Motion Picture News (Mar - Apr 1926)

March 6, 1926 1075 Wonder what a gag man thinks about'!1 Here are five of the comedy constructors of the Christie lot, who think up merry pranks in Christie comedies for Educational. Left to right, as they say, they are: Frank R. Conklin, F. McG. Willis, Norman McLeod, Sig Herzig and Hank Mann. RTHE ADVANCE GUARD OBERT FAIRBANKS, accompanied by his wife and two small daughters, has arrived in New York from Hollywood en route for Paris, and will remain abroad at least six months. He is conferring with Hiram Abrams, and will leave shortly for Boston to go over the printing and assembling of "The Black Pirate" at the 1 echnicolor plant. He will make his headquarters in Paris while abroad, but will visit all the principal continental cities in connection with initial runs of Doug's new color opus. The first of these will be that at the Tivoli in London, but other engagements will follow closely upon it. Doug and Mary will also sail for Europe before long, but the illness of Miss Pickford's mother has made plans indefinite at present. Albert Parker, director, William Nolan, in charge of cutting, and Mortimer Wilson, the composer, are all in the East to assist in preparing for the premiere. T ENTER THE THEME J.N the judgment of Major H. C. S. Thomson, president and managing director of F.B.O., the next immediate development in screen drama will be the steadily increasing importance of the "thematic" production — the story with a purpose and a point. "In the last year or so," he says, "an educational thread has been creeping into the warp and woof of motion picture weaving; in some instances, perhaps, without the conscious knowledge of some producers. But in an effort to turn out the 'epic' type of picture history has naturally been ransacked and the classics worked Charlie Chase, Hal Roach comedian in Pathe comedies, tvho is vacationing in New York City, accepted the invitation of Bernarr Macfadden the other day and joined the Early Bird Gym Class broadcasting from station WOR. (New York Evening Graphic Photo.) An unusual "odd shot" of Fred Thomson, F. B. O Western star, hanging over a balcony and about to drop on the villains in a scene from "The Tough Guy," his latest starring vehicle. over. By thematic pictures I mean productions that will be based upon a theme of direct educational value. It will not be propaganda, however. 'Her Honor, the Governor', a picture that we are going to do shortly, is 'thematic'. It glorifies the American woman in politics and dramatizes the figure of a woman governor. Civil government, like history, is of educational interest and I believe that there will be a predominance of pictures next season with at least a modicum of instructive value. Many of our productions are being so planned right now." EM-G-M STUDIO FROLIC MPLOYES, stars, directors and executives of the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer studio at Culver City joined, in their second annual frolic on February 5th at the El Patio ballroom. The personnel department staged the affair, which is to promote good fellowship and personal responsibility. Charles Ray was master of ceremonies, and introduced the executives to the employes. A Fanchon & Marco "Idea," Tnxie Friganza and the "Red, White and Blue" chorus from Grauman's Egyptian presentation of "The Big Parade" figured in the entertainment. Louis B. Mayer, Harry Rapf, Hunt Stromberg, Eddie Mannix and other officials were on hand, as well as many of the M-G-M players. HT FINE ARTS REUNION WEEK X HIS week is reunion week at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in Culver City for graduates of the famous old Fine Arts company who tutored under D. W. Griffith. Bessie Love, Pauline Starke and Carmel Myers, who were at Fine Arts with Norma and Constance 1 almadge, Colleen Moore, Mildred Harris and others, are working side by side on sets at the big M-G-M plant, and off moments are filled with reminiscences and anecdotes. Miss Starke has the leading role in "Love's Blindness," Carmel Myers is in "1 oto," and Bessie Love has been signed for the coveted name . role in "Lovey Mary."