Motion Picture News (Mar - Apr 1926)

1092 Motion Picture N e w s Release stills from ^'The Dancer From Paris," a First National picture. Starts Sales Contact Division George Landy Named Head of the New Department Installed at First National Studios JOHN McCORMICK, general manager oi production al the First National vvesl coast .studios, announced this week the inauguration of a sales contact department mder the supervision of George Landy. The purpose is to bring a direcl contacl be en the production center and the sales e throughout th< untrj and to keep constantly advised as to the activities surrounding the Pirsl National product. Landy, whose years of publicity and es ploitation contacl have given him a keen insight on this angle of the industry, is a Motion Picture News Booking Guide member of the Western Motion Picture Advertisers (The Wampas) and has spent much time in promoting constructive interest, for theatre owners on pictures thej will exhibit. The policy of the contacl division will be directed by the sales force of First National under the guidance of Sam Spring and in association with Ned Marin, Ned E. Depinet, and A. W. Smith. Anion the duties that will fall under the supervision of this department will be the preparation of special exploitation campaigns in the interest of First National Productions and direct service to all those in tin territory who are concerned with the exhibiting of the finished film product-. The department will maintain headquarters in the First National Wesl Toast studios .■mil will function immediately, according to Met lormick. Rayart Signs for Three New Series RAYART Pictures Corporation has signed contracts to release three groups of eight pictures each starring Reed Howes, Billy Sullivan and Jack Perrin. The Howes pictures, produced and directed by Harry J. Brown are titled, "The Racing Fool," "The Night Owl," "The Kentucky Handicap," "The Scorcher," "The Bird Man," "The Romantic Rogue," "The Lost Limited" and "The Royal American." Stories selected for Perrin include, "Where North Holds Sway," "Hi-Jacking Rustlers," "The Code of the Range," "The Grey Devil," "A Ridin' Gent," "West of Rainbow's End" and "Thunderbolt's Tracks." The Billy Sullivan titles are: "Smiling Billy," "The Trouble Shooter," "Speedy Fists," "The Speed Cop," "The Heart of a Coward," "The Gallant Fool," "Daring Deeds" and "The Silent Alarm." War Hero Signed to Lay Out Trenches Marco Elter, decorated for gallantry in the world war by the Italian. Belgian, French and English Government- ha been engaged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to lay out the trenches for the new Phil Ro-en production, as yet untitled, featuring Renee Adoree and Conrad Nagel. Elter tra the famous Ski Division of the Italian Army. In addition to laying oul the trenches tor the production, he will play a small role a a German soldier. Camera Pictures Selects Eight Titles Camera Pictures has -eh'. -ted titles and started camera work on the firs! of a series of eighl pictures featuring William Fairbanks for release through Lumas Film Cor poration. The firsl production is titled ••The Mile a Minute Man." It H an auto mobile racing drama. Each title in a general way indicates the storj theme. Second on the li-t is "Catch as < latch I 'an," the si on of a college \\ resl ling champion. Then come. "The Winning Wallop." a prize ring story: "Flying llie.h,'' an aeroplane picture; "The Down Grade," a railroad storj ; "When Danger Calls," fire story; "One Chance in a Million," a police mysterj melodrama, and "Through Thick and Thin." a drama of ad\ enture. Scenes from "The Man Upstairs," the Warner Bros, mystery melodrama.