The Film Daily (1927)

D/^ILY Montlay. December 5, 1927 iUSf^{f^StMiM Olcott Joining British Firm German Actress Gets Lead Opposite Barrymore — William K. Howard Reported Joining M-G-M — Promoters Arrested for Alleged Swindle— Berger Denies Report of Fox Friction — Other Wired News BRITISH COMPANY SIGNS OLCOIT AS STUDIO HEAD Sidney Olcott is en route to New York from where lie will go to England to become director general of the British Lion Film Corp., headed by Sir Kdgar Wallace. Production IS to be started by the British firm early in January. Olcott signed a long term contract in negotiations with Holmes C. Walton. Reports of Friction are Denied by Ludwig Berger Ludwig Berger denies there is any friction between him and Fox and that there has been but a postponement of his first production. Cast for "Thoroughbred" John Fox, Jr., juvenile, has been signed for the role of a jockey in Universal's "Thoroughbred." Adapting "Woman Disputed" Adaptation of Denison Clift's "The Woman Disputed" is being done by .\gnes Christine Johnston for Norma Talmadge. Wrote "Honky Tonk" Script Hope Loring wrote the script of "Honky Tonk" for Paramount, starring George Bancroft. Otto Matieson as Napoleon Otto Matieson is cast as Napoleon in "Napoleon and Josephine" for Technicolor. Margaret Livingston appears opposite. Hawks Adapting "Michigan Kid" Jack Hawks is adapting "The Michigan Kid," in which Norman Kerry will star for Universal under direction of Irvin Willat. Denny's Next Chosen "Be Yourself" is the title of Reginald Denny's next vehicle. It is an original by Harry Hoyt and will be directed by William Seider. Loaned for "Walking Back" Arthur Lake has been loaned by Universal to Cecil B. De Mille for a role in Vera Reynolds' "Walking Back." Forum Signs for Entire Pathe Feature Output The Forum, which John P. Goring lud Jack F. Truitt have just taken jver from Pantages, is to have Pathe ilnis as backbone product under a ^ontract closed. The agreement calls '"or playing of the entire group of ^athe features. Joining M-G-M? William K. Howard, it is reported, will join M-G-M on expiration of his present contract with De Mille. Camilla Horn Gets Lead in John Barrymore Film Camilla Horn has been substituted for Dorothy Sebastian in "Tempest," John Barrymore production for United Artists. The change was made necessary by M-G-M's recall of Miss Sebastian to play opposite Ramon Novarro. Sam Taylor has succeeded Slav Tourjansky as director, and several changes in the story will necessitate a number of additional weeks in production. Start "Champion" Series Shooting has started on the first of the six Champion productions featuring the new dog star. Gareth Hughes and Josephine Hill play the leads in the first two "The Devil Dog" and "Fangs of Hate." Lane Completes "Fandango" Lupino Lane has finished "Fandango," for Educational. Ken Maynard's Next Charles R. Rogers is producing "The Canyon of Adventure" for First National, starring Ken Maynard under direction of Harry Joe Brown. Directing Comedy Team Mervyn Le Roy is directing "Aces Up" for F'irst National, starring George Sidney and Charlie Murray. Rogell May Produce Indications are that Albert Rogell will establish his own producing company. He has bought a lot of material, including the rights to "MeGangster," which ran in the "Saturday Evening Post." Buchowetzki on Way East Dimitri Buchowetzki has left for New York. Varconi Opposite Patsy Miller Victor Varconi, De Mille player, plays opposite Patsy Ruth Miller in "The Tragedy of Youth," her first Tiffany-Stahl under her four picture contract with the company. Long Rim Policy for Criterion Wc>co intends to make a long run house of the Criterion with a two-aday policy and $1.65 top. F. A. Cruise is manager of the house. Stock Fraud Charged to Story Film Promoters .'\lleged to have sold more than $10,000 worth of stock of Story Pictures, Inc., Charles Wordcn, George A. Durland and Orville V. Southworth have been arrested on a swindling charge. Tiffany Plans Negro Film Carolyn Snowden and Stepin Fcchet are to be co-featured in an all-Negro picture which will be produced bv Tiffanv-.Stahl. Tearle Returning to "Legit" Charging a conspiracy exists to keep him off the screen, Conway Tearle states he is returning to the legitimate stage. Melford to Direct "Charlatan" "The Charlatan," Conrad Veidt's next picture, will be directed by George Melford. Robert Lee adapted the play for the screen. Directing Next Ralston Dorothy Arzner is to direct Esther Ralston in "Devil May Care" for Universal. 'Blood Ship" Sequel Planned Columbia is planning a sequel to "The Blood Ship." with the same director and cast. To Attend N. Y. "Helen" Premiere Maria Korda and Margaret Ettinger left Saturday for New York. They will attend opening of "Helen of Troy," at the Globe, Dec. 9. Allen in "Kelly" Cast Alfred Allen has been assigned a role in "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly," which William Wyler is directing for M-G-M with Bessie Love and Tom Moore featured. "Noose" Titles by Graham Garrett Graham is titling "The Noose," Richard Barthelmess film for First National. Taylor and Milestone Assigned? Sam Taylor and Lewis Milestone, it is reported, will complete "Tempest," John Barrymore production which Slav Tourjansky, Russian director, has been directing. Tourjansky started the film when Frank Lloyd resigned. Polish Girl in Howard Cast Linda Landi, Polish player, has been cast for "My Country," which William K. Howard is directing for De Mille with Rudolph Schildkraut and Louise Dresser. Milton Hoffman has been cast for the picture. A Little from **Lots*' Bj RALfH WILK Hollywood LEW CODY and Harry J. Brown, his associate, are all smiles these days, because Lew has smashed house records on the vaudeville tour he is now finishing. Lew has been on tour for 12 weeks and had to reject many new bookings, so that he might come to Hollywood for the holiday season. By the way, Hari-y saw Lew's act in Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Harry and Lew will not make any final plans regarding the latter' s future activities until after Lew's return on Dec. 11. College degrees and diplomas are numerous at the Paramount studio. Among the writers who have attended college are Lloyd Corrigan, whose alma tnater is California; John Monk Saunders, Washington; Charles Furthman, Notre Dame; Monte Brice, Columbia; Doris Anderson, California; Ethel Doherty, Southern California; Jules Furthman, Northwestern; Norman McLeod, Washington; Herman Mankiewicz, Columbia; John Goodrich, Columbia. ♦ * * Passing Show: Felix Young buying flowers; Adolphe Menjou, Victor Vajda and Kathryn Perry interested spectators at the dog show. Dave Butler is cheery these days, as he reads the various reviews on "The High School Hero," the first picture he has directed. By the way, Dave is one of the best little golfers in Hollywood, although ive use this expression figuratively, as he is really a broad-shouldered, xipstanding athlete. * * ♦ Our old friend, Jimmy O'Donahue continues to attract much attention. Jimmy, veteran writer, worked on "What Price Glory" and "Two Arabian Knights." He is now at Universal. Speaking of colleges, Clive Brook was educated at Dulwick college, in England, while Arnold Kent received his education at the Joseph \'erdi college in Florence, Italy.