the IA
nous screen comedian, speaking on
sound, especially In two-reel comedies.
| Here's what he says. briefly quoted:
Music scores synchronized? Yes. Dia-
logue? Wait a minute. Every comedy
we ship is clicked for so laughs. other
wise we don't ship Dialogue retards
action? Righto And lack of action
retards use of gags? Righto again. 1t
means less opportunity for laughs.
And that's that.
The question OF color in pictures
seems to be the next big thing to en-
gross the attention of the movie pro-
Queer There Is much discussion on the
subject in all quarters just now.
With the average of receipts between
500, 900 and $l25,0 900 a week for three
weeks. 1t Is reported, the Roxy Cathedrai
of the Motion Picture in New York de-
cided to hold over The Street Angel"
for a fourth week. indicating thereby
that THE Street Angel. is good box
Office attraction, whatever else 1t may
be-
The installation of equipment for
sound pictures has been slowed up a
bit according to news item in Film
Daily because there is tilt on between
the electricians union and the Inter-
national Alliance OF Theatrical Stage
Employees and Motion Picture Opera
tors as to which should have charge OF
the installations.
It is reported that Earl Derr Biggers
story, Behind That Curtain" is to be
the first Fox picture with complete dia-
logue; that Gertrude Lawrence, the
English musical comedy star. will be
its star. and that Raoul A. Walsh will
direct the picture. Miss Lawrence has
Just completed Early Mourning" as
Fox Movietone entertainment.
Merit will tell Al and Ray Rocket
Mrs. Wilson-G-eene's Concerts
season Iaes-s9