The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

November 27, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 211 Latest News from the Western Lots Report United Artists Seeking The Egyptian When Joseph Schenck arrived ill Hollywood a few weeks ago he announced that United Artists would secure "the finest theatre in the United States." At that time Sid Grauman was also manifesting considerable interest in the United Artists' theatre plans. At the time of this writing Schenck has confirmed reports that United Artists is negotiating for the purchase of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre and that the deal, which includes the house and the grounds on which it stands, will be closed within a few days from now. At this time it is understood that Sid Grauman will be retained as Managing Director of the Egyptian and that there will be no change in the general policy of this theatre. Whether or not the acquiring of the Egyptian will cause United Artists to abandon plans for the erection of a theatre on Broadway between 9th and 10th streets, Los Angeles, was neither confirmed nor denied by Schenck at this time. Since Grauman commenced work on his new Chinese Theatre within a short distance from the Egyptian it has been constantly reported that he would relinquish his material interest in tlie latter theatre. The Egyptian which was erected in 1922 is one of the best known theatres in the United States being nationally advertised as one of the principal show places of the film colony. Its prologues and presentations produced by Grauman have added considerably to its fame. The Egyptian is said to be owned jointly by Grauman and West Coast Theatres, Inc. ^ Studio Row ^ Honor Letter Carrier Another movement of historical interest promoted by the Carthay Theatre was the dedication of the first memorial ever erected to a letter carrier in the West. An elaborate pageant and appropriate services witnes.sed the dedicating of a huge boulder and redwood tree to "Snow Shoe Thompson," the first man to cross the Sierras. <<'~pH.E DEMI-BRIDE" is one of the latest productions to be A started at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio. This French farce stars Norma Shearer with Lew Cody. \ L ROCKETT is production manager for the picture tentatively titled "Here Y'are Brother" which has just been changed to "Three in Love." It wall be a First National release with Lewis Stone, Billie Dove, and Llovd Hughes under the direction of Millard Webb. * * * /^OLLEEN MOORE will wear boys clothes in "Benny" for First ^ National which she will start immediately after completing "Orchids and Ermine" now in production. * * * \T THE WARNER STUDIO, Director Roy Del Ruth is in his fourth week on "Wolf's Clothing" with Monte Blue and Patsy Ruth Miller, while Charles (Chuck) Reisner is just putting the finishing touches on "The Missing Link" with Syd. Chaplin. UNDER the tutelage of Tom Mix, Lloyd Alexander Pantages, son of the big exhibitor, is learning a lot about westerns. Pantages' present lesson is "The Last Trail." Lew Seller is directing the Fox film version of this Zane Grey novel. * * * PDLA NEGRI'S next starring vehicle will be "Vanity Fair" from the Thackery classic according to B. P. Schulberg, Paramount's associate producer at the Famous studio. JAMES CRUZE will direct "Louis XIV" for Paramount. Wallace Beery is the star. Production is expected to commence within si.x weeks. * * * JOE KELLY is doing the screen adaptation of Jack London's "Yellow Handkerchief" for Atlas Pictures Corp. WALDEMAR YOUNG, scenarist, has just been placed under contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. * * * EPORTS are that Jack Dempsey will return to the picture game under the Pathe banner. R ■p* IRST NATIONAL has just purchased an original screen story " entitled "Hairpins" which will probably feature Lewis Stone. * * * ly/TR. AND MRS. HERBERT RAWLINSON are receiving the -l-*^! congratulations of Hollywood on the arrival of their second child, a son. * * ♦ \ YEAR AGO Gary Cooper was an extra ! Now Famous Players has just made him a member of the all star cast which will make Owen Johnson's "Children of Divorce" under the directorial supervision of Frank Lloyd. * * ♦ JOHNNY HIN'ES is all set for production activities. His next *J picture will probably be based upon a story about the experiences of a young man with a lot of old maids. We hear that it is tentatively titled "All Aboard." * * * DIRECTOR CHARLES BRABIN has just had his contract with Universal extended for another year. During that time he is now scheduled to make four pictures for that company. * ♦ * MILTON SILLS by the time we go to press will just be starting his next picture for First National "The Runaway Enchantress." The commencement of this production also marks the return to the First National fold of Mary Astor. Ancient River Boat Costing $6,000 Week Down on the Mississippi river in Louisiana is an old side wheeler which is now pufifing up and down a given area. The boat, exclusive of fuel, is costing Carl Laemmle $6,000 a week according to Martin F. Murphy, general production manager for Universal Pictures Corporation. There are 60 people on board who have to be paid. This item is but an illustration of how $1,500,000 may be expended for the production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" which will have had locales in the north, south, east and west before it is ready for the cutting room next February. This picture will be one of the four super-special productions made known by Mr. Laemmle in his announcement that Universal would spend $1,450,000 on 1927 production. The other three super-specials which head Universal's 1927 program are Edna Ferber's "Show Boat," for the screen rights of which alone Universal paid $65,000. Mary Philbin will probably be starred in this special. The third is Richard Barry's "The Big Gun," a naval picture, during the production of which Universal will enlist the services of the Government. The fourth is Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs" with Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt, whose services have just been contracted for by Universal, in the leading roles. "MacFadden's Flats" "MacFadden's Flats" have just been erected on a lot in Universal City. The cast which has been carefully picked by Asher, Small and Rogers, with Charlie Murray and Chester Conklin in the leading comedy roles, will soon be able to get under way. Richard Wallace is directing. Breaks House Record All previous daily records at the Million Dollar Theatre were eclipsed by nearly $1,000 on the opening day of "We're in the Navy Now" featuring 'Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton. This announcement is made by Managing Director Frank L. Newman. Schenck — Laemmle — Dempsey and Ot er Notables