Motion Picture News (Jan - Feb 1926)

February 27, 1926 993 Three New Western Stars at Universal Isadore Bernstein, supervisor of Western productions at Universal City announces three promotions to stardom in two-reel westerns among the Universal ranch riders. The new stars are Curley Witzel, Fred Gillman and King Nestor. Witzel was recently discovered on the Wyoming plains by R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal, while Gillman and Nestor, former cowpunchers, have been with Universal for more than a year. Andre-Ani Signs Contract With M-G-M Andre-Ani, costume designer, has been given a new contract by Louis B. IVIayer, vice-president in charge of production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Andre-Ani's lirst assignment under his new contract will be assisting in designing the new gov/ns which Greta Garbo will wear in the Ibanez slory, "The Temptress," the forthcoming Cosmopolitan production for Metro-Goldvv'yuMayer release. Dorothy Mackaill Signed by Inspiration Pictures Dorothy Mackaill will play the leading role opijosite Richard Barthelmess in the latter's next picture for Inspiration Pictures titled, "Ranson's Folly." It is an adaptation of the Kichard Harding Davis stoi-y and is now bing filmed on the coast. Sidney 01cott is directing. ''Prisoners of Storm'' Next for House Peters The next starring vehicle of House Peters for Universal will be "Prisoners of the Storm," from the novel, "The Quest of Joan," by James Oliver Curwood. Lynn Reynolds will direct. He expects to start production within the next three weeks. Lawrence Gray Opposite Bebe Daniels Lawrence Gray, who has just completed his second part opposite Gloria Swanson ill "The Untamed Lady," will have the leading male role oi)posite Bebe Daniels in her next Paramount comedy, "The Palm Beacli Girl." The story is by Byron Morgan. British National Buys "Madame Pompadour'* ONE of the final pieces of business transacted by George T. Eaton, Herbert Wilcox and J. D. Williams before sailing for London last week was the purchase of "Madame Pompadour" from Joseph M. Schenck. Schenck secured this Continental success in Europe several years ago with the intention of making it a First National special with Norma Talmadge starred. This production will probably be the last of three which Dorothy Gish is to make for the English concern. Miss Gish sails for London the middle of March. Gotham Plans Twenty Productions SAM SAX has completed his lineup of stories and subjects for Gotham Productions to be released through Lumas Film Corporation for the 1926-27 season. Actual production working schedules are now being laid out. There wiU be a total of twenty feature productions. Six of these will be de luxe productions known as "Greater Gothams." In addition there will be a series of six standard Gothams and eight "Thrill-ODramas," featuring William Fairbanks to be produced in conjunction with Camera Pictures, Inc. ^'Perils of Coast Guard*' in Production Work has been started on the fourth of a series of feature melodramas being produced by Gerson Pictures for Ray art release. It is a story of the coast guard on land and sea written bv J. N. Natteford titled "Perils of the Coast Guard." Cullen Landis, Dorothy Dwan and Jimmy Aubrey are in the cast. Florence Turner Selected for ^Tadlocked" B. P. Schulberg has selected Florence Turner to play the role of the mother of Lois Moran in Paramount's production of "Padlocked." Miss Moran has the heroine role. The production will be made by Allan Dwan I'l'om the storv bv Rex Beacli. Craft to Direct Cody for Associated Exhibitors Associated Exhibitors have placed William Ci'aft under contract to direct Bill Cody in a series of westerns. The star and director have made many pictures together in the past. Preparations for the first of these Cody features are now under way and. production will commence within a few days at the west coast studios of Associated. The title and supporting cast have not j^et beea announced. Baggot Completes 'Terch of Devir^ Cast Director King Baggot has completed the cast for Universal's "Perch of the Devil," with the addition of Theodore Von Eltz and Mai-io Carillo. The picture is an adaptation from the Gertrude Atherton novel and has Mae Busch and Pat O'Malley in the leading roles. Others in the cast are Jane Winton, Anna Mae Wong and George Kuwa. Paramount Junior Star Off to West Coast Buddy Rogers, Paramount junior star has departed for the west coast to play an important role in Herbert Brcnon's production of "Beau Geste." Ralph Le^vis also left for the west for the same production. Brenon is scheduled to start work on the picture next week. Rogers and Lewis completed their work in "Glorious Youth" just before their dej^arture. for Joan Meredith Cast Chadwick Special Chadwick Pictures Cor])orntion has as-igned Joan Meredith, Wampas baby star, to :i prominent role in "Winning the Futurity-," a Chadwick special now being made on the west coast. It is an adaptation of the stage ])lay of the same name. Cullen Landis and Clara Horton play the leading roles. Scenes of dramatic intensity in "The Devil's Circus," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. ''Bar-C Mystery*' to Have Feature Version Pathe is planning to release a feature version of the forthcoming serial, "The Bar-C Mystery," whose ten chapters will be condensed into a feature lengtli picture as well. Included in the cast are Dorothy Phillips, Wallace MacDonald, ICtliel Clayton and Philo McCullough. "La Boheme" to Open at Embassy, New York 44T A BOHEME," the Metro-Gold I J wyn-Mayer production starring Lillian Gish and John Gilbert, will be given its premiere at the Embassy theatre, New York City, on Wednesday evening, February 24. This picture, which was directed by King Vidor, was adapted by Fred De Grasse from a collection of short stories of "Life in the Latin Quartier," written by Henry Murger, on which the opera "La Boheme" is based. The screen continuity was prepared by Ray Doyle and Harry Behn.