The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

348 MC)VI\(i I'ICTURE WORLD ductinn, Dictures John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in this pose. Fox Eucharistic Congress Pictures in Other Cities Name Cast In "Fingerprints" For Warner's From Warner Pros.' west coast studio comes the announcement that the cast for "Fingerprints," the Arthur Somers Roche story, has been completed. The picture is the latest of the Twenty-six Warner Winners to go into production. It got under way two weeks ago and Director Lloyd Bacon is making rapid progress with it. Arthur Somers Roche, one of the most widely read of present day authors, is said to have created a masterpiece m "Fingerprints," and the story has been given an excellent cast and direction. Those popular purveyors of comedy roles, Louise Fazenda and John T. Murray, are the stars, admirably supported by a cast that mcludes Helene Costello, Myrna Loy, Ed Kennedy, George Nichols, Jerry Miley, Martha Mattox, Franklin Pangborn, William Demarest, Robert Perry, Joseph Stone, Warner Richmond and Andy Norton, Start Second Film With "Fingerprints" well under way, Warners have also started on the production of a second Arthur Somers Roche story. The original schedule for the Twenty-six Warner Winners called for two pictures from this popular author. The second of the two is "Wolf's Clothmc;," and will again bring together Monte Blue and Patsy Ruth Miller. First scenes were shot October 2L So far the only member of the supporting cast selected is John Miljan, but a number of additions will be made in the next few days. ^ FTER SHATTERING all r\ attendance records for the liouse and setting a new high mark in money taken in at the box office for a motion picture in a legitimate theatre, the official film of the Eucharistic Congress of Chicago moved out of Jolson's Theatre, New York City, after the evening performance on Sunday, November 21st. On the same night it opened in Boston and Chicago to large and enthusiastic audiences of first nighters. The Boston Opera House was the scene of the New England premiere. Every seat in this immense theatre was occupied and the standees were ten deep when the first title was flashed on the screen. The Boston presentation had the distinguished patronage of His Eminence William, Cardinal O'Connell, archbishop of the city, who attended the initial showing accompanied by his entourage. The large and magnificent Illinois Theatre is housing the Chicago show. Half of the city tried to squeeze into the theatre on the opening night. His Eminence, George, Cardinal Mundelhein, archbishop of Chicago and sponsor of the Congress, who had the picture made for him by Fox Films, attended the opening in the Windy City. The last three days of the New York showing gave veterans of the show business something to think about, as the crowds from all over the city besieged the out-of-the-way theatre to see the picture. Without exaggeration it can be conservatively stated that on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the people turned away from the box office totalled more than ten thousand. Standing room space was at a premium. Three M-G-M Features Now In Production '"pHREE feature productions A launched within the last week, several in the final stages of preparation for early filming, six other screen plays now nearing completion and p r e p a r atory work began on a half dozen more, indicate that Metro-GoldwynMayer is approaching the zenith of its fall production schedule, it was announced last week by Irving G. Thalberg, associate studio executive. 'The Taxi Dancer," story by Robert P. Shannon, has entered production under the direction of Harry Millarde, with the leading roles taken by Joan Crawford, Owen Moore and Marc MacDermott. Another feature to get under way during the last week is "The Day of Souls," directed by Tod Browning, starring John Gilbert, with Renee .Adoree in the leading feminine role. The third is "California," Peter B. Kyne's original, serving as a starring vehicle for Tim McCoy, with Aileen Pringle in the leading feminine role. This picture is being directed by W. S. Van Dyke, who directed McCoy's first M-G-M western, "War Paint." Bretherton Promoted Howard Bretherton has just been elevated from the position at the Warner Bros, studios. Bretherton is a college graduate and Warners have assigned him to direct Rin-Tin-Tin's "Hills of Kentuc'. y." First Jannings' Story Selected "The Man Who Forgjot God" was announced yesterday by E. P. Schulberg, Paramount West Coast executive, as Emit Jannings' first American film. The photoplay is expected to give Jannings a flying start in his American career, as the title role offers him an opportunity unsurpassed by a characterization he has given before. Bruce Barton's story will be made on a lavish scale under the supervision of Erich Pommer, Paramojnt featured producer, who guided Jannings through some of his greatest successes abroad. Mauritz Stiller will direct the preparations for the production to be launched immediately. Lois Moran in F. P.-L. Picture Lois Moran is rushing from one studio to another these days. When Malcolm St. Clair be.gan work on "The CrossEyed Captain" at the Paramount Long Island studio, November 22, she was one of the principal members of the cast, playing the role of the young girl about whom the action of the story revolves. She has been in eight pictures in the last eighteen months and is in great demand by producers. Two of these, "Padlocked" and "God Gave Me Twenty Cents," have been Paramount pictures. Beauty In Distress Nina Romano (Mrs. Lou Tellegen) registers anguish during dramatic moment in the Gotham Production "Money to Burn."