Exhibitors Herald (1926)

32 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 4, 1926 Paramount’s “Beau Geste’’ Wins Plaudits as Big Picture Thrills, Mystery and Romance W elded Into Production by Director Herbert Brenon — Colman Headlined — Noah Beery Scores High By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, Aug. 31. — “Beau Geste,” the Herbert Brenon production which Famous figure to be one of their biggest of big ones, was given its world premiere last Wednesday night at the Criterion theatre before an audience of guests distinguished in the industry. TTNLESS the opinions of many men with reputations of being good judges of pictures, both from an artistic and box office angle, are all wrong, Famous has made no mistake in billing “Beau Geste” as a “big” one. It seems to have everything a picture should have to insure it a good reception when it gets out into the theatres of the country. Thrills, Mystery, Romance Thrills, an entrancing and holding mystery and a delightful romance are the highlights of the production, and the consensus is that Director Herbert Brenon has welded these together into one of the best of the many good pictures for which he is responsible. The story follows closely the popular novel by Percival C. Wren, and the tale of the three brothers who, unknown to each other, enlisted in the French Foreign Legion, has all the holding interest of the book, or even more. In adapting the book to the screen, John Russell, the well-known novelist, has done an excellent piece of work, only two or three of the more unimportant characters being omitted in the telling. Settings Exceptional The settings are exceptional in their close following of the author’s description, the visual beauty enhancing greatly the written word. The spectacular scenes on the desert sands with hordes of Arabs, a desert fort manned by a handful of the Legionaires battling against them, provide thrills aplenty. The production is exceptionally well cast, and while Ronald Colman deserved ly is given the headline honors, the work of Noah Beery, as Sergeant Lejuane, stands out as probably the most remarkable of the picture and probably the best in the long and honorable career of Mr. Beery. The presentation at the premiere was aided in no small way by the musical score arranged by Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld. Following is the cast: Michael “Beau” Geste, Ronald Colman; Digby Geste, Neil Hamilton; John Geste, Ralph Forbes; Lady Brandon, Alice Joyce; Isobel, Mary Brian; Sergeant Lejaune, Noah Beery; Major de Beaujolais, Norman Trevor; Boldini, William Powell; Maris, George Rigas; Schwartz, Bernard Siegel; Hank, Victor McLaglen; Buddy, Donald Stuart; St. Andre, Paul McAllister. “Lone Wolf Returns ” Opens “ Season ” Drive ( Special to the Herald) LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31.— Columbia’s “The Lone Wolf Returns” had the honor of opening the Greater Movie Season drive at the Liberty theatres, Seattle. Playing at the California theatre in San Francisco the same picture made a week’s box office record of $16,500 as against the theatre’s average of $10,000, according to Columbia officials. Bert Lytell, star of “The Lone Wolf Returns,” has been chosen for the lead in “Obey the Law,” Max Carcin’s oneact sketch adapted by Dorothy Howell. Re-Takes HOLLYWOOD WELL, Sid Grauman had all the elite of filmdom out to his opening the other night, and didn’t use a phonograph or vitaphone to drag ’em in. He didn’t need one. He just has his ad. man stick a piece in the paper saying he’s going to put on a new show, and presto ! Everybody turns out. * * * Also 6,000 goofs lined the sidewalks and made the pay customers, the screen artists and the boys of the press fight their way into the Egyptian as best they may. It only took yours truly one hour to find a place to park and another 45 minutes to battle a way into the house. It’s great sport. Especially if you make a mental bet with yourself as to whether you’ll get in alive or not. * * * But Sid’s prologues are always worth the trouble and when he gives you a picture like “Don Juan” with John Barrymore acting in it and making humorous remarks afterwards, why you feel you have had your money’s worth. * * * Why are there more dirty dishes in the sink in August than any other month? (Cause it’s Greater Movie Season, ha ha.) * * * I see according to a headline in the L. A. News: “George Seitz Cuts Pals.” Ungrateful George. * * * Why doesn’t some automobile company make a picture of an actress standing on the running board of her new automobile (18 more payments and it’s hers) and print it in the auto section? * * * Two Letters Comes a letter from my old pal Joe Koppel, who runs the Village theatre, Wilmette, 111. Joe explains why he didn’t come to Los Angeles to the Theatre Owners convention last June. He had to do some interior decorating as his theatre needed it. Well, there was a lot of interior decorating done right here in our midge that week, Joe. And another letter from Looie Kramer, of Chicago, beseeches me to get a couple of trollops, friends of his, jobs in the movies, which is just about as easy as shoving a camel through the wellknown eye of needle. However, for Looie’s sake, will have to show ’em a good time. * * * Writing a col. with the thermometer at 102 (yes, it does get that hot here in Hollywood) is about as funny a thing as one would want to see, on a hot day. Which reminds us it might be well to dash off a few hot weather hints (although these are usually written about December) : No. 1. Cut your likker in half. (It has already been cut in half once, thanks to your bootlegger, thus one-half from onehalf leaves nothing.) No. 2. It is time to take off your long underwear. No. 3. (It’s too hot to think of any more.) * * * Famous Last Words “Judge, I must have the custody of the Packard.” ^ ^ ^ Who Knows I’ve read everyone of those yeast advertisements but none of ’em tells you how much hops or malt to use. E. W. Van Norman (right is the new president of the M. P. T. O. of Wisconsin, elected at last week’s convention. In the center and next to Van Norman is Fred Seegert, outgoing president. (Herald photo.) — R. M.