Motion Picture News (May-Jun 1925)

June 6 , 19 2 5 27W Strong Line-up of Films in Second White List appeal of this superb actor takes a decided step forward, for he has exceptional opportunities growing out of the unusual predicament of a young business man who is suddenly accosted by a very beautiful girl who declares that he promised to marry her on Friday, Mai'ch thirteenth. He never saw the girl before in his life, but in spite of his diary, records, and the testimony of his friends, he is unable to establish as an alibi definite proof of his whereabouts on that day. It is a scream all the way through. "T/ie Goose Woman" Mystery, thrills and a revelation of the methods employed by newspaper reporters in ferreting out a murder, await those who attend the picturization of Rex Beach's dramatic story, "The Goose Woman." It is a story of love and protection and just one hate — enough to put the story into motion. First there is the love of the former opera singer for publicity — that power which makes and breaks. The singer has a son who loves a girl. Jack Pickford, Louise Dresser and Constance Bennett have these roles. But the stage doorman at the theatre where the girl works loves the girl and hates an old r{)under who foi'ces his attentions on the girl. James 0. Barrows, one of the screen's most capable character actors, has this part. Then a murder is committed. The singer satisfies her craving for publicity by a false statement about the killing. Her son is arrested for this and then startling incidents heap on each other to make this a thoroughly enthralling picture. Peacock Feathers" This topping comedy-drama in which Jacqueline Logan and Cullen Landis have the stellar roles, is unique in that it marks the screen premiere of Prince Youcca Troubetzkoy, a member of the Russian nobility, and is also the third i)roduction on American soil of Svend Gade, noted Danish director. The story is from the novel by Temple Bailey, being adapted by James 0. Spearing, former dramatic editor of the New York Times. There is not a dull moment in the picture. When the plot hesitates in its trend, a bit of comedy is injected to round out a complete ]ilay which is a splendid family picture. Others in the cast are George Fawcett, Edwin J. Brady, Carolyn Irwin, Ward f Crane, Emmett King, Aggie Herring and Dunbar Raymond. ''Stella Maris" Mary Pickford established her reputation as a dramatic actress with William J. Locke's remarkable novel, "Stella Maris." When Universal engaged Charles Brabin to direct Mary Philbin, he suggested that Universal make this remarkable novel for Mary Philbin. "Stella Maris" presents as much opportunity for character drawing, for dramatic expression and for pictorial beauty as any story ever written. Furthermore, all of Holl.vwood is agog as to whether Mary Philbin can play the role better than Mary Pickford did. Any time a controversy of such a nature is started about a picture, that picture is certain to be talked about, and any picture that is talked about will be seen in the theatres. The cast is being selected with extreme care. The role of the feminine heavy has been entrusted to Gladys Brockwell. Phillips Smalley has also been chosen for an important part. The roles of John Risca and Walter Herold, extremely important and difficult, are attracting offers from many important juveniles in HolhTvood. Century Plans Excellent .Comedy Releases JULIUS and ABE STERN, the makers of Century Comedies, have i)rojected one of the most ambitious schedules ever attempted in the two-reel field. For their 1925-26 output, to be released through Universal, they have planned twelve Wanda Wiley-Century Comedies, twelve Edna Marian Century Comedies, twelve Buster Brown-Century Comedies and a number of other two-reelers. Included in the Century list will be six pictures made with Al Alt, si\' made with Eddie Gordon and four witii Charles King. The Century Film Corporation also will release a Special, "Little Red Riding Hood," a two-reeler made with Baby Peggy and built around the jjopular fairy tale. The W^anda Wiley, Edna Marian and Buster Brown comedies will be of excei)tional quality. The Stern brolhers have gone to 1 great expense and pains to obtain a high class studio staff in order to assure a good brand of comedies. Miss Wiley, whose popularity has pyramided during the past year, is lined up for one release a month. This permits exhibitors to cash in on her drawing power and to take advantage of the large public which has been ljuilt up for her. The same is true with the Edna Mai'ian comedies. Knowing that he may expect one a month, the theatre owner will be fully cognizant of the box-office value of this star. The Buster Brown Comedies will be a distinct novelty in the comedy field. They will be patterned after the famous newspaper cartoons by R. F. Outcault, but will be made with live actors. Little Arthur Trimble has })een obtained to jilay the role of Buster, Doreen Turner that of Mary Jane, and Petey the screen dog-wonder, the role of Tige, Buster's famous dog. These comedies already are in production'and previews of the first indicate that they will be a sensation. They are reg-arded by Universal as strictly first-run comedies. "We have formulated a new policy in regards to Century Comedies," says Julius Stern, president of the Century Film Corporation. "We are determined to make tworeelers of the highest possible quality. Our stars have proven their box-office worth. Our dii-ectors are veteran fun-film makers. Our studio facilities have been bettered. Thus, we are equipped to turn out the best comedies in the industry and 1 will not rest until our jiroduct is so far ahead of all others that they will be the hiuuorous touchstones of the screen world." ' 'LuckySix CliQsen as Name for Chapter Plays CARL LAEMMLE of Universal announces six serials for ]925-2() under the above title. The first will be "Perils of the Wild," a story based on the famous book "Swiss Family Robinson." This will be released August 17, 1925, and will be ten episodes in length. In the cast of this picture are Jack Mower, Margaret Quimt)y and Joe Bonomo. This is an all star cast, directed by Henry McRac and is one of the biggest serials I'eleased in years. The story was written by Isadore BeiTistein and William L ird AVright. The second serial, "Ace of Spades," will be released October 19, 1925. This is a story of the "Oklahoma Land Rush," a })ig western action drama story with William Desmond, supported l)v Mary McAllister, Clark Cornstock and Al Smith. It i a ten-ejjisode serial directed by Henry McRae. This stor\was written by Isadore Bernstein and William Lord Wright. The third serial. "The Scarlet Streak," will be released December 21, 1925, with Jack Daugherty, the star of "The Fighting Rangei-" ])laying the lead supported by a big cast directed by Henry McRae. This is a ten-ejjisode serial from an original story written by Isadore Bernstein and William Lord Wright and is based on the "death ray" which is now so prominently in the tvpes of the nations. The fourth serial, "The Winking Idol," l)y Charles Van Lf)an, was adapted to the screen by Isadore Berstein and William Lord Wright. This will be a big Western serial with William Desmond and be directed by Francis Ford. It will be in ten episodes, released February twenty-first, 1926. The fifth serial "The Radio Detective," by Arthur B. Reeve, from the Boy's Life Magazine story of the same name will be released Apr 1 19, 1926. This will be directed by Henry McRae with an all star cast including Joe Bonomo and will be in ten episodes. It is a Boy Scout and Radio Serial from the story in the Boy's Life Magazine and was a sensation. The sixth serial, "The Strings of Steel," will be released June 22nd, 1926. This story marks the fiftieth anniversary of the invention of the telephone and is a semi-historic story based on the early development of the telephone. It is a strictly action story and it is planned to plav Jack Daugherty in the lead with Francis Ford directing. It will be ten ei^isodes.