The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Vol. 3.— No. 17 Published 1926 by The Mercury Publishing Company M THE FI LN# p-iM ERCVRY News, Reviews, Opinions Published Every Friday Offices: 620 Taft Bldg., Hollywood Blvd. at Vine St., Hollywood, CaL Phone Hollywood 5583 T A M A R L A N E, E. M. McCray, Mercury Publishing Company, Editor Business Manager. Publisher Subscription Rates: $3 for 62 issues; $2 for 26 issues, anywhere in Mercury Publishing Company will not be responsible for unsolicited the United States and its Possessions. 26% surcharge on Canadian X manuscripts, letters or photographs and all such material is received subscription. 60% surcharge on Foreign subscriptions. at the sender’s risk. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1926 VAGARIES of H OLLYWOOD William R. Swigart Qualified Complaints In all walks of life, in all classes of trade, craft and profession, you will find a certain amount of dissatisfaction among those who are forever complaining. Trace their complaints down to the cause, very few qualify for any degree of sympathy. An Example Quite a few of the old-time extra players who have devoted the best part of their lives to the art of motion pictures, tell me they have a hard time making ends meet. Working conditions have changed, they are not getting the calls, and they want to know the reason why. The Answer Take an inventory of yourself and find your shortcomings. Perhaps you have allowed your stock in trade, that is, your appearance, to run down. Your wardrobe may not be up to standard, your personality may have changed, or countless other faults may be discovered, if you take the same amount of time devoted to complaining, and find them. Times Have Changed Progress is more evident in the picture game than in any other industry, and with this progress there is an under-current of conservation in all that goes into the making of a picture, which result brings about a keen state of buying and trading. The actor is looked upon as a commodity, and unless you measure up to the requirement and lead in your particular brand or type, you are not going to find a market. Politics Eliminated Years ago, politics played an important part in deciding who ■would get the mlost work. Any electrician or other studio hand WESLEY RUGGLES OUT HIGGINS IN HIS PLACE As far as Robert T. Kane Productions are concerned, Wesley Ruggles is out as its director in charge of the making of “Hello, New York,” now in production at Cosmopolitan Studio. Dissatisfaction with Ruggles who was impoi’ted from the West Coast to fill the assignment, led to his release, it is reported, and last week Howard Higgins stepped into the directorial shoes. “Hello, New York” is being made for First National release with Aileen Pringle and Lowell Sherman. * * * SIGNED FOR “SEA GULL” Fred Esnelton has been signed for a part in Josef von Sternberg’s production, “The Sea Gull,” in which Edna Purviance is being starred. * * * LLOYD’S DAUGHTER MAKES FILM DEBUT Frank Lloyd’s daughter, Alma, has made her film debut in her daddy’s First National production, “The Wise Guy,” in which she is playing a small part. * * * SEARCHING FOR LOCATION Henry King has left on a search of the great American desert for locations for the filming of “The Winning of Barbara Worth.” could place his daughter, sister or thirty-second cousin on a set for the mere asking, and you could generally spot them among the group of professional people who made it their business. Today, that is all eliminated. Producers are making pictures under the strain of the greatest competition that ever prevailed in the history of the industry, and the sooner those who aim to make their living from pictures realize the rigid requirements and standards the producer has set, the quicker he will be recognized for what he has to offer. Gains Replace King At Famous Studio Jack Gains, who has been associated with the Paramount Long Island studio, since its inception, as manager of the physical operation of the studio, has been appointed by Jesse L. Lasky to take over the reins as general manager of the studio, formerly held by Edwin C. King, who will have charge of F. B. 0. production. Lou Sarecky, who has been location manager for the studio, has been appointed assistant manager of the studio under Gains. * * * SPENCE GOING EAST Ralph Spence is to leave for New York soon, where he will title “The Savage,” a First National production. * * * LOANED TO PARAMOUNT George Siegmann, Universal contract player, has been loaned to ^Famous Players-Lasky to play a role in “Born of the West.” SE1TER AND DENNY TO START SOON Reginald Denny and his director, William A. Seiter, will start soon on their next Universal production, “Take It From Me.” * * * ADDED TO “ELLA CINDERS” Mike Donlin, former pitcher of the New York Giants, is playing a part in Colleen Moore’s First National production, “Ella Cinders,” under the direction of Al. Greene. King Chamey says: — Agfa “A good Film Always” ALFRED WEISS, Pres. 6370 Santa Monica Blvd. Phone HE. 9574 Edward Small Co. Founded 1910 An Institution Devoted to the Personal Management of Artists, Directors and Authors in Their Relations With the Producer. SERVICE PLUS INTEGRITY 6912 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood GRanite 1166 NEW YORK— 1560 BROADWAY LONDON PARIS BERLIN \ o