The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Vol. 4. No. 2. Published 1926 by Mercury Publishing Co. Taft Bldg., Hollywood. Tel. HOlly 5583 THE FILMifHMERCVRY News. Reviews. Opinions New York Offices: Suite 601, 500 Fifth Ave. Richmond Wharton, Rep. TAMAR LANE, Editor E. M. McCray, Mercury Publishing Company, Business Manager. Publisher Subscription Rates: $8 for 52 issues; *2 for 26 issues, anywhere in the United States and its Possessions. 26% surcharge on Canadian subscription. 50% surcharge on Foreign subscriptions. 1 8 Mercury Publishing Company will not be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, letters or photographs and all such material is received at the sender's risk. FRIDAY , JUNE 11, 1926 fpEOPLE and : : : THINGS By ANABEL LANE Whenever an actor or actress of the “speakies” sees a theatre scene on the screen, I wonder what their emotions must be. The director very kindly has every person in the audience applaud, and the stage actor knows what applesauce that is. It has been interesting to note the reaction of “Sparrows” on mothers. Instead of being moved to sympathy by the ill treatment of the orphans, they feel resentful at the attitude taken in the film — the more devoted the mother the angrier she becomes. Seldom have I seen so risky a theme handled in so delicate a manner as that employed by Robert Vignola in rtFifth Avenue.” I can think of few directors who could have made this film without offending. The attitude of the censors in “The Wise Guy” is inexcusable. Those morons known as censors are having too much to say about films. If the people of Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Ohio acknowledge their susceptibility to becoming immoral or crooked, merely by viewing a photoplay, then little is left to say. It seems reasonable to assume however, if the producers refused to subject their films to be changed to suit these nitwits, and announced they would not supply these states with products, the exhibitors and picture patrons would very soon band together and fight censorship. I would not be surprised to see Rudolph Valentino make what is slangily called a “come POL1SH EXHIBITORS IN ROW WITH PRODUCERS Warsaw, Poland. — Warsaw theater proprietors are engaged in another fight with American film producers. The chairman of the Union of Cinemas has admitted that from 70 to 75 per cent of all pictures shown in Warsaw are American, but no convention exists between the United States and Poland protecting authors’ rights. Notwithstanding this, until last fall, the Polish owners were accustomed to pay royalties to the American producers. When, however, a number of American firms, such as the Paramount, First National and Metro Goldwyn, established their own representatives in Warsaw and they started to underbid the local agencies, the local men considered this an unfriendly act and stopped all payment of royalties on American pictures sold. * * * TO LEAVE FOR EUROPE Constance Talmadge and her husband, Alastair Mackintosh, are to leave Los Angeles next Monday for a two months’ trip abroad. * * * MYRNA LOY WITH BLUE IN WARNER PRODUCTION Myrna Loy is to have a leading role in Monte Blue’s next Warner Brothers production, “Across the Pacific.” back” in “The Son of the Sheik.” The title will have a psychological effect on the flappers who nearly swooned at the mention of Valentino’s name. And pictorially the film should be all that is possible, as George Fitzmaurice is at the megaphone. What has happened to the numerous publicity departments? At least four weeks have gone by without some concern announcing that they are about to produce “Romeo and Juliet.” INSPIRATION HEAD RETURNS FROM EAST J. Boyce Smith, Jr., general manager of Inspiration Pictures, returned from New York this week, where he has been conferring with Walter Camp, Jr., and First National officials in regard to the forthcoming Richard Barthelmess features, “The Amateur Gentleman” and “The Four Feathers.” * * * NEXT BANNER PICTURE TO GO IN PRODUCTION “Unknown Treasure,” adapted from the magazine story, “The House Behind the Hedge,” will .be the next picture to be produced by Samuel Briskin for Banner Productions, at the Fine Arts studios. The continuity was prepared by Charles Logue. Noel Smith will direct. * * * MARIO CARILLO ADDED TO NEILAN PRODUCTION Mario Carillo has been added to the cast of “Diplomacy,” Marshall Neilan’s production for Paramount. ERNST LAEMMLE MAKING WESTERN FOR UNIVERSAL Ernst Laemmle is directing Freddie Humes, Universal’s new western star, in “Let’s Go.” Helen Foster is playing the feminine lead, with Bruce Gordon, Nelson McDowel, Bert Apling, George Connors, William Dyer and others in the cast. * * * JACK PRATT IS ADDED TO M-G-M PRODUCTION Jack Pratt has been added to the cast of the Cosmopolitan production, “The Temptress,” under the direction of Fred Niblo at the M-G-M studios. The cast is headed by Greta Garbo and Antonio Moreno. * * * WADE BOTELER ADDED TO MacLEAN PICTURE Wade Boteler has been signed to play a part in Douglas MacLean’s next Paramount production to be made at the Associated studios. The story is an original by Rosalie Mulhall with the adaptation by Joseph Franklin Poland and Jack McDermott. iiiiiimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii fOU should be receiving THE FILM MERCURY every week by mail. 26 week* for $2.00 and 52 week* for $3.00. Mail the coupon below NOW, before you misplace or forget it. THE FILM MERCURY, 619-620 Taft Bldg., HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. Enclosed find f2,00 *or 26 weeJt* subscription $3.00 for 52 weeks to THE FILM MERCURY, to be sent to Name Address City lilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllimillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll