Exhibitor's Trade Review (Aug-Nov 1925)

Page 8 Exhibitors Trade Review Irving G. Thalberg Hunt Stromberg Harry Rapf ;U1 EXPANSION OF M-G-M New Contract For BRINGS IN STROMBERG M"™» D*™s Former Producers Distributing Corporation Contributor to Supplement Work of Mayer, Rapf and Thalberg HUNT STROMBERG, one of the industry's foremost producers, has entered into an agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer whereby he will act in a supervisory capacity and will augment the work of Irving G. Thalberg and Harry Rapf, associate executives at the Culver City studios, according to an announcement by Louis B. Mayer, production executive-in-chief. Announcement of the affiliation was made in last week's issue of Exhibitor's Trade Review. An enlarged production schedule is soon — to be put into effect at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios and Stromberg will participate actively in its execution. In addition to acting in a supervisory capacity he will assume the direction of several pictures. In making the announcement Louis B. Mayer said, "Under the enlarged producing program about to be launched we will need the additional services of a producer who can achieve M-G-M quality in pictures. In Stromberg Messrs. Thalberg, Rapf and myself feel we have acquired such a man. He enjoys an enviable record and under his arrangement with us he will, I feel sure, achieve the greatest work of his career." Hunt Stromberg was recently producing for Producers Distributing Corporation, and made several successes for them. He disposed of all of his interests in such pictures and turned over four or more stories to them. Stromberg has produced many successful productions, among them "The Siren of Seville, 'r "The Fire Patrol," "A Cafe in Cario," "Tiger Thompson" and several Harry Carey pictures in addition to those he made for Producers Distributors. Stromberg will immediately begin his new work at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in Culver City. * * * MAAS JOINS KANE Ernie Maas, motion picture producer and head of Roycroft Pictures, has gone over to the Robert T. Kane organization, producing a series of features for First National, as general production assistant to Kane. This is in line with Mr. Kane's recently announced policy of surrounding himself with personalities who have advanced ideas. WALKER RALLY AT ASTOR THE Motion Picture Division of the James J. Walker Mayorality Campaign tendered the candidates a luncheon at the Astor Hotel, New York, on Sept. 9. It was preceded by a parade down Seventh Ave., in which the body was made up of exhibitor Walker boosters, and included a pause at 48 Street between the exchange buildings there where Senator Walker greeted the crowds in a short speech. Nathan Burkan introduced Senator Walker at the lunch and said that the meeting was a protest gathering with the vehement denial in view that Senator Walker planned to "turn the city over to the underworld," as certain New York newspapers have stated. Walker thanked the motion picture men for their support and took the opportunity to riddle his opposition's ridiculous "underworld" charges. Adolph Zukor, Eugene Zukor and Felix Feist were representative of the producer body at the lunch while the exhibitors of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx were well represented. Irving Berlin's campaign song, "Walk in With Walker" was rendered — much to everybodv's delight. $9,000 was pledged by those present for the Walker campaign. A new contract for the services of Marion Davies has been signed at the Culver City studios, as a result of which this star will appear in Metro-GoldwynMayer pictures for a long term. Mi_ss Davies' original contract called for only one picture, but following the completion of "Lights of Old Broadway," directed by Monta Bell, a new arrangement has been entered into whereby Miss Davies will soon start work at the Culver City studios on the first of a series of Cosmopolitan productions for Metro-GoldwynMayer. EUROPE SWEPT BY "THE LOST WORLD" First National Special Takes Capitals by Storm The First National-Watterson R. Rothacker production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel, "The Lost World," produced under the supervision of Earl Hudson, is taking Europe by storm. Its reception in the British Isles has been nothing short of sensational. In Paris it broke every record for motion pictures, both for length of run and for volume of business. It was shown at the Cameo Theatre in Paris, where First National's "Sea Hawk" had previously set new records. Reports received by First National from Italy, where Count Chippico is the distributor, are that it is taking all Italy by storm. In Germany the UFA is giving it the greatest advertising campaign in German film history and it is attracting tremendous patronage. The exploitation campaigns for "The Lost World" both in London and in Paris were brilliant examples of what Europe can do in bringing a motion picture to the attention of the public, and have furnished pointers to the exploitation men of America.