The Moving picture world (May 1926-June 1926)

West Coasting With Larry Urbach BIG THEATRE DEALS TALK OF HOLLYWOOD (Special Dispatch to Moving Pictorb World) Hollywood, May 1 2. HOLLYWOOD film executives are buzzing about the big news sprung last week on the acquisition of the Keith-AlbeeOrpheum Circuits by P. D. C, and the Stanley Circuit deal whereby the latter acquires the Mark Strand Theatres and the Rowland and Clark houses. The P. D. C. deal is the big news. The sales-staff and executives of the Producers Distributing outfit went back from the convention here to their busy offices bubbling over with the joy that they will now have an outlet for their product that will place them on the top rung on the motion picture ladder of success. "Let's Go!" they said, and they are going. Watch 'em from now on. SIX FILM PREMIERES FOR LOS ANGELES This week saw six new pictures on the screens of Los Angeles Theatres. "The Greater Glory," a First National, at Loew's ; "That's My Baby," a Paramount with Douglas MacLean, at the Metropolitan; "La Boheme," MG-M, with Lillian Gish and John mm HARRISON FORD Signs long-term contract to appear in Metropolitan Pictures for P. D. C. release. Gilbert, at the Forum; Warner's "Bride of the Storm," with Dolores Costello, at the Figueroa ; and the big duplex bill at Sid Grauman's Egyptian, Douglas Fairbanks in "The Black Pirate," and Mary Pickford's "Sparrows." May 14 is the opening of the double bill at Grauman's, with $5.00 top for the opening night. "ACROSS THE PACIFIC" BIG WARNER PICTURE Jack L. Warner, production chief, and Raymond L. Schrock, associate executive, announce that Warner Brothers will produce on a large scale this season, George E. Blaney's SpanishAmerican war story, "Across the Pacific," starring Monte Blue. Roy Del Ruth will handle the direction of this .production. "Across the Pacific" will give a thrilling account of the sinking of the Maine and the battle of Manila Bay. Monte Blue was jubilant at being handed the starring role in which he will depict a new idea of a private in the United States Army. "DIPLOMACY" CAST (COMPLETE) Marshall Neilan has begun the filming of "Diplomacy," his first for Paramount. Blanche Sweet, the star, will have nine strong supporting players, including Neil Hamilton, Earle Williams, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Julia Swayne Gordon, Arlette Marchal and David Mir. Arthur Edmund Carew has been chosen to play the part of Count Orloff opposite Miss Sweet. FOUR A YEAR WITH HERSHOLT Four productions a year, with elevation to stardom, are two of the important terms in a new five-year contract signed by Jean Hersholt with Universal last week. Hersholt's recent screen achievement was in the title role of "The Old Soak." An extensive advertising campaign is in preparation for exploiting this newcomer. CHADWICK IN N. Y. I. E. Chadvvick, president of the Association of Independent Producers, and of Chadwick Pictures Corp., left Hollywood last week for his home office in New York. While in New York Mr. Chadwick will arrange for the premieres of the two most recently completed productions at the Chadwick studios, "April Fool," starring Alexander Carr, and "The Bells," starring Lionel Barrymore. Conferences with independent interests in the East will be part of Mr. Chadwick's program. He will return to Los Angeles in time for the Motion Picture Theatre Owners' convention, June 1 to S. BACON SIGNED TO DIRECT FOR WARNER Lloyd Bacon, son of the late Frank Bacon of "Lightnin' " fame, has been signed on a long terra contract by Jack L. Warner, production chief of the Warner studio, as one of the directorial staff. Mr. Bacon's first job at the megaphone will be "Broken Hearts of Hollywood." COMPLETES SCRIPT FOR "THE WEDDING MARCH" The final scenes of "The Wedding March," were written by Erich von Stroheim last week and production will begin late this month. In addition to being the author and director of this picture, "The Wedding March" marks the return on the screen of von Stroheim as an actor. He will play a principal role in this film, it being his first appearance since "Foolish Wives." P. A. Powers is the producer, for release through Paramount. CHADWICK ADV. DEPT. MOVED TO WEST COAST I. E. Chadwick, president of Chadwick Pictures Corp., last week transferred the advertising and publicity department of his company from New York to the executive offices of the corporation in Hollywood. E. Lanning Masters, long iden Marion Dairies in "Red Mill" Starts Marion Davies arrived last week from New York, started her first scene in "The Red Mill," at the MG-M Studios in Culver City. The cast for this next Cosmopolitan picture has been chosen and consists of Owen Moore, Karl Dane, Tully Marshall and George Seigmann. William Goodrich is directing Marion Davies in her latest starring vehicle. tified with the exploitation of pictures on both the East and West coasts, will supervise the department that will take care of posters, press books, exhibitor aids, and all other advertising and publicity of the Chadwick organization. REISNER TO DIRECT "PRIVATE IZZY MURPHY" It's going to be a comedy picture for Warner Bros., therefore JEAN HERSHOLT Who has signed new five-year starring contract with Universal. I