The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

336 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 28, 1925 AS THEY ARE IN "THE SPLENDID CRIME"— William de Milk is the author and produced this Paramount feature in which Bcbe Daniels and Neil Hamilton play the leading roles. New York's Prettiest Girl Receives 6 Months' Contract DOROTHY M. KITCHEN was the unanimous choice of the judges and of the audience at four different performances at the Hippodrome for "Peg of New York," the wind-up of the greatest newspapertheatre-picture tie-up ever arranged. More than 65,000 New York girls entered the Universal exploitation contest, of whom 22 semi-finalists packed the huge New York playhouse four consecutive night performances. The judges were: Howard Chandler Christy, famous illustrator ; Mrs. Oliver Harriman, society matron ; Dr. Robert Bachman, Philadelphia artist ; George M. Cohan, Broadway star and musical comedy producer, and Miss Dorothy Herzog, Daily Mirror movie critic. Credit for the comprehensive arrangements tying-up Universal's "See America First ' New York picture with the Keith-Albee circuit, comprising Keith, Moss and Proctor houses, goes to William C. Herrmann, manager of Universal's Big "U" Exchange; Charles MacDonald, General Exploitation Manager of B. S. Moss, and C. E. Holah, in charge of Universal's trans-continental "studio on wheels." Several conferences with Messrs. Arthur White, Mark Luescher, J. J. Murdock and J.. H. Maloney resulted in enthusiasm for the project. In addition to several weeks' pictorial and cditoVial publicity in the New York Daily Mirror, unlimited advertising and exploitation was accorded the project by more than a score of theatres in their elimination trials. One of the features of the Hippodrome performance was the appearance on its huge stage of Universal's "See America First" trailer. Books "Syd" Chaplin Film for Its Eighth Anniversary As the feature attraction in the celebration of its eighth anniversary week, the California Theatre, San Francisco, booked "Syd'' Chaplin in "The Man On the Box," the production in which the comedian is scoring a big hit on the Warner Bros, schedule. The theatre also secured the presence, in personal appearance, of "Syd" Chaplin and "Chuck" Reisner, who directed the picture and seconded the star in comedy stunts. Both men appeared on the stage on the opening Saturday and Sunday of the run and were accorded an enthusiastic welcome. Garver Joins De Mille Oliver B. Garver, a former Los Angeles newspaper man, and more recently in the advertising business in Hollywood, has been secured for the publicity department of the De Mille Studio by Barrett C. Kiesling, publicity director. Garver will start immediately publicizing Rod La Rocque, Leatrice Joy, Lillian Rich, Vera Reynolds and other Cecil B. De Mille players. Starts "So This Is Mexico" With the engagement of the complete cast, work was launched recently by Richard Talmadge on his new production for F. B. O. "So This Is Mexico." The story is by James Bell Smith, who has authored many of the recent Talmadge comedy melodramas. The cast includes besides Mr. Talmadge, Louise Lorraine, Charles Clary, Henry Herbert and Charles Mailes. Noel Smith will direct, Albert Mazetti will assist and Jack Stevens will handle the cameras. \Vorking on New Mix Film Fox Starts Casting for "My Own Pal," • Gerald Beaumont Story Casting has just started at the Fox West Coast Studios for the latest Tom Mix picture, to be called "My Own Pal." The scenario is by Lillie Hayward, from a story, "The Gallant Guardsman," written by Gerald Beaumont. Beaumont has for more than three years been getting at least one story a month published in the better magazines and has come to be regarded as another author with a box-office name. His cleverness of plot and swiftness of action are particularly well brought out in this Tom Mix starring vehicle, which will be directed by J. G. BIystone. Olive Borden, who will have the feminine lead, will also be seen with Tom Mix in "The Yankee Senor." The cast, in "My Own Pal," is truly notable, having in it Tom Santschi, Paul Panzer, Virginia Marshall, William Calvin, Grace Goodall, Tom McGuire, Helen Lynch, Ben Bard and Jacques Rollens, not forgetting Tony the wonder horse. Additions to the cast, about to be chosen, will soon be announced. F. B. O. Western Stars Speeding Up Production F. B. O.'s three whirlwind western stars are speeding up the production trail. Fred Thomson and Silver King have just finished "All Around Frying Pan" and are preparing to launch their next, as yet untitled. Tom Tyler has just completed "The Wyoming Wildcat" and is working on "The Cowboy Musketeer." Bob Custer has finished "The Ridin' Streak" and is filming "The News Buster." Dave Kirkland is directing Thomson; Bob De Lacy, Tyler; and Del Andrews is handling the megaphone for Custer. Preparing for "The News Buster' Bob Custer, F. B. O. wxstern star, is working at full speed these late autumn days in Hollywood. He has just finished "The Ridin' Streak," under Del Andrew's direction and will shortly launch "Tiie News Buster." The latter story is an original by William Branch and relates the adventures of a cowboy reporter. The comedy elements of the narrative will be strongly developed, it is stated. s^iniiiiiiiiiiii iililililliliiililiilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllfl 1 ''What a Whale a | Difference a Few | Laughs Makey^ | One of the slogans suggested | by the Short Feature Adver i tisers' Association for Na | tional Laugh Month that will | bring 'em in for you during 1 January, 1926. I I Book for National Laugh | I Month with a Smile! | Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw