Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2548 Motion Picture News Richard Barthelmess in scenes from "The Beautiful City," his First National vehicle in which Dorothy Gish plays the leading feminine role. Rayart Product Well Advanced W. Ray Johnston Reports Productions Finished Well Ahead of Relase Dates WRAY JOHNSTON, President of Rayart Pictures Corporation is • back from California and states that the Rayart production schedule is completed sixty days in advance of release. Johnston has been on the west coast for some time supervising production. The pictures already completed are six Whirlwind Westerns, four Reed Howes comedy dramas, seven Billy Sullivan fight dramas, two Superior melodramas and a series of Joybelle comedies starring Gloria Joy and Eddie Fetherston. The Robert Dillon serial, "The Flame Fighter" has also been completed, UNIVERSAL is making elaborate plans for serial production, according to word received by Fred J. McConnell, short product sales manager, from CHARLIE CHAPLIN in "A Dog's Life Released Nov, 22 Pafhepicture with Herbert Rawlinson as the star. Stories have been selected and work will start immediately on the next Superior Melodrama, entitled "Somebody's Mother," which will be produced by Gerson Pictures Corporation, under the direction of Oscar Apfel. Harry J. Brown, producer of the Reed Howes and Billy Sullivan scries, will arrive in New York during the current week to consult with Mr. Johnston regarding stories and casts for the four Reed Howes of the second group and the five Sullivan Pictures yet to be produced. William Lord Wright, head of the serial department at Universal City. More money is to be spent on serials than heretofore, not only as regards cost of production, but also as to price paid for stories and casts. Among the latest of these productions is "Strings of Steel," which is now being finished. It is a thrilling and romantic story of the invention, and development of the telephone. The picture was made with the cooperation of the Bell System. Another of the new serials is "The Radio Detective." This is based on an Arthur B. Reeve story of the same name. It is said that everything touching on the radio in the picture was first passed upon by radio authorities. Boy scouts also play an important part in this production. Discussing the serial, William Lord Wright says: "While the serial has been described as a 'children's picture' it is a safe bet that father and mother, uncle and aunt, and elder brother and sister are glad to be able to see one, even though they do hide behind the excuse, 'the children like it.' 8 Tom Mix Ready to Start "My Own Pal" Tom Mix is ready to start work in "My Own Pal," his next starring vehicle for Fox. The original story, "The Gallant Guardsman," is by Gerald Beaumont and the scenario by Lillie Hayward. Olive Borden will have the feminine lead, while others so far selected for the cast include Tom Santschi, Paul Panzer, Virginia Marshall, William Calvin, Grace Goodall, Tom MeGuire, Helen Lynch, Ben Bard, Jacques Rollens and Tony the wonder horse. J. G. Blystone will direct. Chadwick Releases Semon's "Perfect Clown" Chadwick Pictures Corporation released "The Perfect Clown." Larry Semon's latest feature comedy, on November 15th. It was the second Chadwick release of the month, "Blue Blood," George Walsh's second feature having gone to the exhibitors on the first. Dorothy Dwan again plays opposite Semon in "The Perfect Clown," while others in the cast include 0 iver Hardy, Kate Price, Joan Meredith, Otis Harlan and G. Howe Black. Warner Signs for Leading Role in "Silence" H. B. Warner has been signed by Cecil B. De Mille for the leading role in "Silence," in which the actor has been starring for the past year on the speaking stage. The last presentation of the play was given in Philadelphia last Saturday night and Warner left the following day for Los Angeles to start work immed'ateiy on the screen version. Scenes from "The Enchanted Hill," a Paramount production. Universal Stressin'g Serials Will Expend More Money in Production, Story Material and Casts