Motion Picture News (May-Jun 1925)

3034 Motion P : c I It )■ e A' c zi' s uliR'h he aiinoui'.ced were less than $1,000 a week. The company is evidently stiiving for popuhir results with both ^lary Philbin and Laura La Plante. Miss Philbin is completing: "Stella Maris," a revival of the Mary Pickford story, while Miss La Plante is continuing the sei'ies of light comedies to which she seems singularly well adapted. From all accounts, however, the most im,)ortant thriK to be afforded l>\ ihe "U" in the near futiut is the picturization of "The Goose Woman,'" featuring Louise Dresser, Jack Pickford and Constance Bennett, which has recentlj^ been completed b\' Clarence Brown. This is nicidentall}' Brown's last picture with that company, for he is to start directing Rudolph Valentino this month in "The Untamed," with a Russian background. In this Rudy will be seeji as a Tartar prince. The film is a modernized version of a sr..ry );y Pushkin, celebrated Slavic \vriter. An actress Avhose fame will probably shortly be made in a mother role, somewhat resembling Miss Dresser's in "The Goose Woman," is Belle Bennett, who has been selected to do the title character in "Stella Dallas." Tests of thirty or forty plaj'ers "were shot for this particular plum, under the supei-^-ision of Samuel Gold\vyn, the producer, and Henry King, the director. A number of stage players were considered among others, but Miss Bennett was re-garucu aS having the film experience necessaryto give an , adequate portraj^al. The picture should be one of the greatest of the mother-love plays of this or any other season. The girl who appears as the daughter Laurel, for whom Stella majies a supreme sacrifice, is to be done by Lois Moran. a brand new find brought from abroad. She Correct Error in Report of Mix Injunction IN the issue dated May 30th, the NEWS printed an article under the heading "Enjoined from Using Bill Mix Name in Pictures" which stated that the United States District Court of the Southern California District has issued an injunction against the use of the name Bill Mix in connection with the advertising of pictures produced by Bill Mix Productions, Inc., and distributed by Sanford Productions. The article referred to was incorrect and unintentionally misleading, since the injunction does not restrain these companies from using the Bill Mix name but instead makes provisions that the advertising of such pictures shall not cause or tend to cause exhibitors or the public to believe that a star named Tom Mix is the star or performer therein, further requiring that all advertising matter issued by the companies in connection with the Bill Mix pictures shall carry the following inscription: "Not connected with any other producer or performer of similar name." The order, thus, specifically permits the companies to use the Bill Mix name in connection with the advertising, selling and exhibiting of their pictures, subject to the provisions of the agreement. The injunction was the outcome of a suit brought by Fox Film Corporation, producers of features starring Tom Mix. The order of the court is based on a stipulation signed and filed by the plaintiflF and defendants to the action. This article is printed by the NEWS to fully correct the error which occurred in the story printed in the issue of May 30th. apparently symbolizes anew youth on the. screen a la Betty Bronson. Ronald Colman as Stei)hen Dalla.s, the husband of the iltle character, will have a role enabling luii; once again to prove the fine, thoughtful quality of his work. 1 do not know that Colmaii will ever actually reach stardom, but he ■■-lu safely be regarded as one of the most successful of the new leading men. In mau', localities he has as many fans as Gilbeir, if not more. The first starring pictures made by Leatrice Joy and Rod La Rocque, under the Cecil B. DeMille banner, will snortiy be ready for release, and it is good news, perhaps, that La Rocque's film, "The ''un.ing of Amos," will disclose him in a much lighter portrayal than any that he has done in some time. Miss Joy's feature, "Hell's Highroad," will be the domestic drama type, giving her an emotional part, m well as a chance for comedy. Tlie cast for De AliUe't own picture, "The Road to Yesterday," which mingles period with modern setting, comprises Joseph Schildkraut, Jetta Goudal and Vera Reynolds among the principals, and will be started this month. ]\[r. DeMille has a very interesting nucleus for his films including Edmund Bums, Robert Ede son, Lillian Rich, Robert Ames, recruited from the stage, besides quite a few newcomers. Noah Beery, who is under contract to Famous Players-Lasky, with peace es tablished again, was lent to him for "The Coming of Amos." For the present, the number of productions filmed simultaneously at the De Mille studios, will probably not exceed two. It is understood that expansion of the plant is being contemplated some time in the coiu'se of a year or so, or whenever it may become necessary to materially increase the present output of twelve pictures annually. The future plans of the independent established stars merit much attention — those of Douglas Fairbanks, especially, because (in the strength of "Don Q" he is likely to be sitting atop the world again. His ]nrate story, which is next on the list, will \ pry likely be photographed in technicolor, and is without doubt going to be much more elaborate than his present release. Tests have already been made of the color process and everything seems favorable to its use. Doug has had the pirate production in mind for a long time, but held it in abeyance because of others which were being made. The field will evidently be clear for ' him now. Mary Pickford has finished "Little Annie Rooney," and optimistic hopes are being entertained for her in this production. It is not to be an ostentatious feature, but one that will very strongly emphasize human interest. For a time Mary thought in the setting to intensify the impression of the tenement districts and other drab surroundings, by using something of the "Caligari" idea in construction of the buildings and also crowding them together to make the effect seem oppressive. Later, she abandoned this for the simpler and more direct expedients, so that comedy and heart appeal, rather than anything manifestly decorative, will be the attraction. Keep your eye on Charley Ray. He has also returned to his original character, and the preview of "Some Punkins" recently at the Writers' Club, caused a wave of optimism for his future. Ernst Lubitsch, among others, voiced enthusiasm. He has always had a very high opinion of Charley's ability, and has hoped at one time and another to dii-e.^'t him. "Some Punkins" is a blending Statement is Issued by M. P. T. O. A. Officials THE following signed statement was issued Wednesday, June 10, on behalf of the Motion Picture .Theatre Owners of America, by R. F. Woodhull, President and Sydney S. Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in connection with an article which appeared in "Variety," headed "Big Shake-Up in M. P. T. O. A.": "A statement has already been made to the press covering the business proceedings which took place at the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America Board of Directors meeting, which was in session Wednesday and Thursday, June 3rd and 4th, at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York City, and the article published in "Variety," issue of June 10th, in connection with its inference that the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America are aligning themselves with the Hays Organization is misleading. "Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, R. F. Woodhull, President; Sydney S. Cohen, Chairman, Board of Directors." of humor and pathos, with Charley weai-ing once again the farmer's hat and overalls, and can, without doubt, be very safel.^ hailed as the sort of film that formerly made him "the best-loved boy on the screen." Meanwhile tlie new names are not to be overlooked. The wheels are very smoothly moving toward many debuts at the studios. Success is possible in a much bigger way and mach more rapidly than a few year.j ago for the newcomer because of the betterment of the releasing system, the improx ed technical quality of pictures, systematizing of costuming :ind make-up as regard the stars and finer general ;.'resentation oi; the films. That there v.dll be the big and lasting triumphs in the films that there were at. an earlier stage, may seem somewhat less certain. First favorites are nearly always the most happih' remembered. The new names are more closely linked with the parts which their possessors play; there is possibly less of the personal element in a player's vogue. Nevertheless, it is to this newer group that one must look more and more for the keeping up of the progi'ess of pictures. They are representative in a definite waj of the stimulus of new ideas at work. They are seldom, nowadays, mere imitators of those who have gone before, for pictures do not suffer from this condition as they did six or seven years ago. The shrewd producer or director wants individuality in his talent, and it would appear that the man who is bent on discovering actors nowadays, who knows his business, wants his find to be. if not always supremely gifted, at least in tyi>e thoroughly distinctive. Manitoba Theatre Tax Runs Ahead of Estimate The Provincial Amusement Tax has been running ahead of the Government estimate in the Province of Manitoba during the eight months ending April 30 last, according to Government statement just issued. The Provincial authorities estimated that the tax returns from theatre patrons during the eight months would be $180,000. The actual pavments from the theatres totalled $162,000. ■