Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

February 11, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 31 THE STUDIO Incorporated in this department of Exhibitors Herald is the Moving Picture World department, "Hollyivood." Schenck and Wanamaker Have Highest Insurance (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Joseph M. Schenck, president of United Artists, last week took out additional insurance on his life for $1,000,000. Schenck now ranks as carrying more life insurance than any man in the world with the exception of Rodman Wanamaker. He is insured for $6,000,000 which is divided among several companies, with his wife Norma Talmadge and the United Artists corporation, and other interests named as beneficiaries. Oscar Price to Begin Film for New Company (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Oscar Price, formerly president of Associated Exhibitors, will begin work on the first picture to be made by his company at San Mateo, Cal., next month. He has taken over the studios formerly owned by Graff Brothers near San Francisco and has formed a company known as Consolidated Motion Picture company. Beaudine-Sidney Unit Back from S. F. Trip (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— William Beaudine returned from San Francisco last week to the Universal lot where he is completing "Give and Take," the George Sidney comedy. Lipsitz Advanced to Fox Western Production Head ( Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Harold B. Lipsitz, editor-in-chief of Fox Films scenario department, has been promoted by Sol Wurtzel, production manager, to supervisor of Western productions, effective at once. Schild kraut Joins U, S. ( Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Rudolph Schildkraut, veteran character actor, last week became a United States citizen by order of Federal Court here. He came to this country in 1920 from Italy. A. G. Wittwer Dead (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) RAINIER, ORE., Feb. 7.— A. G. Wittwer, owner and manager of the Grand theatre here, died here suddenly. He is survived by a wife, son and daughter. Colony Faces Severe Lull in Work; 11 Specials Under Way Anticipated Cut in Production Strikes Film Center; Rapid Completion of Many Pictures Leaves Only 36 in Actual Process; Lloyd on "Most Expensive Film" By DOUGLAS HODGES LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7. — Eleven pictures of the first class are under way with such stars and directors as Colleen Moore, George Fitzmaurice, F. W. Murnau, Alfred E. Green, Emil Jannings and Ernst Lubitsch involved in their production. Pictures of the program variety have dropped off to 25 with the plans for the near future, of course, very roseate and gratifying. One month ago there were 47 productions under way with promises from producers that there would be no lessening of production. De Mille Directing "Godless Girl" With regard to the expenditures of money it is probable that production remains at an even pace. Cecil B. De Mille's "The Godless Girl," in which Marie Prevost and Lina Basquette appear, is surely an expensive thing which is difficult to estimate. One hundred thousand dollars will undoubtedly have been spent on it before it is titled. There is no measuring the money spent on "Tempest" which United Artists started last October. Barrymore is trying to get certain results which have necessitated the re-shooting of thousands of feet of film and the scrapping of enough celluloid to have made a complete picture. His most recent director is Sam Taylor, who is working valiantly to bring the picture to an economically successful ending. "Four Devils" to Run High F. W. Murnau's American reputation, gained by his making of "Sunrise," leads to the expectation that he will build mammoth sets and properties, not without wonderful effects, that cost high. His "Four Devils," which stars Janet Gaynor for Fox Films, will cost far over $100,000 and is likely to come nearer to a half million, according to "inside information." Murnau pleads for protection from the visiting crowds and is the only director in Hollywood who will not work with an audience. Luther Reed, who began shooting "Hell's Angels" November 7, for Caddo Productions-United Artists, continues to work day and night in an effort to bring the big picture to an end in February. It has already incurred a cost of $300,000. Harold Lloyd is filming the finishing touches on "Speedy," which he says is the most expensive picture he has ever made. It has involved a long location trip to New York City and many shorter trips and has been under way since July 30, 1927. Lubitsch Film Over $150,000 Ernst Lubitsch is in the early part of "The Patriot," which stars Emil Jannings and has worked many scenes with expensive mobs. It is at all odds a picture which people on the Paramount lot say will cost $150,000 or more. Fred Thomson, after working long and earnestly over the script and location spots for "The Sunset Legion," has finally got started on his next big one for Paramount. Others of the big ones are "Hangman's House," with John Ford directing; "Honor Bound," with Alfred E. Green directing; "Lilac Time," starring Colleen Moore; and M-G-M's "Laugh Clown Laugh." Warners to Begin Comedy Before Official Opening (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Warner Brothers' opening March 1 will be preceded by two pictures made this month featuring Louise Fazenda and Clyde Cook. The studio will be theoretically closed however until the first day of next month. Niblo Moves to U. A. to Begin "La Paiva" (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— Fred Niblo moved his megaphone to the United Artists lot yesterday where he began preliminaries on the filming of "La Paiva" (PahEva) which may star Lupe Valez, Douglas Fairbanks' former leading woman. Niblo completed "Leatherface" Saturday. Finishes "Yellow Lily" HOLLYWOOD. — Bess Meredyth, who has been preparing for the screen "The Yellow Lily," has been working 18 hours a day for the past week to finish the Lajos Biro story for a shove-up on production schedule. Miss Meredyth wrote "30" on her script Wednesday and departed Thursday for Palm Springs.