The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

478 Moving Picture World January 30, 1926 Universal Speeds "Laugh Month" Pictures WITH Laugh Month but a short distance away, Universal City is marshalling all its forces, and bringing up its heaviest guns, for a general assault on the citadel of the public's risability glands. All of which means that Universal is preparing a program of one and two-reel comedies for the month of January, all of which are calculated to make audiences roll in the aisles. Comedy units at the big studio, and at the Century Comedy plant, its brother organization, are working night and day to complete late productions for the big Laugh Month Productiton. Under the supervision of Scott Darling, supervisor of comedies, two comedy units are working at Universal City. They are the "Sweet Sixteen" troupe of Tarkingtonian fun-makers, under the direction of George (Slim) Summerville, with Arthur Lake as the star, and a unit starring Neely Edwards, directed by Dick Smith. Samuel Van Ronkel is speeding work in the latest of his famous "Andy Kump" series, which he produces for Universal release. Joe Murphy plays the celebrated Andy, of newspaper comic-strip fame. Fay Tincher is "Min" and Jackie Morgan is "Little Chester." Charles Puffy, rotund European stage star. '•AOIV. WATCH THE PRETTY BIRDIE" — Chester, Andy an' Min Gump {that's Jackie Morgan, Joe Murphy and Fay Tincher) in one of those gigglesome Unifer sal-Gump comedies. who has made such a hit in one-reel comedies with Universal during the past year, has just returned from New York, where he collaborated with the noted humorist, H. C. Witwer, on a series of stories in which Puffy will be starred. Meanwhile, the star has been assigned to play an important role in "The Mystery Club," an all-star feature which Herbert Blache is to direct. At the Century Comedy Studios, the funproducing stars, including Wanda Wiley, Edna Marian, Al Alt, Charles King, and the "Buster Brown" company, featuring Arthur Trimble, Doreen Turner and "Tige" are working busily. ISlew Pathe M.anagers at Two Important Centers Pathe announces the appointment of new managers at the company's branches in Memphis, Tennessee, and Butte, Montana. Charles F. Boyd has succeeded former Branch Manager Cary at Memphis. Mr. Boyd was formerly connected with Associated Exhibitors and recently was employed as a block salesman for Pathe at the Albany Branch. William M. Hugart has been appointed to succeed former Branch Manager Calkins, who resigned his position at the Butte, Montana, office of Pathe. Century Making "Laugh Month" Comedies HAVING taken over the vote, boyish hair-cuts, the gubernatorial chair in at least one state, and various other strongholds of the male, the fair sex is likely to usurp man's position in still another field — that of stardom in screen comedies, is the declaration of Julius Stern, president of the Century Film Corporation, makers of Century Comedies. Two years ago, with one exception, no feminine player had ever been starred in two-reel comedies since the day of Mabel Normand. Then the Century Comedy company decided to try two-reelers with feminine stars. Wand Wiley was the first comedienne to be elevated to stardom, and soon after, Edna Marian was made a Century star. The first series of comedies starring these two capable young performers were so popular that both were given long-term contracts. In little more than a year, Miss Wiley and Miss Marian have become two of the leading attractions of the short-subject field and threaten to eclipse the many masculine stars. New Pathe Short Subjects Alice Day, star of the popular series of two-reel comedies produced by Mack Sennett for Pathe release, has just completed another comedy vehicle under the direction of Eddie Cline. The supporting cast includes Danny O'Shea, Ruth Taylor, Joe Young, Eddie Quillan and Sunshnie Hart. Del Lord has started the direction of a new comedy of the Mack Sennett brand with a cast including such favorites as Billy Bevan, Madeline Hurlock, Vernon Dent and Andy Clyde. Gilt Pratt is directing Raymond McKee and Ruth Hiatt in a new Smith Family comedy. Mary Ann Jackson, Sunshine Hart and the noted canine, "Cap," are in the cast. Lloyd Bacon is directing a new Ralph Graves two-reeler in which the star is supported by Thelma Parr and Marvin Lobach. THIS PICTURE SAYS IT ALL, but you might vmnt to knoiv that it's Director Gus Meins, making those Buster Brown comedies for Universal, who has lined up Buster Brown, Mary Jane and Tige for the Month of Merriment.