The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

November 13, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 83 "T-OM WALLEIL WErr COAJ^T REPREfEnTATIVE: wead^uarte:^^ 308 TAFT. BLDG^ Mark Original Coast Studio Right next to the door leading into the administrative offices of the Christie Studios, is a bronze plaque which now heralds the fact : "Hollywood's First Motion Picture Studio." The day before the plaque appeared, Al Christie shook hands with Pat Dowling, the Christie energetic production manager, who is back in Hollywood, after a trip to Europe and an eventful homeward dash across the continent during which time he exploited Christie products at four hundred houses. The placement of the plaque was quite a ceremonious affair, meriting the presence of Los Angeles' Mayor, and Fred Beetson, Secretary-Treasurer of the A. M. P. P. D. A. Stars Participate Every star on the Christie lot, including Bobbie Vernon, Jack Duffy, and Neal Burns, as headliners, caressed the plaque for the benefit of the cameras grinding this news item which will play an important part in the observation by theatres throughout the country of Christie's fifteenth anniversary we.*:, which starts on November 14th. It was just fifteen years ago, however, on October 27, that Al Christie became manager of the Nestor Film Company, which is now the well known Christie establishment. Incidentally, as testimony to the fact that Pat Dowling is back, there stands, in front of the Christie door, every day, a nifty car of French design. Dowling purchased this car in Paris, and liked it so much that he had it shipped to New York. De Mille Rushing "King of Kings" It is now the ambition of Cecil B. DeMille to complete kis super-special "The King of Kings," early in December. This word reached MOVING PICTURE WORLD from one of the members of the cast at the Studio the other day. The picture, it was finally announced, was one half completed on October 30. DeMille is pushing his huge staff on this Biblical subject, to the utmost. So far, according to Mason Littson, business manager for the production, $1,500,000 has already been expended. It is expected by those who have reputations for figuring conservatively, that the picture, upon its completion, will represent an investment in the neighborhood of $2,000,000. TELEPWOMr GLADJ^TOhE Ob08 Notables Attend Coast Premiere of Vitaphone Sid Grauman Assembles Complete Roster of Stars and Executives in His Egyptian Theatre For Remarkable Occasion FOR the West Coast premiere of the Vitaphone, Sid Grauman assembled in his Egyptian Theatre, what will probably remain on record as the most complete roil call of stars and film executives ever centered in one place. Warner Brothers' Radio Station, Fully twenty-five sun spots were placed upon the Egyptian Court Yard during the arrival of Filmdoni's elite. Between times, these lights were flashed above the theatre so that, for a radius of fifty miles, the Hollywood sky presented all the indications of an aurora. Those who could not get into the Egyptian the first night, lined Hollywood Boulevard. A loud speaker connected with Marking Hollywood's First Studio Mayor George E. Cryer, of Los Angeles, fastens the first placque marking site of Hollywood's first studio. bolt broadcast the arrival of all prominent film folk, who, as they stepped from their autos, were also filmed for local news value. The writer, who was present at the world's premier of the Vitaphone in the Warner Theatre, New York City, can state that so far as glamour for an occasion of this kind, Sid Grauman wins the highest honors. Aroused Conjecture The Vitaphone premiere heri., meant also the second premiere for Warner Brothers' feature, Don Juan. This picture opened here at least two months ago, and, during that period, had been accompanied by Grauman's Orchestra. There was much conjecture as to whether the Vitaphone would be sufficiently great to attract audiences to view the picture a second time. There were many in the first night audience who had seen Don Juan, but it was noted that at the conclusion of the special Vitaphone program, very few persons left the theatre. In the case of the premiere of Vitaphone and Don Juan, simultaneously, in New York City, the show was a sell out on its second night, and the box office lines, for all we know, are still a block and a half long a half luuir 1)0(Continued on page 84) Vitaphone — Coogan — Mat his — Christie — Sennett