The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

340 Moving Picture World January 23, 1926 Stern Bros. Announce New Comedy Policy; "Century'' Dropped From 1926-27 Product AN extensive reorganization of picturepolicy and production activities is announced by tlie Stern Brothers, makers of two-reel comedies for Universal release. Building cn the extraordinary success of the Buster Brown productions, the first excursion of the Stern Brothers into high class comedy series pictures, the comedy producers have outlined a program for next season consisting wholly of super-comedy series. There will be at least five series of nrstclass comedies on the 1926-27 release schedule of the Stern Brothers Comedies. A'.i extension of the present Buster Brown Productions will form the nucleus of the new schedule. The current Buster Brown Productions are the talk of the industry by reason of their unexpected drawing power. They are getting representation in big first run houses all over the country, including the Capitol, the Rialto, the Warner's in New York City, the new Metropolitan in Boston and similar houses elsewhere. Stern Brothers Comedies Hereafter, the comedies made by the Stern Brothers, Julius and Abe, for Universal release, will be known as Stern Brothers' Comedies. Their* former output — Century Comedies— is being discontinued. This change of production policy is a great forward step on the part of the two Sterns and marks their complete advent into the top ranks of comedy producers. Another series of two-reelers, already in the making for next season's release by the Stern Brothers, is "The Adventures of Jane," a high-class situation comedy series starring Wanda Wiley. Miss Wiley, who w^as "discovered" by the Stern Brothers and who lus been developed mto one of the screen's most popular comediennes during the past eiglueen months, has received a first-rate vehicle in "The .Adventure> of Jane." Splendid Stories Chosen For Stern Bros. Stars The stories are being written by Ruy Evans, and they abound in humorous situations and in clever comedy. The stories -Stand on their own feet. They give Mi~v "The Adventures of Jane" Scheduled for Use by Wanda Wiley ries is being directed by Jess Robbins, who has made a name for himself in the comedy production field. Al Ford has been engaged to appear opposite Miss Wiley in this new series. The remainder of the support cast is of unusual strength, including Hilliard Karr, the fat comedian ; Eleanor Leslie, well known char WANDA WILEY This charming comedienne has scored repeatedly in her x-arious roles as the featured feminine player in UniversalCentury Comedies. Wiley ample opportunity for displaying her acter actress, and others of ec|ual prominence. Ford will be remembered as a former popular figure on the nnisical comedy -.tage, appearing in such successes as "Helen of Troy," "Sinbad," "Big Boy," and the various Passing Show's. Splendid Stories In Preparation The Stern Brothers are now considering several story series of national importance as vehicles for their stars. It is expected that an announcement on this subject will be made in the near future. Another series also is under consideration, details of which will be made public next week. "Our unprecedented success with the Buster Brown Comedies convinced us that the market is ripe for more high-class comedies," say the Sterns, discussing their change in production policy. "First run houses are giving more thought to their comedy program and are willing to go the limit to get topgrade fun-films. Series Pictures Are In Demand "A close analysis of the comedy market has alse proven to us that series pictures , are more in demand than week in and week out leleases, however good those releases may be. \ series of two-reelers built arounJ a central theme or around the same characters, seems to have a strong drawing power on the public. They come back time and time again to follow the further adventureof their comedy favorites. "The foregoing two phases of the comedy situation were the determining factors in our decision to confine our production activities, from now on, to series comedies. We already have two of the series under way, the Buster Brown productions and "The .\dventures of Jane." A third will be under way within a week or so, and shortly thereafter w-e will be ready to go ahead with two additional series of exceptional merit. "We have reorganized our production facilities, and increased our studio personnel, as well as adding a number of higher grade technicians and writers to our staff. We are now in a position to turn out comedies without equal in the industry. That is our goal. Watch us do it." Serials for "Laugh Month" LAUGHS IN SERIALS? Sure, there are ! Lots of them. Of course, the basic idea of every good serial must be melodramatic action and thrills, whether it be a motion picture serial or a magazine serial story, but every good craftsman knows that "comedy relief" is an excellent antidote to melodramatic action. Hence our producers do not hesitate to introduce logical comedy sequences in almost every weekly chapter. Just a touch, here and there, of the whimsical element — occasionally a streak of comedy or burlesque — helps wonderfully to relieve the tension of the audience. Hence it certainly is not out of place to BY E. OSWALD BROOKS, Serial Sales Manager, Pathe Exchange, Inc. suggest that a good Patheserial like "Play Ball!" or "Into The Net" or "The Green Archer" would be welcomed on the' screens of the country during the month dedicated to Laughter. Even the dramatic and serious element in serials has a real place on the comedy bill, where it acts in the inverse ratio to "comedy relief" — it gives "dramatic relief" to an otherwise all-comedy program. Classic examples of "dramatic relief" are to be found in all of the Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin feature comedies. Without exception these skilled kings of comedy will introduce pathos and real drama into their productions, for they know full well that unless some "dramatic relief" be furnished, then the audience will suffer from a surfeit of comedy — w-hat our French friends call iin eml)a-rras de riclicssc. With Thi.s Issue Moving Picture World Offers the Model Trade Paper