Variety (Mar 1927)

Wednesday, March 16, 1927 PICTURES VARIETY IS 1ST ANNUAL M. P. EXPO BUST ALL 'ROUND Screen Paper's Publisher Re- ported Behind It—Sure Thing Gambling Wheels Rung In American History Films Loi Angeles, March IS. Storiea founded on episodes in American history appears to be M- O-M's policy for their new "action" star. Col. Tim McCoy. His next picture will deal with the expedition of General Kearney Into California in 1846. It's an original for the screen by Peter B. Kyne. Los Angeles, March 15. Hollywood's first annual motion picture exposition held at the Am baaaador Auditorium will probably b* the last promoted by interests Independent of the picture produc tlon organizations. Klwood Dillin, who claims to have staged similar expositions, sold the Idea to Tamar Lane, publisher of a local screen paper, that an exposi- tion would be a great idea for the community. Lane seemed to agree with him, but none of the picture producers did. A result was that some 20 odd exhibitors at (150 and less for the week took space to show what they wanted people coming to a picture exposition to see. There were exhibits from beach clubs, country club promotions, safety razor sharpeners, eyeglass xnolsteners, household supplies, shawl dealers and a few of people who cater to the picture field by Belling supplies and accessories. The exhibits, however, did not till half of the hall and the place looked rather bleak. An admission charge of 50 cents was asked, with folks not taking it seriously. On the first day some 200 passed through the gates, about the same number on the second, 350 on the third and around 250 on the fourth day. Most of these people came on passes still more utilizing a ticket which allowed them in for 25 cents. The promoters were obligated to pay $2,400 rent for the week with full money forthcoming on the open- ing day. However, it was not, as only some $1,900 had been paid in advance and Dillin was using as much cash as he could collect the first few days to add to the amount. On the third day the Hollywood "News" had an attachment on the box office for $100 in printing and a marshal spent the idle moments With the cashier, who was trying to satisfy the claim. Used the Gimmick Things got quite desperate dur- ing the middle of the week, so nickel and quarter gambling machines Were brought into a corner of the hall. A Variety man tried his luck against the gimmlcked machines, which when they paid discharged •lugs that were non-negotiable. After he had lost a few nickels and quarters a man who seemed to have something to do with it vol Unteered the statement that the profits from the machines would go to the Motion Picture Relief Fund The Variety man Inquired who had charge of this, and he was told that Dillin and Harry Burns, editor of the Hollywood "Filmngraph" had it In hand. Burns informed the Variety man that he knew nothing about this ar rangement and did not think any one else did. It is said that the fellow operating the machines was taking a chance on getting by and Was to give the promoters of the exposition a percentage of his sure- fire take-In. Lane, editor of the film sheet, is ■aid to have guaranteed the salary of the press agent for the exposition as well as bills of some who ex tended credit. Dillin stated he had gone into the proposition on the promise of Lane that the entire motion picture in dustry would be behind the pro Ject, as he realized it would be futile to attempt It otherwise. He says that Lane did not come through. Dillin also states that he had no cognizance of the presence of the gambling machines and that he was not participating in any of the profits. ALMA RUBENS IN LEAD Los Angeles, March 15. Alma Rubens, recently at odds with Fox, has signed with United Artists to play the feminine lead In "Two Arabian Nights," a post- war comedy. William Haines, Louis Wolheim, DeWitt Jennings, Michael Vlseroff and Boris Karloff are in the cast. Fields' "Timid 8oul" Loa Angeles, March 15. W. C. Fields' first picture for F. P. L. at the west coast studios will be "The Timid Soul." Gregory Ia Cava, who will di- rect, wrote the story. Jack Hoxie's Stepfather's Gets Life Sentence Los Angeles. March II. Scott C. Stone's sentence of hanging; for the murder of two young girU here about a year ago was commuted to life Imprison- ment by Governor C. C Toun«- on the day set for his execution. Stone was known hero aa the step-father of Jack Hoxle, picture actor. When interviewed by news- paper men at San Quentln Prison, Stone made the statement that Hoxle Is not a step-son but his own son. He stated that hla wife's maiden name was Hoxle and that the son's real name is John Joshua Stone. He also said he has another son In the movies under the name of Alton C. Stone. When Jack Hoxle waa asked about the statement made by Stone he declared that a man In such an upset condition as Stone was likely to say anything. He stated that Stone was his step-father, but had been divorced from his mother for a number of yean. He admitted his mother's maiden name was Hoxle, and that waa aa much as he knew of hla father, who is dead. He had only one name—Jack Hoxle, which he waa using In motion pictures. Further he refused to discuss the matter by saying he wanted to keep aa far out of the limelight In con- nection sible. ARMY LIFE COMEDY Los Angels, March 15. Although they have not yet re- leased their first war comedy First National has purchased "Aenease Amerlcanus," a "Liberty Magazine" story by Elliott White Springs, to make another laugh picture based on army life. The first war picture teamed Charlie Murray and George Sidney. George Weeks Returning Los Angeles, March 15. George Weeks, general manager of Famous Players-Lasky short subject department, after a ten-day sojourn at the local studios discuss- ing product for next season. Is en route to New York. JUNES' "WHITE PANTS" Los Angeles, March 15. Johnny nines' next starring ve- hicle for First National will be "White Pants Willie." adapted from Elmer Davis' Liberty Maga- zine story by Howard Green. Kerry Clarke and Peter Milne. The story was purchased from Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer by C. C. Burr. Production will start about April 11 at the Tec-Art Studios. Gouldina Returns to Coast Los Angeles, March 15. Edmond Goulding, who showed the students at Columbia Univer- sity, New York, something about the art of motion picture produc- tion and acting, has returned to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. He will shortly start directing an original story which he has written. Newmayer and Denny Los Angeles, March 15. Fred Newmayer has been placed under contract by Universal to di- rect Reginald Denny In a picture to be madt from an original story by Edwin Justus Mayer. In production May 2$. Actual Box-Office Reports prove that ROSSON ON "YOUTH" Los Angeles, March 15. Richard Rosson will direct "Rolled Stockings," to be Famous Players' "youth" picture, with James Hall and Louise Brooks in the leads. Rosson replaces Monte Brice, originally assigned to direct the production. N. Y. to L. A. Arthur Hornhlow. L. A. to N. Y. George Leslie Smith, i'urtzel. has swept to the TOP RANK of money makers His first two pictures are listed in the first ten of the "Box-Office Ticker" de- partment of the Exhibitors' Herald that's why SOMEWHERE in SONORA his latest hit, has been booked into the country's largest first run houses. Kathleen Collins Adapted from Will Leving- ton Comfort's novel, "Some- where South in Sonora." Adaptation by Marion Jack- Presented by Directed by Produced under management of CHARLES R. ROGERS ALBERT ROGELL HARRY J. BROWN IT'S A FIRST NA TIONAL WESTERN SPECIAL!