davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana labor news., 1937-03-11
Title Insurance Racket Hit
in Pennsylvania

The real estate title insurance business.
long in the hands OF private corporations
in many states. although plainly q public
function, hos worked especial hUrdships.
through the charging Of stiff fees. upon
wage corners and others of small income
who have attempted to buy q home.
Now comes q proposal to remedy this
situation in Pennsylvania. which bids
fuir to render q real public service and
to receive serious consideration in other
states.
John B. Kelly, State Secretary Of Reve-
u for Pennsylvania, hos announced
that he will sponsor legislation designed
to reduce the cost Of real estate title in
surunce to less thdn one-fifth Of the fee
being asked by private corporations.
Under his proposed title insurance oct.
q minimum fee Of about $40 would be
established, as compared with the pres
ent minimum fee, including title search
and settlement. of SIS on property sold
for $4,000 or less. with ON additional n
and one-hdlf per cent on all over $4,000.
1t is generally recognized thdt virtually
every home buyer pays the title insur-
once fee. If the purchaser pays for his
property entirely in Gosh. he may dis
pense with title insurance it he chooses.
but few do. But if he hos to get q port
of the purchase money on MORTGAGE, the
MORTGAGE holder QlWdYs insists upon
title insurance. If q property happens
to change hdnds twice or more in the
some year, under present practice in
Pennsylvania. the title insurance com
pony cdn collect the full fee more than
once in q year; ond on q property thdt
happens to change hands often it's en-
tire value may eventually be pdid out
in title insurance. In discussing the sit
udtion in Pennsylvania. Secretary Kelly
suid:
I think the time hos come to toke
this expensive load off the backs Of
the people who buy real estate. AT
present private corporations control
this function, which is SO decidedly q
public function thdt the people Of the
Commonwealth themselves adopted
q constitutional amendment to deal
with it. Thdt was done FL years ago
lin 1885, but nothing else hos ever
been done about it.
There is no reason why titles con-
not be SO stabilized thdt compiler
tons con be permanently prevented.
The state costly dnd effectively, and
at q small cost, registers titles to auto
mobiles. 1t would save millions of
dollars in real estate transactions by
adopting q parallel system for real
estate titles"
Secretary Kelly also pointed out thot
large profits ore dccruing to private
corporations through title insurance. and
thdt. while this may not in itself be dny
major crime. it is primarily q public func-
ton which should be handled by the
public through constituted government.
He also emphasized the fact thot past
State Legislatures have ignored the
sweeping powers given in the 1915
amendment. which indicates thot the
private title concerns have welded wide
influence. Under the amendment, the
Legislature may set up new courts or
confer power on existing courts, or even
empower local Recorders Of Deeds to
Montana labor news., 1937-03-11

industrial countries where economic
activity is rapidly increasing" the
League of Nations shows. This sur
vey does not, however, explain that
countries purchasing the greatest
amount of raw materials are Ger
many, Italy and Japan, fascist and
semi-fascist nations engaged either
in aggressive warfare or wide
spread preparations for war.
Taking world trade over the long
period since 1900, we find that it in
creased rapidly until the World War
and finally reached its peak in 1929.
A steady decline during years of
crisis and depression brought it down
to a low point in 1884, when total
value was not very much more than
in 1900. Here r the figures:
Index
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

face, she prefers the cinema to
the stage.
Her reasons are simple, she
explains. She now Is reaching
an audience which could not be
touched on the stage. She de.
clares the screen Is progressing
while the stage is at a stand
still. She holds that q screen
actress requires more finesSe
than a stage actress. Lastly
she feels that film work gives
every player a far greater op.
portunity to capitalize on tai
emit than do the footlightS.
LOOP SHOW FOR ALL
Every hamlet in the nation
boasts a motion picture theater,"
Miss Oliver asserted. Twenty
wears ago the same people who
attended that little theater were
forced to drive a hundred miles
to see a mediocre road company
perform in an infrequent play,
which was three years old on
Broadway.
Nov they see the greatest
pictures as quickly as they are
released"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

After many months of training,
interspersed with appearances
in plays staged by and for the
junior players, another test is
taken to determine if the candi.
date should continue.
SMALL PERCENTAGE
The percentage of players who
survive the ordeal of the screen
test is about one in fifty. Among
such noviceS within the past
three years have been Robert
Taylor, Eleanor Powell, Judy
Garland, James Stewart, Lynne
Carver, Jean Chatburn, Buddy
Ebsen, Virginia Grey, Stanley
Morner, Edward Norris, Flor.
ence Rice, and, most recently.
Leonard Penn.
The Some percentage Of one
in fifty saved Joan Crawford
from obScurity, when she was
tested for Pretty Ladies'" and
Greta Carlo, a Swedish I'm.
known, for THE Torrent"
For his first test, Clark Gable
enacted the last scene from THE
Last Mile" the stage play that
brought him to the attention Of
film scouts.
Gladys George, for her first
screen test three years ago, en-.
acted scenes from two plays
which had brought her success
on the stage, 1.-THE Milky Way"
and queer People" Leonard
Penn, her husband, won his
Metro Goldwyn-Mayer contract
recently by presenting, with
Miss George, one Of the scenes
in her recent stage success, Per.
sonal Appearance"
Often Sneered at in the silent
days, the screen test today has
become a vital feature Of mo.
ton picture production.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

later wore in Romeo and Ju.
let" She will do it again for
her next picture, Marie An
toinette." over a period Of a
month, every day or so, William
Powell faced the screen test
camera to perfect the process
whereby he would age Is years
in eight reels of film for THE
Great ziegfeld."
For the tests to discover new
faces and personalities, to deter
mine whether successful stage
players are suitable for screen
dramas and to weigh the dra-
matte values of a scene with
players presenting the scene
weeks in advance Of the start
of the picture, more than one
million feet of film are exposed
each year. At one studio alone,
Metro oldwyn-Mayer, 100000
feet of tests are taken annually,
the equivalent Of fifty 7,000-feet
feature screen plays.
NOVICES REHEARSED
New arrivals to the screen are
rehearsed for q test for two
weeks before a camera crank Is
touched. Even then, If the test
is satisfactory, the young can
didate for screen honors us
ually waits many months for a
chance to appear in a motion
picture.
1--WE sit down with them and
discuss their problems for sew.
eral days" said the test d.
rector, Harry Bucquet. ITO
gether, we read a number Of one
set plays or scenes from pic
lures. Then we rehearSe for a
week before the test is taken"
Following a successful test,
the novice is placed in the stu.
dos school for Junior players.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

screenplay in this Victor savillO
production.
Starting with a confused in
PRODUCTION Of various threads Of
theme, the story finally gets
under way with the hero, Major
George Daviot, week.ending at
a friends country house party
and finding himself the victim
Of q plot concocted by his sub
ordinate officer, Major Bradford.
LACKS DIRECTION
Give Brook, lacking adequate
direction, offers little in the way
Of realism to the colorless role
of Daviot. Marguerite Scott and
Ann Todd (both suffering badly
on the score of unbecoming
makeup and coStuming) contrib
ute little in support. AS the
villain Gus Major Bradford,
Arthur Margetson grabs most Of
the attention, with a thorough
study of unrelieved villainy, and
Gus McNaughton and Google
Withers etch In sterotyped cock.
ney roles.
Morton Seton, as a high court
judge, contrives a replica Of his
study in a previous London
Films production as an Anglo.
Indian colonel.
BURLESQUE LAUGHS
Burlesque grabs plenty Of easy
laughs, though the affinity be-
tween high court judges and
Anglo Indian colonies is some
thing thatn set the legal fra
ternity guessing!
Writing and directorial credits
are on the debit side for this one,
and production adds no marks to
the prestige balance at Denham.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21


She couldn't refuse an attrac'
tive offer which placed her IN
The Saturday Night Kid" and
Half Shot at Sunrise" How.
ever. desert locations in the west
so Wilted her spirit and kept
her busy with ice packs, sne
failed to note the fine points
which now recommend the
movies to her.
IN SHOW BOAT"
She wired her agent: "Get
me back East or cut my throat"
She returned to the stage as
mistress Of the good ship ''show
Boat" Laryngitis terminated
her reign and despite Ziegfeld's
one thousand and one wires,
she was forced to give up the
part.
She came back to Hollywood
where she rapidly rose on her
peppery personality.
Now she has very definite
ideas Of the theater and the
screen. Doing q complete about
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
How FiImIond
Money Goes

CONTINUED from Cover Page)
trical machinery, plumbing, rub
Der and plaster.
The expenditures for fabrics
and makeup materials runs very
high.
WALL BOARD WIDELY USED
In this connection 1t is Of In
terest to note that motion pic
ture making consumes nearly
40 per cent of the nations output
Of q certain class Of specially
treated synthetic wall boards.
Another indicative item is the
large consumption Of old rope
for plaster reinforcement. A
plant in San Pedro acquires all
the second hand cordage Of the
vast shipping Of the Pacific
Coast to make this material for
the film sets.
TAXES CUT DEEP
You will note that one-fourth
of the production cost, $3.50, 900,
is for the employment Of a cast.
It is reasonable to assume that
about 100000 of that goes into
star salaries that pay Federal
income taxes up to and in ex.
cess of so per cent. It is q safe
assumption that Uncle Sam
cuts in on at least 10 per cent
Of the motion picture million
from this angle alone.
Not every picture made In
Hollywood costs a million. A
larger part Of them are made
on a lesser budget. It is not al
ways necessary to spend q for.
tune to get good picture. Some
of the best have been compare.
lively cheaply made.
THEY GET BETTER
But whether Hollywood spends
a million or one-fifth Of that
sum, the pictures the industry
turns out, in my humble opinion.
are getting better and better.
I have often been amazed by the
entertainment value that good
acting, good staging and expert
direction can pack into a thread
bare story.
am convinced that the mod
ern Hollywood has a keen ap-
probation of artistic and dra-
matte values and the day when
the So-called intelligentSia could
sheer at the movies has def.
nitely passed. j. w. B.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
By OTIS WILES

63O11yWOOu HOS d pOS6y u111IS
He Is a heartless ogre whom
everybody fears. He has stood
in the way of thousands Of hope
full youngsters and sent them
plodding hopelessly back to their
homes, to face futures that
seemed to hold nothing but de-
spair.
A few have conquered the
DOGGY man. Robert Taylor was
one. Luise Rainier was another,
and so was Shirley Temple.
His name is Screen Test.
A HARD BARRIER
The screen test is the most
formidable barrier on the first
mile of the road to success in
Hollywood. Primarily, for the
high and the low, the tiresome
route Of the screen test must be
travelled completely before the
first scene Of a motion picture
is taken. None escape 1t.
The talent scout who found
Robert Taylor playing Captain
Stanhope in Journeys End" at
Pomona College, was not the
one that put Taylor across. It
was Taylor's screen test that did
the trick.
Nor Is the screen test con-
fined to testing new prospective
talent for the screen. Every
star and every important player
must submit to screen tests be-
fore they are finally cast in each
Of their pictures. Nor is there
just one test. The screen tests
include acting tests, makeup
tests, wardrobe tests.
TWO!WEEK TEST
Norma Shearer, first lady Of
the screen. spent two weeks in
screen.testing every costume she
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
ORIGINAL IDEA

pose OF GAp1O1G1uB n 11cW 1OC6 III
musicals and cinema entertain.
ment.
ORIGINAL IDEA
Wanger's original idea was ex-
cellent, but the execution doesn't
strike the terrific note intended.
In its present form, which this
writer considers tremendously
over-length, the film contains
the loveliest color effects put
on the screen to date. The set
tings are gorgeous, extravaganza
and hit a sensational stride.
Still, all this beauty is dimmed
by an often trite yarn and q
slowneSS that is decidedly drab,
both Of which, however, could
almost be completely eliminated
by adroit editing and the chop
ping out of many an unneces.
Sary scene and act.
For instance, the gowns, jewels
and furS displayed in the earlier
portion Of the production are
far superior to the climax. The
modelS-most Of them, at least
are particularly beautiful, many
receiving applause upon their
appearance.
The acts, however, are not
up to the standard Of the
remainder Of the picture.
George Taps, an especially
clever dancer; Gloria Gilbert,
top-like spinning toe dancer:
the Four Hot Shots and Rocco
and Saulter are splendid. But
the Where Brothers are not
funny and take up far too much
time.
BAXTER EXCELLENT
Warner Baxter does excel
lently as the he.man type Of
fashion dictator, while Helen
Vinson, Mischa Auer, Alan Now
bray, Jerome Cowan, Charlie
williams, Marjorie Gateson, Dor
othy McNulty, Hedda Hopper
and others turn in neat per-
formanceS.
Wanger has made a lavish
and important gesture toward
the advancement of color, and
he's done something the femi-
nine side of the audience will
rave oyer-a gorgeous fashion
show.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

the silent
movies aside
and into dis
card.
s e ! Znick's
"A s ar Is
B orn" W a s
tn e frs t
really impor-
tant modern
y "a IL AA SS4S4
w a n ger de-
sign e d his
"V og u e S Of
1885," a Law
ish t a S hion
modern dis
an ultr a.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
ION Such a Nigh"
RGting-FGir
Paramount

The Mississippi flood Of last
spring is here used to good effect
for a program thriller that will
give above-average support. The
flood itself, as dams and levees
60 out and it overwhelms a
Louisiana plantation home at
night, is the chief and most in
teresting character.
The story, which has three
authors and two scripters, is a
synthetic affair concocted with
familiar elements of somewhat
incongruous character to give
Old Man River his spectacular
chance. It's enactment is, on
the whole, undistinguished,
though excellent players are en-
ployed and the direction Of E.
A. Dupont makes the most Of
every opportunity.
SPLENDID PHOTOGRAPHY
High credit goes to Charles
Schoenbaum for photography Of
the flood scenes, to Fred Jack
man for special effects, and to
the technical staff for the han
ding Of the waters.
The story is chiefly concerned
with a feud between two crooks.
The always sinister Eduardo
Cianelli is railroading to the
chair for a murder he himself
committed, his former partner,
the likeable young Grant Rich
ards, who has gone straight and
is happily married to Karen
Morley. Richards escapes and
the rest is a long chase through
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
CORN Is Rehearsal
Fresh Air Fiend

HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Aug. 81.
Charles Igor CORN, Metro Gold.
win-Mayer opera singer, re-
hearsed the song he sings in
Broadway Melody Of 1882
outdoors. Outdoor singing, he
believes, improves the reSonancy
Of the voice.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
7 one Popcorn Too
Much Tone to Mike

HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Aug. 81.
Soundman Norwood Fenton
complained Of a strange noise,
while Joan Crawford was re-
hearSing a scene for Metro
Goldwyn-Mayer's THE Bride
Wore Red"
A check revealed that Fran
chot Tone was eating popcorn
near the microphone.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
Wife Polo Opponent,
Tracv's Waterloo

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 21.-Vir-
Spencer Tracy and Mrs. Tracy
competed in mixed polo game
at the Riviera Country Club, the
other day. The ro-Goldwyn-
Mayer stars wife, who is rated
one of the finest woman poloistS
in the country, rode through
Spencer to score two goals.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

the flood region, with scenes IN
a Red Cross rescue camp and
in and around the old mansion.
MOWBRAY EFFECTIVE
Most effective in support is
Alan Mowbray as an itinerant
magician, spouting flowery
speeches. With him is the
sprightly little French Mill
Monti, while Roscoe Harms as
an implacable newshound trails
behind for helpful plot service.
Robert McWade surprises as
a typical Southern colonel, and
Esther Dale as his hospitable
sister manages a realistic group
of colored servants that includes
Eta Mcdaniel, Eddie Anderson,
Bernice Pilot and Lew Payton.
Small parts are competently
filled by John Alexander, John
Wray, Frank Reicher. Jim Mar
Gus, Ruth Robinson, Paul Fix
and PhiIo Mccullough.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
Edna Nay Oliver Loses Her
Yen For Stage, Content
In FiImIond

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 81 (IN.s)-Edna May Oliver, the
coincidence with the scaaor voice. has desire to return
10 the stage where she spent 30 years as an extra and three
years star.
She is satisfied with Hollywood and the movies
After catapung to fame in "Crade Snachers and rising
even higher as Partly Ann Hawks in zegelds how Boat
She disdaned the motion picture Like many stage stars
she rather looked down her the infant industry which
Thespians of the boards wont to call egmate Off
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
|PREVIEWS OF NEWLY-MADE PICTURES
"Voques Of 1888"
Rating: Good

Along with David o. Selznick,
Walter Wanger has long be-
neved that technicolor films
would soon replace the black
and white just as talkieS pushed
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
Aoain GIorified

HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Aug. II.
GINA Grey, featured in Rosa
lie," was selected as the most
beautiful show girl in The Great
Ziegfeld," by the other beauties.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21
For SANDER
RGting-Poor
United Artists

Mary Borden's novel, based
on the internationally famous
card cheating scandal, becomes
a curiously inconSequential
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

THE NEW SEASON productions by Brothers are i've tive Which
Gloria Holden in The Life Of Emile zo center above are Bette Davis paws and Henry
After lower left Miss Bond Back in crcu
whoa
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-21

play Of color, Tor the sole pur'
pose Of exploiting a new idea in
musicals and cinema entertain.
ment.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-05-07
Y. M. C.. A. NEWS
EAST MADISON BRANCH

The senior Softball team under
the leadership Of Haskell Camp
bell won its first game last We'd
nesday, defeating the Northwest
Y.M.C.A. Branch by the score of
20 to 1. Looks as If the team will
really go places this season.
The Friendly Indian Club led by
Charles Coleman held its first reg
ular meeting last Saturday which
was well attended. Meetings win be
held every Saturday at 400 p. m.
Boys under Is take notice.
with the delivery of very fine
set of assorted tools, gift from
the Seattle Junior Chamber of
Commerce, the Hobby Shop OPEN
ed last Wednesday with a bang.
With plenty of plywood and tools
available we invite all boys to
come in and try their skill at MAX
ing something. The Volley Ball
court will be opened for play Mon
day, May 10. Men over 25 desir-
ing to play win be given a special
hour in the evenings.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-05-07
Y. W. c. A. NEWS

Sunday, May 9th, at 500 o'clock
the Business and Industrial Girls
will have charge of the Vesper
Services. They have as their speak
err DR.. William Pickens executive
of the Branch work of the MA.
c. d.
The high school Girl Reserves
win have their Annual Mother
Daughter dinner at the branch z.
W.C.A., Friday, at 7 o'clock. The
speaker for the evening viii be
Rev. Fred H. Hughes. Miss Jerry
Hunt, the president of the club,
will present the Toast to the
Mothers; Miss Janice Burton, the
Welcome. The music will be in
charge of Miss Alice Dhue.
The Girl Reserves committee will
have charge of the dinner and will
serve the girls. Those on the COM
mittee consist Of: Mrs. Geo. Tay-
lor, chairman; Mrs. S. Valley Mrs.
Roy Harvey, Mrs. Orabelle jack
son, assisted by Mrs. Eva Jones,
Mrs. Clara Frazier and Irene Alex
ander.
The Phyllis Wheatley Y.W.c.A,
will be represented by the Com
munity Fund Exhibit to be held at
the Eagles Auditorium, May 9Th,
7th and 9Th.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-05-07
With The Churches
aRACE PREsBYTERIAN

A candle-lighting servtcc in re-
membrance Of Mrs. Annie Oliver
will be a symbolical ind memorial
part Of tho Mothers Day program
at 8 o'clock the evening OF May 9.
PENTECOsTAL TEMPLE
A special service Is being ar
ranged for Mothers Day at the
Temple, 1eth and Fir. Bishop Nor
ris viii preach demonstrated ser
mon from the book of Ruth, 1st
chapter, 10th verse: Interest me
not to leave thee or to return from
following after thee for whittier
thou goest ! will go and where
thou lodge win lodge, they peo-
pie shall be my people and thy
God my God" The sermon will be
demonstrated by three persons be-
sides the speaker. Come early
that you may secure a seat as a
packed house is expected. Sister
Blanche L. CASTOR. the district
Sunday School Superintendent, is
to make an official visit to the
Seattle Sunday School, Sunday at
10 a. m. She hopes to see the par
ents and friends of the pupils pre-
sent as she has something inter-
esting to all.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-05-07
EDITORIAL
Mothers Day

Another annual observance the nations motherhood
brings sharply mind the fact that mannds best friend
and pal will have her day Of observance May this year
goes without undue emphasis that whoever said Moth
ers Day falls 365 days of the year absolutely right
No better example Of enlightenment endearment
loved be brought forward than the standard set by
mothers the world over
Although requests for their attention from all sides
legion and their work completed yet it is tribute
worthy Of note that the nation of the endea
ing qualities of mothers everywhere.
Mothers in most instances do not expect and seldom
their just share of praise and reward for worthwhile
performed down through the years But they take
consolation the fact that today centuries ago. the old
saying that he hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
still holds true