The Moving picture world (May 1925-June 1925)

354 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 16, 1925 Preparing Exploitation for Vitagraph's "Happy Warrior" INSPIRED by the notable success of their activities following the release of a previous A. S. Hutchinson picture by Vitagraph, exhibitors throughout the country already are devising special exploitation tieups to accompany showings of "The Happy Warrior," which is now in production. Reports from book dealers and librarians reveal the consistent and growing popularity of the Hutchinson novels. In turn, "If Winter Comes," "The Clean Heart" and "The Happy Warrior" not only has proved a bestseller but has stimulated an almost unprecedented demand by patrons of public libraries. When Vitagraph released "The Clean Heart" last autumn exhibitors found library directors keen to arrange special displays of the Hutchinson books, and many went so far as to increase materially their supply of copies of this particular novel. Since the announcement that "The Happy Warrior" is now being produced, under the direction of J. Stuart Blackton, who was the producer of "The Clean Heart," librarians are taking steps, even this far in advance, to satisfy the pressure they are certain will be exerted, for many readers regard "The Happy Warrior" as Mr. Hutchinson's masterpiece. An excellent cast was recruited for the screen adaptation, with Malcolm MacGregor, Alice Calhoun and Mary Alden in the leading roles. Other characterizations are being interpreted by Anders Randolf, Olive Borden, Gardner James, Otto Matieson, Wilfrid North, Eulalie Jensen, Andree Tournier, Jack Herrick, Philippe de Lacy and Bobby Gordon. Navy .Will Co-operate Ramon Novafro will have the co-operation of the . United States government in the filming of his next picture, his first starring vehicle under his new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract, Irving Thalberg, production executive, announced. The picture will be filmed in its entirety at Annapolis at the United States Naval Academy, the locale in which the story is laid. New Wanda Wiley Comedy Abe Stern, vice-president and eastern manager of the Century Film Corporation, announced the release of a new Century Comedy starring Wanda Wiley. It is "The Queen of Aces," and it is being handled through all Universal exchanges. The feature was directed by William Watson. Sally Rand, latest film beauty to drop the cap-and-bells of comedy in favor of more serious dramatic garments. The charming Sally has just been signed by Cecil B. De Mille to play supporting roles in the De Mille Stock Company, releasing through Producers Distributing Corporation. De Mille sees possibilities of future greatness in this latest charmer to follow the lead of Gloria Swanson, Bebe Danials, Vera Reynolds and Lillian Rich. Miss Rand has appeared in Hal Roach, Sennett and Christie comedies. Barrymore Returns to U. S. John Barrymore, who is to star in two big pictures for Warner Bros., arrived in New York on the Olympic, from Liverpool, this week. He will remain in the city only a few days, proceeding then to Hollywood and the Warner studios, where both pictures are to be completed before the opening of the next theatrical season. Warner Bros. Start Their First "Syd" Chaplin Picture Every effort to give "Syd" Chaplin, who is to appear in a series of special comedies for Warner Bros., the best support possible is being made by the company, it was stated at the New York office today. In addition to securing Fred Newmeyer. Harold Lloyd's director, to make "The Man on the Box" Mr. Chaplin's first picture, the firm also engaged Charles Francis ("Chuck") Reisner, who is responsible for many of the gags in Charles Chaplin's pictures, to assist in preparing the script, which was completed last week, and production started at the Warner's Hollywood studio on April 18. The Warners state they have obtained an exceptional cast for the principal roles which, in addition to Mr. Chaplin, will include Mr. Reisner, Charles Gerrard. Theodore Lorch, Kathleen Calhoun, and June Marlowe. Mr. Gerrard, Mr. Lorch and Miss Calhoun are newcomers to the Warners' studio, while Miss Marlowe is one of the younger members of the stock company. Bobby Vernon in a scene in "Don't Pinch," his Educational-Bobby Vernon comedy, directed by Walter Graham New Barrymore Special "A Man of Honor," the third Lionel Barrymore special production on the current program of the Chadwick Pictures Corporation, will be released on June 1. The actual photographing of the picture was completed last week by Whitman Bennett, who is directing the production for Chadwick. The cast includes Mildred Harris, who plays the leading role opposite the star; Isobel De Leon, a distinguished dramatic actress oi the French speaking stage; Winifred Barry, Dorothy Kingdon, Jean Del Yal, Albert Mack and J. Moy Bennett.