Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD HOLLYWOOD OFFICE December 17, 1927 The Hollywood Ph otographic Sec tio n M. P. World Staff Photo V.GTH UNIVERSAL — Tom Moore is at present playing he male lead in Universal’s Anybody Here Seen Kelly?” TOM MOORE is back at work again, this time with Universal. The popular free-lance star has the male lead in “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly,” which William Wyler is directing. Bessie Love, diminutive little actress who recently made such a tremendous hit in “Dress Parade” for De Mille, is appearing opposite Moore. They make a favorable team and should turn in a pleasing performance. Moore, one of the leading male stars a few years ago, is still much in demand by the larger companies. He claims the distinction, or at least his friends do, of having played more Irish roles on the screen than any other actor. Recently he appeared opposite Phyllis Haver in "The Wise Wife” for De Mille. In this picture he was cast for a role that was ideally suitable. When Universal decided to film “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?” several outside players were considered for the male lead. Finally Moore was chosen. It is more than likely that he will do another picture for the same company with the completion of his current role. PARAMOUNT is said to be negotiating with Universal for the loan of Conrad Veidt to play a featured role with Emil Jannings in “The Patriot.” Veidt is now finishing “The Man Who Laughs” for Universal. NANCY CARROLL, well-known stage actress, has signed a long term contract with Paramount. She is now doing the feminine lead in “Abie’s Irish Rose” for the same company. M. P. World Staff Photo C 1.1EDIENNE — M ijorie R.b;e, Fox contract player, ..li'.k ng a d s.inct impres sion. T J. BLYSTONE, Fox director, • saw a two reel comedy with Marjorie Beebe in it and immediately concluded that Marjorie was just the girl for a role in a picture he was then to make, starring Madge Bellamy. This picture, “Ankles Preferred,” sort of set Marjorie on the path upward. It was while working in this picture that Fox officials decided she was too good a bet to let get away and signed her to a five year contract. She learned the game from the "extras!” angle and did not step into the spotlight overnight. From one studio to another she beat the usual trail of the extra seeking work. Although she has only been under contract to Fox about a year, nevertheless most of her early experience came at this studio. She is another native of Kansas City, Mo., that seems to be carving a niche on the screen. For the past five years she has made her home in Hollywood and judging by her present success she will continue to remain here indefinitely. Her latest work was in “Nutty But Nice,” a two reel comedy produced by Fox. In “Very Confidential,” starring Madge Bellamy, she did excellent work and convinced studio officials that she was prospective starring material. JEAN HERSHOLT will next be starred in “The Braggart” by Universal. This became known this week. The story was written especially for the star by Benjamin S. Cutler. Belle Bennett will probably have the feminine lead with Edward Sloman directing. ALBERTA VAUGHN is playing a featured role in “The Skyscraper” in which William Boyd is being starred by De Mille. Sue Carol has the feminine lead. DE MILLE has re-signed Alan Hale to a new long term contract by the terms of which he will be heavily featured in the future. M. P. World Staff Photo J UVENiLE STAR— David Rollins has rcccn ly corrp etad t_ie mala lead in ‘ Pigskin, ’ for Fox. DAVID ROLLINS has been in pictures a year and judging by his rapid advancement he is bound to be heard from before long. He is now under five year contract to Fox and recently completed the male lead in “Pigskin,” directed by David Butler. In this picture, Rolling plays opposite Sue Carol, another youngster who is showing plenty of promise. He started in a year ago as an “extra” and was soon doing “bits” and small parts. Then came Fox with "The High School Hero.” A search for suitable talent for the featured roles unearthed Rollins. With Sally Phipps and Nick Stuart he held down one of the more important roles. Universal ready to film “Thanks For the Buggy Ride,” starring Laura La Plante, decided upon Rollins for the juvenile lead and borrowed him from Fox. The youngster hails from Kansas City, Missouri, and has been in Hollywood about four years. He completed his education here. His first leading role was in a two reel comedy for Fox. Butler seeing him in this selected him for his role in "Pigskin.” Some of the other productions in which he appeared to advantage were “Rolled Stockings,” for Paramount ; “Naughty But Nice,” with Colleen Moore, and in “The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg,” for M-G-M. ALAN HALE is to create the character of Moon Mullins, of comic strip fame, on the screen for De Mille, according to reports. “BE YOURSELF,” will serve as Reginald Denny’s next starring picture for Universal. It is an original story by Harry O. Hoyt, which William Seiter will direct. LOIS WEBER has postponed her proposed trip to New York in order to direct another picture for DeMille. The title of the story has not been announced. .1/. P. World Staff Photo RICHARD ROSSON — Will next dire-t ‘ The Escape” for Fox. Production starts in about two weeks. THE Delehanty family provided the national pastime with several efficient ball tossers. The Rosson clan has done likewise with the motion picture industry. Richard Rosson pictured here is directing for Fox. Another brother. Arthur, is also listed among Hollywood’s leading directors, having been with Paramount for some time. Harold Rosson is rated among the industry’s leading cameramen and for years photographed Gloria Swanson in the majority of her pictures. Richard is next to direct “The Escape” for Fox. No cast has been selected. At present he is working diligently on the story getting it in shape to start the cameras grinding. His last directorial work was on “The Wizard,” a Fox production in which Edmund Lowe was starred. “The Escape" is a story replete with thrills and action, according to information we were able to obtain. It goes into production in about two weeks and will have a splendid cast of players. Rosson is enthusiastic regarding the screen possibilities of his forthcoming vehicle. BRYANT WASHBURN has been chosen for the name role in “Skinner’s Big Idea.” which FBO is now producing. Washburn played the original role in this same story twelve years ago for the old Essanay company. Hugh Trevor and Martha Sleeper have the juvenile roles. MARY DUNCAN, former stage actress now under contract to Fox, will have her first outstanding role in F. W. Murnau’s, “The Four Devils."