This Week in History - Apr 9 to 15

Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.

1929:

‘It’ Grows Stale: With the ‘It’ trade mark wearing out its usefulness for Clara Bow, Paramount press agents are trying to coin new emblems to identify the gal. Some of the suggestions that have already reached print are: ‘The Brooklyn Bonfire’, ‘Million Candle Power Girl’, ‘God’s Gift to Tired Business Men’ and other hot box-office titles.

Stalling Talkers: Jack Warner has found that the wear on his nervous system answering questions when visiting or dining out is eased up considerably through the distribution of printed cards. According to the tenor of conversationalists, the chief of Warner studios slips over the reply. On reads: “Who is double-crossing you now?” Another says in type: “Go to our theatre if you want to hear people talking pictures.”

The head of the family, Jack Warner

Way Out of Sync: Audience at the opening night of Noah’s Ark at Chicago, went into roars of laughter when the synchronisation went wrong during a tough argument between George O’Brien and Big Boy Williams. Instead of the husky voice of Williams, came the the soft tons of Dolores Costello saying, ‘He said to kiss me again for France.”

A scene from Noah's Art

Paramount Denies Eagels’ Strife: Jealousy resumed production on April 4 after an enforced layoff. Studio denies Jeanne Eagels walked off the set as reported in the dallies or that there was any temperamental break between Paramount and Miss Eagels. She was ill and, moreover, her leading man, Anthony Bushnell, under a term contract, was also ill and was away two days longer than Miss Eagles. Jealousy will be finished on April 13, one week behind schedule. (I bet the rumour-mongers felt guilty when Jeanne Eagles died six months later with Jealousy her last picture).  

Jeanne Eagels in Jealousy 

1930:

Making the Weight: Biggest market for weighing scales is Hollywood. Hardly a home there without a scale. First National has even gone to the extent of analysing what weight would best suit its actors and latter are accordingly advised or ordered. Weight is based according to particular roles but in this manner an actor or actress gets first hand info without argument.

Busby Berkeley measuring chorus girls

Buster Keaton say he mastered a vocabulary of 1,000 words in three days but forgets what they were.

Fifi Pleads ‘Slavery’ on Constitution of US: Fifi D’Orsay is invoking the Constitution of the US and asking the Los Angeles courts to liberate her from a contract with Lyons & Lyons agents on the grounds of ‘slavery’. The complaint filed is a kickback to the suit brought by the agent against her on her contract with Fox. The Constitution states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude except as punishment for crimes of the party who shall have been duly convicted shall exit in the United States.” The agent has responded by commenting that it is “promiscuous” and “laughable”.   

Don't mess with Fifi

Manager Shoots Wife in Leg: Peter Brill, former manager of the Majestic in Indiana, shot his 17-years-old wife in the leg and killed himself in a hotel room. The actress wife was taken to hospital. Her condition is not serious. 

1931:

Scandalous Reports on MacDonald All False: Though reported in Variety as on her way from New York to Los Angeles, Jeannette MacDonald received columns of local front page and unsavoury publicity as the heroine of a drama supposed to have taken place in Italy. Story, for which the whole press fell, is that she had had an affair with the Italian hereditary prince, whose wife, Princess Marie Jose of Belgium, was supposed to have shot. Miss MacDonald dead in a fit of jealousy, ordering the body to be disposed of secretly. 

Jeannette MacDonald

Roth Marries Despite Grief Over Fiance’s Death: Lillian Roth was married on April 11 to William C. Scott, non-pro from Pittsburgh. Bride gave her age as 22 and the groom as 24. The announcement comes a short while after the death of her reported former fiancé, Herbert Oshins, which occurred in January. At the time of his death, Miss Roth went into hysterics. She carried on outwardly in a most noticeable fashion. 

Lillian Ross

When script of Five Star Final was completed, one of the Warners execs discovered there was a character named Luella, a rough newspaper woman. Luella immediately became Kitty.

1932:

Tyrone Power Set: Tyrone Power has been set for his first picture. He goes into Brown of Culver at Universal. He is 18.

Young Tyrone Power

Chico Marx’s Auto Wreck: Chico Marx’s car got tangled with another in Los Angeles on April 9 and the comedian was taken to the hospital with a dislocated kneecap and chest injuries. It is anticipated that he will be discharged in about a week. Meanwhile Paramount is continuing production on Horse Feathers with the other three Marxs, holding Chico’s sequences for his recovery.

Chico Marx

The Mayor Helps: The Strand to advertise The Crowd Roars required the help of the mayor and police department. House advertised for several days that the theatre was to stage a junior automobile sweepstakes for children with the motive power their sturdy legs. Eight children, the oldest eight, entered the contest. The race started at State and Pearl streets, after the police cleared the main street. Mayor Thacher started the youngsters off. 

Liquor and Meds Start Agitation Anew: Fearing that drinking scenes in pictures might prove an argument against prohibition, bone drys throughout the country are petitioning censor boards demanding an absolute ban on pictures showing liquor, drinking scenes or mention of wetness. Revived agitation is reported to have arisen following release of The Wet Parade, though in that picture reformers find something to cheer about. Most of the petitions come from rural districts where the pluggers have sold the idea that Hollywood producers are trying to encourage drinking by glorifying it.

A scene from Wet Parade (1932)

1933:

Answering the $500,000 suit against him and three others by Jack Montgomery, on behalf of Baby Peggy Montgomery, Norman Sper alleges he has no information or belief that Montgomery is the father of Baby Peggy, as set forth in the suit. All other charges are denied.

The very cute Baby Peggy

Nils Asther played only one day in Metro’s Dinner at Eight, when he was replaced by Edmund Lowe, studio deciding he was a better type for the part.

Garbo’s Alias: When a Swedish steamer put into Antwerp on Monday, Mlle. Gustavson went ashore for a couple of days wandering about the city visiting its art museums and galleries and port. Only when the steamer left to continue her voyage to San Francisco did Antwerp citizens learn that Mlle. Gustavson was Greta Garbo.  

Miriam Hopkins Broken Ankle Stalls Strangers: Metro has postponed Strangers Return from April 17 to May 1. Reason given is that Miriam Hopkins broke her ankle. In the meantime, Phil Strong, author of the story, will be brought on lot to revise script, aided by King Vidor, who will direct. 

1934: 

Hazel Forbes, blonde heiress, will make her screen debut. She has been signed for a role in Down to the Last Yacht, musical extravaganza. Miss Forbes joins a cast that includes Sidney Fox, Ned Sparks, Sidney Blackmer and Mary Boland.

The young Hazel Forbes

Contrary to the general belief, Greta Garbo, uses less make-up than any star in pictures. Only a slight tinge of greasepaint covered by light powder is her entire facial makeup.

Raquel Torres and Stephen Ames (former husband of Adrienne Ames) are to be married within the next two weeks, according to present plans.

Mr and Mrs Stephen Ames

Lilyan Tashman Left $31,000: Lilyan Tashman, who died last month in New York, left an estate of about $31,000, mostly cash and bonds, according to a petition of letters for administration filed by her husband, Edmund Lowe. Miss Tashman left no will.

Lilyan and Edmund during happier times

This Week in History - Apr 2 to 8

Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.

1929:

Parsons’ Chatter Causes Carroll Annoyance: Clipping from the syndicated chatter column of Louella Parsons brought about issuance of a subpoena and embarrassment for Nancy Carroll. Myrtle Sisson, prosecuting a wage claim for her son, claimed Miss Carroll owned a confectionary store and had discharged her son without paying back salary. Miss Carroll has said that she is not connected with the store other than through her husband, Jack Kirkland, who owned an inactive interest. When Mrs Sisson was called to give evidence, she flashed a clipping from the chatter writer’s column which listed Miss Carroll as store owned. The case was dismissed. 

Jack Kirkland and Nancy Carroll

Another Hollywood Gag: Youthful screen actor playing up to feminine lead - “Maybe I can’t kiss you like Novarro, or hug you like Gilbert, but I can bite you like Rin-Tin-Tin.”

Jean Arthur’s car impounded by police for failure to procure 1929 licence plates, despite protests by her mother that actress was working day and night and did not have time to procure new ones.

A young Jean Arthur

1930:

Scarface Al as Actor: It is seriously stated by First National an offer to ‘Scarface Al’ Capone, Chicago beer baron, to appear in Widow From Chicago, Alice White’s next picture, has been made. Figure it’s good publicity.

The almost picture star, Al Capone

WAMPAS Names Turned Down: WAMPAS’ intention to elect 13 Baby Stars again this year was over-ruled after candidates for nomination had been selected. Claim made is that list was not representative and that many of the baby stars were already too well established. Those mentioned include: Marjorie White, Fifi Dorsay, Mona Maris, Dixie Lee, Maureen O’Sullivan, Marguerite Churchill, Marion Schilling, Kay Francis, Lillian Roth, Claudia Dell, Lottie Loder, Dorothy Jordan, Raquel Torres, Una Merkel, Kathryn Crawford, Bernice Claire, June Clyde, Phyllis Crane, Jean Harlow, Pert Kelton, Lenore Landry and Marion Byron. Election is off. No WAMPAS for 1930!

Miss Shearer off of Screen?: Norma Shearer, one of the ranking stars of MGM for several years is out. Her contract is not being renewed and there are no further options. Her contract which has just expired was dated March 1925. Whether Miss Shearer is retiring from the screen to settle down to home life is not known inside MGM circles, although that is the assumption.

Irving Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer

Bennett Makes Ex Give Up: Joan Bennett got the local court’s okay on her suit for $50 per month support for their child from ex-husband J.M. Fox, now married again to a Seattle woman. Joan avowed she did not need the coin but battled for principle that father should pay.

1931:

A promo for The Royal Bed aka
Queen's Husbands

Sex Angle Buried with Title Change: Effort to play down sex angle and play up the comedy resulted in selling Royal Bed in Oregon as Queen’s Husbands. Latter is the original title of the book. The new title is thought to be better known and also to admit bright comedy appeal and exploitation. Royal Bed was ditched as admitting little exploitation possibility. This is the first local instance for some time of playing down sex angel for b.o. reasons.

Lewis J. Warner Dies at 23: Business boy of much personal charm impressed entire Warner staff by ability. Lewis J. Warner, 23, son of Harry M. Warner, succumbed to double pneumonia on April 4 in New York. Young Warner’s death is directly traceable to a tooth extraction which had performed against his dentist’s advice prior to taking his first vacation in a couple of years. On the way to Havana, he was stricken with septic poisoning. The struggle to save the youngest of the active Warners was waged valiantly by Lewis but he succumbed to his illnesses. 

Polly Moran Banged Up: Polly Moran was taken to the Hollywood hospital Sunday (April 5) with a broken nose, two shiners and a cut on her head. Hospital record states Miss Moran fell down the stairs of her Santa Monica Beach house. Another less pacific version of the affair is reported without foundation. Miss Moran was due to go to work this week on Marie and Polly on Politics with Marie Dressler. Start of picture is postponed pending her recovery.

Polly Moran

1932:

Metro Irked by Gable Ballyhoo on Polly: Exhibitors billing Clark Gable as the unofficial star of Polly of the Circus has been creating quite a bit of protest around MGM. Indie exhibs often starred Gable alone, leaving the player of the title role, Marion Davies, to be guessed at.

No Divorce for George: Mrs George Jessel has made a condition that may block any chance of a marriage between her husband and Norma Talmadge. Mrs Jessel has said she will not consent to a divorce until she can sue her husband and name a correspondent. Jessel is supposed to have made and emphatic refusal after hearing the name his wife wished to mention. Miss Talmadge has not yet started the agreed upon divorce suit against Jos. Schenck. They were married about 16-years-ago. The Jessel’s have been twice married. Mrs Jessel is the former Florence Courtney of the Courtney Sisters. They remarried followed a divorce procured after a prolonged separation. 

George and Florence during happier times

Photo of Home Driving Dietrich to New One: Reason why the names endeavour to keep their addresses and telephones a secret was manifest by Marlene Dietrich’s recent experiences. As a sideline to the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, a local paper ran a story on the precautions being taken by colony members against any similar abduction of their children. Picture was run showing Miss Dietrich’s home, with windows barred and the address was given. Since then an average of 60 telegrams a day have been received by the star from salesman and racketeers trying to interest her in every bargain and money-making scheme. More than this number called at the home with similar propositions while hundreds of others have paid visits to the home to get a look at the player in person. She is now looking for another house. 

1933:

Hooker Title Banned: Hays office has ordered Fox to get a new tag for Sandy Hooker, a Clara Bow picture. Studio has requested suggestions from employees.

Only $200,000: H. G. Wells has notified studios that he has an original idea for a picture which he will sell for $200,000. He requests studios interested, through his agent, to send one to England to discuss his idea.

Dressler Quite Ill: Strong probability Marie Dressler will be unable to play in Tugboat Annie and The Late Christopher Bean. Since her return from New York following her operation, she has been far from strong but insisted upon going into Dinner at Eight, now in production. Current opinion is that the strain of working in this feature will necessitate an indefinite vacation.

1934:

Rothschild Smashes Boston: In the face of a torrential downpour, House of Rothschild broke all roadshow records on its opening at Boston. Advance sale is big and the picture will run two-a-day indefinitely.

Richard Barthelmess, sent to bed by the doctor due to an abscessed ear, is expected back Wednesday at First National to resume his role in The Old Doll’s House.

Seven of the beauties brought out here by Earl Carroll for Paramount’s screen version of Murder at the Vanities are remaining in Hollywood. They are Ruth Hilliard, Wanda Perry, Anya Taranda, Beryl Wallace, Ernestine Anderson, Constance Jordan and Dorothy Dawes.

All WAMPAS Stars in Paramount Picture: Entire group of 13 WAMPAS Baby Stars have been signed for Paramount production, Kiss and Make-Up. The group includes Jacqueline Wells, Katherine Williams, Gigi Parrish, Lu Ann Meredith, Lucille Lund, Ann Hovey, Hazel Hayes, Jean Gale, Dorothy Drake, Helene Cohn, Jean Carmen, Betty Brysen and Judith Arlen. Cast of the picture is headed by Cary Grant and Helen Mack.

The 1934 WAMPAS Baby Stars

This Week in History - Mar 26 to Apr 1

Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.

1929:

Court Limb Exhib in Masseuse Case: Mae Murray will have to shell out $2,000 just because Alice White has pretty legs. No sooner had Miss White exhibited her undraped extremities to the judge and courtroom, than the jurist handed down a decision awarding Sylvia Ulbach, masseuse, judgement against Miss Murray. Masseuse sued the actress after Miss Murray discharged her “because she had called Miss Murray’s husband a bum”. Miss Murray declared her blue-blooded husband was a gentlemen and denied ever discharging her and borrowing money from Ulbach. The masseuse brought Miss White into court as a living example of her art. The object of the testimony was to show in court that Miss Ulbach had done wonders for her legs.   

Doug Fairbanks going in for aeronautics. Now figuring on building a landing field at Pickfair.

Joan Crawford threw a confidential birthday party with only the immediate family as guests.

Director Jack Conway, left, celebrates Joan's birthday on the set of 1929's 'Our Dancing Daughters'

Sounds Piquant: With bathing season getting started along the California beaches, annual police censorship is on. At one beach, Mary Wilson (23), was first to run afoul of a beach cooper. She was picked up on a charge of wearing an ‘immodest’ costume, which consisted of a tight-fitting suit of extreme cut, backless to a point below the waistline and with portions of the front and sides cut out.

1930:

Handling Ben-Hur: In re-making Ben-Hur, Metro will retain all the spectacular stuff as is, merely synchronizing with sound. Song dialog sequences will be entirely new. One of the original principals, Richard Currier, is now dead, a complication. Metro also has to arrange to get the dialog rights for the old play.

Ramon Novarro in the 1925 version of Ben Hur

Warner Oland can’t play golf. He let his fingernails grow for Fu Machu.

Penny Rollers Go Ga-Ga for Wild Beast Revivals: Success of Ingagi, African wild animal picture on its initial showing at San Diego, has sent a flock of promoters on the hustle for any sort of wild animal films. Every film library in town is being canvassed by the promoters in an attempt to get something which sound can be dubbed into. One owner of a six reel animal picture which was made in India in 1924 was offered $10,000 for the negative.

A scene from the popular film, Ingagi 

1931:

June MacCloy’s Home Life, As Per Husband: June MacCloy was made defendant in a suit for divorce filed by Wilbur Guethlein, traveling rep for RKO. She is charged with neglect and cruelty, the husband alleging that she refused to live with him, informing him that she preferred her freedom. Also accused of having an ungovernable temper. They were married in 1929.

June MacCloy sitting on Groucho Marx's lap

Baby Born to Baclanova: Olga Baclanova off the screen for several months for motherhood purposes is expected to go back with a Metro contract.

Davies Sore Over Claire’s Role: Marion Davies is raising ructions, claiming she was promised her the role in Greeks Had a Word For It but that Samuel Goldwyn announces Ina Claire for the play. Goldwyn denies she was ever offered the role.

Ina Claire as she appeared in Greeks Had a Word For It

Ames’ Test: Samuel Goldwyn is testing Adrienne Ames, New York society girl. She has never been on the stage. The potential actress’ husband is Stephen Ames, wealthy Wall Street broker.

1932:

Klan Won’t Let Warner’s Film Nude ‘White Trash’: Rewrites on several sequences in Cabin in the Cotton has been made necessary through influence of the Ku Klux Klan. Company dispatched a camera crew and assistant director to Mississippi to photograph women of a ‘white trash’ section bathing nude in a river. Idea was okay with the women but when the picture company started to grind on the scene the hooded members showed up and ordered the crew to pack up and scram.

Girls Tele Worry is Blondes Out: A television expert, Harry Lubcke, can look even further than ‘just around the corner’. It is bad news for the blondes but jake for the brunettes and red heads. His expert opinion is that inasmuch as television photography must be made before white backgrounds, it will be necessary to have dark objects for distinctive filming. Blonde gals of the future who dye their hair to get work with still have issues he says. Because blondes usually have blue eyes and these will be nix also before the white background.

Mrs von Sternberg sues Dietrich Again: Mrs Riza von Sternberg’s suit against Marlene Dietrich for libel and alienation of affections were reopened by Mrs von Sternberg, who claims Paramount didn’t live up to certain terms of the agreement to cancel suit. Dallies carried the story that the suit had been dismissed when a Budapest newspaperman admitted an article he had written quoting Miss Dietrich on the case had been pulled out of thin air. He wrote a retraction. Agreement was that three letters by the two women and the newspaperman be printed in the newspapers of 10 US cities and Berlin and Vienna. But editors used the letters only in part in their news stories. Paramount’s legal department must now buy advertising space to have the three missives printed in full. 

Von Sternberg and his muse, Marlene Dietrich

1933:

Choosy: George Bernard Shaw, who was on display to the picture people at the Hearst Ranch in San Simeon last Friday, March 24, went under the condition that he would not have to be photographed with picture personalities. Newsreel camera men and photographers who figured they would have an exclusive on Shaw, returned immediately after the condition was made.

Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies and George Bernard Shaw at San Simeon 

Arliss’ Retirement?: George Arliss is reported retiring from the screen and returning to England. On completion of Voltaire his contract with Warners is up. No deal to renew has been started.

Accident Saves Bette from being Just Another Good Girl: There is nothing more deadly, Bette Davis has decided than being a nice girl too long. That’s the way she started, and if it were not for the lucky break she got in Cabin in the Cotton – the opportunity to do a strip – she might still be playing somebody’s daughter or somebody’s sister, and languishing honoured and unstarred. “Spice in pictures has its place,” says Miss Davis. “That’s the thing that impresses execs and people. Unless the execs think you have sex appeal, you’ll never get a part that the people will remember. Be sweet and demure all you like and see how far you get. Just another blonde indistinguishable from all the rest. Stay good too long and nobody will ever believe you can be anything else. Go torrid, in a naïve, subtle way, of course, and people will pay some attention to you. Prove you have sex appeal and you give the people something that interests them.”

1934:  

Guard Crosby Baby: Fearing kidnapping of their baby boy, two armed guards have been stationed at Bing Crosby’s home at Toluca Lake for a week. Guards went on when a policeman reported that he had heard a chap talking in a telephone booth about ‘the Crosby baby’.

Bing Crosby, wife Dixie Lee and Gary Crosby (born 1933)

Madison Mystery: Eric Madison, former accountant in Warner’s studio restaurant at Burbank, was found dead in his apartment on March 25 with six bullet wounds in his body. Police are searching for his wife, Nellie. She had disappeared from their home about 12 hours before the body was discovered.

Elysia Okayed in Chicago by Court Ruling: After six months of court squabbles the nudie, Elysia, got through on a legal order and goes into the loop Majestic for a run. Though Aaron Jones has the house the Lehman estate had promised that if the nudie picture got through the censorship before May 1 they could have the house for the exhibition. However, the picture must be out by May 1.

Press Asked to Omit Funeral Locations: In future it is likely that the New York press will be asked to refrain from printing the location of services to be held for deceased screen celebrities. Plan follows the exhibition by the public for the late Lilyan Tashman. The morbid curiosity of the crowd almost led to fights between those riding in the funeral cortege and the sidewalk gawkers who climbed on the running boards and opened doors seeking autographs. At the burial ground, women plucked flowers from the casket and almost fell in the grave in the rush. Services for Miss Tashman were held on March 23 at the Universal Chapel. 

Lilyan Tashman, she died too soon

This Week in History - Mar 19 to 25

Everything you need to know about the goings-ons and gossip from this week in Precode Hollywood.

1929:

Increasing Colour Work: Indicating the increasing use of colour at the studios, Technicolour has 12 camera crews and equipment, each comprising three men and camera, all busy.

A still from 'On With the Show!' (1929)

Richest Actor List: David Warfield is now the world’s richest actor. His recent sale of his Loew stock holdings elevated him to wealth between $10 million and $12 million. Running second is Eddie Cantor with from $5 to $6 million and third is Al Jolson with between $3 and $4 million. Number four is George M. Cohan, $3 million. Of the picture actors, the list is led by Marion Davies with at least $5 million. She is closely followed by Douglas Fairbanks, wife Mary Pickford, and Charlie Chaplin. Also in the $3 million group is Tom Mix, Norma Talmadge and Ruth Roland. Colleen Moore and Bebe Daniels go in the $2 million class.

Actress Entitled to Funds: Jetta Goudal’s temperament was no valid reason for the abrogation of her contract by Pathe, according to the ruling handed down by the Supreme Court. Court ruled that disobedience of an artist could not properly be treated the same as the disobedience of a menial. She was awarded $31,000.

1930:

Swedish Girl Swept into Ocean: Ernest Rolf, star of Rof’s Revue (Stockholm) and his leading lady, Tutta Benstzer, are here to do an act in the Scandinavian version of Paramount on Parade. It is the intention of the studio to bring other foreign players to Hollywood to treat the film in other languages. Miss Benstzer reached here via the Canal after an experience in the Atlantic that exceeds anything her p.a. could imagine. In a storm, the actress was swept of the deck into the ocean, but as the crew was then taking the log she was able to swim to the sounding rope and hold on. Losing her hold on the rope, she reached a life buoy thrown to her. Efforts to launch a lifeboat were unsuccessful until 30 tons of oil were dumped overboard to calm the sea. She drifted three miles before finally picked up.

Smelly Talkers May Yet Come Through: Picture have sound and colour now they’re going to have smell too. John Leavell has a patient on the idea.

Kidding Prince’s Suit Make Fun Business: trial of the suit of Prince Danilo of Montenegro against MGM, in which he charges certain scenes in The Merry Widow film are damaging to him, has developed a situation for a stage farce. The Prince’s lawyer is compelled to uphold the tradition of royalty and privileges of the throne. MGM’s attorney is required by the exigencies of the case to deride and ridicule royalty and all consideration of social caste that go with it. Case was adjourned again.

'The Merry Widow' (1925)

1931:

Stockingless Girls in Dispute: The RKO secret censorship department is commencing to send in reports from various cities against women on RKO stages going without stockings. They claim the practice is objectionable.

Ex-Prop’s Flash Fades: Reported Fox will let its option slide on John Wayne, the former prop boy Raoul Walsh picked out for the lead in The Big Trail, when his year winds up next month. Studio feels Wayne hasn’t sufficient b.o., judging from his only other pictures. Wayne, suspecting the situation is said to be dickering elsewhere.

John Wayne in 'The Big Trail'

Whether Chaplin is Jew Causes Cancelled Visit: Another of those East European religious quarrels that has in the past cost many lives has unknowingly been kindled by Charles Chaplin. All of Budapest is in a turmoil and as a result of the argument Chaplin had to cancel his visit. Trouble started when a Jewish paper in Budapest wrote a highly laudatory article on the comedian, claiming him as a Jew and representative of the fine things Jews have accomplished. Immediately, the anti-Somite press, high in the majority, bit back with long articles abusing Chaplin. Although no rioting, the situation looked highly serious until Chaplin made his move by not coming here.

Pickford Injured: Jack Pickford was badly injured when his automobile driven by his chauffeur struck a storm drain at an intersection while Pickford was asleep in the back. Both men were thrown from the car a moment before it crashed into a row of palm trees and was demolished. Pickford was bruised but not broken. The chauffer sustained broken ribs and other injuries. It was believed the car was travelling at high speeds.

Jack Pickford

1932:

Wet and Colder: Following the ceremony at the Joan Bennett-Gene Markey wedding last week newspaper people, toasting the bride, commented on the vast difference in the cordiality displayed there in comparison to the Constance Bennett-Marquis de la Falaise nuptials. As they were talking, a publicity man heard the click of a camera. Rushing over to the cameraman, he pleaded: “You didn’t take a picture of Joan Bennett with a glass of wine in here hand, did you?” “Nope,” said the cameraman, who had waited out in the cold at the previous wedding, “it was Constance.”

Joan and Constance Bennett

More Crank Star Threats: Picture players and exec names are receiving a flock of threatening letters from weak-minded persons driven to financial desperations. Writers are demanding financial help which if not forthcoming will bring dire results to picture names. No one expects anything to come of the threats, but they are proving an annoyance to the picture people.

Public Fed Up on First Nite Gawking: Opening of Wet Parade at Grauman’s Chinese saw the slimmest crowd of sidewalk fans seen at any premiere in years. Formerly, openings necessitated the issuing of police passes in order to get anywhere near the theatre. The latest opening had plenty of elbow room for everyone. Drop in curiosity seekers has been noticed at other openings, but it was figured that the usual opening would attract a mob who never miss a chance to lamp the stars.

1933:

Gummo Marx’s Dress Biz All Gummed Up: Milton ‘Gummo’ Marx, who quit the Marx Brothers act several years ago to go into the dress manufacturing business, has resorted to bankruptcy as the way out. Petition he filed tabulated his liabilities at $105,868 and assets none. His brother Chico is among the creditors for $29,000.

Harpo, Zeppo, Chico, Groucho and Gummo Marx

Mickey Mouse Honoured: Havana National Academy of Arts and Letters has awarded a special honour diploma to Walt Disney for his creation of the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony cartoons.

West, ‘Miss 1893’ Rides in a Hack: For the benefit of the newsreels and local press, Mae West climbed into her 1893 glad rags, hopped aboard a surrey and was driven behind two nags and a coachman to the Century of Progress Exposition. This occurred in time to electrify the pious portion of the populace on their way to Sunday services. The stunt of having Miss 1893 visit the modernistic 1933 World’s Fair was deemed a natural for everybody concerned.

Sidney Balks: After billing Sylvia Sidney and George Raft over the week end, for a joint personal appearance, Paramount New York had to take the advance stuff down when Miss Sidney balked at the terms and cancelled. She wanted $4,000 instead of the offered $3,000. It looks like Raft will do the job solo.

1934: 

Colbert No Like Liquor Ad: Attorneys for Claudette Colbert are preparing to sue distributor of Scotch whisky for using a photography of the player in liquor advertising in Detroit papers. Still was from the picture It Happened One Night and shows the player holding a glass aloft. Text of the ad reads, ‘Claudette Colbert gives a toast to our Scotch whisky.’ It was previously reported the still was used as part of an exploitation campaign for the picture. Colbert claims she gave no permission for its use and has been placed in the wrong light by the whisky merchants.

Borzages Better: Condition of Frank Borzage’s wife, Wynne, injured in an auto accident on March15 which resulted in the death of Frank’s father, Louis Borzage, was reported improved at the Hollywood hospital. The doctor said Lew Borzage, Frank’s brother, would probably not lose one eye and the serious injuries to Wynn’s leg would not necessitate amputation. Shocked by the incident, Frank continued to direct his production of Little Man What Now? Without interruption. Carl Laemmle expected him to suspend work at least until after the funeral, but the director felt this would entail too much loss to the studio. Production was to be halted only for the burial rites.  

Frank and Wynne Borzage, 1933.