The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 14, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 123 IN "THE PONY EXPRESS" ERNEST TORRENCE has the role of a blacksmith who is also a minister. As usual, Mr. Torrence scores one of the biggest hits of the Paramount success. Screen Play as Monument To Memory of Anna Held Beautiful Press Book 80 Page Publication on "The Sky Rocket" Starring Peggy Hopkins Joyce, A Work of Art "Tiie Sky Rocket," starring Peggy Hopkins Joy ;e, the picture in which "Peggy the beautiful" makes her screen debut, will have the largest campaign or press book ever issued on any single motion picture in the history of the industry. It was originally planned by Robert E. Welsh, director of advertising and publicity for Associated Exhibitors, to release a de luxe press book in twenty-four pages but after giving the matter further thought he decided to enlarge the book in keeping with the importance of the production. The book will be a de luxe affair, leather bound with ribbon stitching. Thirty-two pages •of the book will be devoted to publicity stories while thirty-two pages will consist of newspaper advertising copy. In the straight line •drawing of "The Sky Rocket" ads, Mr. Welsh has struck a new line of thought. In the past it has been the custom to select scenes from the picture for this purpose, but in this •case nothing but original drawings by famous artists will be used. The first eight pages of the book will be •devoted to introductions and indorsements with the next eight pages comprising special newspaper serial articles on beauty and fashions. Eight pages will be devoted to posters and accessories. According to advices received by Oscar Price, president of the Associated Exhibitors, Peggy Hopkins Joyce, now resting in Paris following the completion of her first screen vehicle, "The Sky Rocket," will return to America to start her second picture before the first of the year. "Steel Preferred" Completed Actual camera work on "Steel Preferred," the new Metropolitan picture for release through Producers Distributing Corp., has been completed and this production is now being edited for early release. Walter Anthony, prominent journalist and title specialist, has ben engaged to write the titles. I'OLA NEGRI As the colorful "Carlota Villalon" in "Flower of the Night," the distinguished Paramount star has one of her choicest roles. A SCREEN play that will also be a monument to a famous actress is what Tod Browning, noted director, is to endeavor to make out of Lon Chaney's forthcoming starring vehicle, "The Mocking Bird," based on an original story by Mr. Browning. Its heroine, played by Renee Adoree, will represent Anna Held as she was at the start of her career, when she sang her way to fame from the stages of cheap London music halls. Both Browning and Chaney knew Anna Held intimately, and they have crowded the heroine's part with little touches which are real personal reminiscences of the French comedienne. The play will be staged at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios on an elaborate scale. "Both Mr. Chaney and myself," said Browning, "are enthusiastic over the idea of FB. O. still has five more specials to produce before it completes its current pro• gram, according to advices from the F. B O Studios in Hollywood. Among the remaining features will be a racing melodrama called "The King of the Turf" by John Brownell. Work will begin in hvo weeks, it is stated. "The King of the Turf" will treat of the drama of the race cour.se from a new angle. painting a picture of the real Anna Held as a tribute to one of the best and noblest women the speaking stage ever knew. We both knew her well — knew the tragedy that underlay her Hfe, her goodness to all about her, and the determined struggle that won her fame. "Anna Held was known to the world as a frivolous beauty ; but to us who knew her she was one pf the noblest women the stage has ever known. This is the woman we shall try to show— the real Anna Held. We hope that the picture will, in a way, be a sort of monument to her; a sincere tribute from two old friends and ardent admirers." A big cast, including Lew Cody, will be augmented by a number of professional vaudeville stars for the new picture, production on which will start shortly. Waldemar Young has made the screen adaptation. Other big features will be two stories by Laura Jean Libby, to whose work F. B. O. has exclusive screen producing rights. They are "When His Love Grew Cold" and "A Poor Girl's Romance." The first named will be launched in a week with an all star cast. Others will be "The Isle of Retribution" by Edison Marshall and Emory Johnson also will contribute another melodrama, the title of which is being withheld. Five More Specials to Come From F. B. O. Western Plant