Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

February 12, 1927 .MOVING PICTURE WORLD HOLLYWOOD OFFICE 491 Beery Patches Up Difference With Famous .Reports emanating from New York to the effect that Adolph Menjou, Ford Sterling, James Cruze and Raymond Griffith were anxious to sever relations with Famous-P layer s-Lasky were tabbed “without foundation’’ by studio officials of the Flollywood plant, to a represenative of the Moving Picture World. The rumor that Wallace Beery was dissatisfied, however, was not denied, but it was stated that the differences existing between the star and studio executives had been patched up to the mutual satisfaction of both parties concerned. Beery will take a five week rest and then report for his next assignment at the Lasky lot. It was known for sometime that all was not well between Beery and the producers. The matter was brought to a head recently in a letter from Beery to B. P. Schulberg, generalmanager of the West Coast studio. In his communication the comedian pointed out that insufficient precautions were being taken to insure the safety of screen players. Wantas Four a Year Be'ery is also said to have strenuously objected to glutting the market with his productions. He feels that four pictures a year should be sufficient as he is opposed to risking his popularity for the box-office. In the conference between Beery and the executives it is understood that both made concessions and a break averted. About a month ago Beery was struck by a baseball during the filming of a picture and more recently he and Zazu Pitts were slightly shaken up by an explosion on the Lasky ranch while working in “Louis the Fourteenth.” Both accidents were declared by the studio to have been unfortunate but unavoidable. Incidentally, “Now We’re in the Air” will be Beery’s next starring picture. Bebe Daniels’ Next Bebe Daniels’ next opus for Paramount will have a Spanish flavor. According to B. P. Schulberg, west coast executive, “Senorita” has been chosen as Miss Daniels’ next vehicle. Giant Is Awarded $25,000 Damages Frederick Peters, who attained some prominence by his portrayal of giant characters upon the screen, has been awarded $25,000 against the United Studios, Inc., for injuries sustained while working on a picture two years ago. The film that Peters was engaged in at the time of his injury was introduced at the trial as one of the exhibits and was run off for Judge Gates and the jury. According to Peters’ testimony, one leg has been two inches shorter than the other since the accident, which has made it difficult for him to obtain screen engagements. Fleming Buys Ranch Victor Fleming will have a modern residence with an old Mexican flavor following his purchase of the Meadowlark in Encinitas consisting of 1108 acres. The well-known director is planning to convert a large parcel of the land into a landing field for aeroplanes with the construction of a huge hanger for housing the ships. Fleming now finds himself in the same boat with Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, who also have a rancho of more than 1000 acres. Gerrard Is Heavy Charles Gerrard has the role of heavy in Joseph Schildkraut’s initial starring picture, “The Heart Thief,” for Metropolitan. Lya De Putti has the leading feminine role. Adams Takes Rest Jimmy Adams, Christie comedian, is now resting between pictures. He has completed work on his latest comedy dealing with a mountain feud. Veidt Plans Work Conrad Veidt, celebrated German screen star, is getting ready to begin work on “The Chinese Parrot” for Universal. Paul Leni will be the director. Sheehan Keeps Production At Fox To Extreme High Level Schedule Already So Far Advanced that Studios Could Be Closed Until November, But Work Continues Steadily on Pictures to Be Highly Rated This Year DESPITE the fact that Fox’s production schedule is so far ahead as to cause one executive to state that the studio could shut down today and not open until November with plenty production for the theatres of America, yet things are moving at a break-neck pace on the Fox lot. Winfield Sheehan, since . his arrival on the coast, has had his desk cluttered with copy of all description. The result has been that even in view of this remarkable advance in production, not only executives, but all employees right down to electricians are stepping faster than ever. One reason for this is that there are eighteen directors realizing high salaries from the Fox Corporation and that it is Shean’s policy to have these directors and those associated with them earn their weekly stipend. At the present time Fox Studios are concentrating on three huge specials, all of which are in the million dollar class and are described as possessing box office potentialities of “What Price Glory.” These specials are “Sun Rise” the F. W. Murneau opus which is now being edited and titled. Contrary to the belief out here that Murneau wasted considerable footage in making this picture and spent extravagant sums on sets for its production, Moving Picture World learned, after a careful survey on the ground of activity, that Murneau was unusually economical in producing the type of special which will soon be on the market. “Carmen,” from the wellknown opera, is the second of the specials which has just started. Director Roal Walsh, Victor McLaglen, and Dolores del Rio of “What Price Glory” fame are again brought together in this production. The “Carmen” company is now at work on an elaborate Spanish village set on the Fox lot. It is said that within a few weeks a portion of the company may go on location in northern Mexico. “Seventh Heaven” has what many authorities in Hollywood consider the largest and most complete sets ever erected in any studio. The entire Fox stage of huge dimensions is utilized to accommodate street scenes, roof-tops, bedrooms and sewers of a French village. The writer in a visit to this stage the other day, looked out of a bedroom window on the roofs and alley-ways outside, which had been so convincingly erected as to provide the naked eye with a perspective similar to that which would be realized if gazing from the house top above an actual city. This perspective in a studio was accomplished by building the bedroom set on a high platform, Frank Borzage is directing “Seventh Heaven.” Janet Gaynor, who is featured with Charles Farroll, is now compelled to devote all of her time to this production. Previously she had to spend part of her days on the “Sun Rise” set at Fox’s Westwood Hills Studios, several miles from the main studios in Hollywood, and to return to the Hollywood set several nights each week and work in “Seventh Heaven.” Tom Mix and Buck Jones are also busily at work on their respective units. In all, six productions, three of them specials and of the roadshow grade, are under way at the Fox Studio and yet, before we made this personal inquiry and spent the greater part of a day on the Fox acreage, our question “What’s new?” was intended to be satisfied with “Everything is quiet.” Some Hollywood notables are guests of Emil Jannings. Left to right, Maurice Stiller, George O’Brien, Emil Jannings and F. W. Murnau. Varconi Is Loaned Victor Varconi has been loaned by Cecil B. DeMille to MetroGoldwyn-Mayer, for the lead in T o 1 s t o v’ s “Anna Kerenina,” which will be directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki. Fox West Coast Studios At High Peak