Hollywood Topics (Oct 1926-Feb 1927)

HOLLYWOOD TOPICS 5 A Mill!® si._ for Barthelmess — Rockett Three ! — Santell ® ® T. N.T. a -® MAKE ’EM SEE IT We should strongly advise the undeveloped screen aspirant to patronize every night tor the next ten weeks the Biltmore Theater. The performance of Arliss in “Old English,” is one of the most thorough studies in fine acting we have yet witnessed. And we’re sure it wouldn’t hurt any of the “troupers or artists,” either. This isn’t an ad! FIRESIDE NEWS It is reported that Jobyna Ralston, film star, and Richard Arlen, screen actor, will wed on or about February 10th. Arlen made the announcement at San Antonio last Monday. If the picture he is working on there is not finished in time they will be married there, otherwise it will take place in Los Angeles. The stormy petrel of love, Ferdinand Pinney Earle, is at it again. Years ago he made famous the idea of genius needing affinities and has practised the idea most valiantly ever since. That was in 1907, when he is alleged to have parted from his first mate and married his first affinity, Julia Kuttner. His fourth wife, Charlotte Kristine Earle, has just divorced him again. There doesn’t seem to be much difference in the old Mormon idea of polygamy and the modern “divorce and marry again” one except that in the former you had all your wives at one time and in the latter day scheme you have them one after another. * * * The application of Mrs. Mable Manton, divorced wife of William K. Manton, actor, to reopen her $50,000 alienation of affections suit against Marjorie Rambeau, was denied last week. That’s the first lucky break Marjorie has had. In all her love troubles Miss Rambeau has always been a most sinned against woman. * * * Some time ago Spottiswoode Aiken and his wife figured in a sensational divorce action. Aiken was given a decree and the custody of the children. Mrs. Aiken later remarried and had two children by her second marriage. Now Mrs. Marion Spottiswoode Aiken Wilson (Continued on Page 6) Two Arabian Knights With the signing of a star and the recruiting of a technical staff, preparations were well under way at the United Artists studio yesterday for an early start of camera work on “Two Arabian Knights,” which Lewis Milestone will direct for United Artists release. A special unit, to he known as Caddio Productions, will make the feature, according to announcement 'by John W. Considine, Jr., general manager of the Joseph M. Schenck organization. Considine is to supervise “Two Arabian Knights.” William Boyd has been signed to head the cast In the screen version of Donald MfcGibeny’s magazine story revolving around the adventures of two American soldiers in present-day Arabia. The role is said to be entirely different from any the star of “The Volga Boatman” and other pictures ever has essayed. James T. O’Donohoe, who is adapting “Two Arabian Knights,” ■has a long list of screen successes, including “What Price Glory, “The Wanderer,” “The Spaniard,” “Lucky Lady,” “Lady of the Harem” and “Cheating Cheaters, to his credit. Director Milestone is working with O’Donohoe on the script. The decision to produce “Two Arabian Knights” as a special feature for United Artists distribution marks the end of a long hunt for suitable story material for Milestone, who within the past year has become one of the most discussed directors in the motion picture industry. Milestone’s pictures include “Seven Sinners” and “The Cave Man” for Warner Brothers, and “The New Klondike” for Famous Players-Lasky, Milestone was codirector of Harold Lloyd’s latest comedy, “The Kid Brother.” Aileen Pringle is to have the feminine lead in a Metro-GoldwynMayer production for the first time in over a year. “The Branding Iron” is the title. She has been loaned out by M-G-M officials for many of the other producing companies largest productions. Lon Chaney and Renee Adoree have become the most adapt chop stick wielders in Hollywood. The art was acquired for the purpose of Chaney’s starring picture Mr. Wu,” which William Nigh is directing for Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer. Sennett Studio Re-Opens Mack Sennett returned from New York, full of pep and new ideas, to re-open his studio for another season of faster and funnier comedies. The studio has been closed since September 1st when the annual vacation period of three months went into effect. Three two-reel comedies went into production immediately, with a fourth to begin in ten days. Ben Turpin is being directed by Ralph Ceder in a farce having to do with the adventures of an innocent country youth who is accused of everything from robbing the church to stealing children’s playthings. Peggy Montgomery, Irving Bacon. Sunshine Hart and William McCall complete the cast. Madeline Hurlock and Eddie Quillan are being featured in a comedy of college life, with Barney Helium and Ruth Taylor in important roles. Earl Rodney is directing. Alf Goulding has been specially engaged to direct a new series of the now popular smith Family comedies, the domestic farces feature Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt, little Mary Ann Jackson and Omar, the dog. The first comedy of the new series finds Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the candy business, and the rest of their family in the candy. Harry Edwards, who directed all of the Langdon two-reelers for Sennett, is working on a comedy to go into prdouction next week. Cast Eng-aged for “Beware of Widows” Five prominent players have signed contracts with Universal for roleis in “Beware of Widows.” Laura La Plante’s next starring production. Bryant Washburn will play the masculine lead in the Owen Davis stage success. Walter Hiers has been signed for a comedy role, with Paulette Duval, Frank Currier and Catherine Carver in proi supporting parts. Wesley Ruggles, who recently signed a long-term contract with Universal, has been chosen to di rect thei picture, and expects to start work next week. Miss La Plante jus! completed the starring role in "T.ie Cat and the Canary” under Paul Lem's direction. First National Pictures has given •three boys a million dollars to spend! Nothing reckless or even daring, because In tills case the boys happen to have spent millions before this — they being none other than Richard Ilarthelniess. star; A1 Rockett, producer, and Alfred Santell, director. A million dollars is to be spent on the filming of “The Patent Leather Kid,” which will star Dick Barthelmess, aged 27, lo lie produced by Rockett, ag<*d 22, and directed by Santell, aged 21 There is a warning, however, to mere youths; these men are veterans of the cinema, each has at leust ten years of actual experience behind him. HUSBAND TO DIRECT ELEANOR BOARDMAN The question of who will have the featured feminine lead of King Vidor’s next production for MetroGoldwn-Mayer, has been solved by the assignment of Kleunor Boardman to the much coveted role, according to an announcement made late yesterday by Irving G. Thalberg. Miss Boardman last year was awarded the huge golden trophy given by the Warn pas, an aggregation of film exploitation and publicity men, for having made more progress in pictures during the last three years than any iVher Wampas baby star. James Murray. Vidor's new find. Dorothy Sebastian and Judy King are also in the cast. TO MAKE “SCHOOLMATES” "Schoolmates" is the engaging title of a new picture to be produced for First National Pictures by Charles R. Rogers, according to announcement by John McCormick, general manager of West ( oast production. The story is built around a pul* lie school on the type of the Last Side educational Institutions o( New York and will be dedicated tn teachers. Gentleman from the press ”Ar< you fond of good pictures?" Gentleman on the right G. from the P.— "Yes . . shal we go out for a smoke?" . — Apologies to The Passing Show