Exhibitors Herald (1927)

November 12, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 39 THE FILM MART (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8. — Three independent film companies, Columbia, Tiffany and Gotham have been the center of attention in the production colony during the past week. Interest has been provoked by announcement of heads of these companies through trade journals and also by the closing of the Tiffany deal with John M. Stahl. Rumors regarding the three companies are rife but, rumors aside, the fact remains that these companies are being very active. Tiffany began work on two productions last week which command attention. George Archainbaud is directing Harrison Ford and Gertrude Olmsted, two regulars on contract with other companies, in “A Woman Against the World.” Louis Gasnier is directing Jason Robard, Margaret Livingston and Kenneth Harlan, three stars with drawing power, in “Streets of Shanghai.” Work is also under way on “Fruits of Divorce.” D. W. Griffith completed “Opening Night” starring Claire Windsor last week at Columbia and another production will be completed at once. Harry Cohn’s “Blood Ship” and his “Alias the Lone Wolf” closed downtown dates last week and are the subject of much studio conversation. Warner Brothers is rapidly rushing its schedule to completion in order to be finished with the year’s program before the middle of December. — Douglas Hodges. Universal Presents “The Chinese Parrot ” “The Chinese Parrot” had its world premiere two weeks ago in the Kenosha Theatre, Kenosha, Wis. “On Your Toes,” instead of “Use Your Feet” will be the permanent title for the new Reginald Denny production. “Home James” will be Laura La Plante’s forthcoming picture, with William Beaudine directing. The script will be prepared by Morton Blumenstock. Pathe to Film “My Country ” At De Mille Studios Camera work will begin about the middle of this month on Cecil B. DeMille’s new personally directed picture which is as yet untitled. The theme will be a melodramatic one, of a boy and girl in the reform schools of America. “Hold ’Em Yale” and “Midnight Madness” will be directed by Hector Turnbull, who recently joined the Pathe-DeMille organization. Mack Sennett, who has three units in the midst of production, has completed “Smith’s Bargain,’’ a two-reeler. Niles Asther has been engaged to play opposite Leatrice Joy in the Pathe-DeMille special “The Blue Danube," the story for which was written by John Farrow. The director will be Paul Sloane. “King Harold” and “Motorboat Mamas,” two new Pathe comedies, have been selected for listing in the Photoplay Guide of the National Board of Review Magazine. “My Country,” Julien Josephson’s story, is to be filmed by the De Mille studio for Pathe release. Sonya Levien collaborated with the author to produce the scenario. It is not known as yet who will play in this story of an immigrant’s adoption of an alien land, or who will direct the picture. “Walking Back” with Vera Reynolds will be produced by William K. Howard. The story was adapted from George Kibbe Turner’s “A Ride in the Country” by Douglas Doty. John Krafft, who has done excellent work as a title writer for De Mille pro ductions, has just signed with the organization for several more years. “Alien Antics,” is a Grantland Rice release of the Sportlight series, and shows some of the games played in foreign lands. Educational Releases Two Big Boy Comedies “She’s A Boy” and “Shamrock Alley” are the Big Boy comedies that have been finished by Educational. There will be six more in the series. Monte Collins, new Educational comedian has completed his second Cameo Comedy which has been titled “Rest Day.” His first production was “He Tried To Please.” Columbia Releases “Stage Kisses ” The Columbia company shooting “The Opening Night” transferred their activities last week to Laguna, for the filming of the fishing village sequences. The story is directed by Edward H. Griffith. Claire Windsor, John Bowers, Grace Goodall, Bobby Mack and the rest of the principals who do not appear in the sequences had the week off. “The Warning,” a tale of the adventures and romances of the men and women who devote their lives to the British Intelligence Department, will star Jack Holt and Dorothy Revier. The story is rapid and shifts its locale from London to the Far East, which serves as the background for most of the drama. George B. Seitz, who adopted the story from the original “The Silent Service,” by Lillian Lucey and H. Milner Kitchen, will also direct the him. Bert Lytell is appearing at some of the theatres where “Alias the Lone Wolf” is being shown. Some of his latest appearances have been at the Rialto in Omaha, and at the Tower in Chicago. “Stage Kisses” featuring Kenneth Harlan and Helene Chadwick is now in the cutting room and will be rushed to New York where it is scheduled for immediate release. It was directed by Albert Kelly. Paramount Releases Eight Comedies in Nov. During November Paramount will release four two-reel comedies and four onereel cartoon comedies. The two-reel comedies are “Find the King,” “Easy Curves,” “Ocean Blues,” and “Mad Scrambles.” The one-reel comedies are, “The Pie Curs,” “Koko’s Klock,” “For Crime’s Sake” and “Koko Kicks.” Richard Dix’s next picture “The Traveling Salesman,” to be directed by Malcolm St. Clair, will have Phillip Strange, English actor, in the cast. Nora Lane, who played opposite Fred Thomson in “Jesse James,” has been chosen to play the feminine lead again in Thomson’s “Pioneer Scout.” “ Quick Lunch” will be the title of the new W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin comedy. The story was composed by the entire writing staff of the Paramount coast studios, and will be filmed as soon as the principals have finished their current production "Two Flaming Youths.” Paramount, by arrangement with Edward L. Klein Co. of New York, has acquired the series of Edgar A. Guest Poetic Jewels for sole distribution in Great Britain and Ireland. The Edgar A. Guest series is considered one of the finest series of short subjects produced. They have played Publix and other large circuits in this country. Thomas Meighan returns from a several months vacation, to resume work at the Paramount studio. While in Ireland Meighan spent considerable time at the home of John McCormack. “Wooden Dollars” is the tentative title of Bebe Daniels’ next picture, to be directed by Gregory La Cava. Richard Aden will play opposite Miss Daniels. First National Finishing “Shepherd of the Hills” First National's “The Crystal Cup” played recently at the New York Strand. “Three’s A Crowd” and “Rose of the Golden West” will play the U. B. O. circuit