Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

December 26, I()25 Page 7.' METRO GOLD W YN MAYER'S LINE-UP FOR 1926 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER will start thj New Year with an auspicious group of releases. Best sellers, as well as original stories for the screen by famous novelists, have been bought by M-G-M and molded to the requirements of the screen by skilled scenario writers. The M-G-M stars, and the popular M-G-M stock players give life and movement to pictures carefully directed by experienced directors. Rex Beach gives another Alaskan story to the screen. "The Barrier", directed by George Hill, is an adventurous variant of the "eternal triangle" against a background of splendid scenic shots. A gold rush gives a vigorous and moving tone to the picture. Norman Kerry is cast as a tall, romantic, army officer, who loves and succeeds in gaining the love of the appealing, half breed heroine, Necia, sympathetically portrayed by beautiful Marceline Day. Lionel Barrymore gives a strong characterization of the villain, a brutal sea captain. Harvey Gates is responsible for the continuity. Another popular novel finds its way to the movies through the release of "The Exquisite Sinner" made from the book, "Escape" by Alden Brooks. The picture is a colorful tale of the adventures of a young man who escapes his cares as the youthful head of a large manufacturing house by joining a band of gypsies. Conrad Nagel plays the part of the young man, and the lovely Renee Adoree that of his gypsy sweetheart. The vampire's role is played by Paulette Duval. Escape, pursuit; a duel, and a mass fight between gypsies and peasants supply the dramatic action. WHAT MIGHT BE DONE By HOWARD DIETZ Director of Advertising and Publicity Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer W/HAT might be done next year to increase the general attendance at the theatres de pends largely upon the pictures that are to be shown at the theatres. All advertising and publicity plans depend first upon the product to be publicized and advertised. Good publicity and advertising are used to pave the way for the appearance on the market of a product known to be good by its promoter. story of a young woman sacrificed to please her family in a marriage with a worthless young man, and her regeneration of him. Eleanor Boardman and Charles Ray are the players featured in this simple and moving story of business and marriage. Eleanor Boardman is the gentle and virtuous young wife, and Charles Ray plays the part of the wealthy and drunken husband. Famous Authors Signed Blasco Thanez, the world renowned Spanish wr;+er, supplies a novel for "The Toncnt", a tragic and powerful story of Spanish life. The continuity of Ibanez, "Torrent" is by Dorothy Farnum. She weaves into the scenes the love story of a Spanish politician and Leonora, the great singer. Ricardo Cortez is the enamoured Don Rafael Brull, making fervent love to Greta Garbo, who lends her exotic beauty to the role of Leonora. Gertrude Olmstead has the part of the heiress whom it is Don Rafael's duty to marry. And Sally O'Neil, who made a hit in "Sally, Irene and Mary," enlivens the picture with her merry personality. Another Rex Beach story to come out under the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer banner is the widely read novel, "The Auction Block." Hobart Henley directs. The scenario has been done in collaboration by Frederic and Fanny Hatton. "The Auction Block" is the "The Light Eternal," starring Norma Shearer, was directed from his own original story by Benjamin Christianson, M-G-M's Danish director. "The Light Eternal" has its locale in modern Denmark, and Norma Shearer is again cast as a circus star. It is a moving story of very human beings. Miss Shearer is supported by Carmel Myers. Rupert Hughes' "Money Talks," an original comedy for M-G-M, has Archie Mayo directing, and the scenario is lightly handled by Frederic and Fanny Hatton. Conrad Nagel and Claire Windsor give a characterization of a young American couple, and Bert Roach supplies the fun. This comedy disproves the teachings of the busy ant, for it is to the spendthrift hero of this comedy that success and money come. A sophisticated story from the pen of witty S. Jay Kaufman, who conducts the. column, "Round the Town" in the Evening Telegram, is 'Dance Madness," written especially for M-GM. Robert Z. Leonard does the direction. The continuity has been written by Federica Sagor. Conrad Nagel, Claire Windsor and Bert Roach are again combined. An amusing motivation for the story is the marriage of a poor young woman and a wealthy young man who go to Paris for their honeymoon, where, because of her inability to speak French, the girl falls back on their American chauffeur for companionship. The resulting love affair, and the husband's clever solution of their problem gives the basis for amusement. Big Chaney Role Lon Chaney appears in "The Mocking Bird." Tod Browning directs the character star in this adventurous crook story. The chief feature of the story is Chaney's lightning changes from crook to mission worker in the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde role which he plays. There is a deft love interest, and Renee Adoree, who won such high praise for her work in "The Big Parade," is the music hall actress who incites the rivalry between the Mocking Bird, Chaney's role, and West End Eddie, played by Owen Moore. A diamond dog collar is the prize which the two crooks covet for their sweetheart, and the possession of which passes from one to another through a series of startling robberies. Doris Lloyd plays the part of the Mocking Bird's faithful sweetheart, and the picture ends happily for both sets of lovers. Waldemar Young guides the story through the intricacies of plot and counter plot set in the Limehouse district of London. Continued on page 79)