Exhibitors Herald (1927)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD December 31, 1927 NEW PICTURES In “New Pictures” the HERALD presents in concise form information on current and forthcoming attractions. The facts as presented will serve exhibitors in booking and in the preparation of their advertising campaigns. This department, supplemented by “Available Attractions” and “Press Sheets” will be published each week as an exhibitor service. BLONDES BY CHOICE: Gotham comedy-drama, with Claire Windsor, Allan Simpson, Walter Hiers, Bodil Rosing, Bess Flowers, Leigh Willard, Jack Gardner, Louise Carver, Mai Wells, Alice Belcher and Joseph Belmont. Directed by Hampton Del Ruth. Released October 1. Length 6,987. TYPE AND THEME: This one's largely comic , almost farcical at times. But there’s serious action, too. It concerns a young woman who has the temerity to start a beauty parlor in a slow little town, and starts off with her accidentally meeting a young man associated with a company desirous of buying land which she owns. The Ladies’ Aid Society is against the beauty shop, but when the young man’s mother, at a party on her yacht, affirms the value of marcels, the shop begins to boom. Ultimately the young man puts over a splendid deal for the land — and is equally successful in acquiring the cncner for himself. BY WHOSE HAND?: Columbia mystery-drama, with Ricardo Cortez, Eugenia. Gilbert, J. Thornton Baston, Tom Dugan, Edgar Washington Blue, Lillianne Leighton, William Scott, John Steppling and De Sacia Mooers. Directed by Walter Lang. Released September 15. Length 5,432. TYPE AND THEME : At an elaborate party, the lights suddenly go off, and Mrs. McShane loses her necklace. But that’s ahead of the story: Peg, ivhose breeding makes her position as night club entertainer rather incongruous, meets Smith, a wealthy society man, and both meet Widow McShane. The latter gives a party, at which furtive glances and many telephone calls lend the air of mystery. Then the darkness — and stolen jewels. When the theft is discovered, the necklace passes to many hands in weird goings-on, with Peg trying to shield Smith. The thief is found, however, and Detective Smith embraces Peg. BUTTONS: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama, with Jackie Coogan, Lars Hanson, Gertrude Olmstead, Paul Hurst, Roy D’Arcy, Polly Moran, Jack McDonald and Coy Watson, Jr. Directed by George Hill. Released December 24. Length 6,050. TYPE AND THEME: The fast-growing youngster Coogan is brilliantly supported in this one, and the story is a thriller as well as a "juvenile.” Trained for the sea. Buttons looks upon a certain captain as on a god. But when he does take to the ships, the captain puts him in the brig for ringing a false fire alarm (which he’d done only to warn the captain that another fellow ivas making up to his fiancee). Then an explosion wrecks the ship, and Buttons, being among the rescued, once more struts proudly behind his idol. ENEMY, THE: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama, with Lillian Gish, Ralph Forbes, Ralph Emerson, Frank Currier, George Fawcett, Fritzi Ridgeway, John S. Peters, Karl Dane, Polly Moran and Billy Kent Shaefer. Directed by Fred Niblo. Released Length TYPE AND THEME: A war story about those left behind, the locale being Vienna. Carl and Bruce, students and fond friends, love Pauli, daughter of their beloved professor, but it is Carl Pauli loves, and Bruce blesses them. Then comes tear, and quarreling, Bruce leaves to fight for his England, while Carl, after wedding Pauli, joins his Austrian regiment. The rest takes Pauli and her father through years of want and degrada Here is how Jerome Safron, manager of F B O’s Philadelphia exchange, decorated the lobby of his exchange to make it appear like a theatre entrance in preparation for F B O’s Grand February Jubilee. tion, a condition due in part to the old man’s pacifism. All, however, are happily reunited in the end. GIRL FROM CHICAGO, THE: Warner Brothers melodrama, with Conrad Nagel, Myrna Loy, William Russell, Carrol Nye, Paul Panzer and Erville Alderson. Directed by Ray Enright. Released November 5. Length 5,978. TYPE AND THEME : The girl from Chicago is from the South and the place she goes to is New York. Nevertheless, she is called the “ girl from Chi” by the gang upon which she is spying to save her brother, who is in danger of execution for murder. Of the two gangsters who fall in love with her, one is really a detective. The true murderer is found, the brother saved in a furiously exciting climax, and — all’s well. GOOD TIME CHARLEY : Warner Brothers drama, with Warner Oland, Helene Costello, Clyde Cook, Montague Love, Julanne Johnston and Hugh Allan. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Released November 12. Length 6,302. TYPE AND THEME: The story of a “ trooper ” (whose tears are all on the inside) and of his daughter. His theatrical friends call him Good Time Charley, but he suffers immeasurably ivhen his wife is killed by scenery rigging, the result, though he knows it not, of trying to escape from a certain Hartivell. The daughter, Rosita, grows to beautiful womanhood and marries Hartwell’s son. He deserts her, hmvever, and she wins fame as a stage star in Europe. When she returns, finding her father in an actors’ home, she brings back the good times for Good Time Charley — with a beloved young actor to help her, HONEYMOON HATE : Paramount comedy-drama, with Florence Vidor, Tullio Carminati, William Austin, Corliss Palmer, Shirley Dorman, Effie Ellsler and Genaro Spagnoli. Directed by Luther Reed. Released December 3. Length 5,415. TYPE AND THEME: A whimsical yarn, verging on the farcical, yet strange as it may seem, affording a typical role for the regal Vidor. As for the story, it is little thicker than necessary to shrill: how the imperious Gail Grant is won and subdued by an Italian prince in Venice. Their honeymoon hate is the result of his umvillingness to be an obsequious husband. In trying to win his admission of abject love, she feigns an affair with another man, winning only his consent to a divorce thereby. He quickly learns the truth, however, and honeymoon hate dissolves in love. LOVELORN, THE: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Cosmopolitan) comedy-drama, with Sally O’Neil, Molly O’Day, Larry Kent, James Murray, Charles Delaney. George Cooper and Allen Forrest. Directed by J. P. McCarthy. Released Length 6,110. TYPE AND THEME: A story from and by Hearst’s "advice to the lovelorn” lady, Beatrice Fairfax. Georgie and Ann, sisters, strain the sisterly tie over a breezy felloiv named Bill. Then deciding to clear matters up, they go to Bill’s home, only to find him gone and a note saying he couldn’t marry any girl. So they recall their former suitors and decide never to quarrel again. What’s more important is that Mr. Hearst is syndicating a word version of the tale. LOVES OF RICARDO, THE: FBO drama, with George Beban, Mika Aldrich, Kenneth Gibson, Jack Singleton, Jane Star, Albano Valerio and Soligia Lee. Directed by George Beban. Released Length TYPE AND THEME: She discovered too late that the man she loved was not her husband. But the story is rather that of Ricardo, who brought her up from childhood. Into their small tenon life comes the dapper Steve and just as Ricardo was planning to propose marriage to Annetta, she accepts the newcomer’s. But soon after the wedding, Annetta confesses her love for Ricardo, and leaving them the store, he goes away. Then Annetta learns of Steve’s other wife and she goes to live with the Martinellis. It is in trying to extort money from Mrs. Martinelli that Steve is killed, allowing Annetta to go to the arms of the returned Ricardo. ON TO RENO: Pathe farce-comedy, with Marie Prevost, Cullen Landis, Ned Sparks, Ethel Wales and Jane Keckley. Directed by James Cruze. Released January 2. Length TYPE AND THEME: This is farce, concerning itself with a young husband and wife who are becoming estranged over money matters. ‘ A stenographer, Vera, overhears her bosses’ client, Mrs. Holmes, say she can’t stay in Reno the necessary three months, offering $1,000 to one who will impersonate her there. Vera talces the job. Holmes, not knowing, soon comes. Then Bud, misunderstanding, also comes. Then Mrs. Holmes. But after a lot of dashing and hiding and explaining, all ends well. PRETTY CLOTHES: Sterling drama, with Jobyna Ralston, Gertrude Astor, Johnny Walker, Lloyd Whitlock, Charles Clary, Jack Mower and Lydia Knott. Directed by Philip Roeen. Released October 15. Length 5,500. TYPE AND THEME: Another tale of another girl who likes pretty clothes. She meets wealthy young Thorpe at a fashion show and they fall in love. But Thorpe, Sr., who has Bennett to watch over his son lest a woman’s wiles increase the overhead, arranges for the latter to compromise Marion. As a result, the young lovers quarrel, but brought together at the death bed of Marion’s mother, their hearts are rejoined, presumably forever. SHANGHAI BOUND: Paramount melodrama, with Richard Dix, Mary Brian, Charles Byer, George Irving, Jocelyn Lee, Tom Maguire, Frank Ghew, Tom Gubbins, Arthur Hoyt and Tetsu Komai. Directed by Luther Reed. Released October 15. Length 5,515. TYPE AND THEME: Laid in China, this one builds a tale of danger, courage and love around the rebellious spirit of the times. Dix is captain of a dirty freighter plying the Yangtse. In a cafe he comes in contact with Louden, who owns the ship line, and his daughter, Sheila. Food riots break out among the poverty stricken Chinese, and Dix, taking command of the situation, saves the Louden party, being thrown for dead off a boat in the course of rescue. Believing him dead, Sheila realizes her love for him. But does he live? Yes. SILK LEGS: Fox comedy-drama, with Madge Bellamy, James Hall, Joseph Cawthorn, Maude Fulton and Margaret Seddon. Directed by Arthur Roe son. Released December 18. Length 5,446. TYPE AND THEME: Explaining how a pretty girl may be a good salesivoman. Ruth is a stocking drummer, but somehow her orders get cancelled. At Atlantic City in a one-piece swimming suit, she finds out why. Phil, who sells for a rival firm, unshing to impress her and ignorant that his victim was she, describes how he was responsible. Ruth makes him her mark and soon has a chance to trim him, partly by bribing mannequins to wear her goods, but most effectively by wearing ’em herself. Phil loses the order, but the conquering Ruth is herself yet conquered, promising to quit the field and take orders only from him thereafter.