Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

122 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 8, 1927 Calls It Record Depinet figures this deal with the Kansas City house as something of a play date record, a previous First National high mark having been made when the Rivoli, Baltimore, recently signed up for nine consecutive weeks. Both houses are signed up solid for January, when First National Month will be nationally observed. Nita Naldi Returning Nita Naldi, who went to Paris more than a year ago to appear in a series of pictures made in France, is said to be completing her contract there, and planning an early return to the United States. “Wild Geese'’ has had a printing of eleven editions with a sale of nearly 300,000 copies. The book has been translated into seven foreign languages including Czecho-Slovakian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Dutch and Finnish. In addition there has been a great demand for the book by readers in England, Australia and Canada. M. H. Hoffman vice-president of the Tiffany organization said that players are about to be engaged for the leading roles in this production which will be released as a Tiffany special. The action of the story, which takes place in the Northwest, will be filmed in the locals in which the scenes are laid — northern Minnesota and Winnipeg, Canada. “Wild Geese” is scheduled for release in the Spring. ROBERT KANE announces that on the completion of his war picture, based on John Tainter Foote’s short story, “The Song of the Dragon,’’ for which the Navy Department is lending its co-operation, the Kane unit will begin production on “The Duke of Ladies,” featuring Ben Lyon, Mary Brian and Sam Hardy. It will be distributed by First National Pictures. Creelman to Direct James Ashmore Creelman, who wrote the original story for the pending production, adapted it and prepared the continuity, has been selected by Kane to direct the feature. It will be the first assignment as a director for the young film writer, who made an auspicious start on his movie career when he adapted “Smilin’ Through” for Norma Talmadge. Commenting on the brief but impressive film history of his new director, Mr. Kane spoke of Creelman today as “one of the leaders of the new young school of screen producers, who, to my mind, will probably have a hand in the complete revolution of the film business within the next ten years.” Kane Is Responsible Kane has an especial interest in the successful progress of Creelman, still under thirty, since it was the producer who gave the young writer his first big opportunity in picture work, and time has proved his judgment good. Kansas City Theatre Books First National ASHER LEVY, of the Main Street Theatre, the largest first run house in Kansas City, has signed for sixteen consecutive weeks of First National’s Banner Group, it was announced by Ned E. Depinet, sales manager for the Southern District. The productions taken by the Main Street for first run presentation are “Twinkletoes,” “The Strong Man,” “Men of Steel,” “Senor Dare Devil,” “The Duchess of Buffalo,’’ “Old Loves and New,” “Syncopating Sue,” “Mismates,” “Subway Sadie,” “Paradise,” “Forever After,” “Don Juan’s Three Nights,” “Just Another Blonde,” “The White Black Sheep,” “Midnight Lovers” and “The Silent Lover.” “Getting Gertie ’s Garter” Younger Is Making “Wild Geese” Script AP. YOUNGER who » adapted “Brown of Harvard” for the screen and was the author of the Tiffany success, “College Days,” is now ' busy writing the continuity for the Tiffany production, “Wild Geese,” the novel by Martha Ostenso. This novel, the first serious effort of the young author, was a prize novel and won everlasting fame and fortune for the young woman. Another of her novels, “The Dark Dawn,” has just been published, and has also met with favor with the public. Sold 300,000 Copies Marie Prevost and F. McGrew Willis determine on a prop for the title part in “Getting Gertie’s Garter” for P. D. C., which he adapted and will supervise. Norbert Wicki, well known “heavy” lead, has returned from Poland. During a previous visit, in 1920, he successfully portrayed characters similar to those which made I.on Chaney famous. William Nigh has received a new contract with MetroGoldwyn-Mayer for his direction of “The Fire Brigade.” Creelman Will Direct “The Duke of Ladies”