Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

Last Minute News From Everywhere NOT IMPORTANT MOVING PICTURE BIERG ER NOTE Canon Chase says: “Movies bring America into disrepute abroad.” Hymie Glotz says: “Not half as much as you do. Canon, and you don’t sell any U. S. goods.” Who's right? WORLD Trade paper merger, recently reported, seems mainly due to efforts of one w.k. editor to kid his partner into spending more jack. Times are hard, boys ! Vol. 84 New York, January 22, 1927 No. 4 Film Folk Pay Tribute to Laemmle on 60th Birthday Mary Pickford, Hostess of Honor, Heads List of Scores Owing Fame to “Uncle Carl” By Epes Winthrop Sargent SECOND only to the unique Welcome Home with which Carl Laemmle was greeted on his return from Europe last fall, was the banquet tendered him at the Hotel Biltmore, Los Angeles, on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday January 17. As on the occasion of his homecoming, in which Los Angeles had only a long-distance part, was the underlying thought of the grave illness which threatened him in London last summer, but this was a rejoicing rather than a thanksgiving, and the guest of honor, hale and vigorous, was surrounded by scores of those who owed their fame to him and to whom, in turn, he owed a debt since it was partly through their efforts that he was able to bring his ambitious and Geo. Young Still Unsigned to Any Picture Contract Aquatic Hero Considers Half Dozen Offers By TOM WALLER ( Wired from Hollywood Office of Moving Picture World, 12:28 a.m., Jan. 20.) Tonight George Young had not officially accepted any of the half dozen or more film contracts which have been extended him since this 17-year-old Canadian youth last Saturday outswam 125 veterans to cop the $25,000 Wrigley prize at the end of the twenty-two mile grind from Catalina Island to the mainland. At this writing Young had signed one contract and that for $1,000 per night for appearances at Grauman’s Egyptian, The boy made his stage debut there last night. Grauman reports as the result a record crowd which flocked not only into the theatre but lined the Hollywood Boulevard for several blocks. At this particular affair were many official representatives from Canada. Director Fred Niblo acted as Master of Ceremonies. He presented Young with a silver loving cup. Another cup was also given the aquatic marvel by the City of Toronto. Young is daily visiting studios. It is reported that he has undergone several screen tests and has received various offers. One of these, which it is said he will likely accept is a vaudeville engagement for a long tour through the extreme West and a part of Canada. Europe Likes De Mille Cecil B. De Mille’s “The Volga Boatman” opened January 1 at the Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark. It was very well received by both the press and the people. This picture is now in its twelfth week in Oslo, Norway, where it holds all box-office records. Two Millions “Columbia Pictures Corporation has written contracts with exhibitors for its 1926-27 product in excess of $2,000,000. The figures are quoted as of December 15, with considerably more business In sight,” says a statement from Treasurer Jack Cohn. Late Chicago News The projectionists have signed with the Chicago exhibitors for another year at the old terms. Frank Ranger has joined the Ascher circuit as director of presentations. Walter Blaufuss is named musical director of the new Sheridan Theatre. Distributors are holding back on Chaplin films. Devin leases the Randolph from Jones, Linick A Schaefer at the expiration of the Universal lease. The Auditorium will show films again, beginning with “Beau Geste.” Samuel Insull plans a twenty-story theatre structure for Madison and Market streets. Theatre Quits “Legitimate” The Fifty-second Street Theatre, New York, will adopt a new policy of showing pictures on Saturday night with the opening of ‘‘The Tales of 1,001 Nights,” a film handled by Ferdinand H. Adam. Rothacker Better Douglas D. Rothacker is rapidly regaining his strength after a serious illness of more than four months. To complete the convalescence now well under way, he has left Chicago for two months’ complete rest in Southern California. “Beau Geste” Goes Strong On Wednesday afternoon of this week “Beau Geste’’ reached its 300th consecutive presentation at the Criterion, New York. daring plans to so early a fruition. The Hostess of Honor was Mary Pickford, earliest of stars of the old Imp company, who until that London Cable Moving Picture World Bureau, London January 18. The Astoria, claimed as England’s most modern cinema, was opened last Wednesday. “The Road to Mandalay,” “Hotel Imperial” and “The General” appeared with success at the Capitol, Plaza and the New Gallery, respectively. time had been merely “Little Mary” or “Biograph’s Mary” to the legions of film fan admirers. Hers was the outstanding name in the lengthy list of those film notables who either owe their start or at least their first real opportunity to the little giant of the industry who first had the courage and the generalship to engage the Patents Company in a battle in which he was so signally 'victorious. First to fight for freedom, Carl Laemmle in his triumphant progress has brought to fame hundreds of those who now constitute the backbone of the industry, both in the studio and the business office, and all who were able were present in the Biltmore to testify their love and appreciation. It was a wonderful demonstration. Douglas Fairbanks supported his wife at the speaker’s table, and Rupert Hughes, as Master of Ceremonies, ably filled his role, paying a glowing tribute to “Uncle Cari” and sounding the keynote which was followed by Will H'. Hays, Marcus Loew, Jesse L. Lasky and Donald Ogden Stewart. (.Continued on next page ) Three in N. J. The Stanley Co. of America will build a 5,000seat haUise in Journal Square, Jersey City, President John J. MclGuirk announces. Another will be built on Vlnlley Road, West Orange, to seat 1,500. Stanley has also taken over control of the Rialto, Pleasantville, N. J. It seats 1,000.. Mr. McGuirk sayss “The company is continually adding to its circuit.” Telephoto picture of Carl Laemmle’s 60th Birthday Dinner celebrating his birthday, the twenty-first anniversary of his entry into the motion picture business and the tenth year of his Straight From the Shoulder Talks. Left to Right, seated: Rupert Hughes, Rosabelle Laemmle, Mary Pickford and Will H. Hays. Standing: Marcus Loew, Samuel Goldwyn, Carl Laemmle, Douglas Fairbanks, Jesse L. Lasky and Irving Thalberg.