Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

118 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 8, 1927 Report Unions Working In Hollywood Studios Denial Is Made By Mechanics Chieftain Who Says Further Conferences Are Planned WHILE headquarters of leading producers out here this week were practically unanimous in their declarations that the studios are all open shops, it Avas reported from seA'eral sources that Unionists \\-ere campaigning nonunion employes urging them to join the Union, inferring that eventually only Unionists will be able to hold their jobs in Hollywood. Camera Clicks on “Ankles Preferred” Madge Bellamy and Lawrence Gray have just started their appearances in the leading roles in “Ankles Preferred,” by James Hamilton. J. G. Blystone is directing it as his thirty-ninth production at Fox Films West Coast Studios. Others in the cast are J. Farrell MacDonald, Barry Norton, Marjorie Beebe and Allan Forrest. Miss Bellamy’s last picture was “Summer Bachelors.” Business Manager Newman at the Studio Mechanics Alliance, the principal faction out here of Unionists, denied emphatically that the Union at this time Js augmenting its present strength. On the contrary, he stated to Moving Picture World West Coast representative, the Union pending the conferences between the committees of producers and unionists in the East have not accepted a single applicant. Newman stated that since these conferences started over a month ago in New York, three hundred non-union men have applied for membership. Newman stated that within the next two -weeks the producers will name a secretary and union will appoint a secretary. These two men will get together in Los Angeles and digest the studio employes situation when they will arrive at a definite conclusion concerning working conditions out here, he said. Newman stated emphatically that the Union would adhere to its original demand of having studios give Union men the preference for jobs. An Original Story by Frank Griffin An original story by Frank Griffin, tentatively titled “BayoNuts,” is scheduled to go into production very soon. Del Lord will direct. Hampton del Ruth is writing the continuity. Charlie Murray and George Sidney are the only players selected for the cast so far. “The Claw” in Work “The Claw,” which has just gotten under way in Universal City with Sidney Olcott directing and Norman Kerry and Claire Windsor in the stellar roles, Avill probably be in production for the next three months. It will be released as a special. Incidentally Universal borrowed Miss Windsor from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer for the role which she is essaying. ★ Studio Row ★ GILBERT ROLAND has been assigned an important role in Norma Talmadge’s “Camille” which is well in production at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios. This twenty-two year old actor who, it is said, started life as a bull fighter in Spain, is playing the lead opposite Miss Talmadge. * * * THE play, “We Americans” 'has been purchased by Universal and will be produced by Director Ed Sloman late in January. 4* WITH the return of Sam Goldwyn to Hollywood after an Eastern tour of six weeks, reports are that Goldwyn purchased several plays in New York which will be included in his 1927 production schedule, which it is said he will announce in the middle of January. Hi sje ESTELLE TAYLOR is scheduled to start work in an untitled picture at the United Artists Studio early in January, or about the same time that “New York” picture she made for FamousPlayers-Lasky will be released. * * * WORK is progressing on Hal Roach’s latest feature, starring Rex, the Wild Horse, entitled “The Avenging Stallion.” The action in the production takes place within a period of twenty-four hours. The players are Barbara Kent, Theodore Von Eltz, Jimmy Finlayson and Oliver Hardy. ^ ^ ^ BILL CODY started production this week on his first Pathe release, an original comedy-drama titled “Laddie Be Good.” B«n Cohen is directing. Jjs Jfc * IVAN MOSKINE, French actor, will commence work on “Moscow,” from an original Russian story, at Universal City shortly. This is his first production under a long term contract which he has signed with Universal. * =t= * (< J 1 EY ! HEY! COWBOY!” is the title for Hoot Gibson’s next 1 1 Universal starring picture. ^ ^ ^ DEL LORD’S first directorial effort for First National and what is said to be the first feature picture started this Aveek at the Burbank Studios. “Bayo Nuts” is the title. For two years previously Del Lord directed Mack Sennett comedies. * * * HARRY RAPF made known to us at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios that Karl Dane and George K. Arthur will make their debut as a screen comedian team in “Red, White and Blue,” a • production based on the Citizens’ Training Camp activities which Sam Wood will direct. * * * T OE REDDY, Harold Lloyd’s publicity director, is a proud papa. Mrs. Reddy presented him with a lusty junior press agent on Christmas Day. * * * LARRY CEBALLES has been signed by Rork to teach several hundred colored men and women the art of African native dancing. Ceballes is of Greenwich Village Follies fame. Dixie Willson Story Chosen For Filming First National Productions, through John McCormick, general manager, of West Coast Production, announces the purchase of a short story called “Help Yourself to Hay,” recently published in a national magazine, by Dixie Willson. Miss Willson has been coming to the front rapidly as an author of popular fiction. This is her second story to be acquired by First National for picturization, since this company recently completed “An Affair of the Follies,” based on Miss Willson’s short story, “Here Y’Are Brother.” “An Affair of the Follies” was produced by A1 Rockett for First National Pictures, and co-featured Lewis Stone, Billie Dove and Lloyd Hughes, under the direction of Millard Webb. “Old Ironsides” to Play in Egyptian On January 1 “The Better ’Ole” and the A'itaphone terminate their en. gagement at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, recently credited with having been jiurehased by Joseph M. Sehenck as the first of a chain of United Artists Theatres from Coast to Coast. “Old Ironsides” ■will then make its debut in the Egyptian and with it will return the famed Egyptian orchestra with fifty or more musicians. Nothing could be learned as to what will then be the status of the Vitaplione instrument which was installed during the latter part of the run of “Don Juan.” At Warner Studios it was said that Chaplin’s picture and the Vitaphone are both making money in the Egyptian and that the only reason .for their renewal is due to the engagement of “Old Ironsides.” In Columbia Cast Harry Cohn, general manager of production at Columbia's West Coast studios, announces that Winifred Landis will have the part of “Mrs. Smith” in support of Priscilla Dean in the forthcoming screen version of George P’ronson Howard’s “Bird of Prey.” Miss Pickford’s Next Announcement is expected shortly of the title of Mary Pickford’s next United Artists’ picture, preparation on Avhich has been going forward for several weeks. New Year Gets Off To Flying Start