Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

356 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 29, 1927' SCENES FROM THE COMEDY “DUCK OUT” SCENES from “Duck Out,” the EducationalBobby Vernon comedy, starring Bobby Vernon with Frances Lee, Bill Irving and William Bkaisdell; directed by William Watson and photographed by Alex Phillips and Fred Jacquemin. Will Hal Roach Try to Corner The Wampas? Two of the 1927 Wampas Baby Stars are working for HaL Roach now and two others have been employed there under contract in the past, all in pictures, for Pathe release. The two now in Roach’s employ are Martha Sleeper, in. whom he has great faith as a comedienne of stellar possibilities, and Barbara Kent, borrowed from Universal for the lead in Roach’s latest Pathe feature production with Rex, the wild horse, titled “The Avenging Stallion.” The two in the past were Sally Rand, who gained her initial step, toward fame through experience in Roach’s comedies, and Gladys. McConnell, who played in the recent Rex production, “The: Devil Horse.” “Snookums”, A New Song For “U” Baby Star Pathe’s Exploitation Drive On Will Rogers’ Little Feature PATHE is backing the film version of Will Rogers’ recent trip abroad with the greatest array of sales and exploitation accessories ever accorded a series of short feature attractions. C. S. Clancy presents this group of pictures under the general title of “Will Rogers, ‘Our Unofficial Ambassador’ Abroad.” Although this series features the world’s most publicized man in a filmization that has received book, magazine and newspaper syndicated publicity, Pathe is going strides further in aiding the exhibitor to “tell the world” that Will Rogers is booked to “personally conduct audiences through Europe” at the Local Theatre. S. Barret McCormick, director of exploitation and publicity, has in preparation a complete feature list of advertising material which includes one and three sheet posters, twenty-four sheet posters to inaugurate the group of pictures, a complete exploitation and press book and themat Between Pictures Both A1 St. John and Lloyd Hamilton, Educational stars, are enjoying well-earned vacations. St. John has completed seven two-reel comedies since the start of the season in June last year, while Hamilton has made eight in the same space of time. St. John is busy duck hunting. ic music scores for every reel of the series. The press book on the Will Rogers series will be prepared upon an elaborate scale and will be replete with special stories, newspaper ad copy and layouts, star and scene cuts and mats, and every other item usually included in books provided for big features intended for road-showing and extended runs. Elmer Pearson, vice-president and general manager of Pathe, secured the distribution rights to “Will Rogers, ‘Our Unofficial Ambassador’ Abroad” at the highest price ever paid for short features. March 6 is the date on which Pathe will release the first o» the most famous trip on record in which Will Rogers will personally conduct audiences “In Dublin.” This release date is particularly appropriate, falling as it does so near to the celebration date for Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. Dooley Comedy “Sailor Beware !” the Educational-Billy Dooley Comedy scheduled for February release, has been completed. Vera Steadman, who has been appearing opposite Jimmie Adams thus far this season, has the leading feminine role opposite Billy Dooley in this picture. Alice Baxter, one of the Educational Bobby Vernon comedy beauties. A snapy song, entitled “Snookums” has been put out in connection with the Universal release of the Stern Brothers Comedies “The Newlyweds and Their Baby” series, adapted from the George McManus cartoons. The words of the song were written by James Kendis and the music by Kendis and Jimmy McHugh, both well known in the song writing business. The music is said to be very catchy and is rapidly becoming a hit, it is reported by Universal. The tie-up was arranged by Joe Weil, director of exploitation for Universal. High Praise For “Felix” Cartoons Newspaper critics more and more are coming: to notice the novelty Short Subjects on the programs at motion picture theatres. The Rochester, N. Y., Times-Cnion, in its review of a recent program, commented on “Felix the Cat in Zoo Logic,” an animated Felix the Cat cartoon comedy, as follows: — ‘The adventures of Felix the Cat, who releases the inhabitants of the zoo and proves to them that life is much happier behind bars than in the open city, where a hippo is refused parking space at the curb and a camel is not allowed to quench his thirst at the drinking trough, complete the bill with a good laugh.” The series is appealing to adults as well as children for its rich humor.