Gish will not join Griffith – Hollywood Vagabond (1927)

 

Gish will not join Griffith – Hollywood Vagabond (1927)

  • Hollywood Vagabond – by Fred W. Fox, Billy Joy (1927)
  • The Quality Filmpaper
  • Volume 1, 1927

Welcome Home!

It was early morning. Fog hugged the rooftops and the sun cast a sickly yellow haze on the streets. A small group of people clustered near the tracks outside the railway terminal. The minutes seemed like hours.

Soon there was the clanging of a bell and the train shuffled under the bridge, the long row of cars rumbling to a stop with a creaking of wheels. Doors opened. People tumbled forth. Mr. D. W. Griffith, one of the most famous personalities among the world’s most famous personalities, alighted. The small group of people clustered around him. Mr. Griffith had come home after eight years.

The group seemed so small in the vastness of the railway terminal. Yet it was early morning and perhaps many who should have been there were only yet arousing from slumber . . . however, Mr. Griffith had come home after eight years. A man who had given the years of his life to incessant toil that a creative art might be greater. Welcome home!

David-Wark-Griffith-and-Billy-Bitzer.jpg

Bitzer Rejoins D.W. Griffith

Billy Bitzer, regarded as the ace cameraman of the film industry, has rejoined D. W. Griffith here at the United Artists studio. Bitzer first attained widespread prominence with his photography on “The Birth of a Nation,” the first big Griffith film.

“D, W,” Decides To Decide Once Again

D. W. Griffith has upset all of our office bliss. Just when we thought we had him safely tucked away in the Pathe fold, out comes the word that he will rejoin United Artists, as he originally said. We are somewhat at a loss as to what comment to make on all of this. For whatever may be said, it is possible “the chief” will not decide until his name is on the dotted line and he is headed for Hollywood. That Griffith is at the crucial point in his career, all are willing to admit. Our only hope is that his next affiliation is a happy and prosperous one. D. W. Griffith deserves much from the industry. Let us hope he gets at least a small share of what is due him.

Shooting a scene from Way Down East

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Now at Top of Money

In a story printed in a recent issue of “Variety,” New York theatrical journal, “The Big Parade” is credited with rolling up a gross of $6,000,000 and a net profit of $2,000,000.

Second place is held by “The Covered Wagon,” James Cruze’s production for Famous Players, with approximately $1,700,000 to its credit; third place to D. W. Griffith’s “‘Way Down East,” with $1,350,000, and fourth place to C, B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” which has netted about $900,000 on its roadshowings.

No mention is made of Griffith’s “The Birth of a Nation,” which is understood to have been the biggest money-maker to date. It is a moot question whether “The Big Parade” has passed the early Griffith opus, but, at any rate, the record is claimed for the Vidor picture.

ANNIE LAURIE, Norman Kerry (links), Lillian Gish (Mitte), Direktor John S. Robertson, am Set, 1927

Gish will not join Griffith

Hollywood has been buzzing with the rumor that Lillian Gish, ethereal screen star, would rejoin D. W. Griffith, master director, who first tutored her in the ways of the silent drama.

Such is not the case, according to notice from the United Artists publicity office which declares that Griffith has already arranged for his next three films at that studio, in none of which Miss Gish will appear.

Miss Gish, who has been drawing a salary of $10,000 per week as a star for the Metro – Goldwyn – Mayer organization, will not renew her pact with that company, according to well-founded reports.

Although the pronunciamento from United Artists has a note of finality about it, the wiseacres in Hollywood reassert that the Gish- Griffith reunion is near at hand and that the fair Lillian will once more star in pictures under the direction of Griffith.

Niblo (left) Lillian Gish (center) – The Enemy – behind the scenes

The other day we met the Man from “Merry – Go – Round.” Norman Kerry said his favorite role, of all the parts he has played in motion pictures, is as leading man to Lillian Gish in “Annie Laurie.” “Annie Laurie” is of such recent origin that it has not yet reached the public.

But we hope that the work of Norman Kerry is vested with as profound a beauty as that which characterized the Man from “Merry-Go-Round.”

Lillian Gish will make “The Wind” next instead of Channing Pollock’s “The Enemy.” Lars Hansen will play opposite and Victor Seastrom will direct. Production is under way on “The Wind,” starring Lillian Gish, at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Lars Hanson is leading man and Victor Seastrom is directing.

Director Victor Sjostrom, cameraman and Lillian – “backstage” The Wind

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