Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

Page 16 Exhibitors Trade Review "KID FROM MONTANA" BARTHEL MESS' NEXT Katharine Newlin Burt's Western for Inspiration Star Inspiration announces that "The Kid from Montana" has been chosen for Richard Barthelmess' next picture following "Just Suppose," for distribution by First National. "The Kid from Montana" is adapted from the novel entitled "Q" by Katharine Newlin Burt, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. In this picture Mr. Barthelmess will take the part of a breezy young cowboy who falls in love with an aristocratic Eastern girl while she is summering in Montana on a "dude" ranch. The story has many dramatic complications and the characterization of the young cowboy appeals strongly to Mr. Barthelmess because of its picturesque and dramatic possibilities. The adaptation of the story will be made by Violet E. Powell and C. Graham Baker, and the scenario will be made by Don Bartlett, all members of the Inspiration scenario department. The picture is now being cast and the name of the leading lady will shortly be announced. Brenon on "Dancing Mothers" Herbert Brenon has begun production of "Dancing Mothers" at the Paramount Long Island studio. The story is an adaptation by Forrest Halsey of the stage success of that r.ame by Edgar Selwyn and Edmund Goulding. The cast includes Alice Joyce, Conway Tearle, Clara Bow, Donald Keith, Dorothy dimming and Elsie Lawson. Calendar of Coming Events Dec. 8. — Oklahoma City, Okla., annual convention Oklahoma M. P. T. O. Dec. 8-9. — Columbus, O., annual meeting M. P. T. O. of Ohio. Dec. 11. — New York, 1650 Broadway, second annual meeting Independent Motion Picture Association of America. F. B. O.'s Western Units Start New Productions F. B. O.'s three western stars are speeding up the production trail. Fred Thomson and Silver King have finished "All Around Frying Pan," and are preparing to launch their next, as yet untitled. Tom Tyler has completed "The Wyoming Wildcat," and is working on "The Cowboy Musketeer." Bob Custer has finished "The Ridin' Streak," and is filming "The News Buster." Dave Kirkland is directing Thomson; Bob De Lacy, Tyler; and Del Andrews, Custer. New Ilion House ALBANY. — Another theatre representing an investment of about $150,000 is scheduled to open in Central New York this month when the house being built for Whitney, Young and Pierce of Ilion will swing open to the public. Robert Pierce will serve as manager. "The Ten Commandments" will be used for the opening. A ten piece orchestra will be one of the features of the theatre. There is a report to the effect that a new theatre will shortly be built in Clinton, a village outside Utica. Philadelphia Exposition to have Picture Exhibit PHILADELPHIA.— One of the most interesting exhibits at the Sesqui-Centennial in Philadelphia next year will be that representative of the motion picture industry. Definite arrangement for such a feature at the exposition was made last Wednesday when Mayer Kendrick, following up a suggestion made to Jules E. Mastbaum, president of the Stanley Company and a member of the Sesqui-Centennial Commission, was informed that site for the proposed buildings had been selected. They will be beautifully placed with attractive surroundings and they will contain such a comprehensive display as has never before been made. The entire industry will be represented and the exposition will not only offer the most recent developments in the art and the business of motion pictures, but will also be historically interesting, illustrating in various ways the growth of the fourth industry in America. Mayor Kendrick turned to Mr. Mastbaum for suggestions regarding the motion picture exhibit some months ago, ana nc »„,, rurt. made exhaustive study of the entire field before submitting a plan for the intended exhibit some months ago, and he in turn wonderful presentation that tentatively may be given the title of "In Hollywood," for there will be a suggestion of California studios in the presentation at the same time that the exhibit will be concerned with giving accurate and comprehensive ideas of the entire industry's activities. Naturally, this will include the exhibition of films, but more importantly their actual creation. Every attribute of the studio will be at hand and visitors to the exhibition will have the delightful experience of seeing directors, actors and cameramen at work. It is the plan of Mr. Mastbaum to have vhe buildings of distinctive architectural beauty on a site convenient to all visitors to the Sesqui-Centennial. Stages such as are in actual use in leading studios will be erected, and there will be every facility to make pictures, no matter of what type. The various film companies will have opportunity from time to time to prepare pictures on indoor stages or in the open. Such demonstration is sure to be tremendously interesting and popular. Unquestionably famous screen stars will appear in action. Every detail in the making: of pictures will be shown and the exhibition will be much more comprehensive than ever before attempted. It is suggested by Mr. Mastbaum that an incidental feature would be lectures by noted men and women in the picture field on subjects pertaining to the cinema in its every aspect. One of the early activities in connection with the exhibition will be the establishment of a committee of leaders in the industry so that there shall be enlightened presentation and so that no detail shall be neglected to make this one cf the outstanding offerings at the grounds. Foreign producers will be invited also. UNIVERSAL PICKS CONTEST WINNER Nation-Wide Exploitation Stunt Closes in New York Dorothy M. Kitchen was the unanimous choice of the judges and of the audience at four different performances at the Hippodrome of "Peg of New York," the wind up of one of the greatest newspaper-theatrepicture tie-ups ever arranged. More than 65,000 New York girls entered the Universal exploitation contest, of whom 22 semi-finalists packed the huge New York playhouse four consecutive night performances. The. judges were Howard Chandler Christie, Mrs. Oliver Harriman, Dr. Robert Bachman, George M. Cohan, and Dorothy Herzog, of the Daily Mirror. Credit for the comprehensive arrangements tying up Univeral's "See America First," New York picture with the Keith-Albee circuit, comprising the Keith, Moss and Proctor houses, £roes to William C. Herrmann, manager of Universal's Big "U" Exchange ; Charles MacDonald, general exploitation manager of B. S. Moss, and C. E. Holah, in charge of Universal's trans-continental "studio on wheels." Several conferences with Messrs. Arthur White, Mark Luescher, J. J. Murdock and J. J. Maloney resulted in enthusiasm for the project. In addition to several weeks pictorial and editorial publicity in the New York Daily Mirror, unlimited advertising and exploitation was accorded the project by more than a score of theatres in their elimination trials. One of the features of the Hippodrome performances was the appearance on its huge stage of Universals "See America First" trailer. General Charles King Features Completed When Guaranteed Pictures, Inc., started to make the General Charles King series for Davis Distributing Division, Inc., to be distributed by Vital Exchanges, they had the option of a number of this famous author's books for film purposes. "Under Fire," the first of the series, was made before Ben Wilson became producing manager for Guaranteed Pictures. The other seven pictures of the series are beiiig made under his supervision. "Warrior Gap," "Fort Frayne" and "A Daughter of the Sioux," co-starring Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber, were finished and have been previewed by the trade papers. The have ben prviewed by the trade papers. The fifth picture, "Tonio, Son of the Sierras," is completed and the sample print is on its way 1o the Davis Distributing Division home office. The last three pictures of the series are "From the Ranks," "Apache Princess" and "Worst Man of the Troop." These, like the four which preceed them, will also co-star Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber. Prints of the first two of the series "Under Fire" and "Warrior Gap" are a'ready in ihe offices of the Vital Exchanges and ready for booking. Regge Doran Appoints Miss Regge Doran, director of the Public Relations Department of Pathe Exchange, Inc., has appointed Miss Lucy Meriwether Calhoun as field representative of this exhibitor-aid department in Chicago and vicinity.