The Moving picture world (May 1922)

168 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 13, 1922 News of the West Coast By W. E. KEEFE "Hollywood Night Life" is the title of a spectacular feature now being produced by the De Luxe Feature Pictures Company at the Hollywood Studios with Frank Glendon, Josephine Hill and Gale Henry and others in the cast. The production is being directed by Fred Caldwell. The story is the joint efforts of Director Caldwell and John B. Clymer. Hollywood is shown as a model city, beautiful and attractive. Mrs. A. B. Merscher, a wealthy clubwoman prominent in philanthropic circles is financing the enterprise. * * * The Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles, was jammed to the doors with the presentation for the one and only performance of the Writers' Revue on Saturday, April 22. The event was probably the most unique of its kind ever seen on any stage. It was given under the auspices of the Writers and the cast included many of the most notable names known to stage or screen. It was composed, written, directed and enacted entirely by the members of the Writers. * * ♦ Governor W. D. Stephens, of California, Judge Gavin W. Craig, Joseph M. Schenck and William de Mille were the guests of honor at the recent banquet given by the Western Motion Picture Advertisers at the Hotel Ambassador. A telegram was received from Will Hays urging that the organization co-operate in every way possible with the distributors and producers to maintain the highest possible moral and artistic standards in production and to develop the educational as well as the entertainment and general usefulness of the motion picture. Governor Stephens said, "There has been no bill signed by the governor of California inimical to your motion picture interests and your desire to serve the public. "I want to help you all I can," he continued. 'T am for California fihns and I appreciate their value to the public. I congratulate you on being connected with a wonderfully great industry that has such an unmeasured future." President Arch Reeves of the Wampas deputed Garrett Graham to introduce the governor. Mr. Schenck, Mr. de Mille and Judge Craig also spoke convincingly. * ♦ * At the Hal Roach Studios, Harold Lloyd is working on a feature comedy with Mildred Davis playing opposite. The cast also includes Anna Townsend and Norman Hammond. The scene plot ranges from a small western hamlet to a cosmopolitan city. « * * Snub Pollard, with the charming Marie Mosquini playing opposite, is in the midst of a new comedy being directed by Al Santell. No titles have been announced thus far. m * * Paul Parrott will soon start work on a new comedy, with Jobyna Ralston playing opposite. The cast includes Eddie Baker, with the directorial megaphone in the hands of Jim Davis. * * * Hal Roach gave a pre-view of "Fire Fighters," in which children and animals are featured, at Ocean Park. It scored heavily with the audience. The comedy was directed by Bob McGowan, with Tom McNamara sitting in as author. * * * Rupert Hughes has taken a summer cottage at La Jolla where he is writing the titles for his latest Rupert Hughes Renews Goldwyn Contract Rupert Hughes has just renewed his contract with GoldwjTi. The unprecedented feature of this agreement is tliat Mr. Hughes will write, edit and direct his own pictures. He is now the only author in pictures who is at the same time the central figure in all branches of his production. By this arrangement, which covers a term of years, the ideal which the Gold^^^ n company aimed at in organizing the Eminent Authors Company three years ago, finds its fulfilment. The persistent complaint of many authors, that their ideas are either misunderstood or distorted in production, is thus completely removed. The arrangement with Goldwj^n foreshadows a new series of Rupert Hughes pictures which should prove a glory to the industry. Following the completion of "The Bitterness of Sweets," Mr. Hughes will produce "Souls for Sale," which is now running serially in the Red Book Magazine. Goldwyn production, "The Bitterness of Sweets," in which Colleen Moore and Antonio Moreno have the leading roles. * * * According to the announcement of the Goldwyn organization, Marshall Neilan will make his productions at its studio, his first feature being scheduled for early fall release. * * * Jackie Coogan is receiving hundreds of fan letters from children and their parents commending him for appearing in such clean and wholesome stories. At the Coogan offices the announcement is made that the picture audiences throughout the country are demanding clean, wholesome stories devoid of sex complications. This is the style of pictures that are going to be produced by the Coogan company. The Christia studios have just completed "A Hickory Hick," featuring Bobby Vernon, directed by Harold Beaudine. He is supported by a new leading lady, Charlotte Stevens. The story was written by Robert Hall. * * * Tom J. Garaghty, who recently returned from London where he acted as supervising director for the Lasky British Company, is now busily engaged at the Lasky Hollywood studios, supervising a new Lasky producing unit. Grauman's Million Dollar Theatre was packed to the doors Easter morning for the final symphony concert given under the direction of Mischa Guterson. The concerts will be resumed in September. The program was devoted to the spirit of Easter and was mainly derived from the compositions of the Russian school, Glinks and Moussergsky. The concert was the ninetyninth given by the Grauman concert organization. In the place of the Sunday morning concerts Grauman announces that he will introduce a novelty, "The Discovery Concerts." * * * Virginia Browne Faire has been selected by Richard Walton Tully to portray the role of Shireen, the leading feminine role in his Guy Bates Post starring vehicle. "Omar the Tentmaker," Virginia Faire scored in "Without Benefit of Clergy" and "Count of Monte Cristo." The production will be directed by James Young. * * * The Cosmoart Studios announces preparation for a scries of forthcoming B. B. Hampton releases. Other production units that will soon start at the studios will be a series of Joe Rock comedies. The Beverly Film Association will also produce a series of features there. J. E. Bowan is president of Cosmoart. Walter Hansen, formerly with Ince, is technical director. * * * The West Coast Theatres, Inc., announce that Jackie Coogan's latest production, "Trouble," will be sho%vn at the Kinema Theatre in May, and that "Oliver Twist" will be held over for the fall season. The West Coast Theatres have added new theatres to their chain, including the New Circle Theatre and the New Tivoli, both in Los Angeles, and the New Hippodrome at Bakersfield. Pathe Says ''Clean Films'' Make Hit with Public and Exhibitors Evidences multiply that producers who have the courage of their "clean picture" convictions, Pathe says, are assured of the hearty support of exhibitors and their patrons. Pathe points to publi.shed records showing that Paul Brunei was one of the first, more than a year and a half ago, to express those convictions, and did so in the form of explicit instructions governing the production of Pathe serials. Under Mr. Brunei's widely published "absolutely clean" ruling, four serials have been completed, three of which have been released and are now making their bid for public approval. In the order of their release, they are, "Hurricane Hutch," "White Eagle" and "GoGet-'Em Hutch." Each of these, prior to and following release, received, it is said, hearty commendation from the National Board of Review and from clergymen, educators and influential organizations as making thrilling entertainment while being wholly free from objectionable matter. Some of the exhibitors who have written in praise of the films are John Egli, manager Hickory Theatre. St. Joseph, Mo. ; A. K. Beussad, manager World-in-Motion Theatre, Kansas City, Mo. ; W. C. Senior, manager for Sears and Jones, De Graw Theatre, Brookfield, Mo., and D. B. Moore, manager Clark ford Theatre, Belfry, Mont. "Tracks" Unique Playgoers Pictures is counting strongly upon "Tracks," the sixreel Noble Johnson production which is released May 7, to .score a hit as a western of a unique type. The announcements promise to lovers of western pictures a feature which should satisfy their most exacting demands in every detail, but they promise much in addition. In locale, in scenic backgrounds, in atmosphere, in suspense, in character portrayals and in thrills, the picture, which is from the story by Mark Noble, is said to be essentially western.