Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

194 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 15, 1927 Paramount to Distribute All Short Subjects For E. E. Horton Exclusive Facts Concerning Deal Are Revealed to West Coast Representative of Moving Picture World From Official Sources FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY at last satisfies the film industry’s curiosity as to how that big feature producing corporation is going to meet the short subject situation by now arranging for the distribution of two-reel comedies which will star Edward Everett Plorton. The knowledge that Paramount is now negotiating for the release privileges of Horton starettes tvas gleaned exclusively by Moving Picture World this week from an unquestionable source. Louise Dresser in ‘‘White Flannels” Additions to the cast of “White Flannels,” one of the twenty-six Warner Winners, include Virginia Browne Faire as the ingenue lead, Warner Richmond, George Nichols and B<rooks Benedict. Others in the cast to date are Louise Dresser and Jason Robards. “White Flannels” is now in course of production at the Hollywood studios of the company, under the direction of Lloyd Bacon. The story is based on Lucien Cary’s Saturday Evening Post serial. The popularity with which the story met is expected to be duplicated on the screen. * Studio Row * «<T TNCLE TOM’S CABIN,” it was said at Universal this week, will be completed by April 1. It will probably be released in twelve reels. Actual “shooting” in this picture has already required over one year with locales all over the United States. We learned with assurance that its production cost already tops the budget of any production ever made in Universal City. * * * CONSTANCE TALMADGE’S latest comedy drama which is nearing completion at the United Artists Studios has undergone more changes in its working title than “the oldest Hollywood citizens” can report about any other production. It started off as “Carlotta,” then it was changed to “The Vamp of Venice,” then to “Venus of Venice,” and now they say it most likely will be released by First National as “Naughty Carlotta.” * * * LEWIS MILESTONE will direct “Two Arabian Knights” which goes into production at the United Artists Studos shortly. The picture will be under the supervision of John W. Considine, Jr., general manager of the Schenck organization. * * * LYA DE PUTTI who recently severed her contractual relations with Paramount to enter the free lance field, has just been signed by Cecil B. deMille for the feminine lead in “The Heart Beat.” She will play opposite Joseph Schildkraut. ifi :jc CONCLUDING work in “The Four Flusher,” a race track picture, Reginald Denny will come once more under the direction of William Seiter in a picture tentatively called “The Third Party.” * * * A LEC B. FRANCIS has been given an important role in “The 1 » Tender House,” a First National picture. ;{c i}c ifc tt’T'HE BALL AND CHAIN” has been changed to “See You in *• Jail” and Alice Day instead of Dorothy Mackaill will play opposite Jack Mulhall in this First National production. * * * MAY McAVOY this week was signed to a long term contract at the Warner Studios. ^ jjs *<* I ' HE BUGLE CALL” will be Jackie Coogan’s first picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, “Buttons” having been postponed to second place on his production schedule. * * * It was also learned that under the banner of Paramount distribution, Horton will have made approximately five such tworeelers by September 1 ; that no effort will prove too painstaking, or that any stimulated sum of monejr will be considered in excess was also gleaned by The World through its informant ; that at least $500,000 would be appropriated for these first Horton pictures; and that four weeks will be the minimum time devoted to the production of each Horton comedy. The latter is unique in itself since it is generally known that the average two-reel comedy made today is turned out complete within a period of three weeks. Reddy Has Story The announcement that Horton has entered the short subject field comes from Joe Reddy, publicity director for the Harold Lloyd Corporation. Reddy, however, refused to amplify the formal statement other than to declare that Harold Lloyd, as individual, has no interest active or otherwise in the new producing unit. The announcement states that Horton’s pictures will be produced by the Hollywood Productions and describes the latter as being “sponsored by a group of men prominent in the production field with William R. Fraser appearing on the records as president and general manager.” The announcement also states that Horton’s two-reelers will be filmed at the Metropolitan Studios. Fraser is also general manager of the Harold Lloyd Corporation, which also uses the Metropolitan Studio for its production activities, which, nevertheless, when complete are also included under the Paramount banner. It is known that Hollywood productions at the time of this writing is not incorporated. Regarding the method of dis tribution, the announcement for the new company, Hollywood Productions, states “Arrangements are now under way which will place the Horton short subjects on one of the biggest national programs, but re leasing announcements will be withheld until all the details have been completed. The formal announcement also recites : “Horton, who has just completed three feature attractions for Universal, “Taxi, Taxi”; “Heidelberg” Is Under Way For “Old Heidelberg” has gone into production under Ernst Lublitsch’s direction at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayey studios!, with Ramon Navarro in the starring role. Lubitsch plans to give the story a spectacular presentation throughout, and the studio wardrobe department is working overtime on the thousands of costumes that will be required for the film. Complete sections of German villages, with replicas of quaint old inns and market places, have been constructed for “Old Heidelberg.” The cast includes Jean Hersholt, Chester Conklin and Edward Connelly. For F.B.O. Release “Tarzan and the Golden Lion” wri!l be released as a F. B. O. Gold Bond late in February. James Pierce and Edna Murphy are in the title roles. Actual shooting on this production is nearing completion in the studios. New Fox Film Olive Borden, Margaret Livingston and Earle Foxe are preparing to start immediately on “The Secret Studio,” a Hazel Livingston story which Harry Beaumont will direct for Fox-. “The Whole Town’s Talking” and “Poker Faces” has become established as one of the real favorites of screenland. Well known in Los Angeles, where for years he was starred at the Majestic Theatre, creating many prominent roles, Horton is nationally known as a stage favorite, having appeared in stock in many of the principal theatrical centers through the country. “Preparations are now being rushed to start work immediately in the Horton subjects, and it is probable that the first picture will be under way early in the new year. Several candidates for leading lady are under consideration, and a selection will be made within a few days. A director and production staff will be named about the same time. “Horton’s two-reelers will be made along the lines of his recent features, high class comedy. Exhibitors are finding a heavy demand for the kind of short subject pictures Horton will star in and the first of his pictures will be eagerly awaited in the trade.” From Hollywood Another “ Scoop