Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-06
Flashes From the Screen
News and Comment of the Picture World
by c. E. NELSON

quota was too large, and that
their industry was in urgent need
of increased protection if it were
10 survive. They strengthened
the quota to four-to-one, in spite
of the complaints of the Ameri-
can producers. The French dis
tribution of American pictures
came to a StandStill, and the
shortage of product in the French
theaterS soon became apparent.
With only French, German and
British pictures to show, audi
ences declined to visit the box
offices. A picture famine spread
over the land. The controversy
was expensive, but the French
have decided to make a change.
Chariot" Chaplin will once again
become the favorite cinema actor
of the French photoplay theatcrs.
x * X
"RIO RITA" is opening in New
York today. Bebe Daniels is
making her debut as. a talking
actress, and the picture is ex-
pected to be one of the big fea-
lures of the season. The Cali
fornia ranch of Edgar Rice Bur-
roughS, writer of the "Tarzan"
stories, was used for the back
ground of the story, and more
than 800 players take part. There
are go girls in the chorus, and
$4,000 was spent on the Cafe
EStaban scene.
A feature of the opening will be
the remote control" of sound.
This control will be operated from
the auditorium and the projec-
tionists will net be bothered with
the usual signals. The man in the
auditorium will be able to raise
or lower the volume independent
of the projectionist's booth.
x Il X x
is
AVA releasing four new talking
pictures this month. They are
"Hallelujah." with all-Negro cast;
Marianne" 1.-The Mysterious Is
land" and 1.-The Thirteenth Chair"
Marianne" is already playing an
engagement in Los Angeles, and
"Hallelujah" has been drawing
New York crowds at the two
dollar-top. THE Mysterious Is
land" is a natural color which re-
quired two years in the making
and has an all-Star cast, includ-
ing Lionel Barrymore, Jane Daily,
Lloyd Hughes. Harry Gribbon and
Montagu Love. Conrad Nagel,
Leila HyamS, Holmes Herbert and
Cyril Chadwick have parts in
the mystery drama, The Thir-
teenth Chair" which was written
for the stage by Bayard WELLER.
ROSTON is up against it. There
is a city ordinance which pro-
hibits vaudeville acts with dane
ing. Now, how does that affect
the screen productions showing
dancing acts? The motion pic
ture men are hoping for more
liberal Interpretation of the ordi-
nance, which will allow them to
show film dances.
A State law of Massachusetts,
provides that any picture exhib-
tied on Sunday must be approved
by the censors for Sunday show
ing. And, as result, the censors
are very busy. They are attempt
ing to have a movie theater in
stalled in the State House, where
they may view productions before
they are passed on to the
theaters.
Short Flashes.
A LF'RED GREEN is directing
John Barrymore in THE
Man." Warner Brothers produc-
ton. No cast announcements
have been made.
Marion Davies has the starring
role in "Dulcy," which is being
by King Vidor. Elliott
Lowell Sherman, Lois Moran,
Louise Dresser, Hobart BosWorth,
Noah Berry. Tully Marshall,
Lewis and Jack Curtis
have parts in the new Al Jolson
picture, Nanny"
THE Vagabond King" has been
filmed in Technicolor. Dennis
King, who starred in the stage
production, has the leading role
In the film version.
Laura La Plante and John
Boles co-starred in "Marseillaise,"
a Universal picture.
Joseph Schildkraut and Barbara
Kent are working in "Deadline,"
a newspaper story. The star plays
the part of a young reporter.
Ann Pennington has the lead
ing role in Might Club Baby"
which will be directed by Larry
Ceballos.
Have you forgotten Francis x.
Well. he is to portray
a heavy romantic in "The Dude
He recently COM
pleted talking picture for Pick
wick Productions. ...
Ben Lyon will not play opposite
Bebe Daniels after all. RKO has
agreed to cancel his contract so
he may complete work in "Hell's
!
Blanche Sweet has been signed
by Warner Brothers to play the
leading role in always Faithful"
a Vitaphone short feature.
Lenore Uric has started work
in South Sea Rose" for Fox
Charles Bickford has the male