The Moving picture world (March 1926-April 1926)

April 24, 1926 Moving Picture World 605 Efficient Hal Roach Studio Department ONE of the most efficient studio office plans now in effect on the West Coast is that instituted by director-general F. Richard Jones in the Hal Roach Studios at Culver City. This effective office arrangement is proving a big time saver in the making of Roach pictures for Pathe. Director-general Jones has his office on the second floor of a building in the center of the Hal Roach lot. Four steps from the door of his office is the conference room of the scenario department. In the front of the lower floor are the offices of Jones' assistant in casting duties, Bill Joy, and the purchasing, rental and location department under the supervision of L. A. French. The balance of the building is occupied by a large number of dressing rooms. A building immediately adjoining the headquarters of F. Richard Jones, houses two important departments, the wardrobe and costuming departments, and the furniture warehouse. Another building in the near vicinity of the warehouse holds the elaborate studio scenic department, while directly across the street are the electrical, "prop" and drapery departments, with the two principal stages on either side. This compact department arrangement in addition to saving expense also does away with troublesome studio delays and offers the Hal Roach production staff every possible convenience. Leviathan Will Show International Newsreel WHEN the Steamship Leviathan, of the United States Lines, sailed from New York, on Saturday, April 10, she carried a first-run print of the current issue of International Newsreel, No. 30. While the audiences of leading theatres on Broadway, and every other important city throughout the country, are looking at the very latest motion pictures as shown in International Newsreel, the passengers of the giant Leviathan, traveling at top speed on the bosom of the Atlantic, will be looking at the self-same pictures. Hereafter, on every trip the Leviathan will carry the latest issue of International Newsreel so that at all times, all of the passengers will be able to keep in touch through motion pictures with the latest news of the day. Dave Brill, of Universal's \ew York Exchange, arranged the deal. For Radio Tie-ups "The Famous Melody Series are probably the most appropriate subjects for special radio broadcasting ever put on the market," says W. A. V. Mack, Short Subject Sales Manager for Pathe. "The numbers are all popular, familiar to millions and when put on the air are sure to awaken in the listeners a desire to see the screenings, with characters faithful to the time and setting of the song, and backgrounds acually filmed iM the respective countries." Easterns Skyrocket'' Featured On Stern Bros* April Release BUSTER'S SKYROCKET," the tworeel Buster Brown Comedy which had its world premiere several weeks ago in the Rialto Theatre, New York City, is the featured release on the April schedule of the Stern Brothers, makers of two-reel comedies for Universal distribution. This two-reel made a distinct hit on Broadway and was highly praised by newspaper and trade-paper reviewers and by the public. Three other strong comedies are listed for April release, among them "Say It With Love," an Edna Marian comedy; "Painless Pain," starring Wanda Wiley, and "Too Many Babies," with Charles King and Constance Darling. "Buster's Skyrocket," was written and directed by Gus Meins, one of the leading comedy directors in the business. He formerly directed comedies for Mack Sennett. Tlie picture features little Arthur Trimble as Buster, Doreen Turner as Mary Jane and Buddies in the Legion Bid Farewell to Tunney GENE TUNNEY, contender for the heavyweight boxing title, who has l)ecn signed by Pathe to star in a serial, was given a pleasant surprise when he left New York City (;n the 20th Century for the West Coast to begin work on the production. Tunney is a member of the American Legion and his buddies from the William Bradford Turner Post, Garden City, L. I., headed by Commander Bruce Smith, turned out to bid their comrade and formed devil dog farewell. The former marine will confer with J. E. Storey, assistant General Manager for Pathe, on reaching Hollywood and production is expected at once on the Patheserial in which Tunney will be starred. Jones in Kansas City's Educational Exchange Clayton Ashton Jones has been appointed Manager of the Educational Branch Exchange at Kansas City, succeeding Carl Senning who resigned a few days ago. Mr. Jones is one of the best known film sales representatives in the Kansas City territory, having worked in Kansas and western Missouri continuously since 1910. .A.fter several years with the Wichita Film Company and then the Mutual Film Corporation of Kansas City, Mr. Jones joined the Universal sales force and later went to the Pathe Exchange from which he joined Educational's Kansas City staff last Fall. Melody Series" Via Air Pathe's "Famous Melody Series," which brings to the screen the melodies of various countries and sections of the United States along with their native backgrounds and characters, are proving popular subjects for exploiting through radio tie-ups. Pete the dog comedian as Tige. The cast includes a number of popular screen kiddies, seen as Buster's bunch. It is one of the best Buster comedies to date, and is No. 8 in the series of two-reelers made from R. F. Outcault's famous cartoons. The release date i^ April 14th. "Say It With Love," is another of those inimitable two-reelers in which Edna Marian is seen in one of those "country-girl" in the big city" roles which she does so well. It was directed by Francis Corby, with Earl McCarthy and Mary Land in the cast, and released April 7. "Painless Pain" is the Wanda Wiley comedy made by Edward L Luddy which actually mirrors many of Miss Wiley's former experiences. Before going on the screen she studied dentistry and in this comedy, a burlesque of a painless dental parlor, she is in her element. It is a hilarious farce; Jack Singleton plays opposite Miss Wiley in this picture, scheduled for release April 21. The fourth release for April, "Too Many Babies." which reaches the screen April 28, is made with the same players who are appearing in "The Excuse Maker" series, one of the high class series for 1926-1927. It was as the result of their good work in this picture and another along the same vein, that the decision was made to produce "The Excuse Maker" series. "Too Many Babies" was directed by Scott Pembroke, with Blanche Payson in tlie cast as the strong arm mother-in-dlaw. Adrienne Dore Signed For Stern Bros* Comedies A DRIENNE DORE, beauty contest winner, who won second place in the Atlantic City contest last summer, has been signed by the Stern Brothers, producers of high-class t)vo-reel comedies for Universal release, to play important roles in their output. Her first, work will be in support of Sid Saylor in the "Let George Do It" series of comedies, based on the popular newspaper cartoons by George McManus. Miss Dore is already well known to moving picture audiences, having played in a number of Universal pictures both before and since the Atlantic City beauty contest, where she appeared as "Miss Los Angeles." She was a member of the Universal Stock Company when chosen as the prettiest girl in Los Angeles to represent that city in the national beauty contest. Kosher'Killarney Comedy Word has just been received from the West Coast studio that the latest William Fox Imperial Comedy, "A-1 Society" was completed on April 3. Ben Stoloff directed this Kosher-Killarney comedy with Georgie Ha rris and Barbara Luddy in the leading roles. The supporting cast includes Patrick Kelly, Bardson Bard, Anthony Merlo and Harry Woods.