Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

Afyril 8, 19 27 1 !(,') t Subjects ancLSer ials New Patheserial Placed in Production "The Hawk of the Hills," a new tenchapter serial by George Gray,, has l)ccii ])laeed by Pathe in production at the Fine Arts studio in California. Allene Kay and Walter Miller are the stars of the production which also has Paul Panzer, Frank Lackteen and "Wally Oettel in prominent supporting positions. Director Thomas Storey is easting the remaining players; Spencer Bennet is directing. Headquartei-s are stationed at the Fine Arts studio, with Willnrd Reineck as production chief. Mildred Kornman Returns to ''Our Gang" Mildred Kornman, eighteen-months-old baby star in Pathe 's "Our Gang" comedies, has returned to studio work in the current Hal Roach two-reeler with the "Gang" after a coujile of months' leave of absence. Jean Darling, the new leading lady of the "Gang," who bears the screen name of "Bossie, " is said by Directors Anthony Mack and Charles Oelze to be a real find.' Stern Bros. Sign Chicago Beauty Contest Winner Florence Allen, winner of the Chicago beauty contest a year ago, has been signed by Julius Stern, president of the Stern Film Corporation, for appearances in tric Stern Bros, comedies. IMiss Allen has been appearing for the past year in Universal I)ictures, her best work having been in "The Radio Detective," a serial. Bushman, Jr., to Star in New "U" Serial Francis X. Bushman, Jr., has signed a Universal contract whereby he will be starred in "The Scarlet Arrow," one of Univei-sal's new serials for the coming year. The new chapter-play is to go into production within a few weeks. Xo further details of its cast and production are available at the present time. Shallenbererer Established at New Headquarters W. K. Shallenberger, uciieral manager of Plaza Pictures, Inc., announces that tl^e company's new offices have been opened at 1(5.")() Broadway. Shallenberger is augmenting his organization and is also working out the details of a production schedule. Ince Signs Five Year F. B. O. Contract Ralph luce last week signed a five-year contract with F. B. 0., according to Joseph P. Kennedy, president of the company. Tnce is now filming "Xot For Publication" in which he plays the lead as well as directs. Ne\v Serial on Pathe List First Chapter of **Meltiri}r Millions" Heads Releasing Schedule for April 10; Six Other Subjects Till-: first chapter of "Melting Millions," the new Patheserial co-starring Allene Ray and Walter Miller, is the featured subject on the Pathe list of short subjects released during the week of Ai)ril 10. Also includecl among the Pathe shorts are "Forgotten Sweeties," a Charlie Chase two-reelei-, "The Honor Man," an Aesop Film Fable, Pathe Review, Xo. 15, Topics of the Day, Xo. 15, and the two current issues of the Pathe news reel. "Melting Millions" is a ten-chapter play written by Joseph Anthony Roach and directed by Spencer Bennet. In supporting roles are E. H. Calvert, Frank Lackteen, William Xorton, Richard Travers, George Kuwa, John J. Richardson, Eugenia Gili)ert, John Cossar, Robert Burns and Ernie Adams. The Charlie Chase comedy is presented t)y Hal Roach. It was directed by James Parrott, supervised by F. Richard Jones and costumed by Lambert. Mitchell Lewis, Sliirley Palmer and Anita Garvin are members of the supporting cast. Four subjects are presented in Pathe Review, Xo. 15. "Down in Tropic Banana Land," shows the harvesting, packing and loading of bananas in Columbia, South America; "A World Center of Learning." gives glimpses in color of Cambridge University in England, one of the world's foremost institutions of knowledge; "If a Table Could Talk," is a novelty subject on Furniture; "Shanghai Super-Cops," reviews the training of Oriental policemen, from the rookie to the man on duty. The iVnimated reels are represented by "The Honor Man," of the Paul Terry sc ''Big Boy" Will Star in Educational Series 4 4 T) 1(. UOV." Educationals three[j vear-old star who has played in Kducational-Juvenile comedies during the present season, will have a series of comedies named after him when Educational stars him it) eJKht HIk Hoy-Juvenile comedies dur'\nv. the 1927-28 season. I'he child star first came into prominince in 1924 and 192.^ when he began as an "extra." He was only eighteen months old when his "Baby Blues" was released, .\fter his initial Juvenile comedy, "Baby Be (lood," he was featured in subsequent comedies of the series. With the advent of the present season he was featured prominently in six Juvenile comedies. ries. The latest wit and humor from the press of the world is offered in the Topics of the Day offering. Pathe Xews, Xos. 32 and 33 complete the Pathe releases for the week. _ Bevan on Sennett Lot ; Other Sennett News Billy Bevan has returned to the Sennett lot in Hollywood and is portraying a prominent role in the current Madeline HurlockEddie Quillan comedy which Earl Rodney is directing. Phil Whitman and Jefferson Moffitt did the story and the supporting cast in addition to Bevan includes Andy Clyde and Barney Helium. The locale of the latest of the "Jimmie Smith" series now in production with Alf Gouiding directing is a baby contest. As usual, Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt and Mary Ann Jackson are playing the principal roles. The Sennett scenarists are completing a feature-length adaptation of the Johnny Burke vaudeville monologue "Dirty Work." This production will be cast shortly and placed in work with Harry Edwards directing. "Big Boy." who will be starred by Educational in a series of Juvenile-Big Boy comedies "Queer Ducks," Educational Comedy, Being Edited "Queer Duik,-," a new EducationalChristie, with Jack Duffy, Ann Christy and others, is now in hands of the editors. Hal Conklin is the author of the story. Harold Beaudine, director, was assisted by Eddie Baker, who has acted and otherwise aided in the production of several comedies this year. In supporting roles are Billy Ensle, Jimmie Harrison, Gus Leonard, Geortre French, Gail Lloyd, Evelyn Egan. Elinor Black and Helen Cox. The company making "Queer Ducks" spent several days on the golf course where the .$10,000 golf tournament was staged recently.