The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 19, 1925 Schenck Stars Planning to Picturize Famous Stage Successes During Winter PICTURIZATION of three New York stage hits may be the Joseph \Y. Schenck organization's contribution to the winter production schedule in Hollywood. In the meantime, Blanche Merrill, noted Eastern playwright, recently signed by the Schenck organization, is preparing a story to be picturized following "Kiki," Norma Talniadge's next starring vehicle for First National release. Miss Talniadge expects to begin work within a very short time on the world-known Belasco play, while negotiations have been opened by Mr. Schenck to secure the screen rights of a current Broadway success for Constance and the services of a famous director to do the picture. Plans of the Constance Talmadge company to start work on a new picture will be only slightly delayed as a result of Mr. Schenck's decision to postpone production on "East of the Setting Sun." Under the Schenck contract with First National, Constance will make three more features for the releasing organization. Another new development on the United lot is the signing of a two-year contract by George Marion, Jr., as title writer for the Talmadge productions. Critics throughout the country have praised Marion's titles in Constance's latest picture, "Her Sister From Paris" and "The Eagle," starring Rudolph Valentino. Mr. Schenck's recent acquisition of famous stage writers for screen work gives him what is recognized as one of the greatest staffs in Hollywood. Edward Clark, a playwright with a number of successful stage plays to his credit, has moved his family from New York and intends to make Hollywood his permanent home. He and Miss Merrill were placed under contract as a result of the producer's recent visit to New York. They will augment the writing stars already in the Schenck organization such as Hans Kraly, who is putting the finishing touches on the adaption of "Kiki," a picture that many of Norma Talniadge's admirers believe will surpass triumphs like "Smilin' Through," "Secrets" and "Graustark," her newest success. Norma and her director, Clarence Brown, who was responsible for Valentino's "Eagle," are ready to begin work on "Kiki" as soon as the cast is completed. Ronald Colnian again has been loaned to the Schenck organization by Samuel Goldwyn to play the lead opposite the star. Colman was leading man in "Her Sister From Paris." Even the minor roles in "Kiki" will be filled by eminent players, carrying out David Belasco's stipulation when he sold the screen rights to Mr. Schenck for a new record price, that only Norma Talmadge should have the title role and that the rest WHAT may be taken as an indication that the screen is looking toward the recognized authors of books, serialized stories and successful stage plays as the source of the bulk of the material for coming pictures is seen in the fact that all of the pictures now in preparation for the year's production of Metropolitan Pictures are from well known story material. Metropolitan's productiqii most recently released is "Simon the Jester" which was one of William J. Locke's most famous novels. This was produced as the first production supervised by Frances Marion, who is herself the most famous woman writer of tho screen. "Without Mercy" was filmed from the novel by John Goodwin and was secured by Metropolitan from the Stoll Picture Productions, Ltd., of England. "Steel Preferred," which has just been completed with Vera Reynolds. William Boyd, Hobart Bosworth and Charlie Murray featured, was filmed from the Herschel S. Hall short stories published in the Saturday Evening Post, a series of stories dealing with the adventures of "Wally Gay" in the steel mills. Barrett Willoughby's novel "Rocking Moon" which has been filmed in Alaska, was popularized even before its publishing in book form when it ran serially in the American magazine. "The Million Dollar Handicap" is from the W. A. Eraser novel "Thoroughbreds" which was published in book form by the A. L. Burt Company. "The Danger Girl," the current starring vehicle for Priscilla Dean was a stage play called "The Bride" by Stewart Olivier and Begins Production of "The Torrent" Monta Bell has begun production of "The Torrent," the well known Blasco Ibanez novel, with Ricardo Cortez and Greta Garbo in the featured roles. Cortez has been specially borrowed by the Culver City studios for this Cosmopolitan production for MetroGoldwyn-Mayer, and in this photoplay Miss Garbo, who has achieved fame in films abroad, makes her first American screen appearance. "The Torrent" is a romantic tale of the life and loves of a Spanish opera prima donna. A big cast appears in support of the featured players, including Gertrude Olmsted, Edward Connelly, Maurice Kains and Lucien Littlefield. of the cast reflect the high standards set before the footlights. Miss Talmadge has completed her lavish wardrobe called for in the script, and many of the elaborate "Kiki" sets are ready for the cameras. Definite announcement of Constance's next vehicle and director is expected to be made soon. George Middleton, the latter being also coauthor of "Adam and Eve," and "Polly with a Past," which were popular hits on the stage. Coming Metropolitan Productions w'lll include two other highly successful novels and another stage play. "The Last Frontier" is from the popular novel by Courtney Ryley Cooper, a story of Empire building in the early days of the Middle West. This will be one of the year's big specials, it is said, to be produced this spring. It will be remembered that "The Last Frontier" was to have been a Thomas H. Ince production, many stirring scenes of a gigantic buffalo drive having been filmed by the Ince organization some time before the death of the famous producer. Frances Marion's second production for Metropolitan, "Paris at Midnight," is to be based on the famous Balzac novel "Pere Goriot." First National Issues Film Showing Leading Players First National Pictures has shipped to all of its branch exchanges, an 800 foot reel showing the stars and leading players of the company as well as striking scenes from the more notable productions in which they have appeared. This reel is designed as a special attraction for First National Month and It is believed will be welcomed by exhibitors who wish to give their audiences an intimate impression of their favorite players. Norma Talmadge, Colleen Moore, Corinnc Griffith, Constance Talmadge, Richard Barthelmess, Milton Sills, Johnny Hincs, Harry Langdon and Leon Errol, all the First National stars, in fact, and featured players of prominence, have a part in this unusual film which was photographed, edited and titled with as much care as is expended on any regular production. Alice Calhoun Loaned Warner Bros, have lent .\lice Calhoun to the Harry Langdon company to play the leading woman's role in "Nobody." Miss Calhoun appears to be transferring her affections from dramatic roles to those of comedy. She played her first comedy role with Syd Chaplin, in Warner Bros.' "The Man On The Box," released a few weeks ago, and made a decided hit in it. When her work on the one picture with Langdon is finished. Miss Calhoun will return immediately to Warner Bros. Metropolitan Pictures by World-Famous Writers Stop Cheating Yourself Out of Real Profits— BOOK MADE WCHr— PRICE RIGHT PROflH RIGHT BOOK THEM TODAY!