Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

November 28, 1925 2557 ''Grand Duchess and Waiter F. P.~L. Comedy PARAMOUNT will offer during the spring and summer season, according to executives of Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, a number of unique comedies which are original in theme and fast in action. The first of these will be "The G and Duchess and the Waiter," a picturization of the play by Alfred Savoir which is now playing at the Lyceum theatre, New York, after its success at the Biltmore, Los Angeles. Elsie Ferguson and Basil Rathbone have the leading roles in the New York cast. For the principal parts in its screen adaptation, Paramount chose Adolphe Menjou and Florence Vidor, the combination, along with Betty Bronson, which made a hit in "Are Parents People?" Previewed on the West Coast, where it was produced, this highly entertaining society sketch scored heavily. An idea of its reception is contained in a paragraph written by Herbert Howe in Photoplay Magazine. To the public he said : "Don't miss 'The Grand Duchess anil the Waiter.' For three reasons: Florence Vidor, Adolphe Menjou and Mai St. Clair. It is particularly interesting in the prom'se which young St. Clair makes. Wit'.i two pictures he has scaled from the depths of comedy pools to the heights of highbrow. Because he is only 28 he offers a brilliant surmise." Howe says that in this picture there is presented an entirely new Florence Vidor, "as enchanting as the former." Lawrence Gray, Andre de Beranger, Dot Farley, Barbara Pierce, Brandon Hurst and William Courtright support the featured players. It was de Beranger who put so much comedy into his portrayal of the nut actor in "Are Parents People?" The theme of the story gives some conception of its comedy possibilities. A beauideal of Paris, baffled in his efforts to meet a grand duchess, becomes a floor waiter in her hotel. Inexperienced, one accident follows another, climaxing when he spills a pitcher of cream down the duchess' neck. To punish him she makes him a member of her cortege and proceeds to make life m!serable for him. When he finally proclaims his love, the duchess swoons and is found in the waiter's arms by others in the royal party. Mortified, although in love with him, the duchess is forced to repulse him, and the royal party departs. The psuedo waiter makes a persistent search and finally finds her running an humble inn near Paris and they are re-united. Many subtle gags liven the action and help to make what Paramount officials consider one of the company's trump cards in the new season's schedule. This attraction has been completed and will be leleased in February, a month which also brings to the screen such notable productions as "The Wanderer," "The Vanishing American," "The Song and Dance Man," "Behind the Front," and "The Lucky Lady." Exploitation possibilities on this pict re are legion. Each town undoubtedly has its prominent and wealthy men who some time in their lives were waiters, either through sheer necessity or to work their way through school. These men could be induced to write on the subject under the caption "That Reminds Me." Here is advertising copy which will create interest in the opus : YOUNG MAN: If you were wealthy and could make no impression on the girl you love, would you become a waiter in order to be near her? That is what Albert Durant does in "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter." GIRLS: What would be your reaction if the man who loved you and whom you couldn't "see" became a waiter in order to be near you, disguising h'mself so you wouldn't know? See what happens in this situation in "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter." The title of the picture sugge>ts effective tieups with restaurants. Hold a special performance for waiters. Dress the lobby with a magnificently set dining table with a dignified waiter standing by. A placard on the table could read : "Reserved for the Grand Duchess." A woman beautifully gowned and a man dressed as a waiter would make a good street ballyhoo. "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter" will be released as one of Paramount's big specials for the spring and summer. Frank Tuttle Completes "The American Venus" "The American Venus," filming of which was started in Atlantic City during the Beauty contest in September, has been finished 'by director Frank Tuttle. The final scenes were shot last week at a swimming hole near Ocala, Florida. Many scenes were photographed by the Technic-olor process among them an elaborate fashion show and a series of artistic tableaux presented by twenty girls. Russell Matthews assisted Tuttle. Highlights from "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter," a Paramount production.