Critical Moments

Perhaps the letter addressed to Fannie Brice which is printed below was actually written in good faith, perhaps it is just the work of an imaginative press agent, but regardless of factors of authenticity, I thought it was pretty amusing and one of those things that, if it didn’t happen, should have. Here it is:

“Fannie Brice,

c/o Ziegfeld Folies,

Winter Garden.

Dear Miss Brice:

As you can see by the top of this letter I am a large womens’ Zipper house named Martin K. Zimmenberger and the reason I am writing you is that we have a superlative fine article we would like to tie you up with if you have no objections.

To save your valuable and my valuable time we are putting out a new one-piece zipper suit for sunning yourself,-if you’ll pardon the expression, and I consider it a fine opportunity to get your product and my product a lot of publicity by having you wear said garment in your show and mention casual like in some dialogue,-“How do you like my new Zimmenberger Zipper###” Besides getting you an extra laugh in your act because of the allusion to Zippers it would make the audience Zimmenberger Zipper conscious which is O.K. by me.

In return for this advertising of my product I would equip completely your whole family including Billy Rose with Zimmenberger Zipper products from sleeping and bathing ones to ballroom ones. Hoping to entice a favorable reply by this offer I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Martin K. Zimmenberger.”

ACTIVE MASCOT

Mascot Pictures, by their own admission the outstanding producer of serial films in the country, are ready to do their share in keeping actors, directors, writers and stage hands busy. From the New York office of that corporation came the announcement that during the 1934-35 season they would produce a series of ten features, two special and a number of serials. A budget of some $1,250,000 had been set aside to carry out this program, according to Mr. Nat Levine, the president. Work on this ambitious project is already under way at the Mascot Studios in Hollywood.

Another boast made by this company is to the effect that Mr. Levine set a record for independent producers by signing in one swoop no fewer than thirty writers. Speaking of “independent producers,” I have often wondered just how they differed from other species. I learn that an independent producer is one who is entirely dependent upon exhibitors. The non-independent producers are those who own and operate chain theatres or else make contracts with theatre owners to show all the films they may make in a season.

OTHER HOLLYWOOD NOTES FROM THE PRESS SHEETS

Ed Thomas, Paramount “bit” player, believes he is slipping. He has played the role of butler no less than 150 times. In a recent picture he was called upon to be a waiter.

Shirley Temple, the latest child actress star, can be made to perform only if the director convinces her that the picture she is in is part of a game. Recently her director, who wanted her to play in a scene which called for a party, told her that he was giving the party for her. She was very much pleased and upset everything by insisting upon inviting all the kids in the neighborhood. The script did not call for any such sequence. A compromise was effected by telling Shirley that the screen party was only a rehearsal and that later on the real party would be given at her own home.

Herbert Marshall will play the male lead opposite Greta Garbo in the forthcoming picturization of W. Somerset Maughan’s “The Painted Veil.”

After four months in the interior of China, George Hill and his unit have returned to America with the film for “The Good Earth.” The rest of the picture will be made in Hollywood. To make sure that the outdoor shots are correct a small group of cameramen were ordered to remain in China until the final version of the film is passed by the studio executives.

By the way, Shirley Temple may be seen this week at the Paramount in “Little Miss Marker.” The picture has been held for a second week.