The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 21, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 229 Fields Signs Contract to Star for Paramount Following his sensational success in two D. W. Griffith pictures, "Sally of the Sawdust" and "That Royle Girl," W. C. Fields, comic star of Ziegfeld's "Follies," has been signed to a five-year contract as a star m Paramount pictures, it was announced yesterday by Jesse L. Lasky. Unusual efforts will be made by Paramount, Mr. Lasky said, to give Fields vehicles that will permit full scope to his ability as a screen comedian. Tom Geraghty, now supervisor of the Thomas Meighan productions, is at work on a story which has been written for Fields by a nationally known humorist, and when this story is ready to go into production Fields will be given a complete comedy unit of gag men and technical men that will make his pictures unique among comedies. Mr. Geraghty will supervise these productions. Kirkland to Direct "Tough Guy" Dave Kirkland, who has just completed "All Around Frying Pan," Fred Thomson's latest production for F. B. O., has been engaged to handle the megaphone for "The Tough Guy," the next Thomson story, according to announcement made by Milton Gardner, production manager of the unit, at the F. B. O. studios yesterday: "The Tough Guy" has just been purchased from Frank M. Clifton, the author, and a continuity is being whipped into shape by Buckley Fritz Oxford. Casting will be begun as soon as the script is completed. Johnsons Preparing Next Story Having completed and shipped to the F. B. O. home office the master print of "The Last Edition," his "tribute to the profession of journalism," Emory Johnson, F. B. O. producer-director and Emily Johnson, his mother, have left for the High Sierras where they will prepare the scenario for their second special for the F. B. O. 1925-26 program now under way. A NICE LITTLE PET Rudolph Valentino makes friends n'ith the tiger betzueen scenes in "The Eagle," a current United Artists' release in tuning up for his scene zmth the bear in'the iinne cellar. NOVARRO GETS DIPLOMA FROM SECRETARY WILBUR— It was Secretary of the Navyi Wilbur who awarded Ramon Novarro his naval movie diploma at the U. S. Naval Academy. Annapolis, where Navarro's starring vehicle. "The Midshipman," zms pictured bv Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. ''King on Main Street" Carries Main Street in N. Y. and Boston NEW YORK and Boston have joined in acclaiming Paramount's "The King On Main Street," a picture which is "a joy to behold" and one which inspires "waves of laughter and genuine outbursts of applause." Audiences at the Rivoli on Broadway and at the new MetropoJjtan in Boston were carried away with its subtle, clever fun, and the portrayals of Adolphe Menjou, Bessie Love and Greta Nissen. All newspaper reviews praised highly the direction of Monta Bell. Seventy thousand persons saw the picture the first four days of its presentation in Boston, according to George J. Schaefer. district manager for Paramount in New England. In a telegram to Sidney R. Kent, general manager, he said : "Premiere showing of 'Ki'iR On Main Street' at new Metropolitan this week most enthusiastically received. Has been put to severe test on account of opening of newest and most luxurious theatre. Attendance over 70.000 first four days and picture received great reception." New York newspaper reviewers were extremely laudatory in their comments. Mordaunt Hall in the Times wrote lha( the picture was a joy to behold with now and then a touch of O. Henry. "A sparkling light comedy entitled 'The King On Main Street' inspired waves of laughter and genuine outbursts of applause from the audience that filled the Rivoli yesterday afternoon. This new production is singularly refreshing because Mr. Bell has scorned to employ conventional methods in the handling of his l)layers." Quinn Martin of the World, although disappointed in the ending, wrote that he would "lose no time in advising people up and down the land, in every walk of life, to' go to see 'The King On Main Street.' For herein a jaunty, intelligent and finely tuned performance by Adolphe Menjou has been woven and spread upon the screen." Mildred Spain of the Daily News views the' picture .as the work of "our local Ernst Lubitsch." Make no mistake about it, Monta Bell, our local Ernst Lubitsch, has produced one of the significant pictures of the year. The picture was made for -Adolphe Menjou, and Menjou nearly makes the picture with his highly imaginative performance as King Serge. He is thoroughly understandable; But what is more, he actually tugs at your heart strings. This picture has our unbounded admiration. It fairly glitters." Harriette Underbill of the Herald-Tribune wrote : "Adolphe Menjou is the star, and the cast includes Geta Nissen. Bessie Love, Carlotta Monterey and Oscar Shaw. It is because of these charming people, not forgetting Monta Bell, who directed, that 'The King On Main Street' is the delightful bit of fooling that it is. Because Mr. Menjou is now a star he is not changed in the least and. as a matter of fact, it wouldn't be possible for him to be any better than he has been. The titles are as fine as the rest of the picture." Aileen St. John-Brenon in the Morning Telegraph said : " 'The King On Main Street' provides a delightful bit of fun at the Rivoli, subtle, clever fun, heightened by the magic touch of this welcome newcomer, Monta Bell. Bel! seems to have thrown away the good old rubber stamp before he entered a' motion picture studio, that is if he possessed one. He doesn't deal in connnonplace, and gets his effects by the simplest methods."