Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

January 29, 1927 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 347 Jason Robards Working in Two Warner Films Jason Robards, knee-deep in his featured role in “Hills of Kentucky,” in which Warner Brothers star Rin-Tin-Tin, was obliged to move his make-up box to the “White Flannels” set. Robards is having a busy time commuting between the old Vitagraph lot, where scenes for the Rin-Tin-Tin picture are being shot, and the main studio where Lloyd Bacon is directing early scenes of “White Flannels.” In the latter picture, Louise Dresser appears in the leading feminine role, Warner Richmond is seen as Robards pal, Virginia Brown Faire plays the ingenue lead, and George Nichols is seen in a principal role, as Robard’s father. “Birds of Prey” A Columbia Film “Birds of Prey,” first of a series of four Columbia productions which will star Priscilla Dean, is based on the story of the same name written by George Bronson Howard. “Birds of Prey” is a crook drama directed for Columbia by William Craft. The cast includes Hugh Allen, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Winifrid Landis, Sydney Bracy, Ben Hendricks, Jr., William Tooker and Fritz Becker. Plummer Added To Warner Cast Lincoln Plummer, well known for his work in short-reel comedies, has been added to the cast of “Matinee Ladies,” Warner Bros.’ feature, which Byron Haskins is directing. It has already been announced that May McAvoy would play the lead — with Malcolm McGregor in the leading male role, and Hedda Hopper and Charles Lane in important parts. Edward Clark and Harry Dittmar wrote the adaptation from an original story. “Baby” Nearly Ready Frank R. Strayer, Columbia’s comedy director, is putting the finishing touches on “The Bachelor’s Baby,” an adaptation of “The Girl Who Smiles,” based on the original story “Too Many Keys,” by Garret E. Fort. “A Million Bid” Supporting Dolores Costello, the Warner Bros, star, in “A Million Bid,” are Warner Oland, Charles Emmet Mack, Josef Swickard, Anders Randolf and John Miljan. Seven February Releases On MetrO'Qoldwyn*Mayers’ List “The Fire Brigade”, Now Playing Broadway At $2.00 Top, Included; “Demi Bride” Presents Norma Shearer METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER’S strong February release schedule of seven pictures includes “The Fire Brigade,” now playing to big business at the Central Theatre, Manhattan, at $2 top, “The Understanding Heart,” Jack Conway’s Cosmopolitan directorial vehicle adapted from Peter B. Kyne’s story, and a new Norma Shearer special, “The Demi Bride,” directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Dorothy Sebastian, in “The Show,” for M.-G.-M., displays an enlargement of her necklace. Monte Blue’s Next The cast of Warner’s “The Brute,” starring Monte Blue, has been augmented by the presence of Clyde Cook, Carroll Nye and Paul Nicholson. Irving Cummings is handling the megaphone. “The Fire Brigade” is the second big picture of the new season to be released generally to exhibitors simultaneously with its featured Broadway presentation as "Tell It to the Marines,” now packing the Embassy in New York, is released on January 29. This establishes some" what of a precedent in trade circles. “The Fire Brigade,” in its sixth week in New York, and playing to excellent business in other key cities, has been widely praised as the green screen epic of fire-fighting. It was directed by William Nigh, who is now making Lon Chaney’s new picture, “Mr. Wu,” and in its cast are Charles Ray, May McAvoy, Tom O’Brien, Eugenie Besserer, Warner P. Richmond, Bert Woodruff, Dan Mason and Holmes Herbert. Its release date is February 12. Two pictures are down for release the week before this. “The Taxi Dancer,” a fast-stepping story of jazz life adapted from the vGdely-serialized story of the same name, will be released on February 5, as will “Altars of Desire.” “The Taxi Dancer” features Joan Crawford and Owen Moore under Harry Millard’s direction, while “Altars of Desire” is a Mae Murray star ring vehicle directed by Christy Cabanne, with Conway Tearle in the masculine lead. Another February 12 release is “Women Love Diamonds,” which Edmund Goulding directed from an original by himself, with Pauline Starke, Owen Moore and Lionel Barrymore in featured roles. Norma Shearer will be seen in an entirely new type of role in “The Demi Bride,” to be released on February 19. Robert Z. Leonard directed this photoplay from an original farcical story of French life written by F. Hugh Herbert and Florence Ryerson of the M.-G.-M. scenario department. Lew Cody plays opposite the star, while Carmel Myers and Lionel Belmore have featured roles. A second February 19 release is “The Valley of Hell,” a novel and colorful Western which was directed by Cliff Smith with Francis McDonald, a very popular actor for this type of role, m the leading role, Edna Murphy opposite him, and William Steele and Anita Garvin in the cast. On February 26 “The Understanding Heart” will be released. This is an ambitious screen version of the famous novel by Peter B. Kyne, with a strong cast that includes Joan Crawford, one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood ; Carmel Myers, Ralph Bushman and Rockliffe Fellowes. Tiffany Title Tiffany Productions, Inc., announces that the production temporarily called “The Tiger” has been changed to “Cheaters.” The cast includes Pat O’Malley, Helen Ferguson, George Hackathorne, Lawford Davidson, Claire McDowell, Helen Lynch, Heinie Conklin, Alphonze Ethier, Max Davidson, Edward Cecil and William O’Brien. Craft Keeps Busy William Craft, under contract to direct exclusively for Columbia, is busy with the cutting and editing of “Birds of Prey,” a crook story starring Priscilla Dean. Who’s Who In “Mr. Wu” Mera Adoree, sister of Renee, visits the M.-G.-M. studios and is entertained by the star’s successful efforts to emulate Anna May Wong in “Mr. Wu.”