Moving Picture World (May-Jun 1925)

988 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 27, 1925 Scenes from “Off the Highway,” a Hunt Stromberg personally supervised production for release through Producers Distributing Corporation Alfred Weiss to Europe Seeking Foreign Pictures ALFRED WEISS, one of the executives of Weiss Brothers’ Artclass Pictures Corporation and formerly Vice President and General Manager of Goldwyn Pictures, sailed on the Leviathan, June 13, for an extended trip to Europe. While there, he will make a survey of the European market and the production activities of the large continental producing interests, among whom he is very well known. This survey will be made with a view toward the acquisition of the best foreign film product for American distribution. It is Mr. Weiss’ contention that there is a very good market in this country for many pictures now being made in Europe, particularly when these pictures are backed up with the same degree of forceful advertising and sales effort as is given to American productions of equal importance and artistic value. A number of foreign interests have been studying, closely, American films exhibited in Europe for the last few years and have also sent representatives to this country for the express purpose of studying American production and marketing methods with a view toward offering pictures which shall be adaptable to the requirements of the American public. It is now an undisputed fact among American producers, with UFA’s “The Last Laugh” and Weiss Brothers’ own successful presentation of “After Six Days,” as outstanding examples, that the foreign producer is capable of making pictures that will appeal to the American public from both the technical and the artistic viewpoint. Through his connections and acquaintance with these foreign producers Mr. Weiss will have access to the cream of the foreign product and it is his intention to purchase and brink back with him the very best of the pictures now being made and distribute them in America. It is Mr. Weiss’ hope to be able to assemble a comprehensive and well balanced program, and on his return offices will be opened in all key cities and arrangements made for the exploitation and distribution of the pictures from these centers. While not yet complete in detail, Mr. Weiss has outlined an extensive campaign for the distribution of these pictures. Further announcements in regard to this phase of this new project will be announced as plans are perfected. Officials Aboard Trackless Train Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York and Mayor W m. S. Hackett of A1 ban y boarded America’s first Trackless Train when the special drove into Albany and toured the city as its guests through cheering throngs that crowded every sidewalk. The special, whose trip across the continent is being sponsored by Metro-GoldwynMayer in the interests of better roads and better motion pictures, was received at the city limits by a motorcycle escort and drove first to the City Hall, where a committee of city officials, headed by the Mayor welcomed and inspected it. The entire town turned out to view and admire the trackless transportation wonder. Mayor Hackett boarded the train at the City Hall. The special then proceeded to the Capitol, where the Governor and members of his staff joined the Mayor’s party. Stills and motion pictures were taken of the Mayor and the Governor on the observation platform and also of them individually in the cab of the train for the press. The Trackless Train, on completing its transcontinental trip, is to be shipped abroad, where it will tour Britain and the Continent.