Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

1250 M o t i 0 II P i c t II r c X c zv s TVanderbilt Interiors for W. B. HAT a building devoted entirely to Warner Bros.' interests is a thought for tiie future was made known this week when H. M. Warner purchased several of the art interiors of the two Vanderbilt mansions at Fifty-second and Fifty-seventh streets and Fifth Avenue, New York City, which now arc in the Jiands of wreckers. At tlie Fifty-second Street residence Mr. Warner bought for Warner Bros., the marble dining-room, the mosaic floor, and marble liall of the rotunda and the ebony room. The panelling, ceiling and walls of five rooms of the Fifty-seventh Street residence were also purchased. Originally, those rooms, it is said, cost upward of $100,000 to construct. R Rowland Enthusiastic rCHARD A. ROWLAND, general and production manager of P'irst National Pictures, who recentlv went to the IJurbank studios, spent the first week there in conference with Jolni McCormick, general manager of production at the West Coast studios, and in viewing early prints of })ictures now in the making. The Burbank studios, whicli Iiave been in operation for approximately one year, are now geared to the top notch in order to handle the biggest production program ever outlined by the company. That Mr. Rowland is highly entliused over tlie prospects for a great line-up of features is indicated by a wire to Samuel Spring, secretary-treasurer. York City. Charlie was placed there last week, minus his derby, cane and flapping shoes. Mr. Chaplin sat three times for the visiting English noblewoman, said to be an accomplished portrait artist. The Marquis and his wife are personal friends of the comedian, who was born in London. ECarewe Departing DWIN CAREWE, director and co-producer with Inspiration Pictures of the film version of Tolstoy's "Resurrection." left New York for Los Angeles on Wednesday. March 30. He has been in New York attending plays and consulting with executives of United Artists Corporation in his search for a male actor to be co-starred with Dolores del Rio, wlio was discovered bv Mr. Carewe. The producer is to make other films for United Artists Corporation and he is anxious to develop a screen pair such as Mr. Goldwyn's combination. Ronald Colman and Vilma Bankv. WThey Can Have the Bet! INFIELD R. SHEEHAN and Tom Mix have entered into a unique wager. Sheehan has wagered tliat not one of five Fox male players will wed within one year, while Mix bets that two of them will. Should only one of the actors marry within that time, both must pay the stake to a worthy charity. The five players are George O'Brien, Cliarles Farrell, Richard Walling, Barry Norton and Clifford Holland. A Smith Takes Over Arizona "U" N entire University has been turned over to Jess Smith for the filming of the screen version of "The Poor Nut," which he is producing in California for First National release. This week Director Richard Wallace took his company of players, headed by Jack Mulhall, to the University of Arizona, at Tucson, where a large part of the picture will be filmed. Tlie picture is laid in a college, so Smith decided that the best way to make it accurately and well was to get a college to do it in, so arrangements were made with the University of Arizona. Needless to say, there is not much studying going on at the university this week while the picture is being filmed. THal Directs Color Comedy O Harold R. Hall, formerly associated with First National and now directing for Colorart, goes the honor of directing the first one-reel comedy in natural color, "A Greenwich Village Romance, " destined for release by Tiff"any as a Color Classic. Antrim Sliort, Yvonne Bristol and Ricca Allen are the principals, and a number of gorgeous tableaux and dance scenes are contributed by four of the beauties of Earl Carroll's "Vanities." .lean Murray, Gladys Pliilbin, Irma Philbin and Eileen Wenzel. Hal started anotlier this week. "The Call of tlie Sea," with Hope Hampton and Marcos Vails in the principal roles. WAn Ardent Fan HEN Tom .Mix received injuries in the accidental, premature explosion of a cartridge, one six-year-old girl telephoned all the way from Pittsburgh, Pa., to find out how serious it was. to the star's great gratification. Physicians have assured Mix that the powder burns about the eyes will not affect his sight. TNo Stars in Our Crown HE National Board of Review looked at three features and two short subjetts this week, but no item in tlie array tempted the board to get out tlie rubber stamp and ))laee an asterisk denoting yiarticular merit. G Chaplin Portrait Shown ILARl.IK CILVPLIN, in oil. painted by the Marquise of Queensburw daughter-in-law of the gentleman wlio jireferred law and order to eatch-as-catch-ean, is now in exiiibition on the walls of the .laecjues Seligman Studios on Fiftli Avenue, New WHoyts Open Office Here • A. ROBBINS, for many years identified with the Australian film trade, has opened an office at 140 West i2nd Street, New York City, where he will represent Hoyts Theatres. Inc., of Australia, This circuit has recently been enlarged considerably by consolidation with other circuits, and has a number of large, new theatres under construction. A"Seggy" Signed NDRES DE SEGUROLA, who made his first screen appearance in "The Love of Sunya," after a long operatic career, has been signed for a role in the second Gloria Swanson production for U.A., and has departed for the Coast. No information has been given out concerning his role, but since it is to be a desert story we presume that "Seggy" will turn up as a turbaned and sophisticated sheik. I Lois on Coast MMEDIATELY on lier arrival in Hollywood. Thursdav last. Lois Wilson went to the F.B.O. studios, where a conferen'"' was iield regarding early production of "The Gingham Girl." in wliich slie is to be starred. .lust before leaving for the \A'est Coast, Miss Wilson completed work in the starring role of "Broadway Nights," a Robert Kane production made at tlie Cosmopolitan studios in New York City. TFour P.D.C. Films Approved HE YOUTH'S COMPANION, whidi. at the urgent request of clergymen and welfare organizations througliout the countrv, recently incorporated a Blue Ribbon List of motion pictures suitable for the family, lias jilaced four P.D.C. releases on its list in its latest issue. These four productions are "Risky Business," "The Nervous Wreck," "The Clinging Vine" and "Rubber Tires." N "U" Addition Named After ^'Strogoff" , L. M.VNHb.IM. export manager of l'ni\ersal. has just received a report from David M. Ciould. Universal's Porto Ri:"aii 'manager, concerning an addition to the Universal forces in tliat country who does not apj^car on the payroll. It is Michael CJoidd. now three weeks old. born to Mrs. Gould March .)tli in tlie Presbyterian Hos])ital in .Saiitiiree. ■ Dave naiiied tlic lal)y in honor of ".Michael Strogoff. "