Motion Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

2646 Motion Picture News F.B.O. Buys New Stories For Early Production John C. Brownell, scenario editor of the Film Booking Offices, last week purchased the stories " Dukes and Diamonds " and " Tbe Moving Finger." " Dukes and Diamonds " is a combination of two yarns, " Let That Pass " and " Dukes and Diamonds," written by Grace Flandrau for the Saturday Evening Post. " The Moving Finger " is a novelette by Elizabeth Irena Folsom that was published in the April issue of Everybody's magazine. This marks the 25th story that Brownell has purchased for the F. B. 0. for production in the near future. The Film Booking Offices have also purchased the picture rights for an early production of the book " The Beloved Brute," by Kenneth Perkins. Willis to Adapt Plays and Books for Screen F. McGrew Willis has been engaged by First National to adapt a series of books and stage plays for the screen. The first assignment will be the picturization of Edward A. Paulton's farce comedy, " Her Temporary Husband," a play in which William A. Courtney is now appearing in the East. Waldemar Young Joins Schulberg Staff Waldemar Young, well-known scenarist, was added this week to Preferred Pictures' editorial force. He will start at once assisting in the prepartion of the fifteen stories and stage plays recently purchased by B. P. Schulberg for release on the 1923-1924 program of the Al Lichtman Corporation. Hal Roach Associates Are Taken Into Partnership HAL ROACH announced on Tuesday of this week the turning over of the active direction of production to three of his associates, whom he takes into the business as partners. These are Warren Doane, three years general manager. Harley M. Walker, six years title editor, and Tom J. Crizer, six years film editor. Doane continues as general manager, while Walker and Crizer become production managers. Each is under a long term partnership contract for active management. Roach desires freedom to devote his attention to outside problems of the producer and co-operation with exhibitors. The studio policy remains unchanged, with comedy production continuing and work beginning on a 10-episode serial starring Edna Murphy. Harold Lloyd has purchased an 11acre tract in Benedict Canyon, adjoining the Ince estate on the south and near Pickfair, for $100,000, with eventual intention of building a residence on it. Cast Now Complete for "The Sign" The cast is now practically complete for •• The Sign," Trimble-Murfin production, being co-directed by Jane Murfin and Justin H. McCloskey at the Ince Studios. The principals are May Allison, Rockeliffe Fellowes, Harry Mostayer and Edward Everett Horton. Others recently signed are Eddie Phillips, J. C. Fowler, Edith Chapman, Tommy O'Brien, William V. Mong and Vera Reynolds. Associated Gets Its Summer Schedule Ready Associated Exhibitors announces the release during the Summer of more than its ordinary quota of features. Pictures listed thus far are : " Stormy Seas," directed by J. P. McGowan, and starring McGowan and Helen Holmes; for release July 1; "The Man Between," July 15, and " Harbor Lights," July 29. Tom Moore is the star in the last-named picture. Additions may be made to the list later. The schedule of fall attractions is being made up now. "Man Next Door" to Open at N Y. Cameo " The Man Next Door," Vitagraph's superfeature adapted from the novel by Emerson Hough, will open at the Cameo theatre, New York, on Sunday, May 27th. It follows a two weeks' run of Vitagraph's "Masters of Men." Victor Schertzinger was specially engaged to direct this picture. In the cast are Alice Cal1 it»n n , David Torrence, Frank Sheridan, and James Morrison. Selznick Names Two New Exchange Managers David R. Blyth, Director of Sales of the Selznick Distributing Corporation, has announced the appointment of M. A. Tanner as Manager of Kansas City Exchange and Lester Wolfe as Branch Manager of Buffalo. Both men have been identified for many years in the industry in their respective territories. Jackie Coogan's Latest for the First National is "Circus Days," a picturization of the story "Toby Tyler."