Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

June 3 0 , 19 28 2185 HOLLYWO OD Lillian Gale Wro Mo eorma<?K R«jy Murray Staff (Porrespondenl Western RgpwMativ Special Repr«e»r1a 1 >v> Hollywood Of fiee— 6-581 Hollywood BlVd — Phone @ram1e5962, . De Mille Slated to Join United Artists Producer Will Make Two a Year, is Report; First Will Be Story By Himself HOLLYWOOD, June 25.— Cecil B. DeMille will go over to the United Artists lot on August 1st, according to reports going the rounds of Hollywood. It is understood that the producer's first picture for the United Artists will be an original which he has written. Under the reported agreement, he will produce two pictures a year. It is expected that the De Mille contract stars — William Boyd, Rod LaRocque, Alan Hale and Phyllis Haver — will join him at United Artists after completing their vehicles for Pathe. They are all under personal contract to De Mille. The new De Mille productions will be financed by Joseph M. Schenck and Joseph P. Kennedy the report asserts. The original story by De Mille is now being adapted by Jeanie McPherson. Rowland's Message The FB O-Pathe-First National combine is the principal subject of conversation around the film capital at present. A message from Richard A. Rowland, vice-president and general manager of First National, addressed to all employes of the studio at Burbank, received June 22, stated that following a conference with Joseph P. Kennedy no changes in the personnel of the studio was contemplated at present. The recent economy wave that swept through the DeMille-Pathe studio at Culver City took with it many of that company's well-known actors, directors and lesser officials. Costume Plays Again Is there a revival of costume plays in the offing? It appears that there may be for no less directorial genius than Fred Niblo has set the pace by definitely announcing his intention of presenting the screen dramatization of a French play of eighteenth century period. The story depicts the life of Adrienne Lecouveur, whose popularity as an actress was at its zenith about the year of 1730. It was written by the French authors — Scribe and Le Gouve and temporarily, at least, the name of the celebrated aotress will be used as a title. This picture which is scheduled for production early in July, will be a Fred Niblo Production and will employ an all star cast. Henry King Returning to Inspiration HENRY KING will return to Inspiration Pictures. Contracts, negotiated between the director, J. Boyce Smith, vice president, and Emil Jensen, Inspiration's New York representative, have been signed. King will be a producer-director, his first directorial work to be on Rupert Hughes' "She Goes to War," which will be produced by Inspiration in conjunction with Victor and Edward Halperin. The story was originally entitled, "Womanhood." Walter Camp, president of Inspiration, placed his official stamp of approval on the contract via telegraph wires. Inspiration Pictures' home is at TecArt Studios and it will be at that plant that "She Goes to War," will be produced. Extensive alterations have been made by Tec-Art and the studio is ready for a season of unusual production activity. The Inspiration-Halperin production will be released through United Artists. It is said that the characters are of such balanced importance that the story would not serve as a starring vehicle for any particular stellar light. The adaptation and continuity are being prepared by Dorothy Farnum. It will be recalled that Miss r'arnuin served in this capacity in connection with Mr. Niblo 's "The Temptress" and other of her efforts have indicated a marked ability in preparing this sort of material for the screen. Columbia in Full Blast With the beginning of "Out of the Depths," starring Jack Holt, Columbia Studios continue to operate at capacity. Besides the Holt picture which livm Willat is directing, "The Scarlet Lady" has passed the half-way mark; two pictures are being edited and one is being prepared for immediate production. Ralph Graves and Dorothy Revier are featured, in the Willat submarine special. The pictures being edited are "Beware of Blondes," which was directed by George B. Seitz, and "Say it With Sables," which Frank Capra recently completed. "Trial Marriage," is be ing adapted bv Ben Graurnan Kohn and will be directed by Millard Webb. The Only Film Rotarian J. Boyce Smith, vice-president of Inspiration Pictures, Inc., is the first and only representative in the field of motion picture production to be accorded the distinction of having been elected as a member of the Hollywood Rotary Club. Nevertheless, he received his initiation at a club luncheon on Tuesday, June 19, and is very happy about it. New Fox Laboratory The Fox company will dedicate its new $500,000 laboratory building on June 29 with appropriate ceremonies. The cornerstone of the new building marks the site on which the first two reel comedy ever made on the Fox lot was started, in the Fall of 1916. Gertrude Olmstead Signed Gertrude Olmstead has been signed by Harold Shumate, production chief for Sam Sax and Gotham Productions, to plav the lead in "The Man Higher Up." Scott Dunlap will direct. Shumate also is launching three other pictures including "The River Woman." Joseph Henaberry will direct this, an original story by Shumat^. "Through the Breakers" and "Father and Son" are the other two. Free Circus A free circus was given on the F B O lot last Sunday bv studio officials in connection with the filming of "The Circus Kid." Banners were stretched across Melrose Ave. advising the public that "open house" was in order all day Sunday and 3,500 seats were provided for the public under the big top on the lot. George B. Seitz is directing the opus and by advertising the stunt the producer secured a large crowd of "extras" to act as audience at no expense. Birthday Clive Cook, motion picture player, and his wife, formerly Alice Knowlton, exFollies girl, are the proud parents of a (i1 2 pound daughter, born at the Hollywood hospital June 20. She is to be known as Julia Ann. Jones Films Aerial Scenes Buck Jones thrilled visitors to the American airport, on Sunday, when thousands viewed the filming of several aerial scenes for "The Big Hop." Jones used eight Fairchild planes and pictured the take-off of a trans-atlantic flight. This was the first time that the public was invited to watch the taking of an aerial picture and was only made possible by the great size of the American airport. {Continued on Page 2214)