The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 4, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 343 Wm. Fox Has Fine Drama In "Sunrise" News comes from Fox Films that F. W. Murnau, celebrated •German director, is making a -vivid love story of "Sunrise," his ifirst American production. After two months of shooting, Murnau has completed rural sequences on location at Lake Arrowhead, and he is now in the midst of filming scenes in a metropolitan city. Rushes give promise of a successful production from both artistic and boxoffice viewpoints. With the aid of Janet Gaynor, George O'Brien and Margaret Livingston, Murnau has been unusually successful in developing his screen characters. By his original technique, he has uncovered new depths of dramatic talent in these American players. Is Richly Mounted Miss Gaynor and Mr. O'Brien are the principals in "The Song of Two Humans," the secondary title of "Sunrise." Miss Livingston is the city woman who disturbs the harmony of their love. The story was adapted by Dr. •Carl Mayer from an idea in Sundermann's "The Trip to Tilsit." It is a richly mounted production. An entire village was built on the shores of Lake Arrowhead for the rural sequences. Murnau is now working on one of the largest sets ever built for ■motion pictures. It covers an area a mile long and half a mile wide on the lot at Fox Hills, representing a section of a city ■complete with elevated trains, street cars and all the other big town phenomena. In securing unusual photographic effects, Murnau has the cooperation of Oiarles Rosher, who has filmed all Mary Pickford's pictures for the past nine years. Stars In "Quality" Gardner James jtZ-^UALITY," by Dixie v2 Wilson, will be the first vehicle for Gardner James, the popular new screen "find." This announcement comes from J. Boyce Smith, general manager of Insipration Pictures, Inc., after having a confirmation from Walter Camp, president of the organization. While no definite date has been set for production, it is intimated work will be started as soon as the script is prepared. "Quality" will mark the initial feature story for Gardner James under his Inspiration Pictures contract. The actor has been loaned to various producing companies in the past through Inspiration's courtesy, while time was being marked for the completion of Dick Barthelmes' contract with the company. Comedies Will Continue The Vogue, Asher Says THAT more than fifty per cent, of the feature pictures to be made in Hollywood during the coming year will be comedies, is the belief of E. M. Asher, producers of the Corinne Griffith features for First National. He bases his opinion on the unusual success of comedy features over dramatic vehicles during the last few months. This, he declares, has proved ■to producers that audiences throughout the country are at present in the frame of mind ■where they would much rather laugh than sigh. In keeping with the desire for comedy, Asher states that almost all of his activity will be devoted to laugh-producing pictures. At the present time his company is making "McFadden's Flats" for First National. This picture is now in its fifth week under the supervision of Edward Small. By arrangement with John McCorniick, general manager of First National's West Coast productions, both Charlie Murray and Larry Kent were loaned to Small. Bachmann Ranks High As Successful Producer Head of Preferred Pictures Took Reins When His Former Partners, B. P. Schulberg and Al. Lichtman, Withdrew FIRST hand knowledge of the needs of the independent market, gained through four years' experience as sales chief for Preferred Pictures, is the practical asset -which J. G. Bachmann took with him to Hollywood a few months ago when he went there to become the producer of the present Preferred program. With half of that program now completed, Mr. Bachmann has taken ,his place among the acknowledged producers, and his success reflects the benefits of distribution knowledge as a background for studio work. Mr. Bachmann has been closely identified with the industry for seven years, his first affiliation being in the development of Katherine MacDonald as a star under the First National banner. J. G. Bachmann In 1922 he formed a three-cornered partnership with B. P. Schulberg and Al Lichtman, for the production and distribution of Preferred Pictures for release on the independent market. Upon the resignation of Mr. Lichtman he assumed full charge of the sales work, and for the next four seasons visited the distribution centres at regular intervals. To. Mr. Bachman goes the credit for marketing thirty-two Preferred Pictures produced by B. P. Schulberg. Many of these were outstanding box-office attractions and registered records for high grosses. Exhibitors will recall such of them as "Rich Men's Wives," "Poor Men's Wives," "The Virginian," "Maytime," "Capital Punishment," "The Plastic Age," etc. Before starting on his schedule of thirteen Preferred Pictures for 1926-1927, Mr. Bachman took time-out long enough last spring to make a series of short subjects, "The Charleston in Six Lessons," the demand for which he had learned on one of his country-wide visits of independent exchanges. This novelty was one of the most profitable and unique releases of its kind ever made. Shortly after the completion of this subject he announced his intention of carrying on the production activities formerly sponsored by Mr. Schulberg in furnishing the independent market with a superior type of feature — activities which were temporarily suspended following Mr. Schulberg's appointment as associate producer for Famous PlayersLasky. In a brief period of six months Mr. Bachman has accomplished many things. Five of his feature presentations are released, these being "Lew Tyler's Wives," "The Romance of a Million Dollars," "Dancing Days," "Shameful Behavior?" and "His New York Wife." Recognizes Ability Through the influence of this new producer the independent market has for the first time received the services of such directors as Harley Knoles and Tom Terriss. He has also secured for it Dr. Alexander Arkatov, European genius, who will soon work under Preferred auspices. Another accomplishment in the directorial field was the development by Mr. Bachmann of the megaphone talents of Albert Kelley, former assistant to Cecil De Mille. New talent is recognized by Mr. Bachmann as a constant and ever-growing need. Having been partially responsible for the discovery and development of such personalities as Clara Bow, Donald Keith, Atyce Mills and Gilbert Roland, Mr. Bachmann is still on the lookout for young players of promise — the finding of whom has played a conspicuous part in the success of the Preferred organization up to this time. Gloria Gordon is one of the newer actresses for whom Mr. Bachmann may claim credit. It is worth noting, also, that it is he who (Continued on page 346)