Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1927)

990 Motion Picture News "U" Production Advances ^'''''' Film Commission for Australia Eighty Per Cent of New Seasons Product Is Announced as Already Completed MORE than eighty per cent of Universal's production for the 192728 season has already been completed, according to announcement from that company, with all but eight of the remaining pictures now under way. As things now stand, five of the seven specials have been completed, together with twenty-one of the thirty-three big features, two of the four Reginald Denny productions and twenty of the twenty-two Westem features. Of those remaining, two of the specials are in production, four of the big features, one Western feature and one Reginald Denny production. These eight pictures, now in the making, are: "The Man Who Laughs," "The Cohens and Kellys in Paris," "Finders Keepers," "The Wild West Show," "No. 13 Washington Square," "Thanks for the Buggy Ride," "Good Morning, Judge," and a Ted Wells Western. A number of title changes have been made since the year's lineup was announced. The Glenn TryonWilliam Craft feature, originally "The Flying Nut," has been changed to "Paris or Bust." The Charles RayJames Gleason story, "Kid Gloves," has been changed to "The Count of Ten." Along with the change of titles also come a number of changes in releases dates. There are eight of these features whose releases have been changed. They are: "Buck Privates," "The Small Bachelor," "Alias the Deacon," "The Irresistible Lover," "The Chinese Parrot," "Surrender," "Paris or Bust" and "Hot Heels." The new release dates for these eight are as follows: "The Chinese Parrot," October 23; "The Small Bachelor," November G. R. Allison, Atlanta Showman, Dies GEORGE ROBERT ALLISON, manager of the Atlanta exchange of Fox Films and dean of the Atlanta film fraternity, died at the Patterson Hotel, Valdosta, Georgia, early Monday morning, September 19, following an attack of acute indigestion. In company with his salesman, I»aul S. Bryan, Mr. Allison left Atlanta last week for a trip through important Florida points. Returning from Tampa he reached Valdosta Sunday afternoon, when he was seized with acute indigestion. As soon as the news of his death was received in Atlanta the Film Board of Trade called a special meeting and named a committee to act at its discretion in rendering every possible service to Mrs. Allison and in arranging proper tribute for their president. Funeral services for the deceased were held at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, from All Saints' Episcopal Church with interment in West View Cemetery, Atlanta. All film exchanges were cloied from II to 1 in respect to his mc.nory. 6; "The Irresistible Lover," December 4; "Paris or Bust," December 25; "Alias the Deacon," January 22; "Buck Privates," March 4; "Surrender," April 22; and "Hot Heels," July 22. Paramount Has Sixteen in Work and in Preparation Cameras are grinding away at the Paramount studio in Hollywood, and electrical crews are running three shifts, because of the production activity there. Six pictures are under way and ten are scheduled for immediate start. Seven are now in the cutting rooms for final edition. In work are "Now We're In the Air," "She's a Sheik," "The Spotlight," "Honeymoon Hate," "The Gay Defender," and "The Side Show." Dorothy Arzner is preparing to direct Clara Bow. Pola Negri is soon to start a new film. Adolphe Menjou next week starts "Serenade," the cast is nearing completion for "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." Gary Cooper will play the load in "The Legion of the Condemned"; Emil Jannings is ready to work in his third Paramount picture. Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton will soon be under way in "The Big Game Hunt"; easting is on for "Under the Tonto Rim"; "Honky Tonk" is being scenarized and "Abie's Irish Rose" will be in production within three or four weeks. Kane Signs Allan Dwan to Direct Five Pictures Robert Kane has signed Allan Dwan to direct five productions for First National, which will be made at the First National Studios at Burbank. Ben Hecht, author, has been engaged to write the first story to be produced by the new producing combination. Following the Ben Hecht story, he has arranged with Elinor Glyn for a present-day romance, which will be the second of the five pictures directed by Mr. Dwan. The alliance of Mr. Kane and Mr. Dwan reunites the producer and the director, as a few years ago they worked together over a considerable period. G. De Mille Personally Directing "Chicago" With Cecil B. DeMille personally directing, in association with Frank Urson, "Chicago," the screen version of the stage play, has just gone into production at the DeMille studio. Mr. Urson was slated as director, but Mr. DeMille felt that the production is so important that he will take charge of the first 100 scenes at least. Phyllis Haver, Victor Varconi, T. Roy Barnes, Julia Fayc, Robert Edoscm, and others are in the cast. As a result of numerous requests to the Commonwealth Government, the Federal Parliamentary Committee, appointed to inquire into the moving picture industry in Australia, was recently constituted a Royal Commission, say advices from Trade Commissioner Elmer G. Pauly, Melbourne, to the Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C. The Royal Commission is empowered to inquire into and report on the moving picture industry and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to inquire particularly into : (a) the importation, production, distribution, and exhibition of moving picture films; (b) the incidence and effect of the Customs Tariff upon the importation of such films and the sufficiency or otherwise of existing duties of Customs ; (c) the sufficiency or otherwise of the existing income tax law of the Commonwealth in relation to persons, firms and companies engaged in the industry; and (d) in connection with any or all of the foregoing matters, the income, profits expenditure and losses of such persons, firms and companies derived from, or incurred in connection with, the industry, and the amount of capital invested in the industry. ' ' Tiffany Completes Three for New Season Tiffany has finished three of the 24 feature pictures to be delivered by Tiffany for 1927-1928. Prints of these pictures are now at the various Tiffany exchanges and will be released shortly. The Tiffany pictures completed were: "The Girl From Gay Paree," "Women's Wares," and "Once And Forever." Two pictures are now in the course of production, "The Ghost Ship" and "Night Life." Paul Leni Starts "U's" "The Man Who Laughs" Paul Leni this week started production on a screen version of "L 'Homme Qui Rit," better known in English as "The Man Who Laughs," the novel by Hugo. The title role will be played by Conrad Veidt, while the character of Dea will be interpreted by Mary Philbin. George Seigmann will have the part of Jardquanonne, and Torben Meyers will be seen in the role of Comprachico. Elm Co. Taken Over by New England Theatres The Elm Amusement Co. has been taken over by Jake Lourie and the New England Theatres Operating Co. Announcement that negotiations were under way for the transfer Avas recently made in these columns. The transfer includes the theatres of the former company in Milford, Marlboro, East Boston and North Attleboro, all in Massachusetts.