Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

60 EXHIBIT ORS HERALD November 11. 1922 ith the procession m Ijos By Harry Hammond Beall CHARLIE CHAPLIN is to become a full-fledged director in the near future! Of course Charles has been directing his own comedies for years but now comes word that the inimitable comedian is to wield the megaphone on behalf of his former leading woman, Edna Purviance, whom he intends to star in her own right. .Much sentiment lies back of this fact inasmuch as it was Mr. Chaplin who first discovered Miss Purviance's talent. The initial picture in which the new star is to appear under the famous Charlie's direction is to be a film version of a highly dramatic Rumor has it that Will Rogers, noted cowboy-star, is to return to the coast within a month to appear in two-reel specials to be made under the direction of Hal Roach. As Roach is out of town at this time it is impossible to confirm the announcement but it is generally believed that the story is true. * * * Having completed the last "shots" in "Peg o' My Heart" last week, Laurette Taylor, star of both the stage and screen version of the classic, departed for the East with her playwright-husband, J. Hartley Manners. On her arrival in New York she will begin studying her role for "Humoresque," a stage adaptation of the Fannie Hurst story. King Vidor, who directed "Peg," has already been engaged as director for Clara Kimball Young in her picturization of "The Woman in Bronze," from the story by Margaret Delanrl. * * * Eddie Sutherland, the clever young leading man, has deserted the grease paint for the megaphone. Eddie is to assist none other than Charlie Chaplin himself, according to a recent announcement. Sutherland is one of the most popular players in Hollywood and has been in ureat demand with the various studios. His desire to learn the directorial end of the business from a master craftsman such as Chaplin is the cause for his desertion of the screen. Very good, Eddie ! Jackie Coogan's next picture, which has to do with thrills and adventure of circus life, is to be directed by Eddie Cline, former megaphone wielder for Buster Keaton. Cline is being loaned to the Coogan organization for the one picture only, as Buster expects to resume work shortly. Clarke Irvine, popular publicist, has been retained by the Warner Brothers because he has sufficient "Brass" to tell the world about "Main Street." Aside from that, Clarke is a rattling good purveyor of press tid bits and both he and the five brothers are to be congratulated. "Jazzmania" will be the title of Mae Murray's new production for Metro which Robert Z. Leonard is directing. The original title of this story by Edmund Colliding was "Coronation," and it is now under production in Culver City. William King, a well known figure in film exchange circles, has organized a production company with the backing of Eastern and local capital, and will shortly commence work at the Fine Arts Studio. At one time Mr. King was general manager of a large releasing corporation in New York. * * * It is generally believed here in Hollywood that "Tony" Moreno is being groomed for the pinnacle recently vacated by "Rudy" Valentino. Present indications point to this belief and it is announced that Moreno will essay the star role in "The Spanish Cavalier," in which Valentino was to be featured. This much, at least, is true — "Tony" has a highly picturesque role in the production of "My American Wife," in which Cloria Swanson is starred. * * * Edward Bowes, vice president of Goldwvn Pictures Corporation, general mana ger of the Capitol Theatre, Xew York, and husband of Margaret Illington, the stage star, is a Los Angeles visitor this week. Mr. Bowes is here to confer with Abraham Lehr on business matters and he will probably remain in the city for two weeks or more. Co-incident with Mr. Bowes' arrival comes the announcement from Mr. Lehr that Goldwyn Pictures have not relinquished their right to "Ben Hur" and that it will be produced shortly. June Mathis is now preparing the script in the East. * * * Grauman's Egyptian theatre in Hollywood has been the scene of many notable parties since its formal opening. Many of the famous screen stars have entertained at the cinema palace and other parties are planned. * * * There is a gathering of the clan at Universal City this week. Big Chief Carl Laemmle arrived in Los Angeles recently and he has been joined by Edward Armstrong, district manager for Universal Exchanges and William Cutts, western manager of theatres under the control of "U." Things have taken on a decided hum in production at Universal City since the arrival of the boss. * * * Hugo Ballin, artist and motion picture director; Mabel Ballin, star of his productions, and their technical staff are now located on the Goldwyn lot and are making elaborate preparations for the production of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair." The Ballins have been making pictures in the East for the past three years and have returned to the west coast because they believe production conditions are better here. * * * Alfred P. Hamburg, for many years associated with D. W. Griffith in various capacities and more recently production manager for Reginald Barker, died in this city last Wednesday night following an illness of several weeks. Mr. Hamburg had been identified with the motion picture industry for several years and at one time was exploitation and production manager for William Fox. While with Griffith, Hamburg occupied several executive offices and at that time received a thorough working knowledge of the motion picture in Pantages Theatre suffered the loss of $fi,:>00 in cash last Sunday morning, when two armed thugs held up Arthur F. Schicki, auditor of the house, worked the combination of the theatre vault, locked Schicki inside and escaped with their loot. * * * Charles M. Christie, well-known film and realty man, returned to Los Angeles this week from a visit in the East, bringing with him four more dogs to add to the rapidly growing Christie kennels. Mr. Christie reports that keen interest has been aroused in the East over Hollywood's first bench show, to be held in the near future. Goldwyn's "Sin Flood" Booked at N. Y. Capitol "The Sin Flood," Goldwyn's picturization of Henning Berger's drama, "Syndafioden," will play at the Capitol theatre. New York. This is the picture which Goldwyn officials declare will prove one of the biggest things of the vear. "The Sin Flood" was directed by Hank Lloyd. The cast is headed by llelcne Chadwick and Richard Dix, including lames Kirkvvood, Ralph Lewis, William Orlaroond, L. H. King. Howard Davies, Otto Lederer, Will Walling and John Steppling. A dramatic moment in "Notoriety," the all star Will Nigh production for L. Lawrence Weber & Bobby North, for the state right market.