The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Page Six THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1926 Hollywood, Calif. Are American Film Producers Gullible? For the past century Europeans have insisted that Americans are easily imposed upon. For instance, a man states he Is an Englishman; the average American takes it for granted that the Englishman naturally knows all about everything English — Navy, Army, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Court Life and so on. If the same American met a man from any part of his own country he would make sure of something that would classify the American in his own mind, but with the foreigner it is different. Perhaps it is an American’s natural desire to be tactful and courteous to the foreign born that makes him such easy prey or again perhaps it is just plain carelessness. An American secures an electrical engineer for a large contract, he doesn’t merely secure an engineer of unknown qualifications. But when when it comes to employing a foreigner to pass on details of his motion pictures located in foreign countries and costing a more than considerable amount of money, he takes it for granted that the foreigner naturally must know everything from Court Life to Slums, from Aviation to Submarines, and seems to forget that the first essential in such a deal is to demand credentials. • • • CAST CHOSEN FOR NEW METROPOLITAN PICTURE The cast is being assembled by Metropolitan Pictures for their production of “The Last Frontier,” which George B. Seitz will direct. Marguerite de la Motte and William Boyd have the leading roles. Others in the cast will be Jack Hoxie, J. Farrell MacDonald and others. TIRES PROMPT SERVICE ANYWHERE RETREADING TIIDEC VULCANIZING 1 U DCilJ H. H. Andrews 6426 Selma Ave. HEmpstead 4468 LOIS WEBER CHANGES TITLE OF PRODUCTION The title of “The Star Maker,” Lois Weber’s production for Universal, has been changed to “The Show World” and will be released shortly by that title. Miss Weber has finished editing and titling the picture, and is considering material for her next production. * * * LATEST HAL ROACH “OUR GANG” COMEDY “Thundering Fleas” is the title of the latest Hal Roach “Our Gang” comedy, under the direction of Robert McGowan. • • * AGOSTINO BORGATO RETURNS FROM ABROAD Agostino Borgato, the Italian character actor, for many years in stock with Eleonora Duse, has returned to this country from a trip abroad. * * * JACK HINES GOES TO BIG BEAR LAKE Jack Hines, associated with Norman Sprowl, formerly business manager of Universal, has moved his headquarters to Big Bear Lake, where he is interested in the development and sales of the Fawnskin Resort. * * * BELGIAN THESPIAN NOW IN HOLLYWOOD Jules Raucourt, Belgian actor, who was at one time a resident of Hollywood, and of late living in Belgium, recently returned to Hollywood. While in Belgium, Raucourt wrote and published a booklet entitled, “The Love of the Cinema.” In this booklet, Raucourt gives his opinion, as an artist, of the different actors, actresses, directors and pictures. * * * SCREEN TEST STUDIO OPENS IN HOLLYWOOD A studio has been opened in Hollywood that will devote itself to the taking of screen tests. Officers of the studio are William A. Seiter, president; Reginald Denny, vicepresident; Jean Vachon, secretary; Nate Watt, managing director; Gilbert Warrenton, photographer; and Walter S. Duncan, director of sales. Headquarters are in the Hall of Arts, 1757 North Highland avenue. The studio is sufficiently equipped so that the company will be able to film productions. They are planning to produce some two-reel comedies. NOT TO ABANDON HOLLYWOOD PLAYHOUSE It has been announced by Warner Brothers that their plan to abandon the addition of any more theaters to their present chain does not interfere with the plans for the construction of their new Hollywood theatre at Hollywood boulevard and Wilcox avenue. * * * McLERNON WITH DE MILLE Harold McLernon, former film editor for Mary Pickford, is now associated with the De Mille studios. * * * ROGELL RETURNS FROM LONE PINE LOCATION A1 Rogell has returned with the company he directed in “Senor Daredevil,” a Charles K. Rogers production for First National. * * * AIDS ZELDA SEARS Marion Orth is collaborating with Zelda Sears on the scenario for “Corporal Kate,” which Paul Sloane will direct for Producers’ Distributors. * * * UNIVERSAL SIGNS NEW TITLE WRITER Frank X. Finnegan, short story writer, has been signed by Universal as a title writer. Finnegan will work under Maurice Pivar, editorial supervisor of Universal. * * * ROY STEWART SIGNED TO PLAY FOR FAMOUS Roy Stewart has been signed by Paramount for a role in “Love’s Magic,” Florence Vidor’s first Paramount starring vehicle, under the direction of William Wellman. “U” TAKES INTEREST IN PORTLAND HOUSES Portland, Ore. — Acquisition of a half interest in the Multnomah Theaters Corporation in a deal involving $750,000 was announced here by the Universal Pictures Corporation through its representative, William A. Cutts. The Multnomah Theaters Corporation operates eleven suburban show houses here. Universal Pictures already owns and operates one first-run house in the downtown district. ♦ * * CONTRACT EXTENDED Louis Natheux’s contract with the DeMille studios has been extended for a long term. MAYNE WITH M-G-M Eric Mayne is playing a role in “On the Road to Mandalay,” Lon Chaney’s latest starring vehicle for M-G-M. Are You Protected? EDDIE SCHAFER Insurance Business Is Good; Call Me Up and Make It Better HEmpstead 1412 Schafer Bldg., 6553 Sunset Boulevard FRANCIS AGNEW M-G-M