Exhibitors Herald (1925)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 19, 1925 Hunt Stromberg Joins Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Left to right: Hunt Stromberg, Irving G. Thalberg, Louis B. Mayer and Harry Rapf. Metro Engages Stromberg to Head Production Unit Estate of Lucille Ricksen Settled — Loughborough on Coast to Direct Famous Theatres Publicity By RAY MURRAY HOLLYWOOD, September 9. — Hunt Stromberg will this week join the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer forces at Culver City. Negotiations were completed between Stromberg and Louis B. Mayer, production head of the organization, whereby Stromberg will be placed in charge of a production unit, a similar position to that occupied by Harry Rapf and Irving B. Thalberg. Stromberg recently disposed of the rights to three stories which he was to make for Producers Distributing Corporation to the Cinema Finance Corporation, P. D. C.’s financial backer. The offices formerly occupied by While taking scenes for “The Big Stromberg at the Hollywood Studios are Parade,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pro being remodeled to accommodate an enlarged scenario department. Phil Gersdorf, former director of publicity for Hunt Stromberg, remains with the P. D. C. organization. * * * duction, Culver City, a torch held by Leo Westover came in contact with a high voltage wire and he received severe burns. King Vidor was directing and 650 soldiers were enacting a battle scene. * * * Buchowetski Prevents Panic The quick action of Dimitri Buchowetski, Universal director, prevented a panic among 500 extras on a Universal set when a silk curtain caught fire from a carbon lamp and ignited a stage set being used for “The Midnight Sun.” The extras composed the audience in the large sheet iron studio recently built on the Universal lot, and the crowd rushed for the exits. Immediately the stage was engulfed in flames, Buchowetski jumped upon the burning stage and shouted directions to the frightened extras. The set was damaged to the extent of $10,000, and 500 extras were out of work for a few days. * * * Col. William N. Selig’s famous zoo on Mission Road is soon to be transformed into a great amusement park rivaling Coney Island in extent, equipment and rides. R. C. Durant, millionaire automobile manufacturer, and a group of Pacific Coast capitalists are behind the project. They plan to expend $4,000,000. * * * Robert McIntyre, casting director with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for four years, has resigned. McIntyre will return to the production end of motion pictures after a brief vacation. R. E. Nauman, mechanical superintendent at the Metro-GoldwynMayer studio, has also resigned to devote his entire time to an electrical invention he has perfected. “ Lowe-T ashman ” Lilyan Tashman and Edmund Lowe were married by Justice of the Peace Barnett at the city hall, San Francisco, last Wednesday, before an admiring group of cousins, aunts and uncles from San Jose, Lowe’s old home town. * * * Roberts Funeral Held Final rites were conducted last Tuesday for Mrs. Florence Roberts, wife of Theodore Roberts, Paramount player, at the family residence on North Vine street. Leaders in the film industry, actors and managers attended the services. The pallbearers included William De Mille, Douglas Fairbanks, George Fawcett, Noah Berry, James O’Neill, Charles Eyton, Sidney Moore and Percy Schumacher. * * * Ricksen Estate Settled The controversy over the $48,863 life insurance carried by Miss Lucille Ricksen, Wampas baby star, who died several months ago, has been compromised and a settlement approved by Judge Walter Guerin. Under the terms of the agreement, one-fourth of the amount, or $12,217, goes to Samuel Ericksen, the girl’s father, to be placed in the estate of which he has been appointed administrator. The remaining $36,651 will be paid to Rupert Hughes, film writer and novelist, and Conrad Nagel, screen star, for the benefit of Marshall Ericksen, brother of the deceased. Hughes and Nagel will act as guardians of the boy, who is now 18 years of age. * * * Walter Hiers, corpulent screen comedian on the Christie lot, received severe injuries to one of his hands last week, which may necessitate amputation of two fingers. * * * J. Stuart Blackton has completed “The Gilded Highway,” his first production for Warner Brothers on a series of four that he is to make on his contract. * * * Sam Goldwyn has completed “Stella Dallas,” which has been in production for two months, and director Henry King is editing and. titling the picture. Great Crowd at World Premiere of “Pony Express 99 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Sept. 9— “The Pony Express,” Paramount epic of early California, opened its world premiere here to an audience that packed the Imperial theatre and included hundreds of persons who are important in the social and theatrical life of the city. Market street in front of the theatre was filled with people long after the house was sold out. U. S. Senator Samuel Shortridge took the stage and voiced the thanks of the state for the picture. “In the name of the state of California I extend official thanks to Mr. Cruze and the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation for their masterful filming of ‘The Pony Express,’ ” he said. The film has been officially named the diamond jubilee picture and its showing is part of the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of California’s admission to the Union. A feature of the evening’s entertainment was the introduction of a number of motion picture notables, including Mary Brian, Billie Dove, Neil Hamilton, Jack Holt, Noah Beery, William Collier, Jr., Kathlyn Williams, Richard Tucker, Winifred Bryson, Edmund Lowe, Wallace Beery, who plays in “The Pony Express,” Charles Eyton, West Coast manager of the Paramount studio, and Irvin Willat, director. Telegrams from Adolph Zukor, James Cruze, Jesse L. Lasky, Governor Friend Richardson and many others were read.