The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 11, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 409 Wampas Soon To Name 1927 "Baby Stars" Early next year a strong box. .now guarded in a local bank, will be opened and from the ballots secluded therein will be determined Hollywood's luckiest thirteen girls. The ballots for "Baby Stars" were cast by members of the Wampas at their last meeting. These West Coast publicists are to be equalled by not even Tammany Hall when it comes to electioneering. As an illustration, the "Baby Star" election night at the Writers Club witnessed the presentation of a large jazz orchestra by Arch Reeve of Paramount to argue harmoniously for the feasibility of his candidate, Jean Navelle. Now 30 Caiulidates Reprints of the attractive faces of Helene Costello and Rita Carewe were distributed all through the dining hall by Harry Wilson. We learned that there were thirty candidates in all, but we will not attempt to make any prophecy at this time as to the lucky thirteen, although we have heard a number of names mentioned. The Wampas "Baby Stars" will be officially known when the count is made by a committee including a minister and a banker. No reason is assigned for either, unless the girls are to have a wealth of virtue as well as a savings account. List of Nominees The nominees who aspire to be credited by the Wampas with having the greatest opportunities for 1927 include : Helene Costello, Myrna Loy, Natalie Kingston, Sally Rand, Gwen Lee, Jeanne Navelle, Frances Lee, Barbara Kent, Priscilla Bonner, Sally Phipps, Gladys McConnell, Adamae Vaughn, Martha Sleeper, Jean Arthur, Jatricia Avery, Betty Boyd, Lois Boyd, Rita Carewe, Majel Coleman, Yola d'Avril, Eugenie Gilbert, Frances Lee, Isabelle Locke, Marian Mack, Mary McAllister, Nancy Nash, Ann Rork, Iris Stuart, Ruth Taylor and Barbara Worth. The Wampas election night was also featured by the introduction by Fox's coast publicity director, Bob Yost, of many celebrities in the cast of "What Price Glory." These include Victor McLaglen, Dolores del Rio, Ted McNamara and Sam Cohen. Incidentally, Miss Del Rio was picked by the Wampas as the 1926 "Baby Star." You Couldn't Refuse Them Christie eir\s and dnils they sold at St. Thomas ("Hollywood) Church bazaar held at the Christie studios. Laemmle Smashes Rumor Of Any Universal Merger T N a two-minute exclusive interview, which took us two weeks of persistent effort to get, Carl' Laemmle emphatically swept aside all rumors, and reports, both verbal and written, which have been circulated during the past six months about Universal Films Corporation being absorbed by this company or about to be merged with that company. "Is Universal going to unite with United Artists and Educational?" we shot as our first question at the "U" Chief of Chiefs. "Not a word of truth in it," came back the immediate reply. Big Plans for 19127 "Is there any chance of Universal being absorbed by Film Booking Offic.es or Universal taking over Film Booking Offices?" was our second question. "Not a word of truth in it," Mr. Laemmle reiterated. "Will there be any possibility of Universal doing any of these things during the next year and during that time also making any general change in its policy?" we quickly injected. "I cannot tell what will happen in five years from now. I do not anticipate anything so far as mergers arc concerned. The company's policy will be the same except that we are making the biggest pictures next year that we have ever made." Mr. Laemmle then mentioned as some of the "biggest": "The Big Gun," "The Show Boat" and "The Man Who Laughs." All these he said he expects to be topped in costliness by "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Mr. Laemmle stated, "will be the biggest picture ever to be made by any producer. The director tells me it will be the most expensive, but I hope," and Mr. Laemmle laughed, "that part is not too true." Mr. Laemmle verified the report that "Uncle Tom's Zabin'' production costs will be ; t their least in the neighborhood of $2,000,000. We had only requested to see Mr. Laemmle for two minutes. Just as we were about to ask the next question we thought of our watch. Mr. Laemmle did not look at his, but two minutes are two minutes in the "U" Chief's office whether they are in the Hecksher Building, Fifth Avenue or the Administrative Building, Universal City. "I hope I have given you a good interview" nodded Mr. Laemmle. Our assurance that he had, violated the policy of the Laemmle sanctum since it put us one half minute to the good on our time limit. Downs in Vaudeville Johnny Downs, we learned the other day at the Hal Roach studio, is no longer with the "Our Gang" youngsters. Johnny, it is said, has just signed up for 12 weeks big-time on vaudeville stages. Washington Becomes 1926 Hero Of Films George Washington is ■ cer.tainly having his days in Hollywood these weeks I Out at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio Tdm McCoy is looking for a George Washington of 25 years of age for his Peter B. Kyne untitled production. In the studio at the same time they are trying to decide on Major Rupert Hughes' conception of "George Washington As a Man." Over at First National studio Production Chief John McCormick sends us word that Colleen Moore's next picture will be "Miss George Washington." Metro Goldwyn Mayer, in connection with Hughes' interpretation of Washington, argues that there is indisputable evidence that Washington was bitterly assailed during his administration. John McCormick, on the other hand, in regard to the title of Miss Moore's picture says ; "This news is especially interesting in view of the widespread discussion now being centered on 'The Father of His Country.' " No fireplaces in California, so Aileen Day, Pathe star, hangs her stocking in a tree. New Crop Of Beauties Sprouts In Hollywood