Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

March 30, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 45 w THE STUDIO Burr Returns to 2-Reel Comedy Field With Audi en Series (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26.— C. C. Burr returned to the two reel comedy field today when he announced plans to make a series of audiens. He has headed the Burr & H i n e s Productions which have been released by First National. Burr has always set and maintained a standard for his pictures, many of which have been comedies. According to some of the leading independent distributors, Burr "has never made a bad picture." It is understood that the entire West Coast is already sold. Burr has enjoyed an enviable reputation in the independent market, having produced and distributed pictures — most of them of feature length — in this market for some years. Burr's first comedies will include a cast of wellknown names from both stage and screen and will be reproduced by both the film and record method. They will be 100 per cent talking and will include all incidental sound effects. C. C. Burr Montagne Ends 3-Year Contract with Universal (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26.— Eddie Montagne ended his three year contract with Universal this week. He is leaving the company today and expects to announce a new affiliation tomorrow. Montagne has supervised preparation of the scenario of "Broadway" and recently completed work on "Show Boat." Alice White "Figures" in Suit Mae Murray Loses (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26.— Mae Murray lost a suit brought against her for $2,125 Friday. Her masseuse had filed a petition saying Miss Murray owed her that amount. Alice White's legs were introduced as evidence in the case to show the masseuse's skill in beautifying the body. Fox Raises Figures in Rex Bell's New Contract (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26.— Rex Bell signed a new contract with Fox Film Corporation today with quite a raise in the paycheck. He is a former cowboy actor who lately played opposite Lois Moran in "Joy Street." Cruze, Inc., Buys Chadwick Studios in $100,000 Deal Enters Audien Production — Colleen Moore Starts "Irish Eyes" — Ruggles Signed by R K O — Talmadge Changes Leading Man — Christies Announce New Lap Dissolve (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26. — James Cruze, Inc., this week bought Chadwick Studios to be used in making talking pictures. It is said the company paid more than $100,000 for the real estate and equipment. The transaction marks further retirement of I. E. Chadwick and the crystallization of Cruze's plans to go headlong into audien production ; he has completed a half dozen two reel dialogue films. In addition to the purchase the deal includes use of the building in the adjacent lot at Sunset and Gower streets. Cruze said: "You can credit talking pictures with our embracing a real estate proposition when so many others in the industry on the West Coast are wondering what their next step will be. We believe that talking pictures will raise real estate values, not lower them. We needed elbow room and I think with the new buildings and other improvements now under construction we will have one of the finest equipped and most modern and technically correct plants of its kind." Cruze announced production on his first feature dialogue picture begins April 15. Ben Hecht wrote the story. No sound stages are necessary with Cruze's pictures, it is reported, because the synchronization is put in the picture after the film has been shot. The system requires careful watching of voice and action. Colleen Starts "Irish Eyes" Colleen Moore has started work in her first talking picture, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." The leading male role opposite Miss Moore is played by lames Hall, whose stage experience and excellent singing voice qualify him particularly well for this important part. Both Miss Moore and Hall are called upon to sing, as well as talk, several melodies having been written especially for it. Claude Gillingwater and Robert Homans, two talented character actors, have been "Doug and Mary" View Mexican War Via Air (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, March 26.— Mary Pickford and Doug Fairbanks left Saturday night in a Maddux plane for a week's tour over Mexico saying they wanted an aerial view of the war. Four others were in the party. They will meet Joe Schenck and Irving Berlin in Albuquerque in a few days and bring the two gentlemen home via air. Berlin and Schenck are returning from the East. signed by Producer John McCormick to enact a duo of comedy roles. Tom O'Brien has been signed for an important characterization. Ruggles at RKO Wesley Ruggles, good director, has signed with RKO, and will direct "The Viennese Charmer" as his first production under the new affiliation. This important assignment with the revitalized RKO organization comes to Ruggles following two and one-half years with Universal. His most recent work there has been the direction of Laura LaPlante in "Scandal," and the collaboration with Paul Schofield on the original story and dialogue of Paul Whiteman's Universal vehicle, production of which has been postponed until June. During his time with Universal, Ruggles directed most of the pictures which brought LaPlante to her present eminence. On the other hand, he directed a number of allstar dramatic specials, and his latest picture presents her in a highly dramatic role. Previously, he had made pictures for Paramount, First National, and most of the other leading companies, and his picture experience is well based on stage training and musical knowledge which fits him for the new regime of the vocal screen. Immediately upon completion of the dialogue version of "Scandal," upon which Ruggles is now engaged, he will move his megaphone and campchair to RKO and begin preparatory work for "The Viennese Charmer," on which he expects to begin "shooting" about the middle of April. Roland to Have Heavy, Not Hero, Role Norma Talmadge's next for United Artists will be directed by Lewis Milestone. Milestone was originally slated to direct Lupe Velez' first all-starring production on the return of the little Mexican tornado from the east. A unique situation is revealed in the fact that Gilbert Roland will not play opposite Miss Talmadge as her leading man. Roland will play the heavy with another leading man for the warmer episodes. Just what the United Artists executives have up their sleeves in making this dras (Ccntinued on next page)