The Moving picture world (May 1925-June 1925)

798 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 13, 1925 First National Signs 'Enrol, Noted Comedian, for 8 Pictures LEON ERROLL is to become a permanent fixture in motion pictures. Richard A. Rowland, general manager of First National Pictures, Inc., announces that his company has signed the inimitable comedian on a long term contract under which he will be presented in a series of eight comedy pictures, the first one to be started late in August. Just now the noted comedian of the wabbly knees is adding to his stage laurels in the title role of Florenz Ziegfeld's highly successful production of "Louis the Fourteenth," but what his first screen vehicle will be under the new contract has not yet been announced. Several stories, however, are being considered for him. The signing of Errol by First National was due largely to his unusually successful performance as the Duke of Checkergovinia in the screen version of "Sally" in which he recreated the role he had already made famous on the stage in the Ziegfeld production. In the picturization of "Sally" he appeared in support of Colleen Moore the star, for whom he made a most excellent foil. First National executives, in signing Errol, believe they have acquired a comedian who will rank second to none on the screen. Errol's experience has been unique. Born in Sydney, Australia, he started life with the ambition of becoming a surgeon. He attended the University of Sydney School of Medicine and Surgery, but his natural instincts for clowning predominated and he became a different sort of a "cut up" than he had planned. A quarrel with a college professor resulted in his drifting away from school to the stage. Comic portrayals of none too sober men were his first roles and they have stuck. In those days the standard make-up for a comedian was a brilliant red nose, baggy trousers and a slip-shod red tie. In a college operetta which he wrote, he adopted this make-up with great success. His mother wept at the performance. Believing he had disgraced the family, he went home, humbly prepared to renounce the stage. Then he learned that his mother's tears were those of laughter, which settled him definitely in his chosen profession. He came to America, and his stick, spats and cut of clothes made him an object of derision in the streets of San Francisco. His English accent made it hard for him to get parts. His first work was in a beer garden in 'Frisco. The manager thought his street clothes were a character make-up and he went on "as was." He sang coster songs and was pelted with peanuts. He tried dancing. The crowd liked it. The management told him to dance, not sing. He did. John Cort, the theatrical manager, discovered him. He played stock in Salt Lake City. I e tried writing, producing and acting his iwn pieces. He drifted to New York in burle que, and there Florenz Ziegfeld saw and grabbed him. And now the renumerative movies have successfully worked their spell over the comedian WU1 Write Talmadge Stories Hans Kraely, who recently wrote "Her Night of Romance" for Constance Talmadge, and is also the author of Constance's forthcoming production, "Her Sister from Paris," his just signed a contract with Joseph M. Sehenck to write eight original stories for Norma and Constance Talmadge. Mr. Kraely's story, "Her Sister from Paris," is a Sidney Franklin Production, for release by First National during Greater Movie Season. The symbolic white painting made famous by John Galsworthy in his most popular novel, "The White Monkey," picturized by SawyerLubin under the direction of Phil Rosen, who is reading the script to Barbara Le Marr, playing the leading role of "Fleur" in this important production. The picture is released by First National. Overseas Men Feted Mclntyre and Bryson Honor Guests at Laemmle Luncheon Hugh Mclntyre, general manager of Universale branch offices in Australia and New Zealand, in New York on his first trip to America, and James V. Bryson, general manager of the European Motion Picture Company of England, Universal distributor in the British Isles, were the honor guests at a luncheon given last week in the Madison Hotel, New York City, by Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation. Also present as special guests were Mrs. Mclntyre and Wanda Wiley, Century Comedy star. Universal officials and department heads made up the luncheon party. The luncheon was Mclntyre's introduction to the Universal home office personnel and to Mr. Laemmle. He has been Universal's manager in Australia for several years. He was introduced by Nate L. Manhcim, Universal's foreign manager, who acted as toastmaster. Mclntyre made a punchful talk to the assembled Universal executives and pledged his continued fealty to Laemmle and to Universal pictures. For ADDED ADMISSIONS— Advertise Your Short Subjects ! Here you are face to face with the players who make Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pictures. Pick out your favorites. It's more fun than working cross-word puzzles ! There were a few absentees at the time this photo was taken, so you won't find such celebrated players as Lillian Gish, Lon Chaney, Marion Davies, Jackie Coogan or Buster Keaton. In the front row are: Dale Fuller, Charlie Murray, Aileen Pringle, Lew Cody, Claire Windsor, John Gilbert, Frank Currier, Norma Shearer, Mae Busch, Eleanor Boardman, Mathew Betz, Tom Moore, George K. Arthur. In the rear row are: Cecil Holland, Irving Hartley, Nigel de Brulier, Sidney Bracey, Roy Stewart, Evelyn Peirce, Miss Dupont, Ford Sterling, William Haines, Mitchell Lewis, Gertrude Olmstead, Sojin, ZaSu Pitts, Lucille La Seur, Creighton Hale, Ramon Novarro, Renee Adoree, Pat O'Malley, Sally O'Neill, Roy d'Arcy.