Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

December 17, 1927 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 21 Riding Rumor Rodeos A hot drop of solder that dropped from the pot kept boiling by Broadway’s “Inside Info” boys had William Fox ready to put his Roxy Theatres Inc. on the auction block. What the hand-it-alongladdies failed to add is that Major Bowes will turn the Capitol Theatre into a skating rink, Sam Katz will rip down the Sixth Ave. “L” structure to make way for a non-stop bowling alley, Tex Rickard will supplant John Murray Anderson in staging Publix attractions, and Bull Montana is giving courses in calculus at Hollywood “at homes”. Now, let’s tell the story of the “Four Hawaiians.” Denies Lloyd to Go East for Re-Takes Creed A. Neeper, Assistant Sales Manager of the Harold Lloyd Corp. denied the report that Harold Lloyd and his staff were to return to New York for re-takes on his new screen production, “Speedy.” “The rumor that Harold Lloyd is returning to New York to make retakes for his new picture, “Speedy,” is unwarranted,” said Neeper. “Through the excellent co-operation accorded Mr. Lloyd by the New York officials during his recent two months visit here, he was able to secure all of the exterior and atmospheric shots needed for the picture, which portrays a typical New York story. Lloyd and his staff are enthusiastically working against time with the hope of having “Speedy” completed before the holidays.” Appelate Writ For 1 Naked Truth ’ Revite Albany. — A writ of certiorari calling for the review of the proceedings of the New York State Motion Picture Commission in connectino with the denial of a license to the Public Welfare Picture Corp., owners of the picture, “The Naked Truth,” has been issued by the appelate division of the Supreme Court here. The writ was returnable on December 12. “Lone Eagle” at Colony Universal’s “The Lone Eagle” will be the feature attraction at the Colony Theatre this week. It is an air picture, with Barbara Kent and Raymond Keane in featured roles. Cannon Loaded for Bear The coming session of Congress will find the question of federal censorship of motion pictures among its problems. Canon Chase has been busily lobbying in Washington and claims bad faith on the part of producers regarding certain “banned” plays. Hearst has helped along the Canon’s work with his editorial. Other matters to come before the house are the music tax and Sunday closing. Varconi Sails Victor Varconi, leading man in “Chicago,” the Pathe-DeMille screen version of the stage success which is coming to the Gaiety Theatre soon, sailed last night on the Olympic for Cherbourg. Lou B. Metzger to Recuperate in Fla. Lou B. Metzger, general sales manager for Universal, who was opj erated upon several weeks ago for a [ severe attack of gall-stones, left New York several days ago for Florida | where he will recuperate for several j weeks before returning to his desk 1 at the Universal home office. Following the operation, his condition | was critical for several days. 3 Units Still at Work at Warner's Warner Bros.’ studio which is to close shortly for a period of eight weeks, has still three companies at work. It is expected that these will complete their activities in about ten days at which time stars, directors and other members of the organization will be given a vacation until February. New Gotham Title is “Frisco Nights ” After previewing the latest Gotham Production previously announced as “The Fruit of Divorce,” it was decided by a committee of Gotham executives and distributors to select a new title which would be more expressive of the finished production. “ 'Frisco Nights” was chosen. Callaway Returns W. E. Callaway, Southern sales manager for First National, has returned from a month's trip to the thirteen branch offices in his territory. Johnny Hines, all wreathed up in a Christmas smile, thinking of his returns on First National’s “Chinatown Charlie.” “U Launches “ Joy Week ” Pre-Releases Available Claire Windsor, star of “Fashion M adness,” December release for Columbia Pictures. “FASHION MADNESS” FOR DEC. RELEASE “Fashion Madness” has been selected as Columbia Pictures’ first December release. This is Claire Windsor’s second production for Columbia under her long-term contract. Reed Howes and Laska Winter head the supporting cast which includes Donald McNamee and Boris Snegoff. Louis Gasnier directed from Olga Printzlau’s adaptation of Victoria Moore’s story. Color Tests Made For Metro “Short” Photographic tests in color are now being made by R. William Neill of prospective players and sets for the fourth of a series of six two-reel photoplays for Color Craft Pictures, Inc., which will be released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Movietone Gets Congress Attendance at the opening of Congress, limited in former years to the capacity of the gallery, was extended to the moving picture public as the seventieth session convened with Fox Movietone News cameramen shooting the scene, recording action and sound. Dix Picture Changed “Woman Trap” and not “Oxford” will be the next Paramount picture to be made by Richard Dix. It is a story of the North woods from the pen of Izola Forrester. Gregory LaCava will direct. Board Honors Dix Film “The Gay Defender” and “Ko Ko the Kid,” reviewed on December 1, have been selected for the Photoplay Guide of popular entertainment films and will appear in the Januar- issue of the National Board of Review Magazine. I11 order to inspire exhibitors during the week, December 25th to 31st, Carl Laemmle has announced that Christmas week will be known as Joy Week in the Universal Exchanges. Available for Yuletide booking will be comedies otherwise reserved for release in January, February, March and April. This particularly applies to the Stern Brothers product. A special Joy Week press sheet contains a large variety of suggestions by which the exhibitor can attract patrons during the week following Christmas. Also, there is a wide selection of special Joy Week ad cuts, carrying the holiday spirit and stressing the comedy angle. Mats of these ads may be had free at any Universal exchange. The press book also lists a number of appropriate Joy Week banners, post-cards, buttons, photostamps, and material for tie-ups. A complete list of national tie-ups with Universal players is included. “Marry the Girl” is Fifth Sterling Prod. Advices from Irving L. Walenstein, secretary-treasurer of Sterling Productions indicate that the fifth production to be made by Sterling at the Coast currently will be “Marry the Girl,” based on the original story by Norman Houston. It is scheduled for production the middle of January. Mrs" Reid Completes Twenty^Week Tour At the close of her performance tonight, at the Rochester Theatre, Rochester, N. Y., Mrs. Wallace Reid will catch the “20th Century” en route for her Hollywood home to spend the Christmas holidays with her family. The Rochester Theatre engagement completes the original schedule of twenty weeks of personal appearances of the star in conjunction with her Gotham Production “The Satin Woman.” Students Enjoy “Helen” First National’s advertising and publicity department showed its new special, “The Private Life of Helen of Troy,” at the McMillan Academic Theatre, Columbia, for the students of that University, as a compliment to John Erskine, author of the novel, and a member of the Faculty at Columbia University. A/V5PA All Star Show The AM PA gave its members a glowing close-up of motion picture and literary figures, Thursday evening, when they entertained May McAvoy, Martha Ostenso, Gilda Grey, Maria Corda and John Erskine, at their regular weekly lunch meeting at the Cafe Boulevard.