Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

56 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 31, 1925 said to be a scientific reproduction of the real freak of nature. United Artists WHEN FAIRBANKS selected Mary Astor as leading lady for his next work, “Don Q,” many were surprised, but realized that the fitness of things did not justify such an emotion. She will be seen as a Spanish Senorita whose beauty and charm urge the hero through many thrilling and romantic adventures. The play is said to be the sequel to ‘‘The Mark of Zorro.” Donald Crisp, of “Ponjola” fame, has been engaged to direct The presentation of “The Thief of Bagdad,” at Cleveland, O., was made in two parts; many fantastic effects were used in the elaborate stage setting there. Warner Brothers AN IMPORTANT BUY is reported by Warner Brothers this week when they concluded a deal for “Hell Bent for Heaven,” the Pulitzer Prize play that had a long run on Broadway some time ago. It is a tale of the Blue Ridge mountains. . . . Actual work has begun on a “title-less” play directed by Ernest Lubitsch this week. Monte Blue and Marie Prevost have been selected for the two leading roles. XXX A BIG PLAN for the advertising for the play, “Why Girls Go Back Home,” is promised by Warner. Roy Del Ruth, recently put under contract, has been assigned to direct “Eve’s Lover,” the novel by Mrs. W. K. Clifford. Bert Lytell will play the lead. . . . “Bugs” Baer, a columnist, told a radio audience last week that he considered “The Narrow Street” one of the funniest comedies he can remember. . . . “The Man Without a Conscience,” by Max Kretzer, directed by James Flood, has been finished at the studio; featured are Willard Louis and Irene Rich. XXX THE HONOLULU GIRL chosen a short time ago in a novel kind of contest in the islands has arrived to undergo further observation and tests which wifi determine her future as an actress. Her name is Caroline Deas. . . . June Marlowe, was elected as one of the thirteen Baby stars of the Wampas for 1925. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer THE CHARIOT RACE is the sequence now being filmed in “Ben Hur” according to word from Fred Niblo. . . . “Dance Madness,” an original script by S. Jay Kaufman, feature writer of the New York Evening Telegram, and Mail, has been purchased by MetroGoldwyn-Mayer. It is his first contribu tion to motion pictures. The purchase of the story carries out a forcast that the time is coming when all script sold to producers will be written in story form rather than scenario form. XXX THE HUNTING COUNTRY of England forms the locale of “Three Pilgrims and a Tinker,” a recent novel by Mary Borden, rights of which have been bought by Metro. ... It is said that Elinor Glyn picked people for parts in “Man and Maid” according to their competence in filling the part rather than according to their reputations or names. A heroic role is given Lew Cody. . . . That nationally famous best seller, “Seward’s Folly,” has been sold for early screen production. XXX VON STROHEIM is now working backstage for scenes in “The Merry Widow,” which represent the wings of a theatre. . . . Harrison Ford will have a leading role in King Vidor’s “Proud Flesh.” . . . Major John Bowles Jeffery, age 78, friend of James Whitcombe Riley, Mark Twain and Eugene Field, will carry his military knowledge to the studios with his entry into films in “Confessions of a Queen.” Victor Seastrom declares Jeffery is a “find.” . . . Gotham critics have found “Wife of the Centaur” highly worth while. First National COSTUMES for Barbara La Marr to wear in her next production, “Hail and Farewell,” will be created by Charles Lemaire, who is making an effort to design them for the peculiarly exotic type she will portray. . . . Sam Rork’s next production for First National release will be a screen yersion of Marion Fairfax’s play, “The Talkers.” . . . Work has actually begun by John M. Stahl on “Fashions for Men” at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio. XXX A BIG MONEY MAKER is the report received from the first run of “So Big,” with Colleen Moore. ... At exactly 11 p. m. on Christmas Eve Irving Cummings, director, finished the last scene of “One. Year to Live,” which fulfilled the slogan, “Through before Christmas.” . . . Photography has recently been completed on five releases and a sixth is rapidly nearing completion. Among these are: “Sally,” with Colleen Moore, “My Son,” with Nazimova, “Declasse,” with Corinne Griffith, “I Want My Man,” with Milton Sills, and “The One Way Street,” with Anna Q. Nilsson. XXX THE SAME KIND of a part is given Norma Talmadge in “The Lady” as that which she had in “Secrets,” which proved to be likable recently. National release will not come until February. . . . In conjunction with “The Thief of Paradise” the Sam Fox Music Publishing Co. will distribute a song of the same name which will permit tieups with exhibitors. Pathe DIVERSITY of screen entertainment is promised for the coming week with the release list of Pathe headed by a Hal Roach and Mack Sennett comedy. The Sennett comedy is entitled “Honeymoon Hardships,” the story of which is selfexplanatory, while the Hal Roach comedy is “Laugh that Off.” . . . The Grantland Rice Sportlight is “Brain an3 Brawn.” Review No. 4 carries the final installment of the “Keep Fit” series of scientific setups. “Hold that Thought” is the name of the Aesop’s Fables for the week. XXX LITTLE FARINA claims the honor of the most popular of “minute sized” comediennes, according to a canvass taken recently by a New York trade daily paper. Other “Our Gang” characters receive extensive popularity. . . . With the selection of Allene Ray for a featured role in “Black Caesar’s Clan” the company leaves this week for Florida to begin production. The story is laid in the Everglades. XXX FIVE NEW COMEDIES just completed have been shipped for general release. Included are “The Haunted Honeymoon,” “Circus Fever,” “Dog Days,” an Our Garig number, “Plain and Fancy Girls,” and “Change the Needle.” . . . Much wholesome favor was found with the Sennett-Langdon comedy, “Feet of Mud,” recently by one of the leading Kansas City dailies. . . . Bermuda will be the setting for the scenes of a coming Grantland Rice “Sportlight.” Vitagraph ANNOUNCEMENT is made by the Vitagraph executive offices that "Fear Bound” will be released Jan. 18, starring Marjorie Daw and Will Nigh. “Captain Blood” is reported to be creating much favorable comment in Canada, United States and England. . . . “The Clean Heart” is chosen by W. Ward Marsh, Cleveland Plain Dealer, as one of ten of the year’s best photoplays. . . . “Greater than Marriage” is having a run in 96 theatres during this month in greater New York. XXX THE EDITING STAFF has be^n work on "School for Wives,” starring Conway Tearle, Sigrid Holmquist and Peggy Kelly. The feature, made at the Tec Art studios here in December, will be released in February. ... In connection with preparation for the celebration of the twenty-eighth anniversary of Vitagraph soon Albert E. Smith, president and one of the founders, broadcast a speech from New York city last week. XXX THE FOLLOWING LETTER of introduction was used by W. C. Wheeler, branch manager, San Francisco, for the benefit of a new salesman: “Santa will make his personal appearance at your theatres, shortly, accompanied by Captain Blood, the Beloved Brute with a Clean Heart. "Between Friends, Barree, Son of Kazan, with Wolf, the war dog, is Curwood’s masterpiece, and when Santa, in the person of David Barnholtz, the Happy Warrior, makes his appearance I know that you will help him avoid the Alibi and the Road that Led Home because after you have signed on the dotted line and given your public the supreme in motion picture entertainment you will admit that Vitagraph has been your Garden of Charity. "Assuring you that I will appreciate any courtesies extended My Man who is breaking the Pioneer Trails, I am "Cordially yours, ^ COMING PRISCILUl DEAN Runner HUNT STROMBEAG ^ personally supervised V/atd Crane, Alan Hale, Mitchell Lewis production / SlfUased by / TRODUCFRS ~ PIS TR IDU T/NGjrCORPOAAT/CW.