The Moving picture world (November 1924-December 1924)

November 15, 1924 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 255 Gilbert with Mae Murray in Metro's "Merry Widow" From "Eve of the Revolution" of the Chronicles of America series being released through Pathe Alice Terry's Plans Alice Terry has been signed for the leading role in "Kings in Exile," the romance by Alphonse Daudet which Victor Seastrom is to produce for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. This announcement, coming from Irving Thalberg, production executive, sets at rest many rumors as to Miss Terry's next work, and also confirms the fact that on completing the Seastrom picture she will join Rex Ingram in Europe, where she is to play the lead in her husband's picturization of "Mare Nostrum," the Blasco Ibanez novel which Willis Goldbeck has adapted for the screen. She will play opposite Antonio Moreno in this picture. Charles Cohen Promoted Charles Cohen, who has been exploitation man for the New York exchange of Renown Pictures, Inc., has been promoted to the post of publicity director and will have charge of the exchanges located in New York, Buffalo and Chicago, as well as fiv« additional offices which this firm will open in the near future. He will also handle the exploitation for the parent organization, Truart Film Corporation, producers and national distributors of many of the pictures released by Renown. Start New Comedies Two new comedies were started this week at the Mack Sennett Studios, one featuring Harry Langdon and the other with Ralph Graves in the principal role. Ralph Graves' picture depicts the comedian as a plumber who breaks into society. Eddie Cline is directing and the cast includes Eugenia Gilbert, Alice Day, Elsie Tarron and Vernon Dent. Harry Langdor is a wealthy clubman in his new comedy, which is being directed by Harry Edwards. Natalie Kingston plays the feminine lead and Vernon Dent and Yorke Sherwood have important parts. Cody Will Make Another Series Jesse J. Goldburg, president of Independent Pictures Corporation, has signed Bill. Cody up to make another series of eight pictures when the series on which he is now at work, has been completed. JOHN GILBERT, whose appearances in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions this season are winning him a large following, will play Prince Danilo opposite Mae Murray in "The Merry Widow," Erich von Stroheim's special production on which camera work is about to start. The selection of Gilbert for one of the most sought-after roles of the year was decided by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executives this week. The decision, it is made known, was based largely on Gilbert's splendid performances in "His Hour," "He Who Gets Slapped," "The Snob" and "The Wife of the Centaur." "His Hour," the Elinor Glyn production and the only one of the four pictures thus far released, has definitely established Gilbert's popularity with the public. "The Snob," Monta Bell's picture, was released this week, and the Seastrom production of "He Who Gets Slapped" follows it in two weeks. By the time King Vidor's "Wife of the Centaur" reaches the screens of the country, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer officials are confident that Gilbert's popularity will be second to no leading man in the industry. It will be his first appearance opposite Mae Murray, and this combination, under the direction of Erich von Stroheim, is expected to make "The Merry Widow" one of the biggest box office pictures that has been produced. Tully Marshall, one of the favorite char New Griffith Film "Isn't Life Wonderful" is the colorful title D. W. Griffith finally has given to his new production for which he went to Germany to take the exterior scenes. The story has developed into nine reels under the working title of "The Dawn." The picture is now nearing completion at the Griffith studios in Mamaroneck, the secluded spot in Long Island Sound which a celebrated foreign writer recently described as "The Island of Art." acter actors in pictures, has been cast for the role of Sadoja, a part of leading importance in "The Merry Widow." The first woman chosen as a member of the large company that will lend support to Miss Murray is Josephine Crowell, selected for the role of Queen Milena. Announcement of other cast additions may be looked for shortly from Irving G. Thalberg, production executive. Von Stroheim himself prepared the screen adaptation of the Lehar operetta, in collaboration with Benjamin Glazer. Produced originally by Henry W. Savage, "The Merry Widow" is still the most popular light opera that has been seen, and Metro-GoldwynMayer plan to make it one of the biggest spectacular specials on their schedule this year. New Renown Picture The secret is out. The entire Renown staff has been talVing about a great picture soon to be released by that organization and promising that the title would be a big boxoffice attraction. It is "Soiled," from the Red Book story, "The Debt of Dishonor," by Jack Boyle, and was made by Phil Goldstone. The cast includes Kenneth Harlan, Robert Cain, Vivian Martin, Mildred Harris, Johnny Walker, Mary Alden, Wyndham Standing, Alec Francis and Maude George. Jack Bellman is planning an extensive advertising campaign. Title Final Three of Series The titles of the final three bouts of the "Flying Fists" series of two reel features starring Benny Leonard are "The Jazz-Bout," "His Sur-Prize Fight," and "The Comeback." Sam Hellman, the famous Saturday Evening Post humorous writer, is responsible for stories and titles. Lawrence Windom, the director, completed the cutting of the series this week. "One of season's best" (Zit's Weekly) "Picture is easily one of the season's best . . . Climax and denouement worthy of O. Henry." Zit's Weekly The Howard Estabrook Production thePRIEEofaPARTY Directed by Charles Giblyn with Hope Hampton, Harrison Ford, MaiyAstor Arthur Edmund Carew and Dagmar CodowsKy Associated Exhibitors Physical (Distributors 'Pothe Exchange, Inc.