Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1925)

January 17, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 285 RAYMOND HATTON In Zane Grey’s “Thundering Herd,” a Paramount release. Cress Word Film Novelty Weiss Brothers to Issue Brain Teaser Puzzles in Series of Half Reels Always on the look-out for novelties and special attractions, which afford the exhibitor the fullest opportunity to capitalize at the box office, Louis Weiss, vice president and general manager of Weiss Brothers’ Artclass Pictures Corporation, announced this week that a series of twelve novel short length features, each of which would be a cross word puzzle in animated cartoon form, would shortly be ready for distribution in the State Right field. Each feature will be complete in itself, except that the answer to each week’s puzzle will be given in the next issue of the series. The length of each issue will be 500 feet. The words called for in the puzzle will be enacted on the screen in animated cartoon form and will be sufficiently simple in a majority of cases to make a correct guess comparatively easy for the average cross word puzzle fan. There will also be two or three words which will not be so easy. A plate of the cross word puzzle to be shown the following week, will be furnished the exhibitor, or will be imprinted by the exchange, and can be given out to the patrons of the theatre by the exhibitor, with his next week’s program printed on the back. Zeidman Joins Warner Bros. Benny Zeidman, former independent producer, and for several months past assistant to Julius Bernheim, general manager of Universal City, has joined the forces of Warner Bros, and hereafter will be located in the company’s Hollywood studio as assistant to Jack Warner in charge of production, according to word from the Warner Bros, office. James McKinney Promoted James McKinney, formerly one of the Pathe star film salesmen at Dallas, has been promoted to branch manager of the Pathe Oklahoma City branch office, to succeed J. A. Epperson, who has been transferred to the Kansas City territory where he has rcharge of the Pathe office there. Four Snappy Century Comedies For Release This Month As an auspicious start for the new year, Abe Stern, vice-president of the Century Film Corporation, producers of Century Comedies, has arranged for the January release of four carefully selected two-reel comedies. They are to be released, one a week, beginning this week. Distribution of the Century product is through the Universal exchanges. The four releases are “Looking Down,” starring Wanda Wiley; “The Aggravatin’ Kid,” starring Buddy Messinger; “Her Daily Dozen,” starring Edna Marian, and “Taming the East,” another Buddy Messinger picture. Jess Robbins directed Miss Wiley in “Looking Down,” the first release of the month. It is a hilarious two-reeler showing the comedienne as a trick cyclist and also in funny situations high up in the steel framework of a new building. She is supported by A1 According to an announcement issued this week by J. S. Woody, general manager of the Associated Exhibitors, six producing units will start to work making pictures during the month of January. Four of these companies will work in Eastern studios, while one unit wifi produce in Los Angeles and the other at Tacoma, Washington. Of the four Eastern units the first to begin work will be the company working under the direction of Whitman Bennett in the making of a society drama at the Whitman Bennett studios. The adaptation of a popular story has already been made with operations in progress at the studios for the building of sets. To date the director and cast for the picture have not been settled, but Mr. Bennett expects to announce the names of the principals next week. The St. Regis Pictures Corporation will also start this month on the production of “The Million Dollar Doll.” The director with star and cast will be anounced at a later date. The picture will be produced in or near New York City. Oscar Price will start to work around the middle of the month on “Manhattan Madness.” This is one of the most popular stories ever produced in motion pictures and was one of the first pictures made by Douglas Fairbanks. The fourth picture to be made this month for the Associated Exhibitors in the East will be Henri Berg-ere’s production of “Fifty Fifty.” At Los Angeles Monty Banks will produce his second picture for the Associated Exhibitors. The title of this production will be “Breakers Ahead.’’’ The H. C. Weaver productions will start work on their first Associated picture this month at Tacoma, Washington. The title Alt, Joe Moore and Dorothy Vernon. The other three January releases were directed by Ed I. Luddy. “The Aggravatin’ Kid” is heralded as Buddy Messinger at his best. “Her Daily Dozen,” the third Century release this month, stars the new Century favorite, Edna Marian, who used to appear in support of Buster Keaton. In “Her Daily Dozen,” which reveals the antics in a girls’ gymnasium and bathing pool. Miss Marian is supported by the Century Follies Girls. The last release of the month, “Taming the East,” is a burlesque “western,” with Buddy Messinger and his pals going through all the heroics of western drama in a highly comic vein. In the cast with Buddy Messinger are Hilliard Karr, Joe Bonner, Lois Body and Dolores Brinkman. of this picture is “Hearts and Fists” and is a screen adaptation of the famous magazine story of the same name. The Eastern production will be under the direct supervision of J. S. Woody who will okay all stars, directors and other important connections concerning the pictures. Arthur S. Kane, president of the Associated Exhibitors, Vvill .supervise production on the West Coast. To Handle “Back to Life” Associated Exhibitors to Distribute Bennett’s Production Featuring Patsy Ruth Miller An announcement has been made that Associated Exhibitors has taken over for distribution the Whitman Bennett special production “Back to Life,” presenting Patsy Ruth Miller in the featured role. The picture is now being cut and titled at the Whitman Bennett Studios. “Back to Life” is an H. Clay Miner presentation, and is founded on Andrew Sartou’s famous novel entitled “Back from The Dead,” which has enjoyed a tremendous nation-wide circulation. “Back to Life” is a dramatic story of a case of mistaken identity and takes its rise from the wonderful progress made in the field of facial surgery during and following the great World War. Whitman Bennett in choosing Patsy Ruth Miller for the leading characterization also displayed a keen sense of showmanship by surrounding Miss Miller with such important screen names as David Powell, Lawford Davidson, Mary Thurman, George Stewart, Frederick Burton and Frankie Evans. ' ■ Six Units Start Work for Associated During January