The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 14, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 135 Universal-Keith-Daily Mirror Tie-up To Select New York's Prettiest Girl PROBABLY the biggest newspapertheatre-picture tie-up ever made has just been aranged by the Universal Pictures Corporation, the Moss, Keith and Proctor interests and the N. Y. Daily Mirror, to exploit the final stages of the LaemrhleMirror Beauty Contest. This contest is being conducted by C. E. Holah, director of Universal's cross-country mobile studio unit, the "See America First" caravan. The winner not only will be starred in a Universal two-reeler to be made in New York entitled "Peg of New York," but also will receive a six months' contract at Universal City. As a result of the gigantic theatre tie-up, the semi-finals and finals in the beauty contests will be held on the stages of the various Keith theatres, winding up with the grand final picking of the winner on the stage of the New York Hipp»drome, under dramatic and elaborately staged ceremonies. Seven or eight of the "See America First" contest winners are now at Universal City, teing trained and getting actual experience in Universal pictures. They include the winners from San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and Toledo. As soon as "Peg of New York" is selected and the New York "See America First" two-reeler is completed, she will join the group at Universal City. Eighteen theatres will participate in the semi-final eliminations, in addition to the finals at the Hippodrome. These theatres are as follows : Keith's 81st St. Theatre. Keith's Fordham Theatre, Keith's Jefferson Theatre, Keith's Prospect Theatre, Brooklyn; Keith's Greenpoint Theatre, Brooklyn ; Moss' Broadway Theatre, Moss' Regent Theatre, Moss' Franklin Theatre, Moss' Coliseum Theatre, Keith's Hamilton Theatre, Keith's Royal Theatre, Columbia Theatre, Far Rockaway ; Orpheum Theatre, Brooklyn ; Moss' Flatbush Theatre, Brooklyn ; Keith's Riviera Theatre, Brooklyn ; Proctor's Fifth .'\venue Theatre, Proctor's S8th Street Theatre and Proctor's 125th Street Theatre. The eighteen winners from the various theatres will participate in the finals to be held Monday, November 9, on the big Hippodrome stage. They will have a dramatic entry, being brought in in the big "See -America First" studio caravan, which will be run right onto the Hippodrome stage for this event. 'The finals at the Hippodrome will be noteworthy. Secrecy and Mystery Feature Production of "The Bat" IMAGINE a dozen of the most prominent motion picture players, each of practically equal importance in the cinema world and in box-office drawing power, cast fc the same screen features — and their names kept secret. Imagine, also, the scenario writer being obliged to take an oath to the film producer that he will not reveal to any person whatsoever any single detail of the story. Imagine a director being obliged to take a similar pledge that he will not reveal a single item concerning the story, the cast or anything else. Imagine these conditions, and have a fairly good idea of the secrecy and mystery that THE CRUCIAL MOMENT ARRIVES. Adolphe Menjou, "His Majesty" in "The King on Main Street," a forthcoming Paramount picture, must now decide between signing his kingdom into bankruptcy or sacrificing the good name of an American girl {played by Bessie Love). The other tHan is instantly recognized as Joseph Kilgour. surrounds the preliminary steps in Roland West's forthcoming production of "The Bat," mystery sensation of the stage, motion picture rights of which Mr. West recently purciiased. In Mr. West's office recently Julius Josephson, scenario writer, took a solemn pledge not to reveal at any time any details of his story for the picturization of this sensationally successful mystery play. Just about all that the public is going to be permitted to know about "The Bat" before they see it on the screen is Mr. West's statement that the plot will be juggled just enough from the stage version so audiences never will know the identity of "The Bat" until the final moments of the screening. "The oicture will be a complete surprise even to those who have seen the stage play," said Mr. West. "For the first time in the history of the picture industry a photoplay will be made without the fanfare of publicity trumpets. We will try at all times and in all ways to keep secret all information concerning the production. No visitors will be permitted on the sets, in the studio or on the lot, and not the slightest bit of information ever will be offered concerning the progress of the picture." "Classified" Breaks All Records in St. Paul Another record for "Classified," the latest First National picture starring Corinne Griffith, was scored last week at the Capitol Theatre, St. Paul. In addition to establishing new figures for this house, "Classified" also topped the gross business at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. This is particularly significant in that, according to a statement from I. H. Ruben, of Finkelstein and Ruben, this is the first time the Capitol Theatre has ever to^pped its sister theatre in Minneapolis. Robert Cain Added to "Too Much Money" Cast Robert Cain, well known on stage and screen for his interpretations of villain roles, has been added to the cast of "Too Much Money" which First National is making in New York. Anna Q. Nilsson and Lewis Stone have the featured roles. John Francis Dillon 13 directing. Cain has the part of Dana Stuart, one of tiliose gay bachelors who love only other men's wives.