Variety (August 1925)

r:9m Wednesday, AugusT W, 1M9 "W- -I I INSIDE STUFF-PICTURES / <Contlnuod from pag* t8) ^HHio mad« the new arrangements felt tbat hia drawing i>ower warranted Ten years ago Lucius iTenderson was Mary Puller's director at Uni- versal. He gradually dropped out Years ago he was Florence Roberts' leading man. When deciding he'd like to "come back" and found younger nen beblnd the atiullo megaphones, he got a character part In a Famous cloture te work at the Long Island studio. The assistant director had been an actor under Henderson's direction In the old days and gave blin a piece of the film demonstrating his work. The old director was Immediately signed <or a fat part in "White Mice," the Richard Hard- ing Davis play: then in "Invisible Wounds" for First National, and now tor a role In Burton King's new picture at Tec-Art Studios. He hasn't lost a day In IB weeks consequently and Isn't bemoaning the fact that '^hen they hire directors they prefer new men." ■ The Viennese Melody," which First NaUonal figure aa June Mathts' MKSoeMor to "The Four Horsemen." will take four months to complete, iastaad of 10 weeks, aa acheduled. with Its cost Increased from around #400,000 to ovar MOO.OOO. It Is said Miss Mathis f«els that her repuU- (llM Is at ataka la the making of this picture, and that she is utilizing all o< her energy, aa wall as time, to see that the scenes are properly made. About 400.000 feet of film will be uUlLeed in the making of the picture. It la said that no particular actor is to b« given any predominating role, but that the cast collectively will be of such a high standard and «allbar that the picture cannot help but click. It Is expected that It j^VlU b« relaased as a special early next year. '- Paul Bern leaves Famous Players upon the completion of "Flower 'imt Ni«ht," starring Pola Negri, to join the Metro-Ooldwyn directorial ^Jitaif. Bern was one of the newer school of directors on the F. P. lot And had a contract for one year with an option of renewal for two aoKare. He has oome rapidly to the front in the Paramount organization, •ad it was figured he would be the logical successor to Cecil B. de Mille. However, the type of pictures that were given him to make were not the b«s^ with Bern turning out far better product than expected. It is •aid Bern will receive for a three-picture M-G. contract $26,000 on the first product, $27,600 on the second, and |32,S00 on the third, with M.-O. Jutvlng an option for his future services. ' That Famous*Players la going after business for the Rialto, New York, hi evidenced in the fact that Ben Bemie and his band have been shifted . ^own there from the Rlvoli and that a morning matinee, beginning at 10:10 a, m., has been instituted at a 36 cents top all over the house. This top runs until noon, but anyone getting in close on that time can •ee the whole show and the presentations, which go on about 2 o'clock. ■.^' The oCriees of Hugo Rlesenfeld and staff will shortly move from the lUalto to the Rlvoli, making that bouse tlM. businesa headquarters. Instead of the Rialto. .;.'„' , T .,«'.». ' ,V Tor some time Variety has printed notices x>f the actlvltlea of Ernest fihlpman, who has been a rapid worker in promoting Sun City, Fla., ftnd there be has the streets laid out as Pola Negri Boulevard, Milton CUlla Drive, Jackie Coogan street, and etc., ad nauseam. A well-known director said he had entered into negotiations with fihlpman and that the promoter wanted a studio built, but that when lie, the director, got wise by reading Variety's accounts of Shlpman's •paratlons, he immediately called off his negotiations. 1 PICTURES VARIETY 31 the Century for twice daily showing Aug. 28. It will number 00 men, and Hugo Rleaeafeld has arranged the Wagnerian opera music to syn- chronise with the flbn. Josiah Zuro, who recently resigned from the New York theatres of Famous Players, where he was production man- ager, will conduct the orchestra. This film is In for but four weeks after which it will be road-showed by the Shuberts and UFA, playing about 29 houses of the Shubert string. Means toward an end of this character have been quietly promoted, according to report by Will H. Hays and his organization. The benefits through it to American film producers in Mexico have been tremendous, removing also the existent previous feeling against United States films, and aiding In formenting a better all around official Impression below the border. At one time the Mexican Government was highly Incensed at the American film Industry. It believed the American picture men when not traducing the Mexican was ridiculing him. Mr. Hays l«sald to have most satisfactorily removed that opinion. It likewise baa had its bearing on diplomatio relations between the countries as eVIdence of the Influence of the film. There Is no telling what may be the outcome of the William Fox-Moe Mark negotiations. Denials have been Issued by the Moe Mark forces, but those are expected nowadays from almost anyone. Fox has a large cash surplus and Mark, as well as any other exhibitor, has a price for hi J theatres. Fox Is still after the Maris houses and now there may be others after them also. Mark is not anxious to sell, but neither is be longer ambitious in the extension line, being wealthy and having one of the best picture house money makers (net) on Broadway In the Strand. Bdwin Carewe, who has been producing for First National for the past two years. It Is understood, will conclude his contract when he com- pletes making the "Sea Woman." Carewe has been a "box ofllce pro- ducer" for First National. All of his products have been profitable from the distribution end. He has had several offers from other organiza- tions and Is Considering them. It is said Carewe will make no' decision as to his future until he has conferred with Richard A. Rowland, expected In Los Angeles this month. On the coast there seems to be a Tery eommon-aense comedian of the films. His example might be followed by any number of others out there who are not comedians, nor males. Quite friendly with a young woman, also of pictures, the comedian eventually uttered hia ultimatum that the friendship so far as he was concerned must end; it would only result In talk If held to In the manner it was progressing, and that he did not Intend to be p«t out of pictures through any woman. That chopped it oft When Sidney Olcott took the first American company to Xurope 16 years ago to make "The Shaugran" for the Geae Gautler Players he had four people In the cast, among them a five-year girl, Doris Hollis- ter. The picture was made in Cork, Ireland, with tike extra people gotten locally for type and atmosphere. Iiaat week Olcott waa casting about for a girt to play the role of a "maid" in "The Best People." Among those sent to him was the grownup little girl be took to Cork. She got the Job. The largest orchestra ever employed In a leglt picture showing In ■few York will be used for "Siegfreid," the UFA special, which goes into Bill Plnkerton, comptroller at First National for almost fomr years, Is no longer with the organisation. Plnkerton came to the organization from one of the downtown banking houses when they needed a man that knew something about financing, and he did a lot of that for them. The house organ of the sales division of the organization a iew weeks (Continued on page 32) WIHE BETIBES Harrisonburg, Va., Aug. 11. Daniel P. Wine, for 21 years mari« ager of motion picture houses in this city, retired from the theatre business last week. Weinberg & Sacks, operators of motion picture theatres in Staun- ton, Lexington and Clifton Forge, leased the new Virginia theatre which Wine had been operating since 1913 for a term of 10 years. < Warners Loan Alice Calhoun Los Angeles, Aug. 11. Warner Brothers have loaned Alice Calhoun to Jesse Goldburg, who is to star her in "lightning Strikes," the first of a series of six society dramas to be made by Gold- burg for Independent release. In the cast supporting Miss Cal- houn will be Arnold Gregg, Gertrude Astor, Carl Miller and Jack Fowler. William J. Oaft will direct. Schulberg After Home Los Angeles, Aug. 11. B. P. Schulberg Is negotiating with Hal Roach to secure the serv- ices of James W. Home to direct one picture for him. FILM ITEMS The old Gaiety . theatre. Provl« dence, R. L, has reopened as Conn's City theatre, taking the name of Jacob (Jake) Conn, owner and man- ager. The same policy, second run, three change a week films, prevails as in the past. Monte Bine's next will be Tba White Chief," a western epic, whieh Erie Kenton wUl direct for Wa»> ners. Phn Klein, son ef Charles Klein, famous dramatist, has been s^ned as a member of the Warner scenario staff. Walter Moroseo, son ef Oliver and husband ef, Corinne Qriflitli, has also been given a position ta the scenario da> partment Key and Bpaolding have opened their new theatre at Braman, OUa. The Rex Theatre Ca wUI ereet a new theatre at Wewoka, Okla. (C Lyla and B. B.- James wVki shortly open their new theatre •• HoldenviUe. Okla. BILUE DOV£rANN^PENNINGTON-l TONY,'tbc> el Cowboy-^ofthclOildhOestWirim^cs infold iSp^n, ^ \ OPENS SUNDAY DI A I Xfl TH F ATR F ^'^^^ 6-42^«J?i AUGUST l^ih. IVlALlU inLAlIVL NEW YORK GITY "^ Hint, OrrpoxatlajL i: ,*<»