Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

4 WALLER REPRESENTATIVE TELk^WONE |Q GLADJ°TOhE 0b08 "TOM WEFT COAJT UEADG^UAUTEDS 318 TAFT. 0>L Will West Coast Theatres Reach to Atlantic States? Report Discounted By Headquarters; The Seating Problem Under Discussion WITH the news that Wesco had taken over the Saxe Circuit, reports were rife in Hollywood that early 1928 will witness an augmentation of the huge chain of West Coast Theatres to the point where they will acquire controlling interest along the Atlantic seaboard, as well as the Pacific slope. DENNY-SEITER REPORTED OUT Two reports were wafted along the Hollywood Boulevard from Universal City this week. One was that William Seiter will terminate his relations with Universal before the expiration of his present contract, in March, and the other was that Reginald Denny, dissatisfied with his affiliation at the studio, had brought things to a head by placing the stamp of his disapproval on the story selected as his next vehicle, titled “Be Yourself.” A complete denial that Denny contemplates leaving the company was formally made at the Universal studio, it being stated that Denny’s picture goes into shooting early next week. Queries pertaining to Seiter’s status were referred to General Manager Henigson. Moving Picture W orld, at this writing, was unable to reach the general manager. Newman to Berlin; Works With Rockett E. deB. Newman has been appointed assistant to Ray Rockett at the studios in Berlin, according to an announcement by First National. He sails from New York on the S. S. Deutschland on January 5. Newman has been working at the West Coast First National studio as an assistant to Watterson R. Rothacker, managing director. He entered the First National organization several years ago in the home office and later came to California. Later he became manager of the Thomas H. Ince interests, and more recently was general manager of the Mary Pickford company. Dane-Arthur “Combo’' “Detectives” will be the title of the next co-starring vehicle of the redoubtable heroes of “Rookies,” Karl Dane and George K. Arthur. They will make their appearance as “hick” detectives in a whirl of comical adventure. Gray Playing Lead In “Love Hungry,” Lawrence Gray is playing his fourth consecutive lead for Fox Films. It is directed by Victor Heerman, and Lois Moran has the leading feminine role. LEO McCAREY has signed a new contract with Hal Roach, and will supervise all productions on the Roach lot, for MG-M release. McCarey is now Vice-President of the Hal Roach Corporation. Nagel with Two Firms The first of the new year is bringing a deluge of announcements from the various studios to the effect that this and that star and this director has affixed his signature to a new contract. Warner Brothers come forth with the announcement that Conrad Nagel has signed a contract by which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Warner Brothers jointly take over the matter of meeting his weekly pay check. Through this arrangement, they will share his services in future. M-G-M also announces that Clarence Brown has signed a new long term contract to direct for that organization. Brown reached directorial heights with the direction of “Flesh and the Devil,” the picture that brought Greta Garbo to the front. Renee Adoree has also signed a new agreement with the same company. It is planned to feature her in a number of big productions on the 1928 program. Johnston With Columbia John LeRoy Johnston has been aooointed m-’-'Hty director at the Columbia studio. These reports on potential, vastly extended activities of the theatre interests now supervised by Harold B. Franklin, were discounted at the West Coast headquarters late this week. It was then said that Wesco Lillian Gish to Testify January 19 has been set for the taking of Lillian Gish’s deposition in the suit of Charles H. Duell, Inc., for damages amounting to $5,000,000 for alleged breach of contract. None but litigants, counsel and^R. P. Noon, notary, will be allowed to attend the proceedings by order of Judge Gates. The deposition will be taken in Noon’s office. Hoyt-Collins Harry Collins, of the Fox West Coast publicity office, and Rita Hoyt, film actress and former member of the Greenwich Village Follies, were married last week. Only a few intimate friends were present at the ceremony, performed by Rev. Hervey C. Park, of the Church of the Angels, in Pasadena. Miss Taylor Popular Estelle Taylor is becoming one of the busiest of Hollywood’s screen stars. Her excellent work in “The Whip Woman” for First National has earned her the feminine lead with George O’Brien in “The Honor System.” Victor Counts Five! Among the girls to appear in Fox Film’s “A Girl in Every Port,” with Victor McLaglen, are Louise Brooks, Natalie Joyce, Maria Casajuana, Myrna Loy and Sally Rand — all beauties ! is an organization entirely independent Of West Coast and that the reports had probably gained impetus through an erroneous impression that the name of the banking firm was an abbreviation for the 260 theatres now carrying the West Coast insignia. In a statement expressing his views on the exhibiting end of the business for 1928, Mr. Franklin is unusually optimistic. That business all over the country is good, and that 1927 has recorded marked progress in the growth and operating results of West Coast, is one of Franklin’s declarations. In stating that the theatrical industry as a whole has made great strides toward stability, Franklin hits an important angle on the overseating situation. He states : “The popular prejudice against big business no longer persists, as it did, because such organizations see more clearly than ever before that success lies in not abusing their strength. “It si apparent that in many communities theatre building has reached the saturation point. In such instances older theatres will have to establish the most aggressive means in attracting and holding patronage. The overseating condition will be righted when those who furnish credit refuse to finance new theatres where theatre seating is already over-extended.” Chaney Pays Lon Chaney, film star, and Peter De Paolo, national racing champion driver, found themselves facing the frowning countenance of the law, because of speeding during the past week. Chaney paid a $15.00 fine, but the professional driver failed to put in an appearance.