Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1924)

March 1 . 1924 965 Grand Meeting Independent Producers on Coast FOR the purpose of meeting indeendsnt producers and signing up with them for eighteen features and a number of special productions, Samuel V. Grand, President of tha Grand-Asher Distributing Corporation, accompanied by Edward M. James, attorney for the organization, arrived in Hollywood from New York this week. According to Mr. Grand, the system of distribution which will be put into effect by Grand-Asher Distributing Corporation is a development of and improvement upon that recently outlined by General Manager Samuel Bischoff. On or before March 15th. he states it will be in full working order and will afford practically 100 per cent distribution for independent productions. Fox Starts Production on "Circus Rider9' Production was started this week on "The Circus Rider," the latest program feature in which William Fox will star Charles Jones. William Wellman is directing this picture at the Fox West Coast Studios. The story was written by Louis Sherwin and the screen adaptation is the work of Doty Hobart. Marian Nixon, who played opposite Jones in "The Vagabond Trail," which will be released March 9th. also has the leadng feminine role in "The Circus Rider." The others in the cast include: Jack McDonald, Ray Hallor, Marguerite Clayton and George Romain. Le Saint Chosen to Direct "Pal O'Mine" Edward J. Le Saint has been chosen to direct C. B. C.'s forthcoming production, "Pal O'Mine" according to a report just received from Harry Colin on the coast. Mr. Le Saint lias directed several of C. B. C.'s feature productions in the past, including " Innocence," "Discontented Husbands" and "The Marriage Market." Foreign Rights Sold for "Floodgates" John L. Russell, President of Lowell Film Productions, Inc. announces that he has closed a contract with David P. Howells, Inc., the terms of which give that organization the sole distribution rights to their picture "Floodgates" for all territories outside of the United States of America and Canada. Two More by McDonald For First National JK. McDonald, producer of "Penrod and Sam" and "Boy of Mine" will * make at least two more pictures for First National under a new contract awarded him by that company in recognition of the success of his first two productions. The forthcoming story tentatively titled "The Goof," is a com2dy in which Lloyd Hamilton and young Ben Alexander will share starring honors. A director is yet to be named. Production on the third McDonald picture for First National will start as soon as a cast is assembled. Fitzmaurice Starts Work on "Cytherea" Following the arrival on the coast of Lewis Stone, Alma Rubens, Irene Rich and Constance Bennett, George Fitzmaurice has started " shooting " the Joseph Hergesheimer novel, "Cytherea" at the United Studios. In accordance with Samuel Goldwyn's recently announced policy of confining his production to the Pacific Coast, Mr. Fitzmaurice has established permanent producing headquarters at the United plant where the majority of western-made First National pictures are produced. The new adaptation of "Cytherea" has been finished by Frances Marion and the picturization will he staged in its entirety in Southern California where the necessary locales of the story can he reproduced effectively. Robert Sellable continues with Fitzmaurice as business manager as do Arthur Miller, chief photographer and Sheridan Hall, assistant directors. Ben Carre, recently art director for Joseph M. Schneck Productions, has been engaged by Fitzmaurice in a similar capacity. Rau is Again Managing Universal Units " Billy " Rau, veteran unit production manager at Universal City, who for months has been absent from his desk on account of illness which necessitated weeks in the hospital and a long trip to regain his health, is again managing units at Universal City. He reMimed his old desk last week. Rau will manage four units, one to he the Robert Hill unit, producing Laura LaPlante plays. Another, directed by Edward Laemmle, feauring Billy Sullivan in " Fast Steppers " series adapted from Gerald Beaumont's racing stones. The other two have not yet been assigned. Marie Prevost, Monte Blue Sign with Warners Co-incident with the announcement of an even larger production schedule for the year 192-1—1925 than the eighteen features outlined under the 1923 program comes word from the Warner Brothers studio that Marie Provost and Monte Blue, whose contracts expired this month, have been signed to new contracts covering a period of years. "Yankee Consul" Composer Directs at Premiere Dr. Alfred G. Robyn, composer of the melodies in the original musical comedy, "The Yankee Consul," directed the Central theatre orchestra in New York at the Broadway premiere of Douglas MacLean's picture of the same name. All of the song hits of the original production were played. MacLean expressed his appreciation in a wire to Dr. Robyn. GIRLS' GLAD RAGS NIGHT. T. N. T. MARCH 29. TO THE LADIES. T. N. T. HOTEL ASTOR, MARCH 29. BAD TIME STORIES AT 8. T. N. T. ASTOR. DON'T BE LATE. T. N. T. Soup at 7. MARCH 29. Selznick Fixes Release Dates on Features THE Selznick Distributing Corporation announces that release dates, have been set on the following features, to be issued within the next month : February 23— "Flapper Wives," the Jane Murfin production with Rockcliffe Fellowes Mav Allison. Vera Reynolds, Edward Horton. Harry Mestayer. William V. Mong and Brawn, son of Strongheart. March 8 — "Pagan Passions," by Grace Sandcson Michie, with Wyndham Standing. Rosemary Theby, June Elvidge, Tully Marshall and Raymond McKee. March 15— "The Right of ths Strongest " a Zenith picture with E. K. Lincoln, Helen Fergu~on, Tully Marshall, June Elvidge. George Siegmann and Tom Santschi. Talmadge Studios Leased by Chadwick Announcement was made this week by I. E. Chadwick, President of Chadwick Pictures Corporation, of the leasing by that independent producing and distributing firm of the former Talmadge studios. East 48th street, New York City. There the eastern unit of the Chadwick producing organization will turn out four of the twelve productions slated for release in the independent market during 1924-25. The first production will be "Meddling Women," starring Lionel Barrymore. It will be started next week. Ivan Abramson will make this picture. John Gorman, who signed with Chadwick to produce a series of four specials, has selected "The Painted Flapper" for his first vehicle. Lewis Allan Browne has been engaged to write the continuity. De Luxe of Philly Gets "Lost in Big City" " Lost in a Big City," the Arrow Special starring John Lowell and featuring Jane Thomas and Baby Ivy Ward, has just been secured by the De Luxe Film Company of Philadelphia for Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. De Luxe is working out an extensive exploitation campaign for the larger places in the territory which will include the personal appearance of Baby Ivy Ward. Warren Joins Paramount Sales Board FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORPORATION announces the engagement of F. B. Warren, effective immediately. Mr. Warren will have a seat on the sales board of the company, which is headed by S. R. Kent, General Manager of Distribution, and will serve in a consulting capacity in the merchandising end of the company's business. He was one of the original vice-presidents of Goldwyn at the time of its formation and later the chief opsrating executive of Associated Producers.