The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

Last M i n u t e News From Everywhere OH, pshaw; G. B. S. says Gene Tunney's not good enough to play In film of his novel. "Can't fight," says George. "Can't write,"' says Gene. \ stand-oft. MOVING PICTURE WORLD PETE THE PUP Walter Lantz's star performer for Bray Cartoons, has received special permit to go unmuzzled in park, announces Christine Hamilton, Bray P. A. Vol. 83 New York, December 4, 1926 No. 6 Picture History May Be Shown in French Tapestry Lesser Orders a Woven "Stai" of Gobelins The first Gobelins tapestry ever made for a private individual will probably come to the United States from France as the property of Sol Lesser. It will be woven from a painting representing: the progress of Ihe motion picture industry, and will be the first Gobelins tapestry made for a private individual since the famous manufactory became a state Institution In 1662 under Louis XIV. This Is contingent upon a favorable vote in January by the French Senate on a law authorizing the sale of Gobelins to Individuals. The tapestry specified by Mr. Lesser will take six "taplssieis artistes" three to five years to weave. The average workman can weave only two and a quarter square inches a d.ay. This woven "still" of motion picture history will be about twentyfive feet long by fourteen feet high. The main design of the tapestry "shall represent in striking symbolic form or DHgeant the chief screen triumphs in the history and development of the motion picture industry." For this it is Mr. Leaser's idea to choose — probably by a jury of screen critics — notable scenes from the screen's masterpieces. Such films as "Intolerance," "Passion," "The Kid," "The Four Horsemen," "The Covered Wagon," "The Ten Commandmentti," {Continued on page 2) Lubin Wai Build New Roxy Theatre Herbert Dubin has aoiiuired a site at Lexington avenue, 58th and 5»th streets, IMew York City, and will Immediately begin erecting n second Koxy Theatre. Intentions are to open it in Ueeeniber, 1927. It will cost OOO.OOO and seat 3,.">00. S. L. Rothafcl win be in charge. The present Roxy Tlieatre. Seventh avenue and .lOth street, which cost $10,000.<M>0 and will seat 0,000, opens in February. Late Chicago News Notes Ralph Kettering, publicity executive of the Asclicr circuit, denied that the company has received a $1,500,000 loan from Wall Street bankers. . Harry Ascher has been named managing director of the new 3,500-seat Sheridan Theatre, which opens on Christmas Day with n de luxe picture and presentation policy. The Tower Theatre was robbed of $3 100 by a bandit who escaped in an antontobile. Federal Judge Wilkerson has appointed the Chicago Title and Trust Co. receiver for the United Masonic Temple Building which houses the Oriental Theatre. This does not affect operation of the theatre by Balaban & Katz. F. B. O. Plans Specials? F. B. O.'s announcement of Its first three subjects for the new semson indicates that several big specials are planned. One will be "The Windjammers of Gloucester,'' dealing with fishermen of the old New England port. A nationally known woman star will appear in "Little Orphan Annie," from the James Whitcomb Riley poem. The third subject announced will be the late Larry Evans' Cosmopolitan Magazine story, "Down Our Way." H. M. Warner Recovers Harry M. Warner has returned to his desk after a severe attack of grippe. He was in bed for about a week. Laemmle Scholarship Award * Launched For "Miserables" Columbia UniTersity President Heads Committee —Eleven Prizes Offered— First Is $1,000 By Sumner Smith CARL LAEMMLE, president of Universal, has completed plans for what probably is the most comprehensive scholarship award ever conceived in connection with motion pictures. The awards will be called the Carl Laemmle-Victor Hugo Scholarships and will be made as a result of studies of Hugo's masterpiece, "Les Miserables," which Laemmle is soon to release in screen form as a Universal Film de France. 4 The importance of these awards may be estimated by the fact that Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University and one of the country's leading educators, has accepted a place in the little group London Cable Moving Picture World Bureau, London November 30. Dorothy Ciah, who was ordered out of Hyde Park whilst Aiming a scene, has appealed unsuccessfully for more latitude for British films. "Maya," the German life story of a bee, is creating a lot of interest here. "The Modern Du Barry" is another German film which has been favorably received by the newspaper and magazine critics. M-G-M Takes Over Operation Of 44 Brazil Picture Houses of men of letters who will rule on the relative merits of the candidates for scholarships. Others in the group are Dr. John J. Tigert, United States Commissioner of Education; Dr. Ernest Crandall, director of Visual Education In New York City; Dr. Thomas Finnigan, chairman of Visual Education of the National Education Association, and, representing the authors of the screen, Octavus Roy Cohen, recently won to the screen by Universal. There will be eleven awards, one amounting to $t,000, and ten amounting to $500 each, a total of $6,000 offered by Laemmle totowards a greater study and a greater appreciation of Victor Hugo by students in the United States. The essays will be limited to 500 words. The principal basis upon which those trying for the scholarships will be judged will be their critical apprecation of Hugo's work as exemplified in a 500-word essay on the following subject: "What ideals for life do you find In "Les Miserables?' " Tentative dates for the sub{Coniinned on piii^e 2) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has assumed operation of forty-four motion picture theatres in Brazil. The owners of these theatres—twenty-two in Sao Paulo, fourteen in Rio de Janeiro and eight in Santos— pooled their interests and arranged for the company to run them and show its product in them. This arrangement, which gives Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer a key position for all flrst-run theatre showings, Is upon a percentage basis. There have been many instances of a motion picture company taking over a circuit ot theatres. But never before has a group of independent theatre owners combined to entrust their holdings to the operation of a producing and distributing organization. The intent of these theatre owners was to secure the benefit of the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Pictures and the Marcus Loew method of theatre management. It is interesting to note that the showing of pictures In Brazil is about sl.x months behind the showing of the same films In the United States. "The Big Parade" is scheduled to open at the Theatre Casino, Rio de Janeiro, January 1. It will be followed by "Ben Hur" anil other Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pictures. Sells the Audience To Sell Theatre Man E N. Oshel, 1». D. C. salesman travelling; out of KansuN City, gets contracts*. T. D. Peal of the Koyal, Grain Valley, Mo., coiiiiin't decide on the P. I>. C. Success Series. Oshel attked If he could address the audience. In a four-minute talk he described De niille-Metropolltan pictures unil mou the admission from the imtrons that they wanted to see them. Then Peal booked the series to till uv the balance of hla open time for one year.