Movie Age (1927)

PAGE 10 MOVIE AGE B-R-I-E-F-S There are rumors in Germany that UFA may build a studio in Hollywood. * * * Herbert Brenon celebrated his 18th anniversary in the picture making busi¬ ness last week. Brenon made one of the first motion pictures in California 18 years ago. * * * Warner Brothers has announced the company has a Vitaphone trailer for “The Jazz Singer.” This is the first time sound has been incorporated into a trailer. * * * Richard Dix will make “Woman Trap” as his next Paramount picture, instead of “Oxford” as formerly announced. * * * Mrs. Wallace Reid has completed her 20-weeks tour of personal appearances with her latest picture, * ‘The Satin Woman.” * * * Raoul Walsh will play the leading role in “The Red Dancer of Moscow,” as well as direct the picture. Fox is pro¬ ducing. * * * % Moon Mullins, the clumsy character of the cartoon strip, is to be brought to the screen by Alan Hale, who will make a series of Mullins comedy for De Mille. * * * Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus” will have its premiere in New York on Jan¬ uary 7 instead of the 14th, as formerly announced. * * * Every actress uses the “stolen jewels” story as a press agent stunt. But Mar¬ cella Arnold, leading lady in Educational comedies, experienced a real robbery when a thief took a handful of gems. But the joke is on the culprit as the loot’s value amounted to $1.65. They were Woolworth specials. * * * New Caledonia, an island penal col¬ ony in the south seas, is the locale of James Cruze’s next special for Pathe, “The Red Mark.” * * * Estelle Taylor, also known as Mrs. Jack Dempsey, has been signed by Col¬ umbia to play the title role in “Lady Raffles.” first picture to be produced by the new organization, Associated Artists Pro¬ duction. The picture is being backed by William C. Towle, son of the famous manufacturer of Log Cabin syrup. * * * It is understood that Tif fany-Stahl is seeking the services of Jack Dempsey to make a series of four pictures. * * * Nancy Carroll has been signed for the leading feminine role in Wallace Beery’s and Raymond Hatton’s next comedy for Paramount, “Partners in Crime.” * * * Mrs. Wilhemine Alff, Cherokee, la., has not missed a night at the picture show in 3,000 nights. She figures she has seen 2,920 pictures. * # * Metro has made three new contracts with prominent names. Laurence Stal¬ lings has been engaged for two more years. Tim McCoy has been signed for another year. Renee Adoree also has been signed for another year. ' Miss Adoree will reach stardom during this period, it is believed. * * * i “Abie’s Irish Rose” will be finished this week, according to Paramount offi¬ cials. Victor Fleming is directing and Charles Rogers is playing the part of Abie. * * * “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” has been cut to 10 reels for regular showing. The pres¬ ent version is considered to be more suitable to audiences. * * * Eight producing companies are work¬ ing at the FBO studios, which is con¬ sidered a record for the year. * * * M-G-M has changed the title of “Trelawey of the Wells” to “The Actress.” Norma Shearer stars. * * * Sam Rork has announced he will make ‘“The Houseboat on the Styx” for First National. Will Rogers will star. * * * Charles Bray has selected “Bride of the Colorado” as his first feature length production. The picture is now in pro¬ duction on the Colorado river with El¬ mer Clifton directing. War and Peace” is the title of the Stern Brothers will spend $50,000 for studio improvements, Universal an¬ nounces. * * * Weiss Brothers are preparing a 10episode serial, “The Mysterious Air¬ man.” Eugenia Gilbert and Walter Mil¬ ler will star. * * * Edna Murphy and Mervyn Le Roy, First National’s youngest director, were married last week. The ceremony took place at the home of Colleen Moore. * * * The Prince of Wales attended a show¬ ing of “When a Man Loves” in London last week. It was reported he applaud¬ ed enthusiastically at the close of the picture. This feature plays in England under the title of “His Lady.’” * * * Sam Denbrow, Jr., has been elected vice-president of Publix by the board of directors last week. * * * Lois Wilson has been signed for five pictures by Columbia. * * * The Duncan Sisters will return to Hollywood shortly to sign for another screen appearance. The girls have been touring with the picture making person¬ al appearances. * * * M-G-M is considering the elevation of Joan Crawford to stardom. Miss Craw¬ ford has been playing the feminine leads in many of the company’s biggest pro¬ ductions. * * * Thomas A. Edison witnesses a show¬ ing of Movietone recently and the in¬ ventor seemed well pleased with the demonstration. In commenting on the invention, the “wizard” said: “There is no question but that Movietone is a distinct advance toward the perfection of talking pictures. I believe that it will go a long way toward creating a better understanding among the peoples of all the world.” * * * Myrna Loy, May McAvoy and Lelia Hyams signed new contracts with War¬ ner Brothers last week. * * * George K. Arthur and Karl Dane will make “Detectives,” M-G-M has an¬ nounced. The comedy pair is putting the finishing touches on “Monkey Busi¬ ness.”