Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

January 8, 1927 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 117 Fox Quota Is Far Ahead of 1927 Schedule William Fox’s 1926-27 schedule of fifty-two features ; fifty-two two-reel comedies; twenty-six one-reelers and one hundred and four news reels is scheduled to be cleaned up in April, one month earlier than the preceding schedule which had a considerably smaller quota of product. Foxites predict that their company will be the first in the field of big producers to complete its general output. In fact “Carmen” ' from the opera of that name, which will be a 192829 special, is slated to get under way with George O’Brien in the leading role sometime late in January. This opera is being adapted to the screen by Gertrude Orr. How they regard things at the Fox plant may be given an inkling of expression by the fact that publicity chieftain, Bob Yost, considered this week with seven companies rushed in production, a “very quiet week.” Sign Schildkraut Joseph Schildkraut was this week signed to a new long term contract by Cecil B. deMille. His first picture under the new agreement will be the stellar role in “The Heart Beat.” This will be made under the direction of Neils Christander, -a foreign director who was also lately signed by deMille. Work Nears Finish “Shooting” on “The Notorious Lady,” which Sam Rork is producing for First National is expected to be completed by January 15. The company leaves next week for a location on the Colorado River in Arizona, about which we described in this Department last week. The picture is being directed by King Baggott. “First Night” Cast The cast of Tiffany’s farce ccmedy, “The First Night,” includes Bert Lytell, Dorothy Devor°, Walter Hiers, Harry Mytrs, James Mack, Joan Standing and Nelly Bly Baker. Hough Story Started “The Broken Gate,” suggested from Emerson Hough’s novel of this title, has been started by Tiffany Productions, with a star cast. McArthur “Clocks” the Laugh Scenes All the world has heard of clock watchers, whistle listeners and bell ringers, but Associate Producer McArthur of the Monte Banks Enterprises has just established a precedent and a new role for himself. He will register at the Hal Roach Studios hereafter as “official laugh mathematician.” From under a derby hat, McArthur told us “You should have heard them laugh when we previewed ‘Horse Shoes’ here recently. I counted two hundred and forty-tv/o laughs. Why, a comedy that gets one hundred laughs advertises the fact in big type.” We toid McArthur we would play his count up in box in our department. Banks, incidentally, was scheduled to leave for Hollywood from London on January 5. He commences his next comedy feature on January 24. This will be made in its entirety on board a ship now docked at Wilmington, Calif., McAllister told us. W. A. Crinley Dies William A. Crinley, a unit supervisor in Universal City since 1923, succumbed to an illness following an operation here this week. ’Mr. Crinley had been associated with Universal since 1914. He came out to Hollywood when the Universal plant was on the site now occupied by the Christie Studios. He spent several years at the PickfordFairbanks Studios in the capacity of assistant director. Mr. Crinley was forty-four years old. Woman Director Dorothy Arzner, Paramount’s newest director, is preparing to film “Fashions for Women” featuring Esther Ralston. False Rumors Nailed As the New Year Begins John McCormick Remains at First National — Laemmle Not Signing Kaiser and deMille Is Chopping No Heads HOLLYWOOD wound up the New Year by letting fly and publishing in many cases rumors of a variety and scope that apparently have been shelved while merger angles occupied the center of the field. We start right off with one that has been in circulation for the last two or three months and did not break out in a rash until the past three or four days. This is the report that John McCormack would be deposed at the First National Studios and that the production chieftainship would go into the hands of A1 Rockett and his brother, Ray. This report has been more stubbornly adhered to by Hollywood propagandists than anyone of its kind in a long time out here. When we first heard it we ignored it, despite the fact that three or four men who have a handshaking and listening acquaintance with quite a few on the Boulevard, stated they were positive of their declaration. It is New Year’s Eve at the time of this writing and according to reports New Year’s day, or a few days thereafter, is the time set for by this handful of people for McCormack’s exodus. Official check-ups at the Studio from both those who do talk and those who do not talk describe McCormack’s status as being “stronger than ever” and reports to the contrary as being “even less than the essence of applesauce in monthly rumors.” Not Signing Kaiser The next report which presented itself in a copyrighted story was that Carl Laemmle was negotiating with the exKaiser and his wife Empress Hermine to play the leads in a Universal picture. Carl Laemmle himself disposes of this report with the statement : “The first time I heard anything about it was in this morning’s papers. There is absolutely nothing in it and you may quote me to that effect, or that I denied it absolutely.” Even Cecil B. deMille rested for a moment from his arduous task of putting the finishing touches on “The King of Kings” to deny reports that “he has discharged a number of employes, is planning to discharge others and is working on no productions other than ‘The King of Kings’ because that film had cost far more than he expected.” In regard to the cost of this picture, deMille is credited with having stated that at the outset it was agreed that expense was no object in making this biblical picture ; that it had been figured it would cost about two million dollars and that now that it is practically completed it has reached but has not exceeded that figure. Nothing beyond the ordinary turn-off had taken place in the ranks of employes; that two companies are now working and that four more pictures will be started during January, including a special production in charge of William deMille. Roach Still Plans Theatre Bessie Love Signed Bessie Love and Banks Winter are the latest additions to the staff of “The American,” described as the first natural vision pictured upon which George K. Spoor and Commodore J. Stuart Blackton started “shooting” this week in the Fine Arts Studio. Miss Love will co-star with Charles Ray who is playing the leading role. (Continued from page 116) of the steam shovel is the word that Warners have already awarded the contract to build this theatre to Lange & Bergstrom. The building is scheduled to cost $1,500,000, also to have besides a 3,000 seat theatre, four stories of stores and offices. Jack Warner, it is said, hopes to be able to make a speech from its stage by November 1, 1927. Incidentally Warner Brothers’ 192627 schedule is expected to be finished by May. There are yet two specials included in this product “Noah’s Ark” and “Black Ivory” casts for which have not yet been selected. Syd Chaplin may make another picture for this schedule, but it was learned Chaplin’s next production will probably be a 192728 release. Miss dePutti Free Lya dePutti has severed her relations with Famous PlayersLasky, it was learned officially this week. The arrangement is described as a perfectly amicable one. Miss dePutti is accredited with not considering herself of the “vamp type.” It is said she will enter upon a free lance career. in Hollywood ‘ ‘Truth Will Prevail