The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

November 27, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 207 y*^^ "TOM WALLECL ^^^i WErr COAJ'T REPRErEMTATIVE: WEADGJ^UARTED^ 318 X^XFT. BLDG^ TELEPWOhr GLADJ^TOhE 0508 ^^The Cheerful Fraud^^ Scores For Denny Preview Is Attended by Executives and Guests THEY are just finishing the titling of Reginald Denny's latest accomplishment at Universal City. It is called "The Cheerful Fraud." We saw the last part of the production work and just now witnessed a preview of the picture. We are assured that at least ninety-five per cent, of it will be available to exhibitors, early in December when the general release time is set, exactly a-s we saw it the oher day in one of Universal City's many little projection rooms. inspired by the fury of a caged aeroplane propellor attacking the efforts of a properly functioning garden hose. Recently when the papers said New York was experiencing its first twenty-above-zero of the season we were tramping over a few of some of the three hundred or more acres which constitute Carl Laemmle's film ranch. The thermometer in the Laemmle shade was nearly seventy points above that credited to be chronicled on a similar instrument outside a window in the Laemmle Home Office. Branching off a Universal City road which was dusty even though well paved, we sought refuge from the Golden State trademark in a studio. A heat and brilliance even greater than that afforded by the California sun and climate smote us. Hastily departing we carried with us only a memory of several women in ermine cloaks walking daintly around on a set blinded by Kleig lights and sun spots. Down the road a little further we neared an exit in another studio from which an unmistakably cool breeze was blowing. We jumped at the opportunity and the opportunity welcomed us from head to foot. We were almost as wet but not quite as muddy as Reginald Denny who was seated on a doorstep braving the impact of a terrific storm Aimee McPherson Is "Film Flirting"? AIMEE SEMPLE McPherson is having her day in Hollyw«>od! S|he has already had many weeks in court. Just before going to press, Hollywood was buzzing with a report that the AngeUis Temple pastor, during recess periods from the witness stand, would step before the camera on a lot in Universal City. Mrs. McPherson has just visited Universal City, it is said. Miss Olmstead Soaked Out of the range of the storm we stood by Director William A. Seiter. Cameraman Arthur Todd was busily grinding away. Seiter shouted something which the whirring propellor seemed to drown. Immediately after there walked right out of a door and into the deluge delicate little Gertrude Olmstead. Miss Olmstead "got out of rain," as the boys in the old swimming hole used to describe the first ducking, almost before slie knew it. She was saturated by the time she opened an umbrella. While onlookers laughed themselves hoarse, little and very wet Miss Olmstead sat down in the mud besides Denny. Holding the umbrella in her right hand she placed her left arm around Denny's neck. The driving motor stopped and with it went the rain. Denny and Miss Olmstead got up and shook themselves. Seiter turned to a group off the set and enthusiastically exclaimed : "Well, that completes 'The Cheerful Fraud!' I know that when it is screened it will place itself on record as my best." It certainly is Denny's funniest. Denny vigorously nodded his head as he hurried away to his dressing room for a change of clothing. We heard that Universal was going to stage a preview of the picture so we hastened off to the California Theatre in Slauson, a little town about twelve miles over the Hollywood boundary. We got there just in time to see on the screen what we had witnessed in the studio and to hear a roar of laughter and applause in this 1800 seat house which was filled to capacity. George G. Kirstein, resident manager of the California whom we met in the Ambassador during the M. P. T. O. A. convention here last June, was all smiles. "You can tell The World for me that this is a wonderful picture. It's got the pep and thrills and the best part of it is it has laughs all through it. I'll say it's the best performance I have ever seen Denny give." Kirstein left us in the lobby with this apology: "It has been a big night and I have got to get started in counting the receipts." Having missed the preview we went the next day to Universal City's publicity director, Tom Reed, who graciously consented to a special showing of "The Cheerful Fraud" for Moving Picture World. Paul Gulick, Big "U's" publicity chieftain from New York, who came out here recently with President Carl Laemmle for a visit, joined us during the World Benefit Performance. Gulick Js Pleased We have sat with Gulick during trade showings in Manhattan of other Universal pictures. Never, however, did we find him so choked up with laughs and open in his praise for a feature as during this projection of "The Cheerful Fraud." At the conclusion we were satisfied that Director Seiter's enthusiasm was not partially due to the halo of happiness which has surrounded him since the announcement of nuptial ties associating him with Laura La Plante. We also could appreciate why Kirstein had reason to hurry to his boxoffice. Furthermore, we enjoyed the picture for the perspective of the thousands of box offices Moving Picture World necessarily has to keep always in mind, quite as much as Mr. Gulick. Speaking of Time Practically all of the action in "The Cheerful Fraud" takes place indoors. For this purpose General Production Manager Martin F. Murphy tells us he okayed an expenditure of $10,000 for the reproduction of the interior of a complete English home. Although the story is based upon happenings within a period of twelve hours it took exactly thirty-seven days to produce (Continued on page 210) The Cheerful Fraud " — R eginald Denny's Best