Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

February 12, 1927 MOVING PICTURE WORLD HOLLYWOOD OFFICE 489 i) TOM WALLER. WEFT COAfT REPREPEnTATIVE I— IEAD GJ>UARTER.P 318 TAFT. BLDG) TELEPHONE GLADJ°TOnE 0b08 Jim Powers Now On World Staff Hollywood, as well as the entire motion picture industry, has recorded this department such a reception that Moving Picture World’s West Coast headquarters has found it necessary to build up a strong working staff. In the latter respect an, important acquisition is Jim Powers, one of the best known newspaper men on the Pacific Coast. Jim’s duties are manifold. In the short time of three months this department has gained the reputation of being Hollywood’s most authentically complete medium. Watch for the big announcement in the next issue of this department. TOM WALLER West Coast Representative Storey in New York J. E. Storey, assistant generalmanager of Pathe’s West Coast Studio, is in New York for a conference with Elmer D. Pearson, eastern official for Pathe. Qreta Qarbo Triumphs as Siren in Brown’s “ Flesh and the Devil” Hollywood Premiere of Metro-GoldwynMayer’s Picture, Starring John Gilbert, Wins Approval WHAT “What Price Glory” did out here for Victor McLaglen and is now doing for the Carthay Circle box office “Flesh and the Devil” did for Greta Garbo when Clarence Brown’s directorial masterpiece had its western premiere at the Forum Theatre the other night. That phrase ‘‘most brilliant Hollywood assemblage” should be dusted off again for what the Forum made for this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer occasion. An illustration of who was that this writer felt more like a there may be gleaned from this Peeping Tom than just the Gowanda Theatre Proprietor On Coast John W. Schatt of the Hollywood Theatre, Gowanda, New York, dropped in the Moving Picture World’s West Coast office the other day. This is Mr. Schatt’s first visit to Hollywood in fifteen years. He motored out from New York, making the trip in nine days. His stay here is purely for vacational purposes. Mr. Schatt assured us that he was not the least bit lonesome as he said that during the first three days out here he discovered that the Hollywood population has been augumented by ninety citizens who are former residents of Gowanda. Viola Richards, whose lost photo was found by Hal Roach who signed her for five years. New Dog Picture Jason Robards and Mildred June have the leading roles in Rin-Tin-Tin’s next starring picture for Warner Brothers. verbatim account delivered by the radio broadcaster perched behind a huge sun arc at the entrance to the Forum. This is how it was delivered to a crowd of several hundred natives who ignored the heaviest downpour which papers the next day said California has experienced in years. “Here he is — Bill. The Czar of the Movies. There he goes — Will Hays. He’s walking into the lobby now.” Thei heaviest rain and the biggest turnout of notables that Hollywood has experienced since “What Price Glory” made its bow here are included in the incidents preliminary to the premiere. Everyone knows what “Flesh and the Devil” is. Everyone has heard about it actually breaking the house record of Manhattan’s Capitol. About the general criticism of the picture there is thus little to give except how the makers of pictures reacted when this picture had its first showing right here in its home town. The scenes in the summer house and boudoir were so natural, so fervent, so sincere average, ordinary every day Tom. The “Peeping Tom” in this respect is not original with the waiter,, however. It was whispered by a well-known director from another big film ranch who sat within hearing distance with a well-known beautifully gowned Hollywoodian. “Flesh and the Devil” of course stars John Gilbert and Hollywood concedes that a more intense Gilbert has never before been seen on the screen. Gilbert got a great hand when he faced the baby spot light at the direction of Lou Cody who mastered ceremonies while the audience was still under the spell of intimacy created by the picture. Clarence Brown got a tremendous ovation. Just what they think of Brown’s work was proved by the Forum’s advertising the next day when they played up : “It’s a Clarence Brown triumph 1” Brown has already gone on the record many times as an unusual director at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot. He is now moved into that class out here called “genius” and (Continued on page 490) <( 1 Flesh And The Devil 99 Co a st Critics Acclaim