Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

November 28, 1925 Talmadge Sisters' Father Passes Away Fred Talmadge, father of the famous trio of screen stars, Norma, Constance and Natalie, and husband of Margaret L. Talmadge, died suddenly at Hollywood last Saturday from a third stroke of paralysis. Constance Talmadge and her mother, who had been spending a few weeks in New York to secure costumes for Constance's next picture, left immediately for the coast when the news reached them Sunday, and arrived in time for the funeral, which was set for Friday morning. Mr. Talmadge was only fifty-four years old. He was a graduate of Wesleyan University and spent his early married life in Brooklyn, where he was in the advertising business. Later he became affiliated with the Loew theatres and of recent years has been with the Joseph M. Schenck Productions. About two years ago he went to the coast to become associated with the United Studios, where his daughter's pictures are produced. Colorado Petition Urges Sunday Pictures Whether or not the city of Golden, Colorado, will continue to be governed by the old "blue law" ordinance is the question which will be presented to the city council at its meeting which will be held on November 20th. M. W. McFarland, the local theatre owner and manager, has presented the council with a petition bearing the signature of hundreds of citizens asking for the repeal of the old ordinance. Local ministers, on the other hand, are opposed to Sunday movies and wish to make them a thing of the past. New Representative Named By Associated E. J. Smith, general sales manager of Associated Exhibitors has appointed H. 0. Martin as a special representative in the middle west. Martin has had a number of years experience in the film industry, though he has been out of the game for the past few months. Among other connections in the past he was in charge of the Chicago district for United Artists. Ritchey On Metropolitan Scenario Staff Will M. Ritchey is the latest addition to the scenario staff of Metropolitan Pictures. He was responsible for the writing of such scripts as "Romola" and "The White Sister." Woody Resigns From Associated ANNOUNCEMENT is made of the resignation of John S. Woody as general manager of Associated Exhibitors, though he still retains his stock interest in the organization. Woody's future plans are undecided. He was with Associated for three years, first as general manager and later as president. When control of the company passed recently to P. A. Powers and Oscar A. Price he assumed his former duties as general manager. T. J. Shanley, newly appointed controller (left), and Carl J. Goe, newly appointed contract manager for Associated Exhibitors. Shanley Joins Associated as Controller Oscar Price, president of the Associated Exhibitors, announced this week the appointment of T. J. Shanley, one of the best known financial experts in the film industry, to the post of controller for the Associated. Mr. Shanley spent nine years with Thomas H. Ince, starting as eastern controller and financial representative when Thomas H. Ince launched "Civilization" June, 1916. He also represented the Ince organization in Famous Players Lasky Corp. and later in Asociated Producers and Associated First National. In 1922 he became financial advisor on production in California and remained in that post until Mr. Ince's death. Father-in-Law of Will Hays is Buried A. D. Thomas, father-in-law of Will Hays was buried in Crawfordsville, Indiana, his home town, last Monday. Death resulted from a broken hip which developed complications. Deceased was 85 years of age, but was still actively engaged in the practice of law. He was prominent throughout the state of Indiana, where he served as Judge of Montgomery County, member of the Prison Board and the Board of Pardons. Will Hays attended the funeral. Universal May Produce "Kinangozi" Universal may produce Prince Wilhelm of Sweden's African romance, "Kinangozi." The script has been submitted to the company and it is now under consideration. "Kinangozi" scored an instantaneous success when played on the Swedish stage and ran for several seasons at the Royal Theatre, Stockholm. Hoffman Denies Rumors About Renown M. H. Hoffman, general manager of Renown Pictures denies reports that the Chicago and Indianapolis exchanges of the company are to be discontinued. The Tiffany and Truart programs are to be distributed through these exchanges as in the past. 2549 Omaha Board Appoints New Committees The Omaha Film Board of Trade has just announced two committees, a fire prevention committee and a finance committee. The members of the first are F. M. De Lorenzo, manager of the Producers Distributing Corporation, and J. L. Stern, manager of the Independent Film Company. This committee, which will serve until February 1, will make a fire prevention inspection of film row every two weeks. The finance committee consists of F. W. Gebhard, manager of Pathe, B. B. Reingold, manager of Fox Film and C. T. Lynch, manager of MetroGoldwyn. Robertson Withdraws From New Corporation John S. Robertson has withdrawn from the Meador-Robertson Pictures Corporation, according to Joseph P. Bickerton, his attorney and personal representative, who has just returned from England. Bickerton has also withdrawn from the organization. Robertson accompanied Meador to Europe some weeks ago and a number of conferences were held with leading British and Australian financiers and film magnates. Robertson will return to New York within the next few weeks. $20,000 Fire in Sydney, N. S. Palace Theatre The Palace Theatre at Sydney, N. S., suffered damage to the extent of $20,000 in a fire which broke out in one of the front stores of the theatre building early on the morning of November 10. The blaze, which was not under control until two hours after its outbreak, destroyed the lobby, projection room with its equipment of projection ma-, chine, transverters, etc., the office suite of Macdonald Brothers, proprietors of the Palace Theatre, and two stores. The theatre auditorium also suffered from smoke and water. The theatre has been closed temporarily. Paramount Gets * 'Desert Gold" Script The Paramount studio in Hollywood has received the completed script from Paris of Zane Grey's "Desert Gold." The script was prepared by Lucien Hubbard, editorial supervisor of all Zane Grey productions for Paramount. George B. Seitz, who directed "The Vanishing American," has started preparations for the filming of the story. CHARLIE CHAPLIN in A Dog's Life Released Nov, 22 Pafhe^icture