The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 11, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 411 Swanson^ Barrymore, Keaton Films on A* January List Colleen Moore's Next Big Feature Colleen Moore's next picture win be "Miss George Washington," accoriling to announcement made this week by John McCormIck, producer of this star's pictures and general manager of West Coast production for First IVationaU Mi|Bsi Moore's story is based on a threeact comedy dirama by Lc^vis Allen Browne. "Miss George Washington" will follow "Orchids and ISrmine," the picture of New York hotel life on which Miss Moore is now engaged, under the direction of Alfred Santell. '•Miss Geors-e Wasliington will be tlie third In Miss Moore's current series, wliicli was inaugti\mtedi so ausiilclously by "T^vinklctoes," adapted from tiie colorful Limehouse story of the same name by Thomns Burke. The fourth film in this group will prolmbly be "Bennle," another comedydrama of the type intimately associated with Miss Moore. Gloria Will Offer Herself in Six Roles in "Sunya," with a Great Cast; "Ragged Lover" and "The General" THE first independently produced films of three of the' biggest stars in motion pictures, Gloria Swanson, John Barrymore and Buster Keaton, are now being distributed by United Artists Corporation, for January, 1927, release. These films are Gloria Swanson's "Sunya," John Barrymore's "The Ragged Lover" and Buster Keaton's "The General." Gloria Swanson Buster Keaton John Beu-rymore Meehan Will Do "Mother," F. B. O. Film As a reward for having pro■duced with great success the pictures made from the novels of his mother-in-law. Gene Stratton-Porter, J. Leo Meehan has won the assignment to direct "Mother," which F. B. O. is to make from the novel by Kathleen Norris, and in which Belle Bennett of "Stella Dallas" fame will be starred. The industry is familiar with "Keeper of the Bees" and "Laddie," botb in general circulation, and Meehan's latest is "The Magic Garden." Mr. Meehan was a newspaper editor when he married Jeanette Stratton-Porter. He now owns and supervises the "Pasadena Sun," but spends most of his time in preparing scripts and directing pictures. Heerman Will Direct Wynn In Fun Film Victor Heerman, who will direct Ed Wynn in his first screen comedy for Paramount, arrived in New York last Wednesday from California. The director has joined Wynn and Doty Hobart, scenarist, in making final preparations for the start of filming, on December 27, at the Faramont Long Island studio. Wynn will make his initial film vehicle from an original story idea furnished by himself. Canada Likes His Pictures, Says Clarke Cranfield and Clarke of Canada, Ltd., have released in Canada "The Rat," "Morganson's Finish," "Pearl of Love" and "The Plastic Age." Business is reported to be exceptaonally good. Col. W. F. Clarke, who is at present in Toronto, is very ■happy about the way things are working out for them in Canada. George Balsdon, who has been attending a directors' meeting of Cranfield and Clarke in New York, has returned to Montreal to inaugurate a very vigorous policy. Robert Romney, managing director of Cranfield and Clarke of Canada, reports very excellent business on all the Cranfield and Clarke product in the St. John's territory. Niblo Directing Norma Talmadge Norma Talmadge this week began work on a modern screen version of "Camille." Gilbert Roland, a Spaniard, is appearing opposite the star as her leadmg man. Rose Dione is another to whom a role of importance has been assigned. Fred Niblo, responsible for many lavish productions, including "Ben Hur," is for the first time directing Miss Talmadge. Madame de Grossac wrote the adaptation of "Camille," from the novel by Dumas, the younger. The production, which will be released by First National, will be one of the most lavish yet attempted by Norma Talmadge. Francis Is Signed Alec Francis has been signed by John Considine, representing Joseph Schenck productions, whereby he will play an important part in Norma Talmadge's "Camille." Francis is expected to leave New York early in January. Lillian Tashman is also playing "Camille." F. P.-L. Star Cast Norman Trevor has been assigned an important role in "Children of Divorce," which Frank Lloyd will direct for Paramount. Having widest latitude in budget as well as in creative thought, each of the three newest independent stars Has spent fiom $550,000 to $750,000 on her or his initial United Artists Picture. Also, they will have spent from five to seven months each in preparation, production and titling their films. • Miss Swanson's "Sunya," directed by Albert Parker, who did "The Black Pirate" for Douglas Fairbanks, is being made at the Cosmopolitan Studio in New York. In the story, the title of which means "dream" or "illusion," Miss Swanson has six characterizations, ranging "Paradise Alley" on Schedule for Dec. 15 "Sunshine of Paradise Alley," featuring Barbara Bedford, is announced by Chadwick Pictures Corporation for release on December 15th, as the fourth of its First Division Pictures of the season. The cast includes, in addition to Barbara Bedford, Nigel Barrie, Kenneth McDonald, Lucille Lee Stewart, Max Davidson, Max Ascher, Park Jones, Gayne Whitman, Tui Lorraine, Lydia Yeaman Titus, Evelyn Sherman, Leon Holmes and Monty O'Grady. from a gorgeously gowned opera singer to a drab working girl struggling to support her family. John Barrymore's "The Ragged Lover," is notable for the individual expression of Barry-, more's creative genius in selection of story, cast and sets. The $550,000 budget on "the General," making possible the tr.emedous scale upon which the railroad sequence and the Civil War battle scenes are staged, caused Buster Keaton to call "The General" a "comedy spectacle." Joseph M. Schenck, producer of all of Buster's pictures, says "The General" is "better than 'The Navigator'." Hal Roach To Make Two Reel Dramas It is understood from an un-questionable source that Hal Roach has made up his mind to turn out two reel dramas. Roach is now looking about for a big director trained in the school of drama. He is desirous of obtaining a man of the class of D. W. Griffith. Griffith has rejected Roach's offer to direct short dramas and his telegraphic rejection expressed appreciation and at the same time information that this director's future plans are at present indefinite.