Exhibitors Herald (1926)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 19 April 10, 1926 Paramount to Make 7 5 Pictures For ISth Anniversary Release Number of Specials to Reflect Latest Policy 75 from Paramount Paramount announces 75 pictures will be distributed on its next season’s program which will be in the form of a tribute to the progress of Famous PlayersLasky in its nfteenth anniversary celebration. Details regarding the stories, cast and directors of the first two-thirds of the schedule are announced. Thousands Mourn Death of Summers of U. A. Staff (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 6.— The death of Snowdon H. Summers, whose work on the publicity, exploitation and sales promotion staff of United Artists was only equalled by his record as a newspaperman is today mourned by thousands of people who have known him. Summers came to the motion picture industry six years ago after having been for several years on the staffs of metropolitan newspapers. Among his greatest newspaper achievements were his work at the time of the “Slocum disaster” in 1904 when he marshalled several scores of reporters who worked on the “story” and his work at the time of the Titanic disaster. Snowdan H. Saromerg Details Concerning Stories, Directors and Casts o/ First Fifty Productions Are Announced NEW YORK, April 6. — Paramount, according to its executives, is putting forth its supreme effort in the production of its program for 1926-27, for the release of this group of pictures marks the fifteenth anniversary of the company. Seventy-Five Attractions Under present plans of the production department, headed by Jesse L. Lasky, 75 attractions will be made for release between Aug. 1, 1926, and July 31, 1927. So far advanced are the compan/s production plans that it is possible at this time to announce definite details concerning stories, directors and casts on more than 50 of the 75 pictures. The new year, according to officials, will bring forth from the Paramount studios a number of specials of roadshow caliber. This is in line with a new policy announced by Mr. Lasky at the company’s international convention at Atlantic City. Through the adoption of this policy there will be no time when Paramount does not have roadshow attractions on Broadway and in the larger cities of the country. James Cruze, D. W. Griffith and others will devote their entire attention to pictures of this class. Tribute to Staff, Says Lasky Into the general release pictures, however, will go the same genius and the same energy responsible for the roadshow attractions, according to Mr. Lasky, who is confident that the birthday group "represents the highest pipnacle of production perfection yet achieved by Paramount or any other company.” “This is a mighty tribute,” says the Paramount production chief, “to our producers at the studios, Messrs. Turnbull, Schulberg and Le Baron and their associates. It reflects splendid credit upon the distinguished stars, artists, directors and other contributing talents enrolled under the Paramount producing banner. To them I wish to express my sincere appreciation. They have pledged their utmost and they are making good a hundredfold.” For the new season, says Mr. Lasky, the investment in product will be far in excess of any previous year. This money will permit larger casts of big names, the foremost directors of the business and the cream of literary and dramatic works. Paramount, says Mr. Lasky, has stars whose pictures are increasing box office receipts; it has a stock company of more than 50 popular names; it has directors who are considered topmost in their field, and it has the ultimate in production facilities. Each picture, he says, will have in tlie cast not just one or two big names but several. In Appreciation, Says Zukor Paramount, says Adolph Zukor, is offering this phenomenal group of pictures “in appreciation of past patronage. ’ “Every step in Paramount’s success," declares the president of Paramount, “has been based upon the complete box office approval and entertainment value of Paramount pictures expressed through a discriminating public and growing exhibitor confidence. "In appreciation of that patronage and with full regard to our obligation to the industry and with an ever growing optimism for the future of our business we have piled new values on old and offer you what we regard as the supreme effort of our organization. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to share Paramount’s birthday feast of entertainment.” In keeping with the company s greatest program, according to Sidney R. Kent, general manager, a more compre(Conlitiucd on Next Page) Jeffrey Bernerd Comes to U, S, with Prints of Donoghue Pictures (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LONDON. April 6.— Jeffrey Bernerd sailed from England March 30 for New York aboard the Leviathan. He took with him copies of the Donoghue pictures featuring Stephen Donoghue, noted English jockey. The six pictures are each of two reels and have attained considerable success on their release in this country. • In addition Bernerd is taking along the print of “The Last Days of Pompeii,” a Continental superproduction now on the London screen. WHAT EXHIBITORS ARE SAYING ABOUT EXHIBITORS HERALD ‘The ‘Presentation Acts’ department of the HERALD is great. It s just as valuable to me out here as it is for the city shovroen right on the ground.”— HENRY REEVE, Star theatre, Menard, Texas. ••Havii>g bean a subscriber to the EXHIBITORS HEt^D for some time and a constant reader of ‘What the Picture Did for Me I have arrived at the conclusion that it is the only reliable source to get real facts on pictures."— WiNTON W. LOWRY. Strand theatre. Atmore. Ala. ^ "The HERALD is always welcome and I desire to say that it is a splendid trade paper, one every exhibitor should be a subscriber to. A. E. SHARER. Globe theatre. Savannah. Mo.