Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

225-1 Motion Picture News Goldbeck Made Director by Paramount Willis Goldbeck, who heretofore had -ci ved as scenarist, has been made a director by Famous Players-Lasky and will handle the megaphone for Michael Arlen's, "The Ace of Cads," an Adolphe Menjou starring vehicle. Arlen is now at the Paramount studio adapting his story for the screen. Goldbeck has had unusual success as a scenarist, in which work he started by writing the script for Rex Ingram's "Searamouche" two years ago. Last vear he adapted J. If. "Barrie's "Peter Pan." He was then called to Europe by Ingram to write the screen play for "Mare Nostrum" and he recently completed Barrie's "A Kiss For Cinderella" and "Flower of the Night," Pola Negri's newest starring vehicle. Sam Rork Buys Rights To "Desert Healer" Producer Sam Rork has just purchased through Viola Foster, play and story broker, the screen rights to "The Desert Healer," by E. M. Hull. Rork is also said to be negotiating for two more stories through Miss Foster. "My Lady of Whims" Completed by Fitzgerald "My Lady of Whims," in which Clara Bow plays the leading role, has been completed by Dallas Fitzgerald according to a wire received at the Arrow Pictures ofices from Fitzgerald. This story was written by Edgar Franklin, author of "White Collars." Moments of suspense and laughter from Sam Rork's special. "Clothes Make the Pirate." a First National Picture starring Leon Erjol, supported by Dorothy Gish. Edna Murphy. Nita Naldi. James Rennie and others. Danish Art Director for Talmadge Production Joseph M. Schenck has engaged Max Ree, well known Danish art du-ector, through the courtesy of Melro-Goldwyn-Mayer, to create the costumes for Con-tance Talmadge's newest production "East of the Setting Sun." Ree, an architect as well as costume designer and art director, took a degree at the Royal Academy of Architecture at Copenhagen, where he afterwards held the position of President of the Society of Architects. He was associated for several years with Max Reinhardt. Ree left for the coast on Tuesday, having just signed a five year contract as art director with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Ralph Dixon Signed by Metropolitan Pictures Ralph Dixon has been signed by Metropolitan Pictures to head its film editorial staff which now includes Don Hayes, James Morley and Arthur Huffsmith. Dixon was associated with Thomas H. Ince for six years and more recently with Hunt Stromberg. Blanche Sweet Departs For Coast Production Blanche Sweet, having completed her work opposite Ben Lyon in the Robert Kane production, "The New Commandment," has departed the east for the coast where she will prepare for a leading role in First National's "The Far Cry." to be made under the direction of Sylvano Balboni. "Flirtation" Next For Corinne Griffith FIRST NATIONAL has decided upon "Flirtation" as the title for the Corinne Griffith starring vehicle originally called "Ceasar's Wife," from the story by W. Sommerset Maugham. Miss Griffith has completed her work in this pr6duction under the direction of Irving Cummings. The supporting cast includes Percy Marmont, Malcolm McGregor and Warner Oland. The national release date has been set as December 13th. F. B. O. Starts Production on "Broadway Lady" Casting has been completed by F. B. 0. and work has been started on "A Broadway Lady," Evelyn Brent's new production. Theodore Von Eltz will play the male lead opposite Miss Brent, while others in the cast are, Marjorie Bonner, Joyce Compton, Ernest Hilliard, Johnny Gough and Clarissa Selwyn. The production is being directed by Wesley Ruggles. Varconi Signed for ''The Volga Boatman" Victor Varconi is the first player to be signed by De Mille for his second personally directed production for release through Producers Distributing Corporation titled "The Volga Boatman"' a story by Konrad Bercovici. Varconi will play the role of a Russian Prince. De Mille ha-s not yet selected the rest of the cast.