The Moving picture world (January 1925-February 1925)

February 14, 1925 MOVING PLCTURE WORLD 711 Scene from the Hal Roach-Charley Chase Pathe comedy, "Fighting Fluid." Century Announces Four Comedies for February Finishes Thirty-eighth Comedy Hal Roach Lot a BeeHive of Activity on Pathe Productions Director "Bob" McGowan has just finished camera work on the thirty-eighth "Our Gang" comedy for Hal Roach. The second picture of the fourth series of what are universally conceded to be the most successful two-reel comedies on the screen, will be released as "First Love." While the cutting of the picture is in progress, Director McGowan will start work on his next picture with Farina, Mickey, Joe, Jack, Mary and Gene. The nature of the story embodied in this pioduction is in a degree a "western," as ihe inimitable neighborhood rascals are cowboys who 140 adventuring westward. In addition to "First Love," three other Hal Roach productions are in the final stages of editing and will be sent East to the Pathe headquarters this week. The three pictures are: one starring Arthur Stone under the title of "The Hard Working Loafer," directed by Eugene DeRue; "Sherlock Slueth," also starring Arthur Stone and directed by Ralph Ceder; and an untitled Glenn Tryon-BIanche Mehaffey comedy. Von Sternberg Starts "Escape" Josef von Sternberg starts work at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios at Culver City, on "Escape," his first production under a contract with this company. "Escape" is Alden Brooks novel, described as satirical study in psychology, and is laid entirely in France. It is a story of the present day, full of situations and characters which are counted on to make the screen version a big success. Renewing Old Friendships May Robson, celebrated actress, now playing in Los Angeles in a comedy written by herself, was a recent visitor at the Hollywood Studios, where she renewed acquaintance with Weber and Fields, who are making "Friendly Enemies" under George Mel ford's direction for release through Producers Distributing Corporation. Miss Robson appeared in "Sapolio," a burlesque of "Sappho." nearly a score of years ago. This was one of the Weberfields successes, and Miss Robson played the mother role. ANOTHER youthful player of promise was added this week to B. P. Schulberg's stock company when the producer signed Alyce Mills to a long term contract. Mr. Schulberg, who has been very successful in developing new screen talent, predicts immediate recognition for this new actress. Miss Mills will leave for Hollywood next week where she will play her first featured role for B. P. Schulberg in his production of Zona Gale's novel, "Faint Perfume," which is to be started in the very near future. This story will ABE STERN, vice-president of the Century Film Corporation, has just announced four Century Comedies for release through all Universal exchanges during the month of February. Three of them are star comedies made with three of Century's quartet of comedy stars, Wanda Wiley, Edna Marian and Al Alt. The fourth is a Buddy Messinger comedy. Wanda Wiley, the young comedienne who had her first showing on Broadway in the Rialto Theatre last week, starts off the month of February for Century. On February 4th, her latest picture. "Nobody's Sweetheart," wlil be released. It was directed by William Watson, well known as a comedy director. Harry be next on the directorial schedule of Gasnier. Miss Mills will also appear in prominent roles in Schulberg releases for next season. Most of the actress' work to date has been in productions made in the east. She played the leading part in William Fox's "Daughters of the Night" and was seen in support of Benny Leonard in the "Flying Fists" sreies. Alyce Mills is Mr. Schulberg's second recent discovery in his search for new screen faces. He recently signed a young juvenile, Donald Keith, to a similar contract. Keith is being cofeatured with Anita Stewart and Bert Lyell in "The Boomerang." McCov plays the leading role opposite Miss Wiley. "Nobodys Sweetheart" shows the Century comedienne in a series of side-splitting adventures arising from her attempts to be a detective. Exhibitors report that this young woman is getting better and better with each .succeeding picture. Her current release gives her ample opportunity to display her ability as a funmaker. The second Century release in February will be "My Baby Doll," a novelty comedy starring Miss Marian. She is supported by Arthur Lake, Larry Richardson and Jane Shirley. Edward I. Luddy directed this two-reeler, which, according to reports from a number of theatres which have shown its pre-release, is an unusually good comedy, and gets many laughs. In it Miss Marian, working in a toy-shop, poses as one of the dolls and is taken to the home where her sweetheart lives. A hilarious series of antics follows until her identity is established. It is an exceptionally good comedy for children. The following Century release will be "Dangerous Peach," starring Al Alt. This is a bright and snappy two-reeler directed by Jess Robbins, long noted as a comedy director. It is one of the best comedies ever turned out by Alt, who long has been a favorite in houses booking Century Comedies. The final Century of the month will be a Buddy Messinger picture entitled "Sailing Along," which takes place aboard ship, showing Buddy, as a sailor, trying to make love to a pretty passenger, with one of the ship's officers as a rival. Harry McCoy is the rival and Stella Doyle the girl. The locale admits of many very funny situations. Charles Lamont directed it. Alyce Mills, Schulberg Star, Featured in "Faint Perfume"