Motion Picture News (Jan - Feb 1926)

1006 Motion P i c t u re News iects^and Action scenes from ■'The Smuggler's Ruse." first episode of "Casey of the Coast Guard," new Pathe serial. Sterns Get "You Know Me Al" Sign Contract With Ring Lardner for Well Known Series of Humorous Stories STERN BROTHEKS, short comedy producers for Universal release, and Ring Lardner, noted humoi'ist, have signed a contract whereby the former secure screen rights to the popular "You Know Me, Al" stories. It is the plan of the Sterns to adapt these stories into a series of tAvelve or moi'e tworeelers for release during the 1926-27 series. With the Buster Brown comedies they Avill pi-ol)ably form the peak of the Stern Brothel's output for the new year. The acquisilon of the "You Know Me, Al" stories marks the fifth series planned for the new season. . Those previously announced are the Buster Brown comedies, a projected series adapted from the newspaper cartoons, ''The Newlyweds and Their Baby;" a Wanda Wiley series, "What Happened to Jane," and "The Excuse Maker" series, being made with Charles King from stories by William Anthony. The new deal having just been consummated, no arrangements have yet been made by the Stei-ns regarding a cast or director. An expert scenarist and adapter will be put to work on the stories within the next week or two. "Shorts" Billed in Vaudeville Hal Roach Comedies Are Being PlayedUp on Program With Headline Acts THE Hal Roach comedies being released through Pathe are being played-up on the vaudeville programs of the Keith-Albee and alliliatcd vaudeville circuits according to reports from the Pathe men in the field. The Charlie Chase comedy, "The Caretaker's Daughter" Avas given number four spot on the bill at the B. F. Keith theatre, Cincinnati recently and the printed program carried the line "You Will see the famous Hal Roach comedies exclusively at Keith's. They will be shown each week as part of the vaudeville program, as a special extra treat." Also included on thq, bill were Pathe Xews, Aesop's Film Fables and Topics of the Day. The Roach comedies usually draw number three spot at Keith's Columbus, with the Fables, Topics and News holding down one. And at the Keith Palace Cleveland they are billed as a vaudeville act and with a good These comedies are frequently program sometimes the headline net, it ■<aid. number theatre, regulax" )iosition. shifted ai'ound on the occupying a spot near Short Subject Program Opens Ohio Theatre Dr. B. I. Brody's Cedar-Lee Theatre recently held its formal opening. The CedarLee is the seventh large picture house in which Dr. Brody is actively interested. It is located in Cleveland Heights, has 1,200 seats, and is elaborately decorated and equipped. Earl Ludlow will be house manager of the new theatre. The Premiere offered a novel program composed entirely of short reel subjects. The theatre foyer was a bower of tlowei-s, emblems of congratulations from Dr. Brody's many friends and Avell wishers. Solomon Brothers Signed by Red Seal Max Fleisher, president of Red .Seal Pictures and head of the Inkwell Studios, has signed Marty and Gus Solomon as a part of his plan to build up a large national distributing organization. Marty will serve as special representative in the New York territory and Gus will be assistant to general sales manager, Harry Bernstein. Gus will tour the country at large as special sales representative. Stills from "Keep Trying." a new Educationai-Cameo Comedy.