The Film Daily (1928)

DAlLYv Wed.. Jan. 4. 1928 iio&iv^^jaovi^ Relief Fund Formed by Industry Reports Persist of Forthcoming De Mille Shake-up— Christie Limits "Tillie" to Six Reels— Columbia Signs Three More— Rogell Plans AllAmerica Film— Other Wired Coast News BEQUESTS ASKED TO AID NEW M.P. RELIEF EUND Relief for needy film workers is to be provided under plans announced by the M. P. Relief Fund of Americe, which is asking stars and executives to add a clause in their wills bequeathing a percentage of their estates for the cause. Erection of hospitals here and in New York, and maintenance of a permanent fund for relief is p'anni-d. The movement is said to have many backers among prominent players and executives. Scott's "Quentin Durward" jtp Be Cruze Production Julien Josephson has been en'gaged to prepare scenario of "Quentin Durward," Sir Walter Scott novel, which James Cruze will direct at the De Mille studio. This will be his second picture under his "i4ejK.contract, and work on it is to startTtH*.*^. His first picture is "The Red Mark," now being completed. Rogell Plans Picture in Hook-up with Exhibitors Al Rogell, states "The Los Angeles Record," has plans for a hookup with exhibitors for production of an All-America picture, which would be filmed in the nation's 35 keys. This is planned as his third venture for 1928, the other being "Me— Gangster," a sequel to Harold Bell Wright's "The Shepherd of the Hills." F. N. Extends Molly O'Day Contract for One Year Contract of Molly O'Day has been extended one year by First National. Signs Lajos Biro ^ajos Biro has signed a long term contract with First National as a write! Eve Sothern Now a Star A special story now is being written for Eve Sothern to sen-e as her first Tiffany-Stahl starring ' vehicle. $1,000,000 Firm Consolidated Pictures Corp. of California, $1,000,000 San Francisco company, has filed articles of incorporation. Columbia Active Two directors and one special writer have been signed by Columbia, in the firm's aggressive campaign for new talent. The directors are Ekiwin Mortimer and R. William Neill, and the writer is Anthony Coldeway. Neill's first assignment is to be "Lady Raffles" which will feature Estelle Taylor, Coldeway is to do special work and no assignment has been given Mortimer. Columbia now has eight directors under contract. They are, in addition to the two new acquisitions: George B. Seitz, E. H. Griffith. Frank Capra, Walter Lang, James Home and Albert Kelly. 6,000 FEET IS LIMIT SET ON LENGTH OF "TILLIE" Six thousand feet is the limit set by Al Christie for the releasing footage of "Tillie's Punctured Romance," Christie special which Eddie Sutherland is cutting. This is approximately the same length as "Behind the Front," which Sutherland also directed. "The reason for this radical departure," states Christie, "is that a contributing factor in the success of feature comedies in the past was the short running time, which permitted the exhibitor to turn over his show rapidly thus getting the maximum returns out of an engagement. No more does a producer have to make a picture long to prove to the trade that he has a special, as some of the greatest box-office bets in the past have been the features cut to the action-full length of six reels and under." It is expected that the cutting and previewing of "Tillie" will require several more weeks, with the release date set for Feb. 18. W. C. Fields, Chester Conklin, Louise Fazenda are starred, and are supported by Mack Swain, Babe London. Doris Hill, Grant Withers. Tom Kennedy. Kalla Pasha and others. The story was written by Monte Brice. SEVERAL CHANGES TO BE MADE, REPORTS STATE There are many stories in circulation concerning the personnel of the De Mille studios. Various reports, confirmation of which cannot be obtained, state that William Sistrom has resigned as general manager of the studios, and is to join Universal; Vera Reynolds has "walked off the lot," due to dissatisfaction over her new picture, "Walking Back;" Jetta Goudal will sign a new De Mille contract; May Robson has left the De Mille forces. Under the reported schedule, Hector Turnbull and Ralph Block are to be given increased duties of production management, while Lou Goodstadt and George Volk are to take over the major portion of duties now discharged by Sistrom. Elmer R. Pearson, John C. Flinn and Phil Reisman, who were here recently, are expected to pay another visit to the Coast, in the course of a few days. Doane Leaves for East Warren Doane, general manager of the Hal Roach studios, is en route to New York for conferences with M-G-M officials on next year's product. "U" Officials Deny "Bob" Welsh Replacing Henigson Universal executives brand as false the report that Henry Henigson will resign as general manager of Universal City and be succeeded by Robert E. (Bob) Welsh, Carl Laemmle's personal representative. Gotham and Brown Moving Gotham Prod., and Harry J. Brown Prod, are moving activities to Universal City. Paramount Re-signs Gary Cooper Gary Cooper has signed a new long term contract with Paramount. Rapf Leaving Tomorrow Harry Rapf leaves tomorrow with his wife for New York on a three weeks' vacation. A Little from **Lots ft Preparing Compson Script Will M. Ritchey is preparing scenario of "The Love of Liane" from Izola Forrester's story. Production is to start soon with Betty Compson featured for Columbia. Tyler Unit on Location Tom Tyler and his company, with Jane Reid appearing opposite, have left for northern California on location. They are filming Frank Howard Clark's scenario, "The Western Star," based on the story by Wy.ndham Bitten. Louis King is director. By RALPH W1L.K Hollywood mHE boys still talk about the proA ducer, who insisted that his electricians come to work in spotless, white trousers — and keep them spotless during studio hours. * * * Our Passing Show : Gordon Cooper dispatching a telegram; Willis Goldbeck strolling through the corridors of the Ambassador; Felix Orman and packages piling into a taxicab. * * * "Big BilU" Gorman will be a contender for heavyweight fight honors, if Leach Cross has his way. Bill is a husky stunt man and was at one time an electrician at the Paramount Long Island studio. He has played some important roles at local studios. * * * Charley Rosenfeld wore the smile that won't come off when Armand Emanuel raised his bulk from the canvas at the Hollywood Legion ring, after the count of eight, and knocked out a Mr. Doman, who had 14 knockouts to his credit. Armand is a Jewish boy and will make his first appearance in a' New York ring this month. He is a heavyweight and is on his way to the top. * * * More Passing Show: Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Klein at "Sunrise"; Sam Jacobson singing the praises of "Finders Keepers"; Jack Oakie, happy, after the preview of the same picture, which marks his debut as a screen actor. * * * Jack Adolfi knows his Hollywood. He was a director with the Biograph forces at the Fine Arts studio, now known as Tiffany-Stahl. * * * Screen celebrities, who have been touring in vaudeville, are home for the holidays. Their numbers includes Lew Cody, Mildred Harris, Wanda Hawley and Herbert Rawlinson. By the way, we want to give three cheers for the way Herbert Rawlinson stirred the Hollywood Legion fight crowd in behalf of the Los Angeles Record's Christmas relief fund. When Herbert finished his appeal the fight fans contributed $1,200.