The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 4, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 351 Army Helps To Make New Columbia Film THE popular craze for themes dealing with the human element in the World War seems unabated. it would seem that Columbia Pictures has chosen the "psychological moment" to announce "Remember," which is based upon the love-rivalry of two American doughboys in the A. E. F. and sequential happenings back home. Dorothy Phillips and Earle Metcalfe play the leads. Metcalfe has an honorable overseas record as lieutenant in the 165th U. S. Infantry (the Fighting 69th New York Irish Regiment), with citations from the French and General Pershing "for exceptional meritorious and conspicuous service." He is now captain and regimental adjutant of the 364th U. S. Infantry. To him and his fellowofficers in this regiment arc dje much of the credit for the realistic war scenes that seem destined to make "Remember" a screen sensation. During the making of the picture at Columbia's Hollywood studios. Director David Selman had the expert counsel and advice of Capt. Metcalfe and Col. Dwight M. Green, commanding officer, together with Willard Cooley, master sergeant and Joseph O'Brien, commanding Company C. Lincoln Stedman plays the role of "Slim" Dugan, a typical doughboy. Colleen Moore Is Chosen To Play "Bennie'' "Bennie" is to be Colleen Moore's next First National picture, according to announcement by John McCormick, general manager of West Coast production for First National Pictures and producer of Colleen Moore's photoplays. "Bennie," written by A. H. Giebler, former newspaper man who has for several years been writing scenarios and titles, will realize for Miss Moore her ambition to wear boy's clothes in a picture ! She will be seen as a minor but important member of a financially crippled theatrical troupe touring the small towns. Later she appears as printer's devil in a country newspaper office. The opportunities for com€dy as well as moments of drama are plentiful and the central role will afford Miss Moore one of the most novel characteriza Ideal, in England, Starts Drive For F. B. O. Films Louise Brooks and William Collier, Jr., in First National's "Just Another Blonde." Has "Mother" Lead Belle Bennett is to play the lead in "Mother," which is to be brought to the screen from Kathleen Norris' book, F. B. O. Fox Sends Cameramen To Erin for Realism With production of "Mother Machree" virtually completed, Fox Films is sending two cameramen to Ireland to obtain additional scenes that will make this new John Ford production one of the most authentic pictures of the Emerald Isle that has been made to date. Winfield R. Sheehan, vice president of Fox Films, was so impressed with this story of the celebrated song that he decided to hold the release until more shots of Ireland can be added to the already beautiful background. Belle Bennett plays the title role in "Mother Machree." Others in the cast are Neil Hamilton, Constance Howard, Ethel Clayton, Victor McLaglen, Ted McNamara, Philip de Lacey, and Pat Somerset. The story is by Rida Johnson Young. Assign Lois Weber To Direct Duncan Girls LOIS WEBER has been signed by Joseph M. Schenck, to direct the Duncan Sisters, Vivian and Rosetta, in the screen version of "Topsy and Eva," tlieir stage success. Clarence Hennecke has been signed as "gag" man to assist Miss Weber. It is understood that the Duncan Sisters will continue in vaudeville on the Coast for sev 'On the Dotted Line" T DEAL FILMS, LTD., OF A ENGLAND, which will distribute the product of Film Booking offices of America throughout the United Kingdom, have started off a smashing selling campaign on the F. B. O. pictures, according to Colvin W. Brown, vice-president, in charge of distribution. Along the most up-to-date lines, by means of colored inserts in all the prominent British trade journals, they announced their association with F. B. O., which was brought about by Mr. Brown and President Joseph P. Kennedy, and also announced the line-up of pictures they were to distribute. These advertisements were backed up by a big special issue of their house organ, "Idealetter" a snappy publication which might be copied to advantage by some American house organs. Next a three-day convention of the entire Ideal selling staff was held in London, under the chairmanship of Harry Rowson, joint managing director of Ideal, F. B. O.'s London representative, S. D. Newman, was another importation figure in this, and supervised the screening of the first pictures his organization has shipped to Ideal. "Bigger Than Barnum's" was reviewed at this showing by the English trade journals, and received the highest praise. The Ideal sales force started out full of enthusiasm to deal with their 3,100 customers, and with the finest of spirit toward F. B. O. and its product. R. M. Berry, of British Columbia, contracts for the Banner group, with J. E. Archer, First National exchange manager (left), and R. S. Bell, western sales supervisor. Fire Destroys Large Captive War Balloon A large captive balloon used in a battle sequence of "The Rough Riders" caught fire and was destroyed by explosive projectives near El Monte this week. An observer in the balloon made a descent of 300 feet in time to escape injury. The scene represented the first use of a captive balloon by the American Army. It was sent up at the beginning of the assault on Kettle Hill in the summer of 1898, but was worse than useless, making a splendid target for the enemy. Victor Fleming, directing the Paramount production, fortuately secured the scene required before the balloon was destroyed.