The Moving picture world (July 1926-August 1926)

August 7, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 339 BiUie Dove Signs With Lois Weber Billie Dove has be«n signed to play the featured lead in "The Sensation Seekers," Lois Weber's next production for Universal. Miss Weber, who returned to her plans of a month ago, after with drawing from the post of director of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in favor of Harry Pollard, is now writing the adaptation of the story, which is based on Ernest Pascal's "Egypt." Her first Universal picture since she signed with the company some months ago, "The Marriage Clause," is being heralded as one of the features of that company's coming release program. Miss Dove, incidentally, also played the lead in that picture. Production on "The Sensation Seekers" starts next week. Waiter Merrill Signed by Warner The latest juvenile find has been signed by Warner Brothers. He is Walter Merrill who has recently come to the Coast from Miami where he has been appearing for Famous Players Lasky. Merrill started his picture career in 1924, when he left the legitimate stage where he has been playing in stock, for a role in "The Exciters," with Bebe Daniels and Antonio Moreno. Since that time he has been working steadily in pictures and has abandoned his stage career. Merrill has all the requirements of the successful juvenile, the appearance of the typical American youth, screens well, and above all has ability coupled with experience. Warners have placed him under contract and are grooming him for leads. "So This Is Paris" At Foriim Theatre Ernst Lubitsch's "So This Is Paris," a Warner Bros. Classic, began its world premiere at the Forum Theatre this week. This special features Monte Blue, Patsy Ruth Miller, Lilyan Tashman and Andre Beranger. Bushman, Jr. With M'Q'M Metro-G o 1 d w y n-Mayer has signed Francis X. Bushman, Jr., under a long term contract to be featured. "Ben Hur" Opens Aug. 2 "Ben Hur," the M.-G.-M. spectacle, will be presented for the first time on the Pacific Coast at the Biltmore Theatre on Monday, August 2. The Newlyweds, their baby and the whole Stern Brothers' gang on location. Standing — Harry Forbes, cameraman; Ed. Dooley and Ethlyne Clair, players. Seated — Gus Meins, director; Sunny McKeen, the remarkable baby, and his father. Kyne Story For Colonel McCoy THE first Western production starring Colonel Tim McCoy, Metro-GoldwynMayer's new Western star, will be a story by Peter B. Kyne, the title to be announced shortly, according to an announcement at the studio, where the new Western unit is being rapidly organized and plans completed for early production. Jack Neville, former assistant to Pete Smith, publicity director, has been appointed head of exploitation and publicity for* the new unit, to have charge of this work on all Westerns being produced by the studio. * * * Inspiration Signs Miranda THE signatures of Walter Camp, Jr., president of Inspiration Pictures; J. Boyce Smith, Jr., general manager, and Tom Miranda, well-known title-writer, were penned on the dotted line as a result of his work in editing and titling "The Amateur Gentleman," the newest Richard Barthelmess starring vehicle. Under the contract Inspiration is entitled to Miranda's exclusive services as "Editorial Manager" for the term of one year and he will have particular charge of the selection of story material for special productions offering wide scope to the talents of Gardner James who was recently placed under long term contract. De Mille's ^^Vanity** Fashion Spectacle HOLLYWOOD having established itself as one of the style centers of the world, Cecil B. De Mille announces that he will produce a film spectacle built around the subject of fashion. "Vanity" is the title of this forthcoming screen production and it will be an original story by Lenore J. Coffee, author of the screen version of "The Volga Boatman." Filmdom's oracle of fashions, Adrian, who conceived and designed the govms worn by the stars in the De Mille pictures, has already started work on "Vanity." Leatrice Joy, who has completed "For Alimony Only," another original story by Lenore Coffee, will star in "Vanity," although it is not expected to be her next production. No director has yet been chosen for this picture. Margaret Livingston Loaned to F, B. O. Margaret Livingston has been borrowed from Fox Films by F. B. O. for the feminine lead, a South Sea half-caste gal, opposite Ralph Ince in "Breed of the Sea." It will be her first big character lead since she was with the Thos. H. Ince Company. Ralph Ince will direct as well as play, a feat he performed in the recently released "Bigger Than McCall Handling Preferred Publicity George McCall, well known newspaper man, has been assigned the job of west coast publicity director for Preferred Pictures, of which J. G. Eachmann is head. Mr. McCalt writes for several newspapers throughout the country. His column, "Just Roamin' Around in Hollymood," is syndicated in fourteen newspapers. Before his coming to the West Coast, George McCall was publicity director of Shea's Buffalo house. He has wide experience In newspaper and publicity work and is welt pleased with his affiliations with Bachmann. Melford with Fox George Melford has signed a long term contract to direct for Fox Films. His first work will be "Going Crooked," with Virginia Valli. Hollywood Shorts William V. Mong has begun his featured role as the minister in Harry Langdon's First National starring vehicle, "The Strong Man," now being directed by Frank Capra. Edmund Bums, featured player for Cecil De Mille, has been loaned to Fox for the leading male role in "Whispering Wires." Betty Baker has completed the leading feminine role in "Rescuing Fangs," a Van Pelt production featurnig Fearless, canine actor. The picture is a drama and is a new field for Miss Baker, who has been playing comedy leads. Marc McDermott tells Norman Kerry a few things in the UniversalJewel "The Love Thief." John McDermott directed. Hal Cooley starts work this week in the featured comedy role in "Ladies at Play" (title changed from "A Desperate Woman") the First National picture starring Doris Kenyon.