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

December 26, 1925 Page 85 "Facing A Prosperous Year By LOUIS B. MAYER Vice-President in Charge of Production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 99 LOUIS B. MAYER Vice. Pres. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer With perhaps the most successful year in the history of any motion picture producing organization drawing to a close, the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer studios is about to embark on its producing program for the new year. The achievements of M-G-M during 1925 is written on the books of exhibitors throughout the country in figures that speak much louder than words. The trade has conceded that for consistent record breaking pictures M-G-M now stands at the top. Not one failure has been recorded during the current season, and the consistent success of pictures produced as part of the "Quality Fifty-Two" has in truth become "the talk of the industry." The wonderful support accorded to M-G-M product by exhibitors during the past year has given every member of the producing organization an incentive to surpass the achievements of 1925. It has also encouraged the executives to prepare for a schedule of producing activities the like of which has never before been attempted by any organization. Nineteen-twenty-six will see a larger organization than has ever been housed by the Culver City studio, the largest institution of its kind in the world. Improvements to facilitate increased activities are already underway at this plant. Under the supervision of Irving G. Thalberg, together with Harry Rapf and Hunt Stromberg, the product of M-G-M for the coming year will be made under the producing policies adopted following the merger of the Metro, Goldw>n and Mayer organizations and which policies have become recognized throughout the trade as the most successful in history of motion picture production. For the past months, in addition to producing the current season's box office pictures, we have been busily engaged in the building of an organization and physical facilities to cope with the great plans we have in mind for the coming years. Details oi these plans we are not in a position to make public at this time but when they are announced we truly believe they will be conceded to comprise the most ambitious producing undertaking in the history of pictures. The consistent success of M-G-M pictures has not been a matter of luck, it has resulted purely through carefully thought out producing plans by the greatest brains in this field of endeavor and executed by perhaps the most imposing galaxy of artistic talent assembled in one organization. Headed by persons who are essentially showmen, the various producing departments are prepared to far outshine the achievements of 1925 during the coming year. Following a year of triumph, the personnel of the M-G-M studios has ironed out many difficulties that confront any producing organization. In nearly two years we have perfected an organization and eliminated waste motion to an extent where we are now able to operate without the handicaps that confront most institutions in the field of motion picture making. For the coming year I cannot see anything but a record breaking season for M-G-M pictures. The past year, as notable a one as it has been for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is but a start. We have only begun to hit our stride, we are facing a prosperous year for motion pictures in general and M-G-M pictures in particular. i^jj * * * Bachmann to Continue Uninterrupted delivery of the remaining thirteen pictures on the Preferred schedule will be made by J. G. Bachmann who will carry on production and distribution of the same type material which he was influential in supplying to the Independent market during his four years' partnership with B. P. Schulberg. This means that Mr. Bachmann will continue as an independent producer, devoting his attention now, as in the past, to releasing productions based on well known stories and stage plays, made by directors of established repute and invested with casts of popular players. J. G. BACHMANN Head of the organisation bearing his name Acting for Mr. Bachmann in charge of production will be Harry O. Hoyt, former First National director, who made "The Lost World." Mr. Hoyt's headquarters will be in Hollywood where the pictures will be made. He will leave for the coast in a few days' time to sign contracts with several directors and scenarists of high standing who will begin preliminary work on the first group at once. All of the stories formerly held by B. P. Schulberg Productions have been acquired by Mr. Bachmann. F.B.O.'S* 1926-27 Array Biggest Yet By J. I. SCHNITZER Vice-president of F. B. O. Plans for assembing next season's product were definitely set in motion some weeks ago at the F. B. O. Studios in Hollywood. It is pretty well understood that F. B. O. will adhere closely to its current policy of vigorous and showmanly melodramatic attractions framed directly for their box-office values as to theme and cast and general development. At least twelve Gold Bond special attractions will be grouped together on the 1926-27 program. These will include a number of the biggest exploitation attractions ever released by this organization. J. I. SCHNITZER There will be star series features starring Fred Thomson, Evelyn Brent, Dick Talmadge, "Lefty" Flynn, Tom Tyler and Bob Custer. Alberta Vaughn will be starred in at least one more two reel series, "Fighting Hearts" by Sam Hellman, and then be starred in full length feature productions. Future Fred Thomson attractions will be made on an even more elaborate scale than in the past. So swiftly has Thomson risen tu the heights as a box-office star, and so insistent has been the demand from exhibitors for his well made attractions, that F. B. O. has decided to increase the production budget for all future productions in which the big Western hero is to be starred, along with his famous horse, Silver King. Under the supervision of Milton Gardner, production manager for Thomson, a corps of writers is at work on stories for future Thomson productions. Thomson, too, takes a direct and active interest in the preparation of all his stories for the screen, carefully analyzing every angle of the script and insisting at all times upon the inclusion of showmanship for the benefit of the exhibitor.