Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1928)

July 21, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 41 THE STUDIO PREVIEW "Four Walls" T~^ESPITE John Gilbert's wonderful work ■^ in the past, "Four Walls," does not get the applause of his former pictures. This crook story, directed by William Nigh, lacks backing and motive. The picture starts weak, and titles are of little help but improve as the picture progresses. A night life story of the underworld in New York, night clubs, gang fights, shooting and jail. The four walls of the prison cause Gilbert to change his idea toward transgression, and when he is released four years later he denounces his old gang who seek him, and plans to start life anew. Joan Crawford portrayed the "moll" perfectly. Vera Gordon's efforts not up to her standard. She plays to the camera with no apparent thought to the audience reaction. Carmel Myers, as the home girl, did her self proud. She will be remembered for her work in this picture even though her part was small. Her coy mannerisms as the bashful girl who was in love with Gilbert, was done as only Carmel could. The picture is rather lengthy. The sequences at the start are not as intelligible as they might be as several of the scenes, appear to be omitted. Katzman Is Assistant In Directing Movietone (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— Sammy Katzman, assistant director under Ben Stoloflf. has been assigned assistant director of Fox Movietone productions. His first vehicle, "Four A. M.," was directed by William Conselman. This one real comedy stars Sammy Cohen and Jack Pennick, with Tyler Brooke, Ben Bard, Marjorie Beebe and Henry Armatta, in the supporting roles. It will be released with the first big Fox feature that is booked in New York. Technicolor to Make ^ Feature Length Picture (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— Technicolor Film Corporation is to make a feature length production, with possibilities that sound effects will prevail in this feature. "The Thrall of Leif the Lucky" is the title. House Peters will play the title role, and Leroy Mason plays a leading role. Tom Mix Begins Work On First Film forFBO (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— Tom Mix's first Western feature under the F B O banner, "Son of the Golden West," went into production last week under the direction of Eugene J. Ford with Sharon Lynn as the Western star's leading lady. Jannings Denies Rumor (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— Reports that Emil Jannings, motion picture character actor, would return to Germany in the near future have been denied by the star, who pointed to the fact that he had just taken a long term lease on a home in Hollywood as evidence that he has no intention of immediately leaving this country. Many Long Vacations End, 14 Pictures Begun; Mix Shooting Effect Films Encourage Cost Cutting Because of Increased Risk on Market of Silent Dramas; One of Coast's Biggest Studios Seeks Extras for Five Bucks Per Day (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17. — Directors, players and writers who have been hard hit by idleness during the past 12 months are again working in the studios. Two male stars who left for Europe when work became scarce appeared this week in makeup. Almost a score of other big time players were cast for roles which began this week. Circumstances to Blame for Panic A difficult set of circumstances has prevented many people from working, although a great number of pictures have been made during those months. One big company which has several hun however. But whatever the reasons these dred theatres, last week employed 50 extras for an indefinite period. Instead of offering them the regular $7.50 per day the extras were given only $5. The entire saving on that item alone amounted to $1,250. There are numerous methods by which the producers are attempting to cut costs. Added to the fact that money has been scarce producers have now become alarmed about talking pictures and their effects upon the market of the silent drama which are in the making. It is imperative that The Next Step Is Bound to Be Television (Special to the Herald-World) PORTLAND, ORE.. July 17.— Speed is the order of the day and is nowhere exemplified to a greater extent than by Bert Levey, manager of "The Columbia." Deciding on an eleventh hour change in booking, he ordered the £Ims for "The Dove" to be sent by the West Coast Transport Company in their fast cabin plane. The new print of the picture made a record trip from Hollywood and arrived in ample time. each picture be made economically because of the grave risk of loss. Melford Directing Olive Borden George Melford whose latest work was at Universal reappeared with a megaphone last week at F B O studios. He began "Sinners of Love." Olive Borden appears in the feminine starring role with Huntly Gordon opposite her. Seena Owen is in one of the main supporting roles. Mix Shooting at F B O Tom Mix is in the harness at F B O in "Son of the Golden West." The young man with the megaphone is Eugene Ford. The picture was begun this week. It's the first Tom has ever made for F B O and is the first, likewise, of the series that company will release this year. Alma Rubens is cast in an important role of "The Devil's Mask" at M G M. Jack Gilbert is the star. Another whose face is always welcome to the screen and who is in the picture is Theodore Roberts. Victor Seastrom, director of "The Wind," is the director. Lewis Shooting Cortez Ricardo Cortez is working at TiffanyStahl studios. Edgar Lewis, one of Hollywood's foremost veteran directors, is executing director. Title "Gun Runner." Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, Spencer Bennett, Christy Cabanne and a number of others who are again diligently making pictures have enjoyed vacations from Hollywood for other than economic reasons, people and many others are resuming a payroll basis and still there are others who are vainly hunting jobs. U Buys Play from James Gleason for 1929 (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, July 17.— Universal has signed contracts by proxy with James Gleason, author and star, for the purchase of "The Shannons of Broadway." "The Shannons of Broadway" will in all probability be a complete talking picture. At any rate, Universal has the right to make it such. Furthermore, it will have the services of Mr. and Mrs. James Gleason, who starred in the New York production at the John Barrymore May Go Back to Warners (Special to the Her»ld-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— Warner Bros, are negotiating with John Barrymore to do pictures with the Vitaphone. It is understood that Barrymore will carry out his plans and do "Hamlet" in the Hollywood Bowl and in the Greek theatre at Berkely in the late summer. PF L Retitles Picture Directed by Schertzinger (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17. —"Forgotten Faces" is the new title of Victor Schertzinger's latest picture for Paramount, according to announcement made this week. The picture was made under the working title of "The Perfumed Trap." Louise Fazenda to Join Free-Lance Screen Artists (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, July 17.— Terminating a fiveyear contract with Warner Brothers, Louise Fazenda will join the free-lance list. She is now completing her first talking picture, "The Terror." D'Arrast Signs Contract (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, July 17.— H. D'Abbadie D'Arrast, Paramount director, has signed a new contract. "The Magnificent Flirt," with Florence Vidor, was D'Arrast's most recent directorial assignment. He will probably handle Adolphe Menjou's next Paramount production. Murnau to Make "Our Daily Bread" NEVy YORK.— F. W. Murnau's third picture for Fox will be "Our Daily Bread," according to an announcement from Fox Film Coast studio.