Exhibitor's Trade Review (Aug-Nov 1925)

Page 12 Exhibitors Trade Review "Green Archer", New Patheserial Goes In Work at Astoria Studio Allene Ray and Walter Miller, Co-Stars of "Play Ball," Again Take Leading Roles, Spencer Bennet Directs A new Patheserial based upon Edgar Wallace's novel, "The Green Archer," is in production at the Long Island Studio in Astoria, L. I. Frank Leon Smith adapted the novel to the screen and Spencer Bennet is directing this ten-chapter screen play. Allene Ray and Walter Miller known to all Patheserial followers, again appear at the head of the cast, which includes Burr Mcintosh, Stephen Grattan and Frank Lackteen. "The Green Archer" blends mystery and romance. The acquisition of this best seller as the basis of a serial story is a continuation of the Pathe plan of securing the best possible story backgrounds for its continuedchapter plays. The current serial, "Play Ball," is based upon a story by Manager John J. McGraw of the New York Giants. Other recent Patheserials based upon the works of popular writers are "Sunken Silver" adapted from "Black Caesar's Clan" by Albert Payson Terhune, "Into the Net" by New York's Police Commissioner Richard E. Enright, "Idaho" which was adapted from "The Girl Vigilante" by Theodore Burrell, SCHULBERG SIGNS ROBERT FRAZER Will Have Principal Role in "The Other Woman's Story" B. P. Schulberg signed Robert Frazer for the lead in his Preferred Picture, "The Other Woman's Story," which Gasnier will direct from the story by Peggy Gaddis. This "brings Frazer to the independent market for the first time since his recent success. During recent months _ Mr. Schulberg has sponsored the first independent appearance of five other prominent players, Anita Stewart, Bert Lytell, Ethel Clayton, Mae Busch and Alice Joyce. Frazer has appeared exclusively in the past for Metro-Goldwyn with the exception of a few roles for other national organizations, for which his services were loaned. He is the first of several prominent players with whom Mr. Schulberg is now negotiating to appear in the new Preferred program to carry out his intention of supplying the independent field with talent commensurate in box-office power with that used by any other producing body. Alice Calhoun will play the feminine lead in this film, while Helen Lee Worthing, David Torrence, Mahlon Hamilton and Gertrude Short are others in the cast. * '* * FERDINAND EARLE'S ART TO EXPLOIT "BEN HUR" The services of Ferdinand Earle, noted artist at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio has been enlisted to the cause of publicizing "Ben Hur." With the assistance of Gordon B. Pollock, well known photographer, Mr. Earle is creating special photographic conceptions which will be used to advertise this production. Specially painted backgrounds are being prepared by him before which Ramon Novarro and other characters of the productions are being photographed. and "The Way of a Man" by Emerson Hough. Allene Ray has been featured in six previous Patheserials and has shared honors with Walter Miller in two recent chapter plays. Frank Lackteen, polite villain of many serials, again joins the Pathe ranks and Wally Oettel, who provided the comic relief in "Play Ball" continues before the Pathe camera. Burr Mcintosh and Stephan Grattan are both veterans of stage and screen. To insure the accuracy of the archery action in "The Green Archer," Pathe has engaged Earl B. Powell, nationally known as an expert, to instruct the cast in the trse of the bow and arrow. Mr. Powell served as archery instructor for Douglas Fairbanks in "Robin Hood," and supervised the bowman in Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments." This serial based upon "The Green Archer" will probably follow "Wild West" on the Patheserial release schedule. The western serial will follow the current baseball chapter-film "Play Ball." Lew Cody Signed On Long Contract By Metro-Goldwyn Lew Cody has been placed under a long term contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The contract is to take effect immediately. During the past several months MetroGoldwyn-Mayer have experimented with LewCody in light comedy roles which have virtually taken the country by storm. In "A Slave of Fashion," Cody has met with nationwide success as a subtle comedian. His future work for M-G-M will be chiefly along these lines in leading roles. Among Lew Cody's more recent pictures are "So This Is Marriage," "Man and Maid," "The Sporting Venus," "A SlaVe of Fashion" and "Time the Comedian." His next pictures for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will be "Exchange of Wives" in which he will appear with Eleanor Boardman and Renee Adoree, and "Dance Madness," in which he will appear with Aileen Pringle. ♦ ♦ ♦ PICCADILLY PASSES Warner Brothers, who recently acquired the Piccadilly Theatre, New York, announced that the theatre's name would be changed to "Warners' Theatre." * * * "Plastic Age" Cast A number of box-office names were added by B. P. Schulberg to the cast of the Preferred Picture, "The Plastic Age," a screen version of the novel by Percy Marks. Henry B. Walthall, David Butler and Joan Standing were signed by the producer and will be seen in three important roles. The leads are in the hands of Clara Bow and Donald Keith with the next parts of importance being played by Mary Alden and Gilbert Roland. CHAPLIN SMASHES STRAND RECORD "Gold Rush" Tops 18,000 Paid Admissions Charlie Chaplin's "The Gold Rush" has broken the box-office record of the Strand Theatre, New York, for a day's business, arid bids fair to shatter the records for a week's business and a long run in the bargain. On the opening Sunday the picture played to more than 18,000 paid admissions. The former Strand high mark was also held by a Chaplin picture, "The Kid," which played the house in February, 1921, having the benefit of cold weather, as against the heat of the first Sunday of "The Gold Rush." Joseph L. Plunkett, managing director of the Strand, has put back the closing hour of the theatre. The house runs an extra show, ~from 11 till 12:30 at night, to accommodate the Chaplin crowds. The Chaplin picture was inaugurated by a special performance at midnight the Saturday before the regular Sunday opening. Tickets were disposed of at $3.30 top, including tax and though there naturally was a large amount of paper in the. house the box-office business at this show was spectacular. Among the film notables who attended the opening were Gloria Swanson, Richard Barthelmess, Mabel Normand, Constance Bennett, Hugo Reisenfeld, Will Rogers, Owen Moore, Robert Flaherty, Jesse L. Lasky, Major Edward Bowes, James Quirk, Josiah Zuro and John Wenger. "Charlie Chaplin's 'The Gold Rush* broke all records since the house was opened seventeen years ago," telegraphed Aaron Jones, of Jones, Linick & Schaeffer, to Hiram Abrams, president of United Artists Corporation, after this new Chaplin dramatic comedy opened at the Orpheum Theatre, Chicago. "All I can say is that it is marvelous. Congratulations !" the message continued. * * * Chadwick Engages Reichenbach Harry Reichenbach has been signed by Chadwick Pictures Corporation to handle special exploitation and publicity on the forthcoming programr "The Wizard of Oz," two of the George Walsh series, "The Unchastened Woman," and two of the Charles Ray series are completed and ready for release. All of these productions are included in the 1925-1926 season program, and Reichenbach will be largely instrumental in exploiting them. * * * FROM FILMS TO LEGIT C. R. Rogers has purchased from Mrs. Anna Shuss two frame buildings on North Center street, Corry, Pa., and later will raze them to afford space for an addition to the Grand theatre, at present a motion picture house. When remodeled the house will be used for legitimate attractions. * * * METRO-GOLDWYN DIVIDEND The board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 1J4 per cent on the preferred stock of the company, payable September 15th, 1925, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 31st, 1925. * * * Owing to the success of "The Rag Man," Jackie Coogan will hereafter devote himself to the production of comedy features. Al Austin, comedy specialist, has joined the Coogan staff as advisor to Eddie Cline, director, and the star's father.