Hollywood Scandal In the 30's

5/8/1934 HCN Elizabeth Yeaman Warren William is destined for a career of murder mystery films. As you know, his next picture will be The Dragon Murder Case, and this morning Warners assigned writers to the adaptation of The Case of the Howling Dog and they are developing the starring characterization for William. The latter story probably will start a new cycle of mystery pictures that seem destined to vie for popularity with the S.S. Van Dine series. Erle Stanley Gardner, former California attorney, who has turned author, is writing these mystery stories rapidly. The Case of the Howling Dog was no sooner published than Gardner had a new yarn drafted. Warners have bought that one, too, although it has not yet been published. It is called The Case of the Curious Bride, and is woven about a woman who marries eight years after she believes her first husband was killed in an airplane accident. This second mystery story will not have a male star, since the leading role goes to an actress. That in itself is quite a departure for a mystery story, since authors of these yarns generally have a detective or lawyer as the central figure. The Case of the Curious Bride certainly is an intriguing title. And now to get back to the subject of The Dragon Murder Case, which is now in production. Dorothy Tree and Helen Lowell were added to the cast today. .... For some time Lyda Roberti has been expected to tear herself away from Broadway and return to Hollywood, where she still has a contract at Paramount. This unusual little comedienne has been definitely assigned to the leading role opposite Bing Crosby in College Rhythm. The picture, of course, will be a musical, and the setting is a department store. I'll wager the salesgirls turn out to be chorines! No director has been assigned to the production. For that matter, the songs have not been written, nor have the composers been engaged for the job. However, the studio hopes to get the picture started before the cameras within a month. Miss Roberti will be remembered for the hit she made as Eddie Cantor's leading lady in The Kid From Spain. Cantor was to have had her in another picture but the rumor goes that he became of the competition she offered him. .... George Nicholls, a new director, had won the opportunity of a lifetime when he got the assignment to direct John Barrymore in the film adaptation of a New York play, A Hat, A Coat, A Glove. The picture was to have started today, but Nicholls is very ill with a kidney ailment and must submit to an operation. As a result he will not be in condition to direct for a number of weeks. So Worthington Minor, another new director, wins the assignment. Barbara Robbins of the New York stage will be the leading lady, making her film debut in this picture. The studio is not forgetting about Nicholls, however. He is now scheduled to direct Ann of Green Gables when he recovers. There's a possibility that Mitzi Green, now an adolescent, will have the title role. .... When Warners signed Al Jolson to a new contract to make one picture a year for four years, there was a stipulation in the contract that Jolson should appear only in super special productions. In short, the Jolson pictures must be big production efforts. Warners have finally closed the screen rights to the latest novel by Bradford Ropes, titled Go Into Your Dance. Ropes was the author of 42nd Street, which started the big cycle of musical pictures. And you may rest assured that Go Into Your Dance is being planned as a very big production. Warners have made no decision on the cast, but with Jolson, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Pat O'Brien on the contract list. It is a safe bet that some of these players will be the stars of the new picture. However, if Jolson becomes the star of Go Into Your Dance, it is extremely doubtful if Ruby Keeler will appear, since this husband and wife prefer not to work together. .... Julie Haydon will get started on her new Radio Pictures contract in Afterwards, the comedy with ZaSu Pitts and Slim Summerville. Julie wins the role first assigned to Helen Vinson, but Miss Vinson has been taken ill and is not able to play the part at this time. .... Another Norman Reilly Raine story has been bought for the screen. This time it is The Seal Poachers, and Fox is the purchaser. The story offers two leading male roles, and there's some idea of getting Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen for the starring team. However, neither Lowe nor McLaglen is under contract to Fox any more.Hollywood Scandal In the 30'sABBREVIATIONSDN — Los Angeles Daily NewsEE — Los Angeles Evening