Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1924)

Page 32 Exhibitors Trade Review The 'Bi^ Litde Fea^ture CENTURY ANNOUNCES AUGUST RELEASE Abe Stern, vice-president of Century Comedies, on the eve of his departure for an extended vacation in Europe, announced that his company would release four two-reel comedies for August through Universal. The Hst is headed by "Her Fortunate Face," the first of the new series starring Wanda Wiley, the sensational "find" made by the Stern Brothers, This picture has been shown to the trade, and Miss Wiley's work and personality have been highly praised. In it she is supported by Harry McCoy and Hilliard Karr, both stars in Century comedies. "Scared Stif¥," with Henry Murdock and Bessie Welsh, is the second and will be followed by "The Blow Out," with Buddy Messinger and the Century Comedy Kids. "Eat and Run," the last_on the list, is an unusual story for a two-reel comedy in that it carries a real plot throughout, which might easily be utilized for a feature length production. Max Davidson, the well known Jewish character actor, is featured with Harry McCoy and Al All Bessie Welsh plays the feminine lead. STERN BROTHERS IN CARLSBAD Julius and Abe Stern, president and vice-president of the Century Corporation, producers of Century Comedies, are in Carlsbad enjoying a vacation, ac Baby Peggy, in Universal's short subject series, does not believe the famous song. She evidently enjoys the unique diet. cording to a cable received in New York today. Julius Stern will combine business with his pleasure and while in Europe will look about for story material for his productions. He will also attempt to secure the services of one of the members of the Follies Bergere in Paris to head his famous group of follies girls known as the Century Follies Girls. They are featured in many of the two-reelers made at the Century studios in Hollywood. Abe Stern is not going to mix any business with his trip. He will spend most of the time he is away resting at his old home, but will visit Paris, Berlin and London before returning to New York. * * * PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF 'GANG' ABANDONED Gloom is rampant on the Hal Roach lot in Culver City. A week ago the group of kid comedians whose performances in the Pathe "Our Gang" comedies have made them a national screen institution were jubilantly celebrating the prospects of a trip East for the purpose of appearing "in person" before the thousands who roar in spasms of delight over the antics of their screen images. Today the kids are the most downcast aggregation of youngsters between the two oceans. The tour has been definitely called ofif, and not even the arrival of the summer surcease from school seems to be able to soften the bitterness of their disappointment. It was originally planned to have the "Gang" make personal appearances in many of the large Eastern cities during the month of August. However, it was found that child labor laws in various Eastern states where tentative bookings had been arranged conflict so much with plans for the trip that the idea had to be abandoned. BIG SHORT SUBJECT WEEK FOR UNIVERSAL The biggest program of short subjects ever released in one week by Universal was put out last week by the various Universal exchanges. The schedule includes ten different subjects, totalling to seventeen reels of film. The increase is due to the simultaneous release of four special two-reel feature pictures. The four short specials include a Jack Dempsey picture, a Gumps comedy, a Baby Peggy comedy and another of the "Fast Steppers" series. 'The Runaway' Red Seal 1 Reel This Out-of-the-Inkwell cartoon comedy is probably one of the best of the series. It lifts the clown character from the inkwell and transports him through the Inferno regions in a truly Dante-esque manner. The clown becomes unmanageable and runs away from his creator. He slips through a crack in the floor and falls headlong into Hades where he meets all the little devils who proceed to prod him with dainty spears and show him a good time in general. The backgrounds are very realistic and the clown is kept busy hopping out of the way of darting flames and molten metal. He finally makes his way back to the desk of the artist and seeks retirement in the inkwell. This subject is very well handled and is safe booking. 'The Sport of Kings' Pathe 1 Reel Paul Terry stages a baseball game with his cartoon characters. The pitcher on one team would make the Yankee twirlers green with envy. He does everything with the ball but make it talk. The batters haven't a chance until the Babe Ruth of Mouseville comes to bat and, after much bowing to the crowd, he slams one out that isn't recovered until after the crowd has dispersed. These distinguished looking second story men are shown in a scene from Pathe's recent production, "Before Taking."