Motion Picture News (May-Jun 1925)

3068 .1/ 0 t i on Picture N e w s Century Lists Four for June Two Reel Comedies Starring Wiley, Gordon, Marian and Darling on Current Schedule A GROUP of four two-reel comedies is aimouiiced for release through Universal hy the Century Comedies for the month of June. They are "Speak Freely" -n-hieh stai-s Edna Mai-ian, "Kicked About" with Eddie Gordon in the stellar role, "Gridiron Gertie" in which Wanda Wiley is starred and "Married Neighbors" with Constance Darling as the featured plajer. The first release is a "bride and groom" pietui-e, "Speak Fi-eely," and stars Edna Marian. It was directed by William Watson, with Al Alt and Hilliard Karr in tiie chief supporting roles. It recounts the adventures of a young bride and groom whose parents visit them just after their first marital spat. The second is "Kicked About," starring Eddie Gordon. Larry Richardson has the chief supporting role, and the comedy was directed by Noel Smith. The two-reeler gives Eddie ample opportunity to do many of his funny acrobatic stunts and shows him as an amateur detective in one mix-up after another. "Gridiron Gertie," is set for release June 17. This one stars Wanda Wiley, showing her as a foot-ball substitute. Edward L Luddy directed. The last June release is another "June bride" comedy entitled "Married Neighbors," and was directed by Charles Lamont. Constance Darling is the featured player, witli Billy Engle and Hilliard Karr as the chief support. Burr Signs Barker and Sherry for Hines Film J. Barney Sherry and Bradley Barker, both of whom have played prominent parts in previous Johnny Hines features, have been signed by C. C. Bun" to assist the star in "The Live Wire," his initial vehicle for First National. Christie Bans Broadcasting Will Not Permit Players Under Contract to Appear on Air Programs AL CHRISTIE has come out flat-foot However, in our small way we do not wish edly against radio appearances by to give the motion picture exhibitor any players under exclusive contract to more competition than he already has. the Christie organization. He has banned "It is still an open argument the amount them from going on the air on the plea that of box office money the radio takes from it is unfair to motion picture exhibitore. In motion picture theatres. We are not cona statement on his stand, Christie said : vinced radio does not keep certain people "After going into the matter of radio from going to the theatre a few nights a carefully it seems to us that the competition week and it is our firm belief the i.icture radio programs are giving the motion pic industry will soon have to make up its mind ture theatx'es more than outweighs the pub whether or not it will lend its talent for the licity the playere and oietures gain by doing bolstering of air programs." the broadcasting. After all we are in the motion picture business and we can better devote our efforts to picture making if we do not dissipate the players' time by working them in getting u}) stunts and numbers tor broadcasting. "What our own organization does in this matter will not have any great effect on radio programs and will certainly not make or break the air programs that are being broadcast from Los Angeles and Hollvwood. Clara Horton Leading Lady in Walter Hiers Comedy Clara Horton, who made her debute on the screen as a child star and is now one of the rising ingenues of the screen, has been chosen for the role of leading ladv o])]iosite Walter Hiers in "Oh Bridget," which will be a July relase on the Educational program. ALICE COMEDIES One Reel Elach The Perfect Novelty ! A CLEAN SWEEP!! Playing EVERY FIRST RUN THEATRE IN THE WORLD!!! WINKLER PICTURES Three of the leading episodes from "Lost — A Wife," a Paramount production. International Films Big Aerial Spectacle Probably for the first time in history a smoke screen was thrown about a dirigible wlien Xaval officials blanketed the huge Los Angeles with a dense smoke as it flew over Washington on June The spectacle was filmed by International Newsreel as an exclusive feature for its topical reels for last week. The demonstration was arranged by the Bureau of Aeronautics, U. S. Navy, and the Marine Corps, at tlie suggestion of International Newsreel. Navy officers said that the demonstration would prove of incalculable value, while motion picture experts declared the picture to be among the most beautiful and thrilling ever made. Gruen Engaged as Gag Man by F. B. O. Company Jiiumy Gnion, former Los Angeles newspa i)er nuin, has been eugagetl as gag man and title writer by B. P. Fineman, general manager of the F. B. 0. studios in Hollywood. Gruen has been collaborating with Paul Gangelin on the scripts for the "Pacemakeis" series of two-reel comedies produced bv P. B. 0.