Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD January 5, 1929 F N Announces Impressive Number Of Films All with Dialogue Corinne Griffith Sigurd for Six Productions in Three Years — Barthelmess Contract Reneived for Two Seasons (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — An impressive number of First National-Vitaphone Productions, all with dialogue, was announced today for coming release by Ned. E. Depinet, First National's general sales manager. This announcement was made concurrently with the fact that Corinne Griffith had been signed to a three-year contract to make six audiens, the first to be "Prisoners." ALICE WHITE is signed to make four with dialogue next year, and Richard Barthelmess' contract has been renewed for two years and will make three a year with Vitaphone synchronization. First National also has purchased the rights of "Rose of Killarney," "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," "Riviera" and "The Queen of Jazz." It is stated as probable that "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" will star Colleen Moore on completion of "Why Be Good." Dialogue for Other Stars The list announced by Depinet for dialogue includes the Corinne Griffith pictures under her new contract with two superspecials a year; also the remaining pictures to be made by the star under her former contract. Coming productions starring Richard Barthelmess, Billie Dove and Milton Sills also will be with dialogue. Pictures to be completed for this year's program now definitely set for dialogue are "Weary River," starring Richard Barthelmess; "His Captive Woman," with Milton Sills and Dorothy Mackaill; "Saturday's Children" and "Prisoners," starring Corinne Griffith; "Hot Stuff," starring Alice White; "Two Weeks Off" and "The Girl in the Glass Cage," with Dorothy Mackaill; "Children of the Ritz," with Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall; "The Man and the Moment," with Billie Dove and Rod LaRocque; "Heart of a Princess," "The Other Tomorrow," starring Billie Dove; "The Squall," a special; "Love and the Devil," "Eagle's Trail" and "The Spotter," starring Milton Sills; "House of Horrors," a mystery melodrama. A number of productions in this list are completed and others will Returns to Native China to Make Films (Special to the Herald-World) PASCO, WASH., Jan. 2.— One of the most interesting projects in cinema history is about to be instituted in the opening of a studio in Shanghai, China, by James Wong Howe, cameraman for Paramount and Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer, successively. Nineteen years ago he was a pupil in the Pasco schools. He is a son of Wong How, Chinese merchant. In January he leaves for Shanghai, where he goes to open a studio as the head of his own company. The Great Wall Motion Picture Corporation, which will produce some of his cov try's legends, with Chinese actors. The first will be known as "The Soul of the Bell." Howe will also exhibit to the schools of China industrial films depicting the great industries of the United States. Howe is backed by wealthy Chinese of San Francisco and New York. be ready in time to meet the winter and spring release schedule. First New Stage in Use The first of the eight soundproof stages being constructed at the First National Studios in Burbank is now in use and others are being rushed to completion. In addition to the stages on the First National lot, there are eleven Vitaphone soundproof stages in California and one in Brooklyn, all of which may be used if necessary. First National Pictures enters upon the new year with stars and featured players who have proved themselves especially well adapted to talking pictures. Richard Barthelmess sings as well as talks in "Weary River." The picture is finished. Doris Dawson Signed Anew Corinne Griffith has a voice of such fine quality for Vitaphone reproduction that she was signed exclusively for super-specials with dialogue. Her contract covers the next three years, during which she will make six productions. Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall will be seen and heard in Vitaphone productions and all the contract players have shown themselves adapted to sound film. Doris Dawson has been given a new contract following the excellent showing she made in dialogue sequences. Allen Named Assistant To Warners' Sales Head (Special to the Herald-World) DETROIT, Jan. 2.— James V. Allan, manager of the Warner Brothers exchange here for the last four years, has been appointed assistant general sales manager of the company. Mr. Allan, who also is president of the Detroit Film Board of Trade, will go to New York to take up his new duties there on January 7. No announcement has been made as to who will be appointed to fill the vacancv. Kiwanis Christmas Party Makes 500 Children Happy (Special to the Herald-World) CAMBRIDGE, O., Jan. 2.— The Christmas party of the Kiwanis club held at the Qolonial theatre attracted over 500 children. -The party was a big success and the remains of the food and toys left over were given to the poor. The Colonial theatre received front page story on the Christmas -how in the Cambridge paper. 11 c* Ray arts 7928-29 Program Are Completed (Spe j ■< hv raid-World) NEW YOKK, , -. > --Three more pictures, making 1 in al , have been completed by producer Trcm Coir for Rayart's 1928-20 program. The three pictures that have just been completed are "'fhe Black Pearl," "When Dreams Conic Trie" and "Brothers." Not Matrimony But Alimony ! Scenes from a new Columbia production starring Lois Wilson, were presented on the "Broadway" page in last week's issue, the production being erroneously called "Object — Matrimony." The correct title is "Object — Alimony." The picture is further described in the "New Pictures" department of this issue. "Faker" Role Results in New Columbia Contract For Jacqueline Logan (Special to the Herald World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2.— Because, it is said, of her performance in "The Faker," in which she portrays three roles, Columbia Pictures has renewed its contract with Jacqueline Logan for two addit i o n a 1 productions on the current season's i) r o g r a in. Aside from her appearance in "T h e Faker," Miss Logan was also featured by Columbia in "Nothing to Wear." Miss Logan, who includes in her many portrayals, that of Mary Magdalene, in "King of Kings," also has had several years of experience on the stage, and it is not unlikely that she may appear in one of Columbia's audien productions, it is stated. She has starred in several recent Columbia productions. Jacqueline Logan Washington Blue Law Would Rob Workmen of Recreation, Says Austin (Special to the Herald-World) WASHINGTON, Jan.2.— A citizens committee of the association opposed to Blue Laws has been organized here to fight the Lankford bill. President Austin of the district A O B L assailed the claim that the bill would "protect labor," and declared that, instead, it would rob labor of Sunday shows, baseball and other beneficial forms of recreation on its only day of leisure. Attorney John J. McGinnis is chairman of the citizen's committee. Comerford and Stanley Book Columbia Products (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 2— A deal has been closed between the Comerford Circuit and Columbia Pictures in which the circuit has hooked to play Columbia product for the current j^ason. The contract involves both silent and sound pictures. "Submarine," Columbia's underwater picture, has been booked by the Stanley-Crandall circuit for their first run houses in West Virginia, Maryland and Washington. Browne Joins Brin Chain (Special to the Herald-World) MILWAUKEE, Jan. 2. — Stan Browne, formerly with the Saxe and Midwesco theatres in Milwaukee as district manager, has become district manager of the L. K. Brin Theatres, new chain.