Evening Star Newspaper, March 21, 1926, Page 71

GRAY Rualto N ews ancl Comment By W. H. Landvoigt. HEN pictures fail, the people of the movie may be depended upon to furnish more or less interesting themes for gossip. The movic has reached its high station in the world of industry largely through gossip. Indeed, without the volumes said and written about it and its folks some of its most famous stars would never have emerged from the clouds of obscurity which hang between the world of ordinary mortals and the firmament of fame. And sometimes the clouds hang very low in the heavens, even after they have once parted to dis- close beauties that they soon obscure again. There are, however, some who have illuminated the atmosphere which hangs around the movie realm, who will bear analysis and who will always linger in the memory, even if they should fade from sight. ILL H. HAYS, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Dis- tributors of America, Incorporated, to give him his full official title, has just completed four years of very useful service in his present posi- tion, a period long enough to thoroughly test his value. He passed from the exalted position of a member of the cabinet of the President of the United States, in which history will write his worth, to the then maelstrom of art and industry known generically as the movie. In the brief space of four years he has made a grecater record than any who preceded him in that art or industry, as you will and many will believe even a greater record than he made as Postmaster General, for he has calmed the troubled waters, purified them in a large degree and made them a sea of calm and inviting delight. Furthermore, he has to a large extent eliminated many who were muddying those waters and quieted others who were rocking the boat. He has brought harmony and good, decent common sense to a situation which loudly demanded it, in spite of friends and foes, who did their best to prevent him. He has led where law failed to drive. % k Kk ¥ ERRY RAMSAYE, who is sometimes called the historian of the mo- tion picture industry, a man said to be not overfriendly to Mr. Hays and one who has the reputation of being very frank, is quoted as saying: “The Hays office cost the motion picture industry, and, thercfore, the public, about a half-million dollars a year. It is the biggest bargain since Thomas Edison spent $24000 inventing the kinetoscope in 1899.” * k kX HE old saw, “The reformer has a hard road to travel,” was never se fully exemplified and vindicated as in Mr. Hays’ cfforts to better con- ditions in Movicland. But Mr. Hays' methods have been not those usually smployed by so-called reformers. His work has been constructive through- out. He has been patient and long-suffering, even in the face of unjust calumny. And, strange to say, this calumny has come chiefly from re- ligious sources with which Mr. Hays had long been closely identified. But while he brought to his new work the high character and love of prin- ciple which had been distinguishing features of his life before, he alse brought the level head of a man of business, wonderfully endowed with common sense. And thereby he has been enabled to achieve much, very much that never would have been accomplished otherwise. The movie and all who are interested in it owe much to Will H. Hays. * % ND while paying tribute to perhaps the brightest light in the movie heavens of today, may not the epitaph of one who has recently passed the portals that lead into the Great Beyond be enriched by a kindly word of tribute and remembrance. Joseph Dannenburg, the guiding spirit of the trade publication Film Daily, which is known as “the Bradstreet of Filmdom,” and whose columns have generously contributed to the inter- esting news of the press from time to time, died March 10, following an operation for appendicitis. A man of forceful character and of eccentric literary style, “Danny,” as he signed himself, from his point of vantage on the leading trade publication of the industry, has always been the ex- ponent of principles and methods, both in the making and in the distribu- tion and exhibition of motion pictures, which will make of the movie what it should be some day. His friend.and business partner of 10 years dec- clares: “The world h lost a courageous, dominant personality, a beau- tiful character, firm in the strength of his convictions, forcefully honest in thought and still with the finer sensibilitics and sentiment of a woman.” He adds: “The motion picture industry has lost a sincere, constructive champion, a clear mind, a clean heart and a beloved confidant.” It is just such characters as this that are most needed today to make the movie all that it should be. ¥ ok kX HE heart of humanity is sick and tired of woe. And those who advo- cate the better life with black-bordered admonitions nced not be sur- prised to find counsel that should be given serious consideration flouted back with scorn, if not with laughter and indifference, when it is offered in that manner. The way of the world was never better illustrated than in its dealing with the hapless movie. And never has anything been a greater failurc. It was, indeed, good that common sense leaders came 10 the rescuc of what has proved to be universal entertainment for a eater audience than the world ever knew before. And now is the time f;r leaders, not for drivers, cven if the penchant for swinging the big ¢lub is so popular on all sides. The movie is still far from perfect, no one denies that, but the progress which is being urged upon it can best be chieved by the methods of men like Hays and Dannenberg than by those who persist in belaboring it with epithets*and harsh and unusual laws. FRO!\[ the Hays offices in New York comes the news that a prominent imember of the group that comprises the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America is about to undertake the production of “teach- ing films,” closely correlated with selected courses of study and in accord- ance with a definite educational plan for use in the schoolroom. This'is 10 be done in a broad, cxperimental way in an cffort to supply fitting pic- tures for the schools. Many of the schools throughout the land are al- ready utilizing the screen as a tcacher’s assistant in imparting to the juvenile mind what is now attempted to be done in seven or eight years of what one educator calls “pack-mule work” under old methods. In Birmingham, Ala., the report states, the children in the public schools al- ready are writing essays on historical and other 2ducational topics covered by motion pictures, with the-object of creatnig more interest in good] instcad of the ears n {ncolw Last Children's Program. THE last of the special programs for children, according to_an- nouncement from Mrs. Harriet Haw- ley Locher, director of the public serv- ice and educational department of the Crandall theaters, will bo given at Crandall’s_ Tivoli Theater Saturday morning, March 27, at 10:45 o’clock. The feature of the entertaipment will be Jackle Coogan’s amusing com- edy drama, “The Rag Man,” supple mented by short-reel comedies und other specially selected subjects. This has been the most successful season of childrens’ programs since their inception, and the juvenile bills will be revived next year. Sinclair Lewis’ “Mantrap."” ““M[ANTRAP,” the new novel by Sinclair Lewls, 15 to be trans- lated to the screen by Director Victor Fleming, and the picture will go into productfon April b, although “Man- trap” 19 not yet off the presd-and the book will not reach the public before Summer. It is said to mark a decided de- parture in style for the author of “Main Street.” “Babbitt” and “Arrow- smith.” It is a “different” triangle story, In which every one goes freo without damage, and in which the wompan, instead of “paying,” finds her own individuality and the road to inde- pendence through her experimentation with the admiration of the two men. A Shot at Short Skirts. EWS of importance—for Flo Zieg- feld, Mr. Holeproof Hosiery and a few other connoisseurs. “The world Is getting tired of ‘leg shows,’” says Alfred H. Green, First National director. “Why pay $2 for a seat, when one can stand on any crowded street car corner and see all the knee dimples he desires for nothing? Even that isn’t necessary; for there are plenty of dresses which were never meant to cover the dimples—and don't. “This year's motion picture produc- tions will show fewer lower limbs than ever before. Simply because one doesn’t have to pay to see them.” e Starts Big Circus Picture, 'ARL LAEMMLE has launched plans for one of the most pretentious circus pictures ever made in “Spangles,” from the pen of Nellle Revell. Barnes' entire circus has been leased for a month, including all tents, circus trains, private cars and mals. Practically the entire picture I be shot under the big top. In the leading role Pat O'Malley is w returning- to the scene of his earlier days, for before he entered pictures O'Malley was a tight wire walker and acrobat in a circus, Laemmle’s personal instructons were that this should be made the most ‘elaborate circus picture ever produced. LORIASWANSON Columbia photoplays cvening. ning. METROPOLITAN—"Three Faces cvening. TIVOLI—“Braveheart.” cvening. noon and evening. COLUMBIA—“The Untamed Lady.” Fannie Hurst, author of “Hu- moresque” and “Mannequin,” fis credited with one of the outstanding photoplay hits of Gloria Swanson's career in “The Untamed Lady,” a modern treatment ot Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” which, as directed by Frank Tuttle for Para- mount, will be shown at Loew's Co- lumbia this afternoon. Lawrence Gray appears as Miss Swanson's leading man in this ro- mantic and hoydenish story of a spoiled daughter of millions, whose ungovernable temper has ruined three matrimonial engagements prior to the time she meets her modern Petruchio in a young American busi- ness man who rescues her from a motor car in midstream, and, after a series of highly thrilling incidents, captures her heart. The -plcture is said to abound in flashing incidents. “The Untamed Lady” was adapted to the screen by James Creelman. Added attractions will Include Lige Conley’s latest laughmaker, “Light Housekeeping”; the International Newsreel and orchestral accompant- ment and overture. IALTO—Gilda Gray, “Hell's Four ™ Hundred.” Gilda Gray will appear in person at the Rialto this week, starting today, as an extraordinary attraction, in con- junction with the photoplay feature, “Hell's Four Hundred,” a screen adaptation of Vaughan Kester’s story, ““The JL“I“! and Unjust,” starring Mar- t Livingston. !I;': concerns a cabaret entertalner _— books and in good English. This is one of the great possibilities of the movie. And, as might be expected, Will H. Hays is co-operating to bring it to asuccessful realization. NOTFE * 3k LR report from the same ¥k source states that a weekly feature of the broadcasting service recently installed by the Paulist Fathers over their station WLWL is the McMahon, cditor of the National Catholic Welfare Bulletin of t who is giving constructive talks urging support of good outlining splendid results that have les A. city pictures and been attained through constructive motion _picturc talk by Cha work with the industry in developing the screen’s potentialities for good. Thus it will be seen that all the labors of the movie are not solely for entertainment and amusement, but there is much effort being put forth to make the movie a help to higher and better life also. If he lived to- day who said he cared not who wrote the laws of the land if only he might write the songs, he might sec a new light for good with the eyes pathways\to the soul. AL , B /5/ THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. 0, MARCH 2f, 1926—PART 3. Rop LAROCQURL Awbaswador At the Photoplay Houses This Week. RIALTO—Gilda Gray-“Hell's Four Hundred.” This afternoon and COLUMBIA—“The Untamed Lady.” Shown this aiternoon and eve- East.” Shown this afternoon and PALACE—"The New Klondike.” Shown this afternoon and evening. Shown this afternoon and evening. AMBASSADOR—“Three Faces East.” Shown this afternoon and CENTRAL—"Big Pal.” Shown this afternoon and evening. LINCOLN (Colored)—“Lady Windermere's Fan.” Shown this after- caught in the whirlpool of Broadway. Filled with the desire for luxury, she decides to marry money. Her disil- lusionment is said to make an intense- 1y powerful picture, with comedy that blends into the tragic element. The cast includes Harrison Ford, Wallace McDonald, Henry Kolker, Marceline Day, Rodney Hildebrand and Amber Norman. Gilda Gray, dancing favorite of two continents, makes her personal ap- pearance on the stage in an act that is a miniature Follics Bergere, beau- tifully costumed and Jighted, with a company of six of the prettiest girls on the New York stage. | Gilda is said to claim that she ac- tually is the first person to present the Charleston dance on any stage. K was Gilda who popularized the South Seas in America. In fact, anything tropical with a palm-leaf background has been her forte. These dances are included in Gilda’s repertoire at the Rialto this week. In addition, there is an artistic Polish dance, especlally arranged by Michel Fokine, the fa- mous Russian ballet master. The overture will be selections from “The Student Prince.” The Interna- tional News and other short pictures will be shown. concert by the Rialto Symphony Orchestra, with an ensem- ble of 40 musicians, conducted by Mischa Guterson, will precedo the regular performance today, starting at 2 o'clock, with a Tschaikowsky pro- gram. METROPOLITAN—“Three Faces East.” A plot as mystifying as that, say, of “The Bat” is plomised t.tt'crni dall’s Metropolitan Theater this week, beginning this afterncon, in Rupert Jullan’s picturization for Cecil B. De Mille of Anthony Paul Kelly’s “Three Faces Kast,” a film version of the sensational stage play. In addition, Bobby Vernon's reel comedy, and the Metropolitan World Survey will be shown, and an elaborate musical pro- gram is promised by the Metrapoli- tan Symphony, Davis, Emile Smith and Nell Paxton on grand pianos and the triple-man- ual pipe organ. “Three Faces East” concerns & young feminine secret service op- erative whose allegiance it is impot (Continued op Fourth Paged together with Milton | ROBERT AMES The Moving Picture By Robert E. Sherwood FREQ(,'E!\'[‘ alluslon has been made, in these columns, to the general excitement surrounding the opening of a new super-spectal movie in New York. In the past few months T have reported many such events, in- cluding “The Big Parade, “The Merry Wido “La Boheme” and ‘“Ben- Hur,” and I have done my best to describe the crowds in attendance. While these functions were all notable in their way, it is only when 2 Douglas Fairbanks production is re- vealed that the mob really turns out in full force. Those who are still suf- fering from bruises, abraslons and lacerations received at the recent world premiere of “The Black Pirate” will testity that T don't exaggerate {when I say that the jam of people in and about the Selwyn Theater estab- | lished a new record for congestion. Of course, a Doug Falirbanks picture on the screen {8 a considerable attrac- tion in {tself; but when it is supple- mented by the presence of the agile Doug, in person, accompanied by his talented wife (also in person), the situation becomes practically intol- erable. Outside the theater, in Forty-second street, the entire population of New York was gathered, with the whole New York police force on hand to quell the rioting. It was an uneven | struggle, with the police coming in {second best. | When Doug and Mary drove up in a long gray Rolls-Royce the cheers were deafening, and were acknowl- edged in truly royal style by the happy palr. Inside the theater was another howling mob of enthusiastic citizens, who were fortunate in the possession of tickets or standing room admission. Perhaps six of these people had come to see the picture; the other 3,000 had come to see the crowned heads of Hollywood. Before the picturs, during the inter- migsion and at the end, they surged down the aisles to gape at the box in which Doug and Mary were nervous- 1y ensconced. Nor did they neglect the other celebrities who chanced to be present. Three flappers happened to spot Adolphe Menjou, who was sit- | ting with his brother in the center of |a row. They instantly rushed for him, trampling several women and chil- dren under foot as they surged for- ward—and all for the sake of his auto- graph. Your correspondent produced a blank check and asked Mr. Menjou to autograph that, but he graclously declined. So much for the incidental hysterics, which seem to be an inevitable fea- ture of the birth of each new. picture. * k% % As for “The Black Pirate,” the os- tensible excuse for all the delirium, it is a huge success. It has all the quall- ties of romantic thrill that have en- livened Dou pictures in the past; it has also a pictorial beauty such as the screen has never before known. “The Black Pirate” was photo- graphed in the Technicolor process, which was used in “The Toll of the Sea,” *“Wanderer of the Wasteland" and in various shorter films. Up to now, this Technicolor process has never been particularly successful, due to its insistence on the more violent reds, oranges, vellows and greens. All the color plctures that I have seen previously have been trying to the eyes and confusing to the ecnses. “The Black Pirate,” however, marks « definite advance in the development of this new movie medium. Its tints are deliberately subdued, so that the most brilliant color in the entire film is the glowing bronze on Doug’s well tanned skin. There is nothing startiing, offensive or disturbing in the color scheme; it is perfectly modulated. The result is a serles of scenes of inex- pressible beauty, invigorated with a considerable degree of dramatic strength. The story concerns a young Castil- fan duke, who, with his father, is sail- ing the Spanish main when pirates board his vessel to plunder and kill with proverbial piratical fury. The duke and his father swim ashore, but the old man fails to survive the ordeal; so the gallant youth, fired with the de- sire for revenge, enlists with the pi- rates and proceeds to punish them, one by one, for thelr misdeeds. There is every known variety of ac- tion in this melodramatic tale, culmi- nating in a scene wherein Doug and his stalwart supporters swim under water to attack the pirate vessel—like so many human U-boats stalking their prey. * K K K Doug Fairbanks is his usual ani- mated self, somewhat grimmer and more serious than usual, perhaps, but still incredibly agile and alert. Need- less to say, he performs all manner of acrobatic_antics in the rigging of the ship, and uses the rapier with his usual deadly skill. The heroine is impersonated by Miss Billle Dove, who hasn’'t much of any- thing to do; the principal pirates are played by Anders Randolph, Sam De Grasse and Donald Crisp. Albert Parker directed “The Black Pirate,” and is entitled to a large share of the credit. He and Doug Falr- banks have collaborated before; they work extremely well together. “The Black Pirate” is a grand ple- ture—another legitimate triumph for a star who has earned the world's es- teem. * ok k& It is probable there will be a wave of religious pictures next year, simi- lar to that which followed ‘The Miracle Man” . . . They'll have to run out of stories about the ‘war some time , , . Marion Davies, on her return from New York, will “The Red Mill,” one of the famous Victor Herbert musical comedies . . . Harry Langdon has completed his first star comedy, “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," and has proceeded with same toward the Atlantic coast. 1f John Gilbert had been standing in Times Square last week he would have seen his nmame on the electric signs in front of three Broadway thea- . He is starring in “The Merry at the Capitol; in “La Bo- at the Embassy, and “The Big Parade,” at the Astor ... Mr. Gflbert, unfortunately, missed this treat, he being in Hollywood at work on his nrx‘t‘”plfllll.. “Bardelys the Magnifi- cen - (Onmishe 000 o oot and E JETTA GOUDAL- Metropolitaic N A TSy RuTH MILLER Cettral Filmog rams. Marshall Neilan is to direct for I'a- mous Players-Lasky “The New Enchantment,’” a picture featuring Georgette Le Blanc and Jacques Catelain, has made its appear- ance in New York. Douglas MacLean's next picture for Famous-Players will be called “Ladles First,” not “Ladies’ Night.” 1t is denled by Paramount authori- ties that Clara Bow is to enter the service of Sued Film Co. of Munich. Condolences and tributes on the death of its famous editor, Joseph Dannenberg (“Danny”), have been re- ceived by Film Dally from every direc tion, at home and abroad, and from all walks of life in the motion picture industry. Banner Productions has started a picture called “The Millionaire Police- man,” with Herbert Rawlinson and Eva Novak heading the cast. John Barrymore is soon to start work on “The Tavern Knight,” Rafael Sabatini’s story, under the direction of Alan Crosland, for Warners. Colleen Moore already has begun work on “Ella Cinders,” with Lloyd Hughes as her leading man. Sinclair Lewd atest, is belng scenarized by Adelal bron and will be directed by Victor Fleming. Ottawa is reported to be successfully carrying out its law forbldding the admission of juveniles to {ts picture shows unless accompanied by their parents or guardians. Ernst Lubitsch has selected Patsy Ruth Miller to play the feminine lead in his next production, “Revillon,” with Monte Blue opposite. Willlam Fox has =signed George Sidney to play the title role in his picture, based on the Warfleld play, “The Auctioneer.” ‘The Motion Picture Theater Owners of America, as an organization, is sald to be antagonizing the proposed luw to close picture theaters in the Dis- trict of Columbla on Sundays. Virginfa Valll has been signed by Fox for three pictures, the first to be “The Family Upstairs.” Roxy has gone for a tour through the Canal Zone to California for a rest and will not return to the big city until May 1. Joseph Jackson, publicist and play- ‘wright, has completed for Universal the screen adaptation of “The Big Gun,” by Richard Barry, which will be produced on a large scale in co- operation with the Navy Department, it 1s announced. The story shows in dramatic way the progress of a bov from ordinary seaman to commlis- sloned officer. Al Wilson, intrepld pilot of the air lanes and sensational stunt flver, has been signed by Assoclated Exhibitors to star in a series of eight aviation features. Florence Ulrich, sister of the tal- ented Lenore, has been engaged by the Western Star Productions, Inc., to play the leading feminine role in support of Bill Cody in “The Gallop- ing Cowboy.” Billie Dove, instead of Mary Philbin, is playing the leading feminine role in Louis Weber's production, “The Star Maker.” A visit to Los Angeles which de- veloped into a motion picture career is the experience of Barbara Worth, pretty Charleston, W. Va., girl, whom Carl Laemmle has engaged for a role in “The Love Thief,” featuring Nor- man Kerry and Greta Nissen. Melville Brown, who is directing Laura La Plante in “The Big Night,” recently engaged 400 extras to work from midnight until. dawn making scenes in a prominent Los Angeles theater. Universal's great picture, “The Flam- ing Frontier,” will have its premier in New York March 25 at midnight. Photoplay exhibitors generally, it is sald, have set apart April 8 as “Inter- national Laemmle da; in honor of the twentleth anniversary of the presi- dent of Universal Pictures. Martha Ostenso’s novel, “Wild Geese,” 1s said to have been purchased for movle production. It may be of interest to some one to know that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer an- nounces a renewal of its contract with Mae Murray. Dixie Harkins, well known In vau- deville and later understudy to Rosetta Duncan in “Topsy and Eva,” will make her ploture debut in “There You :‘re" at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer stu- os. The stage play, as they call them now, “The Book of Charm,” is to be picturized as “The Boy Friend,” with Monta Bell as director and with Mer- celine Day, John Harron and Gertrude Astor in the cast. Marcel de Sano is to direct Renee Adores, Ralph‘Graves and Pauletto Duval in Donn Byrnes' magazine story, “In Praise of James Carabine.” ‘Al Lichtman's initial offering as pro- ducer will be a feature-length com- edy, “Oh, Baby!” with “Little Billy, known as “the vest-pocket actor” and new to the screen, co-featured with Madge Kennedy, Crelghton Hale, Ethel Shannon and others. George Jessel is to be starred on the screen In the Aaron Hoffman play, “The Cherry Tree.” Dolores del Rio, the Mexican girl who was brought here last year to play in “Joanna,” has permanently ted this country as her home. Her rise in plctures-has been very rapid. She is to play the leading role in Fd- win Carewe's picture, ‘“Pals First.” Oarey Wison, well known. ariten i the country, has been signed to ite scenarios and to edit for Iirst National. “The Lying Truth,” au unpublished play by Ralph Spence, who wrote “The Gorilla,” and “The Shelk of Flor- ida,” a short story by G : Worts, have been pu sereen production by First Nationals West Coast units. “The clothes I tear are torn before I tear ‘em; the shoes I wear are worn befors I wear ‘em,” sings Colleen Moore, who is being outfitted with ragged, second-hand clothes to in the gooty part of “Ella Cin Harry Langdon appears as an in fant of 6 months, Lis own son, i “Tramp, Tramp. Tramp,” his firs: feature comedy for First National. Hal Roach has signed Mabel No: mand for one short comedy in serles that has exploited Theda Rara, Lionel Barrymore, Claude Gilling water, Ethel Clayton and other nota bles, for release by Pathe. Mabel be gan in the Vitagroph and Blograph days, but has “‘come back' more tha: once since then. Dorothy Phillips, who I a college girl, says other girls ha Just. much chance in emotional roles college girls, as emoting is not a mat ter of brains or education, The art of advertising, which 1 ceved its big boost in the theater vis the Shubert curtains, may now clain Harry Houdini, the handcuff king and Edna Wallace Hopper, the eter nal flapper, as its leading artists. Hal Roach’s kids, known as “Ou Gang," want to give Farina a water melon party when he returns to screen work, but they can't find the watermelons. Ben Turpin recently completed a: the Mack Semnett studio the camers work on his first comedy for Patls which he has made in many menths but the news report does not give fte name. Jean Jarvis, who plays the adven turess-smuggler in “Casey of the Coast Guard,” had her first prepara tion for a melodramatic career in the San Francisco earthquake and pol ished up with much experience in Mexico during its revolutions not so long ago. Monte Banks has been signed by Pathe to star in a_series u(‘?o&lur» fun films to be made on a more pre tentious scale than any of his previ ous comedy sensations and with thrilis galore. Cecil B. Reynolds being an vrow,” whi adaptation of “Sunny Du h Donald Crisp will direct “Hell and the Way Out," produ and financed by the League of tions Non-Partisan recently shown in pal Church, New York. was written by Dr. Jumes ssoclation, was Its scenaric Shields Universal s to star lanra 1. Plante in Madge Kenneds's play, ware of Widow i _Frank Tuttle whe directed Glor Swanson in “The Untamed Ladv. was forced to work from @ wheel chair, due to a friendly little wrestling mateh with Richard Dix during the time they were making “The Luck: Devil” at Lakewood, N. J.. severn weeks before. A badly injured le: resulted. Gloria Swanson, who has perform ed queer stunts in the name of photo play art, fs said to have gone int the engine room of & yachit and helped stoke the furances for a scene in “The Untamed L _Lila Lee, whose mi iage to James Kirkwood was thought to have closed her screen career for all time has been won back to the camera and appears in Tom Meighan's mnew Florida romance, “The New Klon dike.” Lila says she is just as much enamoured of matrimony as ever. but that it is nice to get back in harness once in a while and hear the old, familiar war cries of the director, Waring's Pennsvlvanias, now en their way F Ly gradual stages after almos ir on the Paeific Coast, and augmented to @ total strength of 18, but still under the conductorship of Fred Waring, with Tow Warz as solist and planist will be heard in the near future at Crandall's Metropolitan Theater, where they scored their first Wash- ington hit. Bankers Bought Him Out, OL LESSER, ono of the colorful personalities in the film world, as a distributor, producer and exhibitos still in his early thirties, will soon re- tire from the industry after an ac |I|_w eer in the business for over 7 years, He has been one of the guiding forces in the upbuilding of the West Coast -Chain, is about to complete deal whereby his interests in the West Coast properties will be pur- chased by a syndicate of bankers headed by Hayden Stone & Co., act- ing in concert with a group of fran- chise holders and important offictals of First National Pictures, Inc. Lesser’s holdings comprise 25,000 of the 140,000 sharcs of stock. The ¥Fox Film Corporation owns approximately n one-third interest in the 169 theaters. The chain wus incorporated about five years Sol Lesser aud Gore Brothers, Lesser's @ in the motion pleture - e world is interesting. Upon th ing ashes of the with $1,000 borrowed from a friend, he built the second motion picture theater in that city. He prospered and sought new fields to conquer in the state rights market. His energetic handling of “The Birth of a Nation,” “Cabiria.” “The Spoilers” and other Dbig pictures won him a reputation as one of the most astute showmen in smolder 2 St. Luke's Episco ,