Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1924)

86 November 1, 1924 EXHIBITORS HERALD Scenes from “Ben Hnr” which Fred Niblo is now producing in Rome for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. the remaining four, which will comprise the unit of nine major productions his organization releases to the independents this season. The four pictures completed are; “The Fire Patrol,” Hunt Stromberg’s first directorial effort, which has won praise from exhibitors and the public, all over the country; Lionel Barrymore in “Meddling Women,” from the story written and directed by Ivan Abramson: “The Painted Flapper,” with James Kirkwood and Pauline Garon; a John Gorman production taken from the successful stage play of the same name by Alan Pearl; and the second Lionel Barrymore special, “I Am The Man,” also written and directed by Mr. Abramson. With the exception of the Lionel Barrymore pictures which were made in the East, the other completed pictures were made on the West Coast, as will the remaining four now being projected. The production schedule of the Chadwick Pictures Corporation this season, includes another main unit; the Larry Semon productions. These consist of two reel comedies which are being distributed to Educational, and feature length productions, the first of which was “The Girl in the Limousine” now being distributed by First National, and the second, “The Wizard of Oz,” now in production on the Coast. Reach Half Way Mark At the Jackson studio, C, C, Burr is producing Johnny Hines’ next starring vehicle “The Early Bird.” The entire cast, consisting of Johnny Hines, Sigrid Holmquist, Wyndam Standing, Edmund Breese and Bradley Barker have been working for the last five weeks with the result that the production has just about reached the half way mark. The continuity of “The Early Bird,” which calls for a large amount of varied action and locale, has kept the entire cast on the jump since production started, and the excellent results obtained are due also in no small measure to the competent technical staff which has kept to the production schedule since the inception of the feature. At the present time the complete studio space is taken up with four mammoth sets which include a reproduction of the Palais Royale in New York City; the in terior of a fashionable Fifth avenue residence; a complete milk-bottling plant, and a meeting hall typical of the many union gathering places. From present indications “The Early Bird” will be completed about November 1.5, and will probably be released nationally no later than December 1. Griffith Nears Completion D. W. Griffith is now at work at his studio in Mamaroneck on the interiors of “Dawn,” the exteriors of which were made in Germany. Carol Dempster and Neil Hamilton head the cast. It is expected that he will complete his work in about a week. Malcom Strauss, Inc., is now at work on a serial for Pathe titled “Galloping Hoofs” from the scenario by Frank Leon Smith. George B. Seitz, director, is using the Universal studio in Fort Lee. Johnnie Walker and Allene Ray have the leads. Howard Estabrook is at present preparing for his next picture which will be made at the Tec-Art studio. The title is “The Adventuress Sex” find it is scheduled for release through Associated Exhibitors. Charles Giblyn has been selected to direct but the cast has not as yet been announced. Next Few Weeks To See Start of 25 More Pictures (Continued from page 3f) Start a feature starring Maurice “Lefty” Flynn, Tod Browning is putting 'the finishing touches on the first of Evelyn Brent’s starring vehicle for Gothic Productions, Inc., named “The Dangerous Flirt,” Larry Semon is directing himself in “The Wizard of Oz,” Louis Gasnier has nearly completed “White Man,” which brings Alice Joyce back to the screen, James Horne is directing Richard Talmadge in “Hail the Hero,” and Edward Le Saint is handling the megaphone for “The Three Keys,” featuring Edith Roberts and Jack Mulhall. F. N. Completes Films First National has several companies that have just completed pictures and it will be perhaps a week or two before these units are active again. George Fitzmaurice is directing Doris Kenyon in “The Thief in Paradise,” Charles Brabin has Frank Dloyd’s newest First National attraction, “The Silent Watcher,” has as its featured player, Glenn Hunter. Two scenes from “Gerald Cranston’s Lady,” an Emmett Flynn production for Fox Film Corporation. Edmund Goulding did the scenario. about finished “So Big,” Colleen Moore’s interpretation of the Edna Ferber story of grandma’s days; Victor Schertzinger is in the midst of “Frivolous Sal,” which is being made as a J. K. MacDonald production for First National. The Schenck units include Sidney Franklin directing Constance Talmadge in “Learning to Love,” and John MacDermott in charge of Buster Keaton’s “Seven Chances.” Paramount has six units active and others in prospect. Irvin Willat has just returned to the Lasky lot after two months in southeastern Texas making “North of Thirty-Six,” and will complete this in Hollywood. Herbert Brenon is well along with “Peter Pan,” starring Betty Bronson, Victor Fleming is directing an all-star cast in “The Devil’s Cargo,” George Melford is back at the Lasky fold making “Top of the World,” with Anna Q. Nilsson and James Kirkwood, William K. Howard is concentrating on “Code of the West,” which will be finished shortly, William de Mille is directing “Locked Doors,” and Cecil B. De Mille is about ready to begin filming “The Golden Bed.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is another that is in “between pictures” stage, although there are seven units under way. King Vidor is directing an all-star cast in “The Wife of the Centaur,” Hampton Del Ruth is making “Excuse Me,” with Walter Hiers in the lead, Marshall Neilan is directing Blanche Sweet in “The Sporting Venus,” Eric Von Stroheim is just about to start filming “The Merry Widow,” with Mae Murray in the title role, Reginald Barker is busy with “Dixie,” a racing picture, and Robert Z. Leonard is directing an all-star cast in “Cheaper to Marry.” Dick Hatton Starring At the Ben Wilson studios, Dick Hatton is starring in an untitled production directed by Jack Hayes. Century also has but one company active — Edward Luddy directing Wanda Wiley and A1 Alt in “On Duty.” Christie has two comedies under way — Harold Beaudine directing Jimmy Adams, and Gil Pratt piloting Neal Burns in two reelers. A1 Christie is about to begin filming the old stage comedy, “Charley’s Aunt” but the cast is only