UNIVE
yOL.32 NO. 19
EEKLY
APRIL 22,1933
Radial little quern
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Get Set for Universal’ s Gala Revival of the Most Glorious Musical Ever Produced!
KING
New
Technicolor Prints !
with
PAUL WHITEMAN
and his band,
JOHN BOLES, BING CROSBY, JEANIE LANG, Grace Hayes, William Kent, Russell Markert Dancers — and scores of other stars of stage and screen. Di- rected by John Murray Ander- son; Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
I
GRAHAM McNAMEE
The favorite of millions broad- casts for only one newsreel and that's the Universal. Put Graham McNamee to work for you by advertising him regularly as one of your
2 = - .. - UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = April 22, 1933
HOW TO MAKE MONEH
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No. 719 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
If I owned a theatre and didn't have any connection with any producing company. I'd use the Universal list of pictures as the backbone of my money-making efforts.
Rome Express" did business in spite of an earthquake.
In Los Angeles at the Filmarte Theatre the regular gross was doubled while the business in other theatres was shaken to pieces by the earthquake. It's a Universal.
"Private Jones" is just nothing but a knockout enter- tainment wherever it is shown. Lee Tracy at his best.
It's a Universal.
"Be Mine Tonight" is raved about by the dignified, staid, careful, cautious P. S. Harrison. He said, "I have not felt so much pleasure, so much thrill, as I felt when I was looking at this picture." It s a Universal.
"The Big Cage" makes all previous animal pictures look silly. The unexpected and accidental fight between the lion and the tiger will make your palms sweat. It's a Universal.
April 22, 1933
Carl Laemmle’s 27th Anniversary Celebration = 3
IN MOVIE THEATRES
'They Just Had To Get Married" is one of the richest laugh pictures ever made. Slim Summerville and ZaSu Pitts are the scream of all screen teams. It's a Universal.
"Out All Night" is another Summerville-Pitts team pic- ture which will make the hardest boiled egg in the world crack with laughter. It's a Universal.
j
"Cohens and Kellys in Trouble" is a scream from start to finish, easily the funniest ever made by George Sidney and Charlie Murray. It's a Universal.
"The Fighting President" is the timeliest picture of all time. A feature which will start your blood boiling with enthusiasm and patriotism. It's a Universal.
"The Kiss Before The Mirror" is a class picture with Haney Carroll, Frank Morgan, Paul Lucas and Gloria Stuart, directed by James Whale. It's a Universal.
If you have not tied up with Universal, it is just too bad.. The man whose business is dying on its feet needs a blood transfusion. Inject Universal into your system and find out how to make money in the movie business!
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big-space Ads. Like These Cot The Crowds For the N.Y. Paramount
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Plenty of new-angle ads. are available to YOU for putting over this Universal Special. See your press book!
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April 22, 1933 — -e Carl Loemmle’s 27th Anniversary Celebration = 5
Senator Tom Connolly
OFFICIAL WASHINGTON GIVES "BE MINE TONIGHT" A ROYAL WELCOME
Congressional, diplomatic corps and Capitol so- ciety give premiere of “Be Mine Tonight” at Rialto Theatre a gala quality in honor of its international flavor and musical character.
Senator Joseph Robinson
A society and diplomatic group including, from left to right. Miss Laura Eckengren, Miss Helen Delano Robbins, Mr. James Mitchell, Jr., and Baron Chichester, of the British Embassy.
General and Mrs. George Simons and their daughter Marjorie, snapped as they left their automobile in front of the Rialto Theatre.
EMBELLISHED with the appointments of a typical Hollywood film opening and honored by the pres- ence of cabinet, diplomatic, political and social notables, "Be Mine Tonight," the outstanding musical picture of the season made its debut last week at the Rialto Theatre, Washington, D.C. There were gala crowds, ermine wraps, high hats, lights, giant spotlights flooding the theatre facade with silver brilliance, reporters, camera and sparkling anticipation to mark the event.
"Be Mine Tonight," is the film that critics have hailed from preview showings as the finest musical production ever brought before the camera. The Premiere night's audience seemed to agree completely. Applause and even cheers greeted the film's glorious numbers and the audi- ence walked out humming "Tell Me Tonight."
The social significance of the opening was comparable to a grand opera premiere and among the "first nighters" were: Secretary of War and Mrs.
George H. Dern, Senator Elmer Thomas, Senator and Mrs. Alben W.
Barkley, Senator Tom Connally, Sen- ator Joseph Robinson, Mr. and Mrs.
Stephen Early. Representative and
Mrs. Fred Britten, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Ellis, Representa- tive and Mrs. Sol Bloom, Judge Mattingly and Mrs. Mat- tingly, General Pelham D. Glassford, Mr. and Mrs. John Caswell, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John Whelan, the Misses Cath- erine and Marguerite Hebert, Representative Charles Kramer, Mr. Backer and Mr. Offerdahl of the Norwegian Legation, Miss Helen Robbins, cousin of President and Mrs. Roosevelt, Mr. James Mitchell, Baron Chichester of the British Embassy, Signor Augusto Rosso, Ambassador of Italy, Mrs. Arthur MacArthur, Miss Mary Elizabeth MacArthur, Commissioner Herbert B. Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred P. Thom, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Walker, Miss Louise Harrison Gwynn, Mr. and Mrs. Jouett Shouse, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Calvert, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Druary, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Crittenden Calhoun, Mrs. William Fitch Kelley, Miss Martha McClure, Brigadier General and Mrs. Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lloyd As- pinwall, Mr. Wiley Post, the world flier, Mr. Edward G.
Van Devanter, Senator Millard Ty- dings, Representative Stephen Gam- brill, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Kauffman, Minister of Czechoslovakia and Ma- dame Veverka, Lieutenant Alexender (Continued on Page 10)
Congressman and Mrs. Sol Bloom. The J\ew York representative was congratu- lated on all sides for his superb direction of the Washington Bicentennial.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark Griffith of the Washington Ball Club.
A Magaxlna for Motion PIctura Exhibitor!
Paul Gullck, Editor Published Waakly by tha Motion PIctura Waakly Publiihlng Co. 736 Fifth Avanaa. Naw York City] Copyright 1333 Univarsal PIctura! Corp.
(AU Rights Rwaraad)
April 22, 1933 Vol.32— No. 22
action1, action \ action \
-• i-
—that’s the slogan oi—
Ti«ieliest V1 Oi All TiItie
UNIVERSAL SPI
The Timeliest Picture Of All Time!
A UNIVERSAL SPECIAL
Wires William Mack, General Manager, Tower Theatre, St. Paul, Minn. "Heartiest congratula- tions for bringing before public "The Fight- ing President" the most interesting pic- ture of all times in my estimation. Boxoffice happy days are here again for sure with the man of the hour in a picture like this."
The man of the minute . The picture of the minute!
prksimot
Thrilling ! ^
Dramatic ! ^
The Timeliest Picture of All Time-A UNIV. ersal special
Hk
fighting
PRESIDENT
The Timeliest Picture of All Time!
FIGHTING
[PRESIDENT!
action !
action !
action !
—the Keynote of the timeliest pic- ture of all time .
A UNIVERSAL SPECIAL
e Man of The Minute...
The Picture of Th0 Minute !
On these two pages are reproduced some of the compelling newspaper ads available on this great picture. Full line of accessories includes peach of a box-office 24-sheet and other paper; lobby displays, etc. Get your copy of the press sheet NOW and exploit this timely feature properly!
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A Box-Office Picture!
10
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
April 22, 1933
RADIO SHORTS filled with STAR NAMES
Universal captures cream of ether waves in its series of two- reelers being made by Rowland and Brice.
Waller Winchell, appearing in “I Know Everybody and Everybody’s Racket,” “ Beauty on Broadway” and two other productions.
Next week we will give you the names of hundreds of first run thea- tres which have run the Winchell pic- ture.
Morton Downey has brought to the screen a number of personalities like the composers Lew Brown, Ray Hen- derson, Dave Dreyer and Joe Young; orchestra leaders like Vincent Lopez, Jack Renard and Freddie Martin; and announcers like Norman Broken- shire, James Wallingford and John S. Young. Other names prominent in the Radio shorts are Arthur Tracy, Buddy Rogers, Little Jack Little, Irene Beasley, the Boswell Sisters, Sherlock Holmes, Alice Joy, Sally O'Neill, Nick Stuart, Nils Granlund and Abe Lyman.
Morton Downey, star of four two-reelers, each filled with many of radio’s great names.
AS the production schedule on the Rowland and Brice two-reelers progresses, names of the great and the near-great in radio pile up in these Universal radio shorts. The Walter Winchell feature already re- leased has established records for two-reelers for bookings, for attend- ance and for enthusiastic enjoyment on the part of the audiences. Win- chell even includes the name of the great star, Paul Whiteman, in his cast with Art Jarrett, Jack Fulton, Ruth Etting, Irene Taylor and Joan Castle.
+ + +
“Be Mine Tonight ” Hailed
( Continued from Page 5)
McCone, Mr. William McCracken, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Sidney F. Talia- ferro, Minister of Albania Faik Kon- itza, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Trowbridge Tittman, Mrs. Leon Arnold, Mrs. Martha Whitcomb, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Hurley, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lee Boatwright, Jr., Mr. A. V. Dalrymple, Director of Prohibition, Mrs. J. Edgar Hoover, Senator Felix Herbert, Mr. Frederick Morton, Mr. John Reyburn, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Vidal.
The Ambassador of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Muhtar, the Ambassador of Great Britain and Lady Lindsay; the
IT’S A LAUGH!
Robert Benchley, one of the world’s greatest humorists, doesn’t know any more about Technocracy than 110,000,000 other people.
So lie tells us all about it in
“Your Technocracy and Mine”
O A UNIVERSAL SHORT •
Ambassador of Cuba and Senora de Cintas, the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Stanislaw Patek, the Ambassador of Italy, Signor Augusto Rosso, the
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Secretary to the President Stephen Early and Mrs. Early
College Humor Praises “Destination Unknown ”
"Destination Unknown" is the ex- periment in idealism — the novelty of the month. A crippled rum cruiser, minus its captain and with a crew demented by tormenting thirst, drifts helplessly until The Stowaway ap- pears, heals the sick, calms the war- ring crew, and guides the ship safely to harbor, where he disappears. Ralph Bellamy gives a restrained, el- ectric performance as The Stowaway.
Larry Reid
* * *
Minister of Switzerland and Mme. Peter, the Minister of Finland, Mr. Axel Leonard Astrom, the Minister of Greece and Mme. Simopoulos, the Minister of Sweden and Mme. Bostrom, the Minister of Norway and Mme. Bachke, the Minister of Crech- oslovakia and Mme. Veverka, the Minister of Roumania, Mr. Charles A. Davila, the Minister of Denmark and Mme. Wadsted, the Minister of Can- ada and Mrs. Herridge, the Minister of Ecuador and Senora de Zaldum- bide, the Postmaster General and Mrs. James A. Farley, the Secretary of Agriculture and Mrs. Henry A. Wallace, the Secretary of Labor, Miss Frances Perkins.
With MAUREEN O'SULLIVAN, Andy Devine, Frank Albertson, Jobyna Howland and Maude Fulton. Story by Homer Croy and Vernon Smith. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by George Stevens. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
12 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Apr;ir? |933
Famous Artist Illustrates No. 28
HAT do you think of a man who can eat twelve pounds of spa- ghetti, seven tons of hot dogs, three quarts of ice- cream and seventy hard boiled eggs, all in one day? Besides that, Joe Raggio, who already weighs 800 pounds, drank a gallon of coffee and three quarts of water. Joe lives in Philadelphia, but he hasn't been out of his house in fifteen years.
When he went into the house, the doors were okay, but Joe is so top- heavy now that the doors are too small. No tailor, no matter how hard up he was, would get a break if Joe gave him an order for a suit of clothes. It takes eight yards of cloth to make one pair of trou- sers for him.
E. L. Blystone of Ardara,
Pennsylvania, is the world's most accomplished trick penman. In "Strange As It Seems" No. 28, this amazing writer is shown in an astounding feat.
Strange as it seems, he writes 2871 separate and distinct letters in ink on a single grain of rice.
"Strange As It Seems"
No. 28 discovers a new kind of food. It is rattle- snake meat. George End of Arcadia, Florida, puts up this delicacy in cans which sell for $1-25 per.
He says that there is a good demand for it and that it is very palatable indeed.
There is a huge wine cellar at Guasti, in California, to which this number of "Strange As It Seems" takes its huge audience. Here it shows under a microscope the forces of bacteria which are responsible for fine wines. It also shows Marius Bianne, its first-string wine taster. Bianne can tell
at a taste the exact alco- holic content of every wine.
The Soba boys of Tokyo combine a number of va- rieties of dexterity in their profession. Soba is a Jap- anese form of spaghetti. It is made from Buck- wheat. However it cools off very quickly. It is a favorite dish in Tokyo and most everyone orders it from the restaurants and has it delivered hot at the luncheon or dinner table. The remarkable boys who are called Soby boys de- liver huge trays of the steaming soba on bicycles. The trays they balance on their shoulders, while they thread there way through heavy traffic and at top speed.
"Strange As It Seems" also shows you Lionel Bill- brook of Bremen, Ger- many. Early in life certain glands in Lionel's face started to work over-time and now his face is cov- ered with several inches of long hair. He looks very much like a lion. In addi- tion to these scenes, which John Hix has drawn there are scenes in the Vatican where the Pope has established a remark- able industry. He has re- vived the ancient mosaic art of the thirteenth cen- tury. We are shown also a wood-chuck in hibernation. The wood-chuck hibernates like a bear. Strange as it seems, he can be dug out of his hole in the middle of winter without disturbing this all-winter sleep, but the minute he is brought into a heated room, he wakes up and crawls out of the blanket in which he has been wrapped, and starts to look around for food.
Hi6h/i6hh in Uniuersa! s
As It Sed
?AlATA?LE rattlesnake MEAT IS CANNED 6EOR6E END IN ARCADIA, (r flORiDA
Remarkable and interesting people and facts collected by John Hix , famous artist , and shown in his daily and weekly newpaper cartoons form ideal entertainment for theatre audiences . l\o. 28 of Universal’s “ Strange As It Seems ” is filled with engrossing oddities. John Hix has person- ally prepared this illustration for Universal Weekly. We will send reproduction on request.
The Biggest Star Names in the Radio World Are Yours in
UNIVERSAL’S RADIO SHORTS
4 TRACT
PRIVATE
JONES
With GLORIA STUART, Don- ald Cook, Emma Dunn, Shirley Grey, Frank McHugh, Russell Gleason, Walter Catlett.
Here's what it's doing, according to Variety: "San Francisco — should get a very big $17,000" . . . "Lincoln, Neb. — Topped the town" . . . "Tacoma— good $4,000 indicated" . . . "Seattle — Getting the lights and the money for good 4,500" . . . "Boston— Win- ner for $12,000" . . . "Washing- ton—Getting repeat". . ."Cincinnati —$14,000, very oke."
J
14:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
April 22, 1933
Handsome Tom Tyler and beautiful Gloria Shea have the hero and heroine roles in “Phantom o fthe Air,” Adventure Pictures fifth serial of the current season. It will lake off in a blaze of glory early in May.
“PHANTOB
Photo Thrills
It is being photographed by John Hickson, who has had plenty of ex- perience in photographing air pic- tures. He will need all of his expe- rience to photograph this serial. One reason is because it has the fastest airship in the United States, which will be used by Tom Tyler in many scenes. This airship was flown by Col- onel Roscoe Turner in the recent Am- erican air championship and it won the east-west trans-continental flight without even a close second. Colonel Roscoe Turner himself plays an im- portant part in this serial. In addition to that, he acts as air advisor on the dangerous and thrilling air scenes with which "Phantom of the Air" will be filled to over-flowing.
WHEN Adventure Pictures starts out to make a serial, it lays the ground-work by providing the great- est amount of thrills which can be packed into twelve episodes. "Phan- tom of the Air" is the stirring title of the fifth and final serial of this season. It stars Tom Tyler and has a new lead- ing lady in Gloria Shea. Others in the cast are Hugh Enfield, newest discov- ery of Carl Laemmle, Jr., Colonel Roscoe Turner, who holds the east- west trans-continental airplane rec- ord; William Desmond, Nelson Mc-
This is America’s fastest plane. Colonel Roscoe Turner won last year’s speed championship in it. It is being used for the first time in pictures in “Phantom of the Air.”
Dowell, Leroy Mason and Sidney Bracey.
"Phantom of the Air" has already gone into work at Universal City un- der the direction of Ray Taylor. This in itself is a guarantee of the high quality and thrilling nature of "Phan- tom of the Air." Ray Taylor has al- ways produced results. Every episode of a Ray Taylor serial is sure to leave its audience gasping. The general preparation of this serial is of course under the immediate charge of Hen- ry McRae, associate producer in charge of serial production at Uni- versal City, the story by Ella O'Neill, with contin- uity by Basil Dickey and George Plimpton.
A New Objective
Every serial story has to have some- thing to fight about. "Phantom of the Air" has plenty. The objective in this serial is a secret invention called the Contragrav. This is a newly invented device which is designed to overcome the effect of gravity as it applies to airplanes. In the hands of the hero, it is a useful invention which will save many lives and prevent many acci- dents which are now inevitable. In the hands of the cruel gang which is attempting to steal it, the Contra- grav would surely imply the absolute control of the air by an unscruplous ring. To keep the Contragrav from falling into the hands of this power- ful, merciless gang is the object of the en- deavors of Tom Tyler.
April 22, 1933 - Carl L aemmle’s 27th Anniversary Celebration —■■■ 15
OF THE AIR’’ PACKS THRILLS
euvers. One of the remarkable scenes in "Phantom of the Air" is a phan- tom airplane operated by remote control, engaged in a terrific battle with another plane operated by smug- glers. The end of this battle is a col- lision, both planes falling and burst- ing into flames.
Colonel Turner, air speed champion of the United States, who plays an important role in “Phantom of the Air,” using the plane in which he broke the east-west air flight record.
The Air Pirates
The inventor is William Desmond, whose daughter, Gloria Shea, is an air enthusiast. Her air tutor is Leroy Mason. All unknown to her, he is the head of the ring of air pirates whose daring plan is to secure control of the air not only in the United States but all over the world. It is Gloria herself who unwittingly tips off Mason to the wonderful invention which her father has patented. Mason witnesses an exhibition of her racing maneuvers in the air as Desmond pilots a driver- less plane controlling it by his new invention, the Contragrav, from a little laboratory on the ground. No wonder he is filled with envy, greed and a relentless determination to se- cure this invention. It is the one thing his crowd needs to complete its se- cretly planned control of the air.
A Phantom Airplane During the course of the serial, there are many of these astounding man-
Bill Desmond demonstrates the Contragrav to Tom Tyler and Gloria Shea. The Con- tragrav is an apparatus which overcomes the law of gravity. It is the invention which is the bone of contention in this fifth Adventure Pictures serial for 1932-33.
Thrills in Episodes
In another episode, the hero, a captive in a speed boat, grasps a rope ladder dangling from a rescuing plane and swoops overhead to safety at one hundred miles an hour. In the same episode,
Tyler drops from this rope ladder into automobile in which his sweetheart is being off by the pirates of the air. A stunt which is very seldom tried is transfer- ring a man from one airship to an- other in mid-air. This is one of the feats which will be attempted by Tom Tyler in this serial. As an added thrill, when Tyler gets into the second plane, he finds in it a time bomb which has been left by the air pilot who bailed out.
Another stunt which will be tried is fitting a new wheel to an under-car- riage which has been damaged in a take-off. All of which go to show that
Hugh Enfield, Universal’s latest candi- date for fame, plays his first Universal role in the Adventure Serial, “Phantom of the Air.”
"Phantom of the Air" is likely to set a new standard for thrills.
Fastest Airman
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
i April 22, 1933
POPULAR DEMAND BF MUSICAL TRIUMPH,
Jeanie Lang’s Career 1
IEANIE LANG'S career began in "King of Jazz." The reason Jea- nie Lang is one of the most popular of broadcast artists today can be found in the fact that her beauty and cute style of singing were so remark- ably demonstrated in "King of Jazz."
Jeanie Lang was born in St. Louis.
After a few discouraging attempts on the stage, the Langs went to Cal- ifornia for a visit. One of the stunts of a California visit is to go to Uni-
Bing Crosby, who sprang to fame because of his performance in “King of Jazz ” and who is now one of the biggest names in radio and moving pictures.
FOR the last year, Carl Laemmle has been convinced that music was going to play the dominant part in forthcoming pictures that it was en- titled to play. As soon as he was con- vinced of this, he immediately set about finding what kind of musical pictures theatre-goers wanted to see and which ones of the past Universal
musical productions they would like to have revised. To his gratification, there was an overwhelming response not only in favor of musical pictures but absolutely demanding to see "King of Jazz" again. This response came, of course, largely through the channels of the Saturday Evening Post, in which Mr. Laemmle asked his question of the public. The re- sponse was so overpowering that it was not in any way to be denied. That is the primary reason why "King of Jazz" will be re-cut, re-edited, and re-printed for distribution by the middle or the latter part of May.
Added Features
In re-cutting "The King of Jazz," a number of considerations will be taken into account at Universal City. In the first place, "The King of Jazz" was such a monumental production that its original cutters had not the heart to bring it down to the footage which most theatres demand. The new version of "The King of Jazz" will be within the average theatre's length requirements. While this will elimin-
Exquisite scene from the John Boles number, “It Happened in Monterey,” one of the most artistic settings ever built for moving pictures, and one of the most enlivening songs ever written for a film. It was composed by Mabel Wayne.
The Sisters G, imported especially from Berlin for this Paul Whiteman “King of Jazz” revue.
ate many priceless scenes, the result will be a general tightening up and pepping up of the tempo. It will also give an opportunity to lay emphasis on certain of the newer players, that is, players who were subordinate at the time "King of Jazz" was made but who are now on the top of the heap. Furthermore, a number of scenes which were crowded out of the original version may be used now to replace some of the outmoded "black-outs" of the original.
April 22, 1 933 eeeeeee Carl Laemmle’s 27th Anniversary Celebration ==19
INGS BACK THAT KING OF JAZZ”
Jeanie Lang welcomes the new expression of liberty in this country, althought this huge stein was devised to emphasise the diminutive size of this little radio starlet who made her debut in “King of Jazz.''
It Made Many Stars
"King of Jazz" made stars. Many of the stars who are featured players of radio and the screen today can trace their start to "King of Jazz." Bing Crosby was one of Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys and apparently con- tented in that situation until "The King of Jazz" disclosed unusual qual- ities in this clever group. Bing Crosby
gan in “King of Jazz 99
versal City. Paul Whiteman was there making "The King of Jazz," and Jea- nie was introduced to him. The Jazz King was greatly impressed with the cute voice and personality of the studio visitor. Paul Whiteman showed her how to sing into a microphone for the first time in her life. She did it so well that he asked her to do a number, and Jeanie Lang was made. 75,000 fan letters came to her as a result of her work in this production.
leanie Lang and Paul Whiteman in a scene from th< Rugmuffin Romeo number of “King of Jazz.”
has bounded to star- dom both on the radio and in moving pictures since that time. Harry Barris is another of the Rhythm Boys who has done exceptionally well for himself, although in comedy roles rather than as a singer. Al Rinker, the third mem- ber of the Rhythm Boys is also catch- ing on and is likely to be heard from this year.
Jeanie Lang and Nell O'Day Jeanie Lang began her popularity and virtually her career itself in "King of Jazz." It was a chance visit that brought her to Hollywood, but it was her own personality that induced Paul Whiteman to put her in "King of Jazz." Nell O'Day also profitted ex- plicitly from "The King of Jazz." Some of the pictures in which she has been featured and starred are "Rack- ety Rax" and "Smoke Lightning." Be- fore this great musical picture, Nell O'Day had been merely a vaudeville
performer. Jack Fulton, who is now one of Paul Whiteman's best-known soloists, and whose songs have been featured in a number of Rowland and Brice productions, is another who has rapidly come to the front since "King of Jazz."
The music for "King of Jazz" was composed by George Gershwin, whose "Rhapsody in Blue" is drama- tized for the first time in the picture, and by Jack Yellen, Mabel Wayne and Ferde Grofe. The sets and cos- tumes were designed by Herman Rosse, the entire production under the direct supervision of John Mur- ray Anderson, and produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
Huge scene which was used for the final and overpowering number of “King of Jazz,’
entitled The Melting Pot.
with
LUIS TRENKER
VILMA BANKY
Victor Varconi. Directed by Curt Bernhardt and Luis Trenker. Pre- sented by Carl Laemmle.
A UNIVERSAL SPECIAL
The sensational drama of the daughter of aristocracy who forsook her family for an out- law love . . . with a TERRIFIC CLIMAX that will leave you gasping!
Says the Hollywood Herald: "All the technical workers in Holly- wood should see The Rebel/ This offering is 'great movies' . . . con- tains much of the most remark- able camera work ever screened . . .There are two great sequences that make this a fine film. One is a remarkable chase over moun- tain tops, with some twenty sol- diers trying to shoot or capture the hero. The other is a battle sequence which is climaxed by the rebels turning loose upon the marching soldiers, plodding along the road far below, many carefully prepared 'avalanches/ . . . a never-to-be-forgotten spectacle . . . Great stuff for any audience anywhere . . . GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!''
‘Out All Night’ Is Hilarious Slap
By REGINA CREWE,
Motion Picture Editor, New York American
This second venture of the newly teamed comedians, Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts, far more successful than its predecessor, proves to be a rol- licking farce retaining many of the gunniest features distin- guishing the two-reeler school and that of the interrupted honeymoon genre. It contains _a lot of laugh* presented with rather boisterous slap-stick hi- larity and a sprinkling of naughtiness with at least a 3.2 kick. All in fun, and pretty \ good fun, too. . „
Mr. Summerville, Universal s topless tower, is introduced as the ' molly-coddled son of a med- dling mamma. Indeed, Slim is \ 'something ot a ttttle Lord/
Fauntleroy, which is a ludi- l
crously laughable idea to kefifa1 1 with. The plot, to dign^y it. / deepens when Mr. Summerville \ falls victim to the gentle pas- sion upon encountering Miss
Pitts- an unwilling spinster in charge of an Infant checking department ip a big store. Be- fore Slim is called tor by h * mother, the young people have reached an understandihg which leads to a semi-shotgun marriage when they are acci- dently imprisoned • in a bea- room of the furniture section
lifama Goes A long ,
On Honeymoon Trip
Mamma traipses along in a Niagara Falls honeymoon, and succeeds in causing the bride to desert her husband; But a friendly adviser comes to tne rescue with a faked abduction that arouses the manhood and sends him ram paging to the defense of his dream-girl, so there’s a happy ending to all this mirth-provok-
jnQonsense.^^ ^ Migs
"The funniest of the Pitts-Summerville misad- ventures. ZaSu and Slim all season hare been haying harrowing difficulties as the romantic leads of feature-length comedies. Those which pursue them in 'Out All Night' are the funniest they have encountered. As usual, much of the fun is centered in the bedroom, in honeymoons, in pullman sleepers. And it is hilarious. .
— Bland Johaneson , New York Daily Mirror.
With Laura Hope Crews, Shirley Grey, Alexander Carr, Mae Busch. Story by Tim Whelan. Screenplay by William Anthony McGuire. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Sam Taylor. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
SUMMERVILLE
24
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
April 22, 1933
Best Newsreel Made
Harry Spiegel, Pres. & Mgr.
M. E. Comerford, Secy’ & Treas.
FAMILY THEATRE Scranton, Pa.
February 28th, 1933.
Universal News,
730 Fifth Avenue,
New York City.
Dear Mr. Anderson:
I have been playing your “Universal Newspaper News” for the past two years and can say without any fear of contra- diction it is the best News made. McNamee means money in our box-offices and so does your News. Keep up the good work. With best wishes, I am,
Yours very truly, (Signed) HARRY SIEGEL
Motion Picture Herald
Quotes Exhibitor Praise
BACK STREET: Irene Dunne, John Boles — Any exhibitor who has passed this up is cheating his patrons out of something really good. It is a picture that people tell their friends about. Played Mar. 20-21 — A. N. Miles, Eminence Theatre, Eminence, Ky. + + +
NAGANA: Tala Birell, Melvyn Doug- las— A great big lot of entertain- ment. Different from ordinary stories. Should go over in most any theatre. — Ned Pedigo, DeLuxe Theatre, Gar- ber, Okla. General patronage.
+ + +
CLANCY OF THE MOUNTED: Tom Tyler, Jacqueline Wells — If you play serials, don't miss this one. Splendid story that holds attention. Wonder- ful photography. The best chapter play for many moons. It fills my show two days a week with real people too. — Ned Pedigo, DeLuxe, Garber, Ok. ♦ + *
LOST SPECIAL: Frank Albertson, Ernie Nevers — Who said that the day of serials was gone? That is not so in this town, as they eat them up. I have been running them for six months and the business picked up about 50 per cent the first week, and has held al- most steady throughout. Very good. — Edward L. Ornstein, Vernon Theatre, Mt. Vernon, Ky.
UNIVERSAL HA
Ask The Man Who Runs Them If ] ;
WESTERN UNION
MB9 50 NL 2 EXTRA— ST PAUL MINN 9 CARL LAEMMLE, PRESIDENT
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPN 730 FIFTH AVE NYK HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS FOR BRINGING BEFORE PUBLIC FIGHTING PRESIDENT THE MOST INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL PICTURE OF ALL TIMES IN MY ESTIMATION STOP BOX OFFICE HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN FOR SURE WITH MAN OF THE HOUR IN A PICTURE LIKE THIS SURELY UNIVERSAL CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY-
WILLIAM MICK GENERAL MANAGER
TOWER THEATRE
POTTER GIVES "BE I
AAAAA
By MERLE POTTER In the Minneapolis Journal
“Be Mine Tonight’’ is, without any exception, the best musical film that I has been brought to the screen.
It is sheer delight, gay, inconsequen- tial, full of movement and zest, as fresh as a bright morning after a shower, contains no trace of anything even conveying a hint of bad taste, has pleasant comedy, is lively and in- triguing without being risque in any i degree. The music is glorious, the photography exquisitely lovely and the cast splendid. I would literally drown you in superlatives could I ade- quately describe this picture.
I’m afraid you must muster what faith you have in me and accept my recommendation blindly unless you prefer to wait until you can interview someone — any who has seen “Be Mine
“ROOM MATES”
Two couples, both with pasts, on their honeymoons choose the same hotel. That gives a tremendous kick to this
UNIVERSAL reel COMEDY
April 22, 1933
Carl Laemmle’s 2/th Anniversary Celebration = 25
S THE PRODUCT
m Want The Truth About Pictures
Broke All House Records
WESTERN UNION
199 Apr 19 AM 12 17
MB477 37 NL-MINNEAPOLIS MINN 18 E T GOMERSAL UNIVERSAL NYK
FOURTH DAY OF SHOWING BE MINE TONIGHT WORLD THEATRE BROKE ALL HOUSE RECORDS PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE FROM ELEVEN THIS MORNING TILL ELEVEN TONIGHT LOOKS LIKE PICTURE WILL PLAY FIVE WEEKS ALL MINNEAP- OLIS TALKING ABOUT PICTURE
FRANK MANTZKE
MHE TONIGHT" 5 A s
Tonight” — for confirmation of the laudation found here. Probably you will not recognize the name of a single person in the entire cast. They are all foreign singers and entertainers. I understand that Kiepura is one of the world’s most celebrated operatic ten- ors and has been favorably compared to Caruso. I know that his voice — the one heard principally — is superb, and it is equally easy to discern that Mag- da Schneider (if she gets to Holly- wood, that name will be altered, you can lay a wager on that), has been very popular in German films.
I could go along indefinitely in this same vein — tell you about the beauties of the scenery, of the partial perfor- mance of “La Bolieme” that is a part of the picture, of the laughable antics of the crook, splendid choruses — but I should weary you.
After all, you will see the picture, if you want to be especially good to you. Just let me add that all restraints are off in recommending “Be Mine Tonight.” It is an entertainment for everyone. 'v
“ Mr. MUGG”
Jimmy Gleason was just a mugg, but his night out as pro- fessional chaperone to the beautiful Dorothy Christy makes a great
UNIVERSAL 132 COMEDY
It s Simply Great CRITERION THEATRE
Bar Harbor, Maine
February 22nd, 1933
Universal Film Exchange, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Herman:
In response to your recent com- munication as to how we liked the new moving subtitles in the Universal McNamee Newsreel, let us go on rec- ord as saying that we feel it’s simply great.
We always were strong for Univer- salsal News, because in it we felt we always got the best of News, we got Graham McNamee, we use the Mc- Namee introduction trailer and our public likes it. They ask for it and have on occasions phoned about it. They understand it and as it meets up with every requirement of a first class newsreel, we use it in preference to all others. When something is done to inject new ideas, new novelties into it, we appreciate it.
Yours very truly,
Richard J. Wellman, Mgr.
May Photoplay Magazine , Reviews Three Universals
“The Kiss Before the Mirror”^— Suspense and interest are present throughout this novel and gripping story. Paul Lukas murders his faithless wire; and when his friend and attor- ney (Frank Morgan) discovers that his own wife Nancy Carroll) is untrue, he plans the same crime. Both men are fine, but Nancy Carroll somehow seems miscast. Walter Pidgeon, Glo- ria Stuart, Donald Cook, and Jean Dixon offer several good bits.
+ + +
“The Big Cage” —
The story of an animal trainer who saves a circus from going broke by building an act using twenty lions and twenty tigers, together at the same time. Excellent animal stuff, and price- less circus atmosphere Clyde Beatty thrills all as the trainer and others in cast good.
+ + +
“Out All Night” —
You'll laugh, gigle and chuckle at the ridiculous plight of two love birds who have to honeymoon with mama right along. Slim Summerville, a pam- pered mama's boy, falls in love with ZaSu Pitts, marries, and finally with the aid of friends breaks away from mother's apron strings.
CASE
CLYDE BEATTY
ANITA PAGE — ANDY DEVINE — VINCE BARNETT — MICKEY ROONEY — WALLACE FORD — RAYMOND HATTON. Story by Clyde Beatty and Edward Anthony. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Kurt Neumann. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
A UNIVERSAL SPECIAL
Daylight Saving — Midnight Thinking !
WITHIN a few days they'll be changing the clocks — and your yearly daylight saving troubles will be around again! Daylight saving! Mid- night thinking! There are many ways of beating the problem. You've thought up some yourself. Maybe the other fellows' ideas will help a bit. So we're reminding you of a few of them:
Have you re-arranged your show schedule to offset the change in time to permit showing of the feature at the best hour? .■
Have you thought of advertising your new show schedule so that your patrons will know that you have set your schedule to fit their conven- ience?
Have you thought of running a few added short subjects to fill in the extra time before dark?
Perhaps an extension of one hour on the afternoon price schedule will
be an added inducement for many people to come earlier.
Have you thought of the fact that in the early hours of the evening when the folks are sitting on the front porches or taking strolls down the block, you have a "hot-spot" time to flash them with a ballyhoo remind- ing them of your show? A very neatly decorated small truck, carrying your picture program for the evening, running through the RESIDENTIAL SECTION of your city will bring you excellent results and help counteract the daylight saving handicap.
Now that pleasont weather is at hand, more outdoor billing will help to get you more business. Wherever the people turn they should see your advertising.
There are many other ideas which you yourself have in mind to help this situation. The BIG IDEA is to get them OILED UP NOW and ready to put in effect quickly! JOE WEIL
"NAGANA" $100 PRIZE WINNERS
We are happy to announce the winners of the "Nagana" Exploitation Contest which closed last week.
Here they are:
First Prize $50.00 — Roy Cooper and M. M. Mesher of the Sterling Chain Theatres, Seattle, Washington.
Second Prize $25.00 — John Joseph, publicity director, State-Lake Theatre, Chicago, III.
Third Prize $10.00 — Jay Golden of the RKO Palace Theatre, Rochester, N. Y.
Fourth Prize $5.00 — J. Lawrence Schanber- ger, Keith's Theatre, Baltimore, Md.
Fifth Prize $5.00 — K. A. Grimes, Warner Theatre, Morgantown, W. Va.
Sixth Prize $5.00 — Leo Young, Isis Theatio, Lynchburg, Va.
Congratulations for your good work! The campaigns were splendid. A few lines of appreciation, too, for the many other fine campaigns submitted. Even though all of you could not win, there is real satisfaction in knowing you put over a picture in show- manship fashion. Thank you all for your cooperation.
THE JUDGES
N. Y. PARAMOUNT GIVES "BE MINE TONIGHT" CAY, COLORFUL FRONT
L. H. Dally, manager, and J. D. Mclnerny, publicity manager of the New York Paramount theatre, are responsible for this bright front for "Be Mine Tonight." Much of the poster art has been adapted for the panel decorations. The large drums featuring the tite on both side panels are equipped with flasher lights, while the giant title over the centre is illuminated from the back. Valances were strung from sides of marquee and "critic" cards were placed over center hanger.
98 :=UNIVFRSAI- WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION EE April 22, 1933
SHOWMEN GOLDING, ALBANY — "LONE STAR" GRANDJEAN, AND FRANKE, ST. LOUIS, DO THEIR STUFF
LOU GOLDING, manager of the RKO Palace Theatre, Albany, N.Y., put over his campaign for "The Big Cage" with real circus exploitation. His advance lobby display was a semi-circular cage in which he placed cut-outs of the animals on the 24 sheet. On the front of the cage he used the enlarged Beatty affidavit. This same idea was used during the run of the picture on the front of the house, with a cage on each side of the entrance. Across the entrance he spelled the title out in giant letters and illuminated them with trick light- ing effects.
On opening night the radio broad- cast ballyhoo record was used over station WGY during the best fifteen minute period, 6:45 to 7:00 P. M. The Junior Film Guild, a local organ- ization, officially approved the pic- ture as suitable for children and sent out special letters on it to its mem- bers. Their endorsement was used in the regular ads. A classified ad con- test with the Times-Union netted the engagement several extra display ads and daily publicity stories. A wide billing of 24 and 3 sheets, many of them illuminated, and large news- paper space, completed the cam- paign. Al Nathon, Universal exploi- teer, assisted.
Lou Golding’s advance lobby display for “The Big Cage” at the RKO Palace Theatre ,
Albany, N. Y.
REACTION TEST AT ZOO GETS SPACE FOR BIG CAGE" CAMPAIGN AT ST. LOUIS
E
MIL FRANKE, manager of the RKO Missouri Theatre, St. Louis,
TELLING TEXAS ABOUT "PRIVATE JONES'
Sound-equipped ballyhoo truck used by L. H. Grandjean, publicity director for the Rob and Roicley theatres in Texas, for his campaign on the “Private Jones” road show engagements over the circuit.
arranged for an odd experiment at the local zoo that netted him several columns of extra publicity for "The Big Cage."
Through the co-operation of the director of the St. Louis Zoo, news- paper reporters and photographers were invited to witness the reaction of several zoo lions and tigers to the roars of the lions and tigers in the fight scene from "The Big Cage." The reel in which this fight occurs was taken to the zoo and the sound amplified in front of the various cages with a variety of interesting results. The newspapers gave the gag feature stories and published photo- graphs of the zoo animals listening to the film.
Franke used the special broadcast ballyhoo record, made several tie-ups on the book and arranged for a city wide plug on the jig-saw puzzle bv a large chain of drug stores. Ralph Ravenscroft, Universal exploiteer, as- sisted on the campaign.
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ONE REEL
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30 — — I tNIVFR9AI WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION = . — April 22. 1933
FINE BALLYHOO FOR "BIG CAGE" IN L. A. LIVE LION-RADIO-SOUND TRUCK ASSIST!
Street ballyhoo cage in which a man wrestled with a lion. Used in campaign for “ The Big Cage” at the Warner’s Western and Beverly Hills Theatres, Los Angeles.
AS part of their splendid cam- paign for the dual run of "The Big Cage" at the Warner's Western and Beverly Hills Theatres, Leon Levy and Harry Maislish, arranged to have Colonel Roscoe Turner's lion, "Gil- more," attend the initial performance in person. "Gilmore" stepped up to the box-office with his master, pur- chased tickets, and entered the theatre followed by a mob of several hundred children.
Another ballyhoo used in the cam- paign was a sound truck covered with circus style billing. It trailed a cage in which a man and a lion wrestled. This covered the city making quite a sensation, particularly at the schools where circus heralds were handed out.
The night before the opening a half hour radio show was broadcast over station KFWB using the radio ballyhoo record and building up around it with members of the cast and the director telling of the thrills of making the picture.
Taking advantage of a current news-reel shot showing movie stars putting together a 24 sheet jig-saw puzzle on "The Big Cage," the War-
ner managers added a coming card in all prints showing in local Warner houses.
The lobby was decorated with one sheet size enlargements of produc- tion stills, while circus-tent banners,
carrying the title, were used on the marquee edge. A newspaper ad campaign, featuring large space, and wide poster billing completed the campaign. Ben Westland, Universal exploiteer, assisted.
Colonel Roscoe Turner’s “flying” lion, “Gilmore,” attends the Sound equipped ballyhoo truck and part of the front decora-
initial performance of the “The Big Cage” at Warners Western tions at Warner’s Western Theatre l Los Angeles, for 1 he
Theatre, Los Angeles. Big Cage.
Business-booming Ads From Washington!
>yt'* music*.
thrilling * n motion j
srtainment *
* * * A new discovery i picture ent<
astash*1
GAY as a French Love Affair Tantalizing as a Midnight Rendezvous . . Electrifying as a Kiss in the Dark . . . !
CARL LAEMMLE hat the honor to present
me INTERNATIONAL HIT
It's it different from any picture that's 9onc before as yesterday is from tomorrow. It's the one really new note that's been struck on the screen Since the advent of talkies.
Last timestoday --CAROLE LOMBARD m-» VIRTUE"
IF YOU LOVE LIFE . . . DON'T MISS ITJ
STARTS
Tomorrow
— GAY as a French love affair!
-TANTALIZING as a mid- night rendezvous! -ELECTRIFYING as a kiss in the dark!
lUNM.ftkmObK,
STARTS SATURDAY
NfWJHRILlS. .AKJ ACCLAIM THIS INTtftr NATUMAl SENSATION
The picture that will give you a new grand and glorious feeling! . . . The picture that will send you away with a smile on your lips and a song in your heartl . . . The picture with the stars you don't know now — but never will forget after you see them I
» tumviim tin«u 1 ‘brrlrf Ay (UK UOCMU
Jk Um Ml b» e«Mp*M4 wills M9 picture that's lOMkfort It’s totally diflWani . V DELIGHT- FULLY DIFFERENT K> ■tore Hum a motion picture IT'8 A GRAND EXPERIENCE!
fA UNIVERSAL PICTURE Presented by CARL LAEMMLE
Last times today -CAROLE LOMBARD ^"VIRTUE"
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"Be Mine Tonight" is held over for a second week at the Rialto. These ads helped to do it. Actual sites are 3 column x 8 */4 inches; two columns x 6; single column x 5'/4 ; single column x 4^2 and double column x 7.
32
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION = " " E 'April 22, 1933
YOUNG GIVES "NAGANA" FLASH FRONT IN FINE LYNCHBURG CAMPAIGN
^EO YOUNG, manager of the Isis Theatre, ^Lynchburg, Va., gave the city one of the most attractive fronts it has seen in yeais as part of his campaign for business on "Nagana."
Aga inst a background of palm fronds on either side of the front, he placed cut-outs of the animals on the posters, and sets of native shields and spears. Display lines were used on the face of the shields. In the centre he placed a three sheet cut-out of Tala Birell, faced with a panel on which was the title and the line: MORE DREADED THAN THE JUNGLE BEAST! Over this cut- out he hung giant cut-out letters to spell out the title. Each letter was studded with electric lights. In the front panels Young used the special three sheet featuring the "see" lines.
Young also gave "Nagana" one of the best all-around campaigns the city has seen, hitting it from all angles.
BROWN DROPS COFFIN FROM TRUCK AND - MUMMY COMES TO LIFE
|^0 N C. BROWN, manager of Brown's
Theatre, Snohomish, Wash., believes that showmanship pays in a small town just as much as it does in the larger cities. Witness his sensational stunt on "The Mummy." During the busiest part of the day he had a truck drive into the centre of the town's main street and drop a coffin right in the middle of the road. The curious and excited population rushed over to see what had happened and got quite a thrill when the thing opened and out poped a mummy! The crowd was speedily reassured, however, as the "mummy" passed out heralds ad- vertising Brown's show!
For "Nagana" Brown rigged up a mech- anical shodaw box with a lion's head that shot forward and then retired behind some tall grass. The eyes were equipped with flasher lights that came on as the head lunged forward. The box was used on the front where it attracted wide attention.
USE
TO
THIS
PEP
ATTRACTIVE HANGER YOUR FRONT!
Beautiful, die-cut hang- er, lithographed in two colors, each side, on extra ply die-cut card- board. It makes a very attractive decoration for your marquee edge and your lobby. The overall size is 12x17 inches.
Suitable for use in store window displays
and other strategic spots around town. De- livered to you complete with string ready for hanging. No fuss or bother! Priced low so that you can order in quantities. 12c. each singly, 10c. each in lots of 25 or more.
ORDER FROM UNIVERSAL EXCHANGES
SELLS BOOK AND FILM
THRILLS ,n*.'
The
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Speed tsf your sncatal reaetitoa. It m my be pUytd ahme a • - - - •
HE CENTURY CO. ■ 353 Fourth Avenue NtW YORK
Reproduced above is the three column, ten and a half inch ad run by the Century Company, publishers of the book, in the book sections of metropolitan newspapers. Notice the proportion of space devoted to "The Big Cage" in comparison with the other books, and how the Universal picture is also given a plug. This book is enjoying great popularity with the result that book stores everywhere are pushing it with big displays and ads. Take advantage of this when you play The Big Cage and tie-up with local book stores, public and circulating libraries.
^AWARDS
— forth?
WEE«>
Five showmen are this week added to the growing list of certificate winners. Here they are:
M. M. MESHER, Advertising Director of Sterling Chain Theatres, Seattle, Wash- ington, for front and street ballyhoo on "They Just Had To Get Married" at the Winter Garden Theatre.
K. A. GRIMES, manager of the Warner Theatre, Morgantown, W. Vo., for his ex- ceptional "Nagana" campaign.
PAUL BINSTOCK, manager of the Republic Theatre. Brooklyn, N. Y., for his "Mummy ballyhoos.
Congratulations! Your certificates signed by Carl Laemmle, are in the mail. Let’s hear from you soon again!
With BUSTER, The Wonder Dog; Tom O'Brien, Harry Holman, Victor Sarno. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr.. Story and direction by Zion Myers. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
Va u d e v i 1 1 e s most human actor in a novelty feature acted largely by a cast of almost-human canines.
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IT’S
DIFFERENT!
DOG
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
730 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY
Printed in U. S. A.
JULY 15, 1933 VOL. 33, NO. 5
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UNIVERSALS NEW DEAL
19331934
BOX-OFFICE
BLOSSOM TIME
The most popular musical romance ever staged. The tremendous Shubert stage hit by Sigmund Romberg brought to life on the screen.
•
ONLY YESTERDAY
From the novel by Frederick Lewis Allen. A great woman's story directed by JOHN M. STAHL.
•
ZEST
This year's biggest best-seller novel by CHARLES G. NORRIS , author of SEED. The story of one man and the women in his life. Directed by JOHN M. STAHL.
•
IMITATION OF LIFE
The latest novel by FANNIE HURST, author of BACK STREET. A sensational best seller. Di- rected by JOHN M. STAHL.
•
THE ALL- AMERICAN GIRL
UniversaVs 1933-34 football picture. Story by LUCIAN CAREY. . . . Tremendous exploitation tie-ups to be announced.
TAKE A CHANCE
The greatest musical comedy smash that New York has known in years. Schwab and De Sylva's pro- duction that made history at the Apollo Theatre this year.
WHEN
THE TIME COMES
A smash dramatic story from the pen of WILLIAM ANTHONY McGUIRE, author of “ Kid From Spain,” iiWhoopee,” etc.
THE GREAT ZIEGFELD
By BILLIE BURKE and WILLIAM ANTHONY McGUIRE. A sensational musical based on the life of America's greatest theatrical producer.
•
THE MAN WHO RECLAIMED HIS HEAD
From the Broadway stage success by Jean Bart. A powerful, dramatic story with a highly unique theme.
I GIVE MY LOVE
From the sensational story by VICKI BAUM, au- thor of “ Grand Hotel.” A daring drama of clash- ing human emotions, with a prize winning title.
•
NERVOUS LOVERS
SLIM SUMMERVILLE AND ZASU PITTS, that great box-office team, in an hilarious comedy.
OH, PROMISE ME!
SLIM SUMMERVILLE and ZASU PITTS in an ad- aptation of the Broadway stage play of the same title, by Howard Lindsay and Bertrand Robinson.
FEATURES !?£
HAPPINESS AHEAD
SLIM SUMMERVILLE and ZASU PITTS in a com- edy made from a story by the one and only RING LARDNER.
•
SLIM SUMMERVILLE AND ZASU PITTS
The team that makes your box-office smile, in a fourth picture, as yet untitled .
CLAMOUR
EDNA FERRER’S great Cosmopolitan Magazine story.
MA CINDERELLA
HAROLD BELL WRIGHT’S tremendously popu- lar novel. A powerful modern drama.
THE
GOOD RED BRICKS
From the widely read novel by MARY SYNON. 4 dramatic story of self-sacrifice — of a girl, her l oves and loyalties. (Title to be changed).
ONE CLAMOROUS NIGHT
>om the story, “ Bagdad on the Hudson,” by F ARD MOREHOUSE. A dramatic romance with, terrific kick.
RIGADOON
From the stage play by CHARLES KNOX ROBIN- SON. A startling drama with new box-office and exploitation angles.
THAT'S GRATITUDE
From the. New York Stage success by that brilliant author and actor, FRANK CRAVEN. A comedy as only Craven knows how to write them.
•
THE LEFT BANK
From the smash stage play by ELMER RICE , au- thor of “ Street Scene,” “ Counsellor at Law,” etc.
DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA
A fascinating tale of the sea, with fifty of the best- formed and most beautiful girls in America in the cast.
MYRT AND MARGE
A smash box-office attraction built around the radio favorites of millions upon millions of listen- ers. From a story by WILLARD MACK.
Universal will IE* release thirty- six features for 1933-34. There are twenty-three listed here. Watch UNIVERSAL WEEKLY for further announcements.
OF THE GREATEST
AERIALS
Lever produced ,j
BUCK JONES
-IN-
CORDON OF GHOST CITY
Suggested by a story by PETER B. KYNE
The ADVENTURES of ANNE
The First Musical-Mystery-Thriller Ever Produced
RICHARD TALMADGE PIRATE TREASURE
The VANISHING SHADOW
The PERILS OF PAULINE
From the Story by Charles W. Goddard
SHORT
Universal Newsreel
With GRAHAM McNAMEE, N. B. C. Ace, as the Talking Reporter
TWO-REEL COMEDIES
WARREN DOANE PRODUCTIONS
Real quality comedies starring such box-office personalities as LOUISE FAZENDA — JAMES GLEASON — VINCE BARNETT — HENRY ARMETTA — STERLING HOLLOWAY — EDDIE PEABODY and many others.
RADIO PERSONALITIES
Subjects presenting the biggest names in radio— voices known to millions brought to your theatre in the specialties that make them
famous.
In MENTONE
MUSICAL SHORTS
Variety entertainment in its spiciest form. Famous folks from musical comedy , vaudeville , legitimate stage and radio doing their
specialties for YOU.
PRODUCT
FtT? TTTTT TTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTtTTTTTT ttttti
ONE-REEL SUBJECTS
7A OSWALD
THE LUCKY RABBIT
well-knoun and justly celebrated cartoon star in the funniest antics of his career!
13
13
7
STRANGE AS IT SEEMS
Oddities from all over the world to amaze and thrill. Backed by John Hix’s drawing in scores of newspapers.
GOOFYTONE NEWSREEL
The newest and brightest and funniest idea on the screen. Screaming burlesques of “almost” news events.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH
MARK HELLINCER
A trip to the most interesting and thrilling out-of-the-way spots of the globe with one of the most famous columnists in America.
8 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ■ ■ ■ - = July 15, 1933
"THE KING OF JAZZ"
No. 730 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
Forget all your fears about a re-made, re-cut version of a great picture success.
Keep in mind one thing, namely, that 'The King of Jazz" as newly issued by Universal is meeting with a hearty wel- come and a sensational success wherever it is shown.
Note our experience, for instance, in Beaumont, Texas, where the Jefferson Amusement Company ran it three days to such exceptional business that it decided to give it preferred time on the whole circuit.
That is just one of our experiences. Nothing could speak more practically, from the box office angle, than this, jt means that the exhibitor has found something he can grab
hold of, exploit and make a good profit in so doing.
Pictures as good, as lavish, as elaborate and as rich as "The King of Jazz" are not being turned out in these days of depression.
All studios are fighting budgets with all their heart and soul because they are compelled to do so.
But when "The King of Jazz" was first produced, studio budgets were merely something to laugh at. We busted the budget into smithereens when we made it.
July 15, 1933 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = 9
A GLORIOUS SUCCESS
We started out to make a picture for half a million dol- lars, but it kept getting bigger and better until we finally spent $1,750,000 on this baby. Yes, a million and three quarters !
It shows on the screen !
That's why I want you to judge it solely on what is in it in the form of entertainment, and not be hidebound by that funny old fear of re-issues.
Putting "The King of Jazz" out in its new form, with its new prints in full color, its riotous luxury, its gorgeous splendor was nothing short of a happy thought.
It will remind the people that there is happiness, and beauty in a world which has been all too solemn for three or four years. It will lift them up with its sheer stunning- ness and make them glad they are alive.
Packed full of radio and screen performers who have become famous and enormously popular, it gives you a hundred angles with which to advertise. Co to it and wake up your whole lot of fans !
UNIVERSAL
ERSAL WEEKLY
July 15, 1933
INTERESTED
Laemmle, Jr. Throws Party for Ernst Udet
AMONG the 180 guests when the dauntless flyer of “S.O.- S. Iceberg” was given an inform- al “brunch,” are the following:
Rear row, standing: Carlos Borcosque, German Consul Gyssling, Lieut. John A. Macready, Col. Arthur Goebel, Capt. Irvine. Second row: Edward Everett Horton, Russell Simpson, Neil Hamilton, Ernst L. Frank, Chester Morris, Mabel Marden, Russ Colombo, Harold Lloyd, Joe E. Brown, Charlie Murray, Hugh Enfield, Major Udet, Clarence Brown, Carl Laemmle, Jr. and John Farrow. Seated: Anita Page, Mary Brian, June Knight, Madge Bellamy, Benita Hume, Mary Carlisle, Dorothy Burgess, Gloria Stuart, Maureen O’Sullivan, Alice Joyce.
Carl Laemmle Guest
at Chicago Pageant
CARL LAEMMLE stayed over from the Universal convention at the Congress Hotel in Chicago. He was an honored guest at the Jewish Day pageant entitled “Romance of A People,” which was held at Soldier’s Field on July 3rd. Standing directly behind Mr. Laemmle is Chaim Weitzmann, Zionist leader. At Mr. Laem- mle’s left, in the white coat, is Judge Na- than Fischer and Governor Horner.
YOU can’t blame Paul Lukas. Here he is in the Lieu- tenant’s uniform that he wears in “Secret of the Blue Room,” and maybe he is divulging a secret to Diana Damerell, who plays “Marge” in the famous radio team of “Myrt and Marge,” on a set at Universal City. Myrt and Marge are making a picture for Universal under the direction of A1 Boasberg. It is being produced by Brian Foy. Its title for release has not been chosen. It was adapted from Wil- lard Mack’s play “My Lady’s Legs.”
A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitor*
Paul Gullet, Editor Publlthad Waakly by tha Motion' PIctura Waakly Publishing Co. 730 Fifth Avenua, Naw York City Copyrighted 1933 Unlvartal Picture* Corp.
( All Rightt Reterrmi)
July 15, 1933 Vol. 33— No. 5
UNIVERSAL NEWS)
From Universal City and London ||
Stars of “S. O. S. Iceberg” and “ The Rebel” Do London
On A Dare
LONDON is in a bicycle craze.
From a workman’s necessity, it is on the verge of becoming a fashionable sport, as it was in the old days in this country. Rod LaRocque, star of “S.O.S. Ice- berg,” on a dare not only rode a bicycle around the square in front of the Savoy, but he did it in the rain, holding up an um- brella. In the photograph above, he is shown with Vilma Banky, featured with Luis Trenker in “The Rebel.”
WHEN Rod LaRocque, star of “S.O.S. Iceberg,” start- ed back for Universal City, he decided to come all the way by water. He also decided to bring Vilma Banky with him. Miss Banky is one of the stars of “The Rebel,” just to be released in this country, but already a tre- mendous rage in Europe. They embarked on the steamer Dam- sterdyk, bound for Los An- geles via Bermuda and the Panama Ca- nal. They made a stop of two days in London, where they spent their time be- ing interviewed and seeing the sights.
In the illustration at the top of this page, Rod is photo- graphing Vilma on the top of the Savoy Hotel which com- mands a marvelous view of the Thames, with Cleopatra’s Needle in the imme- diate foreground.
Below, the stars of “The Rebel” and “S. O. S. Iceberg” are welcomed by Universal Pictures
Ltd.’s publicity and exploitation department, — J. Leslie Williams, Bader and Cooper. As will be seen, Dave Bader has been to Hollywood and knows all of the posing technique, looking straight into the camera, how- ever impolite this might seem to the lovely V ilma Banky. “The Rebel” is about to be previewed in London, and Vilma Banky was very anxious to stay over.
He gambled on the races
against happiness -and
won — and lost-and won again in a romance- drama that will hold you spellbounde See
GINGER ROGERS
DONT BET ON LOVE
1,WAYRES >
1H ^
DONT BET ON LOVE
Use You
Happiness at stake with fast women and slow horses pitted against Youth in Life’s greatest race I
LEW
AYREf
DON'T BET ON LOVE
100 to 1 ^
you’ll like it
Youth’s Dramatic Gamble with Happiness
with
GINGER ROGERS
Shirley Grey, Charles Grapewin, Tom Dugan, Merna Kennedy, Lucille Gleason, Robert Emmett O'Connor. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Murray Roth. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
With Shirley Grey, Charles Grap? win, Tom Dugan, Mema Kennedy Lucille Gleason, Robert Emf*l O’Connor. Produced by Car Laemnle, Jr. Directed by Muff*’ Roth. F-esented bjrCarl Laemmle A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
I
I
Press Sheet!
Here are reproductions of newspaper ads made direct from the press sheet on "Don't Bet On Love." Use them for all you're worth. You'll find ads for big or little campaigns, with a patron-pulling punch in every single ad!
DON T BET ON LOVE
GINGER ROGERS
Shirl.y Grev CK 1 „
r wrey, eh.,!,, q
Morn. Kennedy. Lneillf ’ T°m Du9**>.
Presented
universal
He gambled on the races against happiness — and won — and lost-and won again in a romance- drama that will hold you spellbound. See —
ftYRES
AYRES
GINGER
ROGERS
GINGER ROGERS
With Shirley Grey, Charles Grapewin, Tom Dugan, Merna Kennedy, Lucille Gleason, Robert Emmett O'Connor. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Murray Roth. Presented by Carl Laemmle. A UNIVERSAL PICTURE.
DONT BET ON LOVE
DONT BET ON LOVE
INGER ROGERS
lirley Grey, Charles Grapewin, >m Dugan, Morna Kennedy, u ille Gleason, Robert Emmett ’Connor. Produced by Carl lemmle, Jr. Directed by Murray )th. Presented by Carl Laemmle. A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
With Shirley Grey, Charles Grape- win. Tom Dugan, Merna Kennedy. Lucille Gleason, Robert Emmett O'Connor. Screenplay by Murray Roth and Howard E. Rogers. Pro- duced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Murray Roth. Presented by Carl Laemmle. a universal picture.
“wAYREp^|
DONT BET ON LOVE
CARL LAEMMLE
V
Presents
"MOONLIGHT a™ PRETZELS”
a Romantic Musical Comedy
Produced under the Personal Supervision of
STANLEY BERGERMAN
with a Distinguished Cast
STORY BY
SIG HERZIG and ARTHUR JARRETT Continuity by SIG HERZIG
a Rowland and Brice Production
|
CAST |
|
|
SALLY |
MARY BRIAN |
|
NICK . |
. LEO CARRILLO |
|
GEORGE DWIGHT |
ROGER PRYOR |
|
POWELL |
HERBERT RAWLINSON |
|
ELSIE |
LILLIAN MILES |
|
BERTIE |
BOBBY WATSON |
|
MACK |
WILLIAM FRAWLEY |
Jack Denny and His Orchestra, Alexander Gray, Bernice Claire, Mary Lange, Max Stamm, James Carson, John Hundley, Richard Keene, Doris Carson, Frank and Milt Britton Band, The Four Eton Boys, Geraldine Dvorak, and Chorus of 50 of New York’s Most Beautiful Show Girls
Directed by KARL FREUND
Dialogue Director
MONTE BRICE
Photographed by
WILLIAM MILLER
Dances Staged by
BOBBY CONNOLLY
who staged "Good News,” "Follow Thru,” "Flyin’ High,” "Take A Chance” and all the Ziegfeld Shows for the last seven years.
MUSIC SUPERVISION by JAY GORNEY
Composer of " Americana,” Earl Carroll’s " Sketch Book” and " Merry Go Round.”
MUSIC AND LYRICS by Jay Gorney and E. Y. Harburg
Who wrote "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,”
" What Wouldn’t I Do for That Man,” "Isn’t It Heavenly” and " A Girl in Your Arms is Worth Two in Your Dreams.”
ADDITIONAL NUMBERS by
Herman Hupfeld Who wrote" Let’s Put Out the Light and Go to Sleep,”
" Sing Something Simple,” and "When Yuba Plays the Tuba.”
Sammy Fain . Who wrote "Was That the Human Thing to Do,”
"You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me,” and "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella.”
A1 Siegel . . Who wrote "Hey, Hey,” "Satan’s Holiday ” and
"Get Hot”
MUSIC NUMBERS:
"DUSTY SHOES” by Harburg & Gorney. Sung by Alexander Gray.
"I TOOK YOUR PICTURE OFF THE DRESSER” by A1 Siegel. Sung by Lillian Miles.
"AH, BUT IS IT LOVE?” by Gorney & Harburg. Sung by John Hundley.
"MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS” by Gorney and Harburg. Sung by Stamm & Carson.
"BABY, IN YOUR HAT” by Gorney & Harburg. Sung by Roger Pryor.
"LET’S MAKE LOVE LIKE THE CROCODILES” by Gorney & Harburg. Sung by Roger Pryor.
"ARE YOU MAKING ANY MONEY.” Words and Music by Herman Hupfeld. Sung by Lillian Miles.
"THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF YOU IN EVERY LOVE SONG.” Music by Sammy Fain. Words by E. Y. Harburg. Sung by Roger Pryor and Mary Brian.
"I GOTTA GET UP AND GO TO WORK.” Words and music by Herman Hupfeld. Sung by Doris Carson and Richard Keene and company.
Sets by WALTER KELLER Unique Lighting Effects by KARL FREUND
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UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
July 15, 1933
Pete Harrison says
That “THE REBEL 99 has “some melodrama in it that is
more thrilling than that seen in other
pictures for some time.
9i
HARRISON'S Reports of July I carries an enthusiastic review of "The Rebel." In this review, he says: "There is some melodrama in it that is more thrilling than that seen in other pictures for some time. Tyro-I leans are shown defending theirl country against the invaders by let-J ting loose dammed rocks on theml down the mountainside, timing thej hurling of these rocks so as to either fall on the passing soldiers or to block exit of these troops. The action unfolds in the days when Napoleon invaded Tyrol; yet the picture does not convey the impression of being a costume play except in the scenes where Napoleon's troops are seen ini the action. There is sympathy forfl Trenker, who takes the part of thel leader of the rebels, for Napoleon's' soldiers had murdered his family for|
no valid reason. One feels sympathy also for Vilma Banky, for although she is the daughter of the magistrate, she risks even her life to give the hero, with whom she is in love, infor- mation about the invading troops. The scenes in which the hero is shown, disguised as a staff officer, attending the ball so as to dance with the hero- ine, are extremely suspensive; one holds his breath out of fear lest he be detected and arrested.
"The picture was photographed in the Tyrolean Alps, and shows some very beautiful natural scenery.
"The last part shows the Tyroleans battling desperately Napoleon's ; troops in an effort to drive out the invaders. But it is all in vain, for the invaders are too many for them. "Good for the entire family."
Karloff Sign With Univei > Return Of
<6
//THE MONSTER" will stalk the
1
dark passage ways and village streets of Britain again.
Karloff, leading claimant to the crown of the late Lon Chaney, whe won stardom by his uncanny per formance as the man-made monste of "Frankenstein" nearly two year ago, has signed a new contract witl Universal Pictures Corp. and will be starred next in "The Return of Frank enstein," Carl Laemmle, Jr. has an nounced.
The outstanding delineator of gro tesque and weird screen character Karloff returned to Hollywood month ago after several months ii England making "The Ghoul" and hi appearance in "The Return of Frank enstein," will be his first on the Amer ican screen in nearly eight months.
Decision to make a sequel to th«
“FOUR WISE GIRLS
THE “FOUR WISE GIRLS ” Left to right: Dorothy Burgess , Mary Carlisle, Sally O'Neill, June Knight. Some kidnappers!
” Is New Title Of “Lilies of Broadway"”
^COUR WISE GIRLS" has just been selected as the " release title for the musical play by William Hurlbut, called heretofore in the studio "Lilies of Broadway." It will mark June Knight's debut in mov- ing pictures, to be followed shortly by the role she created on Broadway in "Take A Chance," for which she is flying back to New York next week.
The other three girls in support of this great box- office title are Mary Carlisle, Dorothy Burgess and Sally O'Neill. The balance of the cast includes Neil Hamilton, George E. Stone, Virginia Cherrill, Berton Churchill, Oscar Apfel, Richard Carle, Maude Eburne, Arthur Hoyt, Eddie Kane, Rosita Marstini, Allan Fox and Ken Howell. Music for the picture, which is be- ing directed by E. A. Dupont, was written by Lynn Cowan. Sam A. Jacobson is the associate producer in charge.
July 15, 1933
lew Contract l: Will Make ankenstein 99
memorable "Frankenstein" with Kar- loff playing the role of the man created by science, was made after Tom Reed, Universal scenarist found the inspiration for a new story with even greater thrill possibilities than the original, in a certain chapter of the Mary Shelley horror novel written nearly 100 years ago. Reed not only wrote the original screenplay but also continuity and dialogue for "The Return of Frankenstein" and if pres- ent plans carry, Colin Clive, now back in London, after three trips to Hollywood, will cross the Atlantic again to play Frankenstein, the scien- tist, which he created on the screen. Whether Mae Clarke and John Boles will be re-engaged to play the roles they assumed in "Frankenstein" has not been determined by Mr. Laem- mle, Jr.
FEEtE universal weekly - - _ El 9
44 King of Jazz 99 Clicks
Variety Reports First Runs of Re-Juvenated Universal Musical Cleaning up in Widely Separated Situations
PEW pages of Variety are as care- ■ fully read by exhibitors as those which give box-office reports on new pictures in the principal cities of the United States. The current issue of Variety, out on Tuesday, was virtu- ally a press book for "King of Jazz."
For instance, in Pittsburgh, "King of Jazz" was booked into the Shea- Hyde Fulton Theatre." Variety says:
"Another re-issue and another sur- prise click. Sky-rocketting house to $4,700 in spite of heat and lack of cooling system, which certainly is in- dicative of something. Pittsburgh had two surprises this week, both of them musicals and both of them re- issues. They proved the biggest kind of surprises, knocking all previous prognostications into cocked hat.
"The Fulton had 'King of Jazz,' off
to a flying start, and showing signs of hitting above $4,600, a great figure with everything considered, while David had its biggest opening day of the summer with 'Sunny Side Up' — looks like a $3,300 week."
Again at the Grand Theatre in Cincinnati, Variety says of "King of Jazz:"
"Trade on opening day for this musical revival was best theatre reg- istered for many weeks and rush con- tinued over week-end. Looks like $2,800, with prospects of holding over for a second week. Front flash an artistic pip."
"In San Francisco at the United Artists Theatre, revival of 'King of Jazz' last week all right at $7,500."
"In Detroit at the Fisher, 'King of Jazz' okay at $5,500."
WESTERN UNION
* + *
Book The TOM MIX Pictures
NL PORTLAND OREGON
JUNE 15
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP. NEW YORK CITY
KING OF JAZZ OPENING TODAY THURSDAY LIBERTY PORTLAND TREMENDOUS STOP RECEIPTS MORE THAN TRIPLED AVERAGE THURS- DAY PAST SIX MONTHS STOP HOMER GILT GAVE PICTURE SPECTACULAR CAMPAIGN WITH TYPICAL HOLLYWOOD PREMIER OPENING AUDIENCE REACTION MARVELOUS PRESS AND PUBLIC ACCLAIM PICTURE AS GREATEST OF ALL MUSICALS
REGARDS
A J O’KEEFE
NOW is the time to book Tom Mix pictures. The kids are home on vacation and father always did like 'em. There are eight Tom Mix pic- tures, and any one of them is worth
playing in any theatre, and worth playing twice. Several have played on Broadway and they are the only Tom Mix pictures to be had for the millions of Tom Mix fans.
khanto
OF THE AIR.
TOM TYLER.
(bt Adventure Picture
IN TWELVE SMASHING EPISODES
UNIVERSAL'S 10-STAR MYSTERY DRAMA
+
LIONEL ATW I L L PAUL LUKAS GLORIA STUART
EDWARD ARNOLD * ONSLOW STEVENS WILLIAM JANNEY * RUSSELL HOPTON ELIZABETH PATTERSON * MURIEL KIRKLAND + JAMES DURKIN in a compelling and suspenseful picture of the type that always means success at
the box office!
+
Screenplay by William Hurlburt. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Kurt Neumann. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
DIRECTOR of the FROTHY GIRLEY, MUSICAL HIT
'^Highlights in Uniuersai's no. 30
NATURAL PRY ICE foRMfS IN IMPERIAL VALEEV,
California
JOHN HIX
July 15, 1933 =
No. 3 0 of "Strange As It Seems" con- tains an unusual amount of inter- esting and unbe- lievable shots compiled by Na- than Hahn and Fairbanks from the famous news- paper cartoon by John Hix. It is graphically de- scribed as usual by Gayne Wit- man. It starts off with an interest- ing man who is upholding a fam- ily tradition.
I.For 60 years various mem- bers of the family of Charles Gable- man have held important of- fices in Wav- e r I y, Ohio.
They have also been the town's newsboys. Ga- bleman is now both the May- s’.' and the newsboy, the newsboy part being perhaps the most im- portant with over 800 de- liveries to be made every day.
2. The sacred bull of Japan draws thou- sands of people from all parts of the country every day. It is said to have strange healing properties so that when an afflicted part is toughed by the hand which rubbed the sacred bull, a miraculous cure is effected.
3. An unusual scene of the home life of the octopus. Mama octopus standing guard over the millions of eggs from which will presently emerge the baby oc- topii. Her sinuous tentacles weave in among the mass of eggs and pluck out all foreign matter or egg eating parasites. A microscopic view is shown of the embryo octopus inside the egg.
4. In Imperial Valley, California, where 100 degrees in in the shade is nothing unusual, a natural well of dry ice freezes any object brought near it. Its normal
= 23
temperature is I I 0 degrees below zero.
5. The first pic- tures ever tak- en of the Hopi Indians as they perform their secret rites in an under- ground cham- ber in the re- gion of the Grand Canyon of the Colora- do, include some remark- able views of the Canyon it- self. The walls of the Canyon were formed by a river never on a higher level than it is now, the Colorado. The river never eats its way any lower be- cause that part of the U. S. is constantly pushing up- ward.
6. The Yucca plant, a hardy form of cactus of our own western des- erts, depends for its propa- gation on a tiny white moth. The moth cannot live without the plant.
7. T h e horned toad about whose longev- ity fabulous
tales are supported by facts, is shown as it is being hermitically sealed in a brick mortar. Ninety days later, the brick is broken open, and Mr. Toad hops out, ap- parently none the worse for its imprisonment.
8. Mexico, land of queer foods, has one very popular del- icacy which is cut from the heart of a form of Mexican cactus — soft little worms very much like a denuded American caterpiller. These worms are cooked in oil, done up in little packages and sold.
9. Arthur Hubell, an Oklahoma City youth, can expand his waist full 40 inches without any discomfort by the simple expedient of inserting the tube of an auto pump into his mouth and having himself pumped up.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
V r\\
CfM.ES 6AEIEMAN is TrtE MAYOR AN0 TriE NEWS 80V Of WAVERLV, OHIO ....
COLORAOO RIVER **
WHICH CUT Trit 6RA.N0 CANHON WAS NBJER ON A HIGHER LEUEL A THAN \T IS NOW . . .
■gefotfe ano AfTer /
ARTHUR rtumu , Oklahoma Ciitf , CAN ERRAND Hi«S wAlsT H-O INCHES -gy pumping HIMSELF fULl OF
THE
NUCCA
DEPENDS
Tiny for
existence
Ano the MoTR C OULO
not live without
THE PLANT. . .
John Hix , creator of “STRANGE AS IT SEEMS ” draws the illustration for No. 30. It can be had for your lobby , from the Supply Department.
UNIVERSAL’S
MARVELOUS
TWO-REEL
SPECIAL!
•
Edited by Allyn Butterfield. Highlighted by the voice of
GRAHAM McNAMEE.
to
IN SCREEN THRILLS I
THE very tiptop in screen thrills has at last been achieved!... No person anywhere has ever seen its equal ... It is the very finest collection of daring and unique shots made, sometimes at the risk of life and limb, by those gay, nervy, ever-ready musketeers of the motion picture business— the newsreel camera men.. .It is the grandest of entertainment... It is all true, real, right from life ...While you and your fans sit safely in your theatre, you will view events which were photographed at terrific hazard and under the most trying conditions. ..You will see the biggest thrills in modern history just as they happened — not faked, but so real as to bowl you over ... If you want to be in first on probably the greatest sensation of recent years, get an early booking on "The World’s Greatest Thrills" and then advertise it for all you are worth!
= UNIVERSAL WEEKLY . . .. = July 15, 1933
"Be Mine Tonight" Keeps Minn
A! Steffes Putting in $30,0C] in 13th Week o
96 :
Real Variety of Action Makes Good Western
KING of the ARENA
UNIVERSAL WESTERN
Hollywood Herald
Ken Maynard has delivered here a western that combines the custom- ary hard-riding melodrama with some Wild West Show performances, in- cluding bucking bronchos, roping stunts and hippodrome races. Ken has learned a lot about what is con- sidered standard Western entertain- ment, and he keeps this moving con- sistently enough to make it register as a very good Western.
The story is one of those things about Ken's conflict with the murder- ous gang of bank robbers known as the "Black Death." Ken comes back to his old position as star of a Wild West Show while still serving as a "ranger" because he suspects that some men in the show have some- thing to do with the criminal gang.
Of course, there is the charming young lady, Lucille Browne who in- terests Ken, and finally she is kid- napped and he has to rescue her in a grand melodramatic fight, embel- lished with hard riding, action, a gun battle in the mountain pass and even an airplane that uses a machine gun trying to kill Ken. As an added touch, Ken uses the slingshot belonging to his young buddy to shoot some nitro- glycerine at the airplane, and he makes a perfect bullseye — wh'ch fin- ishes that !
The house in the woods where the leader of the "Black Death" held forth had trick compartments, trap doors, a periscope and a laboratory filled with high explosives. What more could anyone ask for a spot to stage the grand knock-'em-down-and- drag-'em-out fight which always properly concludes the rescue of the fair lady in a good Western?
Because this moves away from the action formula of cattle thieves and barroom conspirators who work for the young lady's father, and becomes the Wild West Show offers some good entertaining action, this rates much better as a good movie than many more costly production that have more elaborate sets, production values and other trimmings, but lack movement and basic elements.
WITH two houses completing their thirteenth week and go- ing as strong as ever, "Be Mine To- night" is more and more the sensa- tion of the year. There is no let-up in the business of Al Steffes' World Theatre in Minneapolis. The only di- fficulty is that Minneapolis is getting pretty hot. This theatre always closes in the summer. With the proceeds of this run and the promise of its in- definite continuance, Mr. Steffes de- cided to keep the theatre open all summer instead of closing as he us- ually does the latter part of June. With this decision, he bought himself a $30,000 cooling plant and is right now installing it.
There is no telling how long "Be
Sterling Holloway
“HE COULDN’T TAKE IT.”
STERLING KAY
HOLLOWAY DESLYS
Among the most consistently successful show fillers of last year were the series of twenty- six comedies produced by War- ren Doane. They were not arty, they were not over people’s heads. There was humor, spice and splendid entertainment in these —
UNIVERSAL REEL COMEDIES
Mine Tonight" will run in Minneapo- lis, with the conditions made so ideal- ly suited to it. It is a certainty that every theatre-goer in Minneapolis will have seen "Be Mine Tonight" be- fore it closes. Many of them have al- ready seen it five and six times.
One of the amusing commentaries on the run is in connection with passes. A lot of pains was taken with these passes to make them look indi- vidual and important. They were all of that. Last week, after seeing the picture five and six times, the hold- ers of these passes began to accuse Mr. Steffes of holding out on them by keeping "Be Mine Tongiht" in the theatre so long. What is the use of a gold-plated pass in a leather case
‘SCANDALS’ BIG IN CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, June 29. — George White's "Scandals" at popular prices coupled with "The Cohens and the Kellys in Trouble" culled $18,000, or more than four times average busi- ness at the Hippodrome.
“THE COHENS AND THE KEL- LYS IN TROUBLE” (Univ.) HIPPODROME— (3,800), 25c 50c. 7 days. Gross: $18,000.
(Average, $4,000.)
—
From the Moti
Four Times Average Business
“COHENS” AND
July 15, 1933
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
27
upolis House Open All Summer
Zooling Plant in World Theatre Unprecedented Run
when you have already seen the pic- is still packing them in, also in its. ture four and five times? thirteenth week, with no sign of any
In Los Angeles, the Filmart Theatre letdown whatever.
'OUT ALL NIGHT," Great Film
SILSBEE TEXAS
UNIVERSAL FILM CO
308 SOUTH HARWOOD DALLAS TEXAS
OUT ALL NIGHT IS TAILOR MADE FOR ANY THEATRE IN
ANY TOWN BETTER THAN NINE OUT OF TEN HIGH
PRICED SPECIALS MORE LAUGHS THAN ANY HAROLD
LLOYD I HAVE EVER SEEN AND IVE SEEN THEM ALL
THANKS FOR THE BEST BOX OFFICE PICTURE IVE
RUN IN MANY A MOON
WALTER STOEPPLEMAN PALACE THEATRE
i Picture Daily
PORTLAND, July 6.— "King of Jazz" at the Liberty in the second week had an intake of $3,000, or $1,000 over average. Also in its se- cond week at Hamrick's Oriental" Be Mine Tonight" grossed $3,400, or $1,100 over average, and was moved to the "Blue Mouse" and continued for a third week's run. Other houses were average and under.
Total first run business $16,200. Average is $15,300.
Estimated takings for the week ending June 30:
“BE MINE TONIGHT”
HAMRICK’S ORIENTAL — (2,040), 25c-35c, 2nd week, 7 days, Gross: $3,400. (Average, $2,300.)
“THE LITTLE GIANT” (F. N.)
UNITED ARTISTS— (945), 25c-
35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Av- erage, $5,000.)
“KING OF JAZZ” (Univ.)
LIBERTY— (1,800), 15c-25c, 2nd week, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $2,000.)
“HE COULDN’T TAKE IT.”
Holloway’s First
DOROTHY EDDIE
WARD NUGENT
Now comes a new star in the two-reel comedy field. He is Sterling Holloway of the sad sad eyes and chysanthemum hair. In his first comedy, “He Couldn’t Take It,” he is sup- ported by Dorothy Ward, Key Deslys and Eddie Nugent. It is a
UNIVERSAL REEL COMEDY
Universal Praised for Best Record
IN this reviving period of moving pictures, praise such as Mrs. Mc- Clure has showered upon Universal is sweet, indeed.
This praise is contained in a letter to Henry Herbel, manager of Uni- versal's Chicago exchange, and con- gratulates Universal upon producing so many pictures on what she refers of as the family type. Family type pictures are going to be mighty pop- ular this year, as a return to normalcy on the part of picture producers. There have been too many salacious dramas, too many unrelieved sex pictures, and too much sophistication in the films.
Appended to Mrs. McClure's let- ter there was a list comprising the number of pictures from each com- pany reviewed. The pictures were made by nine different companies. Out of the pictures reviewed from Universal, exactly fifty percent were classified as "for the family."... No other company had an average of above 33-1/3%, and one of them was as low as six percent. No wonder Universal is to be congratulated. Here is Mrs. McClure's letter:
THE BETTER FILM COUNCIL OF CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY
June 29, 1933
UNIVERSAL PICTURES,
CHICAGO.
My dear Mr. Herbel:
Yesterday at the Annual Meeting of the Better Films Council of Chi- cago and Cook County a report was made that I thought might be of in- terest to you and your organization.
Of the 290 pictures reviewed by our previewers during this past year twenty-six were Universal produc- tions. Of this number thirteen were classed as Family pictures. Knowing that we are particularly concerned with that type of entertainment, I wanted to pass on to you the very great appreciation of the Better Films Council for the policy of Uni- versal Films to make clean entertain- ment for the family.
We shall always be happy to as- sist you in any way that we can and shall wish for you and your organi- zation a most successful production year, which I believe is just ahead.
Most cordially,
(Signed) Mrs. Richard McClure, President.
The Sure-Fit
Team In I
Picture Of ri
SUM
SUMMER
ZAfU
e Box-Office h e Fu nniest heir Career!
VILLE
m
With Una Merkel, Henry Armetta, Berton Churchill, Warren Hymer, George Marion . . . From the stage play by Daniel Jarrett and John Golden. Produced by Carl Laem- mle, Jr. Directed by William Wyler. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
A DIGEST OF THE BEST EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF THE WEEK
Here Comes "Moonlight and Pretzels"
Grand For Exploitation and Stunning Showmanship l
As this is being written the final cutting is being given to Universal's smash musical production "MOONLIGHT and PRETZELS." And WHAT a picture that is going to be for Showmen! Tuned right to the minute — reaching the public at the very peak of the demand for musical's — containing many novel production angles that will make the public talk — packed with eye-appeal anil ear-appeal as well- "MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS" is bound to be the summer's most talked about release.
So we're passing on to you a few of the high-spots of this picture so that you can start in RIGHT THIS MINUTE to plan your campaign on it and get your advance work- ing for you at once.
The CAST is made up of STAGE and RADIO as well as SCREEN stars. Look it over: Roger Pryor (he starred in "Blessed Event" to the stage); Mary Brian; Leo Ca- rillo ( now he's famous on the radio as well as the screen); Lillian Miles (wait'll you hear her sing those blues); Herbert Rawlin- son; Alexander Gray (that great radio singer); 4 Eton Boys; Bernice Clair; Jack Denny and his Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra; Frank and Milt Britton orchestra and others which lack of space prevents us mentioning.
IN ADDITION YOU HAVE 50 OF NEW YORK'S MOST BEAUTIFUL
SHOW GIRLS PICKED BY FAMOUS ARTISTS FROM THE OUTSTAND- ING MUSICAL HITS OF THIS SEA- SON.
IN ADDITION YOU HAVE 8 HIT SONGS SPECIALLY COMPOSED FOR THIS PICTURE— WRITTEN BY THE ACE SUCCESS SONGSTERS OF TODAY I
NATIONWIDE RADIO NETWORKS ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO POPULARIZE THESE TUNES FOR YOU . . . “I’ve Gotta Get Up and Go To Work’’ (by the composers of “Brother Can You Spare A Dime”), “Dusty Shoes,” “Ah, But Is It Love?” “Moonlight and Pretzels,” “Are You Makin’ Any Money?”, etc.
There will be nationwide Mary Brian and Lillian Miles style tie-ups with the greatest department stores; Shirt, hat and neckwear tie-ups on Pryor; pretzel and beer tie-ups; special music ballyhoos and a score of ex- ploitation angles that will be a cinch to put over. We’ll tell you more later.
Pencil "MUSIC AND PRETZELS" in now for some of your famous special handling. It's one of those pictures you’re going to "shoot the works" on! And you're going to be glad you did !
JOE WEIL
3 OF 3 DOZEN SACREMENTO "BE MINE" WINDOWS
'TMIMt SO
C. Heaton, of the Sierra Theatre, Sacramento, Calif., landed three dozen window displays for his cam- paign on "Be Mine tonight." Above are reproduced three of them. Note the use of poster cut-outs and the cartoon display in the centre window.
"CLANCY" CONTEST PEPS ROXBURY KIDDIES
Using three publicity mats, Saul Goldstein, manager, printed up a special contest herald for his campaign on ''Clancy of the Mounted," Adventure serial, playing at the Ideal Theatre, Roxbury, Mass.
Prizes of a pair of roller skates, a baseball and a bat and free tickets to the theatre, were offered boys and girls who could name the char- acters in the pictures and tell the episode in which the action took place. As helpful hints for the contestants, Goldstein listed the chapter titles and the names of the characters in the film.
Poster cut-outs used by Abe Cohen, man- ager, for his "Fighting President" display at the Massena Theatre, Massena, N. Y. Just a few days before the opening Mrs. Roose- velt stopped off for a visit in Massena and Cohen covered his attraction sign with a big welcome banner. The immense popular- ity of "The Fighting President" makes ex- ploitation easy for the picture. Smart show- men everywhere are playing up this timely feature to the limit.
#EHE WEEKS
WINNERS/
Once more we present a list of four wide awake managers whose work in exploiting Universal pic- tures has won them UNIVERSAL WEEKLY CER- TIFICATES OF MERIT. Here they are:
HERMAN C. BAMBERGER, manager, Taft's Par- amount Theatre, Middletown, O., for his un- usual display on "The Big Cage."
ARTHUR FREUDENFELD, manager of RKO Down- town Theatre, Detroit, Mich., for his "hall of mirrors" lobby on "The Kiss Before the Mirror."
HOMER GILL, manager of the Liberty Theatre, Portland, Ore., for an exceptional campaign on "The King of Jazz."
AL HARRIS, manager of the Avalon Theatre, Olympia, Washington, for very successful ex- ploitation of "Be Mine Tonight."
Congratulations, menl Your certificates are in the mail 1
July 15, I<m - — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTIONS —31
SICCARDI STEPS OUT ON "BE MINE" CAMPAIGN FOR HOLD-OUT OPENING AT LIBERTY, PLAINFIELD
Attractive front display used by Sherrill Cohen, manager of the Tremont Theatre, Boston, Mass., for the engagement of “ Be Mine Tonight .”
SOBLER'S "BE MINE" CAMPAIGN CASHES IN ON THREE SANTA BARBARA CONVENTIONS
DY boosting his campaign budget for news- papers and direct mailing, Joseph Sic- cardi, manager of the Liberty Theatre, Plainfield, N. J., put over an attention-get- ting campaign on "BE MINE TONIGHT" that resulted in a hold-out opening and fine business for the week, despite the intoler- able hot weather.
Post cards reached every one of the ten thousand homes listed in the phone book well in advance of the opening. This was followed with a house to house distribution of five thousand heralds made by Boy Scout troop leaders on bicycles.
German, Polish and Italian organizations were reached through foreign language newspapers and special letters to the mem- bers. Music and social clubs and fraternal organizations were circularized with a letter.
The posting of 24 sheets, 3 sheets and window cards and the placing of several special window displays, completed the campaign. Albert S. Nathan, Universal ex- ploiteer, assisted Siccardi on the exploitation.
SOLD PLAINFIELD !
A neat three column by nine inch display. One of the series of large space newspaper ads used by Joseph Siccardi in his “ Be Mine Tonight campaign at the Liberty Theatre, Plainfield, I\. J.
BEN SOBLER, manager of the California Theatre, Santa Barbara, Calif., took good advantage of three conventions held during his run of "BE MINE TONIGHT."
On his opening day the town started their celebration of Fleet Week, during which they entertained 10,000 sailors and officers. An arrangement made through the Chamber of Commerce resulted in an an- nouncement to the sailors of additional shore leave privileges for those men who wished to attend Sobler's Navy Midnight Matinee.
Announcements of the engagement were made at all sessions of the district conven- tion of the Lions Club as well as at the sessions of the convention being held by the District Attorneys of California.
Word of mouth advertising was started with a morning preview the day before the opening. This was attended by local music leaders and other prominent persons. Sta- tion KDB broadcast the hit song, "Tell Me Tonight," daily for a week in advance of the opening. The number was preceded by an announcement of the engagement at the California Theatre of "BE MINE TONIGHT." Sobler also broadcast the song from his lobby in advance and during the run.
The mailing of letters to music lovers, the distribution of several thousand heralds, and a score of window displays on the music, completed the campaign. Ben Westland. Universal exploiteer, assisted.
Entertainment Insurance Policy For "Be Mine"
Providing entertainment insurance to a selected list of patrons in each town proved a seat-selling idea for H. A. McClure, dis- trict manager for Fox Theatres in Kansas, in his circuit campaign for "BE MINE TO- NIGHT."
The stunt was a variation of the money back guarantee, but was handled in such a way that it roused enthusiastic interest in every one of the fourteen openings on which it was used. Attached to each letter was a coupon, printed on "bank note" paper, in- suring the holder against wasting his money on poor entertainment. Box-offices were kept open until after the last show so that any patron who so desired, could take advan- tage of the insurance and get his money back. McClure did not have to redeem a single coupon!
BEST ADS OF THE WEEK
ibsoUM* i
INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION
$ TODAY !
IRST SEATTLE SHOWING
■ OtUUd.
WINGS OVf* ANOIS
LAST TIMES TODAY
8ohe Daniels in "The Cocktail Hour"
STARTS FRIDAY!
BLUE MOUSE
He’s Here Again . . .
MOVED HERE FROM I THE ORIENTAL . . TO I CONTINUE A R EC- 1 ORD RUN THAT HASl k ALL PORTLAND 1 EXCITED! {
} 3o BIC WEEK!
IPTE/V-C
UstT'n^'cnteT'i
u.ori'1' ^guCus'C- GlTv er>t'Tcb,
THE GREATEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL FILM EVER . PRODUCED
CONTINUOUS
BING CROSBY
KJLES PALL WHITEMAN
1 JEANIE LANG MCKaftM JEANETTE L0FF
'LWBfc 5LIM SUMMERVILLE ,
NANCY CARROLL PAUL LUKAS CLORIA STUART FRANK MORCAN
19™ AND CHESTS*
|
1*j |
jf TODAY jA didhetkiu He Saw in the Mirror 1 |
|
i the Lie His Wife Had Lived ! • |
|
|
of Exqaiiitc 1 R»di»ni With Ln-e**., for Other 'fro ’ » |
(I.) Playing up Banky and spectacle in 2 columns x 8^/2" from Amambra, Milwaukee. (2.) Strong two column x 5" from Filmarte, Los Angeles. (3.) Cartoon treatment in 2 columns x 5" from Palace, Cleveland. (4.) Liberty, Seattle sells Mix big in 2 columns x 10". (5.) Smash opening announcement in 2 columns x 15" from State, Spokane, Wash. (6.) New Roxy, Seattle uses title hot-spot in 2 columns x 10". (7.) Third week ad in double column x 5^/2" from Aldine, Philadelphia. (8.) Attractive 2 column x 8" ad from Blue Mouse, Portland featuring a third week hold over. (9.) Three column x 8" from Lyceum, Minneapolis. (10.) United Artists, San Francisco announcement of the return of the King of Musicals in 2 columns x 12".
"This picture is worth seeing twice,” says Nancy Lee in the Milwaukee Journal. "It has romance of a high type; it brims with action. It has a story . . . The scenes have some of the year's supreme camera triumphs ... It is what they call a 'natural' in the theatre.”
©
With VILMA BANKY, Victor Varconi. Directed by Edwin Knopf and Luis Trenker. Presented by Carl Laemmle. A UNIVERSAL SPECIAL
Pete Harrison says: "Thrilling — Unusual — good for the entire family !"
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
730 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY
Major Ernst Udet,
German war ace and fearless hero of the skies, whose daring and breath-taking stunts are just one thrilling part of the dramatic picture —
S. O. S. ICEBERG
Printed in U. S. A.
GATHER
■ I I E
WAY
Picture Daily
LUCKY RABBIT
2 - - ~ E UNIVERSAL WEEKLY : ■ = Jan. 13. 1934
UNIVERSAL
No. 755 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
An old time exhibitor has written me a letter which is worth passing along.
It contains some thoughts worth repeating — worth thinking about. He writes:
"I once read a story written by Fannie Hurst in which she described what a bottle of milk meant to a hungry woman. The woman looked at the bottle full of milk and it gave her courage. Why? Because it was so 'there/ as the author described it.
"I feel that way about Universal. It is so THERE.
"In other words, it is so sure, so reliable, so full of sus- tenance for my theatre, so dependable, so damned capable and reliable.
"There have been times when you released pictures which I did not like, pictures on which I lost my shirt. At such times I found myself boiling mad at Universal. But as I look back over a long period of years, I recall that such pictures were in the very small minority.
"A careful check-back shows me that Universal has come to my rescue more than any other company ever has.
Just when I was the most depressed, out would pop some Universal production which would fairly lift me up by my boot-straps.
Jan. 13, 1934 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY — ^ 3
S SO "THERE"
'This happens now and then with every producing com- pany, but it happens so much more often with Universal
that I find I am amazed that everybody doesn't know it.
"No producing company has had such a long record of good performance. I don't say great performance. I say good performance. Others have had periods of two, three or even five years of being good, but Universal's average is easily the best in the world of motion pictures. They have gone up and down like rockets.
"But Universal has been so THERE all the time, year after year after year.
"You have been the life-saving bottle of milk for thou- sands of theatres. You have done a remarkable job because it has been carried over such a very, very long number of years.
"I stretch myself to pay you more than I pay others. That is the only way I know how to give a practical proof of my appreciation."
1 thanked the gentleman for writing, because his letter is the best dividend I have received since the depression.
uke rr i
WHAT a title for a showman to play with ! . . . and what a picture ! . . . It's the snappiest screen show that's come out of Hollywood in months ... A down-to-earth story with up-in-the-sky embellish- ments!... Girls and gags and whirl- igigs — all a colorful part of the human drama of the romance between a wise-cracking insurance salesman and his night-club-hostess sweetie — with EVERYTHING added to make it bang-up BOX- OFFICE ENTERTAINMENT.
SINGING!
DANCING!
WHOOPEE!
HAT WAY
Starring
GLORIA STUART
and
ROGER PRYOR
(of "Moonlight and Pretzels" fame), with
MARIAN MARSH
Shirley Grey, Onslow Stevens, Lucille Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Eddie Gribbon, Merna Kennedy, Mae Busch. Story by Harry Sauber. Screenplay by Chandler Sprague and Joseph Santley. Dances staged by Max Scheck. Songs by Conrad, Mitchell and Gottler. Directed by Harry Lachman.
A Stanley Bergerman Production — Another success from
UNIVERSAL
DRAMA ! ROMANCE ! COMEDY!
"Universal can take a bow for 'Bombay Mail/ It is good, clean, interesting entertainment."
— Billboard
EDMU N D
LOWE
LVL
BOMB MAI
With Ralph Forbes, Shirley Grey, Hedda Hopper, Onslow Ste- vens, Tom Moore, John Wray, Brandon Hurst. Screenplay by Tom Reed from his novel by L. G. Blochman. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Edwin L. Marin. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
12
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Jan. 13, 1934
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS REOPEN IN
ON Monday, Carl Laemmle, Jr., postponing his trip for several weeks, announced the cast of "The Countess of Monte Cristo." This is the first produc- tion to go into work at the stu- dios of Universal City which re- opened yesterday. The cast an- nounced is an all-star aggrega- tion, assembled by Stanley Ber- german, who will supervise, and Karl Freund, who will direct. Gene Lewis, who wrote the dia- logue for "I Like It That Way" has written the dialogue for 'The Countess of Monte Cristo" and will also direct the dialogue scenes.
Fay Wray, Paul Luk, Star Cast of "Count< First Picture To G< Half Of The 1933
The cast includes Fay Wray, Paul Lukas, Roger Pryor, Patsy Kelly, Robert McWade, John Sheehan, Reginald Owen and Ellallee Ruby. Ellallee Ruby is a newcomer to the screen and this is her first picture. She was discovered in New York by Carl
SAN FRANCISCO HAI
In the Chronicle by Geo. C. Warren
Fay Wray and Nils Aslher in a tense scene from “ Madame Spy.'” This stirring drama of interna- tional conflicts tcill open at the Roxy Theatre on Fein nary 9th as the fourth of a quartette of Uni- versal knock-out pictures. So splendid is the work of Fay W ray that she has been selected to play the name part in another Continental production. This time it is “ The Countess of Monte Cristo.”
“/COUNSELLOR AT LAW,” the fine play by Elmer Rice, has reached the screen as a more exciting story than it was on the stage, where the comedy was emphasized. John Barrymore is starred in the pic- ture at the Golden Gate Theatre, playing George Simon, the East Side lad who has reached the heights as a lawyer.
William Wyler, who directed the picture, has given the bustle of the offices of a busy man with fine effect, and has made an in- telligent, quick moving story in which some of the minor ele- ments of the play have been omitted. Elmer Rice, who wrote the play, also prepared the screen drama, which therefore carries out his ideas perfectly.
+ + +
Motion Picture Says * ‘‘Counsellor At Law ” Is Grand Picture — Sure To Enjoy It — Well Acted
THEY shof the stage play, literally, word for word, scene as faithfully as Ihe camera could do so. It was a good play. It's a grand picture. You are caught up into the busy, exciting, vio- lent turmoil of the law offices of a firm of sensational trial attorneys whose cli- ents are colorful criminals of both sexes.
John Barrymore's performance of the flashy lawyer, who slavishly worships a contemptuous wife (Doris Kenyon), is
only one of the reasons for seeing this picture. With nothing spectacular to say or do, Bebe Daniels, as the confidential secretary, makes herself felt and remem- bered. Isabel Jewell almost steals the picture as the blonde telephone girl.
The pace is breathless, the story is caught up and passed rapidly from character to character, leaving one at the end regretful that there is not to be any more. You'll enjoy this, no matter what your age, sex, or tastes. (Universal)
BEBE DANIELS OPPOSITE
Bebe Daniels plays the sec- retary, who is secretly in love with Simon. The performance is an excellent one, subdued, emotional, interesting. Doris Kenyon is the wife, a woman cold in temperament, who mar- ried Simon for his money, and whose children by her former husband treat their stepfather with contemptuous indifference.
Isabel Jewell gives a fine im- personation of the telephone girl, a talkative, saucy, compe- tent employe, quick with retort and quite able to take care of herself. Melvyn Douglas, who has not been seen in the screen in many months, spent on a tour of the world with his wife, Hel- en Gahagan, plays the lover of Mrs. Simon and offers a fine per- formance of the part.
There are good bits by Thel- ma Todd, Mayo Methot, Marvin Kline, Angela Jacobs, Vincent Sherman and others.
Jan. 13, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
iURGE OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITY
ind Roger Pryor in All : of Monte Cristo," the lito Production On Last '34 Universal Schedule
Laemmle, who had a test made of her and sent her to the coast several months ago.
In order, and as rapidly as possible, the following pictures go into produc- tion: Lew Ayres in "If I Were Rich" by William Anthony McGuire, di- rected by Edward Ludwig; Gloria
*
Stuart in Edna Ferber's "Glamour," a B. F. Zeidman production, to be di- rected by Director William Wyler; "United Press" or "American Scot- land Yard," by Courtney Terrett, starring Edmund Lowe; "The Human Side" by Christine Ames; "Little Man, What Naw?" by Hans Fallada starring Margaret Sullavan and Doug- las Montgomery, a Frank Borzage production; " Elizabeth and Mary" which Lowell Sherman will direct and in which he will star; "Today We Live" by Edward Sloman, which Slo- man himself will direct; and Chester Morris in "The Practical Joker" by William Anthony McGuire.
* +
"COUNSELLOR AT LAW”
In the Examiner
ELMER RICE wrote his own screen adaptation of his stage success, “Counsellor at Law.” Which accounts for the fact that the story has been kept intact, and that the celluloid presentation follows that of the orig- inal. Even the camera fails to stray outside of the busy law offices of George Simon. The differences in de- tail are revealed in direction and in the leading character of George Simon, as impersonated by John Barrymore.
This Rice play should pack the Golden Gate throughout the week. It is excellent entertainment. Director Wyler of Universal has set it at a brisk tempo. It is well cast and ex- cellently acted.
San Eranciscans had the opportun- ity to see both Otto Kruger and Noel Madison interpret the Simon role when “Counsellor at Law” packed the Alcazar during its first and return en- gagements. So it was especially inter- esting to see what John Barrymore does with it.
He gives a magnificent performance which surpasses in technic the acting of Kruger and Madison.
His nervous temperament is sug- gested in movement, gesture and gait, in his emotional outbursts. His lack of background is revealed in his speech, in his occasional crude man- ner and brusqueness. His kind-heart- edness and loyalty in the quick warmth of his response to old friends in need. But not until his heart is chilled with the shock of his wife's infidelity, does he become superbly eloquent in a silence that breeds
by Ada Hanifin
thoughts of suicide. It is when he is at the switchboard after his employes have gone for the night.
Bebe Daniels as the secretary, si- lently in love with the lawyer, gives an impressive restrained performance. Passive as is the role, she conveys emotion and understanding, and wins the sympathy of the audience.
Beautiful Gloria Stuart, co-starring with Roger Pryor in “I Like It That Way,” has just completed the fif- teenth leading role in a screen life of less than two years. It is an as- tounding record and a marvelous tribute to her talent, beauty and en- durance. Gloria Stuart will be star- red next in Edna Ferber's “Gla- mour,” ivhich will be made at Uni- versal City as a B. F. Zeidman pro- duction.
* * *
Silver Screen Says Excellent
Rating : Amusing, Dramatic
JOHN BARRYMORE'S most vivid ^and brilliant performance — and you mustn t miss it. Indeed, John must have liked this role of a clever lawyer, for he puts his whole heart and soul into it. The entire action of the pic- ture takes place in the Empire Sta+e' Building. All the characters are every- day people you'd find in a law office if you went into one today.
John, a successful and brilliant law- yer, who has worked his way from the sidewalks of the Bronx to the top of his profession, is beset by every kind of amusing, thrilling and tragic sit- uation as he sits there behind his desk. But, so adept at solving the problems of others, he fails complete- ly when it comes to solving his own
, Tragic— and Excellent, Too
and attempts suicide when he learns that his social register wife has left for Europe with a wealthy clubman. But Bebe Daniels, his long-suffering and patient secretary, saves him just in time — the phone rings — and John is once more the clever Counsellor at Low, ruling the destinies of people.
There is a swell cast of "type" people, with most of the honors go- ing to Isabel Jewell as the fast-talk- ing telephone girl, and Clara Langs- ner as John's broken-English "Bronx" mother. Doris Kenyon plays the cold, brittle, society wife and Melvyn Doug- las plays her lover. A magnificent pic- ture which will not fail to hold you thrilled and interested to the final fade-out. (Universal)
B. F. Zeidman Production with
JOHN BOLES GLORIA STUART
Morgan Farley, Ruth Hall, Albert Conti, Dorothy Peterson, Edmund Breese, Rich- ard Carle, Lucille Gleason, Mae Busch, Jimmy Butler. Story by Paul Gangelin, Presented by CARL LAEMMLE. Directed by
VICTOR SCHERTZINGER
AS ONE SHOWMAN* SAYS TO ANOTHER
*( Excerpts of letter to Mr . Harry Arthur, of F. & M. Stage Shows,
Inc., Roxy Theatre, N.Y., etc. from Marco, of Fanchon & Marco ) :
"I am positive it will be one of the best box-office pic- tures Universal has made this year. It is worth heavy exploitation and advertis- ing campaigns because of its production values,excellent cast, novelty of story twist, musical angle and title, 'Beloved,' which is great."
"Thrilling Air Stunts, Climax Give It High Rating; Good Cast; Direction Notable"
— Chick Lewis'
Showmen's Round Table
FAY WRAY NILS ASTHER
EDWARD ARNOLD • JOHN MILJAN DAVID TORRENCE • ROBERT ELLIS VINCE BARNETT, in
MADAME
SPY
r Original story by Max Kimmich, Johan- nes Brandt, Joseph Than. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Directed by Karl Freund. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
Associate Producer, Edmund Grainger.
:
I
The wheels of the law grinding against the heart and life of a woman betrayed!
FROM THE THEATRE GUILD PLAY
by
Paul and Claire Sifton.
With a Truly ALL-STAR CAST Including
SIDNEY FOX - O. P. Heggie - Henry Hull — Lynn Overman — Humphrey Bogart — Kathrine Wilson — Margaret Wycherly. Directed by Chester Erskin. Produced by All Star Productions, Inc. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
EJan. 13, 1934
U
BY CANDLELIGHT
n
“SCINTILLATING COMEDY,” Says Wanda Hale in the News
20 ” -
NEWSREEL No. 212
President Roosevelt reads his message to Congress.
SPECIAL pictures of the appalling French train wreck in which al- most 200 men, women and children were killed during the holidays, were rushed to U. S. screens by the Uni- versal Newsreel during the past week- end as the result of a striking instance of newsreel enterprise.
All newsreels had been closed for the week when the wreck pictures ar- rived aboard the S. S. Europa late Thursday night. Realizing the import- ance and timeliness of the subject, Allyn Butterfield, Editor of the Uni- versal Newsreel, laid plans to rush it to Universal Exchanges as a special, rather than to hold it up until this week's newsreel issues.
The pictures, taken a few hours after the wreck, show the terrible dis- aster in all its graphic details, with the bashed-in locomotive which ploughed its way through a wooden coach load of trapped passengers, the splintered coaches which tele- scoped with their human freight, and the sad and painstaking search of the tangled debris for dead and in- jured.
Babe Ruth officially starts the baseball season by going into training at McGovern’s Gym.
UNIVERSAL has taken Siegfried Geyer's comedy "By Candle- light" that was shown on the legiti- mate stage here several years ago, featuring Gertrude Lawrence, Leslie Howard and Reginald Owen, and transformed it to the screen. The re- sult is entirely satisfactory. Under the capable direction of James Whale, combined with the clever portrayals of Paul Lukas, Nils Asther and Elissa Landi, the screen version has lost none of the spicy flavor of the orig- inal.
The masquerading of a butler and a maid as their royal master and mis- tress is the theme upon which this light and highly amusing comedy is based, and so entertained will you be in the comical situations and bright dialogue that you will hardly be re- minded of the fact that masquerading is one of the more hackneyed forms of comedy. Elissa Landi is charming as the lady's maid, but her work is over- shadowed by the performances of Paul Lukas and Nils Asther as butler and master. Beautiful Esther Ralston is rightly cast as lady nobility. The smart Continental settings are laid in Vienna and Monte Carlo.
Josef (Paul Lukas) is Prince Ru- dolph's (Nils Asther) butler. He is in- trigued with his master's ability in making lovely ladies stoop to folly. He meets Marie (Elissa Landi) who, thinking he is the Prince, poses as a Countess.
Thinking the Prince gone for the evening, Josef persuades Marie to call for a cocktail. Using his master's technique, he is going great with Marie, when Rudolph unexpectedly returns home. Amused by the situa- tion he dons his butler's coat and
helps along with the adventure. More mix-ups follow, but they are all cleared up. Don't miss this picture at the old Roxy.
+ + *
“AMUSING,”
Says Mordaunt Holl
WITH its philandering prince and a butler who also has an eye for feminine beauty, a countess who wel- comes flattery from the opposite sex and a very artful and comely girl, "By Candlelight," the present film at the Roxy, affords a pleasantly amus- ing diversion. It is shallow and some- what obvious in spots, but its little in- trigue is set forth with admirable cun- ning by James Whale and others*.
This harmless affair hails from the German Siegfried Geyer's play, "Candle-Light," which found it’s way to the English-speaking stage through P. G. Wodehouse's adaptation. Out at the Universal studios they decided to make the story a little more intri- cate and therefore employed Hans Kraly, F. Hugh Herbert, Karen de Wolf and Ruth Cummings to put it into screen form. It might be said that the result is one of the few instances where too many cooks have not spoiled the broth.
Here one finds Paul Lukas portray- ing Josef, Prince Alfred von Rommer's butler, and Elissa Landi appears as — well, Marie, who is always arrayed most becomingly. The Prince comes to life in the person of Nils Asther and Dorothy Revier appears as Countess von Rischenheim. A little contre- ( Continued on Page 28)
Jan. 13, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
lAPTURES NEW YORK
A New Elissa Landi Hailed By
Regina Crewe in New York American
A SMARTLY amusing Continental comedy has been wrought into first rate film fun to usher in a bright and sparkling New Year season at the Roxy Theatre. It is romance through and through, romance taken with a grain of salt, light and laugh- ing, always char ning. And it helps confirm earlier suspicions that the particular niche for Elissa Landi is in the realm of comedy and farce rather than drama.
The fun begins when Elissa and Paul Lukas, Monte Carlo bound, meet as the Countess von Rischenheim and the Count von Rommer, although Elissa is merely Marie, maid to her titled mistress, and Paul is masquer- ading as the great lover to whom he is valet. They persist in their mutual deception, and the make-believing involves them in some romantic friv- olities culminating in the valet's en- tertainment of the maid in his master's palatial apartments.
Both are skilled in the technique of flirtation carefully acquired during their opportunities to observe the carryings-on above stairs, and Lukas knows just the proper instant to sub- stitute the soft, romantic haze of candlelight for a too revealing elec- tric glare. But amorous thoughts are shattered when the real Count, clad as a butler, plays that role by appear- ing with the candelabra!
Elissa is hastily dismissed by the em-
barrassed imposter, and with her goes the Count's cigarette case, to be dis- covered later in her mistress' bag by a suspicious husband. So the plot thickens! And, of course, smarting un- der unjust accusations of her spouse, the genuine Countess dashes off to the Casino, where fate contrives that she encounter the master love maker whose methods have proved so suc- cessful when imitated by his valet with her maid. Thus it happens that Marie and her Josef, pursuing their amour; the young Count and the Countess, who are experiencing the beginning of a beautiful friendship; and the old Count, her husband, hot upon the trail of his wife and her sus- pected lover, all arive at the apart- ment for a swell third act denoue- ment. See it for yourself at the Roxy and enjoy the fun.
Miss Landi does one of her best bits as the masquerading maid, play- ing the part lightly, airily, quite in the spirit of the piece, and both Mr. Lu- kas and Mr. Asther, among the screen’s more polished and convinc- ing Lotharios, pretend in a manner to make the frailty of Miss Londi and Dorothy Revier enjoyably believable. Lawrence Grant is a properly unsym- pathetic husband, while the decora- tive Esther Ralston, Lois January and Warburton Gamble help the humor of the situations as opportunity affords.
+ + +
44 4By Candlelight’ Is Gay Comedy,” Says Bland Johaneson in Daily Mirror
THIS charming, sly continental comedy represents the first bou- doir picture of Director James Whale, who has specialized with brilliant suc- cess in Universal's fine series of thrill- ers. It is a triumph for him. A clever play, a captivating cast, smart dia- logue, enchanting settings, attractive costumes are manipulated, with this
director's skill, into a compact, fin- ished light comedy. It is touching, as well as spicy and witty, as diverting an hour's gaiety as the screen has of- fered this season.
The plot has no great originality. It is the treatment and acting which lend it freshness and sparkle. Paul Lu- ( Continued on Page 28)
I
Beautiful Wynne Gibson and Onslow Stevens play the principal roles in the engaging mystery drama now entitled “ The Crosby Case.” This was previous- ly referred to in the studios as “ Special Investigator” and has to do with the remarkable unravelling of a crime by a district attorney, who himself ivas put on the spot. It has a swell cast.
+ + +
“77/E CROSBY CASE ” BIG CITY MYSTERY
ONE of the most baffling bases ever brought to the attention of a police commissioner to solve was the Crosby murder mystery. It started when an apparently drunken man reeled out of a fashionable apartment house into the dusky, rainy streets and fell dead in front of a passing taxicab. When the ambulance came it was discovered that a bullet had killed him: that he was dead be- fore the taxi hit him.
Pressure was brought to bear against the District Attorney from all sides, demanding a speedy solu- tion of the crime, and the relentless investigation soon brought to light five suspects, all of whom might very justifiably have committed the murder.
This Universal drama, directed by Edward L. Marin, moves rapidly and absorbingly, to a totally unexpected climax, when, as in all the best mur- der mysteries, the guilt is fastened upon a hitherto unsuspected person.
the Rira
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Jan. 13, 1934
Maynard Good Money Getter
2 4 EEL
GLEN W. DICKINSON THEATRES, INC.
Dickinson Theatre Bldg. Lawrence, Kansas
Re: INVISIBLE MAN
December 12, 1933
Mr. Benny Benjamin,
Universal Pictures, Inc.
Kansas City, Mo.
Dear Benny:
Wish to advise that we are now running the above picture at our Varsity Theatre in Law- rence and it is pleasing and do- ing a swell business. This picture is an answer to a showman's dream and any live wire exhib- itor with any idea of exploita- tion is destined to do an un- usual gross with it.
Thanks to Universal for "THE INVISIBLE MAN' and may they keep up the good work.
With kindest regards, I am Yours very truly, [signed) GLEN W. DICKINSON
Anyone who has any doubt about the drawing power of Ken Maynard better read this telegram. It tells the story of a doubtful theatre owner by the name of Louis Charninsky of the
A GOOD COMEDY
VINCE BARNETT in Starring Role of A TRIFLE BACKWARD ”
[Miami Campbell, Vince Barnetl and Gertrude Short in a scene representative of the title, “A Trifle Backward,” one of the cleverest of the Warren Doane productions in the series of
UNIVERSAL REEL COMEDIES
Capitol Theatre, Dallas, Texas, who used "Strawberry Roan" as a trial horse to find out whether there was money in westerns. And this is what he found:
By Permission Of Motion Picture Hera Id
INVISIBLE MAN: Claude Rains — A picture from Universal that will do a grand business anywhere. I played it too early and ran into a severe cold snap. It has novelty and mystery and gets away from the Frankenstein type. Plan on bringing it back. Step on it and don't play it as a horror picture. Different than anything I have ever played — E. A. Reynolds, Strand Thea- tre. Princeton, Minn. Small town and country patronage.
+ + +
GLEASON'S NEW DEAL: Jim Gleason — A good two-reel comedy. Funny. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. General patronage.
WESTERN UNION
DALLAS TEX JAN 7
ANDY SHARICK UNIVERSAL FILM CO 730 5 AVE NYIv
OPENED TODAY WITH KEN MAYNARD IN STRAW- BERRY ROAN JUST TO SEE IF COULD DO ANY BUSINESS WITH SAME WANT YOU TO KNOW WE HAD TO STOP SELLING TICKETS FOR OVER ONE HOUR TODAY STOOD THEM ALL OVER THE HOUSE ALL DAY SURE GOOD MONEY GETTER YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO PUBLISH THIS
LOUIS CHARNINSKY
Jan. 13, 1934 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY EEEEE
“Chock Full Of Giggles And Guffaws ”
“THE POOR RICH’’
Extract from the Motion Picture Herald
WHERE fast moving and novel hokum is appreciated, this pic- ture has the necessary story, cast and production values for a satisfying laugh show. Definitely in the family type classification, its entertainment offering much to amuse adults and youngsters of both sexes, it is chock full of giggles and guffaws.
For straight-away showmanship pur- poses, the names in the cast seem to be more important than either title or story content. All the principals and practically every one of the sup- ports have always been identified with comedy, a fact that should be stress- ed to the utmost. While comedy is the outstanding feature, the romantic angle is unusually treated and through it is woven in the light dramatic sus- pense, the punchy excitement of the anti-climax which develops into a whirlwind of laughter and the human interest finish.
The financially strapped Albert and Harriet anxiously await the advent of Lord and Lady Featherstone and their daughter Gwen, whom Harriet hopes to marry to Albert in order that the Spottiswood fortune might be re- stored. The nobles, however, are in the same fix and have the same idea about the Spottiswoods. As they bluff and deceive each other, comedy is high and happy. Complicated by Abdul's attempts to take Harriet for a bit of blackmail, both parties find out that the other has been four- flushing. Then the whole outfit, in- spired by Andy, go into the fried- chicken business and there is much happiness all-around.
That's the outline, but the material with which it is dressed provides the real laughs. There are the antics of Edward Everett Horton and Edna May Oliver as well as the Feather- stone family as they mutually prepare
to stick each other; the situation in which Leila Hyams finds herself as a kitchen maid; the fun that follows Andy Devine's stealing of the prize goose and Arbuthnot's frantic efforts to recover his property; the near mur- der and the nutty sleuthing of a batty detective.
The whole thing is all in fun — there isn't a serious moment in it — which is a tip-off as to how "The Poor Rich" should be called to patron attention. Accentuate the comedy, make the best possible use of the cast names by stressing their adaptability to their roles and get over the idea that here's the kind of picture that will amuse youngsters as well as oldsters. — McCarthy, Hollywood.
HIRCHFIELD DEBUT
Famous Broadway Columnist and Story Teller Appears in Mentone Short
Vaudeville Reveals
Harry Hirchfield
It took the Catholic Actors Guild to bring out Harry Hirchfield in a movie. He appears with Harold Stern and his Hotel Biltmore Or- chestra, Hal Forde, Gypsy Nina, Charles Collins, Jack McLellen, Eddie Peabody, DeDio’s Animal Circus, Sybil Krinny and the Al- bertine Rasch Girls in
“Vaudeville on Parade.”
MENTONE UNIVERSAL
25
JOIN
THE BIG-HIT
CELEBRATION
•
Carl Laemmle
ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE Jan. 6 — March 10
Praise From
Sir Johnston
Johnston Air Service
"California Aeronca Dealer”
Durtiss-Wrigh+'s San Francisco Airport Room 2, Administration Building Alameda, California
Carl Laemmle, Pres.,
Universal Pictures Corp.,
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dear Mr. Laemmle:
May I congratulate you on the fine picture "S.O.S. ICE- BERG" viewed last night at the St. Francis in San Francisco.
After seeing most of the air pictures and taking part in sev- eral I feel free in saying "S.O.S. ICEBERG" is the most pictur- esque flight inspiring screen play I have ever seen offered to the public. S. O. S. made fly- ing beautiful and in comparison to Los Angeles and Chicago National and International Speed Classics both of which I witnessed this year, your picture appealed to a new sense.
It gave me great pleasure to see your wonderful picture and I have heartily recommended its excellence to my friends, espe- cially to those who fly as they are most critical. I am
Very truly yours, JOHNSTON AIR SERVICE F. Myrlen Johnston Pres.
IP*
NOW FOR SOME
TWELVE EXCITING CHAPTERS
With Lucille Lund, Walter Miller, Pat O’Malley, William Desmond. Story by Ella O'Neill. Directed by Ray Taylor.
REAL THRILLS!
28
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Jan. 13, 1934
"EXCITING MYSTERY ON PALACE SCREEN IN BOMBAY MAIL, "
Says REGINA CREWE in the
NEW YORK AMERICAN
RATTLING over rails running pretty parallel to those that carried "Shanghai Express" and "Rome Ex- press" speeding o'er our screens, "Bombay Mail" provides entertain- ment as colorful, confusing and excit- ing as any railway station scene re- cently camera-captured. The con- fusion, perhaps, militates against the picture's full perfection. The action lacks precision and the script itself cohesion, but atmosphere is well es- tablished and suspense nicely sus- tained.
As you've guessed, the drama takes place aboard a Calcutta-Bom- bay special, the passengers of which are as sinister a cargo as ever filled a film with sudden death. And death is present in great variety — by pistol shot, poison and snake bite, with a fine collection of suspicious persons from which to guess the guilty. Thus the task of Mr. Lowe, cast as a sort of British-lndian Sherlock Holmes, in solving the murders is complicated as the mystery itself. But if you know Mr. Lowe, you're at once assured that solve them he does, and that by the time the blood-stained train rolls into Bombay's Grand Central Station, Vice and Villainy receive their just desserts.
Mr. Lowe as the principal pretend- er in this make-believe comes off best of the cast, but Onslow Stevens and Shirley Grey contribute sincere por- trayals, and excellent support is pro- vided by a large cast which includes such troupers as Hedda Hopper, Tom Moore, John Wray, Jameson Thomas, Brandon Hurst, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Georges Renavent, Garry Owen,
Huntley Gordon, Herbert Corthell, Douglas Gerrard, Walter Armitage and Harry Allen. Mr. Marin's direc- tion keeps the story from ever becom- ing static and makes the most of the locale.
+ + +
“Gay Comedy Says Bland Johaneson
(Continued from Page 21)
kas, as butler to a flirtatious Prince played by Nils Asther, greatly ad- mires his master's amorous technique. Bored by the lady's maids and nurse- girls who cannot appreciate the finesse he has acquired from his mas- ter, he impulsively enters upon a more exciting conquest with a "lady."
She is a genteel but provocative traveling companion on the Monte Carlo express.
At the resort, he determines to meet her again and impersonates the Prince in order to dazzle her into sub- mission. Going through the Prince's careful routine he has a success which develops astounding situations.
Aristocratic employers and ambi- tious servants are mixed in a series of delightful accidents.
Elissa Landi is bewitching as the "lady" who coquettes with the bogus nobleman. Asther is splendid in the engaging role of the naughty Prince. Lukas gives a delightful, spirited per- formance as the romantic butler, played by Esther Ralston, Dorothy Revier, Lawrence Grant and Warbur- ton Gamble.
“AMU SIN G”
Says Mordaunt Holl
( Continued from Page 20)
tempts involving another man's wife sends the Prince from Paris to Monte Carlo, to which place Josef precedes his master. On the train the hand- some Josef encounters Marie and she thinks that he is the Prince, making her deductions from the coat of arms on what she presumes to be his bag- gage.
Thus soon you have Josef enter- taining Marie as the Prince and it follows that they are surprised by the nobleman himself, who promptly of- ficiates as butler, which is obviously quite a painful experience for Josef and somewhat disconcerting to Ma- rie, who, of course, really believes the Prince to be a servant. The audience yesterday afternoon chuckled with glee when the Prince in brass buttons brought in the champagne, doing the butler's duties in a meticulous fashion.
Notwithstanding Marie's fine clothes, she is bound to arouse the audience's suspicions concerning her true identity, for her speech is not al- ways precisely that of a countess, ex- cept when she is very careful. Added to this there is the complication caused by Josef giving Marie one of the Prince's monogrammed cigarette cases.
Mr. Whale shows a fondness here for wines and brandy, for whenever, he wants some action, either Josef or the Prince indulge their fancy for a bottle of wine or a glass of cognac. Marie does not dislike champagne and neither does Countess von Risch- enheim, nor the Baroness von Ballin, who appears in the early part of the story. So far as the title is concerned, it is derived from the candles that are brought into the room when the fuses are intentionally burned out. The Prince always favors the mellow old- fashioned illumination.
Elissa Landi gives a graceful and satisfactory performance as Marie. Mr. Lukas is ingratiating as Josef and he is especially clever in the episode where he is taken unawares by his master. Mr. Asther handles the role of the Prince pleasingly. Warburton Gamble adds to the tone of this light affair by his impersonation of an eas- ily deceived husband.
A DIGEST OF THE BEST EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF THE WEEK
Heralds Are Important!
I heard something the other day on a suburban train out of New York City that started me thinking. Perhaps this conversation will start you thinking too. Perhaps something of careful and resultant advertising analysis has been lost in the mad chaos of past months . . . perhaps we have forgotten that there is always a large potential army of ticket buyers who must be reached by other than straight newspaper methods.
Following is the conversation. See what you think about it. The speakers were two girls.
"Isn't it too bad. We always find out about the good ones after they play."
"The theatre used to send around ads but they don't do it any more and if you want to find out what's playing you have to walk up to the theatre and see."
I happened to know the town they were talking about. The-e is a local newspaper but there are many transients in this suburb the same as in other big city suburbs ... or people who haven't lived there long enough to get interested in the small, local paper. If you fall to reach these people by herald or program you are losing an unusual amount of business in addition to losing the buildup power that periodical delivery of theatre advertising to homes provides.
Of course some people do call the theatre on the telephone to find out what's going on if they are not otherwise advised. But that usually happens only when these people have a night off and at the last minute decided to go to the show if there's a picture on they want to see.
The safest way to insure maximum attendance and build new theatre interest is to revive those showmanship ideas that have always been fruitful . . . liberal use of he-alds on good pictures. Here's one bet on which you can't go wrong. A. J. SHARICK
Panel of stills and catch-lines around “invisible man” dummy made an eye- catching display at the Avon, Utica, N. Y.
BALLYHOOS FEATURE LASSMANS CAMPAIGN
|
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Rodney Collier’s front on “ COUNSELLOR AT LAW7” at the Rialto Theatre, W'ash- ington, D. C. shows good use can be made of posters in designing attractive displays.
Garry Lassman, manager of the Avon Theatre, executed a comprehensive campaign in selling the "INVISIBLE MAN" to Utica. Advance lobby displays, a special trailer stunt and four street ballyhoos, all created considerable talk about the picture.
An "invisible man" dummy, with blinker light eyes; two shadow box poster displays; "invisible” fish; bouncing camphor balls; and a 40 x 60 panel of reviews from the country's leading critics, were used as ad- vance stunts.
Before the trailer was shown, the theatre was darkened, as a man dashed from the right wing of the stage he was picked up by green spots from the booth. From the op- posite wing of the stage, a dummy, the head of which was covered with luminous paint, was thrown at him. As the dummy hit the stage, the man screamed, fired a qun and dashed off the stage. The trailer followed this bit of action.
A week before the opening, a car with sign reading, "This car driven by 'THE IN- VISIBLE MAN' at the Avon Theatre" was used as a ballyhoo. Additional ballyhoos in- cluded an appropriately bannered "invisible man" riding in an open car, a man swathed in black, distributing heralds, and a truck with poster cut-outs.
ADS THAT PRESENT A VARIETY OF SHOWMANSHIP
STAPTS
TOMORROW.
"HOOPLA’
Tonight at 11.30
f You'll hardly be* liero »h*l , jvar
EDDIE DUCHlN
'COUNtfLIOR^LAW
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How Da You Prefer To Make . . .
LOVE!)
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Fantastic Sensation 1
With Gloria Stuart, a Claude Rain*. Dudle\ Dige**- Lna 0‘Con\ nor. Henrj Travers.
STANTON
NEW YEAR’S EVE MIDNIGHT SHOW
SO MILLION FRENCHMEN CUT OF « HI » US OMCEtS
niidiuest
lew Tear i
Eve Smw
BY CANDLELIGHTS
~i<k {LIMA LANDI .« PAUL LUKAS
ALLEN
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COUNSELLOR AT LAW
__ BEBE DANIELS .•
MS? DOBIS KENYON I £
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SUMMERVILLE
HORSE PLAY
CHESTER
MORRIS
KING FOR ANIGHT
HEL E N
TWEIVETREES
A imeahlng drama in which o fighting, laughing, wise- crocking youth looms thot In o big town you con got cwoy with almost anything . . . except MURDER I
Starting FRIDAY!
Mono o* the 4nt "« or his
BEBE DANIELS '
DOBS KENYON,
\ ^ AIDA it
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“LITTLE WOMEN
CLEVELAND
ORCHESTRA
OFF THE A»« INTO MOVIES
*=• A*:/®*
UAMU
Patron* offending 9 o'clock shots tonstc may ramain for midnite
'aeammuu,
He palled the strings tor their Dance of Life! Divorcees, gold digger*, mothers, bankers, pan- pen. gangsters, reform- ers men and women in all walks of life were his to save . . . y*' or to destroy ... I /
STARTS
f Its more amazing than ••Franken- stein"— more start- ling than "Bra co- la"— it's almost un- believable !
1 Come tonight — but come prepared for the greatest thrill of your whole life!
H.G.WELLV
(I) Doi.'b'e column x 1^/2" from Eckel, Syracuse, N. Y. (2) Three column x 8 from Midwest, Ok'ahoma City, Oka. (3) Doub'e column x 4^/2 " from Music Box, Port'and, Ore. (4) Two co'umn x 2 ^/a,' from Paramount, Des Moines, Iowa. (5) Double column x M/2 hold-over from Stanton, Phi'adelphia. (6) Doub e co'umn x b" from Orpheum, Minneapo'is, Minn. (7) Double column x 1" f'om Rialto, Washington, D. C. (8) Single co'umn x 0/~/' from Alhambra, Milwaukee, Wise. (9) Single co'umn x 6 from Ritz, Elizabeth, N. J. (10) Double column x 5” from Allen, C eve and, adapted f om pressbook exploitation suggestion.
The 1934 Hit at the Roxy, N. 1. /
CANDLELIGHT
“As diverting an hour’s gaiety as the screen has offered this season , ” says N. Y. Mirror
ELISSA LANDI PAUL LUKAS
NILS ASTHER — DOROTHY REVIER — ESTHER RALSTON
Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr., from the stage success by Siegfried Geyer. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
Directed by JAMES WHALE.
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
730 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY
\
v
‘The entertainment value of UNI- VERSAL NEWSREEL is unequal- led in its field. First, because it is primarily a news reel, the news coverage and service have been excellent at all times. Sec- ond, because of Graham McNamee. We know our patrons derive real pleasure from UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL.”
—Russell Rogers , Pres.,
Pacific National Theatres , Inc.
Los Angeles , Calif.
Printed in U. S. A.
Out of ttw Onto tfM
A
FRANK
BORZACE
Production
Screenplay by William Anthony McGuire. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
Kiges of the world’s best seller -- screen in the year’s best picture - -
MARGARET
SULLAVAN
as the beloved BUNNY of Hans Fallada 's world-famous novel , with DOUGLASS MONTGOMERY as the Tittle Man " Pinneberg — and a great cast playing the other characters that have become known to millions.
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PROP
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Mar. 17, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
7
'iRTHCOMING FILMS
“The Humbug ” in Production
With Nils Asther and Gloria Stuart
in the Featured Roles
"THE HUMBUG" went into production at Universal ^ City Tuesday under the direction of Max Marcin, who wrote the play from which the screen version is de- rived. He will have the assistance of Edward Venturini on the dialogue sequences. "The Humbug" will feature Nils Asther and Gloria Stuart, who has just finished her role in "I'll Tell the World" with Lee Tracy.
Nils Asther has recently appeared in two Universal pic- tures, "By Candlelight" and "Madame Spy." Gloria Stu- art has been in ten Universal pictures during the past two years and has just signed a new long time contract to be Featured or co-featured in every forthcoming picture.
The cast of "The Humbug" includes Paul Kelly, John Wray, Erin O'Brien Moore, Robert Greig, Virginia Kami and Ellalee Ruby. Karen deWolf wrote the screenplay.
: "THE AFFAIRS OR PAUL LUKAS
rection by Edwin L. Marin. Only two of the eight women who will consti- tute one of the most interesting casts assembled at Universal City in a long time, have been chosen. They are Alice White and Lilian Bond.
Alice White's last picture for Uni- versal was "Cross Country Cruise."
Alice White, the very first affair cho- sen by Paul Lukas in “Affairs of a Gentleman .**
lienee Gadd and Edward Everett Horton in “Uncertain Lady.” Nothing uncertain about its success.
Two Stars Make Debut In “ Uncertain Lady 99
"TVO DEBUTS IN ONE" is the case with "Uncertain Lady," the film just completed at Universal City. In this picture two well-known stars make their initial screen bows to American audiences. One is Mary Nash, for years a prominent stage figure. The other is Renee Gadd, En- glish star.
Carl Laemmle, Jr. is the first to succeed in luring Miss Nash to Hol- lywood. As the star of such stage tri- umphs as "Captain Applejack," "Thy Name Is Woman," and "The Lady," she felt the screen had little to offer her. Not until Laemmle, Jr. outlined her part in "Uncertain Lady" would she consent to sign a contract.
Renee Gadd only recently arrived in Hollywood from England. There she has been on both stage and screen. Among her British films are
"Aren't We All?" "Maid of the Mountai ns," and "Letting in the Sun- shine." When Carl Laemmle, Jr. first had reports on her he began nego- tiations to bring her to Universal City.
Two old favorites, Edward Everett Horton and Genevieve Tobin, are featured in "Uncertain Lady." The story, which is based on the play by Harry Segall, has to do with an ultra- modern wife, who offers to give up her husband to the "other woman," on condition that the latter replace her old husband with a new one. Other members of the cast, who be- come involved in this unique situation, are Paul Cavanagh, George Meeker, Dorothy Petersen, Donald Reed, Her- bert Corthell, Arthur Hoyt, Gay Sea- brook, and James Durkin. Karl Freund directed.
STARS AND
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Mar. 17, 1934
LEADING PLAYERS IN l
Karloff
in “The Black Cat:’
Gloria Stuart in “I’ll Tell the World ” and “The Humbug.”
Margaret Sullavan in “Little Man, What Now?”
Paul Lukas in “Affairs of a Gentleman,” “Countess of Monte Cristo,” and “Glamour.”
Marion Nixon in “ The Practical Joker.”
Nils Asther in “The Humbug.”
Genevieve Tobin in “Uncertain Lady.”
34
Mar. 17, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
9
IVERSAL'S LATEST SPRING PICTURES
Bela Lugosi in “ The Black Cat”
Patricia Ellis
“Let’s Be Ritzy”
Lee Tracy
‘I’ll Tell the World.”
Edward Everett Horton in “Uncertain Lady.”
•1
Chester Morris in “The Practical Joker.”
Fay Wray
in “Countess of Monte Cristo.”
Wynne Gibson in “I Give My Love.”’
Lew /lyres in “Let’s Be Ritzy.”
Douglass Montgomery in “Little Man, What Now?”
With
GLORIA STUART ROGER PRYOR
Onslow Stevens, Alec Francis and many others. Directed by EDWARD SEDGWICK.
•
Watch for details of the great newspaper tie-up on this one!
12
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Mar. 17, 1934
"I GIVE MY LOVE” A Title Contest Winner
ONE of the most interesting Uni- versal pictures for this Spring is Wynne Gibson in "I Give My Love" by Vicki Baum. It is a strik- ing title — a title that holds al- lure, drama, romance, patriot and abandon. No wonder. This title was the first prize winner in a title contest held in Silver Screen, edited by Eliot Keen. More than five thou- sand answers were re- ceived in the contest and were considered by the judges, among whom were Mr. Keen, Carl Laemmle, Jr. and Paul Gulick. Universal had just bought a story by Vicki Baum, author of "Grand Hotel." It's title was not a moving picture title. Universal wanted a moving picture title par-excellence. "I Give M^ Love" is the result.
Beautiful Wynne Gibson was cho- sen for the leading role, and it is the present intention of playing Paul Lukas in the other featured part, if he finishes his first starring picture, 'Affairs of a Gentleman," in time. Karl Freund has been selected by Producer B. F. Zeidman to direct. The screenplay was written by Win- ifred Dunn and the script is now be- ing written by Milton Krims.
Wynne Gibson holds a two-picture contract with Universal. The first role in which she appeared was "The Crosby Case" with Onslow Stevens. Like so very few actresses, Miss Gib- son was born in New York City. She completed her education at the Wad- leigh School for Girls. Her stage training cons.sted of four seasons in stock and a year in vaudeville, after
Beautiful Wynne Gib- son, as she will appear in her forthcoming pic- ture, “/ Give My Love ”
r
A Magazine toi Motion Picture bimbitori Paul Gulick, Editor
Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
730 Fifth Avenue, New York City Copyrighted 1 934 Universal Pictures Corp.
(All Rights Reserved)
MARCH 17. 1934
No. 14
which she played leading roles in such musical comedies as "The Gingham Girl,' "Little Jesse James," "The City Chap" and "Castles in the Air." Miss Gibson has been in pictures three years and has had important roles in "The Devil is Driving," "Night After Night," "Her Bodyguard," "If I Had a Million."
Though Wynne Gibson has a de- served reputation as a beauty in Hol- lywood, she would undoubtedly have been a crack woman athlete if she had devoted her time and attention to that. She is a splendid swimmer, a figure skater of ability, and she can even curve a baseball, which very few women in the world can do.
HOW TO EXPLOIT "I GIVE MY LOVE”
THIS story is from the pen of Vicki Baum, famous authoress of “Grand Hotel.” Sell this angle big in your campaign — it’s your biggest selling point! Wynne Gibson, who has ac- quired an unusually large fan follow- ing the brief time she has been star- red, will have the leading role in this one — play her up big! The picture will have a musical setting which will pro- vide additional exploitation angles for you to go after.
You can tie-up with libraries and bookstores for special displays and selling drives featuring Vicki Baum’s books. The pressbook will contain a list of them. Be careful in selling Vicki Baum not to create the impres- sion that “I Give My Love” is in any way like “Grand Hotel.” It is not. It is an entirely different type of story. There will be a line of exceptionally fine accessories to help you sell this one.
Mar. 17, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
NEWSPAPERS ENDORSE "I'LL TELL THE WORLD"
Press man, and Ralph Spence.
For the sake of authenticity a studio crew was sent to New York, where the entire headquarters of the Unit- ed Press was photographed, togeth- er with the news departments, and all the machinery of operation of a huge international news gathering organization was made available for the picture. Even the officials of the company were photographed as they transacted an ordinary day's business in the office.
A serialization is available for news- papers in connection with the run- ning of this picture which will open in New York on the week of the news- paper publishers' convention. It is ten thousand words and arranged in six chapters with illustrations.
"I'll Tell the World" has a great cast. In addition to Lee Tracy, who plays the Alliance reporter, and Roger Pryor, who plays the reporter for the Confederated Press, Gloria Stuart plays a beautiful princess edu- cated in Baltimore, Maryland. There are also Onslow Stevens, Alec Fran- cis, Laurence Grant, Hugh Enfield, Dorothy Grainger, Leon Waycoff, Willard Robertson, Herman Bing, William von Brincken, and Edwin Mordaunt. It was directed by Edward Sedgwick.
LEE TRACY will score his great- est triumph in “I’ll Tell the World.” Selling this star is easy. To judge from the fan mail everyone is delighted to see him return in another Universal picture. Also give a big break to Roger Pryor, who teams up perfectly with Tracy. Both of them have personality-plus, talk like whirl- winds, and are ideal foils as rival re- porters. The name of Gloria Stuart also is of definite box-office value!
“Ill Tell the World” is the story of super-newspapermen reporting for a wire service and one of the most re- markable angles of exploitation ever offered the exhibitors, is in connection with the newspapers which will wel- come a story made as a newspaper story should be made — by newspaper men. Backgrounds of the New York United Press office are used in the ac-
tion. There is no limit to the amount of publicity and tie-ups you can get from local sheets.
Here are a few other suggestions:
Easels carrying stills of Tracy in former productions and billing his big triumph in this.
Exhibits of telegraph, telephone, radio, teletype, telephoto, and other instruments used in news gathering.
A shadow-box which carries wise- cracking repartee between Tracy and Pryor.
Novelties like tabloid newspapers.
Special previews for local press reports.
Tie-ups with schools from the edu- cational angle of newspaper articles.
There is a ten thousand word serial story in mat form available for your paper when you set your date.
Gloria Stuart and Lee Tracy in an amusing scene from “I’ll Tell the World.”
HOW TO EXP.OIT "I LL TELL THE WORLD"
Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart as Brown and Princess Helen in “ I’ll Tell the World.”
WHEN Universal started to make "I'll Tell the World," it had two aces in the hole. One was Lee Tracy; the other was the greatest world wide news gathering organization in the world.
Lee Tracy is precisely the actor to play Brown, the crack news-gatherer of the Alliance, and Carl Laem- mle, Jr. was delighted to be able to offer it to Tracy when Tracy needed a break. So well has this combination worked out that Carl Laemmle, Jr. and Lee Tracy have signed a long- term contract for four pictures a year.
The other ace in the hole is this gigantic worldwide news-gathering organization which agreed to lend it countenance and assistance in every possible way to the making and exploiting of "I'll Tell the World." The story was written by Lincoln Quarberg, a former United Press man, and Lieutenant-Commander Frank Wead. The screenplay was by Dale Van Every, a former United
Here is the patrician Patricia Ellis, playing opposite Letc Ayres in “ Let's Be Ritzy.”
HOW TO EXPLOIT "LET'S BE RITZY”
T N exploiting this picture play up youth, romance and laughter! Stunts, tie-ups and catchlines should all be in keeping with the “Let’s Be Ritzy” angle. Kid the young pretenders who wanted to make believe they were rich. Beware of moralizing or treating the theme dramatically. Put it over for what it is — a light, semi-serious, comedy drama of everyday newlyweds. Sell the cast — it is all big box-office. Lew Ayres — sell him heavily — his youthful per- sonality is at its best in this role. Patricia Ellis — a charm- ing, sparkling, pretty and talented ingenue with a string of successes. Isabel Jewell and Frank McHugh, two swell comedians who control a pile of votes. And there’s that delightful old crab, Robert McWade — he’s a riot in “Let’s Be Ritzy!”
The best exploitation title ever offered a live-wire showman for tie-up possibilities. Prove this by tying up with local merchants for a “Let’s Be Ritzy” week. Get them all in on the stunt, with a prize for the best dressed window as voted by local citizens. Suggest to the news- paper that they sell a co-operative ad section in connec- tion with the week. The idea has unlimited possibilities as it can be extended beyond the merchants to civic offi- cials for a town clean-up, etc.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Mar. 17, 1934
'LET'S BE RITZY''
READY FOR RELEASE
NEXT week theatres that enjoy a good human com- edy-drama will be shaking their sides and counting their dollars. "Let's Be Ritzy" will be released then. It has passed its preview tests with flying colors. It knocked the sales force for a loop. Exhibitors are going to eat it up; audiences are going to come back and see it twice and tell their friends to go and see it. That is the kind of a picture "Let's Be Ritzy" is.
"Let's Be Ritzy" was made from a play by William An- thony McGuire. Its dialogue is as human, as rippling, as funny, as any play on Broadway today. It has the advan- tage of some of the best acting which has been seen on the Universal City lot in years. Lew Ayres never was bet- ter since "All Quiet on the Western Front." Robert Mc- Wade gives undoubtedly the best individual performance in the picture. Patricia Ellis, a newcomer to Universal, played so well in this picture that Carl Laemmle, Jr., im- mediately signed her up to play the feminine lead in "Alias the Deacon." Isabel Jewell, who made such a hit ( Continued on Page 28 )
A scene from “ Let’s Be Ritzy,” with Addison Richards, Lew Ayres and Patricia Ellis.
Isabel Jewell and Robert McWade in “ Let’s Be Ritzy,” which stars Lew Ayres.
Mar. 17, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
15
4e COUNTESS OF
MONTE
CRISTO
//THE COUNTESS OF MONTE CRISTO" will open at
I the Roxy in New York starting on March 30th. It has already started in a number of spots and "The Coun- tess" is being received with laughter and cheers wherever she opens court. The beautiful little heroine is such a swell fake that no one can be really annoyed with her.
It seems that Janet Kruger was a moving picture extra girl in love with a newspaper man who had just lost his job. The whole works were wet. The extra, clad in a $16,- 000 sable coat and with trunks labelled "The Countess of Monte Cristo," was rehearsing a scene in which she and her maid drove up to the door of a swell hotel in a spank- ing sixteen cylinder car. The director made Janet do the scene over again three or four times because all Janet could think about was her boy-friend and her glimming romance. Finally, the director got nasty and told her that if she didn't do it right this time, she could get out of the sable coat and give up the Countess role; there were lots of extras. But Janet's dander was up. Instead of stopping at the swell hotel set, she threw the sixteen cylinder car in high and dashed through the studio gates and made for the open country. Although Janet didn't want to be dishonest about anything, appearances were so much in
her favor that food, clothes, parties, and love even tum- bled right into her lap, until —
But even then there was an ace in the hole. The dis- pairing newspaper lover brought it all back into reality as a publicity stunt. But in the meantime, "The Countess of Monte Cristo" has provided a show of surpassing in- terest and Karl Freund has been so deft in his touch that you have to believe that all of these miraculous things really happen: you just have to believe. ( See Page 28)
+ + +
How To Exploit "Countess of Monte Cristo'
IN all exploitation make the “Countess of Monte Cristo” as mysterious a figure as possible. Sell her as a strange, exotic beauty and work in a background of swanky atmo- sphere. Sell Fay Wray, Paul Lukas, Patsy Kelly and Paul Page, they’re all good box-office names.
Sell a co-operative ad page with the heading: Today’s Prices Permit You The Luxuries of, the “Countess of Monte Cristo.” Stage a fashion parade. Doll up your post- er cut-outs with actual clothes, furs, imitation jewelry, etc. See the pressbook for details and for other suggestions.
Fay Wray and Paul Lukas in a scene from “The Countess of Monte Cristo .”
Paul Page in a scene from “The Countess of Monte Cristo.”
She couldn’t mal^e up her mind about men!
— particularly about ber own husband, whom sbe agreed to release to tbe other woman’
— if tbe other woman would supply ber with a new bus- band ! . . . What an idea for tbe screen — for snappy situa- tions and brilliant dialogue!
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
Mar. 17, I <^4 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =25
'Uncertain Lady A Certain Hit
Genevieve Tobin as the wife in “ Uncertain Lady” suggests the unique proposal to her husband, Edivard Everett Horton, and his inamorata, Renee Gadd, that they provide her with another husband.
ALL one has to do to be certain that "Uncertain Lady" is a cer- tain hit, is to read the Harry Segall play on which the picture is based. It has a most unusual situation which has been delightfully worked out by Daniel Evans and Martin Brown. George O'Neil and Doris Anderson wrote the screenplay, and Karl Freund directed it.
Here's the idea. A lady by the name of Doris Crane, who is a bus- iness woman as well as a wife, is about to lose her husband. Being a business woman, she makes a bargain with her infatuated spouse and his fortune-hunter flame. She will give up her husband if they two will pro- vide her with another husband just as good. Strangely enough, all parties consent to this unusual arrangement, and immediately start in to carry it out. Almost anything could happen from this set-up and almost every- thing does.
"Uncertain Lady" has a swell cast, too. First of all, it has Edward Everett Horton, a comedian of the first water, who has been starred and featured in a number of Universal productions. Then there Is Genevieve Tobin, who returns to the Universal studio which was the first to put her in moving pictures. Miss Tobin will be remem- bered for remarkable work in "Seed,"
"A Lady Surrenders" and many other exquisitely played parts.
There is also a newcomer to the screen named Renee Gadd, who plays the part of "the other woman." Miss Gadd is a discovery of Carl Laemmle, Jr. and this is the first op- portunity she has had on the screen, though she is well known on the stage.
Paul Cavanaugh plays the romantic lead. George Meeker and Dorothy Peterson are an ornament to any
cast. Mary Nash, former Broadway star, is also making her talking pic- ture debut in this Universal picture, while the balance of the cast in- cludes Donald Reed, Herbert Cor- thell, Arthur Hoyt, Gay Seabrook and James Durkin.
+ + +
EXPLOITATION ANGLES and HINTS
SHE agreed to give up her husband provided he and the other woman would find her a new one! What a situation for a gay rollicking farce comedy! And what a picture it is! What a great exploitation story and title! And the cast is perfect.
Go after that title — tease it for all its worth — put over a co-operative ad page — use the want ad columns under the exchange or swap headings — play up the cast of box-office favorites — Genevieve Tobin, Edward Everett Horton, Paul Cavanaugh, George Meeker, Dorothy Peterson, Herbert Corthell and two newcomers to the American screen — Renee Gadd, who makes her American screen debut after a whirlwind success in England, and Mary Nash, who comes to Hol- lywood after a brilliant Broadway stage career.
Watch for the unusual paper being provided for this picture. You will find it adaptable to many eye-catching and seat-selling stunts. Plan now to use plenty of it in your campaign.
The chief conspirators in “Uncertain Lady.” Left to right: Renee Gadd, Paul Cavanaugh, Genevieve Tobin, Edward Everett Horton.
The love life of an actress who couldn’t make good as a wife — —
EDNA FERBER'S
AMOUK
with
CONSTANCE CUMMINGS PAUL LUKAS
Phillip Reed, Joseph Cawthorn, Doris Lloyd,
Alice Lake and many others. Directed by WILLIAM WYLER. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
A B. F. ZEIDMAN PRODUCTION
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Mar. 17, 1934
MARGARET SULLAVAN
Biggest Space Grabber
(Continued from Page 4)
This Is What She Got
Reviewing the publicity which Margaret Sullavan has already received in the magazines, it is intereseting to note that this girl, with only one screen appearance to her credit, "Only Yesterday," almost overnight became the idol of the press. Photoplay Magazine was the first to recognize her amazing talent, in an interview with her in their December number. The Modern Screen magazine for January carried a personality interview with her by Charles Beahan, who was instrumental in bringing her to the attention of Universal officials at the time he himself was Eastern Scenario Editor of the company. The Febru- ary magazines carried an avalanche of stories, interviews and full page portraits, these being in New Movie, Pic- ture Play, Motion Picture, Screenland, Screen Book, Hol- lywood, Screen Play and Silver Screen.
The prediction of one of these magazines concerning Miss Sullavan, — "A new star has been born!" — has come true. For with her second picture, "Little Man, What Now?" Margaret Sullavan's name goes up in electric lights. It is to be Margaret Sullavan in "Little Man, What Now?", a decision just made by Carl Laemmle, Jr. who has absolute confidence and faith in Margaret Sul- lavan's right to stardom.
+ + +
"LET'S BE RITZY''
Ready For Release
(Continued from Page 14)
in "Counsellor at Law," has a crackerjack part in this one, and anyone who likes Frank McHugh will be amazed at the humor of his performance in this one.
"Let’s Be Ritzy" is in the bag. It is in the bag for you, too, Mr. Exhibitor, and a lot of money with it!
* + +
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE.
The line of posters on “ The Countess of Monte Cristo ” is one of the most flashy and striking de- vised in some time. The three-sheet illustrated herewith is dominated by two blocks of brilliant light vermillion in which Fay Wray’s little green hat stands out like a million dollars. The line of posters includes, as usual, two of these three- sheets, two ones, a six-sheet, and a smashing twen- ty-four sheet. All of these are allied in their color scheme, making a full showing which will domin- ate boards wherever they are posted.
Swell Cast Chosen For 'Countess of Monte Cristo”
( Continued from Page 15)
Stanley Bergerman, whose production this is, picked out a swell cast, too. Fay Wray plays the Countess, Paul Lu- kas the role opposite, Reginald Owen, Patsy Kelly, Paul Page and Robert McWade have important parts, while Carmel Myers, John Sheehan, Frank Reicher, Richard Tucker, Matthew Betz, Bobby Watson and Dewey Robin- son are in the cast.
Mar. 17, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
29
Cat Actor Chosen
for "The Black Cat'
THE first black cat show on record was held in Holly- wood on Wednesday to select a name part feline actor for the title role of "The Black Cat."
From every alley and cellar in the film capital, the Black Marias and Black Toms gathered at Universal City, where Carl Laemmle, Jr., general manager of the studios, gave $25 in prizes for the biggest, most beautiful and weird looking specimens.
The winner of first prize was awarded a role in Univer- sal's current mystery picture, "The Black Cat," with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. The two runners up were given prize ribbons, and their owners received checks.
It was the cat's meow.
+ + +
Ken Maynard Europe Bound
WITH the latest picture, "Doomed to Die," scheduled be finished by the middle of the week, Ken May- nard, Universal western star, will leave Hollywood on Sat- urday for New York, to take passage on the Berengaria, which sails for Le Havre, France, March 21st. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Maynard.
The Maynards plan an extensive European vacation. Upon reaching Le Havre, they will immediately entrain for Spain, where they will spend about three months be- fore touring the continent and returning to the United States.
PAUL LUKAS C0NS1ANCE CUMMINGS
PfcHUP REED OOK’J UCYD.JGS tAW*ttPW* £>>'*< by WILLIAM WYL£R
KIDMAN
UNIVER/AL PICTURE
Glamour has been injected into the posters of “Glamour.” The six-sheet illustrated shows a grad- uated gold and yellow design flashing up from the figure of Constance Cummings against a rich back- ground of solid yellows. The entire line is carried out in the same color design.
ISABEL JEWELL
»»OM A-STACC Pit>
W**AMT»«8WY MC E
COWARD LWOWIG-
carllaemmle -m
PATRICIA ELLIS. FRANK MFHUGH
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
te>PY«*«GMTCC‘ 1934 - V*lit4tS4t.. >-*
Light airy treatment characterizes the line of paper on “Let's Be Ritzy.” With such a well known cast, every effort has been made to preserve the likenesses of Lew Ayres, Patricia Ellis, Isabel Jew- ell and Frank McHugh, while carrying out the spritely idea of the jazzy title. The other three-sheet is a huge hat with Lew Ayres and Patricia Ellis sit- ting in it. Morgan has provided the usual quota of twenty-four sheets , a six, two threes, and two ones.
The Original
FRANKENSTEI
(Boris Karloff)
+
The Original
DRACULA
(Bela Lugosi)
The PERFECT Combination For THE Mystery Thriller of All Time!
A Story fror
EDCA
ALL Ah
P O E
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
730 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY
recently wired Carl Laemmle : "Universal Newsreel has just completed first week's showing in Crauman's Chinese Theatre... For three years we have operated without a newsreel and in my opinion
UNIVERSAL
NEWSREEL
alone measures up to the high standard of entertainment established at Crauman's Chinese in Hollywood where our policy is two shows daily."
SID CRAUMAN
Printed in U. S. A.
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Have you noticed the notices?
2 -- = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY — '■ ^ May 12, 1934
I OWE YOU
No. 77 1 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
In these strange days of struggle and doubt, it is im- portant for you to know that your source of supply of
pictures is safe and sound.
Signing up for a list of good pictures really doesn't mean much to you unless you are sure that the company with which you sign is in a position to carry on its business.
So I owe you a report on Universal. Here it is:
Universal is in excellent shape. We are doing a splendid
business all over the world. Last week, for example, we did a larger foreign business than we have done in any similar week in the past six years.
Universal owes very little money anywhere, almost nothing in comparison with the business we are doing.
A conservative forecast of our expense and income for the coming year shows that we can not only make the pictures we have obligated ourselves to make, but deliver something a little better than we promised.
1
May 12, 1934 E : UNIVERSAL WEEKLY _ -^3
THIS NEWS
Universal could not possibly be in such sound condition unless the greater portion of its customers were in good
shape, too. We go up or down as the business of our
customers goes up or down. The fact that we are turning that corner (instead of waiting for prosperity to turn it) is proof enough that most of our customers have turned it — some of them without even realizing it.
In this world no one gets back more than he gives out. Universal has given to its customers a good average of money-making pictures and now we are feeling the effects of it. But before we could feel the effects, the larger part of our customers feel the benefit of it. That is as it should be in all business.
We've sailed some stormy* seas in the past quarter of a century and especially since the Fall of 1929 — but we're right here on the job, right side up and ready to act again
as a bulwark of safety and security for you.
Universal and those who rely upon Universal can now look forward with contented minds upon the future.
<JMargareL>
Sullavan
with
r. DOUGLASS ^MONTGOMERY
lu i
LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW?
bids fair to threaten even your biggest 1929 grosses!
From the famous best-seller by Hans Fallada. Directed by Frank Borzage. With Fred Kohler, Alan Hale, Mae Marsh, George Meeker, Muriel Kirkland, DeWitt Jen- nings, Hedda Hopper, Catherine Doucet. Bodil Rosing. Screenplay by William Anthony McGuire.
A
FRANK BORZAGE
Production
Proudly Presented hy Carl JCaemmltj
The Most Important Picti
Frank Borzage Since
May 12, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
9
Celebrating Junior Laemmle’s 26th Birthday
Here is the group of studio officials who helped Carl Laemmle, Jr. celebrate his twenty-sixth birthday. The party was given by William Anthony McGuire, who sits between Carl Laemmle and Carl Laemmle, Jr., and was held at the Colony Cafe. In the picture will be seen J. R. Grainger, general manager of distribution for Universal Pictures, Frank Mastroly, executive studio manager, Henry Henigson, E. M. Asher, Robert Harris and Eddie Buzzell, director. There are a lot of others who didn’t get in the picture and whose faces are too indistinct to show up in this flashlight. It was a great party and came just at right time to celebrate the completion of Universal’s biggest picture, “Little Man, What Now?”
BUCK JONES STARTS "THE RED RIDER" UNIVERSAL LEAD-OFF SERIAL THIS WEEK
WHEN Carl Laemmle gave Buck Jones the honor of starting Universal's next year's serial program, he decided to put every element of box-office support behind this great box-office western star. The first thing to do was to provide a story. One of the greatest writers of west- erns over a period of the last fifteen years is W. C. Tuttle. Adventure Magazine would not be in existence without him. Neither would a number of other popular western magazines. Universal purchased W. C. Tuttle's story, "The Red Head from Sun Dog" and re-titled it "The Red Rider."
Already the leading lady has been chosen in the person of Janet Chand- ler. Janet has beauty, skill in riding and real acting ability. She will be a delightful foil for Buck Jones. The villain also has been chosen in the person of Richard Cramer, who plays the role of Joe Portuguese. Direction will be in the hands of Louise Fried- lander, who made such a tremendous impression with his first serial, "The Vanishing Shadow."
Buck Jones in "The Red Rider" will get under way at Universal City early
+
Murray Roth to Direct
CARL LAEMMLE, Jr. has assigned Murray Roth to direct the Damon Runyon picture, "Ransom, One Mil- lion," when it goes into production at Universal City next month. "Ransom, One Million" is one of Universal's big pictures for next season. It ran serially in Cosmopolitan Magazine and it was
mvi-
A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulick. Editor
Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co. Rockefeller Center, New York City Copyrighted 1934 Univeisal Pictures Corp.
{All Rights Reserved)
MAY 12, 1934
this week and will be ready for early release.
+ +
“Ransom, One Million 99
Murray Roth who brought the story to the attention of Carl Laemmle, Jr. In the meantime, Ben Grauman Kohn, author of "Mud Turtle," has been as- signed to adapt the story. Kohn has been writing under the name of Kurt Kemplar.
+ + +
Jean Bart Adapts
Own Play to Screen
Author of Broadway Success, "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head," Working on Script at Universal City.
LAST year Universal bought "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head," the Broadway play by Jean Bart, which starred Claude Rains. It will be made for next year's program and Jean Bart, the author, is at work now on adapting her own scrip4’. Henry Henigson is the associate producer ip charge and Edward Ludwig will direct.
10~ _: — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = May 12, 1934
NEW FACES YOU WILL SEI
HEATHER ANGEL
mJEbLA-Zl : K
Heather Angel Cast For “The Mystery Of Edwin Drood ”
UNIVERSAL is to make two Charles Dickens pictures for next season. Dickens is getting a great play after all of these years and solely because of the tremendous interest which has been aroused by the world wide pub- lication of "The Life of Our Lord," the story which he wrote for the infor- mation of his own children and which was not to be published until those children had passed on. These two fa- mous Dickens stories are "The Mys- tery of Edwin Drood" and "Great Expectations." "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" will be supervised by Edmund Grainger, while "Great Expectations" will be a Stanley Bergerman produc- tion.
The first player engaged for either of these Dickens stories is Heather Angel. This beautiful English actress, who has been in this country for the last year, will play the lead in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" which Lynn Riggs is now adapting to the screen.
Heather Angel was born in Christ church, Oxford, England, and though her parents were not show people,
Miss Angel was not out of her teens before she was on the stage. Her greatest triumph on the London stage was "The Importance of Being Earn- est." It was that which brought her to the attention of the films and she played in a number of them in Eng- land before coming to this country.
+ + +
Brown Already In Two
RUSS BROWN so impressed Carl Laemmle, Jr. by his work in the "rushes" of "The Love Captive" with Nils Asther and Gloria Stuart, that he was placed under contract to Univer- sal, and was promptly dubbed "Rush- es" Brown by his associates on the lot. He was next cast with Chester Mor- ris in "Let's Talk It Over" and is scheduled for the Russ Columbo fea- ture to follow. Brown is well known after many years on the vaudeville and musical comedy stage in New York. He was teamed for several years with Bert Wheeler (of Wheeler and Woolsey) in vaudeville, and fol- lowing that with Jimmy Fallen as Fal- len and Brown. It was not until 1932 that Brown went into pictures, in "My Woman." "Moulin Rouge" followed, before the Universal engagement.
RUSS BROWN
Hr has alrrady played in llniversal pictures — “ The Love Captive,” and “Let’s Talk It Over”
DOROTHY APPLEBY
This Dorothy Appleby
Is Broadway Favorite
ONCE upon a time a little girl from New England won a beau- ty contest and was sent to New York as Miss Maine. With no previous stage experience she was cast in the leading feminine role of an important musical comedy, "Mary Jane Mc- Kane," succeeding the then famous Mary Haye.
That little girl was Dorothy Apple- by, born in Portland, Me., on January 6, just missing being a "New Year" baby by five days. It was a lucky break, Dorothy admits, that caused her to become a leading lady in her very first show. Other important roles followed and the name Appleby became a Broadway byword.
Perhaps her greatest role was in "Young Sinners," which was later made as a film. Some of her other stage successes include "Springtime for Henry," "Square Crooks," "When You Smile," with Elsie Janis and many others. She has never played in stock.
A short time ago Dorothy came to Hollywood and has already been seen in three pictures, the most recent of which is "As the Earth Turns." She is in "I Give My Love," in support of Wynne Gibson and Paul Lukas.
= UNIVERSAL WEEKLY -11
IN UNIVERSAL PICTURES
LOUISE LATIMER
Louise Latimer Rushed
Into First Universal Part
LOUISE LATIMER is another stage discovery of young Mr. Laemmle. She was signed this season and imme- diately went to Universal City for her tests. Miss Latimer has been busy every moment since she arrived on the Universal lot. Her first work is in "There's Always Tomorrow," the Ted Sloman picture in which Frank Mor- gan is featured with Binnie Barnes, Lois Wilson, Elizabeth Young, Robert Taylor, Maurice Murphy and Dick Winslow. Miss Latimer was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. on March 6, 1915 of New England ancestry. She was edu- cated at Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn and Glen Eden School, Stamford, Conn.; also the University of Arizona and the University of Southern Cali- fornia. She studied acting at the Al- viene Dramatic School in New York and received a position with a stock company in Bangor, Maine. Among the plays in which she has had parts are "Let Us Be Gay," "Dinner at Eight' and "When in Rome" at the 49th Street Theatre.
Fourth Acquisition from Pasadena Playhouse
EARL EBY, another of the newly signed discoveries of Carl Laem- mle, Jr. is versatile indeed. He has acted, stage directed, written plays, designed stage sets, and can sing, dance and play the piano. He was at one time connected with the famous Pasadena Community Playhouse, the training ground for so many screen stars. He has managed Fanchon and Marco stage shows and acted in fifty different plays. His work in "Cross Country Cruise" attracted Mr. Laem- mle's attention and brought him his contract.
At present Eby is playing in "Let's Talk It Over" with Chester Morris and Mae Clarke. He is the fourth player Carl Laemmle has obtained from that Pasadent Playhouse. The others are Gloria Stuart, Onslow Ste- vens and Jacqueline Wells who play- ed in "The Black Cat." Douglass Montgomery who has just finished a wonderful tale in "Little Man, What Now," with Margaret Sullavan was also a product of this prolific Play- house.
EARL EBY
A player of many parts who is now in “Let’s Talk It Over.”
JANE WYATT
Jane Wyatt Flies
F or “ One More River 99 JANE WYATT of the New York J stage is the best known of all the new faces on this page. From a thea- trical standpoint she is already a big bet. She was signed to a long-term Universal contract while playing in "Joyous Season" at the Belasco Theatre in New York with Lillian Gish, and went to Hollywood for a screen test. This was enormously successful and Miss Wyatt returned to New York to complete her plans for a res- idence in California. She flew back to the Coast on Tuesday to play in "One More River."
Jane Wyatt is the daughter of the socially prominent Christopher B. Wyatts. She was born at Campgaw, New Jersey on August 12th, 1912, and was educated at Miss Chapin's School and Barnard College, New York. At the age of 19, she had her first taste of acting, when she joined the Berkshire Players at Stockbridge, Mass. Engagements in several Broad- way plays followed, including "Trade- winds," "The Vinegar Tree," "The Fatal Alibi," "The Mad Hopes," "Evensong" and "Conquest," suc- ceeding Margaret Sullavan in "Din- ner at Eight" in the New York cast.
Ask your feminine fans how they would like to be hypno- tized into loving and lying and sacrificing for a man whom at heart they hated — and you'll get crowded houses to see the picture that tells them all about it A drama whose tense sit-
uations match the extreme unusualness of its perfect movie theme !
With
NILS ASTHER GLORIA STUART
PAUL KELLY — ALAN DINEHART — RENEE GADD — RUSS BROWN. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Story and direction by Max Marcin. Presented by Carl Laemmle.
CAPTIVE
14:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
May 12, 1934
THE LATEST NEWS OF PRODUC1
" -—■■■■ ~ ' -'.V rr|
Lowe - Karloff Set
STEPPING out with the largest pro- duction budget in its history, Uni- versal announced plans today to cre- ate the most impressive list of star and featured player names in the concern's life. Karloff who brought terror to the screen with his "Franken- stein," has been signed for three mystery-horror pictures and Edmund Lowe who recently starred in "Bom- bay Mail" received contracts for two films, Carl Laemmle, Jr., announced.
The new season will start June I and by that time Mr. Laemmle will have announced the most ambitious program in the history of Universal. The schedule provides for 42 features.
Lilian Bond, looking particularly fetching in a scene from “Affairs of a Gentleman”
“Let’s Talk It Over ”
New Morris Title
UNIVERSAL has changed the title of the B. F. Zeidman production starring Chester Morris to "Let's Talk It Over." This picture has enjoyed a number of titles in the studio. It be- gan as an original document by Dore Schary and Lewis Foster called "Loves of a Sailor." It later was changed to "Funny Thing Called Love," but there are so many "loves" on the market that it seemed best to get entirely away from the commodity.
In "Let's Talk It Over," Mae Clarke, whose many performances in Univer- sal pictures like "Waterloo Bridge" and "Frankenstein" make her feel very much at home there, is leading woman. Featured with her are Frank Craven, Andy Devine and Russ Brown, while the cast includes also John Warburton, Irene Ware, Ander- son Lawler, Goodee Montgomery, Dougles Fowley, Tom Dugan, Herbert Corthell, Lois January, Dean Benton, Earl Eby, Wanda Perry and Dorothy Daw.
"Let's Talk It Over," is being made from a screenplay by John Meehan, Jr., with dialogue contributed also by him and under the direction of Kurt Neumann. Its final scenes will be shot tomorrow.
+ + +
Universal Enlarging
“Embarrassing Moments ”
Henry armetta, one of the
most active players on the Uni- versal lot, has been given a new long- term contract by Carl Laemmle, Jr. The reason for superseding the old contract was the clever work Armetta did in "Embarrassing Moments" with Chester Morris. In fact, so important did the sequences in which Armetta appeared become in the picture, that the studio decided to broaden and enlarge upon them. The company was brought back and a week's extra work put in on this Chester Morris starring vehicle.
Several players were added in the Armetta sequences. The cast already includes Marion Nixon, Walter Woolf,
Jane Darwell, Virginia Sale, Alan Mowbray, Huntley Gordon, George Stone, Charles E. Coleman, Gay Sea- brook.
The new scenes were not accom- plished without danger and excite- ment. Chester Morris suffered severe injuries to his left hip, and both he and another actor escaped death by a miracle.
While seated in the cockpit of an airplane suspended forty feet in the air, the plane suddenly lurched and fell to the sound stage floor, carrying both Morris and Pat Flaherty, playing the role of the pilot, with it. Three large studio lights crashed on top of the men, the glass severing a sleeve from Morris's coat, and cutting a shoe from his left foot.
Both men were rushed to the studio hospital where they received treat- ment. Morris suffered intense pain from crushed muscles. Flaherty es- caped serious injury, but suffered from bruises about the body.
The story is by William Anthony McGuire and the direction by Edward Laemmle.
+ + +
’"One More River ” Cast Now Is Almost Complete
OVER the week-end, five players were added to the already im- posing cast which James Whale has enlisted to interpret John Gals- worthy's novel, "One More River." The new players are Kathleen How- ard, former Metropolitan Opera con- tralto and fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, E. E. Clive, Alan Mowbray, Gilbert Emery and Robert Greig.
R. C. Sherriff adapted this novel of contemporary English life while James Whale was in England several months ago. The scenes were worked out with actual English settings in mind, as was the case when these two collaborated on H. G. Wells' "The Invisible Man."
In the cast already announced, are Diana Wynyard, Colin Clive, Frank Lawton, Mary Astor, Henry Stephen- son and Reginald Denny.
May 1 2, 1 934 ' 7 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY -■ ' =15
3N AT UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS
Carl Laemmle, Jr., must have been looking at this still when he re-titled “Funny Thing Called Love.” Anyway, it illustrates the new title, “Let’s T alk It Over,” as well as any still could, with so many interested talkees in it. Chester Morris is center of attraction
Beautiful Binnie Barnes and Lois Wilson Cast
NIVERSAL went far afield for one of the roles in the tentatively titled "There's Always Tomorrow," which Ted Sloman put in production yesterday at Universal City. By cable Binnie Barnes the beautiful English actress who played Kathrine Howard in "Henry The Eighth," was engaged to play the role of Alice, the girl who understands Frank Morgan in this story which Ted Sloman, the director wrote. Miss Barnes is one of the most luscious creatures on the screen to- day.
Every effort is being made to get Miss Barnes on the Olympic, Wed- nesday's boat, but if she fails, she will have to sail on the Acquitania on the 12th. As soon as she arrives in
New York, she will be shot to the coast as rapidly as possible on the fastest plane.
Another role was assigned yester- day in this production, that of the
Make Reservations NOW
for the
MORRIS JOSEPH 20th Anniversary Testimonial Dinner HOTEL TAFT
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
MAIN BALL ROOM
MAY 22, 1934
Greatest Party in the History of Show Business in Connecticut.
woman who misunderstands Frank Morgan. Since the actress was re- quired to appear as the mother of five children, there wasn't any grand rush about playing it on the part of Hollywood actresses. Yesterday Carl Laemmle, Jr., however, assigned it to Lois Wilson, who had played a similar part in "Seed" and who regards that previous role as the most satisfactory performance she ever gave on the screen. Her latest role is also a moth- er role in Frank Borzage's "No Great er Glory."
Those already playing in the pic- ture are Elizabeth Young, Louise Lat- imer, Robert Taylor, Maurice Murphy, Dick Winslow, Helen Parish and Mar- garet Hamilton.
A Great Box-Office Cast in a Great Picture!
CARL
LAEMMLE
presents
O^LUKAS
UOW the women will love this one! ... A new kind of murder mystery with a new kind of dramatic thrill — spiced with the amorous rela- tionships of an irresistible man with many weak and beautiful women. . . . It s perfect movie fare — ready to do plenty of business for YOU !
nth "
JEILA HYAMS - PATRICIA ELLIS >HILLIP REED - ONSLOW STEVENS
'OROTHY BURGESS, LILLIAN BOND, JOYCE COMPTON, RICHARD CARLE, DOROTHY LE BAIRE
Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr., from a play by Edith and Edward Ellis. Directed by Edwin L. Marin. Edmund Grainger, Associate Pro- ducer.
18
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
May 12, 1934
SILVER SCREEN GIVES
The Best Interview Yet!
Excerpts From The Three Page Story
by Patricia Keats
Illustrated With Scenes From 66Little Man , What Now?”
THE "Little Man, What Now?" company is at work on stage 6 I am told when I reach Universal. I stumble over Boris Karloff, Gloria Stuart, and an old cab left over from "Back Street," and arrive on the set just in time to see Margaret rescue a stew from the kitchen stove — I mean a meat stew. So that cute kid is Margaret Sullavan. She doesn't look nearly as young ladyish as she did in "Only Yesterday." Well, if you don't mind, I'll just sit over here in the corner and observe a bit. Ah, there's Frank Borzage.
Frank Borzage is the most widely loved and admired director in Hollywood — and, if you could just see the flock of gold statuettes he has won at Academy Award dinners, you'd know that he rates pretty high with his con- freres. When I first saw the row of gold statuettes in his home I was sure that they had mated and had children.
Frank is directing "Little Man, What Now?" and that is all you need to know to be convinced that it will have the charm and tender pathos and naive humor of "Seventh Heaven."
You've probably read Hans Fallada's best seller and know what a truly beautiful and sincere story it is. And you can be darned sure that none of its beauty and sin- cerity will be lost on the screen, with Frank Borzage di- recting.
And that for "Little Man, What Now?" and Frank Bor- zage. It's my bet, judging from what I observed on my observation day, that Frank will have another little gold statuette ere the birdies nest again, and so will Carl Laemmle.
And now for Margaret Sullavan. She can't stand swank and pretense.
When the day's work is done Margaret goes loping home in her Ford roadster, none too new, with the top down and the wind blowing her hair in every direction. She lives in Cold Water Canyon, in a rented house, with a devoted colored maid and a little Scottie named Peter. Right now Margaret is devoting her life to weeding her lawn — and Peter is helping assiduously. As soon as the last "take" is okayed, Margaret Slips out of her demure little Lammchen dresses and pulls on an old pair of corduroy pants and a pongee shirt. No frills and ruffles for her.
If she gets a day away from the studio she goes driv-
ing through the country having a swell time, and usually by herself — she never can tell you exactly where she went because details mean nothing to her. She's in love with the adventure of living. If she gets several days off from the studio she usually goes to a dude ranch on a fishing spree, for she is a most enthusiastic angler.
Before meeting Margaret Sullavan I was convinced that her desire for simplicity and privacy, her exaggerated inferiority complex, and her abhorrence of publicity and the Best People (even Garbo selects her friends from the Best People) was all just another act. Of course our little village is a place where more acting is done off the screen than on. Better performances are given at the Mayfair and the Cocoanut Grove, not to mention when "ex" meets "ex" in the early morning at the Clover Club, than you'll ever see on the screen, alas. And the word natural hasn't been heard around here in years except at crap games. Every one is so busy being glamorous, or mysteri- ous, or exotic, or utterly charming, or utterly gross that when a perfectly normal, natural girl comes along doing and saying what a perfectly normal and natural girl would do and say, everybody up and whispers, "She's putting on an act." Having been deluged with charm and insin- cerity for months on end I regret to say I joined in the whispering. But no more.
Margaret Sullavan isn't any more putting on an act than my little kitten, chasing grasshoppers out in the pa- tio, is. She really is shy and sensitive, she really believes she is a rotten actress. She is completely unspoiled — and heaven help us, may she remain so. It is refreshing to meet someone in Hollywood who doesn't expect you to start raving about her last picture, who doesn't invite you to look at her last portrait sitting, who doesn't tell you that her studio is ruining her, who doesn't gossip about the other stars — and who very frankly tells you that she does- n't care at all about meeting you. It's delightful.
Margaret is so convinced that she is a rotten actress and has a lot to learn that she was simply sick all over when she saw herself in "Only Yesterday." She fled im- mediately to New York and started looking for another stage play. When Johnny Johnston of the publicity de- partment wrote her that Universal was excited over the picture, and wanted her to reserve space in a local trade
May 12, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
19
MARGARET SULLAVAN
paper to help advertise it, Margaret wrote back, "I have seen 'Only Yesterday.' The next space I reserve will be in the obituary column." She simply doesn't believe she was any good in that picture and if you tell her so she thinks you are being politely insincere.
There was the time when she ran into the late Lilyan Tashman at the Colony Club — Margaret's one venture in- to Hollywood's night life. Lilyan came up to her and said, "Aren't you the girl in 'Only Yesterady?' My dear, you were perfectly marvelous. You gave a divine perform- ance ..." And Lilyan raved on and on just as we all do in Hollywood.
"Thank you," said Margaret and walked away.
"Someone ought to teach that child some manners," Lilyan said.
When Margaret heard that she had hurt Lilyan Tash- man by her brusqueness, and that it was the concensus of opinion that she had acted most rudely, the poor girl was so upset she actually cried. She didn't mean to be rude.
But being called marvelous floored her so completely that she couldn't think of anything to say. If Lilyan had said, "Margaret Sullavan, do you know a good place to catch trout?" Margaret would have stood there talking until they shut up the place.
But she just can't talk about herself. And she can't get used to the good old Hollywood effusions.
There's a scene in "Little Man, What Now?" where Margaret has to walk in the rain. This scene — contrary to custom — had to be taken many times, and Margaret was drenching wet when it was over. "Well, I guess now you'll agree that Sullavan is all wet," she said as she wrung out her clothes. Yeah, you might just as well agree with Mar- garet that she's rotten and avoid an argument. (But you can keep your fingers crossed.) If you like Peter Pan, and Huckleberry Finn, and that freckle faced girl next door who gets such a kick out of her Girl Scout uniform, you've just got to like Margaret Sullavan.
+ + +
Frank Borzage Finishes “Little Man, What Now?” With A Feast
FRANK BORZAGE celebrated his birthday and the final shots of "Little Man, What Now" at Universal Studios on the same day.
With Margaret Sullavan headed for England, Borzage contracted for a picture with another studio, and Douglass Montgomery nego- tiating with three producers, but reserving three pictures for Uni- versal, it was necessary to work far into the night.
At midnight on the final day, an elaborate supper was served on the stage in honor of the director by the cast. Seated at the festive board were Margaret Sullavan, Douglass Montgomery, Alan Hale, Catharine Doucet, Bodil Rosing, Mae Marsh, Frank Reicher, Alan Mowbray, Christian Rub, Etienne Girardot, Sarah Padden, Monroe Owsley, Hedda Hopper, the en- tire technical crew and Mr. and Mrs. Borzage.
ENTERTAINMENT
— That's the one word which fittingly de- scribes this great audience picture! You can depend on it to draw! You can de- pend on it to give your folks an absolutely HILARIOUS TIME, and you can depend on it to cause more word-of-mouth com- ment than almost any picture you've run in weeks and weeks ! BOOK IT !
Mickey Rooney, Russell Hopton. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr., from a play by John B. Hymer and LeRoy Clemens. Directed by Kurt Neumann. Associate
Producer, Edmund Grainger.
JOEL McCREA SALLIE BLANE BERTON CHURCHILL
22
HEADLINES
From Variety
“Madame Spy,” Vaude ,
11 G; Montreal
Sees Some Biz
“GLAMOUR ” OKE
$15,000, /TV ST. L.
KATE SMITH AND “HALF A SINNER ”
$ 13,000 . S. F.
Orpheum: (F&M) (2,400; 25-35-55) "Half a Sinner" "U" and stage show with Kate Smith unit. Radio perform- er a B.O. draw and $13,000 okay with picture more help than usual. Last week "Success at any Price" (Radio) with young Fairbanks and "Century of Progress Revue" on stage started lightly and built up to a pretty good $10,000.
+ + +
San Francisco, May 7
Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 25-35- 40) — "I'll Tell World" (U) and vaude. Lee Tracy some draw, and $11,500 is much better than past few weeks. "This Man Is Mine" (Radio) getting slightly under $9,500 last week.
+ + +
Washington, May 7
Rialto (U). (1,853; 25-35-40-50), "Uncertain Lady" (U) Looks like sat- isfactory $3,000. Last week "I'll Tell the World" (U) helped by bally in local UP sheet collected good $5,000.
+ + +
Chicago, May 7
State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-35-40) "Countess of Monte Cristo" (U) and "Keep ’Em Rolling" (Radio) okay at $ I 1,000.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ==
“The Love Captive’’ Excellent Film Says Variety
SCREEN version of Max Marcin's "The Humbug" neatly accom- plishes what it sets out to do, pre- senting a suspenseful tale about a hypnotist whose uncanny works turn back upon him, and offering an hour's absorbing entertainment in dramatic novelty. It is throughout an excellent piece of craftsmanship, with Marcin as author, co-adaptor and director chiefly responsible.
The technology of hypnosis is au- thentically shown without the hocus- pocus usually ascribed to the powers of suggestion, in the plot which Nils Asther weaves about his patients and victims and eventually himself in the guise of the professional hypnotic practitioner. Gloria Stuart becomes his office nurse and his beloved after cutting off her engagement to Paul Kelly. Kelly, believing Asther has be- fuddled her with his powers, threatens to kill him, but is dissuaded by Alan Dinehart, his brother-in-law, who in turn goes gunning for Asther when he suspects he has transferred his spell to his own wife, played by Renee Gadd.
Climax comes when Asther, seeking to save his reputation puts on a sort of clinic called by an investigating committee of doctors. Committee presents Dinehart, who is in a jealous rage, as his hypnosis subject. Test of the so-called charlatan's powers is the presumed inability of his subject to pull the hairtrigger of a loaded pis tol. But under the goad of seeing his wife with the hypnotist, as she is about to defend the latter, he shoots and kills Asther.
Picture ends with question, pro- pounded to the audience over the head of one of the characters. Was the man who killed the hypnotist in a state of mental and moral irrespon- sibility, or did he take knowing ad- vantage of a prefect alibi provided by the victim himself?
Principals give excellent perform- ances, and rest of the cast is good in lesser parts. Photography is okay. Picture will hold to any audience.
■ ■ May 12, 1934
Novel Treatment of Fine Mystery Yarn -“Affairs of A Gentleman”
BASED on the play, "Women in His Life," the Universal picture, "Affairs of a Gentleman," offers a novel way of presenting a murder mystery.
Furthermore, it offers a highly in- teresting group of characters, each one of whom is believable, human and excellently drawn, and each un- wittingly adds to the mystery.
The film opens with a shot, and Gresham, a famous novelist (Paul Lu- kas) is found dead at his desk. The bewildered butler and Chinese chef finally pull themselves together suffi- ciently to phone the police and Gresham's publisher, Richard Carle. In the meantime, and quite naturally, the group of friends has gathered. The inspector gets nowhere rapidly, until a chance slip on the publisher's part leads to his decision: "Well, I'm going to keep you all here until each one of you tells all you know."
Then the picture goes back and picks up the series of events begin- ning with the publisher's inadvertent remark.
So many complications pile up that the perfectly simple solution for the murder (which looks like a suicide) is doubly effective, and the solution reaches the audience just before the inspector arrives, ending the picture exactly where it began. Whether or not the inspector ever solves the mys- tery is left to the audiences' imagi- nation.
Paul Lukas is polished, as usual; Dorothy Burgess turns in a good job as the girl with the jag; Sara Haden is uncannily fine as the secretary. Patricia Ellis, Lilian Bond, Leila Hy- ams, Joyce Compton and Dorothy Le Baire are good types for their parts. Richard Carle brings a callous, emo- tional shrug to his part that is stun- ning characterization. Onslow Stevens is the enraged husband, and Phillip Reed is Miss Ellis' fiance.
—Hollywood Reporter
May 12, 1934 — — - = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =====
GALESTIEN Praises LAEMMLE For “THE INVISIBLE MAN”
J. F. GALESTIEN
Mr. Galestien, who has for years run the Casino and National Theatres in Djokja, Batavia, has taken over the Alhambra and Flora theatres, which makes him the owner of all the thea- tres in this Dutch East Indies city. He is one of the most progressive theatre men of the East. The following letter was sent to Louis J. Lieser, Universal manager in Batavia.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION OF JAVA Batavia-C.
Dear Mr. Lieser:
Upon your request, I shall make an exception and give my opinion about your picture "THE INVISIBLE MAN."
To criticise the "INVISIBLE MAN" properly and effectively, it will be ne- cessary to tell you that I am now al- ready twenty years in the show bus- iness, and can claim a little experi- ence in this line. In all these years, I always had a great respect and ad- miration for your President UNCLE CARL LAEMMLE.
This great little man of the indus- try is really an ace showman. In all those years, he surprised us every time with something startling.
I hereby wish to assist you to re- member his productions:
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" "Hunchback of Notre Dame" "ALL QUIET ON THE WEST- ern Front"
"King of Jazz," etc.
and now he comes forward again with something unusual, such as "THE INVISIBLE MAN," "ONLY YESTER- and "BELOVED."
Honestly, I was greatly surprised and tricked when looking at "THE INVISIBLE MAN." How on earth has the film been taken! It is something wonderful. How advanced the film- technique has become, that it can manage to show and bring into ac- tion an "INVISIBLE MAN" on the screen. I have already seen six per- formances of this film, and I still am excited and fooled by this marvelous production. Naturally it's again CARL LAEMMLE, who is the first to come out with such mysterious shots.
I recollect one of his previous re- marks regarding imitations, he said, "You can imitate everything but not my knowledge. I always leave you a half-year behind hand."
Will you please send my special compliments and congratulations to UNCLE CARL regarding his film "THE INVISIBLE MAN." Every exhi- bitor who realizes his own interests ought to book immediately without fail this wonder of film technique, es- pecially as we also have now a real General Manager, Mr. Lieser, who will do everything in his power to al- low us exhibitors to run our shows with success.
This is indeed like UNCLE CARL.
With best regards,
Truly yours,
(w.s. J. F. Galestien
+ + +
Film Daily Boosts “Love Birds” Film
LAUGH-PACKED YARN OF RE- ALTY GYP AND GOLD RUSH ON DESERT RANCH.
This is a laugh riot for Pitts-Summer- ville fans and a pleasing entertain- ment for anybody's money. Summer- ville is an attendant at a chicken mar- ket whose hens get loose, fly into the classroom where ZaSu Pitts is the teacher and result in a scene that brings her dismissal. In the chickey (Continued on Page 27)
=^23
“All Quiet ” Gripping
As When First Made
Review Excerpts From ( Milwaukee Sentinel)
FOUR years ago Universal brought out a film based on Erich Maria Remarque's best seller, "All Quiet on the Western Front." Some it shocked, some it moved to tears, some it hor- rified with a horror that only war in the raw can provoke. On all who saw it, it left a searing impression that never has been equaled before or since by any picture.
In a film notable for its sustained and impelling drama, there are cer- tain scenes which, I don't doubt, many of us have carried with us since we first saw the picture, and which I found fully as moving when I rewit- nessed them last night. The patriotic fever lighting the innocent faces of the schoolboys as they pledge to stick together and fight furiously for the fatherland, the whimpering terror of the green soldiers as they cringe in the dugout under a bombardment, Paul's awful imprisonment with the Frenchman he killed in the frenzy of battle and whose corpse remains in smiling accusation to haunt him, Paul's hand reaching out for the but- terfly flitting just beyond the trench . . . these moments, among others, are ones not lightly to put out of mind.
But I think that most heartrending piece in the whole picture is the util- itarian state of mind which prompts each of the lads in turn practically to grab the choice pair of boots from a dying comrad.
If you missed it four years ago, don't miss it now. If you have seen it, you owe it to yourself and your out- look on world peace to repeat the ex- perience.
LEE TRACY
ROGER PRYOR, Onslow Stevens, Alec Francis, Lawrence Grant, Dorothy Grain- ger. Directed by EDWARD SEDGWICK. Produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
I LL TELL T
Lee Tracys telling the world through the box- offices of the country just what swell grosses can be rolled up today by a fast- moving romantic comedy- drama with melodramatic flourishes ... Its first run record shows that it's a thoroughly satisfying pic- ture, with plenty of pull- em - in - angles. CLIMB ABOARD!
WITH
GLORIA STUART
IE WORLD
26:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
May 12, 1934
June Knight, the photog- raphers delight, arrives in Universal City, to hare a slight throat operation and to appear in “ The Great Ziegfeld,” and possibly in “ Castles in the Air.”
•
Jacques Deval had the double pleasure of arriving at Universal City and on the same train with June Knight and sharing her welcome. Mr. Deval is ad- apting the continental dra- ma, “Angel” for Universal.
•
June Knight, Photographers’ Delight , Back
WITH Margaret Sullavan in Eu- rope and Gloria Stuart loaned to Warner Brothers, June Knight re- turns to Universal to find herself Queen of the lot, and incidentally — occupying the dressing bungalow which each of the other actresses have coveted — and won. June is to do "The Great Ziegfeld" for her next venture into celluloid drama.
When June Knight returned from her sojourn in Florida, there was gen-
+
Jane Wyatt Arrives
At Universal City
JANE WYATT arrived Wednesday at Universal City by plane to play the role of Binnie in "One More River." Carl Laemmle, Jr. sent for her in a hurry to round out a well balanced cast for James Whale. Al- though Miss Wyatt was not supposed 1o report until June 15th, she was glad to go, since she had been put- ting in the last few weeks in stock performances merely to have some- thing to do. She played "Biography" and "Dark Towers" at the Hanna The- atre in Cleveland, last week and the week before.
"One More River" is already in production with a cast which includes Diana Wynyard, Colin Clive, Mary Astor, Henry Stephenson, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, Kathleen Howard, Alan Mowbray, Gilbert Emery and Robert Greig.
eral rejoicing, for June is extremely popular on her Home lot.
When her big ivory DeSoto drives through the gates, camera men grab their lens boxes and Graflex cameras for June is "a natural" when it comes to photography. Everything she does makes a picture, and besides an hour with her in the gallery is good for a round of laughter from all connected with the job of 'picturizing' this grand gal.
+ + + +
“ Strange Wives 99
New Wharton Title
STANLEY BERGERMAN, who will make a production of Edith Whar- ton's novel, "Bread upon the Waters," has announced a change in title of this important next year's production.
It will be released under the title, "Strange Wives." Gladys Unger has returned to the Universal City lot to adapt the novel to the screen. Miss Unger has adapted many of the best women's stories of former years to the screen.
+ + +
Sherman to Direct
Two For Universal
Lowell sherman, whose throat
disability has prevented his start- ing the two pictures he came to Uni- versal to produce, is rapidly recover- ing. He can now speak above a whis- per and within the next month will be entirely recovered. The two pictures
She gives imitations between shots, sings a little Grand Opera, dances an original interpretation of the Cari- ocha and has a swell time generally, while most stars look upon the por- trait-taking as an unpleasant duty, to be gotten over in the shortest space of time possible. She never does a run-out while the photographer is changing plates and is chock full of good suggestions for pictures; No wonder Universal City has changed its spring song to "June is Here."
+
he will make for Universal are "Night Life of the Gods" by Thorne Smith and "School for Scandal" by Richard B. Sheridan. "Night Life of the Gods" will be the first of these productions to go into work.
+ + +
Gloria Stuart Cast in
“Transient Lady 99
ONE of the first pictures to go in- to work at Universal City for next year's program will be "Transient Lady." This Octavus Roy Cohen se- rial story from Liberty Magazine will be made under the direction of Eddie Buzzell. The only player so far cast for "Transient Lady" is the title role, which has been assigned to Gloria Stuart. This fast working actress has completed, in rapid succession, "I'll Tell the World" with Le6 Tracy, "The Love Captive" with Nils Asther, and a loan-out picture on the Warner lot. She will return to Universal City week after next, when "Transient Lady" goes into production.
May 12, 1934
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
27
“/ Give My Love'” is a story of artists and artists’ mo- dels. A real art class was import- ed bodily to Uni- versal City to give authentic atmo- sphere.
“I Give My Love ” features Wynne Gibson and Paul Lukas, both of whom are shown in this illustration.
ON A TALENT SEARCH
George Brent, June Knight and many rector at Columbia will sub in for others. Dan Kelly, formerly casting di- Werner during his absence.
+ + +
UNIVERSAL
LIOLLYWOOD eats up faces rap- * * idly. At the present time, the dearth of new faces and the neces- sity for them is doubly acute. Several means of acquiring new talent have been tried by all the companies. Last year Universal tried the Junior Stock plan, and two of the graduates of that course are still under contract to Universal, Lois January and Dean Benton.
David C. Werner, casting director of Universal, however, has come to the conclusion that only people in Hollywood and most of all, those who have failed to get by the casting office, are candidates for this type of campaign. He has decided, therefore, to go out where talent might be found au naturel. With the approval of Carl Laemmle, Jr., Werner started yesterday on a three months' tour of the country which will take him to Kansas City, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Birmingham, Atlanta, Chat- tanooga, Nashville, Louisville, Indian- apolis, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pitts- burgh, Washington, Richmond, Phil- adelphia, New York, Boston, Seattle, Portland and several other cities.
Werner, who was formerly Story Editor and talent scout for Universal in the east, is credited with bringing to the screen Genevieve Tobin, Sid- ney Fox, Rose Hobart, Bette Davis,
PAL THEATRE
WOOD RIVER, NEBRASKA
April 9, 1934
Universal Film Exchange Omaha, Nebr.
Dear Sirs:-
I have just finished showing your two reel subject “WORLD'S GREATEST THRILLS," and I want you to know that I went out and advertised this two reel subject feel- ing quite sure that I would get ex- tra business, and it sure did.
I showed it with the Feature “MR. SKITCH,” and honestly be- lieve it “pulled them” and built up the following night for just as much as the Feature. I had many tell me it was the best thing they had ever seen any place. I just can’t pass up the chance to say that it was a “meal ticket” for those who have shown it, and that is what we are all in need of.
The print was in perfect condi- tion— recording the same — and I want to thank Universal and hope they will make something like it again and that I have the pleasure of showing it.
Yours truly,
M. E. LANMAN
From the “What the Picture did for Me” Dept., the voice of the exhibitor in the Motion Picture Herald — May 5, 1934.
"THE LOVE ’ BIRDS"— ZaSu Pifts, Slim Summerville — One of the fun- niest pictures we ever played and one of the best this team ever made. All were satisfied with the show and that is saying a lot these days. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Green- ville, Mich. Town and country patron- age.
+ + +
Film Daily Boosts
“Love Birds” Film
( Continued from Page 23 ) chase Slim drops a folder describing the peace and quiet of a desert ranch, which ZaSu purchases. Slim, who also got fired, is sold the same ranch and arrives there just after ZaSu and her scripture-quoting young nephew have retired for the night. An amusing ghost scene follows and then a squabble over who owns the ranch. A prospector happens by, quarrels with Slim and knocks out his gold inlay. He starts a gold rush just as Slim and ZaSu are about to leave because there is no water. Then the realty tricksters arrive and buy back the place from ZaSu and Summer- ville just as the gold hoax is exposed.
—Harrison
The
'Frankenstein Monster
LUGOSI
The
"Dracula"
IN Monster
a
A DIGEST OF THE BEST EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF THE WEEK
umMtmab
CTIOff
"AFFAIRS OF A GENTLEMAN'' IS GREAT FOR REAL SHOWMANSHIP EXPLOITATION
D EAUTIFUL, alluring women . . . and a bachelor author whose charms women seemed unable to resist. He was a great author — perhaps because he wrote of life, reality . . . things as they are — because each book was an intimate revelation of one of his own "affairs." But what of the women whose intimacies he wrote into these books . . . whose frailties he exposed to the world?
"Affairs of A Gentleman" is a picture that deserves thought and advance handling. It is cleverly different and is filled with showmanship angles. A smart showman can work up a smashing campaign on the title alone without knowing anything about the real meat of the picture itself.
There is a clever mystery that keeps one
in suspense right up to the final scene. Thus you can sell the picture from the unusual mystery angle, set against a background of the half dozen beautiful women all of which makes an absolutely perfect combination for strong box-office!
Here is a man so suave and charming that women refused to stop seeing him even after he had deceived and abandoned them for a new charmer. Hence the novel situa- tion of a surprise party for the great author with all of his ex-affairs present together with a couple of current ones. There is dra- ma— comedy — romance, all thrown into one situation — and what a situation! Every mo- ment sparkles with great possibilities — every second is filled with breathless suspense.
The'-e are many novel ways in which you can sell a picture with these angles. Such items as throwaways asking both men and women how they would react to such a sit- uation; date books titled "Affairs of a Gen- tleman" and distributed to men fans; teaser sn'pes; newspaper con*-ests based on the reade-s’ reactions to the situation referred to above; and a host of other stunts that will rouse curiosity and set the whole town talk- ing about the picture. Study the pressbook ca efull ’, it offers many excellent ideas. Plan a big cvnpaiqn and sell the picture for all it's worth. And send me the details of your c m aign, so that I can pass them on to othe~ enterprising showmen through these pages. A. J. SHARICK
"I LL TELL THE WORLD" GETS BIG PROMOTION SPACE !
Samples of the big newspaper space theatres are obtaining for their showing of "I'LL TELL THE WORLD" through the se- rialization.
On the left is a cooperative ad page which appeared in the Stockton, Calif. Daily
Evening Record as part of the National Theatre’s campaign.
In the center is the first installment of the serialization as run by the Youngstown Tel- egram. A great advance plug for the Par- amount Theatre.
On the right is the half page advance an- nouncement of the serialization in the Pitts- burgh Press. This was only the first of a series of advance ads, all of which men- tioned the Warner Theatre where the pic- ture played currently with the publication of the story.
30:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
May 12, 1934
The showmanship front used by the Capitol Theatre, Dallas, as part of the big “ALL QUIET ” campaign. Notice trench effect obtained by using sand bags. The display helped to sell the picture for holdover business.
AMERICAN LEGION and ROTC AIDS CHARNINSKY IN "QUIET" CAMPAIGN
FOR his showing of "ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT" at the Capitol Theatre, Dallas, Texas, Louis Charninsky con- ducted a campaign which is outstanding for its completeness and for the hold-over bus- iness which resulted.
The willingness of the American Legion to cooperate was again demonstrated when the local post loaned Charninsky captured war material to use in displays. Some of it was used with sand bags and atmospheric cut- outs in making the front and lobby resemble trenches. Complete displays of war material with explanations were made in the inner lobby and in three downtown store windows with the balance.
Sixteen uniformed boys provided by the Reserve Officers Training Corps added re- alistic atmosphere to the setting.
A bugler played army calls from the roof of the theatre, and to provide additional noise, Charninsky hooked up his front am- plifier to the loud speakers, bringing the ex- citement on the screen out front.
Red flares and fire bombs were used to attract attention at night.
The American Legion also assisted by no- tifying all their members of the engagement and urging them to attend. As part of the tie-up, disabled members were admitted free. This angle was immediately picked up by the newspapers and played up with sto- ries and art.
The theatre employees were costumed in nurses' and soldiers' uniforms.
A girl in the costume of a war nurse, and a German Police dog with a Red Cross ban- ner around its body, were used as a street ballyhoo.
Gold Star Mothers were invited to a spe- cial showing of the picture and a display of war-time theatre programs from Paris, was made in the lobby. Both ideas resulted in newspaper stories.
Charninsky used increased quantities of posters and heralds and larger ad space. Dallas reviewers and editorial writers were impressed just as much as when the picture was first issued.
TIE-UPS BIG FEATURE OF PALACE THEATRE "GLAMOUR" CAMPAIGN
IN planning theif "GLAMOUR" campaign for the Palace Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio, Nat Holt, Manager and Al Gregg, Publicity Manager took full advantage of the avail- able tie-ups. These included the song "Hea- ven on Earth," Glamour perfume, and the novelization in Screen Romances magazine.
The catchy tune from the picture opened many exploitation channels. The orchestras quickly recognized its popularity and played it nightly on the air and at the city's lead- ing hotels and restaurants. Wurlitzer's and ether music stores gave generous display space to the sheet music, using lobby cards and photos from the picture for backgrounds.
Through the cooperation of Chanel, Gla- mour perfume displays were planted in lead- ing drug and department stores during the showing of the picture. Display reproduced is that of Harvey's Drug Store which is lo- cated at one of the busiest corners of the Cleveland Railroad Terminal.
Holt and Gregg tied-up with the timely
appearance of the novelization of "GLA- MOUR" in the Screen Romances Magazine. The local distributor of the magazine ban- nered his eight delivery wagons and pre- pared a special card for use on newsstands and in store windows. Reproduction at bot- tom of page shows trucks as they are ban- nered.
As part of the tie-up arranged by Halle Bros. Department Store, an enlarged photo of Constance Cummings with picture credits, was used in a special window for the hair dressers' convention.
Watch Universal Weekly For the Sensational Announcement of the Other Two!
BUCK JONES
is only one of the four big serials from Universal for 1934-1935
TAILSPIN
TOMMY
is another — —
FINE SHOWMANSHIP DISPLAYED IN THESE ADS!
Gay, Thrilling, Dramatic HILARITY!
— a young man— just like you and you — putt.ng on the dog with million dollar cuties — as he tries to dodge collectors and love!
LEW AYRES
Ahr^y
tomorrow! 7^
A TERRIFIC INDICTMENT OF MODERN WAR..,
TOMORROW
a laugh in terry Ent!
Hie Cyclone Kid, Himself
THREATENS THE WORLD AGAIN!
FUN
that teaches you to be high-hat on $30 a week*
The brewing storm in lerope de- mands the re-fMoeentatien NOW of the picture #iat shows WAR os it really is — and for what it really III . . . Hailed by the world ae the- greatest picture ever produced, wo give you this timely opportunity once more to be stirred by its
TWO MEN LOVED HER . . . AND SHE L HAD KISSES # \ FOR BOTH j
■ The Love Life of V Clamorous Linda f Fayne Who Was a Creat Actress. But ^She Couldn't Make . Good As a
W.fe'
—STARTS
TODAY!
See it! See it AGAIN!
Know what war actually1 means to
YOU!
A UNIVQBAI HCTUM
directed hr Levis
ALL
Extra! ^Cip|SP|IRj|j|
BEN BLUE
la da Ulnl taurlMa Caailr -rOlLED AO*BC“
MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND
— NOW TILL WEDNESDAY NIGHT -y
ORP HEUM
FIRST PHILADELPHIA SHOWING
A Poring Moid A Naughty Masquerade A Romantic Escapade!
rov
IUKAS
Paul
tibl
Irresi*
going
Inf r
§\ mm
BROUGHT TO THE SCREEN AT A TIME WHEN. THE WHOLE WORLD IS FEARFUL OF WAR
5penier*d hy Ike
MILWAUKEE
SENTINEL
Tract
I LL TELL THE
WORLD I
GLORIA STUART
\ ROCER PRYOR
(I.) Double column x 8" from Liberty, Oklahoma City, Okla. (2.) Three column x 8W from Orpheum, Wichita, Kans. (3.) Two column x 9" from Strand, Akron, Ohio. (4.) Double column x 8" from Palace, Columbus, Ohio. (5.) Two column x 4 from Karlton, Philadelphia, Pa. (6.) Double column x 6" from Sierra, Sacramento, Cali f. (7.) Two column x from Alhambra, Milwaukee, Wise.
Coming !
CHESTER
MORRIS
MAE CLARKE, Frank Craven, Andy De- vine, John Warburton, Goodie Montgom- ery, Lois January, Russ Brown, Earl Eby, Wanda Perry and many others in a B. F. Zeidman Production.
LET'S TALK IT OVER
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
H
1 Cl , e was a time when all newsreels were more or less alike. That clay is £one. It is my honest conviction that today
UNIVERSAL
NEWSREEL
with Graham McNamee as the Talking Reporter, is so far superior to all o tk er reels as to he heyond comparison. We will keep it that way.
Printed in U. 8. A.
umvF®
¥ E F KL Y
VOL. 3 6.
n o. i o
FEB. 16, 19 3 5
CARL LAEMMI A JAMES WHALL1
COLIN CLIVE *i ELSA LANCHES11
Ernest Thes
Produced by
£ proudly presents >RODUCTION with
i
ALERIE HOBSON
.
SL * Una O'Connor g r + E. E. Clive
U n i v e r s a V s Shiver/est S e n s a t i o n !
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2 ■ = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY — Feb. 16, 1935
LOOKING
No. 806 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
After twenty-nine years in this funny business of ours, I am still looking forward.
I still have the most sublime faith in the future of an industry which has taken a tremendous lot out of me but which has put even more into me.
One of the best ways to look forward is to glance back- ward and see what has happened.
At one time, in the misty past, the business was in the grip of a would-be monopoly. Theatre-owners believed they could not run their theatres without a "license" from the so-called trust. We know today we can look forward
without any fear that this will happen again.
Another good way to look forward is to look back to the days when all pictures were silent. If you ever have any doubts as to whether sound was a blessing, sit through an old silent picture some day and see whether you can live through it. Sound, with all its expense and losses and
complications, is still a blessing. Let's look forward to the day when something even better will make us continue to use the brains Cod gave us.
The new thing which makes us THINK is a blessing. The old thing which lets us follow a routine and take the easy way is a danger.
Feb. 16, 1935
: Carl Laemmle Anniversary Jubilee - 3
FORWARD!
About a year and a half ago we met something even newer than sound. It was the Code!
Today I do not know whether the Code is a good thing
or just an extra expense. I welcomed it because it was an
Administration experiment — and I am incurably in favor of the Administration of our national government, demo- cratic or republican. I am still willing to give it an honest trial in the hope that it may bring good to all of us.
Tomorrow — next week — next year — something new will turn up to occupy our minds and to make us use our thinking apparatus.
Whatever it may be, it will keep us looking forward. I sincerely thank Cod that although I am nearing the age of seventy, I can still look forward more than backward.
As a man who probably is older than you are, will you take this tip from me:— You are never too old to look
ahead. Keep planning. Keep hoping. It is the only thing
in the human world which will keep your chin above water,
come weal or woe!
In conclusion, let me thank those thousands of exhibit- ors who are participating actively in my present anniversary celebration. They are doing me a wonderful honor. And I am still looking forward!
TELL 'EM AND SELL 'EM ON "II
yearning
movie STA
HljGHOgcro^
Dir? |dmund Granger An ^Production .
Carl Laemmle presents A Universal Picture
GERTRUDE M1CHAEL| HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT HUGH O'CONNELL
Directed by Alan Crosland* An Edmund Grainger Production
A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAEL HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT HUGH O'CONNELL
Directed by Alan Crosland An Edmund Grainger Production
\
/ STENO-\ f GRAPHEEjgm I BATTLES '
\ movie mw; Ulqueen mm
CarPLaemmle presents • A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAEL HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT HUGH O'CONNELL
Directed by Alan Crosland An Edmund Grainger Prockiction
SHE WORSHIPPED A MOVIE STAR
... . but the fire- works exploded with excitement jr ’an d laughter when the screen siren tried to steal her hand- some sweetheart !
Carl Laemmle
■
HAPPENED IN NEW YORK!"
HE LOST HIS HEART TO A STENOGRAPHER When a movie star . tried to steal it !
Carl Laemmle presents
yt(Mi/jpenei/U(
A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAEL HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT
HUGH O'CONNELL
Directed by Alan Crosland An Edmund Grainger
AN EDMUND GRAINGER PRODUCTION
fTo be a stenographer's
HUSBAND
Or not to be a
movie star's
GIGOLO?
Carl Laemmle presents
A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAEL HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT HUGH
2D
WENT THE FUNS=C^ EXCITEMENT an T~ *
FIREWORKS !
When a thrill- seeking movie queen tried to steal a handsome taxi driver from a sweet n little stenographer
Carl Laemmle presents A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAELS HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT HUGH O'CONNELL
Directed by Alan Crosland An Edmund Grainger Production
IE
M\
A Universal Picture with
GERTRUDE MICHAEL HEATHER ANGEL LYLE TALBOT
-in, -
m
ITS A HONEY!
AND YOU CAN BET IT WILL DRAW THE HEAVY SUGAR!
DAMON RUNYON'S
Delightful Collier's Magazine Story...
STARRING
JEAN PARKER and CHESTER MORRIS
WITH
LEON ERROL ♦ HENRY ARMETTA ♦ VINCE BARNETT JIMMY FAY*ANNE HOWARD DOROTHY GRAY ♦ TOMMY
DUGAN * RALPH REMLEY
•
A Universal Picture presented by CARL LAEMMLE . . . Directed by DAVID BURTON . . . Leonard Spigelgass/ Associate Producer
OPENS SIMULTANEOUSLY AT N. Y. ROXY AND RKO MEMORIAL, BOSTON, FEBRUARY 22nd! AND, BROTHER, WILL THEY HAVE FUN!
"A picture that is completely but pleasantly goofy/ with cast and director seemingly purposely insane, but with no one caring as the fun percolates from their antics!" — Motion Picture Daily
K U L Z.
Carl Laemmle presents Lowell Sherman's pro- duction from Thorne Smith's nutty novel . . . A Universal picture produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
William Wyler, director of “The Good Fairy,” that spicy picture ivith the misleading title, and Friend Wife, Mar- garet Sullavan, whose personality is fully as spicy as the name she in private life has sur- rendered. On the lie de France on their care- fully arranged honey- moon, they were certain that nobody knew any- thing about it, but up popped the Universal Weekly photogrupher, Sileo. The happy pair will be gone for at least a month.
A. J. HERMAN PROMOTED
EFFECTIVE Monday, February 18th, A. J. Herman, for the past three years branch manager of the Uni- versal Boston Exchange, has been ap- pointed district manager supervising the Boston. New Haven and Albany offices, by J. R. Grainger. His head- quarters will be in Boston where F.J.A. McCarthy, Eastern Division Sales Manager, has gone to induct
II II I V E It S HL
h-u y
A Maqazine for Motion Picture Exhibitor! Paul Gulick, Editor
Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center. N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
Vol. 36 No. 10
FEBRUARY 16, 1935
him Into office. Mr. Herman replaces the late James F. Dermody.
On the same day, William P. Kelly, for the past twelve years sales- man in the Boston office, will become branch manager of the Boston office, succeeding Mr. Herman. Both pro- motions are in line with the com- pany's policy to reward its own de- serving employees when the oppor- tunity arises.
+ * +
Transient Lady ” Opens in Chicago Palace
OWING to a personal appear- ance of Gene Raymond, one of its stars, at the Palace Theatre in Chicago on February 22nd, Universal has rushed a print of Octavus Roy Cohen picture to that city, where it will have its world premiere.
The cast of "Transient Lady," which was directed by Edward Buz- zell, includes Henry Hull, Gene Ray- mond, Frances Drake, June Clay- worth, Clark Williams, Edward Ellis, Frederick Burton and Douglas Fowley.
Feb. 16, 1935
c(s> he Preview ‘Tarade of UNIVERSAL PICTURES
CHARLES BICKFORD
... he baffles the law . . . but dead men talk . . . !
The mind of a ferret — the eyes of a lynx — the cruelty of a cobra combined in one man!
#xx He plans and plots the per- fect crime — he perjures himself with a
perfect alibi!
/WV v He baffles the law, defies a prosecutor’s grilling, hides his guilt be- hind a corpse!
HELEN
VINSON
scales of justice
Clues are ^ conflicting — they can- not convict him. Wit- nesses will not or dare not speak !
But while the world may wonder and judge and jury weigh black lies on the —murder will out!
mx
/VW\ “A NOTORIOUS GENTLE- MAN” walks the last mile when a dead
man tnllcs !
Don’t miss the sensational trial scene in this front page drama!
Sit in a spectator’s seat with Charles Bickford, Helen Vinson, Dudley Digges, Sidney Blackmer and Onslow Stevens.
Thrill to the extraordinary climax that vindicates love and rivets guilt on a fear- ful conscience!
Jacthai.l
You Must See”
iiily Tribune
Margaret Sullavan in a fashion pose taken just prior to her departure to Paris on a honeymoon which was post- poned to permit William Wyler to cut the final version of “ The Good Fairy,” which is now playing to enormously satisfied houses all over the United States.
* *
Feb. i6, 1935 Carl Ldemmle A nniversdry Jubilee
TITLE Fool You!
NOTE
IF you want a new angle on “The Good Fairy,” one that is not in the Press book, use this story. Give it to a feature writer and have him sign the story. You might even go so far as to put a question mark after the title.
and that is how this columnist knows what "The Good Fairy" is all about, and desires to warn its readers not to expect any Hans Anderson story or Irish folk lore when you see "The Good Fairy."
If I remember rightly, this "Good Fairy" stuck up a philandering beef baron to further the fortunes of a husband who was all a fake. By means of this atrocious fiction, this "good fairy" dangled the beef baron, a cab- inet minister, a simple-minded lawyer, and a suspicious and pugnacious waiter in a dangerous love game that threatened to engulf her at any moment.
If that is a good fairy, then I'm William Shakespeare, or Ferenc Molnar, or any other guy who makes up such satirical and deceiving titles as "The Good Fairy."
(SIGNED)
Says Rob Reel, American
“REAL TREAT” —
Laughs, Tears and Excitement Crowded Into Palace Movie
LUISA GINGLEBUSHER is the name. Doesn't sound very romantic, does it? Right-o! But, with Mar- garet Sullavan undertaking the role of the little orphan asylum waif in "The Good Fairy," those who take the tip of this critic and see the screen play have a real treat in store for them.
There's a laugh or a tear in every line. Naturally, too, with Frank Morgan as the eccentric and giddy million- aire roue. What an actor; Any "best" list that doesn't include the name of this splendid performer just isn't complete.
As to the story —
Miss Sullavan certainly looks beautiful as a bride.
The film differs a bit from Ferenc Molnar's stage play. The original production has had many censorship cuts. But you'll enjoy every minute of the action that's left.
L| 9kM E C AS FAR AS THE EYI I l^i E ^ RADIO CITY MUSK
LINES
In tribute to “THE GOOI
by Carl Laemmle . . . Starrin MORGAN . . . Reginald Owen . . William Wyler • Produced b
LINES
of rapturous praise by
Heartily recommended,” says the Daily New! pathos,” says The Mirror ..." 'THE GOOC fun. And that 'universal' may be spellec
[CAN SEE . . . OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF (HALL, IN NEW YORK'S COLDEST WEATHER!
•'AIRY”, that UNIVERSAL gold-mine presented MARGARET SULLIVAN and HERBERT MARSHALL with FRANK
Man Hale . . . Eric Blore . . . June Clayworth • Directed by Carl Laemmle, Jr. • From the screenplay by Preston Sturges. . .
Jew York’s press! .. •'"THE good fairy' delicious COMEDY!
. "'THE GOOD FAIRY’ BEWITCHING COMEDY! An exhilarating blend of mirth and URY’ SPINS CHARMING COMEDY AT THE MUSIC HALL! Rates tops for universal film ith a big 'U' in compliment to the producers!” — says the New York American.
UNIVERSAL HITS RAH
?U'Se’ »:thVbe ^tery JC ,ng to <iZu he cu,prit ; ",r<
O CITY MUSIC HALL (March 14) . . . With
EDWIN DROOD
*y«£***y 1
! ’°ueh e'sJX »>>>,.)
0,!Sht ah, Sr°USP ^ster :>rnier by tujy^path
HEATHER ANGEL - DAVID MANNERS
FRANCIS L. SULLIVAN • VALERIE HOBSON
DIRECTED BY STUART WALKER PRODUCED BY CARL LAEMMLE, JR.
20
NEWSREEL No. 327
Sidlotc Spectator Owned by Mrs. J. R. Grainger
PRIZE POOCHES PASS MUSTER
NEW YORK CITY. — The Westminster Ken- nel Club puts its doggiest candidates on view in Madison Square Garden.
PRESIDENT HAILS SCOUTING AT 25th ANNIVERSARY FETE
WASHINGTON, D. C.— The Chief Execu- tive radios a congratulatory message to members of the Boy Scouts of America all over the United States on the occasion of the great youth movement's silver jubilee.
PICK OLYMPIC BOB-SLEDDERS
LAKE PLACID, N. Y.— Two-man teams slip down the icy runway at express speed in thrilling competition for the honor of rep- resenting the United States at the inter- national games.
TORNADO SWEEPS GULF STATE
GRAPELAND, TEXAS. — A terrific twister kills a dozen persons and reduces prosper- ous farms to waste land.
REDSHIRTS SENORITAS DRILL
MEXICO, D. F. — Five hundred girls show their support of the Government in public exercises conducted by their revolutionary youth group.
MIDDIES SHOW CLASS IN GYM
ANNAPOLIS, MD. — Members of the Naval Academy's gymnastic squad perform breath-taking feats.
CADET BAILS OUT AT 200 FT.
CORTARO, ARIZ. — Student pilot Frank Cook leaps from his crashing 'plane at a dangerously low altitude. Luck saves the 19-year-old airman, but his machine is de- molished.
13 HURT AS FREIGHTER RIPS 20 FT. HOLE IN FERRY'S SIDE
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — Ramming her steel bow into the flimsy woodwork of a river boat in the Delaware, the S. S. London Corporation averts a disaster by taking off passengers and crew.
'PRINTS SAVE TWIN SPANKING
JOLIET, ILL. — A harassed father has his young daughters fingerprinted by the po- lice so that he can tell them apart.
'FLYING YANKEE' MAKES TEST
BOSTON, MASS. — A bright flash zips through the New England countryside as the latest streamlined train tries out on the rails for the Boston & Maine.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Start “ The Showdown ”
IN the next Buck Jones western the eminent western star will have three leading ladies instead of one. The story chosen is "The Showdown" by R. H. Harris for which the screen- play was provided by Earle Snell. It will be directed by Nick Grinde. The three leading ladies are Noel Fran- cis, Peggy Campbell and Marion Shilling. Niles Welsh is the heavy- All these leading ladies have been featured before in Universal pictures. Noel Francis supported Tom Mix in "My Pal The King," Peggy Campbell supported Buck Jones in "When A Man Sees Red" and Marion Shilling supported Buck Jones in "The Red Rider."
Feb. 16, 1935
Cast of “Mr. Dynamite ” R. DYNAMITE" mystery dra- ■ ▼ 1 ma by Dashiell Hammett will be directed by Alan Crosland ac- cording to announcements made by Carl Laemmle. It will go into produc- tion at Universal City on Monday with Edmund Lowe starred. At the same time Carl Laemmle announced the casting of Jean Dixon, a long- term contract Universal player as the feminine lead. Others in the cast are Esther Ralston, Victor Varconi, Matt McHugh and Verna Hillie, the latest player to be put under long term contract by Universal. The screenplay from which Alan Crosland will direct the story by the author of "The Thin Man" has been compiled by Harry Clork and Doris Malloy.
JOLLY LITTLE ELVES" NOMINATED FOR AWARD
A still made by color separation process of the colored cartoon, “ Jolly Little Elves,” which has been nominated for the annual award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
WHEN the announcement of the nominations for the various awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was made last week, there was as usual a chorus of "Oh's" and "Ah's." Many were elated; many were disappointed. But nobody will quarrel with the nomin- ation of "Jolly Little Elves." This Cartune Classic from Universal stu-
dios, has delighted audiences in all parts of the country since its release on October 1st, and has given uni- versal satisfaction to theatre audienc- es in all parts of the country. It is one of the most satisfactory cartoons on the market today, and will be in cir- culation for the next six months. It is likely to go on and on and on like "The Three Little Pigs."
+ +
Carl Laemmle Anniversary Jubilee
21
Feb. 16, 1935
“Imitation of Life” In Most Amazing Runs
JACK SKIRBOLL of the Palace The- atre, Toledo, was in town last week with his brother. He visited F. J. A. McCarthy, eastern Sales Manager of Universal, and told him that the only way they could ever get "Imitation of Life" out of their theatre was to burn the theatre down. It is now in its fourth week, going into the fifth.
It opened originally at the Rivoli and moved into the Palace where it has had an amazing run.
"Imitation of Life" is also complet- ing its fourth week and going into its fifth at the Alhambra in Cleveland, after having played its first run at the Palace.
The Strand Theatre of Akron, first run, which held the picture an addi- tional week on initial run, has already booked it back for a "repeat."
| NEWSREEL No. 326~|
ETERNAL CITY HIT BY SNOW
ROME, ITALY. — Unprecedented cold blan- kets the Forum and other monuments tor the first time in ten years.
QUINS’ PARENTS VISIT U. S.
CHICAGO, ILL. — Mr. and Mrs. Dionne breakfast in the Windy City during a shop- ping and sightseeing trip by the world's most famous parents.
SANDWICH MAN FINDS $46,000
NEW YORK, N. Y. — Fortune beckons from a snowbank on a Wall Street corner and a shoeless down-and-outer, returning a pack- age of lost bonds, is rewarded with security for the winter.
MOHAWK WRECK COMMEMORATED
OFF SEA GIRT, N. J. — A memorial wreath is cast on the water where the ill-fated Ward liner was rammed.
STRANGE AUTO DEMONSTRATED
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.— A car with its en- gine in the rear and other startling new features is tried out.
YOUNG ORPHANS GIVEN FEAST
HAVANA, CUBA. — Poor boys and girls from the entire island enjoy food and en- tertainments provided by the Government on its annual outing.
SUB-DEB BEAUTIES GROOMED
MIAMI BEACH, FLA.— The 1936 Model of Gorgeous Girl is observed in a pre-view in the shadow of tropical palms as she and her "class-mates" enjoy summer sports.
FLOODS SWAMP COAST TOWNS
HELLINGHAM, WASH.— Buildings and other property are damaged as water rushes down Pacific slopes.
RACERS DEFY DEADLY SKIDS
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — High-powered cars zip around the Legion Ascot Speedway with machines slipping sideways on tricky turns during one of the year's most thrilling motor events.
BANK READY TO REPEL GANGS
CHICAGO, ILL. — A complete system of protection is installed at a financial insti- tution.
BUMPER ICE CROP HARVESTED
BANGOR, ME. — Frozen cakes twenty inches thick are sawn from the Kenduskeag River.
HUSKY JILLS EMULATE 'JACKS
LUTHER, WASH. — Strong-limbed young women of the Pacific Northwest show re- markable prowess.
PERSONS IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE PAID TO SEE
"IMITATION OF LIFE"!
* A 565,392 gain since the last com- puted week. And these figures do not include free lists or repeat patrons!
CARL LAEMMLE
Beauty On Roller-Skates Hell-Bent For Danger!. ..
It's OCTAVUS ROY COHEN'S most popular of his Liberty Magazine
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24:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Feb. 16. 1935
O. C. JOHNSON Falls City, Neb.
FALLS CITY AMUSEMENT COMPANY, INC.
Operating Rivoli and Electric Theatres
FALLS CITY, NEBRASKA
Mr. J. J. Spandau January 30, 1935
Universal Film Exch., Inc.
Omaha, Nebr.
Dear Mr. Spandau:
The twenty ninth anniversary of the Universal organization prompts me to extend congratulations.
During the twelve years I have been in the exhibition field, I have operated theatres in the following towns:
Spencer, Iowa Estherville, Iowa Atlantic, Iowa Yankton, So. Dak.
Red Oak, Iowa Falls City, Nebr.
and I am happy to say that Universal product has always been identi- fied with my theatres.
What better endorsement can be given for any product?
Yours very truly,
(Signed) O. C. JOHNSON Falls City Amuse. Co., Inc.
O. C. Johnson, President
CORNING OPERA HOUSE
CORNING, OHIO
January II, 1935
Mr. Paul Gulick, Editor,
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY,
Rockefeller Center,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Gulick: —
It is always a pleasure to cooperate during Mr. Laemmle's Anniver- sary, by booking everything I can.
I have been a customer of Universal for 23 years and consider Carl Laemmle one of the fairest men I have ever had dealings with.
Universal product has always been satisfactory and as long as I remain in this business, I shall make it part of my program.
Congratulations, Uncle Carl, and good luck!
Sincerely,
(Signed) JOHN MONAHAN Opera House,
Corning, Ohio
JOHN MONAHAN Opera House Corning, Ohio
Feb. 16, 1935
Carl Laemmle Anniversary Jubilee
25
STERLING CHAIN THEATRES, Inc.
Roosevelt Theatre Building SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Mr. L. J. McSinley, January 4, 1935
Universal Film Exchanges, Inc.,
Seattle, Wash.
Dear Mac:
It is 20 years since I started in the show business with my first the- atre, called the HIGH CLASS, on Second Avenue between Washing- ton and Main.
To the best of my recollections, Universal product was the first we bought. Their office, at that time, as far as I remember, was on Cherry Street. It was not owned by Universal, but was operated as a State Right concern. I do not remember the name of the Manager, although it might have been George Endert. If not, he might know who was the manager at that time, or you may be able to find out through some other source.
In those days, there were no features. Everything consisted of one and two reels, and a contract signed was for four reels, changing daily — or 28 reels per week, at a flat rental per week. The show lasted ap- proximately one hour, for which the admission was 5c. The music con- sisted of an electric organ, which played continuously.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carl Laemmle in 1932. We vis- ited for some time. Part of the conversation that I can recall at this time was — a remark he made — a promise — "we will make better pic- tures, because we are going out of the theatre business, and will put our time, efforts and money to making good pictures only." And that's just what they did.
I have this to say about Universal pictures. Their consistent quality has greatly attributed to what little success I have achieved.
Cordially yours,
JOHN DANZ
JOHN DANZ and his Roosevelt Theatre, Seattle, Wash.
ROY PATIENCE Via Theatre Crescent City, Fla.
Crescent City Amusement Company
Crescent City, Fla.
Jan. 28th, 1935
Universal Pictures,
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Harry
Recently I have read with great interest some articles relative to Carl Laemmle. As one of the pioneers in the film industry he has seen it grow to its present eminence but above all he and his associates have always had a heart for the small independ- ent exhibitor.
Uncle Carl deserves a lot of credit for helping put the industry where it is to-day. His 29 years of hard work have not been in vain and judging by the type of pictures released by his Company during the past year Mr. Laemmle will continue to lead Universal to even greater achieve- ments.
Mrs. La Bree joins me in extending congratulations to Mr. Laemmle.
With kindest regards, I am,
Very truly yours,
(Signed) ROY PATIENCE Via Theatre
BUCK'S BEST!... AND THa
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POLLY ANN YOUNG
CARL (TOCK£AL£ CMARLLSFSLWCK WARD &ONP BUD OSBORNE
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IDEAS THAT ARE
CUckMtfJ
Jack Sanson, Roger Sherman Theatre, New Haven, and Dan Finn, Warner district publicity director, capitalized on the four star review given "Imitation of Life" by Liberty magazine. Played it up in news- paper ads, front and lobby displays and around town, giving Liberty mention. In re- turn local distribs of the magazine permitted heralds to be inserted in the issue delivered to homes by the 200 regular delivery boys. * * *
Inviting committees of girls from selected downtown stores proved a good stunt for Dick Walsh's "Imitation of Life" campaign at Charles Hayman’s New Lafayette, Bucalo. Only 100 invitations were issued, a few in each store, to sales girls. Cards distributed ten days in advance of opening so the stunt created lots of good word-of-mouth-adver- tising for the picture.
* * *
Another striking example of excellent newspaper co-operation on "Tailspin Tom- my" comes from the Taft Theatre, Flushing, N. Y. Enterprising J. Porte, manager, ar- ranged for fhe local daily to carry under the daily cartoon, a display streamer line announcing the picture at the Taft. In return Porte gave the newspaper screen credit. The co-operation continued for the run of the serial.
* * *
The "About Faces" contest in the "Im- itation of Life" pressbook provided consid- erable extra space for Alvin Hostler's cam- paign at the State Theatre, Harrisburg, Pa. The Telegraph used it for a classified ad promotion stunt giving it eighteen inches daily for five days.
Avalanche Has Started
PREVUE
TONITE!
Above is the upper part of a ** return engage- ment’* ad on **I mitation of Life** from the Strand Theatre , Akron y Ohio. Harvey Cocks , manager , ran the picture origi.ially for two weeksy a hold-over engagement. Now> because of insistent public demandy he has brought it back for a return engagement^— and Hat was a hold- overy tool Watch **/ mitation of Life,** there*ll be a lot more theatres ,4bringing it back.**
Hi there — Princess O’Hara! We’re checking up on you!
YOU HAVE EVERYTHIN^ G IT TAKES FOR A GREAT PICTURE!
We’ve been looking you over.
Princess O’Hara. We haven’t seen you yet, but, from what we’ve been hearing of you, you must be sim- ply swell! Pardon us a moment while we tell the folks about you!
a« •‘SSJISo*
UNIVERSAL
Damon Runyon wrote the yarn as only Damon can. Collier*s Weekly featured it. IPs about a Broadxcay showgirl whose dad drives a hack along the White Way. The Princess* salary helps hold a home together. Lotto kid brothers* und sisters* mouths to feed. Pop 0*Hara dies. Prin- cess quits the stage and takes over the reins. Then the horse gets sick. Admiring Broadway pals decide to replace him. They steal a horse and , by golly , it*s a fifty thousand dollar race horse 1 They spray it with paint to make hint look like the old nag. Then— holy cat- hell breaks loose with a whole town in an uproar trying to find the thorough- bred on the eve of a great race. Phew , what excitement l And holchal What a love story!
Pardon the digression Princess — now we’re back with you. Thought the best way to check you up was to look over a list of big pic- ture essentials and go through it item by item. We’re printing the list at the right. That’s a tough line of requirements to meet — but you certainly fill the bill 100%.
VVi [U/,
Princess O'Har'i, we know you behind your make-up. You*re Jean Parker l Dandy puls you have too . Chester Morris , Leon Errol , Henry Armotta , Vince Barnett. Director David Burton certainly knew what was in Damon Run- yons mind when he put you through your paces l IPs going to be a lark exploiting your arrival. The artists have caught the gay spirit of your es- capades, and they're making the theatre lobbies look right merry for you! All the horse cabs in America will be pulled out of storage to give people free rides to theatres showing your picture. A score of stunts are ready to herald your coming.
Princess O’Hara, you’re the apple of our eye. You’ll make folks laugh — you’ll make folks cry — you’ll send the old box-office shoot- in’ sky high!
JOE WEIL
|
SWELL 8T0RY |
|
FINE DIRECTION |
|
STAR VALUE |
|
ABLE CAST |
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POPULAR AUTHOR |
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PUNCHY DRAMA |
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B. 0. HOKUM |
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TOP COMEDY |
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pathos |
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SUSPENSE |
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Past action |
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GAIETY |
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EXCITEMENT K |
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appealing ROMANCE 1/ |
|
MAN APPEAL |
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WOMAN APPEAL P' |
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WHOleSouenm?- |
30:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Feb. 16, 1935
In Race for Margaret Sullavan
“Good Fairy” Costume
Loretta
Hammersley
Palace Theatre New York City
Gertrude
Blackwell
Try on’s Theatre Try on. No. Car.
Phyllis W illiams
Nile Theatre Mesa, Arizona
La Vaughn
American Theatre Madrid, Nebr.
m
Allene
Fransen
Orpheum Theatre Omaha, Nebr.
Jean
Brundage
Nile T heatre Mesa, Arizona
Empire Theatre San Antonio Texas
Park Theatre Constantine, Mich.
W innie Wilde
Leaveda
Young
Alice
Winegar
Owl Theatre Lebanon, Kansas
Mithilda
Kalten
Katherine
Caton
Foam Lake Theatre Foam Lake, Sask., Can.
Nancy
Steger
Bonham Theatre Bonham, Texas
Minnie
Rhodes
Empire T heatre San Antonio, Texas
Palace Theatre New York City
Edna
Gries
Alhambra Theatre Cleveland, Ohio
Alis
Lee
Mirror Theatre Hollywood, Calif.
HERE'S beauty in the theatre — and one doesn't have to look far to discover it, either. Above is the latest group of entrants in the contest which the Universal Weekly is conducting to find the prettiest usherette in America. And these are only a few — space does not per- mit publication of all the many beautiful pictures that have been received from proud managers. Every mail brings more — and every picture seems more beautiful than the one before. It looks like a tough assignment for
the judges, and one that will take considerable more time than they figured, too! The prize, you know, is the usher- ette costume worn by Margaret Sullavan in "The Good Fairy." Who will win it? Who IS the country's prettiest usherette? We'll give you a peek at some more of the entries next week — watch for them! Entries closed with this issue. The winner will be announced in the March second issue.
Thank You, Mr. Jackson! ... "Not A Dull Moment" In Mentones Means "Not An Idle Moment At The Box Office" As You Know!
<r?\
?y - = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION= Feb. 16, 1935
AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH THE ADS!
(I.) Double column x 9" from United Artists, San Francisco, Calif. (2.) Three column x 71/ from RKO. Palace, Cnicago, III. (3.) Single column x 8%" from Pantages, Hollywood, Calif. (4.) Three column x 2l/2" from Palace, Toledo, Ohio. (5.) Double column x 9" from Lyceum, Winnipeg, Can. (6.) Two column x 3" from Alhambra, Cleveland, Ohio. (7.) Eight column x I 'A streamer ad from Los Angeles, Calif. (8.) Double column x S^/2" from Musix Box, Seattle, Wash.
s
I
DASHIELL HAMMETT'S "The Thin Man" stuffed the cash boxes plenty! But wait till you see
EDMUND LOWE
in
MR. DYNAMITE"
Dashiell Hammett’s original laugh-thriller for Universal !
With JEAN DIXON Victor Varconi + Matt McHugh + Verna Hillie Esther Ralston t Robert Gleckler * Minor Watson
Directed by ALAN CROSLAND
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
NOT JUST ONCE A MONTH... BUT-
TWiCE
EVERY
WEEK...
THE NEWS EVENTS O F T H E WORLD- AS FAST AS THEY HAPPEN!
Printed in U. S. A.
IT CROSSES
a Universal Picture with
COLIN CLIVE
VALERIE HOBSON
EISA LANCHESTER • UNA O’CONNOR 0. P. HEGGIE • ERNEST THESIGER Directed by James Whale Produced by Carl laemmle, Jr.
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UNIVERSAL niTY STUDIOS
2 - UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ~~ - —Mar. 16, 1935
UNIVERSAL HA!
No. 810 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
If you can believe some of the trade papers and certain radio gossips. Universal has been sold out to everybody in the world except Huey Long, Father Coughlin and General Hugh Johnson.
And the only reason why we have not been sold out to them is because they have been too busily engaged in calling each other political termites, pied pipers, chocolate soldiers, cream puff soldiers, religious flubdubs and other endearing names.
I must admit that I have been tempted more than once to call names. Year after year I have seen plain, manufac- tured lies published about Universal by totally irresponsible people who are a part of the maniac fringe of the motion picture business.
They cook up mad dreams and print them as facts.
If their lies could have wrecked Universal, this company would have been a battered hulk many years ago — for I
cannot recall one single year in the past quarter of a cen- tury in which some fake sale of Universal has failed to appear in print.
I have never sought to send any of these fakers to jail for criminal libel because, to tell the truth, their libels have hurt them more than they have hurt Universal.
Mar. 16, 1935:
--Carl Laemmle Anniversary Jubilee1-
NOT BEEN SOLD
In fact it is an amazing thing that in spite of all the cir- cumstantial lies which have been published oyer a long period of time, the trade has maintained its confidence in
Universal without the flicker of an eyelid !
Stories which have been printed about Universal would ruin more than one company, but they have never ruined Universal.
Even the Universal staff, which you might think would be disturbed by stories of sales and mergers, has remained on the job day in and day out.
I have always been mushy enough to believe that sen- timent cuts a lot of ice in this business or any other. I have always believed that the Universal staff and the Universal customers have had the same sentimental attachment for Universal that Universal has had for them. Time and ex- perience have justified my belief.
So Universal is still here. It is still in the same
hands. It has had its good years and its bad, but its aver- age has been pretty good. It has never harmed anyone. It has helped thousands.
It has not made me rich in dollars but it has made me rich in friendships and in confidence and in all the things which endure.
PRIMED BY UNIVERSAL TO EXPLODE THE LIDS RIGHT OFF THE CASH BOXES!...
Starring EDMUND LOWE in Dashiell Hammett's successor to "The Thin Man!' . . . With Jean Dixon, Esther Ralston, Verna Hillie, Joyce Compton, Mary Wallace . . . Presented by Carl Laemmle . . . Directed by Alan Crosland . . E. M. Asher, Associate Producer.
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10
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
- Mar. 1 6, 1 935
IIIIIVERSm,
mu v
A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitori Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp.
Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
MARCH 16, 1935 36 No. 14
How Many
exh ibitors of today were in the business of showing pictures in 1906?
Carl Laemmle was! Percy Gladden was! Do you know others , or are you one?
Universal
Prepares For Television
IF, as, and when television comes, Universal is not only going to be prepared for it, but will be able to take a leading part in many phases of it. After mature deliberation, Carl Laemmle and his advisors have con- vinced themselves that television will in no way be a rival of motion pic- ture exhibition in theatres. So far as theatre attendance is concerned, tel- evision should stimulate it, if the proper measures are taken by the motion picture companies, in the first place.
First among the motion picture in- dustry to give serious consideration to television, as a means of exploiting and developing motion picture per- sonalities, Universal City studios has created a special radio and television organization, under the direction of Louis Landfield, assisted by Gene Grant. In the Home office there has also been established a department under the supervision of Joe Weil.
Actors and actresses under con- tract to the studio are receiving spe- cial instruction for radio and televi- sion recording, with daily auditions taking place at the studio. Special material, adapted from various Uni- versal pictures and developed by stu- dio scenarists and dialogue writers, are to be made available to the film players in their new activities.
For a long time Universal execu- tives have been considering the pos- sibilities of projecting screen person- alities on the radio, as an aid to their development. Already June Clay- worth, Andy Devine and Valerie Hobson, three of Universal's featured players, have made singing and talk- ing tests and recordings and will shortly appear on the air on a nation- wide program starring radio's rank- ing singer. Miss Clayworth and Miss Hobson have shown exceptional tal- ent in their recordings,
Heading the training school at the studio is Florence Enright, coaching diction, stage presence and tech- nique.
c&he ‘Preview ‘Parade of UNIVERSAL PICTURES
EDMUND LOWE as
“MR DYNAMITE”
. . . wise-cracking, dynamic, Dashicll Hammett “dick” . . .
The salty tang of a Dashielt Hammett yarn comes out of a police court reporter’s experience, a private investigator’s confidential notebook, a man-of-the-world’s uncensored recollec- tions . . .
The author of “The Thin Man” has been around and that accounts for the something that makes his books best-sellers and his stuff on the screen sure-fire . . .
ESTHER RALSTON
Vhen this writer creates a char- acter like “Mr. Dyna- mite,” <his detective- hero is a human, wise- cracking, dynamic, Da- shiell Hammett “dick” . . . who finds a fancy face as fascinating as a fine set of finger- prints.
\ Highbrows have described the Dashiell Hammett style as “gusty,” “raffish” and “muscular.” It merely means that crackle and charm can be combined in dialogue while action pops at machine- gun tempo. And only Dashiell Hammett can do it.
yyyy. Universal feels unusually
privileged in presenting “Mr. Dynamite” and offers it with a cast that does the en- tertainment full justice.
yyyx An exact leading man is found in Edmund Lowe. Other players include some of Broadway’s and Holly- wood’s best. Jean Dixon, Esther Ralston, Victor Varconi, Robert Gleckler. Watch for this box-office high-explosive when it hits your town. “Mr. Dynamite” should be TNT at the till. Jacthall
Mar. i6, 1935 C arl L aemmle Anniversary Jubilee
ii
It Happened in Universal City
• No, kind reader, this is not an Egyp- tian mummy or a stylized statue. It is Elsa Lanchester in the role of the monster’s mate in “ The Bride of F rankenstein.”
SALLY E1LERS
• Beautiful Sally Eilcrs, who will al- ways be remembered for “ Bad Girl” and “ Dance Team,” is now under con- tract to Universal. She will star in the role of ‘‘Women Are Like That” which Kurt Neumann will direct and possibly in ‘‘Alias Mary Dow” which was writ- ten by Wm. A. Johnston, formerly ed- itor of the Motion Picture News.
REMARKABLE WOMAN
ANY good looking woman who permits others to see her in anything but a beautiful pose or character, is remarkable. Elsa Lan- chester is doubly remarkable. She is permitting herself to become a fe- male monster in "The Bride of Frank- enstein" and here are two pictures to show you how she looks in the pic- ture, which is just being completed at Universal City. Elsa Lanchester as the beautiful Anne of Clives showed Henry the Eighth how unprepossess- ing a beautiful woman could be when she chooses. But this is not a patch to what she does in "The Bride of Frankenstein." Get ready for the shock of your life. These pictures are mild.
+ + +
She Started Her Career
At Universal City
• More and more is Esther Ralston proving the splendid actress and beau- tiful woman that many critics in this business promised she would become. When Esther Ralston started on her career at Universal City, it was as a parachute jumper and a double for serial actresses and leading ladies who did not dare do their own stuff. Uni- versal thought of her in no other way until she was cast in “By Candlelight.” Since then, she has been in high de- mand at Universal City. She played in “Strange Wives” and is now appear- ing in a fine role in “Mr. Dynamite.”
ESTHER RALSTON
• And this is another picture of this remarkable woman, Elsa Lanchester.
HENRY ARMETTA • Hollywood has re-named Henry Ar- metta. He is universally spoken of now as “the picture stealer.” There is a manifest danger in a reputation like this, but Henry Armetta’ s smile in this picture does not indicate any fear of danger. Laughter is his middle name and every audience laughs the minute Henry Armetta appears on the screen. His latest for Universal is “Princess O’Hara,” in which he works against such famous comedians as Leon Errol, Vince Barnett and Tom Dugan.
12:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Mar. 16, 1935
— T
Celebrates !_ Anniversary
Carl Laemmle started to build Universal City in 1914 in San Fernando Valley, on the site of one of the battles which made the State of California indepen- dent of Mexico.
ON Friday of this week the pioneer of all California moving picture studios and the only studio designed as a city celebrated its twentieth anniversary. This is Universal City, opened with a golden key in 1915 by its president, Carl Laemmle, and still under the same man- agement. President Laemmle was the central figure in the celebration planned for March 15th on this historic lot where more than 2250 films have been made, and where most of the stars and celebrities in pictures began or developed their careers. President Laemmle invited all the men and women who have worked at the studio over that two-decade span to a special luncheon in the Indian Room of the studio restaurant and all those who were in his employ in 1915 to a big reception which was held on the huge "Bride of Frankenstein" set.
Among the stars who be- gan their careers there were Lon Chaney, Janet Gaynor,
John Boles, Boris Karloff, Fay Wray, Mary Philbin, Regin- ald Denny, Harry Carey,
Laura La Plante, Hoot Gib-
son, Eric Von Stroheim, Jack Dempsey, Jim Corbett, Paul Whiteman, Margaret Sullavan, Bela Lugosi, Lew Ayres, Betty Compson, Priscilla Dean, Esther Ralston, Jean Hersholt and Jack Holt.
Its directorial s^aff has included at various times Ho- bart Henley, Frank Lloyd, William Beaudine, Robert Z. Leonard, Frank Borzage, John Ford, Clarence Brown and Lois Weber. Irving Thalberg was once manager of Uni- versal City and so was William Sistrom.
Situated five miles from the heart of Hollywood and some thirteen miles from the center of Los Angeles, Uni- versal City was founded because the company began to outgrow its studio at Gower Street, Hollywood, where it had moved in 1913 from Fort Lee, N. J. After a six month search for a suitable site, Isadore Bernstein, Gen- eral manager of Universal Studios under orders from Carl Laemmle purchased the Taylor Estate and began building the new studio. It had the first electric light stage. Movies previously
The first panorama picture ever made of Universal City.
Mar. 16, 1935;
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Bird's-eye view of the village which was built at tremendous expense on Universal City back lot for the out-door scenes of “The Bride of Frankenstein .”
had been filmed by natural sun- light. It had the first structural steel stage, constructed for "Phan- tom of the Opera."
Bernstein included a residential district in his plan for the studio which gave it the rating of a city.
In October, 1914 it had 500 in- habitants including 75 Indians liv- ing in tepees, cowboys, movie sol- diers, workmen and their families.
The first child was born there on December 21st, 1914 to the leader of the cowboys Charles Oelze and his wife and named Carl Laem- mle Oelze. This young man will take part in the celebration on this very afternoon.
The twentieth anniversary finds Universal City dwindled from 500 inhabitants to 19. This is because increased transport facility makes residence elsewhere convenient. The city maintains its own fire de- partment and police force of 40 men. It has its own hospital, sta- bles, electric light plant and water power system, a huge arti- ficial lake high in the hills, more than ten miles of roads, 350 tele- phones, eight projection rooms a gym and nurseries and school rooms for child actors. Mrs. Emma
Carl Laemmle opens the gates of City with a gold key in the presence Oakley, the only woman chief of California.
Norton, 91, is the oldest resident. Baby Jane, three years and six months old is the youngest of the 45 contract players. The stu- dio employs 14 directors,
24 scenarists, 13 produc-
R. H. Cochrane, Mrs. R.H.
Cochrane, Mrs. Laemmle,
Carl Laemmle and Isidore Bernstein icalking down the Laemmle Boulevard to the opening ceremonies on March 15th, 1915.
ers and associate producers of films.
Here were made such famous films as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Dracula," "Frankenstein," "The Phan- tom of the Opera," "The Invisible Man," "Back Street," "All Quiet on the West- ern Front," and "Imitation of Life." The recently finished sequel, "The Bride of Frankenstein" and such films as "The Werewolf of London," "Mr. Dynamite," "The Raven," "Magnificent Obsession," Diamond Jim," "Show Boat," "Princess O Hara" and "Sutter's Gold" are all planned to follow the tradition.
Universal City stands on historic ground. It is situated at the lower end of San Fernando Valley, from which the ground rises rapidly into the Cahuenga Pass. This Pass is the only natural road over the low mountains into the City of Los Angeles. It was naturally a strategic spot. Ninety years ago this month a bloodless battle was fought on the exact site of Universal City. Some time Carl Laemmle will erect a monument on this spot to one of the few battles fought on California soil. This was a sort of a funny battle, in that neither of the par- ties actually wanted to fight.
Captain Johann Sutter who is the hero of one of Universal's forthcoming pictures, was one of those present at the battle, but unwilling to fight because the battle was solely be- tween Spaniards. It lasted for three days. There was a lot of gun fire, a lot of noise, a lot of excitement, but after one mule had been killed and two men had been wounded on each side, the brave war- riors got together and cel- ebrated a temporal peace with a huge barbecue. (Continued on Page 16_
Universal of Laura police in
^ V oV'0
1 <V UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Mar. 16, 1935
Universal City 20 Years Old
How They Started
Presenting Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures and the daddy of ’em all in the "How They Started" series. Carl Laemmle broke in as an exhibitor in Chicago. In 1906 he opened his first theater, “The White Front,” with the feature “From Newsboy to Judge.” The admission was a nickel and the business sensational. , . . Blame it all on that unusual artist, "Hap” Hadley, for he is doing the dirty work
One of a series of drawings in a recent issue of the Film Daily by artist
“Hap” Hadley.
(Continued from Page 13)
The San Fernando Valley was quiet again until Universal City was found- ed.
Through Stanley Anderson, the de- veloper of Beverly Hills, Carl Laem- mle acquired title to the Taylor ranch and commissioned Isidore Bernstein to prepare the plans for a sudio ade- quate to the present need and cap- able of being expanded to take care of any future needs. Bernstein de- signed the buildings and acted as contractor with William Horsley in charge of construction. Work was begun on Universal City in the fall of 1914.
The main street is Laemmle Boule- vard, a paved street a mile long leading from the admission gate to
the back door of the back ranch. By November, there were nearly five hundred inhabitants of Universal City, and buildings began to grow up like mushrooms. The Back Ranch saw the construction of typical west- ern streets, a New England street, a church, banks, ranch houses, North- west cabins, African kralls, a street patterned after New York, and about thirty foreign sets. Nearly fifty pic- tures were completed at Universal City before the grand opening. By that time also filmland's finest zoo had been established at Universal City, with elephants, camels, lions, tigers, monkeys, snakes and every im- aginable wild animal for use in pic- tures in permanent residence.
March 15, 1915, had been herald- ed all over America as the opening day for this wonder city. Colored
posters were tacked in every railway station in the country and newspaper advertisements and stories promised thrills that the previous California visitor never knew when Universal City was to open.
A special train from New York picked up Universal branch office managers and leading exhibitors at Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, (where the passengers met Buffalo Bill) and Grand Canyon. The train was met at San Bernardino by Isadore Bernstein and other studio officials and the 100 passengers motored to Los Angeles. Early next morning, Monday, March 15, the visitors headed a motor car- avan through Hollywood over Cahu- enga Pass and down into the valley to the main gate of Universal City. Here more than 20,000 persons were assembled to watch Police Chief Laura Oakley (the only woman police chief the West had known up to that time) present President Carl Laemmle with the golden key to the chain lock. A band played the national anthem as the flag was pulled to the top of the flag pole and with a grand gesture and broad smile, Mr. Laem- mle opened the studio, assisted by R. H. Cochrane, vice-president, P.A. Powers, Treas., Joe Brandt, and Is- adore Bernstein, the proud general manager and designer of the big stu- dio. U. K. Whipple (later famous war photographer) ground off news- reel scenes of the grand opening and events that followed and throughout the entire day and most of the night everywhere the executive party went they were showered with carnations, poppies, daisies and roses.
As visitors entered the grounds on their first tour of inspection, cow- boys, mounted actors dressed as Confederate and Union soldiers, In- dians in their war paint and full re- galia acted as guides and guards. During the lunch hour the guests of honor were served in the studio res- taurant and speeches of greeting and of well - wishing were interspersed with introductions of famous players. After luncheon (to quote the Motion
(Continued on Page 26)
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Good Fairy* ” — Wi WALTER WIN- f// CHELL. f h
‘Monlh’i beat plc- ‘OTO-
tare" — THO PLAY MAGAZINE.
"Mont appealing en- te rtaJnmrnt lines ‘Little Women* ” — NEW YORK AMERICAN.
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CRITICS RAVE! . and so will you!
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Margaret Sullavan Herbert Marshall Frank Morgan
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OFFER!
If you don't ogree with raving critic* thot MAR- GARET SULLAVAN in "THE GOOD FAIRY" is os enjoyably funny and clever as "It Happened One Night" ond "Thin Mon" . my MUSIC HALL staff will gladly and cheerfully refund your money'
John Hamrick.
you arm >t » n» en- Joyably funny and rlever ae ”1t Hap- pened One Night ... nod *'Th!n Man”... or my sinfl refnnda your money!
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REE' UNUSUAL POINTS OF INTEREST IN THESE ADS. IHE TITLE WITH THE WARN I NG , "DON ‘ T LET THE Tl .'ID THE ZIPPY ADJECTIVES FOLLOWING. (B)JOHN I- iRANTEE OF MONEY BACK IF THE PATRON DOES NOT IT HAPPENED ONE .N I GHT'! (C.) THE FINE USE OF ( OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY ON THIS SWELL PICTl :AST STEPPING, WIDE AWAKE ADVERTISING STAFF \ THEATRES!
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YOU!
Mar. i6, 1935 — _ Carl L aemmle Anniversary Jubilee
19
Heaven-Sent Opportunity PHILADELPHIA Acclaims
Says FRISCO Call-Bulletin
P DITH BRISTOL, reviewing "The Good Fairy" in the ™ San Francisco Call-Bulletin, calls it a "heaven sent op- portunity for those who have been demanding 'clean entertainment' to justify their demand by their patron- age." She puts it up to them in his way: "If all the boards and councils, individuals and organizations, publicly pledged to patronize 'better' pictures, really mean what they say they mean, there won’t be one vacant seat at the Orpheum during the run of 'The Good Fairy.'
"There shouldn't be, either.
"And if the picture goers who demand films at once clean and clever, entertaining and free from offense, line up as they should for this Ferenc Molnar comedy, it will be proof positive that a picture for critics is a pic- ture to please the boxoffice, too.
" 'The Good Fairy' has charm, entertaining plot, amus- ing lines, capable direction and a cast hand picked for the screen version of a stage play deservedly popular . . .
"The picture presents that successful achievement that can only come through the perfect balance of play- wright, director, photographer and actors — the transfer of a stageplay to the screen without sacrificing anything of the clever lines and at the same time broadening the scope of its comedy."
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
ALL the Philadelphia papers greeted "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" at the Stanton Theatre with loud and unrestrained praise. Here is what the Record says: "Charles Dickens' story has been given an appropriate ending in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' the new film at the Stanton.
"The conclusion of the story, which ties up all the clues in neat fashion, more than justifies such liberties. And the result is one of the most satisfactory mystery films shown on local screens in some time.
" 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' is good screen fare . . . more because of the treatment it receives through the quality of the source. The action is so skilfully worked out and the mood of foreboding so well maintained that the story never lags and suspense rises to a moving cli- max.
"Credit for the excellence of the film is undoubtedly due in a large measure to the direction of Stuart Walker, but the photography is uniformly effective and at times brilliant, while the acting of most of the principals lends added force. Particularly convincing are the performanc- es of Claude Rains, Douglass Montgomery, David Man- ners, Francis L. Sullivan and Walter Kingsford. Heather Angel adds personal charm, if not too much dramatic ability.
"For Crime Club enthusiasts, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' offers a feast. Others not addicted to that type
of entertainment should find it pleasantly absorbing."
H. M.
+ + +
Roxy Mastbaum
Acclaims “Fairy ’’
THE Daily News in Philadelphia, speaking of "The Good Fairy" in its opening at the Roxy Mastbaum says: "Petite Margaret Sullavan gives a new irresistibility to 'The Good Fairy' . . . Miss Sullavan, supported by a trio of superb comedians as her leading men, won the acclaim of yes- terday's audience at the Roxy-Mast- baum . . . The comedy is absorbing throughout, due, at least to a certain extent, to the masterful improve- ments made upon the original Mol- nar opus by Preston Sturges. It has been directed with breezy sophisti- cation^ by William Wyler."
CARL
LAEMMLE
dnmversaru-
Jubilee
WEEKS ENDING
JAN. 12 - AtAR.30
The Ledger says: "A worthy third in the present series of Dickens' screen versions. It is a colorful, exciting pho- toplay very well acted and mounted against a series of excellent Victorian backgrounds."
The Philadelphia Inquirer says: "An excellent thriller. An agreeably excited audience at the Stanton yesterday watched with bated breath the solution of the mystery.
"The four authors who put their heads together for this production have managed their own version most satisfactorily.
"Of infinite assistance is the col- orful direction of Stuart Walker, the dark, brooding photography of George Robinson and the atmospher- ic settings devised by Universal's de- signers. An excellent supporting cast which catches the Dickensian flavor of the quaint characters includes Francis L. Sullivan, E. E. Clive, For- rester Harvey, Zeffie Tilbury and Walter Kingsford."
—MILDRED MARTIN The Evening Bulletin says: "Skill- fully directed, exceptionally v/ell pho- tographed, with an excellent cast."
90- UNIVERSAL WEEKLY : Mar. 16, 1935
Profits From Universal Pictures Enable Stuart To Reconstruct 20 Year Old Pioneer Theatre
Matt Aparton concluding contract for 19.34-35 with G. P. Stewart, Pioneer Theatre, Powers, Ore.
BECAUSE G. P. Stuart, owner of the Pioneer Theatre of Powers, Oregon, has consistently played Uni- versal Pictures and has consistently made a profit on them, he has been enabled this year to make much needed improvements. The Pioneer Theatre is just exactly what its name implies. It is twenty years old, and was commencing to look its age in every particular.
Mr. Stuart is one of the pioneers of this pioneer town. While he is proud of this fact and proud of the theatre, he realized that even pioneers have to progress with
the times, and Mr. Stuart thought that the times demanded a consider- able improvement in his theatre and that his audiences were entitled to it. Furthermore, there were men in Powers, Oregon, who needed work. Putting all of these thoughts into courageous execution, Mr. Stuart has just re-opened his theatre after al- terations which make the Pioneer Theatre look like a new house. All of the work was done by local men and it has been very well done.
Mr. Stuart has completely covered the auditorium with a pressed wood (Continued on Page 26)
PALACE THEATRE Leesburg, Fla.
DESOTO THEATRE Lake City, Fla.
LEESBURG ENTERPRISES, Inc.
EARLE M. FAIN, President
LEESBURG, FLORIDA
Jan. 28, 1935
Universal Film Exchanges 193 Walton St.
Atlanta, Ga.
Gentlemen;
It gives me pleasure to remind you that I have used Universal Pic- tures 100% since November 1925 when I entered business in Florida.
Your pictures as a whole have been exceptionally good and they have made me as much, if not more, money than those of any other com- pany.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) EARLE M. FAIN
Mar. i6, 1935 = Carl Laemmle Anniversary Jubilee
For 25 Years Universal Has Kept This Customer Happy and Prosperous
AJ. BISHELL, proprietor of the • Empress Theatre of Spokane, Washington, recently wrote a letter to L. J. McGinley, Universal's ex- change manager in Seattle, in con- nection with Carl Laemmle s Anni- versary Jubilee. Mr. Bishell has had an interesting career in the exhibi-
tion of pictures in the Northwest and his letter is of interest not only on account of the pioneering he has done in this business, but because of the fact that he has consistently used Universal Pictures in every one of the houses that he has operated.
A. J. Bishell, consistent user of Uni- versal product for 25 years, and no tv proprietor of Empress Theatre, Spo- kane, Wash., wishes Carl Laemmle well on Anniversary Jubilee.
Bisheli s Letter
EMPRESS THEATRE Spokane, Wash.
February 22, 1933
Mr. L. J. McGinley, Manager Universal Film Exchanges, Inc. Spokane, Washington.
Dear Mac:
You must think I have a remarkable memory to recall how long I have been a user of Universal product. It seems that I have always used it.
It is at least twenty-five years since I began to show Universal pictures, and unless my memory goes back on me, the first ones I used were the old Imps, before Universal Pictures was incorporated.
It was in November, twenty-five years ago, that I began using Imp pic- tures in Great Falls, Montana, in the Theatorium, which was a little 350- seat house on the corner of First Av- enue and Fourth Street.
From there I went to Malta, Mon- tana starting the first Theatre in this town and in fact had to have my own electric light plant inasmuch as there was no electric plant in this town.
From there I branched out until I had a house in Malta, Glasgow, and Chinook in all of which we used Uni- versal product consistently.
After that I was connected with the Orpheum in Havre for a period of practically five years in which time we consistently used Universal pic- tures.
I think it was fourteen years ago that I came to Spokane, inasmuch as the prior owner of the Empress The- atre had been using Universal product it sort of fitted in with the scheme of things. During the five years that I was connected with the Empress Theatre we did business with the Ex- change in Spokane with Mr. McMil- lan as manager of the Spokane Ex- change. Incidentally (as a little aside) Maurice Saffel who is now manager of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Ex- change in Salt Lake was at that time a poster boy for Universal.
From Spokane I went to Seattle and was associated with Frank Edwards at the Winter Garden. He also was a consistent user of Universal product.
From there I moved to Universal Chain Theatres, Incorporated, with whom I was connected in various ca- pacities for a period of nearly five years.
Frdm there I came back again to the best theatre of all, the Empress Theatre in Spokane and as you know we have been using the product ever since.
I never have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Laemmle personally. However in the period of time afore- mentioned I have had to contact Mr. Lammle by wire and can truthfully say, that I have always found him to be a real friend of the “little fellow.”
Regarding Universal pictures, I can only say this, — any company that can
keep an account happy and prosper- ous for twenty-five years, not only has the class of product but the kind of treatment from exchange managers which goes to make up success for ex- hibitors and exchanges alike. Business relations of twenty-five years with one house go to prove that I have a warm spot in my heart for Universal pictures and have a perfectly legitimate reason for such a warm spot. It is a case of “actions speak louder than words,” but here I am speaking the words, too, and actually sending you a pic- ture of myself, — much against my bet- ter judgment.
Please don’t think that the use of Universal pictures had anything to do with “how I got that way.” I would rather send you a picture of the Em- press because the picture of the the- atre would be very much better look- ing. Unfortunately, I have no picture of the house.
I do not know anybody else in the world that I would do this for outside of yourself because after all I am just a small town boy endeavoring to get along and while I would not go so far as to say that Universal product alone has kept me in the business this length of time I can say in all truth- fulness that it has had a big part in having done that.
With kindest personal regards, I am Yours very truly,
(Signed) “BISH” Empress Theatre
22
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Mar. 16, 1935
NEWSREEL No. 335
CAMPBELL DRIVES 277 M.P.H.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.— The Bluebird tears down the sands with Sir Malcolm at the wheel, setting a taster pace than has ever been achieved on land and breaking the great British racer's own record.
SEN. JOHNSON WRITING COLUMN
(EXCLUSIVE)
NEW YORK CITY. — A controversy with Huey Long and Father Coughlin beats about the head of the Blue Eagle's tutor as he signs with United Feature Syndicate for a series of articles.
SLEET HALTS PHONE SERVICE
DULUTH, MINN. — The worst storm of its kind in history cripples wire communications throughout a wide area. Amateur radio op- erators form a link with the outside world.
BLACK HELEN TAKES CLASSIC
HIALEAH PARK, FLA. — The gallant horse gallops to the fore, winning a thrilling race before 15,000 enthusiastic track fans.
PACHYDERMS IN DIZZY RACE
COLUMBUS, O. — A novel contest pits a group of "speedy" elephants against time in an event for thoroughbreds of the heav- ier weight classes.
CUBAN REVOLT FLARES ANEW
HAVANA, CUBA. — The Government an- nounces a "State of War" as Federal troops march against students barricaded in the buildings of the University and a revolu- tionary strike grips the nation.
BASEBALL CLUBS HIT STRIDE
FLORIDA TRAINING camps hum with ac- tivity as aces of the diamond show the rookies how to "hit 'em where they ain't" and handle the elusive "apple" with Big League skill.
ARTILLERY SCALES HEIGHTS MT. DACHSTEIN, AUSTRIA.— Horses drag heavy guns through 20-ft. snowdrifts up the steep sides of a mountain 9,000 feet high. Man power takes over the burden when the animals fail.
NEW BAR GADGETS EXHIBITED
CHICAGO, ILL. — Mechanical aids to new habits of drinking are demonstrated by pretty misses in costumes designed espe- cially for the cocktail hour.
BEACH GIRLS 'BUST' BARRELS
CORAL GABLES, FLA. — Bathing beauties try out the latest "summer" sport at the Miami Biltmore Pool, showing masterly con- trol over "broncos" rigged over the water.
Oswald in "DO A GOOD DEED"
The best “ Oswald ” of this entire season is “ Do a Good Deed,” illustrated in the picture above. Oswald is imbued tvilh the same Boy Scout idea that impelled Margaret Sullavan as “ The Good Fairy” to stick up a philandering beef baron to further the fortunes of a husband who was all a fake; this, by way of doing a good deed a day. Don’t miss out on this “Ostcald.” It is funniest cartoon yet.
GORILLAS RAMPANT
“D RING 'EM BACK A LIE," a Sam Van Ronkle short com- edy, featuring Sterling Holloway, was placed in production at Univer- sal studios this week. Phyllis Fraser has the female lead and Ben Turpin has the third spot on the billing. Al- fred Goulding is directing. The story was written by Raymond Gannon. Jerry Ash is the photographer.
Universal seems to have become gorilla conscious these days. And the gorillas do not seem to take so well to the Universal lot.
One gorilla used in "Call of the Savage" attacked Dorothy Short and bit her severely. Now two more gor- illas are being used in "Bring 'Em Back A Lie." This pair took a distinct dislike to each other the first day of work and two extra trainers had to be employed to keep them apart af- ter several battles had started in their first hour before the cameras.
“THE RAVEN ” STARTS
AFTER a six months' preparation, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" was placed in production yesterday at Universal City. Karloff, who has just finished "The Bride of Franken- stein," a sequel to his former "mon- strous" success, is starred with Bela "Dracula" Lugosi in the present thrill- er. His leading lady will be Irene Ware, who played Diana in "Night Life of the Gods." Others already chosen are Lester Matthews and Sam Hinds. Lester Matthews, the prom- ising young English leading man whom Universal signed to a long- term contract, and who has virtually taken Herbert Marshall's place on the stage and screen of Great Brit- ain, has just finished his first assign- ment under his Universal contract. He was featured in the Universal production, "The Unholy Hour."
Louis Friedlander, most promising of the young crop of directors at Universal City is the director.
Mar. i6, 1935 Carl L aemmle Anniversary Jubilee
23
"Imitation of Life”
Could Go On Forever At The Lafayette Theatre, Haverhill, Mass.
//IMITATION OF LIFE" is rolling
I up box-office records and being held over and re-booked everywhere in the United States. This is the first of a number of such engagements in New England which has come to the attention of the Universal Weekly. William Lavery of the Lafayette Theatre of Haverhill not only held the picture for one week but ran up his gross to a higher figure on the second week than the first. No won- der he is holding it a third week!
He was also rather astonished to have an editorial printed about "Imi- tation of Life" in the Haverhill Ga- zette. It is the first time in the his- tory of that staid and dignified pub- lication that an editorial on a moving picture has ever been published. Un- doubtedly the Haverhill Gazette was an earnest advocate in the days be- fore the Civil War of the abolition of slavery.
Here is the editorial.
Announcements and revues of the motion picture, "Imitation of Life," that have been attracting Haverhill audiences for two weeks, do not fairly present the cast. I have before me an advertisement of the picture that has the name of Claudette Colbert in big type and the names of War- ren William and Rochelle Hudson conspicuously displayed; but no other names. That is a serious error of omission.
Miss Colbert, a beautiful and tal- ented actress gives a competent per- formance in this picture. Mr. Williams is an ingratiating leading man and Miss Hudson a charming ingenue. If these three, however, were merely capable troupers and not the po- ssessors of names that mean a lot to cinema-goers, the picture would still be outstanding because of the su- perb work of Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington.
NEWREELS No. 334
RUTH REPORTS FOR NEW JOB
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — The bambino joins the Boston Braves at their Spring training camp as the baseballers warm up in the first of the season's workouts.
DEATH ENDS EMINENT CAREER OF OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
WASHINGTON, D. C. — The great jurist closes a life of high service to his country- men, succumbing to bronchial pneumonia at the age of ninety-four.
CIVIL WAR DIVIDES GREEKS
REBELS SEIZE warships and clash with loyal troops in a revolt against the Government. The Army is mobilized and big bombing 'planes pursue the insurgents.
CENSORS OKAY BEACH STYLES
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. — Lacy bathing suits and daring designs for wear on the sands pass official review by the resort's police force which decides what can be worn and how much must be.
CARNERA IN STIFF WORKOUT
ORANGEBURG, N. Y. — The Man Mountain starts strenuous training for his forthcoming bout with Impelletiere, giving his sparring partners and the punching bag a tough time.
LATEST "BEEF TRUST" INSURED
CHICAGO, ILL. Hefty chorus ladies
working in a "Gay 'Nineties" revue take out policies protecting them from loss of the curves on which their jobs depend.
CARNIVAL GLEE RULES CITY IN MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
NEW ORLEANS, LA. — Hugs throngs pack brilliantly decorated streets in riotous wel- come to the chief figures of the traditional pre-Lenten festival. Fantastic floats add to the pageantry of a joyous occasion.
HUEY LONG VS. GEN. JOHNSON
WASHINGTON, D. C.— The "Kingfish" has his say in a vivid newsreel interview, reply- ing to remarks made about him by the for- mer chief of the NRA.
FIRST CENTURY IS HARDEST
KINGA, U.S.S.R. Official records put
an ancient farmer in the Methuselah class by giving his age as 152 years.
SOVIETS ENTER DIONNE RACE
NALCHIK, U.S.S.R. — A Russian woman gives birth to a quartette of healthy babies, making herself runner-up to the famous Can- adian mother of five.
LAFAYETTE THEATRE
HAVERHILL, MASS.
Frank P. Miller, Mgr.
March 9, 1935
Mr. William P. Kelly Universal Pictures Corp.
Boston, Mass.
Dear Mr. Kelly
For the first time in the history of this city, as far back as it is possible for me to look, a picture holds over into a third week on its first run. "Imitation of Life" has positively caused a sensation here with everyone who has seen it talking about it and those who haven't waiting in line for hours for a chance to see it. As you know the picture grossed more the second week than the first and it looks as if next week will top last.
The picture is certainly the greatest popular hit in years and Uni- versal is to be congratulated for turning out a picture as perfect as any picture is likely to be.
Kindest personal regards,
(Signed) WILLIAM J. LAVERY, Mgr.
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UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
THE BIRTH OF AMBITION
l\o finer tribute can be paid to motion pictures — they have broadened the horizons and vision of youth.
This is the caption on the second of the series of institutional good will posters, which will be mailed to all theatres in the United States, and distributed in Canada, by March 1st. The poster is printed in a rich ultra- marine blue, with the lettering in deep orange. It will contrast striking- ly with the first of the M. Leone Bracker series, printed in French red.
Do not fail to prominently display these posters in your lobby. Results may not be immediate, but they are designed to promote good will and understanding between your theatre and your public — and every theatre
manager worthy of the name is in- terested in building good will.
Hundreds of letters have been re- ceived by the Hays Office from live managers throughout the country, praising both the first of the artistic posters and particularly the idea of doing something concrete to foster a spirit of friendliness and under- standing with the motion picture go- ing public.
DO YOUR PART TO HELP THIS ALONG BY PROMINENTLY DIS- PLAYING ALL OF THE POSTERS AS THEY ARE RECEIVED MONTHLY.
1 Mar. 16, 1935
The Profits From Universal Pictures Enable Stuart To Reconstruct His Twenty Year Old Pioneer Theatre
( Continued from Page 20)
fibre which has improved the sound one hundred percent. Another factor which enters into the sound improve- ment is the raising of the roof. By doing this, Mr. Stuart was enabled to build a balcony and to secure added space for the booth which was en- tirely re-built. He also enlarged and reconstructed the foyer, making it a much more hospitable and entertain- ing looking room, and he put an en- tirely new front on the theatre. This front is of concrete and only the flare of its Gothic shaped archway is shown in the illustration on page twenty. While he was about it, Mr. Stuart sloped his floor and added a number of seats to the main floor, as well as obtaining a large and a comfortable balcony.
G. P. Stuart has been a consistenf and profitable user of Universal pic- tures, almost from the time he open- ed the Pioneer Theatre. Carl Laem- mle and Universal wish him continued and even greater success in the re- built house.
+ + +
Universal City 20 Years Old
( Continued from Page 16)
Picture News correspondent) 'Francis Ford staged a battle on the greens- ward surrounded by a natural ampi- theatre of hills — the very location in which ’Damon and Pythias' had been photographed.' A caravan of 1,200 automobiles carried the guests from this scerse to the back ranch where Henry MacRae's 101 Bison company staged a spectacular scene for "The Flood" starring Marie Walcamp, and thousands gasped as a huge reservoir high in the hills released its thousands of gallons of water and this wall of water came toward the cameras toss- ing Miss Walcamp and her support- ing players around in the foamy waves while excited cameramen re- corded their scenes and the crowd cheere dhoarsely.
UNIVE N E WS
GRAHAM McN AMEE
MENTONE
COMEDIES!
MORE STARS THAN
THERE ARE IN A WHOLE
VAUDEVILLE SHOW!
Tell them that Olga Baclanova, the Russian stage star, the famous Tic Toe Girls, Murray Lane and his Harmon- iacs, the Three Dodge Brothers and Henry Scott are in
"TELEPHONE BLUES!"
Notify all the Columbia University alumni in your city that the Columbia Band is featured in
MEET THE PROFESSOR!"
Brag about Robert Halliday, Evelyn Herbert, Moran & Casper, 4 Black Jacks, Gracella & Theodore, Philip Ryden and the 12 Mentonettes in
"DESERT HARMONY!"
■
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ANDINS a broadcast of the radio ■* script on ''Imitation of Life" on the local station, proved of additional value to the Capitol Theatre's campaign in Calgary, Canada, when the Calgary Albertan played it up in a box on page three. The story mentioned the picture's engagement at the theatre and listed the local talent playing in the sketch. Story ran day of broadcast which was scheduled for the night beforo the opening. J. Harry Black, J. Add Wilson and Elmer Fledderjohn, who handled the campaign, planted the broadcast for the popular ten to ten-thirty P. M. period. Watch the Exploitation Section for details of the complete campaign. It's a knock-outl
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Above is a reproduction of the telephone message slip used by Rodney Pantages, man- ager, and Shelby Cole, p, a., for the Pan- tages Theatre, Hollywood, as a current plug in their "Good Fairy" campaign. 5,000 were distributed in hotels, office buildings, etc. The picture was given a real Hollywood premiere at $2.75 top, with a radio hook- up, stars, kleig lights and all the other fix- ings. They turned them away at the open- ing performance and held the picture over. * * *
Tying up with the local schools for his "Great Expectations" campaign, proved good business for Roy W. Adams of the Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Junior Class of the Mason High-School sponsored the en- gagement and sold tickets on a percentage basis. Adams sent a soecial letter and a copy of the roto herald to all teachers within a radius of ten miles.
Paging Serial Fans — /
Adventure calling!
Paging serial fans — young — old — boys — girls — men — wo- men— everybody — everywhere . . . north — south — and coast to coast!
Open your eyes — prick up your ears — the “CALL OF THE SAVAGE” is roaring toward your screen.
“CALL OF THE SAVAGE” is Universal’s newest chapter play thriller. From the Argosy Magazine serial “Jan of the Jungle.” Here’s a pinkey-nail slant on the story: A
scientific expedition heads for the deep jungles to track down the cause of a strange fever. One of the doctors dis- covers it and develops a cure formula.
He writes half the formula on his baby boy’s wrist and half on a parch- ment. Disaster overtakes the expedi- tion. Boy survives and is brought up by a chimpanzee. Doctor lost.
A fortune is offered for the formula. Another expedition sets out to trace it. Father is found, mind now gone. Remembers his boy, however and jungle search begins. Right into the jaws of the green hell our story leads, into terrific fights with strange tribes, battles with stalking beasts of prey, stampedes of wild elephants,
“CALL OF THE J. ’!"
SAVAGE” is a I weird land of Mu, mutiny and ship-
darb for exploita • wreck on the high seas . . . action
tion. A peek at . . . action . . . action all the way, with
the illustrations olle hair-raising thrill after another in
gives you the key- 'JF as exciting a yarn as ever hit your
note idea. Jungle ]*ais£ gf Fm tsL JlO ' screen.
stuff, wild ani- mals, cannibals, tramp schooners, secret charts, scientific apparatus . , . grand stuff for lobby motif. The kind that makes our thoughts turn to wanderlust again. In other words . . . BOX-OFFICE! That’s the “CALL OF THE SAVAGE”
A swell line of accessories is now running off the presses to help you swing this serial into the money class. Tip off your action fans that “CALL OF THE SAVAGE” is on the way. Put in your order now for your copy of the pressbook. It will be ready for you soon! JOE WEIL
COMING!!! ROAD SHOW CAMPAIGN FOR
"BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN "
30:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
Mar. 16, 1935
SCHANBERGER GIVES "NIGHT LIFE” PEPPY CAMPAIGN IN BALTIMORE
Lawrence schanberger's campaign
on "Night Life of the Gods" for Keith's Theatre, Baltimore, Md. was peppy, smart and complete.
To announce his opening well in advance, he put on a thorough posting campaign, which included thirty 24-sheets, five hundred snipes, five hundred window cards, ones,
threes, and sixes; and a house to house dis- tribution of roto heralds.
He tied-up with Child's restaurant chain for the distribution of five thousand cards plugging the picture and the restaurants.
Sixteen thousand bookmarks were distrib- uted to stenographers in office buildings, through circulating libraries, and with pur- chases made in Grant's stores.
The local distributor of Motion Picture Magazine, tying-up with the Keith's show- ing of the picture, bannered their delivery
trucks (photo above), put a sound truck on the street, also bannered, and prepared two hundred I I x 28 cards for tacking on poles. The angle plugged was an article on Hollywood Beauty, seen in "Night Life of the Gods."
Bumper strips front and back made the
cruising ballyhoos. The photograph here- with shows a number of them as they lined up at the depot.
Additional highlights of the campaign were, a banner stretched across the street in front of the theatre, elaborate advance and current lobby and front displays, a gi- gantic electric sign above the marquee, and a fifty percent boost in the advertising budget. Albert Nathan, Universal exploiteer assisted.
Airplane Model Contest Coes Big In Harrisburg
C PES W. SARGENT in Variety tells about ™ the airplane model contest for "Tailspin Tommy" used by the Victory Theatre that had the youngsters of Harrisburg, Pa. all worked up. It was plugged weeks in ad- vance through the theatre's Junior Adven- ture Club and in the program. More than one hundred models were entered and the best were displayed in the lobby. To create added interest one thousand buttons were distributed each week for three weeks.
''Good Fairy" Usherette Distributes Heralds For Deitch In Jersey City
AS a gag, Robert R. Deitch, Publicity Director, Stanley Theatre, Jersey City, N. J., had an exact replica of Margaret Sullavan's usherette contest made up for one of his usherettes, who distributed her- alds in the lobby. She had as a background a display that showed the similarity. The heralds were of two types, accessory rotos, and a special teaser, plugging the "Good Fairy" as a must see picture. Campaign also included posting of forty 24-sheets and one hundred i-sheets.
two hundred taxi cabs of two local fleets
NOVEL 'IMITATION" AD WINS PATCHEN AWARD FOR BEST OF THE MONTH
T HE clever ad, featuring endorsements of "Imitation of Life," used by Manager E. A. Patchen, Stuart Theatre, Lincoln, Nebr., won him the award certificate shown at the right with the ad. The award was made by the Lincoln Merchants Association for the best ad of the month. Patchen managed to obtain the endorsements by arranging a preview showing of the picture to which he invited the city's foremost ladies.
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"DO A GOOD DEED"!
32
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
Mar. 16, 1935
Oklahoma's "GOOD FAIRY" Ads
Group of smart ads used by Dist. Manager, Geo. H eager, and Ray Thomas, Manager, W arner Theatre, Oklahoma City, for “THE GOOD FAIRY” campaign. At left is a swell three column x 8^" ad. Note the unusual angle of appeal used in the copy of the ads at the right. Both are of tivo column width by ten inches. The ad campaign was backed up by splendid publicity. The critics gave the picture long write ups comparing the screen play with the stage production.
"SAVAGE" FLASH ACCESSORIES
COLOR, PEP AND ACTION DOMINATE HAT AND HANGER
OC ALL OF THE SAVAGE," Universal’s new serial, ^ featuring Noah Beery, Jr., the daring adventur- er of "Tailspin Tommy" has a real smash line acces- sories to back it up. In addition to the advance and chapter posters, chock full of color and action, circus herald, lobbies, etc., there is an over-sized window card, the two piece die-cut hanger shown at the left, and the three color, die-cut mask illustrated at the right. Great aids in any showman's campaign. Use the hanger beneath your marquee, in the lobby, in store windows, and in strategic spots around town. Use the masks to get a crowd out for the parade on opening day by offering them to the first two or three hundred on hand. The kids will keep them for weeks, carrying your ad around the town.
Ask your local exchange to send a “ Call of the Savage 99 pressbook
H E N R
featured with i
WARNER OLAND
and with
VALERIE HOBSON
in
WEREWOLF OF LONDON
TO AIL HYSTERICAL WOMEK
Shut your eyes/
Warning!.. . If your nerves cannot withstand the most terrifying scene ever filmed, we urge you to shut your eyes when you hear these words in
WEREWOLF
OF lONDON
“Wait a minute — I’ve got to see what's happening."
And NOT to open them again until you hear the following words several minutes later:
“What are you doing up so late?
We will not be responsible for fainting spells or shocks of any kind!
THE MANAGENENT
Reproduced from the Ad Campaign in the “ Werewolf of London ” Pressbook
2 - - = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =Apr. 20, 1935
SCARE 'EM STIFI
No. 815 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
There is only one proper way to exploit a shocker pic- ture — and that is to handle it frankly and let it shock!
When we produced "Werewolf of London/' we gave it all the shock and goose pimples we could jam into it.
Human nature is still the same as it has been for a thousand years. We love the thing that shocks us or sends a chill down the spine.
We fear it. We dread it. But we love it. We will always pay money to get it.
So, for the love of heaven, do not soft-pedal in your advertising on "Werewolf of London."
Co the very limit — even to the point of telling your patrons not to let the kids see it at night.
It is a blood-curdling thing.
It will give the unholy shivers to even the hardest boiled movie egg.
It is as gruesome as "Dracula" — as startling as "Frank- eristein" — as much of a soul-shocker as we know how to
make.
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UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Apr. 20, 1935
IIIIIVERSM UHL Y
A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitor! Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
APRIL 20, 1935 fol 36 No. 19
UNIVERSAL BUYS “TIME OUT OF MIND ”
UNIVERSAL will today complete the purchase of the current best seller, "Time Out of Mind." This Rachael Fields story of Maine ship- building communities and their people is planned as one of Margaret Sullavan's pictures for next season. It is also planned to cast Frank Law- ton, who is now appearing in a play in England, and Jane Wyatt who is now appearing in "The Bishop Misbe- haves," in support of Margaret Sul- lavan in "Time Out of Mind."
+ + +
BABY JANE IN
“ALIAS MARY DOW ”
SALLY EILERS' first picture for Universal, "Alias Mary Dow," was finished yesterday under the di- rection of Kurt Neumann. The last scenes shot will be the first scenes in the picture, which is taken from a novel by Forrest Halsey and William A. Johnston. These scenes required the kidnapping of Sally Eilers when she was a child. Baby Jane was called upon to impersonate Sally Eilers as a baby.
+ + +
“Lady Tubbs ” Cast Grows
ALAN CROSLAND is rapidly as- sembling a cast for the Homer Croy novel, "Lady Tubbs." Alice Brady will have the title role. Yester- day, Douglass Montgomery and June Clayworth were named for import- ant parts.
Miss Clayworth is in New York for Easter at the present time. She will fly to Universal City next week.
Buck Jones Starts
His Lead-off Serial “The Roaring West”
BUCK JONES started yesterday on "The Roaring West," Universal's leadoff serial for next season. As his leading lady he will have Muriel Evans, and a cast which includes Eoli Galli, sister of Gamberelli, William Desmond, Walter Miller, Frank Mc- Glynn and Harland Knight. The pic- ture will be directed by Ray Taylor. Jones has just completed "Border Brigands," his fifth Western feature for Universal. "The Roaring West" will be completed in time for Buck Jones to come to New York to ful- fill a radio engagement.
The four serials for next season are the most important Universal ever announced. In addition to "The Roar- ing West" they include "The Adven- tures of Frank Merriwell" by the fa- mous Gilbert Patten, whose pen name was Bert L. Standish, "Flash Gordon" widely read newspaper strip by Alexander Raymond, and "The New Exploits of Tailspin Tommy," a sequel to a former very successful airplane serial.
This comprises the twenty-third season of uninterrupted serials from Universal.
+ + +
What Noah Beery , Jr. Wanted to Do in 3 Days
NOAH BEERY, Jr., star of Univer- sal serial, "Call of the Savage," arrived in New York Tuesday by air to join his father. The two sailed on the Berengaria on Friday for England, where the father will appear in a British picture. The son, however, will return after a week in England, his first trip aboard, to arrive at the stu- dio on May 21st.
Noah Beery, Jr. will be featured in one and possibly two of Universal's serials for next year, and there is a strong possibility of his playing the scout, Kit Carson, in "Sutter's Gold," which Howard Hawks will place in production some time in July at Uni- versal City.
Noah Beery, Jr., had a list of things which he wanted to do in New York before he sails. First, he wanted to see an episode of "Call of the Sav- age," in which he starred. He was so ( Continued on Page 31)
c&he ^Preview Tarade of UNIVERSAL PICTURES
HENRY HULL as “The Werewolf ’ . . .
. . will give the world the willies . . .
Can YOU- less mysteries:
-solve these name-
f' Vr Do werewolves really exist?
Are they human or beast? Or neither? Or a combination of the most satanic qualities of each?
XX What is the maripliasa — this flower that shrieks as it dies, this unholy blossom that blooms by the weird rays of a dead planet in the Forbidden Valley of Tibet, which saves a man from a fate so fearful that it defies description?
WARNER OLAND
, v „ The clutch of lycanthropy!
What is this strange curse that physicians cannot fight? What is its secret and in- conceivable cure which sends men to the ends of the world to brave a thousand
l .1 O
MX Henry Hull as “Werewolf of London” will give the world the wil- lies! There is so much that is shivery and shuddery, strange and inconceivable, in this queer transformation that overtakes a man — that turns him, before your startled eyes, into a stalking being that dedicates the moonlit hours to death!
_ _ . „ „ More fearsome than “Drac- ula,” more awesome than ‘ The Invisible Man,” “THE WEREWOLF OF LON- DON” will live long in the nightmares of delighted audiences! Warner Oland plays an important part, Valerie Hobson gives vent to unearthly screams, an ac- complished cast catches the mood, sus- tains the excitement, and delivers the goods. — Jacthal
Apr. 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
11
CAST RELAXES
Valerie Hobson takes time off to do a little riding £
over the Califor- nia hills.
This group includes Henry Hull in his makeup for “IV ercwolf of London .” Valerie Hobson, the leading lady, and Lester Matthews.
W arner Oland , sotn- ^ ber and sinister fig-
ure of the Charlie Chan features.
Werewolf
OFFSTAGE IT’S ALL IIS FUIS
In “Werewolf of London,” this dog gets very much upset at Henry Hull's wolfish tendencies , but he seems all right in this picture.
Robert Gordon Hobson, Valerie Hobson’s father, a retired British naval officer, is in Cal- ifornia enjoying his daughter’s success in films.
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Apr. 20, 1935
Compared to "Were>/
"Dracula" ws
Warner Oland in desperation, battles vainly against the terror he sees in Henry Hull’s eyes.
By EDWARD EUSTACE
A VAMPIRE is always a gentleman except when it is a lady, but a werewolf is a brute. The vampire bleeds his or her victims with the neatness of a surgeon or a black- mailer, but a werewolf is inclined to leave things a shambles. The bite of the vampire does not mean instant death, or necessarily death at all. The bite of the werewolf kills at once or infects with lycanthrophobia, the con- tagious werewolf disease, eventually fatal. However, there is one conso- lation. You do not have to go to any special trouble to kill a werewolf, such as driving a stake through his heart. The ordinary rifle or revolver bullet does the trick very nicely.
All these points of difference be- tween the vampire and werewolf will be moot subjects when "Werewolf of London," Universal's latest and reput- edly best thriller comes to town. It will unquestionably cause discussion about "Dracula," the first of all shudder films, also, a product of the same Universal studio. Henry Hull's portrayal of the werewolf, a man who periodically is afflicted with wolf madness, will be compared with Bela Lugosi as the vampire Count Dracula. However, according, to advance
reports emanating from the Universal the sinister Count Dracula will be con- sidered a mere sissy when Hull's were- wolf takes the screen. The makeup of the noted stage actor is said to be a more appalling affair than the one which Karloff wore as the Franken- stein monster. It took six hours daily to put on, and two hours to remove. Fangs, two inches long, which are fit- ted into the lower jaw, and an entire false forehead are a few simple de- tails of this involved makeup.
While unearthly creatures are by no means strangers to the cinema ever since "Dracula" started tho fa-
“Please don’t let this happen to me again tonight!”
“ She’s my wife and I love her. She shall not go,” declares Dr. Glendon to Paul Ames.
“/t was the only way,” sobbed the de- spairing wife as she gazed, horror- stricken, at the embattled scene.
shion back in 1931, this is the first screen appearance for the werewolf. Strange as it may seem and believe it or not, there is evidence for his ex- istence in real life too. Just as the folk lore of all countries have stories of vampires, so have they of werewolves. Science now recognizes both as path- ological cases.
According to Montague Summers who has written learned books on both subjects, "werewolf" means "man-wolf," a man who thinks he is a
Apr. 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
>lf of London'' Just a Sissy
Warner Oland, famous for his Charlie Chan roles , lends his tal- ents and prestige to “Werewolf of London.”
The two men who might have pro- duced an epidemic of werewolf ery in London, battle each other.
wolf and acts like a wolf as Hull does in the film. Like the vampire the were- wolf feels the urge to do his deadly work at night, when the moon is full.
With the werewolf there is said to be a change in appearance, more or less marked when the victim feels the wolf possession coming on. This hap- pens in the case of Dr. Glendon, the character played by Hull, who shows many of the characteristics of a wolf when the moon is full.
Once a vampire always a vampire; there is no known cure for the disease. Were- wolves are more fortunate, but not much more. There is thought to be a cure for the man wolf seizure. It is called the mariphasa lumina lupina.
This is a flower which like the century plant blooms only by moonlight and is found in Tibet. Dr. Glendon, plant scientist is searching for this flower to study it when he becomes infected with lycan- throphobia from Warner Oland who has the part of an Oriental scientist, Dr.
Yogami, also a sufferer.
14:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Apr. 20, 1935
Valerie Hobson and Lester Matthews, the ro- mantic leads in “ Werewolf of London.”
Henry Hull and J.M. Kerrigan endeavor- ing to make a wolf flower bloom by arti- ficial moonlight.
Henry Hull in one of the most powerful and ingenious char- acterizations of the entire screen year, “ Werewolf of Lon- don.”
Apr. 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
15
For lack of an antidote, Henry Hull becomes a werewolf in his own laboratory.
Lester Matthews and Henry Hull in a fero- cious battle in one of the scenes from “ Werewolf of London .”
CRATCH a myth and find a sci- entific truth. More and more science tends to corroborate the old chimney-corner tales which until re- cent years were disbelieved by edu- cated people. This was true of the vampire, long considered a mere folk-story invention of Central Europe but now recognized as a definite case in psycho-pathology. The same is true of the werewolf, the legendary monster which Hen- ry Hull interprets in Universal's film, "Werewolf of London."
What is a werewolf? Some of the greatest writers in history in- cluding De Maupassant have writ- ten stories about this creature. When Universal decided to risk putting Robert Harris' daring story about the werewolf on the screen, Stanley Bergerman assigned John Colton, noted author of the play "Rain" to do the screen ad- aptation. In making his prepara- tion to do the script Colton spent
a month in public and private libra- ries in research on the subject. He conferred with the psychiatrists and physiologists attached to Universal City's medical staff of specialists in order to build the screen character of Henry Hull for the werewolf part
Another scene in the terrific battle be- tween Lester Matthews and Henry Hull in “W'erewolf of London .”
according to latest scientific tenets. He studied the hundreds of paintings by Goya and other masters on this mysterious subject before putting a line of dialogue or description on paper.
He found that werewolf means, "man-wolf;" a human being who has the power to turn himself into a wolf or who is turned into a wolf. In the Middle Ages and in the still more distant past, people believed that the changing into a wolf was accomplished by magic spells. Mo- dern scientists hold that this change may be a very real and terrible psychopathic one called lycanthrophobia, acquired from the bite of a mad wolf which causes men to think they are wolves and act like wolves, prey- ing murderously on mankind in their blood lust, when the periodic seizures accur.
In some cases the change from man to wolf has no outward man ( Continued on Page 31)
LONDON
CARL laemmle presents
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
ENRY HULL* WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBSON
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IT DARES WITHS1
You may think you can “take it”— but wait until you see this supreme hair- raiser of them all! Every minute an eternity _ of nerve -shattering excite- ment and suspense!
Corl laemmle presents A Universal Picture with
henry hull
WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBSON
LESTER MATTHEWS • SPRING BYINGTON CLARK WILLIAMS • LAWRENCE GRANT
Directed by Stuart Walker Produced by STANLEY BERGERMAN
LONDON
HRILLS TO THE WORLD!
WARNER OLAHD VALERIE HOBfON
Directed by Stuart Walkar Produced by Stonlay Bergermon
1C
WAS THE NAN
Was he the
WEREWOLF!
OF LONDON
HENRY HULL WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBtON
IISTII MATTHIWt SrtING ITINCTON CUH WI1II1M1 HWIINCI CIANT
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MEN BV DAY... WOLVES BV NIGHT
■ attacking those they [ loved because of a ■Q moonlight !>jS curse!
a
HENRY HULL WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBfON
Diractarf by Stuart Walfeat Produced by Stonlay Bargeman
I H
I Picture
WITH HER OWN EVES
she saw the man who loved her slowly trans- formed — into a Werewolf!
A Univers
HENRY HULL ♦ WARNER VALERIE HOBSON
Directed by Stuart Walker Produced by STANLEY &ERGERMAN
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ADS THAT SHOUT "YOU
loemmle tsenlt ivers ol cture
I D
ME THERE WIREWOIJES^
[WEREWOLF]
A person changed into a wolf, or able to be- come a wolf for the practice of canmbali&ra!
with
HENRY HULL WARHER OLAND VALERIE HOBSOH
Directed by Stuart Walker Produced by Stanley tergermon A Universal Picture
I F
BEFORE HER VERV EVES -THE NAM SHE LOVED
was turning into a savage wolf!
StUEOH'JMce^
•SiSrSi
... as slowly some mysteri- o u s power changed the man she mar- ried into a Werewolf!
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Carl laemmle presents A Universal Picture with
HENRY HULL WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBSON
LESTER MATTHEWS • SPRING BYINGTON CLARK WIUIAMS • LAWRENCE GRANT
Directed by Stuart Walkei Produced by STANLEY BERGERMA
ViUST COME AND SEE IT!"
* U„iv«f»ol Picture '«»>•
henry huu
WARMER OLAHD VALERIE HOBIOH
LESTER MATTHEWS SPRING RYINGTON ClARK WIUIAMS lAWRTNCT GRANT
Directed by Siuorl WoUer p.oducd by Stonley
Even those he loved were not safe from the beast - \ ly claws and fangs ' .at grew upon ..t/n, from the mystic curse tl possessed him!
DOOMED TO A LIFE OF UNSPEAKABII HORROR]
Part wolf, part man, fearing himself and wanted by no one !
Carl Loemmle presents A Universal Picture with
HENRY HULL WARNER OLAHD VALERIE HOBSON
Directed by Stuart Walker Produced by Stanley lergermon
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VALERIE HOBJON
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LONDON
Corl loemmle presents A Universal Picture with
-T7HENRY HULL WARNER OLAHD VALERIE HOBSON
->A-^8lro«Ud by. Stuart Walter . J Produced by Stanley •ergerman
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Carl Loemmle presents a Universal Picture with
HENRY HULL ♦ WARNER OLAND VALERIE HOBSON
Produced by STANLEY BERGERMAN
FLASH POSTERS! SHOCK
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SHOWMANSHIP!
Universal Scores Again
Here’s a shocker picture vastly different from any you ever have seen. The company that gave you “DRACULA,” “INVISIBLE MAN” and' “THE BRIDE OF FRANKEN- STEIN” now flashes before your eyes another weird, shivery thriller with make-up bourn You see befor
your
a masterpiece of id to set the country talking.
■e you — but hardly dare believe — a mation take place — a man changes into a werewolf! An amazing trick of the camera more magical even than that used in “THE INVIS- IBLE MAN.”
Two scientists fight to procure the mariphasa flower — the only antidote for the mysterious werewolf s bite.
One captures it. The other tracks him to London and steals the flower. There follows a series of mysterious murders. Terror stalks through the city. Scotland Yard is baffled.
Our beautiful young heroine is about to fall victim to the horrible werewolf when a bullet kills the monster. As it dies, there is another indescribable transmutation — it turns into a human again — into HER HUSBAND!
Here is one of the sock dramatic moments of the screen — something that will send the people out talking ex- citedly! “WEREWOLF OF LONDON” should be sold as a shocker and as a dramatic sensation because its plot IS really sensational!
JOE W EIL n ,
Apr. 20, 1935 - -UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION= 07
AMMUNITION FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN!
MANY STUNTS POSSIBLE WITH "Werewolf' FLOWER
THE "mariphasa" flower, a weird phos- phorescent plant that blooms only under the rays of the moon, plays an important part in "WEREWOLF OF LONDON." Ac- cording to the story, this rare flower is the only thing that can protect a person from the terrible fate which follows the bite of a werewolf.
Here are stunts you can use to dramatize this angle:
Lobby Exhibit
Secure from your local florist some un- usual flower — an odd fern or cactus plant will do the trick — and have your sign painter touch up this plant with various colored paints to make it more unusual. Exhibit it under glass on a velvet-covered stand. Call attention to the display with special sign as shown above and a giant magnifying glass, which can be faked by utilizing a hoop covered with cellophane, and a jumbo wooden handle. Use a green baby spot to attract attention.
Hand Out "Mariphasa"
Secure from your florist a quantity of ferns which are unusual looking and spray them with vari-colored paints to get an odd effect. Distribute individual sprigs with tags attached . . . This is the "mariphasa" flower from the Forbidden Valley where death strikes all who dare enter . . . where un- known forces threaten . . . where only Dr. Glendon escaped with this rare specimen which can protect a human from a horrible fate ... see "WEREWOLF OF LONDON."
Window Tie-Up With Florist
Your local florist can attract attention to its window by using a display similar to the lobby display, surrounding it with other un- usual tropical plants which he may have in stock.
DISPLAY LINES
Do Werewolves Really Exist? At Night, Do Creatures Prowl That Are Neither Human Nor
Beast But With The Satanic Characteristics of If You Think That a Thousand Year-Old Legend
* *
Murder in the Moonlight! Death By An Unseen Hand! Terror Stalking Through the Land, Striking the Loving and Loved!
* *
The Werewolf Strikes When the Moon Is Full, Next Victim!
* *
Look For the Marks of the Werewolf! Look Gashes Left by the Tell-Tale Claws When the
* *
Strange Murders By An Unseen Hand!
Police Helpless! Scotland Yard Baffled!
Wild, Weird, Shivery, Shuddery Thrills!
* *
Mariphasa — The Flower That Shrieks As It Dies Strikes — Where No Man Dares to Tread — Yet Bloom Which Would Save Him From A Fate c
Both? See "The Werewolf of London" — Dies!
*
By Day A Man — By Night A Beast! Waking Hours Sacrificed to Science — Wicked Hours Dedicated to Death!
*
And A Shuddering World Waits For the
*
for the Signs of the Fangs! Look for the Werewolf Prowls!
*
Murders! Always Preceded by a Weird Inhuman Howl — the Baying of a Super- Wolf! What Was This "Thing" Which Terrorized an Entire City!
*
! From the Forbidden Valley Where Death Which Dr. Glendon Invaded for the Moon if Unearthly Terror!
OPEN AT MIDNIGHT
PROMPTLY at midnight, on the night prior to your regular opening, screen this picture for a selected group. Invite doctors, surgeons, scientists, explorers, and others who will give it prestige.
Stage a special prologue to the main title during which you darken the entire house. Pick up a stuffed figure of a wolf, or a live oolice dog at one side of the stage, using a green spot. Permit the animal to be pulled across the length of the stage, while some- one gives vent to an unearthly howl, and then up with the lights and start the picture.
TRICK SCRIM FLASH
P ROM the posters available, prepare a 1 cut-out, one half of which (the left side) will be a man, the other half (the right side) will be a wolf. Place this behind the screen, with a board to separate the lights which go behind the transparency. Alternately il- luminate the left side, and then the right. Captions for the display are indicated on the illustration for this stunt.
HALF-MAN HALF-BEAST
HE WAS A HE WAS A
SCIENTIST WHO WEREWOLF SACRIFICED WHO PREYED
ALL FOR ON A FEARFUL HUMANITY/ WORLD/
^WEREWOLF
OF LONDON ,
PROWLS TO-NIGHT/
28
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
Apr. 20, 1935
BUILD A SHIVERY — SHUDDERY POSTER FRONT!
II ERE is a suggestion for a prac- * * tical showmanship front con- structed at comparatively small ex- pense by utilizing poster material supplemented with atmosphere art. Take the head of the werewolf from the lithos and use on your overhead sign. Spot faces of other character* around this display with catch lines that appear on page 29.
Stunt easels can be spotted con- spicuously and side panels that can be devoted to big blow-ups of the best action. That 24-sheet naturally lends itself to a smacko cut out for the top of the marquet, and 3-sheet easels put over the right B. O. angles.
DRAWING CONTEST
kwMUwOlf
LETTERS TO SCIENTISTS
rv OCTORS, teachers, professors, men of science, exploration and adventure, should be contacted with the following let- ter. Invite them to be guests at a special showing. Secure their endorsements.
Dear Sir:
Do werewolves really exist?
Science may doubt, question, probe — but can a thousand-year-old legend die? Who can really say that lycanthrophobia is out- side the pale of approved pathology?
Why is transvection impossible — that strange transformation which makes a human a creature neither man nor beast, yet com- bines the satanic characteristics of each?
The screen challenges you intellectually — "The Werewolf of London" is coming to the Strand. Dramatically, strikingly, the problem of a victim of lycanthropy is presented.
A professional man is the hero — Dr. Glen- don seeks the mariphasa, strange phosphor- escent moon-flower, in Tibet. There he suf- fers the bite of a werewolf and is dogged by a hideous fate — only the flower can save him — he struggles to save himself from a fearful destiny.
His heroism, his research, his sacrifice, his love — the exciting story of his battle with a dread malady — will be of particular inter- est to you.
You will see Henry Hull and Warner Oland in "The Werewolf of London" — dis- tinguished players supported by an excellent cast. Be certain to set aside an hour of your busy day to see it.
Cordially, THE MANAGEMENT
Can gou transform Henrg Hull into-
THE WEREWOLF OF L0WPOIS
PROMOTE the space for the two column mat illustrated from the newspaper and start the contest a week or two before your opening of "THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON.'
The contest can be divided into two sections — one for amateur artists and another for students in art schools. The idea back of the contest is simple. Ask patrons to turn the man into a werewolf by filling in the blank side of the face. Passes for prizes.
Exhibit entires in your lobby on an easel during your showing of "WERE- WOLF."
OFFER FREE BODYGUARDS
^ ONSTRUCT a compo-board guard house for fhe lobby, in which should be stationed a man dressed in special police uniform and equipped as shown.
On the side of this booth, or above it, feature a con- spicuous sign carrying copy as follows:
"Afraid of Werewolves? On request, this bodyguard will escort you home after seeing "The Werewolf of London."
Place an armored car at his disposal if possible, through cooperation with your local bank or express company. Ban- ner it as shown.
1 I I
THIS ARMORED CAR Will
TAKE HOME NERVOUS PATRONS WHO FEARTO WALK ALONE AFTERSEEINCj
^WEREWOLF
OF LONDON
AFRAID TO GO HOME?
ON REQUEST THIS GUARD WILL ESCORT YOU AFTERSEEING
^WEREWOLF
OF LONDON ws
HENRY HULL WARNER OLAND I VALERIE HOBSON -LESTER MATTHEWS
Apr. 20, 1935 — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION= ?o
STUNTS TO START THE TOWN TALKING!
GRAPHIC LOBBY DISPLAY
C OR the benefit of those who are not * familiar with the werewolf legend, ex- plain the type of character that is portrayed in "THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON,” and what happens to him when he turns were- wolf, with the lobby panel sketched below.
If possible, substitute actual articles for mere sketches, i. e., use a wax model of a hand, and a wolf's foot borrowed from a taxidermist, masks for the faces, etc.
WHEN A MAN TURNS INTO
^WEREWOLF
O P LONDON “
SEE/ SEE/ SEE/
HENRY HULLWARNEROLAND-VALEtlEHOBfON LESTHER. MATTHEWS- SPRING BYINOTON CLARK WILLIAMS - LAWRENCE GRANT )N THE SEASON'S SURPRISE SHOCKER SENSATION,
CURFEW GIRLS BALLYHOO
LI AVE three good-looking young girls ' walking in single file, tolling school bells and carrying a "Werewolf" banner.
They will sound a curfew for all who would be careful to avoid werewolves. The sign reads:
BEWARE THE NIGHT WHEN THE WERE- WOLF OF LONDON PROWLS!
BAR YOUR DOORS! LOCK YOUR WINDOWS! GO TO THE STRAND!
This stunt can also be worked by a bally- hoo man dressed in cape and black hood.
QUERY DOCTORS
f-ASES of lycanthropy (or werewolfism( are exceedingly rare in medical annals, but they do exist. Arrange with the reporter of a local paper to visit the chief physicians in town and inquiring of them:
Did you ever, in your experience, attend a person who might have suffered from the malady known as lycanthropy, i. e., did you ever treat a werewolf? Do werewolves really exist?
If the physician answers to the negative, have the reporter inquire if he knows of any such case in medical history. Some of the answers are sure to be interesting, and will make an excellent build-up.
MAGIC MIRROR IDEA
II ERE is a novelty stunt that will get " * laughs and start lots of talk because it permits your patrons to see themselves as werewolves.
The stunt is simple.
Secure a full length mirror of the ordin- ary kind. Remove the quick-silver on that part of the mirror which would reflect the head, and in place put quick-silver which is backed by glass instead of being painted black. This will allow a photo enlargement or a painted head of the werewolf placed in the rear of the glass to be visible when illuminated by a light. This light should be regulated by a platform which switches on the light when stepped on.
MASKED BALLYHOO
IN some towns police ordinances do not permit masking of ballyhoo men, but if it is O. K., you can heighten the effective- ness of your ballyhoo man, one hundred percent, b y having h i m wear, as shown in the illustration, a black scrim mask with eye holes cut out and a ques- t i o n mark painted upon it, so as to evoke curios- ity and in- trigue inter- est.
RADIO SCRIPT FREE
■p HERE is available for presentation over * your local broadcasting station a dram- atization of important scenes in the "WERE- WOLF OF LONDON."
Contact either the Little Theatre groups or dramatic schools in your town and solicit the cast to enact the roles of players in the picture. You should be able to sponsor free radio time in most instances because of the entertainment value of this 15-minute radio presentation. Your announcer can advise the radio audience about particulars of your showing, playdates, e+c. There is no charge for this script. Address — Exploitation De- partment, Universal Pictures Corporation, Rockefeller Center, New York City.
SHADOW-BOX STUNT
A N arresting, animated shadow-box can ** be constructed with a little electrical ingenuity.
Prepare a round hole in the front part of the box so as to permit a yellow moon to show through. This moon can revolve slow- ly geared to a small motor. As the moon becomes full, it should set off a contact which will illuminate the lightning trans- parency and at the same time set off a buzzer. The sound, as well as animation, will get plenty of attention for your display.
TIE-UP STILLS
THERE is available a special set of tie- up stills on "THE WEREWOLF OF LON- DON" which opens the way for fine displays in windows and on counters of your local stores. Take advantage of this. Order direct from your local Universal Exchange.
30:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION- Apr. 20, 1935
BUSIN ESS- BUILDING ACCESSORIES!
Beware the stalking being / follows where he strikes/
WITO-F
Dramatized Display
(LI ERE is an un- 1 ' usual way to a n nounce the coming of the
"WEREWOLF OF LONDON."
Erect an ani- mal cage as shown, and bend and break the bars as if a large beast had forcibly thrust its way through. Also, have a large steel strap on view. Drawing suggests appropriate signs. Tell the folks the WEREWOLF is com- ing in a way that will impress it on their memories.
■SSWSBStf
loote
Warning Easel
T HE friendly warning angle has been tried * and proved effective. Use it on a special sidewalk easel. Use stud lettering on a flashy background. Here's the copy:
TO ALL HYSTERICAL WOMEN! SHUT YOUR EYES!
WARNING! If your nerves cannot with- stand the most terrifying scene ever filmed, we urge you to shut your eyes when you hear these words in "THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON." "Wait a minute — I've got to see what's happening." And NOT to open them again until you hear the following words several minutes later: "What are you doing up so late?" We will not be respon- sible for fainting spells or shocks of any kind.
The Management
GREAT PERFORMANCES GALLERY
THiOHTIEST OF ALL
P REPARE a se- ‘ quence of por- traits picked from the famous make-up hits of the past, in- eluding "THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME," "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA,"
"FRANKENSTEIN," and "BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN." Lead up to a big head of the "WEREWOLF." Sketch illustrates how to lay out this display. Use it for the lobby, life size.
% WEREWOLF of London
FLAT SIZE - 14 X 9£ In. — Ample Imprint Space On Back $3.50 Per Thousand AT UNIVERSAL EXCHANGES!
THREE FLASH SNIPES
HERALD the coming of "WEREWOLF OF LONDON" well in advance. Plaster the town with snipes. A special teaser series is available. Put them in windows too and in your lobby. They let the town know that real thrill entertainment is on the way. Priced right for ordering in quantity: Size: 14x28 inches. 15c. a set at your exchange.
FLASH STREAMER -8 to 15 Feet-5 Pieces -3 Color-$2.50
Apr. 20, 1935— - UNIVERSAL WEEKLY 31
"WEREWOLF OF LONDON" A THRILLER-
Francis L. Sullivan, Universal fea- tured player , who appeared in “ Great Expectations ," “ The Mystery of Edwin Drood and “ Cheating 'Cheaters'' weds Miss Danae Galen, young London stage designer in London.
What Noah Beery , Jr. Wanted to Do in 3 Days
( Continued from Page 10)
busy making the picture that he never had an opportunity to see any of it. Secondly, he wanted to see a number of things in New York which he had only flown over since he lived here as a child. He was born in Poly- clinic Hospital. His list included the M useum of Natural History, Metro- politan Museum of Art, the lookout tower of the Empire State Building, the home office of Universal in Rock- efeller Center, the Bronx Zoo, the Circus and a collection of the paint- ings of the late Charles M. Russell which are in possession of Philip Cole, whose address he didn't know.
NOTICE
There will be no Univer- sal W eekly next week. The next issue will be dated May 4th.
(Continued from Page 15) ifestation. Some times it may be hor- rible, accompanied by the growth of long, coarse wolf hair on the face and hands. The hands stiffen into wolfish paws, the finger nails lengthen into claws. Long sharp fangs jut from the jaws. This is the sort of change, cel- ebrated in the ageless stories of all countries, that takes place in the character of Dr. Glendon played by Henry Hull,
Although stories about werewolves are not as common today as they were years ago, the picture columns of the New York American on June 26th, 1934 carried a picture of the Count De Segur, French nobleman who was being tried in Paris for what the picture caption called "a 'Were- wolf murder." In the closing years of the last century a French physician, Dr. Morel treated a werewolf case. This patient was so convinced he was a wolf that he would eat only raw meat. After long mental suffering this unfortunate man died in the asy- lum at Mareville, France.
+ + +
Easter Sunday Will Be Oswald’s 9th Birthday
EASTER Sunday will be a birthday for "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit." This cartoon character, who vies with Mickey Mouse and Popeye the Sailor was born on Easter Sunday. On April 21st, he will celebrate his ninth birth- day.
It was just nine years ago that Walt Disney suddenly conceived the idea of creating a rabbit cartoon com- edian. The idea was suggested by a basket of Easter Bunnies in a candy store window. Walter Lantz, head of Universal's cartoon department, is planning a fitting birthday celebra- tion for the funny Oswald.
In addition to this celebration at the studio, Oswald will be celebrating in New York. In addition to his own black and white cartoons, he is one of the featured players in the series of color cartoons which Universal is releasing. The latest of these, "Can- dyland," is booked into the Music Hall for next week.
Louis Friedlander, who has graduated from the direction of serials to direct- ing “ The Raven," with Karloff and Bela Lugosi, weds Miss Carmen Bouche, Chicago debutante.
CESAR ROMERO IN
“DIAMOND JIM ”
CESAR ROMERO arrived yesterday at Universal City and discovered that he had been cast for the ro- mantic lead in 'Diamond Jim," which Edward Sutherland is directing from a script by Preston Sturges. He is the seventeenth member of the cast which includes Edward Arnold as James Buchanan Brady, Binnie Barnes as Lillian Russell, Bill Hoolahahn as John L. Sullivan, and Jean Arthur, Hugh O'Connell, George Sidney, Eric Blore, Bill Demarest, Robert Mc- Wade, Charles Sellon, Otis Harlan, Dorothy Christy, Adele Henderson, Lew Kelley, Pat Farley and Fred Kelsey.
"Diamond Jim" is the biograph- ical novel by Parker Morell of the man who made the gay nineties gay. His times and his oersonality will be celebrated at the opening of Buston- oby's new restaurant in Teterboro.
HERE THIY CO
U NflVEIRSAL ANNOyNCiS
A
l
■
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME "THE HANGOVER MURDERS"
From the novel by Adam
Hobhouse This year’s
tremendous best-seller !
WDTH AN ALL STAIR. CAST
A CAIRL LAIMMLE, JR. IPROIDUCTOON
WATCH FOR THE OTHERS
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Printed in U.S.A
JULY 20, 1935
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TWO-REELERS
including
1 3 Mentones 13 "U" Comedies 1 Special -"Camera Thrills
52
SINGLE-REELERS
including
13 Oswalds 13 Going Places 13 Stranger Than Fiction 13 Studio Novelties
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Short Subjects
“ Springtime Serenade ”
( Universal )
In spite of old Professor Ground- hog’s warning, all the wood folk imagine spring has come to stay and start their spring cleaning. Oswald, the rabbit, opens his summer hotel ; Mrs. Pig gives her little ones a bath, brother turtle and his girl friend abandon theib shells and the squirrel family start out on a round of calls. Suddenly snow begins to fall and there is a wild scramble to regain their shelters on the part of the animals. Old Professor Groundhog just sits
Rback and laughs as the reel runs.
Done in color, this is a very amus- ing reel and one highly recommended. Production Code Seal No. 755. Run- ning time, 8 mins. ‘‘G.’’
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Spring in the Park
(Universal)
Entertaining
An entertaining number of the Oswald car- toon series, in which the little hero, as a police- ...1S
man, flirts with the nursemaid, impelled by the Prodi- frJ
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fun begins— Running time, 7 minutes.
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The most advertised the most featured the most billed the most famous the most successful newsreel in the world !
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“The Sim p-PhoMV
Concert
(Radio) ... star, Eddie Con*
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Knickerbocker Knights
(Universal)
Entertaining
A vaudeville show on the screen, and enter- taining with the word-twisting Roy Atwell act- ing as master of ceremonies, introducing Gypsy Nina, playing the accordian and singing ; the Pearl Twins, in a bit of eccentric dancing ; Hayes, Haig and Howe, in novelty dancing and acrobatics ; Jerome Mann, whose impersonations of such as Winchell, Durante, Ben Bemie and Joe Penner are expert. The Cecil Mack Choir sing the negro spiritual, “Roll Dem Cotton •Bales," to conclude the subject, which has varied entertainment. — Running time, 20 minutes.
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** Revue a la Carte ”
( Universal )
This Mentone short, with the usual cabaret setting and guest stars, main- tains the entertainment average set by preceding members of this series. In this one are presented Tom Pat- ricola, Jans and Whalen, Alice Dawn and the Maxcellos. Production Code Seal, No. 0129. Running time. 17 minutes. "G.”
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James Barton in “The Whole Show'* Universal 20 mins.
First-Rate
Assisted by a group of able per- formers, Barton appears in four burlesque skits that are, with one exception, little gems of entertain- ing comedy.
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“Going Places” with Lowell Thomas
Universal
9 mins.
Excellent
A
The first of a new series, this subject sets a fast and interesting pace. Following a short introduc- tion by Lowell Thomas comes the sub- ject of Venice and the glass-blowing craft. This art, jealously guarded for years, is shown and explained in detail. The second subject »s a beautifully photographed sequence of scenes on the Crimean coast, known as the Russian Riviera. • The closing subject starts with the duck- billed women of the Ubangi tribe in Africa, the Turkannas, and final- ly the pigmy natives of the Belgian Congo. Scenes are extremely in- teresting. The narration by Thomas is carefully delivered without the usual artificial speed of most an- nouncers. If the remainder of the series keeps to this standard, its success is sure.
"Going Places" with. Lowell Thomas Universal 10 mins.
Very Interesting
With Lowell Thomas' rich melo- dious voice graphically and color- fully describing various spots of in- terest, this makes for a pleasant trip.
Short c *
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Among the unusual items in this issue are the Mexican custom of re- quiring passports including photo, footprint and noseprint for dogs; the world’s longest rifle; the woman expert in supplying animal eyes; the new Mexican ice caves adjacent to earth so hot you can fry eggs on it; the Japanese custom of burning punk on people’s skins to cure ail- ments; an armless marble player and other clips.
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Several Unusual Turns
Something to interest each of several kinds of patron interest is found in this issue. There’s the choking of miles 9f forest by shifting sand (in Douglas county; Oregon), a 24-compart- inent trailer pullman for pedigreed dogs (Cin- cinnati), a carwheel tombstone of a railroad messenger boy (Nashville), a fire-walking by the Schingon sect in Japan, the coffin that wnn’t stay put under the dirt floor of a mission church in New Mexico, a traveling dentist, a midget and her 6 ft. 2 partner in a shoe store (Kansas City), a gander that stands sentinel over a Negro boy statue on a hitching post (Prospect, Ky.), Cleveland’s oxygen hotel, and the car- toning of baby alligators.— Running time, 10 minutes.
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6 ■ UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ~~ = July 20, 1935
LET'S GET DOWN
No. 822 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
Are you satisfied with the contracts you have made with any and all producers during the last few depression years.
Oyer 8,000 exhibitors are satisfied with their deals with Universal.
That's a lot of satisfied contractees. And, believe it or not, a huge number of these eight thousand have been on the books of the Universal for anywhere from ten to twenty-eight years consecutively!
These exhibitors are not dumb. They are not completely sentimental. They would not follow Universal year after
year for over a quarter of a century unless they made a
decent profit by doing so.
The truth is that in the long run Universal enables its customers to make more profit year after year than they can make anywhere else.
They MIGHT stick to Universal through sentiment, but they can't get away from dollars and cents — and that means they can't get away from Universal.
We make our full share of ordinary pictures, but so does every other producer. It is a part of the business. But we also make our full share of profit-producers and we have been doing this since some of you were in diapers.
July 20, 1935 ~ : UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = 7
ro BRASS TACKS
We are all in a cock-eyed business — a gambling bus- iness. Oxer 8,000 of the exhibitors of the United States and Canada have gambled on Universal — and you are still in business. Thousands of others have gone where the woodbine twineth — meaning failure, receivership, trustees, bankruptcy or some other form of business death.
Universal is still here. So are over 8,000 of its steady customers.
It must mean something.
Maybe it means the survival of the fittest — and maybe Universal is the fittest. Maybe it means that 8,000 out of about 11,000 theatres equipped for sound are also equipped with foresight and with brains. Maybe it means that the vast majority of smart exhibitors consider Univer- sal an ace in the hole.
Next week I think I shall talk to you about Universal's releases of the near future and I think over 8,000 of you will be inclined to pat yourselves on the back for sticking to Universal, year after year.
I think I can prove to you that you are as smart as you think you are in treating Universal's output as the main- stay of your business.
Let's continue this talk next week.
IRENE DUNNE
in John M. Stahl’s production of
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION'
With ROBERT TAYLOR, Charles Butterworth, Betty Furness . . . Now in Production.
U|
\n
MARGARET SULLAVAN FRANCIS LEDERER in "NEXT TIME WE LOVE"
From Ursula Parrott’s newest novel!
WILLIAM POWELL in "MY MAN GODFREY"
From the Liberty Magazine serial by Eric Hatch
iff
SUTTER'S COLD'
A Howard Hawks Production From the epic novel by Blaise Cendrars!
IRENE DUNNE in "SHOW BOAT"
Edna Ferber’s Immortal Classic! A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Production Directed by James Whale
July 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
9
Signs First Canadian Contract
George Cockels of System Theatre, Montreal, Greets Leduc’s Return from Universal Convention in Chicago with a Contract Months Earlier Than Is His Custom.
THE first sign of an unusually early * and unusually successful selling season has just come out of Canada. At least it is a sign of an early and successful season for Universal.
George Cockels has just signed for Universal pictures. This is not a start- ling thing at all. He usually signs for Universal pictures. The point is tha* he usually waits until very late in the season to make his contracts. This year he signed on June 19th and thus became in all probability the first exhibitor in Canada to sign one of the new Universal contracts. At least he is the first in the Montreal territory.
George Cockels operates the Sys- tem Theatre of Montreal City. As soon as Mr. Leduc, the Universal manager in Montreal returned from
+ + +
Silver Jubilee for Clair Hague
THE six Canadian offices have just started a special celebration which will continue through the re- mainder of July and the entire month
ii iiivehsiil
mm
A Magazine tor Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Pictuie Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
JULY 20, 1935
IVol. 36
No. 261
the Convention in Chicago he met Mr. Cockles. The result was that the exhibitor became so interested in the product Universal has for next sea- son that he signed then and there.
The Universal Weekly also congrat- ulates Mr. Cockels.
PROJECTIONISTS
ATTENTION!
OU are on the firing line. You “• are a close observer of pictures and audience reaction. Perhaps you have thought of an idea that you think will improve Universal pictures. If so send it in. Carl Laennnle is paying $50. each for acceptable ideas. Open both to ex- hibitors and projectionists.
of August. It is to be called the "Canadian Silver Jubilee" and is really to be a tribute to Clair Hague, Canadian general manager, who is now in his 25th year with Universal.
Mr. Hague had his schooling in showmanship with touring attractions, circuses and carnivals. He was one of the first men of the theatre in Canada to go into pictures. His first connec- tion was with the famous Klein Op- tical Company and Allen Amuse- ments. He became manager for the Canadian Film Company in 191 I and handled the Universal Pictures in Canada before Universal took over the Company. In March, 1913 Uni- versal purchased the Canadian Com- pany and established Clair Hague in the position he has held for twenty- five years, general manager of the Canadian Universal Film Co., Ltd.
In all those years Clair Hague has conspicuously and consistently grown into the affections of his big boss, Mr. Laemmle, of his several general sales managers and of every last one (Continued on Page 28)
^ he ‘Preview Parade of
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
GRAHAM MAC NAMEE . . . incomparable commentator
on camera scoops . . .
M* UNIVERSAL’S TALKING NEWSREEL comes to you through Hell — but comes through!
In our squad of news-hawks, there is no quitter! In their code there is no “Can’t!”
Th ese dare - alls endure wounds, imprisonment and pri\ation! They face floods — famine — and fires! They defy death — disaster — doom!
wyx Week after week — issue af- ter issue — they perform deeds of peril in the teeth of perdition to get their pic- tures—and WHAT pictures!
During one short year, UNIVER- SAL’S TALKING NEWS- REEL delivered to you the assassination of King Ferdinand, the Morro Castle disaster, the trial of Hauptmann, and the Cuban revolt!
ONE OF THEM
These are the highlights of an astound- ing year — sample scoops from scores captured by the enterprise and extraordinary heroism of these hand- crank heroes.
^0^30^ On the screen, every scene becomes enhanced hy that extraordinary commentator on catastrophe and cata- clysm, Graham MacNamee.
Universal still proudly maintains the tradition of supremacy in news service established years ago with the inception of sound.
Others have imitated — but none have emulated UNIVERSAL’S TALKING NEWSREEL or its electrifying headline reporter. Jacthall
ii isi riviifiimiLi
S3 a fl if AVI a g)
12
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
July 20, 1935
WITH a season of serials like the current Univer- sale lineup, the Serial Pro- duction Department at Uni- versal City has been given a difficult assignment. It has been directed by Carl Laem- mle to make four serials which will in each instance top the four in the current season. With such an ass:gn- ment Henry MacRae, the producer, has set to work with an eager and efficient staff. Ray Taylor will direct most of the serials. George Plympton, Ella O'Neil, Nate Gatzert, Basil Dickey and Bob Rothafel are handling the continuities, and four published properties have been purchased as the basis for four crackerjack serials.
These serials in order are:
"The Roaring West," a mag- azine story by Edward Earl Repp, "Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery," a sequel to the newspaper strip "Tail- spin Tommy" by Hal Forrest,
"The Adventures of Frank Merriwell" by Bert L. Standish, whose real name is Gilbert L. Patton and who wrote over two hundred novels dealing with the life and adventures of this amaz- ing hero and "Flash Gordon."
This latter is also a newspaper strip issued by King Features and drawn by the New Rochelle artist Alexander Raymond. It is a full page in color and appears on Sundays in seventy- three newspapers. This list of papers was printed in the Weekly of June 29th on page twenty-five.
"The Roaring West," is a serial dealing with the .most colorful period of the development of this country, the period which actually started this country of ours along the road to its present prosperity, the period of the discovery of gold in California. E. E.
One of the stirring moments in the Buck Jones serial for ne.\t season, “The Roaring West.’’ A fitting vehicle to start a great serial season.
Repp has chosen both real and fic- ticious characters to portray the dra- ma, the lust for gold, the lawlessness and the danger of this amazing chap- ter in the development of this coun- try. California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado were truly the roaring west in the fifties and sixties of the last century.
Men and women mounted on horseback, and countless others in wagons of every description, ride pall-mali across the prairie in all the wild confusion of a land rush.
Wagons crash and horses fall to the ground, only to scram- ble up and continue across the plain — some riderless and some still bearing their own- ers bent on securing fa-
vorable locations in the newly opened territory. The air is filled with shouts and screams, and the entire picture is one of feverish excitement.
This is one of the thrilling scenes of the opening episode of "The Roar- ing West."
Buck Jones is seen as Montana Lar-
This is the famous gold ru i
July 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
Buck Jones star of “ The R<taring
West”
In addition to hair-trigger action, smashing drama and gripping suspense, “ The Roaring West,” is set against majestic backgrounds in aive inspiring locations.
settled upon Frank Merriwell as the prototype of boyland's hero. After all is said and done Merriwell was the original and none of his followers and imitators ever received the wide spread circulation, the hero worship or the release of youthful energy and harmless reading that made Frank Merriwell the national imaginative figure.
Merriwell excelled in all sports and he typified the model which all moth- ers and fathers held up to their sons for, after all, every boy is a hero wor- shipper. (Continued on Page 26)
kin, a cowboy heading a party of friends attempting to file on valuable gold claims of which they have learn- ed, and the story deals with the ef- forts of a rascally outlaw band to se- cure the property for themselves. As the story progresses from week to week, the conflict increases in inten-
< ne from ‘'The Roaring West 99
sity with the embattled cowboys in constant danger of the’r I ves.
One smashing climax follows an- other in this rousing ! 5-episode chap- ter-play, and the story does not come to an end until Jones and his hard- riding companions have survived a swift succession of thrilling adventures.
"The Roaring West" v/as directed by Ray Taylor, the screen's leading serial di- rector, and Jones' supporting cast includes Muriel Evans, Frank McGlynn, Sr., Harlan Knight, William Desmond, Eole Salli, Walter Miller and many others.
“ MERRIWELL A FIND Universal considered half a dozen of the greatest he- roes of boy life before it
14— UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ~ ju|y 20, 1935
News and Reviews of Univer
Here are the Eton boys, the leading novelty male singing quartette in radio. They are featured in five Coast to Coast hookups and appear in the Mentone
Musical, “ A Great Idea.”
“SPEEDY JUSTICE” READY
ONE of the new Mentone Musi- cals, just completed for next season's release, is entitled "Speedy Justice." The script, prepared by Bal- lard Macdonald, deals with a bus- load of entertainers who are appre- hended for speeding. Unable to meet the amount of the fine imposed upon them by a slick rural magistrate, they compromise with the august minion of the law by presenting a complete vaudeville entertainment right in the courtroom. The local citizenry is rounded up, at a dollar a head, and everybody — judge, jury, defendants and audience — has a good time. Au- diences, too, are bound to enjoy the performances of such stellar artists as: Lew Hearn, famous veteran com- edian of the American musical com-
+ + +
THEY HAVE PLEASED
W. BENJAMIN,
Kansas City, Mo.
“May we compliment you on your short subjects that we have run so far. They have pleased very well.”
(Signed) J. J. BOOK, Bird City Theatre, Bird City, Kansas
edy stage; Eddie Foy, Jr., one of the country's foremost stage juveniles, featured with Beatrice Lillie in the new Broadway musical show, "At Home Abroad;" Glenn & Jenkins, the American theatre's outstanding team of colored comedians; Bobby Lane, a little acrobatic dancer who is really remarkable; The Southland Rhythm Girls, a deluxe hot-cha quart- et that is absolutely tops amongst en- tertainers in New York's swankiest night clubs; The 12 Danny Dare Danc- ers, six prepossessing young couples formed into a sensational adagio dancing troupe; and Arthur Boran, the nation's leading radio imperson- ator.
Another Entertaining Mentone Musical
GREAT entertainment is offered in "A Great Idea," another new Mentone Musical made for early au- tumn release. It was directed by Mil- ton Schwarzwald, from a script by John Guy Sampsel. Besides being a prominent and prolific author, Samp- sel has been known for fifteen years as a vaudeville headliner. It is no accident therefore, that he contrib- utes a swell comedy characterization to the delightful Mentone production made from his own script. As Johnny Saunders, a glib and breezy talent salesman who overcomes a reluctant motion picture producer with a nov- elty entertainment idea, exhibitors and their patrons will recognize, in Sampsel, a peculiarly interesting com- bination of Ed Wynn and Walter Cat- lett. Featured in "A Great Idea" along with the author, are the follow- ing: The Eton Boys, preeminently the leading novelty male singing quartet in the radio field today; Consuelo Gonzales, dynamic young Spanish songstress; Marcy Brothers & Bea- trice, personable trio of acrobatic dancing stars, who literally stepped into the new Mentone production im- mediately after completing a record- breaking, seventy-week tour of stage appearances; and that charming youngster Sugar Cane who, at the age of twelve, is one of radio's best and most popular singing stars.
Some of the principals of the Mentone Musical, “Speedy Justice Lew Hearn acting as the judge, Eddie Foy, Jr., on the right and the celebrated colored com- ediennes, Glen & Jenkins at the bar.
ly 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
19
\N MOON
ECLIPSED!
August, — moonlight, romance, music, comedy, — Uni- '» It is a story of the moon-splashed topless towers of of a beautiful singer and a double who often posed for ption which almost fooled everyone else. It is a Man- d romance. It has a swell cast, superb direction, breath-
Hugh O’Connell and Regig Toomey in a gcene from “ Manhattan Moon”
Dorothy Page, radio star, newcomer to the screen, in her film debut in “ Manhattan Moon’
Stage and Radio Stars
Make Their Screen Debut
“Manhattan Moon ”
Dorothy Page and .
Ricardo C TARS in two fields ot amusement, — ra- Cortez in w dio and the stage, — make their film ^Moont”an 'n Universal's "Manhattan Moon."
The young people are Dorothy Page, who for the last four years has been heard by millions on the radio, and Henry Mollison, slim, dapper and talented star of British stage and screen. Miss Page, a native of Northampton, Pa., has been given a dual role — that of a glamorous opera singer and her hardboiled "double." Mollison appears as a typical New York socialite, who spends more than his allowance in an effort to appear a man-about-town.
Miss Page's picture was seen in Los Angeles news- papers by Universal casting officials, and she was sum- moned to Universal City for tests. They placed their stamp of approval on her, and the leading role in "Manhattan Moon" was the result.
Mollison, after appearing in a score of stage plays and in as many motion pictures in London, was seen by European representatives of Universal and was sent to Hollywood for tests.
PLASTER THE TOWN WITH
(ORTEZ
Hf«r Motusoti - ; » m o'cosnell !*>OT ARMC TA-UI5AlKKtlHS&K BOMSY
|
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CAYETY AND ROMANCE!
Romance
THE MAD ROMANCE STUDDED WITH MUSIC
E July 20, 1935
Universal Answt r
MARTA EGGEi
THE six major studios of Hollywood have launched organizational preliminaries to create 40 to 50 new stars this year. So many big names of yesterday have been gradually fading without replacement, that there is a crying need for new idols. Spurred on by the success of Grace Moore, Jan Kiepura, Jean- ette MacDonald, Lawrence Tibbett, Nelson Eddy and ot her top-notch singers, the film industry has become decidedly opera-minded and all Europe, as well as America, is being fine-combed for good-looking artists of light and grand opera and the concert stage, to be groomed as new screen stars.
Carl Leammle Scores First
Carl Laemmle, head of Universal Studios, has captured Marta Eggerth, glamorous and versatile Hungarian blonde, who is equally at home in stage, screen, concert and opera work. "We will start her in popular American singing roles, concentrating on strong stories wherein the plot permits of the logical intro- duction of two or three classical arias," says Laemmle. "Later if the public takes kindly to the current trend toward an elevated musical plane, she will be starred in heavier operatic roles. Miss Eggerth, already known here in two of her British made productions, — 'The Unfin- ished Symphony' and 'My Heart Is Calling,' — is acknowledged one of the foremost emo- tional actresses on the Continental stage. Not only has she sung in musical comedy, concert and opera in five languages, but she has made pictures in Germany, England, and Italy with equal success. She is as renowned for her beauty as for her varied talents, so I feel con- fident she will become a sensation in America."
Coming in August
Marta Eggerth will reach New York early in August. Her arrival date coincides with that of her fiancee, Jan Kiepura, celebrated Polish tenor who becomes her friendly competitor at a rival studio. Her first Hollywood picture will be "Song of Joy" by E. P. McEwen. Franz Winter- stein, Viennese author of "Eight Girls in a Boat" and "The Tunnel," has already preceded the mercurial Mar- ta to California, where he is busily engaged in preparing
MARTA
EGGERTH,
Beauty
Songstress
Star
The Roll of Honor
LOS ANGELES EXCHANGE
A. J. O'KEEFE, Mgr.
Those exhibitors who have used Universal consistently and the number of years that they have used Universal Pictures consecutively.
|
TOWN |
THEATRE |
EXHIBITOR No. YEARS |
LOCATION |
|
|
Los Angeles |
McKinney's Regent Bard's Circuit |
Mrs. N. C. Son |
16 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Lou Bard |
18 |
Los Angeles Pasadena |
|
|
II |
American — Seville |
K. C. Manny |
14 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Vista |
R. D. Whitson |
15 |
Los Angeles San Diego |
|
II |
Sunset |
C. W. Blake |
23 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Los Angeles |
Joe Leo |
3 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Pantages |
Alexander Pantages |
7 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Victoria |
George Bromley |
17 |
Chicago Minneapolis Los Angeles |
|
II |
Marcal |
A. Galston |
14 |
Detroit Los Angeles |
|
II |
Parisian |
Harry W. Chotiner |
8 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Granada |
L. R. Meyers |
18 |
McKeesport, Pa. Los Angeles |
|
II |
Strand |
Harry Vinnicof |
8 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Wiltern |
Ben Berinstein |
19 |
Los Angeles |
|
1 1 |
Tivoli |
Ben Berinstein |
19 |
Los Angeles |
|
II |
Sunbeam |
Ben Berinstein |
19 |
Los Angeles |
|
Alhambra |
Garfield |
Harry Vinnicof |
8 |
Alhambra |
|
II |
Granada |
C. A. Ferry |
16 |
Alhambra |
|
Bakersfield |
Virginia |
John Carnakis |
22 |
Bakersfield |
|
Chino |
Woods |
Mrs. A. Woods |
15 |
Elkhart, Kans. Chino |
|
Downey |
Downey |
Frank Valuskis |
1 1 |
Downey |
|
Elsinore |
Elsinore |
Mrs. F. Jackson |
7 |
Elsinore |
|
Glendale, Ariz. |
Glendale |
John D. Howard |
23 |
Various |
|
Hawthorne, Cal. |
Plaza |
E. S. Calvi |
5 |
Hawthorne |
|
Jerome, Ariz. |
Ritz |
Phil Pecharich |
21 |
Jerome |
|
Long Beach, Cal. |
Capitol — State |
Milton Arthur |
5 |
Long Beach |
|
II |
Lee |
Jesse Jones |
21 |
Canon City, Colo Long Beach |
|
La tylesa |
La Mesa |
H. M. Cahn |
2 |
La Mesa |
|
Pasadena |
Fair Oaks |
Ray Peterson |
18 |
Salt Lake City |
|
Pasadena |
Tower |
Ben Berinstein |
19 |
Pasadena Pasadena |
|
Phoenix, Ariz. |
Phoenix Amuse. Co. |
George Mauk |
21 |
Florence, Ariz. |
Superior, Ariz, Rex, Ariz. Hayden, Ariz. Ajo, Ariz.
|
Phoenix, Ariz. |
Strand |
Harry L. Nace |
18 |
Phoenix |
|
San Bernardino, Cal. |
Rialto |
Don Knapp |
21 |
San Bernardino |
|
II |
Temple |
W. H. Bra man |
20 |
San Bernardino |
|
SanDiego, Cal. |
New Victory |
G. F. Finck |
4 |
San Diego |
|
II |
Broadway |
J. F. Keogh |
1 1 |
San Diego |
|
San Pedro |
Globe |
Jacob Dorner |
20 |
San Diego |
|
Tucson, Ariz. |
Lyric Amuse. Co. |
Nick Diamos |
21 |
Bisbee, Ariz. Douglas, Ariz. Nogales, Ariz. |
28
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
July 20, 1935
The Papers Using “Tailspin Tommy’’
(Continued from Page 26)
ILLINOIS
Journal Transcript Peoria
♦♦Journal East St. Louis
♦Times Chicago
♦♦Herald Decatur
♦♦Courier Urbana
IOWA
♦♦Register & Tribune Des Mones INDIANA
Pharos Tribune Logansport
♦♦Tribune South Bend
Chronicle Marion
♦Tribune Terre Haute
KENTUCKY
♦♦Courier Journal Louisville
KANSAS
Beacon Wichita
LOUISIANA
♦♦World Monroe
Item and Tribune New Orleans
MARYLAND
Herald & Mail Hagerstown
♦♦Evenng Sun Baltimore
MICHIGAN
Daily News Ann Arbor
Chronicle Muskegon
Daily Journal Flint
News Saginaw
Times Bay City
♦♦News Detroit
Gazette Kalamazoo
MINNESOTA
♦♦Pioneer Press tS. Paul
MISSOURI
Star Kansas City
♦Tribune Jefferson City
Gazette St. Joseph
News Press St. Joseph
MONTANA
Standard Butte
Tribune Great Falls
Missoulian Missoula
NEBRASKA
♦♦State Journal Lincoln
World Herald Omaha
NEW JERSEY
Bergen Record Hackensack
Star Eagle Newark
Evening News Paterson
Ledger Newark
NEW MEXICO
♦Morning Dispatch Roswell
NEW YORK
♦♦Times Buffalo
Telegram Herkimer
♦♦Daily Mirror New York City
Press Binghamton
Standard Star New Rochelle
A Swell Review on Buck Jones in “The Roaring West 99
THE first three reels of this se- rial, while of a familiar brand of entertainment in its basic ele- ments proves that punch-packed action in westerns can also carry a refreshing amount of logic. Conse- quently, it is the kind of show that can be made to appeal to a wider audience. It is well-acted, convinc- ing and moves fast. The plot, so far, has Jones and his partner on their way to a land rush. They join with others, and the heavy of the crowd gets their map, which indi- cates valuable mineral deposits, and succeeds in staking the claim first. Considerable wrangling en- sues before Jones is accused of murder, the town is flooded, a hideout is blown to pieces and much dirty work is antcipated. First rate in every department. Running time of each chapter av- erages 20 minutes.
BOX OFFICE
Daily News Tarrytown
♦♦Herald Syracuse
No. Shore Daily Journal
Flushing, L. I.
Nassau Daily News Freeport, L. I.
Journal News Ithaca
Evening Recorder Amsterdam
Argus Mount Vernon
Citizen Sentinel Ossining
Herald Statesman Yonkers
Evening News Jamaica, L. I.
Democrat & Chronicle Rochester
NORTH CAROLINA ♦♦Daily Record Grensboro
♦♦News Charlotte
|
♦♦Journal & Sentinel |
Winston Salem |
|
Citizen Times |
Asheville |
|
♦♦Herald Sun |
Durham |
|
OHIO |
|
|
Beacon Journal |
Akron |
|
News Bee |
Toledo |
|
♦♦News |
Dayton |
|
News & Repository |
Canton |
|
Telegram |
Youngstown |
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News & Sun |
Springfield |
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(MORE XEXT |
WEEK) |
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Betty Furness Named in “ Magnificent Obsession 99
A CHANGE was this week made in the cast of John M. Stahl's production of "Magnificent Obses- sion," which went into production at Universal City last Friday, Jule Hay- don was unable to accept the role which Mr. Stahl had offered her and resigned from the cast. Her place was taken by Betty Furness, who made her first hit in "Aggie Apple- by" and was prominent in the cast of "The Life of Virgie Winters."
Mr. Stahl is still shooting around the gigantic set representing the steam- er Normandie which took a triple crew of artisans two weeks to build and dress on Universal's City's larg- est sound stage. The cast is headed by Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor. Important roles are assigned Charles Butterworth, Sara Haden, Beryl Mer- cer, Gilbert Emery, Arthur Hoyt and Henry Armetta.
+ + +
SILVER JUBILEE
FOR CLAIR HAGUE
(Continued from Page 9) of the exhibitors of the Dominion of Canada.
This is a year of 4 Silver Jubilees. None is more fitting and deserved than the Clair Hague Silver Jubilee.
The offices combined in the Silver Jubilee are Toronto, Winnipeg, Mon- treal, Calgary, St. John and Van- couver. August thirty-first is the clos- ing date and by that time every ex- hibitor in Canada will have had an opportunity to show CJair Hague just where he stands with the exhib- itors of Canada.
SHORTS— BUT OH MY!
Shorts — but oh my! You’ve read so much about ballyhooing them — and most of you do so little about it! After all, with a feature picture to worry about, who can spend time boosting a two reelcr or a single-spool picture? Who can? The answer is: the man who has tried it! Many a smart showman is picking his shorts as carefully as he picks his features. He picks his features first, of course; but he checks his full list of shorts avail- abilities to select the proper roundout for his program.
Many a smart showman is concentrating a nice proportion of his effort each week in building up EXTRA interest in his theatre through sensible advertising of his comedy, novelty, serial and news reels in newspaper ads, publicity, and lobby display.
Sometimes it will be a striking item in the newsreel that he can “blast” a broadside on. Or it may be a swell headline act in a Mentone; or an es- pecially zippy Oswald; or a super-oddity in “Strange As It Seems.” Maybe it will be a grotesque, far off city in “Going Places” that even wealthy va- cationists can never travel to. Certainly plenty of people are intrigued by this special notice and plenty of tickets are sold because of the practice.
Just as kids storm your house whenever a new Universal Serial is bally- hooed, so too, many extra hard-to-get patrons are attracted by the extra attention you give to especially outstanding items on your “surrounding” program.
Shorts — but oh my! How important they can he in sending your audiences out fully satisfied with a grand show! Wise showmen watch them care- fully— and capitalize on the good ones — wisely! JOE WEIL
LOW€UJ
THOMjjgj
griA?
The ADVENTURES of Frank MERRIWELL
30:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION1
July 20, 1935
FOUR SERIAL SHOWMANSHIP SPECIALS!
DON’T MISS ASH electriftingJ death-defying -CHAPTER
BUY 5,000 OF THESE AI\D GET ONE BECK JONES DAISY AIR RIFLE FREE!
BOYS' GIRLS'
• BEST ESTIMATE SUMMTTIO IN THE CONTEST ABOVE. AND THE BEST REASON (GIVEN IN IS WOROS) /tn WHY BUCK JONES IS
WHY YOU WOULO LIKE TO OWN A DAISY AIR RIFLE
BUCK JONES-DAIS Y AIR RIFLE FREE FOR CONTEST PRIZE .
D UY 5,000 or more of the "Roaring West" jumbo circus heralds and receive FREE one BUCK JONES- DAISY AIR RIFLEI Imprint the heralds, using the special mat available at Universal Exchanges; set up the display shown at the right, and you’ll have a swell start on your "ROARING WEST" campaign. If you prefer, offer the air-rifle as a prize in some other com- petition, but you must imprint the heralds with copy as provided on mat. Contact your local Daisy dealer for co-operation and for the special buck shot.
Two Big-Little Books for “Roaring West”
C ACH book is a complete story in itself, but one ^“carries over into the other, plot, characters, etc., _
They are profusely illustrated with production stills and both covers carry the title and fea- ture Buck Jones. Will be sold through leading five and tert cent chain stores. Arrange dis- plays tied in with the picture. Give away several copies as prizes. For prices and other information address: The Whitman Publishing Co., Racine, Wise.
"Tailspin Tommy in The Great Air Mystery"
kylORE action, more adventure and great- *”* er air thrills in the picture and more newspapers to tie-up with! That’s what you get with "Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery." Check your local papers now and contact the one running this popular strip or Sunday page, for co-operation. Offer a slide or trailer and a lobby card in return for a line under the strip,
"house" ads, bannered
trucks and newsstand cards, all tied in to your engage- ment of the picture. If the paper has a "Tailspin Tom- my" club arrange for group attendance at the opening.
If not get it to sponsor one well in advance of opening.
A Few Suggestions
f ONTACT air-port or flying school for — ' co-operation on a mystery plane with markings on wings and tail. Announce that you will give free passes to the first ten youngsters best describing the type of plane, markings, color, make and the day and time of its flight. Arrange for airplane trips as prizes for other contests. In return for pub- licity on screen and in lobby borrow a plane for ballyhoo purposes.
Stage an airplane model construction contest with Junior memberships in the (American) Aeronautical Association or subscriptions to the association publication, as prizes. Real pilot's goggles or helmets will also make attractive prizes.
FLASH GORDON"- ANOTHER BIG NEWSPAPER TIE-UP SERIAL
A LEX RAYMOND'S sensational newspaper strip and Sunday page,
** "Flash Gordon" will be another great Universal chapter-play backed by a nation-wide newspaper tie-up. You can't start working on it too soon, telling the local paper running the strip, that you will play the picture.
Ask for a credit line with the strip and page, suggest a few "house" ads plugging the strip and announcing the coming of the picture. Suggest banners on the delivery trucks. Then plug the strip and paper in lobby and on screen with your advance an- nouncements of the picture.
The pistol illustrated at the left, is one of the many great novelties for your "FLASH GORDON" campaign. Tie-up with dealers for window displays and cooperative ads. Use pistols for contest prizes. It's a
harmless toy — flashes sparks and makes a siren-like noise. For information as to prices, dealers, etc., address Louis Marx and Co., 200 Fifth Ave., New York City.
The Big Little Book Library features Flash Gordon with Alex Raymond drawings, not stills from the production. The book makes a great tie-up as it is sold through chain stores which will give you displays. Books are also good for contest prizes. Address: Whitman Publishing Company, Racine, Wise.
"ADVENTURES OF FRANK MERRIWELL"- STANDISH S FAMOUS STORIES IN 12 THRILL-PACKED CHAPTERS
T HOUSANDS of boys, and girls, * count Frank Merriwell as one of their best palsl He is, perhaps, the greatest fiction hero in history. His exploits and adventures have thrilled the youth of America for genera- tions and are still among the best selling -books for young boys and girls. His adventures in school, in
athletics and in travel give you un- limited exploitation possibilities. Schools, Boy Scouts and other youth organizations, and the boys and girls themselves, will work with you in making this one of the big- gest showmanship chapter-plays you have ever run. Let them know it's coming.
July 20, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY-SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
31
OSWALD" T"Ltt?rKI IS STEPPING OUT
W* ATCH the leading toy stores and toy departments for the appearance of the latest OSWALD novelties including the dolls and rattles shown at the left. Work with the dealers for displays and co-oper- ative newspaper ads. Promote dolls from the dealer and offer them as contest prizes. For further information address: Irwin & Co., 27 W. 20th St., New York City.
drawings. Hold a special OSWALD MAT- INEE with souvenirs, ice cream and a gen- eral whoopie party for the kids with the treat on Oswald.
"Oswald"
A Marquee Attraction
OSWALD has built up an army of fans that extend from coast to coast and from Canada to the Gulf! When you play him put his name on your marquee. Give him a spot in your ads. Use the stock one sheet. Plug him every way you can. Here are a few suggestions:
Organize "OSWALD CLUBS" on the same basis as your Buck Jones or serial clubs. Tie-up with the newspapers for an OSWALD GAG AND DRAWING CONTEST. Offer prizes for the best gags for the Lucky Rab- bit to pull in his pictures and for the best
The stock I sheet for OS- WALD. Use it every time you play one of thsse fea- ture cartoons. Space provid- ed for im- printing title of current pic- ture.
OSWALD'S BOOK
OSWALD in cartoon is also a member of the Big-Little Books Library on sale at 5 and 10c stores. These books are profusely illustrated with Oswald's antics and carry a running story of his adventures. Covers are in full color and feature the star in title and drawing. Leading chain stores sell them and will give you displays. Offer a few copies as contest prizes. Address: Whitman Publishing Co., Racine, Wise, for nformation as to prices, dealer, etc.
BOOST THE FINEST NEWSREEL ON THE MARKET
“MENTONE” MUSICALS
“Stranger Than Fiction”
POST the individual items on a lobby board for extra ticket sales! The four corners of the globe are scoured to provide tjiwctH the material for this intriguing, educational Wit entertainment. Weird, unbelievable oddities narrated by a prominent radio personality. Ml That's the stock one sheet at the riqht. Use iXJii it in your lobby and on your front. Post a / few around town in strategic spots.
HCMN
TAKE a look at the NAMES on that poster to the left! The biggest in radio,, vaude- ville and night-club circles! That's what you ge,t with UNIVERSAL-MENTONE featur- ettesl Real box-office draws — names that rate a spot on your marquee — and a line in your ads — give it to them! For your front, lobby and for around-town posting there is a special one sheet for every one of the series. Each one is produced with the same seat-selling showmanship that characterizes other Universal posters. Sell the big names — the music — the girls the laughter — they're all there when you play a UNIVERSAL- MENTONE.
Going Places
With
Lowell T liomas
Another box-
office name! A ^
real booster for any liBlriliiHlBBBiHBHBBIIBH program. Lowell
Thomas is one of radio's top personalities excellent for school tie-ups. Here s a stock one sheet to help you do it. Ask for this poster at your Universal Exchange.
UK 1VE ***«£* U*E ]
UNIVERSAL WITH GRAHAM McN AMEE, TOPS THEM ALL
MORE newspaper promotion to give impetus to your selling iob! Another BIG NAME to flash on your marquee and in your lobby. Sell the UNIVER- SAL NEWSPAPER NEWS REEL as a fea- ture of your program. Sell the inimitable Gra- ham McNamee, — who tops all radio and screen announcers. Sell the front page news shots that Universal camera- men risk life and liberty to get. Put McNamee and the Universal News- reel on your marquee. They rate it — every week.
Each issue has its own one sheet plugging the high spots of the reel. There's one of them at the right. Re- serve a spot on your front display for it. Give it a special sidewalk easel. Spot a few around town. Your Universal Exchange will supply you with a stock poster featuring Graham Me-
Universal!
NEWSREEL
GRAHAM MCNAMEE
TALKING REPORTER;
FLOOD TOLL MOUNTING
NEW YORK AUTHORITIES rush aid to the destitute and home- less of nine counties as the region digs out of the mud and wreckage left in the wake of the worst inundation in the history ol the State. Every foot of ground examined gives new evt- denco of havoc.
BAYONETS COW PICKETS
TACOMA. Wash. - A furious hand-to-hand struggle rages for hours between Guardsmen and striking mill hands as the latter attempt to halt traffic over a strategic bridge. Cold steel and JN5 gas bombs break up the demonstration.
HELEN BATTLES HELEN
WIMBLEDON, England — Mrs. Moody regains the tennis crown she lost two years ago in a smashing contest with Helen Jacobs. The tide of victory shifts Innumerable times before the end of the match of the Century.
MT. VESUVIUS ERUPTS
NAPLES, Italy — Smoke and lava once more belch from the overheated crater of the famous fiery mountain after several years of quiet, striking terror into the fives of peasants living '
AND OTHER BIG NEWS THRILLS
everal 03 ing in |
u
Namee. Use this, too. When there is a UNIVERSAL NEWSPAPER NEWSREEL shot of some important local event, go after it with special selling. Work with the newspaper tie-up. Give the paper credit in your lobby in return for men- tion of theatre in ads and publicity.
UNIVERSAL "Lll
FOR 19
Victor Hugos HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME O EDWARD X Directed by Edward Sutherland. An Edmund Grainger Production DAUGHTER. By John Balderston. Directed by James Whale. A (a DINNER. Faith Baldwin s Cosmopolitan Magazine Sensation. Dire! Wyatt. O From the best-seller by Beatrice Lubitz. O Binnie B t famous story. Directed by Stuart Walker. O Edmund Lowe in li Directed by Lloyd Corrigan. O Karloff and Lugosi in THE IN VIS 3 STORMY by Cherry Wilson. With Noah Beery, Jr. Directed by b Martel. Directed by Hamilton Macfadden. O Edmund Lowe in .1 Jack Oakie in FAST AND FURIOUS. O THE GIANT PLANE by a Horton in HIS NIGHT OUT. By Henry Irving Dodge. O AGEN' OF THE OPERA. O Marta Eggerth in SONG OF JOY. O ED / With Constance Cummings and Ricardo Cortez. Directed by Jc r BLUEBEARD. Screenplay by Bayard Veiller. O May Robson i TIMBER with Jack Holt. O STORM OVER THE ANDES with J< Edward Grant. O DESTROYER with Jack Holt. O Gouverneur ' Melford O YELLOWSTONE by Houston Branch. O ALONE 1*
THE FLYING SQUADRON C
WATCH UNIVERSAL.. . becai
NES THEM UP”
35-36!
fcNOLD in DIAMOND JIM. With Jean Arthur and Binnie Barnes. 3 2 MARGARET SULLAVAN PRODUCTIONS. O DRACULA'S I Laemmle, Jr. Production. O CAROLE LOMBARD in SPINSTER id by Walter Lang. O STRANGERS AT THE FEAST. With Jane les in HER EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR. Nina Wilcox Putnam s : GREAT IMPERSONATION. E. Phillips Oppenheim's best-seller. .E RAY. Howard Higgins and Douglas Hodges' weird story. O .is Friedlander. O WHILE THE CROWD CHEERS. With June iC SOLOMON OF BROADWAY. Directed by Alan Crosland. O les Warner Bellah. Directed by Ernst L. Frank. O Edward Everett 44 O UNDER THE SURFACE O Gaston Leroux's PHANTOM ^RD ARNOLD in THE HANGOVER MURDERS by Adam Hobhouse. i s Whale. A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Prod uction. O The Great KARLOFF in HREE KIDS AND A QUEEN. Directed by Edward Ludwig. O TALL k Holt and Antonio Moreno. O TROUBLE IN B FLAT by James rris EAST OF JAVA. With Charles Bickford. Directed by George jETHER. Zasu Pitts - Hugh O'Connell. Directed by Kurt Neumann. !• BUCK JONES PRODUCTIONS.
e Universal watches your box-office!
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
UNIVERSAL'S SENSATIONAL
TWO -REEL SPECIAL
FOR 1935-36!
Greater than “The World’s Greatest Thrills ”
Printed in U. S. A.
WITH EnOUGH STARS TO mAKE THREE PICTURES
A Universal Picture presented by Carl Laemmle
With Edward Arnold ♦ Constance Cummings * Sally Eilers
ROBERT YOUNG • Robert Armstrong • Gregory Ratoff • Reginald Denny • Louise Henry • Jack LaRue • Monroe Owsley • Ed Brophy • Gustav von Seyffertitz • Rafaela Ottiano • From the novel by Adam Hobhouse • A CARL LAEMMLE, JR. Production. Directed by JAMES WHALE.
Sept. 7, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
1
The Roll of Honor
The Following Exhibitors in the Chicago Territory have used Universal Pictures Consecutively :
CITY OF CHICAGO
|
EXHIBITOR |
THEATRE |
EXHIBITOR |
THEATRE |
||
|
Balaban & Katz Corp. |
Circuit |
Gaelic |
1 5 Years |
||
|
R.K.O. Corporation |
Circuit |
Mary Krafcisin |
Cornell Sq. |
||
|
Warner Bros. |
Circuit |
Mrs. F. J. Simec |
Crystal |
||
|
H. Schoenstadt & Sons |
Circuit |
20 Years |
E. Stepanek |
Lynn |
10 Years |
|
Essaness Theatres Corp. Circuit |
J. Kempton |
15 Years |
|||
|
Goodman & Harrison |
Circuit |
15 Years |
P. B. Salkin |
Jackson Park |
|
|
Jones, Linick & SchaeferCircuit |
28 Years |
C. G. Sigler |
East Side |
||
|
Bland Brothers |
Circuit |
L. G. Pierce |
Burnside |
||
|
Van Nomikos |
Circuit |
Lester Retchin |
Howard |
||
|
L. Reinheimer |
Circuit |
C. F. Wagner |
Bugg |
||
|
Simansky & Miller |
Circuit |
1. Ettelson |
Lakeshore |
||
|
V. R. Langdon |
Oakley |
Nat Wolf |
Lane Court |
||
|
J. Lasker & Sons |
Circuit |
H. Goldson |
Gold Coast & Plaza |
20 Years |
|
|
Louis Laemmle |
Casino |
20 Years |
E. W. Haferkamp & H. |
Hill Hollywood |
|
|
C. E. Beck |
Castle & Pastime |
H. R. Foster |
Rivoli |
||
|
C. Scribano |
New Paris |
Abe Feder |
Metro |
||
|
Chas. Fedeles |
Fashion |
28 Years |
N. Gumbiner |
Commodore |
10 Years |
|
F. Weiner |
National |
15 Years |
L. Brecka |
Standard |
|
|
J. B. Koppel |
Astor |
A. W. Roth |
Kedzie Annex |
15 Years |
|
|
Jack Kirsch |
20th Century & Gold |
10 Years |
V. T. Lynch |
Tiffin |
|
|
G. Economy |
Grand |
1. Biba & Wm. Zelibor |
Clifford |
15 Years |
|
|
Mrs. B. Cleveland |
Circle |
15 Years |
A. Cuser |
Queen |
15 Years |
|
C. Rude |
Home |
Chas. P. Lauten |
Grand |
20 Years |
|
|
C. H. Christy |
Elmo |
1 5 Years |
M. Reingold |
Vision |
10 Years |
|
Elmer Benesch |
Liberty |
J. C. Gordon |
Chopin |
10 Years |
|
|
H. Nepo |
Lindy |
Frank Gordon |
Wicker Park |
10 Years |
|
|
Sam Halper |
Halsted & Irving |
B. Bartelstein |
Annette |
||
|
J. J. Plodna |
Palace |
R. Rathje |
Morton Park |
||
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N. Joseph |
States |
15 Years |
S. F. Scott |
Iris |
|
|
L. H. Miller |
Grand |
D. E. Rice |
Ambassador |
||
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J. V. Giocomi |
Edwards |
Jack Rose |
Rose Booking Circuit |
||
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D. Martin |
Butler |
Allied Theatres of ill. |
Circuit |
||
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F. R. McCarthy |
Loomis |
Harry Balaban |
Harry Balaban Theatres |
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H. Abbott |
Apollo |
Publix Great States TheatresCircuit |
|||
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Mrs. Mary Rudolph |
Emmett |
Joseph Stern |
Joseph Stern Office |
(Continued on Page 26)
EVERY DAY A
123/320
PAID ADMISSIONS IN 6 DAYS!
Each day the biggest in the history of the Roxy’s management! And that’s the story you’ll be hearing from the rest of the theatres in the United States who play "DIAMOND JIM"!
NEW RECORD!
AND STILL GOING STRONG
i at the n* y* Roxyj
*
V\v„-
'Y,
I#
3$
v-i'
ln 3J?!£
Attracting than an?
bieger box office piayed at
\ Edward Arn \d’attendance record*
\1?0Xt'he Ssf three dfgS2 589 people
‘S'Sd Sf-*1 **s,
1 29S»\°hrS dafs’°o°°^e^ the S££e
-ts
3SSot waigg , and S^a?
On both SarUfrQm °ne nan {or
tS^atrtno t^eadunng these
feawn moment thaWtJ ^
I St the' chouse g on ” ' T«he tox°f^ weTe greater^od the three ^ durtng a h p0hc« any t&fccn . f\ve ycras. ^
r^erves w*nd once on ^ wden Saturday seven o ^owded
evening 1 g 300 person that
there wer ’atre and h outside.
,inSldLr waiting targe number number ^ dinarily^arge dditioti
This extra uired the regUtar/
of balTOhPrs to the Roxy s /
0f 23 ushers w ✓
targe siall. ■ ■/
>fer*»s
ol t the \< >• P&troos^ to th» *
;iUU
NEW
Y YORK EVENING JOURN'AU — - ve*.
^ 4
and. the box- -office receipts for that period jwere greater than at any time lin five years. Police reserves [have been necessary to handle yhe crowds, and at one time /there were close to 10,000 per- | sons in the theatre and half Uhat number waiting outside. y'Diamond Jim’s” gustatory (feats upon the screen must have [their effects upon the audience, \for during one day the Roxy \ [(management served 5,850 cups ' /of coffee and 3,900 bottles of ginger ale in the lobby. jy V :V-;
V'*, s- ?.•
;v
#
133,507 PAID ADMISSIONS 1st WEEK AT N Y. ROXY! EVERY DAY NEW RECORD!
'"Universal's are the money-making pictures/ an executive of the theatre stated."
— Motion Picture Daily
"IT’S A TORNADO"
— Howard S. Cullman , N.Y. Roxy Theatre
"BEAT 'IMITATION OF LIFE' OPENING BY A THOUSAND DOLLARS"
— Orpheum Theatre , San Francisco
"'DIAMOND JIM' A SEN- SATION. CROWDS STAND- ING IN LINE THREE HOURS. THOUSANDS UNABLE TO GAIN ADMITTANCE"
— Spreckels Theatre , San Diego
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE WITH
JEAN ARTHUR • BINNIE BARNES
-esar Romero • Eric Blore • Hugh O’Connell • George Sidney )tis Harlan • Henry Kolker • Robert McWade • Fred Kelsey
An EDMUND GRAINGER Directed by
Production
EDWARD SUTHERLAND
CARL LAEMMLE presents
EDWARD ARNOLD
DIAMOND
.
6 1 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY " = Sept. 7, 1935
DIAMOND JIM
No. 828 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim ♦ Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Dia- mond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Sept. 7, 1935 ; = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY - 7
DIAMOND JIM
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Dia- mond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim ♦ Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim ♦ Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim ♦ Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim + Diamond Jim * Diamond Jim.
AGAI N
ANOTHER SMASHING SPECIAL! AND MORE SENSATIONAL THAN "THE WORLD'S GREATEST THRILLS"
NOORCANI . . .
1 lose-ups of Death, through Fires, Storms, Riots, Revolutions, Floods, lurricanes, Tornadoes, Crashing Planes, Catapulting Vehicles, Des- 1 uction, World Catastrophes ! . . . A Panorama of Thrills never before i sen! . . . Filmed by hundreds of cameramen at the risk of their lives!
10
- UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 7, a 935
"Diamond Jim” an Earthquake
LPi.J.v/r'i r iV/ 1 u i
»AIL1
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1935
|
6 Jim’ Sets 5-Yr. Attendance, 3-Yr. Gross High at Roxy Chalking up the best attendance record in five years and the highest gross in almost three years, exactly 133,507 patrons paid $47,000 to see “Diamond Jim” for the week ending Thursday night at the Roxy. Topping this intake was “Call Her Savage,” which played to the tune of $58,000 for the week ending Dec. 1, 1932. Clara Bow made a personal appearance that week and admissions were scaled at 35 cents to $1.10 in comparison with the current 25-55 cents. Under the present scale, “Diamond Jim” tops all past attrac- tions. “Imitation of Life,” which garnered $44,000 for the week ending Nov. 29, 1934, is second to it. Next in line is “Invisible Man,” which did $42,500 for the seven- day period ending Nov. 23, 1933. This gives Universal the first three ratings for high grosses under current box-office conditions. “The Bride of Frankenstein” also was in the big money class at the Roxy. It got $38,000 for the stanza ending May 16, last. “Universals are the money making pictures for the Roxy,” an executive of the theatre stated yesterday. |
Here is the t cay Red Karin, in the Motion Picture Daily ran the story of “ Diamond Jim’s" triumph at the Roxy. And below is Mr. Howard S. Cull- man’s second wire to J. R. Grainger telling about a swell Sunday record.
WEEKLY
A Magasin* tor Motion PIcturo Exhibitor! Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weakly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
SEPT. 7. 1935 Vol. 37. No. 6
JAMES R GRAINGER UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP
N Y SEPT 2 1935
A QUARTER OF A MILLION NEWYORKERS THAT DIAMOND JIM HAS THRILLED TO DATE MUST BE RIGHT IT IS NOT A TORNADO ITS AN EARTHQUAKE STOP RECEIPTS SECOND SUNDAY TEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS WITH TOTAL ADMISSION TWENTY-NINE THOU- SAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN
(Continued on Page 19)
A
UNIVERSAL
CAST
IS WORTH REPEATING!
THOUSANDS of patrons all over the country have written in to say they would like the names of the play- ers repeated at the end of the fea- ture. Thousands of your patrons are no doubt among them, and so we pass this request on to every exhibi- tor and projectionist. Universal can only comply with it if YOU will!
[a UNIVERSAL CAST IS WORTH REPEATING ]
"'Diamond Jim . . . Jane Alai hews . . Lillian Hassell . . . Jerry Hiehardson
Air. lax
Charles 3. Horsley ■ ■
The Pawnbroker
Air. Aloore
Touehey
Sank “President
Harry Hill
Jeweler
Jewelry Salesman . . Alinister
EDWARD ARNOLD
JEAN ARTHUH
BINNIE BARKIS
CESAS ROM EM
ERIC BLORE
. . HUGH O’CONNELL
GEORGE SIDNEY
. .ROBERT MS WADE
CHARLES SELLON
HENRY KOLKER
. . .WILLIAM DEMAREST
ALBERT CONTI
ARMAND KAUZ
. . TULLY MARSHALL
Starting with "DIAMOND JIM" there will be a REPEAT CAST at the end of every feature. Please do not change over after the words "The End," but KEEP ON RUNNING un- til you have shown the Repeat Cast!
A
UNIVERSAL
CAST
IS WORTH REPEATING!
A FORTUNE IN FACE*
Carl Laemmle presents
With Frankie Darro, Henry Armetta, William Benedict, Billy Burrud, Charlotte Henry. Story by Chester Beecroft and Harry Poppe Directed by Edward Ludwig. Produced by Ben Verschleiser
A Universal Picture —
-AND ALL YOURS!
Guaranteed to melt every human heart with laughter and tears — in a story ev- ery audience will go into ecstasies over!
14
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 7, 1935
Charles Farrell, in real life Holly- wood’s star ath- lete, who stars as the All-American football hero in Universal’s “Fighting Youth.”
Love in a lunch- room! Charles Farrell and his new screen sweet- heart June Martel, hold hands in the college lunchroom where she works her way through school as cashier.
Sample of the bone crushing ac- tion in “Fighting Youth ” Paul Schweglcr tack- ling Jim Purvis.
F
IGHTING YOUTI-
Unusual College Story with National Game as Background will be released September 30.
FOOTBALL is now marching forward with giant strides to occupy the athletic throne of these United States and Universal, long the leader in producing sp3;t-i;les answers +Le expectant roar from the bleachers with "Fighting Youth," a thrilling football story which approaches the game from an entirely new angle.
Charles Farrel, tennis champ, boxer, long d's- lance swimmer and polor star, who is in reel life Hollywood's champion athlete, plays the leading role of an All-American pigskin gladiator. The role of his sweetheart is taken by June Martel, a newcomer to the screen who seems bound for stardom in the opinion of those observers who have seen the rushes of this film.
The third featured role is played by Andy De- vine, former college and professional moleskin star without whom no movie football classic is complete. Ann Sheridan is the beautiful femin- ine villain. J. Farrell MacDonald, the Knute Rockne of "The Spirit of Notre Dame" is also featured. Herman Bing, Eddie Nugent, Phyllis Fraser and Alden Chase have important support- ing parts.
In addition the entire football squad of the University of Southern California played in the two complete football games that feature "Fight- ing Youth." With them in these gridiron sequenc- es, will be seen All-American stars of the recent past and present including Jim Thorpe, the In-
“ Touchdow ” I\ick Luk brings Cha - Farrell do\ from behi tcith a per i tackle.
Sept. 7, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY;
75
OPENS Football SEASON
e hero’s reward!
is plain that arles Farrell has n the game and the girl.
Happiness 'ihead! With her hero on |i ?r hands and s engagement ' ing on her finger.
Ann Sheridan cannot conceal her delight when Charles Farrell tells his coach, J. Farrell McDonald and his Captain, David Worth exactly what he thinks of them for objecting to his friendship with the girl.
For two weeks in the giant Los Angeles Coliseum, arena of the 1932 Olympic Games, under a blazing August sky with the thermometer over ninety, director Hamilton MacFadden sweat- ed the athletes and actors through these football field sequenc- es. Farrell played through all eight periods of the two games. And remember, every play was photographed from three to five times over, so as to get the perfect take for each.
WE ARE PROUD TOO
GLENDIVE MONT AUG 31
CARL LAEMMLE SR—
DELIVER UNIVERSAL PICTURES INC NYK KNOW YOU WILL BE PROUD TO KNOW AM OPENING THE ROSE THEATRE WITH YOUR DIAMOND JIM STOP KINDEST REGARDS
JOE B MOORE
‘ Say it isn’t rue, Charley!”
dian, greatest football player and all round athlete of all time, Paul Schwegler of Washington, Nick Lukats and Moon Mullins of Notre Dame, Jim Purvis of Purdue, Dale Van Sickle of Flor- ida, Dutch Fehring, "Red" Christie and Frank Baker and many others of equal note.
Ann Sheridan thinks she has Churlcs Farrell clutched tight in her pretty right fist. But June Martel has other plans for him.
PAINT THE
Paint the town re -and watch thos; Let them know il melody and mec gayety, romance everything the>
OWN GAY!
Mth these posters greenbacks flow! IG — that it's got [Irama, girls and and thrills, and vant and love!
Xa Cabamm" (Rumba)
fa1nclheMo0nl
ED.PAWLEY LOUISE HENRY
. 2, *t* $ * • T T S H AHHQN
S3* •:$***& fci** v i. MX*Z**N
v M.AH CS0S1A HO A^<
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 7, 1935
A Thousand Showmen Choose Title: “ REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?”
Two scenes from “ Remember Last Night?” in which the events surrounding a mysteri- ous murder confuses half a dozen befuddled society idlers, almost to the point of mad- ness. This production is full of thrills and surprises for the cast and the audience.
“ Remember Last Night?” is a great box-office title worthy of this Carl Laemmle , Jr. produc- tion with stars enough for three pictures. “ Remember Last Night” is a James Whale production and that means a lot.
WITH the help of a thousand moving picture exhib- itors, moving picture executives and salesmen, Carl Laemmle, Jr. has obtained a great showman's title for a great showman's picture. For three weeks James Whale has been hard at work on Adam Hobhouse's extraordinary mystery novel, "Hangover Murders." The title of this pop- ular book is not adapted to moving pictures.
At the time the picture went into work, Carl Laemmle, Jr. sent out a questionnaire to a great many smart show- men asking their suggestions for a title. Out of these sug- gestions has come "Remember Last Night?" It was a great suggestion. This title is worthy of the great picture
which it will carry through to real box-office triumphs.
The story is unique and fascinating, with human interest, humor, surprise and suspense to an extraordinary degree. It has a cast which sets it apart from any picture made this season. It is headed by Edward Arnold, Constance Cummings, and Sally Eilers, all stars in their own right, and featured equally in this production, with Robert Young next in line: The cast also includes Robert Arm- strong, Gregory Ratoff, Reginald Denny, Louise Henry, Jack La Rue, Monroe Owsley, Arthur Treacher, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Raefaela Ottiano, Ed. Brophy, George Meeker and Allison Ardell.
+ + +
"EAST OF JAVA" PRODUCTION STARTS
HARLES BICKFORD started pro- duction of Gouvernor Morris' story, "East of Java," at Universal City yesterday. The production is under the direction of George Mel- ford, and the screen play has been written by Mr. James Ashmore Creel- man. In the first scenes, the cast sum-
moned includes Elizabeth Young, Les- lie Fenton, Siegfried Rienemann, Ivan Simpson, and Clarence Muse.
It was the intention to use Clark Williams in an important role, but his work in "Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery," will prevent his appear- ing in "East of Java."
The Gouvernor Morris novel starts off with the wreck of a Chinese steam- er on the reefs guarding Tiger Island. The main cargo of the steamer is a consignment of wild beasts, and an assortment of passengers almost as wild. It is with their several passions, dangers and love affairs that "East of Java," deals.
Sept. 7. 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
19
May Robson's feature, “ Three Kids And A Queen,” has Darro, Charlotte Henry, William Hamilton. Bottom Row: been completed at Universal City. Here is a celebration Henry Armetta, May Robson, Edward Ludwig the director
of the principal actors with the director. Top Row: Frankie of “ Three Kids ” and Billie Burrud.
James Cruze will Direct "SUTTER'S GOLD”
AMES CRUZE has been chosen by
Carl Laemmle io direct Universal’s next epic film — "Sutter’s Gold" based on the novel by Blaise Cendrars and adapted to the screen by Gene Fow- ler. "Sutter's Gold" has been more than one year in preparation and with the assignment of Mr. Cruze as its di- rector it will go before the cameras within a fortnight. Meanwhile Mr. Cruze has joined Mr. Laemmle in a search for the actor to play the role of Sutter, a part so outstanding that it is expected to make whoever is awarded the opportunity a full fledged star as "Diamond Jim" has done for Edward Arnold.
Laemmle has enlisted drama critics, Little theatre producers, agents and
even movie fans in his search for the artist to play General Sutter and has even offered this exceptional oppor- tunity to a novice who can qualify. The Universal casling department has reviewed more than 150 screen tests and made more than 50 studio tests of persons suggested for the domin- ant role.
"Sutter's Gold" offers Director Cruze even greater opportunities than any of the memorable epic films which won him a ranking position among screen creators — "The Covered Wa- gon," "North of 36," "Pony Express" and "Old Ironsides" and the new Uni- versal production is expected to be the most pretentious film Universal has undertaken since "All Quiet on
the Western Front." Edmund Graing- er, who produced "Diamond Jim" will be in charge of the production of "Sutter's Gold."
+ + +
“DIAMOND JIM ”
AN EARTHQUAKE
(Continued from Page 10)
STOP THIS IS TWELVE PERCENT GREATER THAN THE FIRST SUN- DAY AND AT THIS RATE ANTICI- PATE A LARGE CHRISTMAS WEEK AS WELL STOP OF COURSE WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HOLDING DIAMOND JIM FOR A THIRD WEEK STARTING FRIDAY RE- GARDS
HOWARD S CULLMAN
pounding away — hammer- ing home to millions of fans the great news about Un- iversal's Current Hits — building up ready-made audiences for these Big Five, Big Money Hits!
u
IRENE DUNNE
in John M. Siahl's production of
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
With ROBERT 1AYLOR, CHARLES BUTTERWORTH and BETTY FURNESS From the best seller by Lloyd C. Douglas . . . (Now in production)
MARGARET SULLA VAN and FRANCIS LEDERER in "NEXT TIME WE LOVE''
From Ursula Parrott's newest novel! . . . Directed by E. H, Griffith
WILLIAM POWELL in "MY MAN GODFREY"
A CARL LAEMMLE, Jr. Production From the Liberty Magazine serial by Eric Hatch
" SUTTER S GOLD"
From the epic novel by Blaise Cendrars ... An Edmund Grainger Production
IRENE DUNNE in "SHOW BOAT"
Edna Ferber's Immortal Classic! . . . Music by Jerome Kern A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Production . . Directed by James Whale
i mu
Watch This
by LLOY& C. bi 7 ' DOUGLAS | -rfn\( (J
When — ^
vou see the queenly
IRENE DUNNE . n Lloyd Cagnif1_
D°^rSN:>U will understand |
CENT OBS talent is eagerly sought
why h^vfx^ptl1?roducers And equally nice by all the big prod^fROBERT TAYLOR things may DUNNE. Of the
who co-stars w?th is often said
story, n°w 'n'read.are never the same that those who reaa n , picture
again.. However tha^ ^ yQU
will be an even g . living and speak- I
aU the Lne characte that master in l
1
No picture , you have ever *leg screen is anything like ^"imonD JIM ” True, historic person- ••DIAMOND JIM- “ d but no modern
s^^fessssss
srsr-t %±~jssss£.
^WARD^VnOLD bum mto the starring ranks with this B1NNlE BARNES and
OTsfb1 asd “4 ,
Now in production the re-
Edward Arnold. Co sta YouNC Robert SALLY ElLERS, .RO® n Ed Brophy.
Armstrong. Regina Ratoff, Louise
jack LaRue, ^!|^yArthurTreacher,
Henry.GeorgeMeeke £jon Seyffertitz,
Monroe Owsley, ,ta James Whale.
Rafaela O«.ano. D.recto ucnoN.
A CARL LAEMMLE. Jr.^K ^ ^ fac
C<,miM-',SUnt»'S GOID"
an American Epic
UNIVERSAL i* ‘"V'-'jt 0'|d"f»Mtic .torn, ideas, in "ew got. ~ nktured. Can’t you think W!’iche?,,Vpu?eontyour thinking cap '^oTSSi
"• Jhyo"u T‘ V° - UNIVERSAL
'pictures. T. personally, will be the ,udge.
telling u» now • i,l be ibe >un
TURES. I, personally. *
vy,t>n VA/
aJ^1Aylo
I ^ *
MAGNIFICENT
OBSESSION
After six months in preparation, di rector John M. Stahl has begun filming Lloyd C. Douglas' five year best sellei “MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION," o UNIVERSAL studios.
IRENE DUNNE, charming, popular dramatic star of Mr. Stahl's memorable “Back Street" has the first starring role in this new human interest drama and ROBERT TAYLOR, believed by Hollywood critics to be the most promising leading man in American films today, isseenoppo site the star.
Initial scenes for “MAGNIFICENT OB SESSION" were made against the back ground of an immense studio set dupli eating the huge French liner, Normandie Director Stahl plans to employ more than 1500 “extras" in atmospheric "shots" for the early scenes of the production.
"DIAMOND JIM," which has made ai important star of EDWARD ARNOLD, i crowding theatres in America and else where. There never has been another character like "DIAMOND JIM." He wa an American product who made a tre mendous fortune and gave it away. The picture must be near you now.
* A *
"HANGOVER MURDERS," Adam Hob house's great story, produced by CARL LAEMMLE, Jr., directed by JAMES WHALE, an intensely dramatic play, again fea tures EDWARD ARNOLD and an all star cast including — Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers, Robert Armstrong, Robert Young, Reginald Denny and others of their distinction, is on the way. Watch for itl See itl And enjoy an evening of unalloyed entertainment.
* * *
“SUTTER’S GOLD” — A VAST SPECTACLE IS J UST ABOUT
GOING INTO PRODUCTION * * *
A check for 550 will be sent to you if you can write, us an acceptable idea telling us how to improve Universal Pictures. I, personally, will be the judge as to the best letter.
Thomas M. Johnston, Columbus, Ohio, and Larry Woodin, Wellsboro, Pa., have received 550 for their ideas.
UNIVERSAL fl) PICTURES
V CARL LAEMMLE. President
Rockefeller Center New York City
.mm,
ojslssmk
IsioJr^Pi^^CENT OBSES |
p: rri" “ “~i is
fear, iS’S'sssSfe®
Idunnf d dj by the eior: 1 splendid,
ICharlea ROBERT 8Ta YLoiRENE
■ directed hUtterw°rth, Betty F.R with /STAHL. & successful ^JOHN ’ Inal
I Have,, **.. dateof release.'
IjM” MffSi^WAMOND
I the title role? w AKD ARNOl r> , |famAemfoy'h^ ^'■^hero
J hangover
(production Zh u MUrDERS >•
— ^uncements.
* wu Lr,ti cti0lD’"
,NT0 ^Obucvot lloGH0,NG |
h&eg&'sss&sd
Directed by Christy Cabanne .... Maurice Pivar, Assoc. Prod.
,\<vQ • • >se'
VS <iV
*;>v
cs *!£<§:$£’>'
(iV* ‘•x\\o<'^'a’(e > te • ; • ^eV° ^
*■ ^a’5' tA&'V'o'l \aet'
w^°f •
o"eA *"
CROWDS WILL ROAR AROUND YOUR BOX-OFFICE WHEN YOU PLAY THIS DRAMA OF THE ROARING CROWDS!
And these Great All-American Stars: Larry "Moon" Mullins • Jim Purvis • Paul Schwegler • Dale Van Sickel • Jim Thorpe • Leslie Cooper • Howard "Red" Christie • Nick Lukats • Frank Sully
iBiBBalliiTO
26
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
E Sept. 7, 1935
ROLL OF HONOR
|
EXHIBITOR |
THEATRE |
(Continued from Page 1) TOWN & STATE EXHIBITOR |
THEATRE |
TOWN & STATE |
|
|
Mrs. J. W. Edwards (10 yrs. |
) Opera House |
Aledo, III. |
V. Quarta (10 yrs.) |
Bartlett |
Highwood, III. |
|
J. Marchesi (10 yrs.) |
Amboy |
Amboy, III. |
G. W. Kruger |
Hinsdale |
Hinsdale, III. |
|
Joe Brokaw (15 yrs.) |
Brokaw |
Angola, Ind. |
Sam Routes |
Strand |
Hobart, Ind. |
|
L. A. Turner |
Strand |
Angola, Ind. |
C. B. Burkhardt |
Pastime |
Homer, III. |
|
Phil Billiet (10 yrs.) |
Coliseum |
Anaawan, III. |
F. G. Shad |
B'way-American |
Indiana Har., Ind. |
|
F. B. Swanson (10 yrs.) |
Antioch |
Antioch, III. |
E. Friedman |
Garden |
Indiana Har., Ind. |
|
J. Lerner (15 yrs.) |
Grand |
Argo, III. |
Paul Bernier (20 yrs.) |
Lyric |
Kankakee, III. |
|
C. Heslip (15 yrs.) |
Heslip |
Augusta, III. |
D. E. Cannon |
Kentland |
Kentland, Ind. |
|
W. R. Catlow |
Catlow |
Barrington, III. |
A. Metzger (15 yrs.) |
Fairy |
Knox, Ind. |
|
J. Burke |
Vanity |
Batavia, III. |
J. Goldberg (15 yrs.) |
La Porte |
La Porte, Ind. |
|
Edward Zorn |
Apollo |
Belvidere, III. |
J. J. Gregory |
Roxy |
La Porte, Ind. |
|
J. G. Gesell (15 yrs.) |
Front St. |
Bloomington, III. |
J. Foder |
Cozy |
La Porte, Ind. |
|
O. F. Vonesh |
Strand |
Brookfield, III. |
J. R. Wood |
Princess |
Leroy, III. |
|
Chas. Kuchan (15 yrs.) |
Capitol |
Canton, III. |
A. Werbner |
Princess |
Lewistown, III. |
|
William A. Clark |
Garden |
Canton, III. |
A. J. Inks (15 yrs.) |
Crystal |
Ligonier, Ind. |
|
C. J. Gerard (10 yrs.) |
Woodbine |
Carthage, III. |
Steve Bennis (15 yrs.) |
Lincoln |
Lincoln, III. |
|
Mrs. F. R. Mellinger |
Varsity |
Champaign, III. Chatsworth, III |
A. L. Hainline (15 yrs.) |
Illinois-Royal |
Macomb, III. |
|
F. W. Kaiser |
Virginia |
C. E. Hartford (15 yrs.) |
Coliseum |
Marseilles, III. |
|
|
H. L. Cooper |
Palace |
Chesterton, Ind. |
L. Cochevety |
Temple-Tivoli |
Mishawaka, Ind. |
|
Koshut & Sabota (10 yrs.) |
Liberty |
Chicago Hts., III. H. E. Hoag (15 yrs.) |
No. Side Momence |
Momence, III. |
|
|
Frank J. Rolan (10 yrs.) |
Sunset |
Chillicothe, III. |
A. W. Howard |
Strand |
Monon, Ind. |
|
H. E. Reid |
Vialto |
Clifton, III. |
Mrs. E. E. Gibson (10 yrs.) Lyric |
Monticello, III. |
|
|
A. B. McCollum (15 yrs.) |
Lorraine |
Hoopeston, III. |
J. G. Oelwen |
Royal |
New Boston, III. |
|
Fred Anderson (10 yrs.) |
Morris |
Morris, III. |
Woytinek & Murphy |
Gaybles |
North Judson, ln< |
|
A. J. Johnson |
Palace |
Crown Point, Ind.R. Lamb |
Oregon |
Oregon, III. |
|
|
H. L. Henning (15 yrs.) |
Culver Mil. AcadCulver, Ind. |
W. J. Fleugel (15 yrs.) |
Pekin-Empire |
Pekin, III. |
|
|
Frye & Muench (10 yrs.) |
Tivoli-Colonial |
Danville, III. |
L. J. Bennett |
Rialto |
Pekin, III. |
|
J. Smith |
Opera House |
Dallas City, III. |
Adolph Szold (15 yrs.) |
Garden |
Peoria, III. |
|
G. Constan (15 yrs.) |
Avon |
Decatur, III. |
E. L. Harris (15 yrs.) |
Columbia |
Peoria, III. |
|
J. M. Duncan (10 yrs.) |
Alhambra |
Decatur, III. |
George Settos |
Rialto |
Plymouth, Ind. |
|
C. E. Morrow (15 yrs.) |
Morrow |
Decatur, III. |
C. Reese |
Gem |
Plymouth, Ind. |
|
G. Lekander |
Fargo |
Geneva, III. |
H. Uptown |
Polo |
Polo, III. |
|
V. Machek |
Liberty |
De Pue, III. |
J. A. Dauntler |
Prophet |
Prophetstown, III. |
|
L. G. Rorer (15 yrs.) |
Dixon |
Dixon, III. |
A. L. Revert |
New Home |
Rantoul III. |
|
J. J. Hruby (15 yrs.) |
Dolton |
Dolton, III. |
W. L. Pracht (10 yrs.) |
Arcadia |
St. Charles, III. |
|
C. W. Leist |
Tivoli |
Downers, Gr., Ill |
A. B. Wooley (10 yrs.) |
Princess |
Saybrook, III. |
|
R. H. Shoellhorn (10 yrs.) |
Dundee |
Dundee, III. |
Jones & Biker |
Family |
Sheldon, III. |
|
Sam Schlaes (15 yrs.) |
Forsythe |
E. Chicago, Ind. |
J. Fusheanes |
Oliver |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
J. Kendall (15 yrs.) |
Kendall |
Farmer City, III. |
Ezra Rhodes (15 yrs.) |
Castle |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
J. A. Weece (10 yrs.) |
Princess |
Farmington, III. |
R. Babcott |
Indiana |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
J. W. Heller |
Star |
Freemont, Ind. |
N. Plonski |
Linden |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
Stanley Leay |
Stanley |
Galena, III. |
A. Golubski |
Lyric |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
V. U. Young (10 yrs.) |
Palace |
Gary, Ind. |
J. Vogel |
River Park |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
Pete Kalleris (15 yrs.) |
Grand |
Gary, Ind. |
H. Szmecki (10 yrs.) |
White Eagle |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
N. Bikos (10 yrs.) |
Roosevelt |
Gary, Ind. |
S. Stein |
Armo |
So. Bend, Ind. |
|
J. Bikos |
Roxy |
Gary, Ind. |
H. R. Barricklow |
Isis |
Toluca, III. |
|
J. Greene (10 yrs.) |
Genesee |
Genesee, III. |
G. G. Shauer & Sons |
Premier |
Valparaiso, Ind. |
|
M. Gerrib T. L. Orr |
Georgetown Edna |
Georgetown, III. Gibson City, III. |
(15 yrs.) A. G. Schultz (10 yrs.) |
Rialto |
Walkerton, Ind. |
|
E. O Schmidt (10 yrs.) |
Palace |
Gilman, III. |
E. E. Rietz |
Watseka |
Watseka, III. |
|
J. Czgany, Jr. |
Circle |
Goshen, Ind. |
Sam Meyers |
Teatro Del Lago |
Wilmette, III. |
|
P. E. Saunders (15 yrs.) |
Saunders |
Harvard, III. |
M. F. Bodwell (10 yrs.) |
Paramount |
Wyoming, III. |
|
D. W. Wright (10 yrs.) |
Lawford |
Havana, III. |
L. Monkamier |
Yorkville |
Yorkville, III. |
|
F. W. Shaver # |
Henry |
Henry, III. |
E. E. Alger |
Alger's Circuit |
Peru, III. |
Sept. 7, 1935 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY -97
‘Frankenstein’ Pays Off In Mexico City, Osaka
Osaka. — “Bride of Frankenstein” is doing good business at the Osake Skachiku theater, despite the typhoon.
Mexico City. — A sellout business is being done by “Bride of Franken- stein” at all the houses on the Regis circuit.
Just an enlargement of an item in the Hollywood Reporter of August 31st. It shoivs how the “Bride of Frankenstein,'’ is cleaning up outside of the United States, as well as in. Even a typhoori could not stop the business is Mexico. “ Frank - enstein” is doing this kind of business everywhere it plays in the United States and outside.
Edgar A. Guest, Poet-Philosopher and Newspaperman
Signed by Universal Pictures to Write and Act
P EELING that the screen needs • more pictures dealing with the typical American home life and ideals, Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures gave a long term contract last week to Edgar A. Guest, news- paperman, poet and philosopher and will make him a star in film plays along these lines. His Universal pictures will be Guest's initial cinema venture.
After weeks of negotiation Laem- mle sent studio men to Chicago last week to make a talking screen test of Guest. When the noted writer and radio commentator proved to have exceptional natural acting talent, as well as screen personality, the Univer- sal president sent a representative to Detroit by plane with a contract for Mr. Guest's services not only as an
actor but as a dialog writer.
According to present plans Mr. Guest's cinema debut will be as the principal character of a domestic drama suggested by one of his own verses, "Home." Two other pictures are to be filmed before next summer.
Guest's books of verse number more than a score. His writings ap- pear daily in 200 leading newspapers. His weekly radio broadcasts have proved so popular that within the period of two years he has risen from 48th to ninth among the nation's air favorites.
Guest has been a newspaper writer nearly 40 years. He has never quit a job or been discharged in his life. He has been connected with the De- troit Free Press ever since he began
writing. His verse has been syndicat- ed by only one man and for 16 years his books have been published by only one firm. He has lectured in nearly 3,000 towns and cities of America. His unique Universal contract provid- es that he will never be cast in any- thing but a ’straight' role and that his dialog in pictures will be of his own writing.
"I look upon Mr. Guest as one of the great screen stars of tomorrow," Mr. Laemmle states, "He is a leader in the field of modern American wit, vision and understanding. He knows American minds, hearts and homes and I know of no man better qualified to present the philosophy of the fath- er and home builder of today, on the screen."
AND HE'S CLAD TO BE
Especially after what the trade paper boys said about her!
"it sets the pace for all talkie comedies of its type from now on. Keeps the house in stiches.
But you must see it to realize how funny it all is. Not only are the gags superlatively amus- ing, but the story comes very close to top-
notch satire! — Los Angeles Times
•
Certainly the most genuinely funny picture Zasu Pitts has appeared in. It reaches gor- geously high spots of burlesque . . . Give it a break because there's something in it for practically every type of audience."
—Hollywood Reporter
Cued to the crowd . . . Gets laughs by the sheer impact of its nonsense ... It has a virility which appeals to the mob . . . Miss Pitts gives her excellent standard performance."
— Daily Variety
Carl Laemmle presents
ZASU PITTS HUGH O'CONNELL
in Universal's Laughing Sensation
with
HELEN TWELVETREES LUCIEN LITTLEFIELD
Eddie Brophy, Ward Bond, Bert Gordon
Directed by William Nigh Produced by David Diamond
CTion
g; A DIGEST OF THE
^r_ EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF
m amm m m ||
BEST
THE
WEEK
A iidjii id A-
V if q TW9& firW t
It’s Going BOOM! BOOM! at the Box-Office!
A SALUTE to real Showmen! They're "going to town" with DIAMOND JIM. And HOW that fellow is stepping! Biff, bing, bang — socking records right and left! Five year marks blown to the winds! Roxy Theatre officials now digging up six and seven year old files to find attendance figures to equal the continuing DIAMOND JIM riot there. Looping the loop in Chi- cago! Showering the box-office with a gold- en stream at the Golden Gate city! Held over in Philadelphia! Boom days in San Diego! DIAMOND JIM made millions for himself — now he is making more for the clever showmen who are sending his picture on its merry record-smashing way backed by bang-up showmanship campaigns! Pack your exploitation big guns with DIAMOND JIM powder and go BOOM! BOOM! again at the box-office!
JOE WEIL
ABOVE — Lobby in the Keith Theatre, Baltimore, Md., where tie-up with Royal Type- writer kept two girls busy day and night tapping out facts on DIAMOND JIM for distribution to patrons. BELOW — How the florists are tying up. The better New York shops featured the DIAMOND JIM corsage in tribute to the premiere at the Roxy Theatre. Both of these ideas are easily planted in any city
THE ULTRA ULTRA IN TIE-UPS
The most exclusive window in the whole, wide-world — Black, Starr, Frost & Gorham, the aristocrats of super-jewelers — for the first time in their distinguished history, de- vote a window to a motion picture tie-up. They featured the original settings of the DIAMOND JIM gems. The display attracted thousands and brought much news- paper publicity as well.
IHAHOKDJW
\\<i DIA\H»M JIM tOKSAOf HIJNOfc fir OP t MM* uf
. DIAMOND JIM
PL ROXY THEATRE AUG 23
I
fdwnxtJ APNOLD
Akr»Ot »A#NIS
Sept. 7, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
31
Here are more “Diamond Jim” Jam Gems!
Catching the eyes of passers-by at busiest spots in Gotham !
Look them over! Only samples of deluge of New York windows which helped welcome DIAMOND JIM'S premiere at the Roxy Theatre. ABOVE LEFT — Cottier window of the Studebaker Salon comparing transportation in the day of DIAMOND JIM with that of today. This display may be duplicated in any city where an old style bicycle can be secured. Blow it over with gold paint and flitter, and doll up for effect . . . RIGHT — Liggett's Drug store window devoted to DIAMOND JIM books. This is one of a string of leading drug store windows which de- voted space to the picture . . . RIGHT — Book window in Rockefeller Center showing enlarged photographs from the picture and also some of the DIAMOND JIM gem replicas. So strong has the demand for the dollar edi- tion of the DIAMOND JIM book become, that even though it has just been issued, the first two editions have been exhausted and the third edition is now on tho press.
LEFT — One of a string of eighteen Willow Cafeteria windows which created a tre- mendous amount of word-of-mouth ad- vertising on DIAMOND JIM. The large table was set with one of the famous huge meals DIAMOND JIM is said to have consumed regularly. The individual cards in front of the window gave details of the monumental meals. Simply swell as an attention-getter for the restaurant — good for a newspaper story — and fine for the picture too! Try it in your city!
Watch this space for more “DIAMOND JIM 99 Campaigns!
39 —UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION = Sept. 7. 1935
The West Starts Rolling — N. Y. Holds Over!
Tonight It
“GONG NITE" TALENf QUEST
0» « MlilS
TMI »UN IV1MT 0»
JWi yfenuudic IL
6'hiA DlilUoru- X IkMMmilniUi&n*-/
^pfTOMORROW W,
T\VN What A Man He Wasl •/ ■L4 HIS WOMEN, HIS JEWELS AND HIS MILLIONS Were Delicious Scandalsl
EDWAED ARNOLD
MEET THE PRINCE OF SPENOERS!
©«» PUyboy of the Golden Ninebei *»d $>2,000,000
H* Spent For Pleasure Two MSton For D>«mond»l A Ml bon 0o»«r M«tn«gc Otter! Hifnd'cd TKouiend DolU' Chempogne Pertieil
ED WARP ARNOLD
JEAN ARTHUR' BINNIE BARNES
Vi^- JEAN ARTHUR • with* BINNIE BARNES
\ Unlyermal Picture Parker Mortll’t Story * M
Thu >i tkt ftipleycique Story of on Incredible Mon. the Moit Colorful Pcaonelity Thot Ever Walked the Stdewohi _ . of New Tort
AMf
STAGE BAND SH <
AND tM MUSICAL Jfi- >*«£ i
glad lads'^5^lnl /
sfoitlano jciHtc
COLORADO
TROUTLAND
*****
\WHAT A PICTURE
Glorious with Girls, Gleaming with Jewels Blazing with Life SIZZLING DAYS! ROARING NIGHTS!
“AN ORCHID TO DIAMOND JIM "
TOMORROW!
SAN DIEGOS BIGGEST
i PREMIERE Yl
Out Include* ■ >
JEAN W
ARTHUR ■
BINNIE El
BARNES ■
Cmir Romera W Erie Blori
Hugh 0’Conoell k ] Georgo Sldaiy
. A Unlocmt6{i Picture rf'.
Tha amazing atory of tha flashiaat lover and moat fabuloua apandcr tha Gay White Way hat ever known j
THE BRILLIANT PICTURL ZATION OF THE SPECTAC- ULAR LIFE AND LOVES OP AMERICA’S FAMOUS PRINCE OF SPENDERS
o EDWARD ARNOLD
JEAN ARTHUR - \ BINNIE BARNES
AND A CAST OF THOUSANDS
CAREFULLY COOLED/
|
k |
i |
i |
m |
m |
i |
m |
(I) Three columns x 8" from Denver Theatre, Denver. (2) Two column x 7'/2" -from Orpheum, San Francisco. (3) Three column x 5'/2" from Palace, Chicago. (4) Two column x 9" hold-over from New York Roxy. (5) Two column x 8!/2" from Spreckels, San Diego, Cal.
(6) Three column x II" from Orpheum, San Francisco.
m u s
C R L S
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL
Printed in U. S. A.
With GRAHAM McNAMEE
mflGniFiCEntt)BSESsion
VOL. 3 7,
?JI
Sept. 14, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
1
The Roll of Honor
|
TOWN |
THEATRE |
EXHIBITOR |
YEARS |
|
Albany, Ore. |
Granada |
Hal Vaughn |
3 years |
|
Ashland, Ore. |
Lithia |
Walter Leverette |
2 years |
|
Astoria, Ore. |
Liberty |
J. J. Parker Circuit |
5 years |
|
Baker, Ore. |
Clarick |
Mrs. Myrtle Buckmiller |
5 years |
|
Bend, Ore |
Capitol |
B. A. Stover |
10 years |
|
Clatskanie, Ore. |
Avalon |
K. A. Spears |
2 years |
|
Corvallis, Ore. |
Oregon State |
Hal Vaughn |
3 years |
|
Cottage Grove, Ore. |
Arcade |
W. M. Morelock |
15 years |
|
Eugene, Oregon |
Heilig |
F. M. Crabill |
5 years |
|
Independence, Ore. |
Isis |
Ross Nelson |
10 years |
|
Lebanon, Ore. |
Kuhn |
R. Kuhn |
10 years |
|
Marshfield, Ore. |
Egyptian |
Robt. Marsden, Jr. |
15 years |
|
Medford, Ore. |
Craterian |
Geo. Hunt-Tri-State Circuit |
3 years |
|
Mt. Angel, Ore. |
Auditorium |
Father Endres |
10 years |
|
North Bend, Ore. |
Liberty |
Dennis M. Hull |
15 years |
|
Ontario, Ore. |
Dreamland |
C. R. Potter |
15 years |
|
Oregon City, Ore. |
Liberty |
W. A. Long |
10 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Ames |
Charles Ames |
5 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Bob White |
Bob White |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Circle |
G. T. Woodlaw |
15 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Egyptian |
W. A. Graeper |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Granada |
Stephen Parker |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Irvington |
Lillian Lockwood |
5 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Kenton |
Wm. Cutts |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Lincoln |
Phil Carlin |
5 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Moreland |
K. W. Cockerline |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Novelty |
Howard Fleishman |
15 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Portsmouth |
C. R. Slater |
15 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Rex |
Frank O'Rourke |
10 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
State |
Kent C. Hartung |
5 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Roseway |
H. J. Updegraff |
|
|
Portland, Ore. |
Venetian |
Hugh McCredie, Jr. |
|
|
Powers, Ore. |
Pioneer |
G. P. Stewart |
18 years |
|
Roseburg, Oregon |
Indian |
Geo. Hunt-Tri-State Circuit |
3 years |
|
St. Helens, Ore. |
Columbia |
G. O. Garrison |
8 years |
|
Salem, Oregon |
Elsinore |
Warner Bros. |
5 years |
|
Salem, Oregon |
State |
Ed Lewis |
|
|
Seneca, Oregon |
Olive |
Geo. F. Kennedy |
|
|
The Dalles, Ore. |
Granada |
G. E. Mathews |
|
|
Tillamook, Ore. |
Coliseum |
Claude Smith |
5 years |
|
Portland, Ore. |
Blue Mouse |
John Hamrick |
5 years |
|
Camas, Wash. |
Granada |
Mrs. Edith Seavert |
15 years |
|
Kelso, Wash. |
Kelso |
W. G. Ripley |
5 years |
|
Longview, Wash. |
Columbia |
W. G. Ripley |
5 years |
|
Winlock, Wash. |
Roxy |
K. A. Spears |
|
|
Weed, Calif. |
Weed |
Walter Leverette |
5 years |
|
Yreka, Calif. |
Broadway |
Walter Leverette |
5 years |
|
Emmett, Idaho |
Ideal |
C. D. Bucknum |
5 years |
Signed G. C. CRADDOCK, Mgr.
/;
“Diamond” Is Chicago Hit; Gets $ 24,600
Chicago, Sept. 8. — “Diamond Jim” was the big money-maker of the week in spite of the fact that all downtown first runs had a marked pickup over the rainy holiday. The take at the Palace was $24,600, which exceeded normal by $5,600.
Diamond” Is
Frisco Smash
1
With $15,000
San Francisco, Sept. 4— “Diamond Jim” bowled ’em over with a sensa- tional $15,000 gross at the Orpheum, just double normal for the house.
"riirlv Tnn"
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
UNIVERSAL
Diamond Jim’ Denver Riot
Denver, Sept. 8.
“Diamond Jim” was eu standout division and piled $8 Son seven days at the Denver This Jn over the line by $3,500. * — ^ s
3
\v
th
‘Jim ’at $45,850\ In 2d Week; B
“Diamond Jim,” with a five-year ' attendance -record and a new throo- vear highiWTfP credit in its first week at the Roxy, kicked in with a landsome $45,850 in its second week which terminated Thursday night, a’ final count demonstrated yesterday.
In the face of adverse weather and such competition as “Top Hat” at the Music Hall, “Anna Karenina” at the Capitol and “Page Miss Glory" at he Strand, but with the extended Labor Day weekend in its favor the second stanza of the Universal picture gave an impressive account of itself. I
4 - ■ UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =Sept. 14, 1935
THE NATIONAL LAUGH
No. 829 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
The world is yearning for something to laugh at.
Particularly, the United States.
The millions are half scared to death. They don't know what is coming next in the form of income taxes, inherit- ance taxes and other taxes.
Millions are wondering whether they were completely nuts when they voted our present administration into office. They are wondering how in the devil we ever expect to pay back the billions (not the millions) which our gov- ernment plans to spend to keep the idle from being idle.
They never needed relief from tension more than they do today.
They never needed a laugh so badly as they do this minute.
They need it so badly that they will be glad to pay for it, even if it is only in the form of a movie.
So up steps Zasu Pitts to deliver the much-needed laugh.
Miss Pitts is a laugh before she even starts. Universal knew that before it even cast her to play the principal nut role in a picture called "She Gets Her Man."
Sept. 14, 1935 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = ■ — 5
COMES JUST IN TIME!
Universal had bought a superb burlesque on the G-Man type of screen stuff. All it needed to make it perfect was Miss Zasu Pitts.
So Universal and Miss Pitts got together and made "She Gets Her Man."
Together they made the newest national laugh.
Miss Pitts does get her man. She gets him with her amazing hands, her perfectly dead pan and her remarkable cleverness.
Strangely enough, she has a story which fits her to per- fection. She has a story which the millions will love — a perfectly ridiculous Zasu Pitts story.
Millions think Zasu Pitts is funny before she even starts. More millions will agree she is a national tonic after they see her in "She Gets Her Man."
It is a Zasu Pitts story. It is impossible. So is Miss Pitts. Universal has put two impossibilities together and has made a knockout entertainment.
It is ready-made for money. If is tailor-made for you. Hop to it !
THE SMASHING SUCCESSOR SMASHING SERIAL IS j
FAR CREATER THAN "TAILSPIN TOMMY"! WITH MOR ADVENTURES. THRILLS, EXCITEMENT - AND MYSTERY
TO THE l-IERE!
• • •
— ■ ,,n
>1 35** -
un WWW
Directed by RAY TAYLOR A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
8
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 14, 1935
"AMATEUR NIGHT"
Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit in his latest release, “ Amateur Night,” which is now being played in theatres with such features as “’Diamond Jim.”
Deals Continue To Pour In
JAMES R. GRAINGER, General Manager of Distribution for Univer- sal Pictures Corporation, announced this week the closing of a deal with the Butterfield Circuit in Michigan for 1935-36 product. This deal covers 77 theatres located in the important major situations in the state of Mich- igan and was completed by James R. Grainger and M. M. Gottlieb repre-
senting Universal and W. S. Butter- ■pfeld and E. C. Beatty representing the Butterfield circuit.
Mr. Grainger aiso announced the closing of a deal for the 1935-36 Universal product, with the Jefferson Amusement Company of Beaumont, Texas, which sets Universal product in 59 important theatres in Eastern (Continued on Page 22)
If EE K L Y
A Magaxin* for Motion Plctura Exhibitor*
Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weakly by the Motion Pictuie Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
SEPT. 14, 1935 Vol. 37 No. 7
Reciprocity
//pEMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" was
■ N delayed five days last week, all because Carl Laemmle, Jr., wanted to reciprocate to a dear friend and the man who had saved his father's life. Louise Henry, who is featured in the cast with Edward Arnold, Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers and Robert Young, is the daughter of Dr. Jesse Heiman, who operated on Carl Laemmle so spectacularly in London ten years ago. He lay desperately ill in New York. Miss Henry asked the privilege of going to his bedside. Without hesitation, Carl Laemmle, Jr. delayed the production so that she could visit her father.
Miss Heiman arrived by plane on Tuesday for the necessary scenes in "Remember Last Night?" The next day Dr. Heiman died and Miss Heiman flew back for the funeral with the sorrow of the entire Laemmle family.
Grainger Selects Cast of
Great Impersonation
EDMUND GRAINGER announced yesterday the cast of "The Great Impersonation" in support of Edmund Lowe. Valerie Hobson is installed as leading lady, and Wera Engels in the role of the beautiful countess who is the constant menace in this story, which is regarded as the greatest novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim. Others in the cast are Lumsden Hare, Marjorie Gateson, Henry Mollison, Henry Kolker, Brandon Hurst, Leonard Mudie, Claude King and Frank Reicher.
Alan Crosland will place "The Great Impersonation" in production next Monday, using a script written by Major H. O. Yardley, Lt.-Com. Frank Wead and Eve Green.
Louise Henry, beautiful featured player in ‘"King Solomon of Broadway,” and “ Remember I.ast Night?”, listens to Pinky Tomlin interpreting his song, “That's What You Think,” which is sung in “ King Solomon of Broadway)’ Pinky makes ’em up while you icait.
Sept. 14, 1935:
jUNIVERSAL WEEKLY:
Desperate Story of the Filming of the Dixie Disaster - - - -
BEHIND every newspaper story, there is a tale of news gathering as graphic as the story itself. Back of the photographing for the newsreel of a great disaster, there invariably billows and storms a great story of human achievement. Back of the Dixie and Florida Keys story, lies a tale of news gathering that combines heroic fortitude, ingenuity, foresight, utter folly, and dogged perseverance.
On Monday night, the United Press sent out a warning that a storm was threatening Florida. Charles Ford, Ed- itor of the Universal Newsreel, keeps his eye glued to the UP news ticker in his office, and at home listens to a powerful radio which brings in Flor- ida, California and Honolulu as easily as most radios bring in local stations. He was convinced that a newsreel story of national importance would take place within the next twenty- four hours.
Immediately, he got busy with the telephone and telegraph, making ar- rangements in the Florida points which seemed to be strategic, Miami, Jacksonville, Key West and Tampa. The best man for the assignment was photographing the garment strike in New York. Ford gave him his orders to proceed to Newark airport, where a plane would be awaiting him. His in- structions were in the plane. In spite
You'll never forget
of the most terrific flying weather, the plane staggered into Jacksonville at 3:00 P. M. Tuesday. It could go no further. Ford had realized this in New York, and had made arrangements by offer of a big bonus, for a dare- devil to drive the cameraman in a car from Jacksonville to Miami.
The car left at 4:30 Tuesday after- noon. It arrived in Miami at 5:00 A.M. Wednesday, the driver almost helpless, the car practically ruined.
In the meantime, Ford had made ar- rangements with the Coast Guard for a seaplane. Pathe and MGM newsreels then combined with Ford.
All agreed that Lyons was the best man for the assignment and it was ar- ranged that Lyons’ shots should be shared equally with the other two companies. Only one cameraman could go in the treacherous air jour- ney, but Lyons is an intrepid dare- devil, who will go anywhere where any flying man will take him. He flew over and photographed from every angle the stranded Dixie before any rescue vessel could come within a mile of where the Morgan liner lay pounding heavily to the impact of forty foot waves and an eighty mile gale. It was dangerous work, testing every re- source of pilot and photographer, with death facing them every mo- ment they were in the tossing plane.
On the way back to Miami, Lyons discovered from the air the catastrophe that had overtaken the veterans on the Keys, and induced the Coast Guard pilot to fly over the destroyed camp so he could photograph that. Back in Miami, Lyons called up Ford. The newsreel editor had already bought by phone, a Cadillac, and it lay with engine running, ready for Lyons to make the trip to Jack- sonville. In Jacksonville, he would have just time to catch a train, and all provisions had been made for the insur- ance and packing of the precious film. It was late Wed- nesday night.
All this time, Ford had not had a wink of sleep for two nights, but he felt that he was just on the brink of scoring one of the biggest newsreel triumphs of his career. That evening, Wednesday, Lyons was to call him from Jack- sonville. But if Ford hadn't slept, neither had Lyons, and he had had the physical experience of pitting his strength against the elements when they were on a wild rampage. At times the hurricane had registered 120 miles an hour. He was at the end of his strength. If he could only make the four hundred miles to Jackson- ville with the only shots made of the Dixie. But he couldn't. (Continued on Page 27)
Charles Ford,
Editor of Universal Newsreel
10
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 14, 1935
Robert Young, tcho plays Tony.
Edward Arnold, who plays Harrison the astute detective who solves the crime
Constance Cummings, who plays Carlotta
Sally Eilers, who plays Betty Hurling
Remember Last Night?
EVERYTHING probably would have been ali right if Tony Milburn hadn't explored the Huling estate, on Long Island, and had found Vic Huling dead in bed, with a bullet in his heart.
Everybody could have gone on quite happily.
But he did. And, after that, Pro- fessor Jones was drilled in the back — Faronea got a knife in his spleen — and Baptiste, the second chauffeur of the Hulings, was found dead in bed under mysterious circumstances.
It was all very puzzling to every- one including the people who were on the party the night before, when everyone got tight.
But Danny Harrison, the ace detec- tive, managed to figure out the ans- wers with the aid of Tony and Car- lotta Milburn.
The work of Harrison is amply set forth in the Universal production, at times mysterious, at times, gruesome and at times very funny, "Remember
Gustav von Seyffertitz and
Robert Young
Last Night?" produced by, Carl Laemmle, Jr.
Universal has "gone to town" on the picture.
All of the gay Long Island back- grounds are shown in their original and colorful beauty. Camera work
lends an eerie beauty to the produc- tion. James Whale directs with true artistry and fidelity to every detail.
The cast includes Edward Arnold star of Universal's oustanding film,
"Diamond Jim."
Sept. ! 4, 1935;
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
11
Ed. Brophy, who plays Maxie, discovers a clue.
BECAUSE he is a master of the mysterious and the eerie in motion pictures and, at the same time, po- ssesses a fine sense of humor, James Whale, so-called "horror expert" at Universal City, was chosen by Carl Laemmle, Jr., to direct the gripping and yet at times humorous "Remember Last Night?", co-featuring Edward Arnold, Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers and Robert Young.
Whale, during the five years that he has been at Uni- versal; has been credited with such outstanding box-office attractions as "Frankenstein," the sensational "Invisible Man," which broke box office records the world over, and, more recently,
"The Bride of Frankenstein."
Wale was born at Dudley, Staffs,
Great Britain, July
22. 1 896. „ . x
The first of the murders in ‘'Remember Last Night?”
Robert Young and
Edward Arnold
Reginald Denny and Edward Arnold
Louise Henry, Monroe Owsley, Robert Young, Sally Eilers and Reginald Denny
Merriment for supper.
Murder for breakfast.
A fast-moving, fast-thinking de- tective.
A hypnotist who knows all the answers.
Guns popping — knives flashing through the air — persons found dead in the most unexpected places.
All these thrills — plus a large as- sortment of laughs — are in store for you when you see Universal's "Remember Last Night?" produc- ed by Carl Laemmle, Jr., anti di- rected by James Whale.
And what a cast! Edward Ar- nold, star of "Diamond Jim." Con- stance Cummings, star of "Glam- our." Sally Eilers, star of "Alias Mary Dow." "Robert Young fea- tured in "The Red Salute." Robert Armstrong, hero of "G-Men." and many others.
Danny, Betty and Billy at the seance.
IT'S COT A HEART, ANE
SOUL, AND BOX OFFICE!
It's so human that every patron will shower it with laughter, tears and love!
ANDA
QUEEN
With Frankie Darro, Henry Armetta, William Benedict, Billy Burrud, Charlotte Henry. Story by Chester Beecroft and Harry Poppe.
Directed by Edward Ludwig. Produced by Ben Verschleiser. A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
Presented by Carl Laemmle.
14:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 14, 1935
ARRIVING on the giant 'Normandie's' latest trip West, Marta Eggerth, viva- cious, blonde and versatile Hungarian grand opera, concert and cinema star. Miss Eggerth is under long term contract to Universal for American films. Her initial screen venture in this country will be "Song of Joy" which Paul Kohner (who produced her outstanding Euro- pean picture) will make. Miss Eggerth is arriv- ing at Universal City this Saturday with her mother.
Edward Sutherland, the director who made such a success with Edward Arnold in his first starring venture, "Diamond Jim," was selected to direct Marta Eggerth's first picture. Mr. Sutherland came to New York to meet his star, who spent nearly a week in New York, looking at the sights, being photographed by Hal Phyfe and Irving Chidnoff, being interviewed by Eileen Creelman of the Sun, Irene Thirer of the Post, Frank Nugent of the Times, Re- gina Crewe of the American, and almost all of the fan magazines. A very swanky party was thrown by the Publicity Department for her at the Hotel Pierre. Contrary to all prece- dent, Miss Eggerth sang two songs, one of which she had composed herself, to the ac- companiment of a Hungarian orchestra.
Miss Eggerth, latest of the operatic Hall of Fame to join the American movies has advan- tages over her rivals now in Hollywood not only in being younger in years but older in
Marta Eggerth on the Normandie
Dorothy Page t vises her up.
I
Charlie Leonard and Morris
Sept. 14, I935r
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
15
Whata night! What a night!
— —
mm
Marta Eggerth entertains Mrs. McLean, Irene T hirer, Alice Shupper, C.J. Videla, Dorothy Page, Radie Har- ris and May Ninomiya
screen experience. She has already made 20 pictures in five different languages. Being ’camerawise' and opera trained, Miss Eggerth just twenty-one, plans to make the most of her opportunities and Carl Laemmle, Universal president, has issued instructions to the studio to give her every advantage in story, cast and direction in her American screen debut.
Born in Budapesth, Miss Eggerth began her professional singing career at the tender age of ten. At thirteen she toured the Scandinavi- an countries in concert singing in eight lan- guages and at fourteen was the prima donna of a Budapesth light opera company with lead- ing composers writing vehicles for her. Before she had reached the age of sixteen she had made 260 operatic appearances. Among her outstanding screenplays have been "Ufinished Symphony" and "My Heart is Calling," shown in America recently, "Blonde Carmen," "Cas- ta Diva" (just awarded Mussolini international medal prize for the best picture of the year) and "Her Greatest Success." The latter two have been showing in Paris and Berlin for more than a year and "Unfinished Symphony" has run over two years in the same metropoli.
The newest Universal star weighs 105 pounds, is five feet three inches tall, has brown eyes and blonde hair. A coloratura soprano, Miss Eggerth's vocal range is regarded as the broadest in Europe, for she sings an 'A' above high ’C.'
The ship news photograph- ers demanded these two poses as Marta Eggerth came up the Bay on the Normandie.
9m
Carl Laemmle speaking, and MAKING GOOD the Current Hits Universal promised you!
IRENE DUNNE in John M. Stahl’s production of MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION” with Robert Tay- lor, Charles Butterworth and Betty Furness . . . From the best seller by Lloyd C. Douglas . . . (Now in production).
MARGARET SULLA VAN and FRANCIS LEDERER in “NEXT TIME WE LOVE” . . . From Ursula Par- rott’s newest novel! . . . Directed by E. H. Griffith.
WILLIAM POWELL in “MY MAN GODFREY” A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Production . . . From the Lib- erty Magazine serial by Eric Hatch.
A “SUTTER’S GOLD” . . . From the epic novel by • Blaise Cendrars . . . An Edmund Grainger Produc-
tion . . . Directed by James Cruze.
IRENE DUNNE in “SHOW BOAT” . . . Edna Fer- ber’s Immortal Classic! . . . Music by Jerome Kern A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Production . . . Directed by
James Whale.
CONSTANCE
CUMMINGS
CARL LAEMMLE PRESENTS A
EDWARD ARNOLD • CONSTAR
and ROBERT
GREGORY
RATOFF
with ROBERT ARMSTRONG • LOUISE HEN!
STORY BY ADAM HOBHOVSE • SCREENPLAY BY I!1 Directed by JAMES WHALE * (CORRECTED BILLING)
ROBERT
YOUNG
tfIVERSAL PICTURE STARRING
IS CUMMINGS* • SALLY EILERS irOUNG In
• GREGORY RATOFF • REGINALD DENNY
IIS MALLOY, HARRY CLORK and DAN TOTHEROH
A CARL LAEMMLE, JR. Production
20
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 14, 1935
LATEST NEWS FROM UNIVEK
Dr. Hugh Young of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, who operated on Diamond Jim Brady, visits the studio where “ Diamond Jim ” was made into a record-breaking movie. Left to right, Libby Young and Vi Watt, popular Baltimore debutantes, Robert Young and Constance Cummings, featured in “ Remember Last Night?”, Dr. Hugh Young, and Robert Hershon,
Universal staff writer.
Will Hays Welcomes Edgar A. Guest
ILL H. HAYS, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America has sent Ed- gar A. Guest, Detroit poet-philoso- pher an enthusiastic welcome to the motion picture industry. And, the film czar has also added a word of con- gratulation to Carl Laemmle, Univer- sal president who saw in Guest a prospective screen star although the famous newspaperman had never ap- peared on the stage or before a camera.
In writing Mr. Guest, Mr. Hays said in part ... "I was very much pleased to learn that you are entering picture production . . . You are fa-
it s memory will thrill you!
Julian Josephson, who wrote the continuity for "State Fair" and whose George Arliss vehicle "The Million- aire" will be long remembered is now writing Mr. Guests's first Universal picture with directorial assignments to be announced shortly.
At Universal City
Waldorf Astoria. In a curtain speech, he referred to his coming picture with Margaret Sullavan with the utmost enthusiasm. Rose Franken, author of "Another Language," has completed the screenplay which will be directed by Edward H. Griffith.
Laemmle Buys Optimistic Drama
“Tomorrow Will Be A Better Day ”
TRUE to his promise to make Universal studio 'the op- portunity studio of the industry' Carl Laemmle has purchased an original drama "Tomorrow Will be a Better Day" from William Thiele and Edmund L. Hartmann and will give one of the authors, Mr. Thiele an opportunity to direct it. "Tomorrow Will be a Better Day" deals with the many business and social problems which confront one man during the course of a single day and evening and reveals how, by an ingenious method he overcomes every obstacle before the next rising sun and finds in the new day surprising happiness. Houston Branch is now at work on the adaptation of the story and Paul Kohner will act as associate producer.
mous for those homely qualities which appeal to every human heart. The screen, going as it does to every crossroads of the world is a natural field for the expression of that ability that has endeared you to the hearts of so many thousands."
FRANCIS LEDERER
FRANCIS LEDERER, who will be co- starred with Margaret Sullavan in Ursula Parrott's novel, "Next Time We Love," arrived by plane at Uni- versal City today. He flew back from New York, where he had attended the press review of his latest picture, 'The Gay Deception," held at the
Sept. 14, 1935;
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY!
oAL CITY STUDIOS
^ ^ ^
Chas. Bickford Saves Trainer Murphy s Life Filming ' East of Java"
CHARLES B. MURPHY, veteran an- imal trainer and keeper of the Uni- versal City Zoo, was saved from se- rious injury and possible death today by Charles Bickford, red-headed he- man of the films, when he was attack- ed by a leopard. The accident oc- curred during the filming of the mo- tion picture, "East of Java" starring Bickford, on the back ranch at Uni- versal City.
Murphy was putting the animals through their paces on an improvised ship when one of the beasts leaped from the ship into a temporary arena. While Elizabeth Young, Leslie Fenton, Clarence Muse and other members of the cast looked on with horror, Mur- phy advanced on him and sought to drive him into what is called a "shift- ing crate" for return to the deck of the vessel.
The animal, instead of backing into the cage, sprang at Murphy and grabbed his arm. The fact that Mur- phy had wrapped both his arms with heavy cloth saved him. He fought free of the animal, which was about to spring again when Bickford leaped from the boat, armed with a pitch- fork, and held the desperate animal at bay while Murphy equipped him- self with another fork. Both men, us- ing forks, drove the animal into the crate.
Bickford, Murphy, and George Melford, the director, worked to- gether in the filming of "East of Bor- neo," some years ago. It was expe- rience on this film which led Bickford to know what to do and to act quick- ly. Murphy's only injury was a long gash on his arm, caused by the leop- ard on the first leap.
"EAST OF JAVA" CLEVER MAKE-UP
W ho is this blood-thirsty looking individual who is one of the fea- tured players in “ East of Java?” He is a splendid actor, a master of make-up, matinee idol, and a mystery man. Who is he?
Cast of "His Night Out"
THE cast for "H is Night Out," which went into produc- tion at Universal City this week, starring Edward Ev- erett Horton, is rapidly rounding into shape. Irene Her- vey is the leading lady. The cast already includes Robert McWade, Oscar Apfel, Greta Meyer, Willard Robertson, Dewey Robinson, Lola Lane, Charles Reagan, Ward Bond, Theodore Von Eltz, Priscilla Lawson, a Universal junior, who will make her debut in this picture, Arch Robbins, Jack Kennedy, George Chandler, Billy Burrud, Rollo Lloyd, Vir- ginia Howell, Jack Norton and Charles Carnevale. "His Night Out" is adapted by Harry Clork and Doris Malloy from the story by Charles Christensen. It is being directed by William Nigh
It's an eternity of entertainment !
22
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
iSept. 14, 1935
Butterfield, Schine, and Jefferson Deals
(Continued from Page 8)
Mr. Grainger also announced the closing of a deal with the Schine Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., with 47
important situations in New York State and in Ohio. The deal was clos- ed in Mr. Grainger's office and in- cludes all of the 1935-1936 product.
Myer Schine and George Lynch rep- resented the circuit, and J. R. Grain- ger and Frank McCarthy the Univer- sal Exchanges.
M. A. Lightman Instructs His Managers
M writing especially concerning DIAMOND JIM BRADY. Here is a 100% showman's picture. It will rise or fall according to you. I think it has everything that a showman wants to really step on the picture and sell it to the public. It is colorful, it is real, it is human, it abounds in romance and adventure, it depicts the life of one of America's most col- orful citizens, it shows the one thing that gives every red-blooded Ameri- can a thrill, namely, the rise of a poor working lad to the very heights of financial success. The character is one of the most unique in history. Imagine a man who actually lived right here only recently who was ec- centric enough to wear diamonds
Here is a letter to theatre managers which Mr. Light- man permits the Weekly to print.
carved into railroad trains and various other objects of commerce. This is a true fact. Brady wore such diamonds on his fingers, his shirt, his tie and in the lapel of his coat. He always had several hundred thousands invested in personal diamonds.
Arnold has never done anything to approach his characterization of "DIAMOND JIM" The picture is so well done that one never realizes that it isn't real.
I want you to study the press book
that is being sent you today and get as thoroughly familiar with this char- acter as you can and use a vigorous advance campaign, refreshing the minds of the people with the high- lights of his career. Bear in mind that Brady was no doubt one of the great- est salesmen of all times. I know that if you will give the matter your most serious thought, you will devise some means of setting a pace that we can use in our various towns, as yours is the first engagement. I am going to watch the results very closely. There- fore you might accept this letter more or less as a challenge, so don't let me down.
Regards,
M. O. LIGHTMAN
50
DOLLARS
FOR
GOOD
IDEAS
Whether you're an exhibitor or a pro- jectionist— you can earn $50.00 with every good idea for the improvement of Universal pictures which I accept. You see pictures every day and you know what audiences think. Why not send in your suggestion?
CARL LAEMMLE
Young America Says:
Iona R. Lawrence, motion picture editor of Young America, says " 'She Gets Her Man' is good entertain- ment. And for ZaSu Pitts' violent fans it will be a field day!" (Universal)
A UNIVERSAL CAST
IS WORTH REPEATING
“DIAMOND JIM ”
"A fine film starring Edward Ar- nold and telling the life story of a colorful figure in American history." (Universal)
DEALS-
( Con tin ued from Page 8)
Texas. Messrs. Joe and Tom Clem- mons of the Jefferson Amusement Company, of which Sol Gordon is President, were in New York for sev- eral days this week with Mr. Grainger, during which time the contract was signed. Universal was represented by Mr. Grainger, Mr. Harry Graham, and Mr. Edward Olsmith.
LA UNIVERSAL CAST IS WORTH REPEATING ]
Diamond Jim". EDWARD ARNOLD
Jane JLaihews . . . JEAN ARTHUR
Lillian Russell BINNIE BARNES
Jerry Richardson
Jlr. lax
Charles 8 Horsley . 0 he ‘Pawnbroker . . . .
Jtr Jtoore
Jouehey
Sank President . . . .
Harry Hill
Jeweler
Jewelry Salesman . . a Minister
CE6AI KOMEXO
EUC BLOKE
... HUGH O’CONNELL
GEORGE SIDNEY
...B08ERT M5WADE
CHARLES SELL0N
HENRY JCOLKER
.YYILLIAM DEMAREST ..... .ALBERT CONTI
ARMAND KALiZ
. TULLY MARSHALL
Here is the cast of “ Diamond Jim.” Starting with this feature, Universal Pictures will all carry casts at the end. Don’t stop at “the end” hut keep on running the repeat cast. Thanks.
AND ALL. FROM THE SAME COMPANY...
'//'IF '
THE
Ki
Starring
// '
Jff I
JACK HOLT
With Mona Barrie, Antonio Moreno, Gene Lockhart, Grant Withers, Barry Norton, George Lewis Directed by W. Christy Cabanne * Produced by Maurice Pivar * Presented by Carl Laemmle
UNIVERSAL
Starring
EDMUND LOWE
With DOROTHY PAGE, PINKY TOMLIN ED PAWLEY, LOUISE HENRY Charles Grapewin,ArthurVinton, Bradley Page,Clyde Dilson
Directed by Alan Crosland • Produced by Julius Bernheim • Presented by Carl Laemmle
UNIVERSAL
►
r
Starring
CHARLES FARRELL
With JUNE MARTEL, Andy Devine, J. Farrell MacDonald, Eddie Nugent, Ann Sheridan and All-American Football Stars
Original story by Stanley Meyer • Directed by Hamilton Macfadden A Fred S. Meyer Production * Ansel Friedberger, Associate Producer * Presented by Carl Laemmle
UNIVERSAL
Sept. 14, 1935 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = :?7
WHICH ONE IS THE MOVIE STAR?
Look at the tico players on the left, and decide tvhich is the football player and which is the movie star. If you can’t decide, read the story. The other two in the picture are I\ick Lukats, in the blue jersey, and Jim Thorpe, the greatest football player that ever lived.
WHO says that movie actors do not look like football players?
Strange to relate, there are some people who say that very thing after every football film is screened. These self- appointed experts claim that they can always tell the movie hero from the burly pigskin gladiators.
Here is a picture which proves they are wrong. It shows Charles Farrell, star of Universal's gridiron feature, "Fight- ing Youth" with Paul Schwegler, All-American moleskin
star of the University of Washington and they look enough alike to be twin brothers.
The picture was snapped in the huge Los Angeles Col- iseum, scene of the 1932 Olympic Games, where director Hamilton Macfadden has just completed shooting the football field sequences of "Fighting Youth." Two full games were played in these sequences. The opposing teams were made up from the whole University of Cali- fornia squad and such past and present marvels as Schwegler, Jim Thorpe the great Indian, Nick Lukats, Jim Purvis, "Moon" Mullins, "Dutch" Fehring, Dale Van Sickle, "Red" Christie, and Frank Baker. Farrell and Andy De- vine played through both games.
As the players gathered around Macfadden and tech- nical adviser Jeff Cravath of U.S.C., after a scrimmage, Schwegler and Farrell happened to stand side by side in the group. The resemblance in face and physique between the two men struck the official Universal staff photograph- er so forcibly that he took their picture unknown to them as they listened intently to the coach.
Incidentally, Charley Farrell not only looks like a great athlete but is one. He is the tennis champ of the film colony, ropes and rides like a cowboy, is a crack polo player, sails his own yacht and is a long distance swimmer of note. He was on his college boxing team and puts on the gloves with all comers, amateur or professional in daily workouts at the Hollywood A. C.
His leading lady in "Fighting Youth" is June Martel.
HOW THEY SHOT THE DIXIE DISASTER
(Continued from Page 9)
He had had no sleep and no food for two days.
As he stepped out of the booth, he collapsed. The po- lice picked him up, but naturally they didn't know how precious was his equipment and his cans of pictures.
In the morning Ford again took up his long distance di- rection of the desperate adventure. After two hours of failure to contact Lyons, in despair, he called up his own younger brother John who lives in Miami, but who knows nothing about photography. He gave him the facts and put it up to him to locate Lyons and rescue as much as possible of the wrecked newsreel story. Young Ford dis- covered that Lyons had walked across the street after telephoning Ford, and had dropped senseless to the street. Young Ford also located the film and the camera.
Young Ford gathered up everything that he could find, not knowing exposed film from unexposed. The Ford's spent $50.00 in long distance conversation while the Newsreel Editor tried to explain how to unlock and un- load an Ackeley camera, a job that is purposely made as intricate as possible. By this time, trains were running from Miami to Jacksonville. Young Ford insured the shipment for $5000, which the Telegraph Company reduced to $50.00, thinking the larger sum was extravagant. This well intentioned act caused further delay. A $5000 package would have been guarded with utmost care and not
dumped unceremoniously on the platform.
Ford, in New York, kept in contact with the shipment by phone and telegraph in the hope that he would be able to take the shipment off the train in Jacksonville, and send it by plane to New York. Flyers, however, were still grounded in Florida. However, the orders to take the shipment off at Jacksonville could not be countermanded! in time, and the precious film was heaved out on the plat- form at Jacksonville. It was 4 hours before another train..
A whole day had been lost and still no flying weather. It was not until noon on Friday that a plane sent out from New York intercepted the shipment at Roanoke, Va., and brought it to New York for showing Saturday morning.
Yourll wish it never ended!
BRING YOUR PATRONS
J rfu»«o^5a-
■C
THE MOST OVER
RRiFK SCENES EVER CAUGHT 3Y CAM WILD HORSES IN MAD STAMPEDE /
uA*u awBVffl SAH ROGERS, JJAffl®! MACDONALD FRED KCH^, RAYMOND wnON VgUIR MILLER^
WEX TClnq of Wild Horsts s - >
STAMPEDING TO SEE IT!
UM 1 V £ ft 5 ft t
!N
ONE of the sparkling DIAMOND JIM jewelry windows appearing in all key cities of the country. This particular flasher, one of many planted by Dave Idzal and Fred Schader for the Fox, Detroit run of Universal's blazing box-office beauty.
She Cot 'Em — In K. C.
I EAVE it to Bernard Joffee, fast-stepping M. D. at the Tower, K. C., to grab a good idea and put it to work! Those are "live" hands you see working in this display. They created so much hubub in the Tower
lobby that the
“JIM” OUGHTA BE PROUD!
Showmen Prove His By-Word—
“To Make Money You Gotta Look Like Money!”
I T'S grand — the way the country's crackerjack theatremen are pushing ■ "DIAMOND JIM" to stratosphere grosses! The record crackers are mak- ing money by making the picture look like money to the public — stamping it as a "special" by campaigning it all over town. They're spending money to make more money — and it is paying swell dividends! In later issues we will detail some of their great campaigns. Right now we simply have to shout "Thank you!" to Lou Metzger at San Diego — Hal Neides at Frisco — J. L. Schanberger at Baltimore — Harry Goldberg and Bill Huffman at Philadelphia — Harry Huffman of Denver — Ted Gamble of Portland — Irving Lesser and Morris Kinzler of New York — Fred Schader and Dave Idzal of Detroit, Frank Smith and Johnny Joseph at Chicago! There are many more on this list we will tell you about next week. They are doing a sweet job. "DIAMOND JIM" himself ought to be proud of their swelegant backing!
JOE WEIL
ABOVE — Schanberger's huge banner topping Bal- timore's busiest traffic thoroughfare.
LEFT — Hal Neides orange juice tie-up at the Or- pheum, Frisco. This conces- sion in lobby cinched hun- dreds of other locations about town.
mtmwn
Edward Arnold
AnfioR B«S*s
RIGHT— When Lou Metzger heard the stars were coming down to catch his DIAMOND JIM pre- view, he saw to it that the whole town turned out for the event. Here's just part of a bally that greeted them on their arrival — turning plenty of "noise" into box-office musicl
LCOWE UNIVERSAL STARS and PRODUCERS
Id Premiere DIAMON D JIM*
Sept. 14, l935:-~— - - -'-UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION = 5
"DIAMOND JIM-MYINC" FINE WINDOWS -AND HOW!
C-OIVN
'fiUrjwmri Hm •
RARNtS
'BtemonJ.km."
ABOVE — The Emporium, San Francisco's great store featured this style com- parison window for "DIAMOND JIM" using Binnie Barnes 3-sheet for contrast. Another palm for Hal Neides' Orpheum campaign.
BELOW — Hal Neides, Orpheum Theatre, Frisco, pro- moted this darb display in Goldberg-Bowen's famous food shop on the Main Street where at least a hundred thousand people saw it.
ABOVE — F. F. Vincent engineered Montgomery Ward San Diego store window as part of his "Diamond Jim" campaign for Lou Metzger's Spreckles Theatre.
BELOW — Philadelphia's "Diamond Jim" and the ban- nered tandem bicycle he piloted around the streets and to the theatre when he had a large crowd follow- ing. Just one of the stunts in a bang up campaign put over by Manager W. B. Huffman and Publicity Manager Harry Goldberg at the Stanton Theatre.
HOLD-OVERS TELL THE STORY!
At Both Theaters Tomorrow
si®
HE LOVED THE LADIES!
He tossed fortunes to the ravishing beau* ties who fought for his favor! The amaz- ing picture of the fascinating man whose riotous, reckless, spectacular life became the talk of the World!
The man who discovered L Lillian Russell . . . intimate i
\ friend of Anna Held ... /
l\ John L. Sullivan and thou- /
I \ sands of great personalities. / |
l?#3r.
Sul'1’, C1»IS
>os'l,wic»
'liViWv'
falxes
flACI Of onsoir
He toss^t-forwnc^ro raviihing1 beauties'^ fougnt for his favor1 ' amazing picture of the I cinanng man who rose ff baEK^ee smasher to Atr N^sj&sgreatest speruiai
WhQt, a Man f He Was!
His Women... His Jewels. ..and His Millions... Were Delicious Scandals!:::::
At Portrayd by
EDWARD
ARNOLD
Jean Arthur Binnie Barnes
will tell you It’s' the finest picture
'* I* l‘ •• • V' /f
Thrillingly Portrayed by the Screen’s Newest Star
EDWARD ARNOLD
Jean Arthur Binnie Barnes
PLUS— SPECIAL ADDED ATTRACTION
“RA-MU HAILE SELASSIE”
A feature length expedition of the most talked about country in the world today, ETHIOPIA ... A personal screen interview with its Emperor, Haile Selassie See his royal recruits parade before him in courtly splen- dor . . . See, in action, the headlines of today's papers.
LOVED
LADIES
THE
EDWARD
ARNOLD
WITH 5 JEAN 1
ARTHUR |
BINNIE 1
BARNES I
(I) Two column x V/2" third week New York Roxy ad (2) Three column x 9" from both Fox and Ambassador, St. Louis (3) Two column x 31/*” from Stanton, Philadelphia (4) Two column x b^/2" from Fox, Detroit (5) Single column x b^/2" from Fox, Detroit (6) Two col- umn x 7 hold-over from Orpheum, San Francisco.
FIRST!
• FIRST ON THE FIRING LINE!
• FIRST TO SHOOT!
• FIRST TO SHOW!
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL
GRAHAM McNAMEE Announcing
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
manages
CLIFF03D THEATRE 5937 17 ROOSEVELT RD CHICAGO ILL
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
STATION F-U-N !
Announcing Oswald, star of comedy cartoon stars, in his very latest honey of a short, "AMATEUR BROADCAST."
THE LUCKY RABBIT
Printed in U. S. A.
UniVERSAL WEEKLY
VOL. 37, no. 9
- M
REMEMBER "MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS"? "AH-H-H-H!" YOU’LL SAY, "THERE WAS A MUSICAL PRODUCTION I"...WELL, THAT GOES TRIPLE-AND MORE-FOR ITS SWEET SUCCESSOR, "SWEET SURRENDER"! SO WATCH AND PREPARE FOR IT!
T -
**-■■■ ■*
V Carl Laemmle presents ^
ZASU PITTS HUGH O'CONNELL
in their newest Universal laugh-fest . . . With Walter Catlett + Inez Courtney + Thomas Dugan + Mae Busch + James Burke Buster Phelps
Directed by Kurt Neumann. Produced by Dayid Diamond.
8
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
-Sept. 28, 1935
Hugh O’Connell fig- uring how to get rid of Catlett.
This is the thenie song of “ The Affair of Susan.”
The AFFAIRof SUSAN
ZaSu Pitts gets a swell idea i n “ Twenty Lessons in the Art of Love.”
A HUGE amusement park duplicating exactly many of the entertainment devices at Coney Island, N.
Y., was constructed at Universal City, California, for the gay scenes which are shown on the screen in the new feature "The Affair of Susan," co-starring ZaSu Pitts and High O'Connell. A coal mine, roulette wheel on which human beings ride, Ferris wheel, and a roller coaster were among the many concessions erected temporarily for the filming of the rollicking production at a cost of more than $100,000.
For other devices, the entire company, including Walter Catlett, Inez Courtney, Thomas Dugan, William Pawley and Irene Franklin, was transported to Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica, famous Southern Calif- ornia seaside resorts, to attain realism.
On sound stages, the interiors of both a candy fac- tory and an automobile assembly plant were reconstructed according to scale on the huge sound stages.
Right, W alter Catlett, who keeps two hearts asunder in “ The Affair of Susan.”
ZaSu Pitts, most amusing suf- ferer in the world in “ The Affair of Susan.”
k
Sept. 28, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
i, Hughie ct\tld you!"
note
What It’s All About
CAST as a young woman who installs tails on candy dogs and a young man who puts tail-lights on auto- mobiles who are very, very lonesome, ZaSu Pitts and Hugh O'Connell furnish the hilarious comedy and the tender pathos for Universal's tale of a Coney Island ro- mance, "The Affair of Susan." This production all Holly- wood is watching to see how Universal has handled dia- logue, pantomime and music.
The story finds ZaSu grieving because all the other tail installers in the candy factory have young men, but putting on a brave front. At the same time the shy O'Connell, former New York stage star, who hasn't had a date for years, pretends to his dating companions that he is in the throes of a romance with an heiress.
Hugh, chronically guilty of gross but harmless exag- gerations, goes to Coney Island to forget his lonesome feeling, and ZaSu does the same thing. They finally meet, in spite of the highly intoxicated interference of comic Walter Catlett. Love burgeon.' on a roller coaster, goes into full bloom on the shoot-the-chutes and then, without knowing each others' names, they are separated by an accident. Hilarious and yet touching incidents occur as they try to locate each other once more . . . and finally do so under amazing circumstances.
Interfer- ence catches up with the “ Love Birds ” again.
Here's where Catlett loses an eye, but Hugh should icorry.
Even the scenic rail- way isn’t sacred to Catlett.
wo Sc ts «
Living
Statuary
mm
Alone together at last. Hugh persuades the fluttering ZaSu that the best thing for them to do is to fly together — back to New York. A scene from “ The Affair of Susan.”
$1000
fiS«NTS A universal thiumph
iOHSTANCE CUMMINS . *****4^
1 D ROBERT YQU]Vg
greatest
E'S
HoP5*W™t
'V°”“ ,u°' *$»»$§<
**v ^EMMtE' j" **o„Vr
12
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 28, 1935
Thrills and Chills
SELECTION of the best-selling mys- tery novel, "Hangover Murders," written by Adam Hobhouse, for mo- tion picture production by Carl Laemmle, Jr., resulted from the fact that it contained thrills and chills, a smart and exclusive background and plenty of humor. Young Mr. Laemmle, noted producer, read more than thirty mystery novels before finding exactly what he wanted.
Under his personal direction, three noted scenarists, Harry Clork, Doris Malloy and Dan Totheroh spent months working on the script. On top of this, Laemmle selected James Whale as director, mainly because he has turned out the finest mystery sto- ries the industry ever has known, in- cluding "Frankenstein," "The Invis- ible Man," and "Bride of Franken- stein."
The title was changed to "Remem- ber Last Night?"
Laemmle personally selected his own cast, with enough star names to make three ordinary pictures.
MAGNIFICENT SETTINGS
Danny Harrison, the brainy detective tcho unravels the complicated and often fearsome details of the murders which cause all of the complications in “ Remember Last Night?” It furnishes Edward Arnold with a great follow-up to his starring picture, “Diamond Jim.” He will be in many more Universal pictures.
HOUSANDS of visitors to Univer- sal City, California, during the summer months asked above all else that they might be permitted to view the magnificent sets constructed on Universal sound stages for the weird, mysterious and at times humorous "Remember Last Night?" depicting life in the fast Long Island crowd.
Two hundred thousand dollars were invested in materials and labor for the home and garages which were erected on the Universal City sound stages. More than two hundred men labored for more than two months before they reached perfec- tion, and before Southern California was searched for special pieces of furniture to fit the various rooms of the mansion. In fact, even designers of the clothing worn by the actresses were called in, and told to design dresses which harmonized with the va-
rious rooms in the modern mode.
A single entrance hallway to the mansion was one hundred feet long and fifty feet wide, with stairs leading to the second floor twenty-five feet wide. A huge crystal chandelier was specially designed to ornament this hall, and expensive paintings lined its sides. The stairs were of marble.
The living room in which much of the action took place was lined with burnt orange satin, giving a special sheen for photographic effect. Huge French windows, twenty-five feet high, reached from floor to ceiling. On the walls of this room and the li- brary were specially painted Greek murals, which caused the costume de- signers to give evening dresses with Greek motifs to the various actresses.
In addition a six-car garage, a coun- try roadhouse, a bachelor abode and gardens were built for this picture.
Edward Arnold as Danny Har- rison, and his ubiquitous as- sistant, Maxic, played by Ed Brophy, who is becoming one of the comedy hits of screen.
Sept. 28, 19355;
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
Harrison, the ace detective, asks the mo- mentous ques- tion of Carlotta Milburn, play- ed by Con- stance C u m- mings, — “Re- member Last Night?”
Harrison showing a bit of important evidence to Tony Milburn, played by Robert Young, the romantic lead of the season’s most important picture, “Remember Last Night?”
Harrison asks Betty Huling, played by Scdly Eilers, where she was last night.
“Remember Last Night?” asks Harrison, the demon detective, of Fred Flannagan, first chauffeur of the Hul- ings, and the first sus- pect in the case. Robert Armstrong.
illy Arnold, layed by Mon- >e Owsley, irreptitiously leets Penny hitridge. One f them cer- \inly will “ Re- ember Last Night?” rs it Louise Henry?
Jack IF hitridge ( Reginald Den- ny) comes un- der the merci- less scrutiny of Danny Harri- son (Edward Arnold) in the latter’s clever recon- struction of one of the oddest, most exciting and most fantastic mov- ing picture of the year, “R e m e m b e r Last Night?”
As a smashing, crashing All-American football star — a twisting, fighting, unstoppable back — hitting the line hard and bringing the crowds to their feet with mad cheers as he plunges through for a touchdown! A great Charles Farrell in a great new role!
Universal's Greatest of All Football Pictures! With JUNE MARTEL + Andy Devi ? J. Farrell MacDonald ♦ Eddie Nugent + Ann Sheridan and many All-Ameri) Football Stars! A Fred S. Meyer Production presented by Carl Laemmle. Direcl a by Hamilton Macfadden. Original story by Stanley Meyer. Ansel Friedberger, Assoc. Pr i
16 — — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =Sept. 28, 1935
The Roll of Honor
The Following Exhibitors in the Indianapolis Territory have used Universal Pictures Consecutively:
|
EXHIBITOR |
THREE YEARS THEATRE |
TOWN |
|
E. L. Rakes |
Princess |
Sturgis, Ky. |
|
Mrs. A. Elice |
FOUR YEARS Masonic |
New Washington, Ind. |
|
Oscar Fine |
FIVE YEARS Columbia |
Evansville, Ind. |
|
Ralph T. Fisher |
Maumee |
Ft. Wayne, Ind. |
|
Gail E. Lancaster |
SIX YEARS Jefferson and Huntington |
Huntington, Ind. |
|
Fred Dolle |
4th Ave. Amusement Co. |
Louisville, Ky. |
|
J. B. Green |
Princeton |
Princeton, Ind. |
|
Mrs. Boyd Bell |
SEVEN YEARS Lyceum |
Terre Haute, Ind. |
|
L. L. Jenner |
EIGHT YEARS Rialto |
Marengo, Ind. |
|
Mrs. L. M. Prewitt |
Prewitt |
Plainfield, Ind. |
|
Miss F. Jacobson |
ELEVEN YEARS Dixie |
Louisville, Ky. |
|
Charles Tamler |
TWELVE YEARS Tacoma |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
|
S. H. Grove |
SEVENTEEN YEARS Capitol |
Louisville, Ky. |
|
Tonv H. Nellesen |
NINETEEN YEARS Capitol & Creighton |
Ft. Wayne, Ind. |
|
A. C. Zaring |
TWENTY YEARS Zaring |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
|
C. M. Walker |
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS Irving |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
|
M. Marcus |
TWENTY-SIX YEARS Emboyd |
Ft. Wayne, Ind. |
EVER SINCE CARL LAEMMLE HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS
Bruce Aspley Aspley Glasgow, Ky.
J. M. Wentiell Norman Louisville, Ky.
FLOYD BROWN, Mgr.
"WEAK-HEARTED H NOT SEE THIS E:
No. 831 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
Universal has produced a two-reel picture which will simply knock 'em dead.
It is called "Camera Thrills."
— — wmmmm m — mmm mm M mm^m ^ ^ ^ __________
It is the most exciting picture made in the history of the screen.
No title could possibly do justice to it.
The material in these two reels is far more important than any title ever devised by the most acute brain in this business.
This two-reeler "Camera Thrills" is so exciting that I do not think it should be seen by even the hardest -boiled movie fan in the world, unless he has a strong heart.
i
Therefore, you are completely justified in advertising it for just exactly what it is — namely, the biggest two reels in the world.
There is nothing better than truth in advertising, there- fore there is no better way to exploit this two-reeler than
1C EXCITEMENT
to tell the plain truth about it, including a very frank warn- ing that nobody with a weak heart should see it.
Universal presents "Camera Thrills'' for three reasons:
First, to make money for Universal and for you.
Second, to pay a much-deserved tribute to the nerviest men in all the world — the Newsreel Cameramen.
Third, to give the hard-boiled movie fans the kick of their lives.
You cannot possibly see "Camera Thrills" without being stirred to the very depth of your soul. Neither can your audiences. You are going to be bowled over by the very gall and nerve and personal bravery of the Universal news- reel men who took these pictures in the very face of death.
Run "Camera Thrills" but first warn your folks not to see it unless they are strong of heart and eager for terrific excitement.
Advertise it honestly for just what it is — and turn an amazing two-reeler into an amazing profit.
STORIES FOR NEWSPAPERS of
■' -i^
Dave Oliver, llifiversal’s most embattled cameraman endeavoring to save his camera during the riots u-hich upset Havana, caused 1,000 deaths in the insurrection, and caused Dave Oliver, to be imprisoned.
TOOK LIFE IN HAND
FILMING a revolution in the making is just part of the day's work to the Universal camera men who film "Camera Thrills" the feature which comes to the theatre
on When the people of
Cuba rose against the Machado government in 1933, two of the company's ace thrill re- corders Dave diver and Joe Gibson were on the job in the strife-torn island from the first sign of trouble.
With no protection but their own courage and wit they set out to get reels of the ma- chadista machine gun squads which were cruising the streets in fast cars and shooting down the street-corner mass meetings held by the disaffected citizens. While filming such a slaughter, Gibson was laid low with 17 ma- chine gun bullets in his legs. Oliver had his head split open by a soldier's gun-butt and was hauied off to jail with his camera. Ma- chado gave orders for his death.
As soon as he got out Oliver went right on shooting his gruesome street scenes.
A THRILL A SECOND
(GENERAL ADVANCE STORY)
CARRYING a content of sixty thrills to the minute, with Graham MacNamee, noted radio announcer and Talking Reporter of the screen supplying the rapid fire comments on the action, "Camera Thrills," Universal's new feature comes to the theatre on
These thrills were collected by Universal cameramen from the four corners of the earth. Many of them were shot at risk of life or limb by these newsgatherers of the films while on the job covering revolutions, dangerous strike riots, fires and airplane crashes. Trans- porting such film after photographing, by ocean liner, fast plane, speedboat and auto- mobile constituted a thrill in itself suitable for a chapter in the feature. The picture was pre- pared for the screen by Charles E. Ford, head of Universal Newsreel.
Among the most sensational scenes of "Camera Thrills" are the assassination of King Alexander of Jugoslavia and French minister Barthou as they rode through the streets of Marseilles, the burning of the steamship, Morro Castle, the Chicago Stockyards fire, the fighting in the San Francisco strike, where cameramen were forced to wear bullet proot vests and steel helmets in braving the dangei zone, and testing of bullet proof glass.
AT A GLANCE
Title
Narrator
Supervised and Arranged for the Screen by
Music Accompaniment by
Length
Brand
"Camera Thrills" Graham MacNamee Charles E. Ford Milton Schwarzwald
Two Reels
Universal Feature
BUT THE RACE MUST CO ON!
Sensational spill in the Ascot Races, tchere the demons of the track defy death at every turn. Four cars crash in this sensational shot in the famous Ascot Races. From “'Camera Thrills''
"CAMERA THRILLS”
WORE BULLET PROOF VESTS
(ADVANCE)
THEY wore bullet proof vests, steel helmets and gas masks. Their or- ders were to go wherever the fighting was thickest and get what they were sent after. There were only two of them, John McHenry and Mervyn Freeman and they were unarmed, surrounded by hostile forces.
This scene did not take place in wartime France but in peactime Am- erica. McHenry and Freeman, Uni- versal cameramen were on assign- ment to get the reels of the San Francisco general strike which form part of the Universal feature, "Cam- era Thrills" which comes to the
theatre on
Their risks included life itself. Six thousand troops armed with guns, bayonets, gas and armored cars were in conflict with the strikers. The civic authorities anxious to keep, news from going out, gave the camera men no help. They had to set up their own secret service but they shot the scenes.
Took A Brave Man
(CURRENT)
IT takes a brave man to give the world a thrill and it takes just as brave a man to film it for the movies. How true this is may be seen from some of the experiences of one of the camera men who filmed the Universal feature, "Camera Thrills," now at the theatre. This camera- man's name is Joe Gibson and he would be surprised to be told that there was anything brave in the deeds he does as part of a day's work, al- though they would whiten the average man's hair.
Gibson was once assigned to take a picture of how fast a motor boat could go. So he had himself lashed to the bow of Gar Wood's Miss Am- erica and got pictures of the craft speeding at 110 miles an hour. He flew with the U. S. Hell Divers and got reels of their dizzy escapades.
He took pictures of Lee Bible driv- ing a racing car at 202 miles an hour at Daytona Beach, Florida. Bible's car swerved and killed Gibson's fellow cameraman, Chas. Traub.
A distinctly American form of enter- tainment called the Rodeo holds thrills for thousands. In this picture, the rider of a steer is being gored by the infur- iated mount. From “Camera Thrills ”
Thumbnail Synopsis
MOST sensational events in the world of to-day: a screen pa- rade of war, revolution, fires, flood and hairbreadth escape, the death of kings and perils by land, air and sea, filmed on the actual scene by daredevil camera men at the risk of their lives.
FUNERAL PYRE FOR A BRAVE AIRMAN
De Pined o starting on p transcontinental flight to Rome, cracks up in the most spectacular air shot ever made by a moving picture camera, a high spot in Camera Thrills. From " Camera Thrills ”
REVIEW
IF you have any doubt that truth can be stranger than fiction and a lot more thrilling
go to the theatre where they are
exhibiting a feature called "Camera Thrills" and you will have your doubts set at rest. Uni- versal is sponsor for this picture and it is the most exciting thing of its kind this reviewer has seen in the course of several seasons. The scenes are tense in themselves and the action is heightened by a very effective monologue delivered by the narrator, Graham MacNa- mee, noted radio announcer and screen com- mentator.
No better idea of the strenuous times we live in can be had than by seeing a picture like "Camera Thrills." The high light of the film is perhaps the assassination of King Alexander of Jugoslavia which packs a punch to the emo- tions like dynamite, but other scenes such as views of the strike riots in Minneapolis, San Francisco, and other labor storm centers run it a close second. Then there are air thrills, rodeo thrills, the Morro Castle ablaze, steeplechasing thrills and spills in merry England and others as good.
BOOST IT IN TRUE BARNUM STYLE! GIVE I*
li
am CAMERA
THE WAY YOU PLAY IT UP:
■ T'S as big as a feature in money-malcing possibilities. It's success ' depends upon the way you play it up. Front billing — marquee display — special critic handling — extensive one sheet posting — these are stepping stones to extra box-office receipts for you. CIRCUS THE TITLE! Use snipes at local thrill events as auto races,
SPECIAL HANDLING
C ELL the fact that "Camera Thrillls" is something utterly differ- ** ent from anything that has ever been shown on the screen by giving it special attention. Handle it as you would an unusual feature — go out for special stories in the newspapers. Ask picture reviewers and news reporters to look at it. Placard this event on an easel or in front of your theatre. Stunts like this add importance to the picture and help sell extra tickets.
fights, etc. PLAY UP THE THRILLS! Smash home the genuineness of these breath-stopping, nerve-shattering shots. Use catch-line cap- tioned blow-up photos in windows to help spread the news about town. See other stunts listed here.
'MOW AWOtMDfM, RECORD OF BtOOD CTRMJI.6 CXPf RIfNCCC t EVER FEE# Vy SSOKfteVjlt/
&ednc4ci f,
cHMaifE.ro®
A HURRICANE OF WILD SENSATION!
r most daring cameramen 1 Won earth raced into the jaws
OF DEATH TO BRING IT TO YOU/
lthe billion dollar jjlcture/
A UNIVERSAL ‘PICTURE
THRILL CHART IN LOBBY
A TRIED and proved piece of showmanship is this special chart ** exhibit in the lobby showing thrill reactions to action shots in the picture. Get >t up in the form of a graph with stills spot- ted along the jag- ged lines. Use the line: "Only Steel
Nerves Can Stand Camera Thrills to- gether with the catch line, "Terrific! Elec- trifying! Incredible!
Catastrophe and Cataclysm Caught by the Camera at Risk of Life and Limb!
Interest Young Writers
O after the young men and women who are learning to be reporters, through the local school of journalism, and invite classes to attend your showing. Offer prizes to the pupils who turn in the best descriptions of the events shown in "CAMERA THRILLS. These can be in the form of a newspaper story. Ar- range for them to be printed in a local paper. Let reporters on local newspapers act as judges.
Steel Nerves Can Stand
CAMERA THRILLS!
FLOOO FIRE j ACCIDENT 1 OEATM LEAP [siNKIWC~[ STORRA
mmf cmmmnmmLi!
Catastrophe and Cataclysm Cauqbt by the Camera at Risk of Life and Limb /
U
□
Boost "Thrills" Out Front
LJ ERE is a short that outmatches any dozen features for thrillsl ' • Give it a chance to build business for you! Circus it out front and on marquee as you would a feature. Give it big space in your lobby display. Use still panels and one sheet on box- office of theatre as shown at right.
ACCESSORIES
I Sheet Poster 4 — 1 1x14 Lobbies 10 — 8 x 10 Photos
ONE SHEET
niC FRONT FLASH and FEATURE HANDLING!
, THRILLS
Catch Lines
A Hurricane of Wild Sensation
Terrific! Electrifying! Incredible! Catas- trophe and Cataclysm caught by the camera at risk of life and limb! These are the thrills of a lifetime! A parade of the impossible! A panorama of death and destruction before your eyes!
* * *
The world's nerviest, dare-devil camera- men risked doom to bring this picture to you! A revelation of the danger de- fied by news hawks! A remarkable, breath-stopping, nerve-shattering enter- tainment!
* * *
A glimpse of death in the raw — of na- ture at its starkest! Of men in mortal peril! Thrillingly described by the dra- matic voice of Graham McNamee! "Camera Thrills" tops any camera record of thrills yet shown!
* * * •
See it only IF your blood pressure can take it! If your nerves can stand it! I* your heart can hold out! You won't stop talking for days about "Camera Thrills!"
* * *
Doom turns the camera crank! Disaster hovers over the cameramen, but they gat their pictures — AND WHAT PICTURES! "Camera Thrills” out-thrill anything you ever have seen! They are as real as life — as dramatic as death!
Dramatize Action Stills In Lobby
"CAMERA THRILLS" present such shots as naturally could never have been caught by the still camera. Under the circumstances, those stills which are available for display are actually enlarged clips from the film. Dramatize this fact. Make them appear as such by suggesting sprocket holes and a rag- ged edge with art work. Play up a description of the action taken from the publicity pages and mount on individual black cards along- side. A striking way to sell your attraction.
EMOTION TEST
THIS stunt is successful in securing publicity for everyone participating. Psychology pro- fessors from local universities, or doctors, par- ticularly heart specialists, should assist you.
The stunt consists of testing people's emotion- al reactions while watching "C A M E R A THRILLS." This is done with a cardiograph, or the coligraph, or poligraph apparatus usu- ally found in medical or college laboratories. Make the test at a special showing and have newspaper reporters and photographers present.
Newspaper clipping at left shows how this stunT when worked on "The Bride of Franken- stein" in Chicago was played up by the local newspapers. The thrill shots in "Camera Thrills" offer splendid material on which to base your tests. Ask which of the many sensational scenes in "Camera Thrills" created the greatest shock to the observer?
r~ >
Guarantee Thrills
You can go the limit in guaranteeing patrons that CAMERA THRILLS consti- tute the most exciting entertainment on the screen. Here's an actual guarantee made by Trans-Lux during a showing of the last thrill clip collection released by Universal.
"The Management of This Theatre Absolutely Guarantees This to Be The Most Astonishing Picture Ever Shown in a Theatre and Will Refund Admission to Anyone Who Can Conscientiously Say That It Is Not!"
No refunds were made by Trans-Lux, where the reel did a capacity business. We recommend the use of this idea with CAMERA THRILLS!
I /
ADVENTURE CLUB
CLOYD GIBBONS has successfully initiated * an idea which can be adapted by any showman. He solicits first-hand accounts of actual thrills experienced by newspaper readers.
Interest your local editor in doing like- wise, setting aside a column for the pur- pose, to be called, CAMERA THRILLS AD- VENTURE CLUB. Have the most exciting experience of the week awarded passes for "Camera Thrills" and small cash prize. Spon- sor this several weeks in advance of showing.
WARNING/
IF
your
Mood
is high
resfure
IF
your nerves can't stand shock ♦ ♦ ♦
IF electrifying thrills upset you***6
B*d if fOo m io iff tLtkl tkt w/or/y, r “ krouqhT i0(/t af ffif M •f#inrL/»e{
THEN DON'T MI15 THIS.'
Use a warning easel out front. This angl is especially effective on a shock and thrill picture of this type. Put up an easel sign as shown above, painted white on black.
SKIN
THEY RISKED DEATH TO FILM DEATH! I A
UNIVERSAL ! HURRICANE OF WILD SENSATION!
PRESENTED BY CARL LAKMMU PRODUCED BY CHARLES FORD
t*rtO tHE
'of DEATH!
U nARING
OH earth
? 6 V°U ™E
AaJJaJ ever «EN!
UNIVERSAL! HURRICANE OF WILD SENSATION !
Pr*»BM»d by Carl Lo*mml« Produced by CKorl.t
ADS
Available at your exchange!
U»lv
--ssss
THRILLS! DESTRUCTION! CATASTROPHES!
^’S SKIN-*A/
UNIVERSAL'S HURRICANE OF WILD SENSATION!
PRESENTED BY CARL LAEMMLE
PRODUCED BY CHARLES FORD
RED
HAS
You have heard of pictures which gave you goose pimples — pictures which made you gasp — pictures which thrilled you to the very marrow of your bones. But never before in your life have you ever heard any picture described as Red Kann describes Universal’s outrageously sensational two-reeler called “CAMERA THRILLS".
HE SAYS IT IS A SKIN-RAISER
A “skin-raiser" is a thing you can cash in on. Any time you can show your hard-boiled patrons something to raise their skins, you’ve got something! If Universal has made a picture which can raise Red Kann’s skin one-millionth of an inch, Universal has done the impossible.
KANN A WOR FOR IT:
UNIVERSAL’S
wuwntncfn two-reeler
"CAMERA THRILLS"
IS SO GOOD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE ****BUT EVERY INCH OF IT IS TRUE I
20:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 28, 1935
"DIAMOND JIM"
CALLED EPIC PICTURE
Henry Lawrence in News Telegram of Portland, Oregon Appraises Universal ’s Lead-off Production at Full Value.
ABOVE a cheap saioon on New York's east side one night in 1856 began the life of one of Amer- ica’s most colorful men, James Bu- chanan Brady, who rose from his humble birthplace to become the greatest spendthrift of his time.
"Diamond Jim," new attraction at the Broadway theatre, shows how this unusual personality achieved this great success, how he made millions and squandered them, how he tried desparately to find marital happiness, and died a heart-broken bachelor.
Because of the film's historical value, besides its topnotch entertain- ment value, "Diamond Jim" must be considered as an epic picture. It is apparent that Universal was deter- mined to make its 1936 lead-off at- traction a masterpiece, and this as- piration was accomplished.
The Broadway theatre could not have chosen a more suitable film with which to open its Greater Show sea- son and the near-record crowds which jammed the showhouse last week-end were a worthy reward for the management's selection. It is likely that attendance will increase to even greater proportions when mouth- to-mouth advertising really gets under way.
There are many elements which contribute to the success of the at- traction. Foremost is Edward Arnold's
superb portrayal of "Diamond Jim." This talented actor brings out every iota of the paradoxical personality of Brady — a strange combination of shrewdness and recklessness.
Although Brady was one of the smartest capitalists in the 1890s and
Full page in the News Telegram of Portland, Oregon, illustrated icith stills from “ Diamond Jim ” for the shotcing at the Broadway Theatre.
1900s, he had absolutely no ability to conserve his wealth. If he made a million dollars on a railroad deal, he would squander it on his friends. Brady was a "sucker" as far as his
YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IT!
See
Next
Weeks
Universal
Weekly
Heavy selling full page story by Clark Rodenbach in the Chicago Daily News during the run of “ Diamond Jim ” at the Palace.
friends and acquaintances were con- cerned. He knew that, and liked it! "The point is," he told some one who scolded him for giving money to strangers, "it’s fun to be a ’sucker’ if you can afford it — and if you know you are one."
"Diamond Jim" was as well known in his day for his enormous appetite as for his financial wizardry. He would begin a meal with three dozen giant oysters, followed by two full-size lob- sters and a dozen hard-shelled crabs. Then came meat or poultry, vege- tables, salad and desserts, topped off by a box of bon bons.
The film gives an authentic insight on Brady's unhappy love affair with Jane Matthews, a girl he worshipped because of her striking resemblance to a former sweetheart. Jane played by Jean Arthur, was in love with an- other man, and when Brady learned the truth his life was ruined.
"Diamond Jim" also proposed mar- riage to Lillian Russell, played by Binnie Barnes, but the woman, realiz- ing that they were only fine friends and not lovers, refused the offer.
The colorful events of Brady's life make an intriguing story, and Univer- sal deserves much credit for depicting these incidents in flawless fashion.
UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES A STUPENDOUS PRODUCTION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN
CLASSIC
tf
UNCLE
CABIN
From the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe
NOW IN PREPARATION!
oOBSOM
w.lliam Benedict,
u rtrv y/.lUam ^: d Ha
V* a— '
AMERICA5
i f/M BELOVED
iiy Burrud
i Poppe • • •
1 jdwig • • •
- UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Sept. 28, 1935
Howard Winner, at the head of Universal’ s newsreel expe- dition into Ethiopa. Winner arrived at Addis Ababa on Monday of this week.
Universal Newsreel Cameraman Arrives In Ethiopia
A CABLE from Addis Ababa informs Charles E. Ford, editor of Universal Newspaper Newsreel, that his camera expedition headed by Howard Winner has ar- rived by plane from Aden and has already sent the first shots by way of London to the newsreel. These shots will be ready for inclusion in the Weekly which goes out on October 9th. Cameraman Winner has settled himself for a siege and has ordered gas masks, steel helmets and bul- let-proof vests for his work. Universal also has camera- men with the Italian forces both in Somaliland and Eritria. Films from this expedition will come to Universal by way of Rome.
Those Amazing "Camera Thrills''
ONE of the most amazing things about one of the most amazing pictures of the year, "Camera Thrills," is the sound effects. And the most amazing part of it is that there isn't one single sound effect in it. Paradoxical as this may seem, it will only be apparent to those who see the picture for the second or third time. And most everybody will want to do that, and most every- body will do it.
"Camera Thrills" starts off in a four weeks' premiere at the Center Theatre, Rockefeller Center, New York, which is re-opening on October 2nd on a long-run policy. "Cam- era Thrills" was selected from all the short features avail- able for the opening of the season by the management of this theatre. When the selections committee emerged from the projection room, one of the most frequent com- ments on the picture was, "The sound effects are won- derful!"
And still there is not one single sound effect in it.
To explain this strange phenomenon it is necessary to tear away the veil of mystery that surrounds moving pic- ture production. It is no disloyalty to the producers of this picture to state that "Camera Thrills" goes back to first principles in moving picture production. These prin- ciples were created and established before sound came into the picture. It was early discovered that the most effective adjunct to a picture was music. Music is that art which affects the passions by sound. In its way it is even more arousing than vision.
"Camera Thrills" once actually did have sound effects, some taken while the picture itself was being shot, and some manufactured in the regulation manner in the stu- dio, but when Charles Ford heard the completed musical accompaniment which Milton Schwarzwald had made for the first reel, he definitely abandoned any idea of sound effects in favor of the gorgeously interpretative score which Mr. Schwarzwald had writen. So true to the art and so unobtrusive and so arousing is this musical accompani- ment that scarcely a person in any audience will realize that he hasn't heard one single sound effect in the entire two reels. "Camera Thrills" is so gripping and full of
Tilden Signed by Universal
For “ The Amateur Racquet ”
UNIVERSAL has purchased from the authors of "King Solomon of Broadway," which will come to the Roxy soon, a new story dealing with tennis. Albert J. Cohn and Robert T. Shannon, who have writen several other successful movies, call their latest moving picture story, "The Amateur Racquet."
action climaxes.
Rather!
See
Next
Week's
Weekly!
Sept. 28, 1935 ■ UNIVERSAL WEEKLY ' = o »;
Charles Bickford Bitten By Lion
In "EAST OF JAVA"
A QUICK turn of his head while working In a closeup scene with a 400 pound Nubian lion nearly cost Charles Bickford, screen star, his life Monday at Universal City studios.
Appearing in a scene for "East of Java," a jungle feature, Bickford was working with "Tarzan," a lion em- ployed in the films for the past four weeks, when the actor suddenly twist- ed his head. With a growl the lion bit Bickford in the neck with teeth en- tering about an inch below the base of the brain. As Bickford fell forward, stunned, the lion clawed the wound adding lacerations to tooth marks.
Director George Melford and Ani- mal Trainer Charles W. Murphy quick- ly pulled the lion away while assistants helped Bickford to his feet and rushed him to the Universal studio hospital where his wounds were cauterized. Dr. Paul R. Magill attending Bickford, ordered his immediate removal to
Hollywood Hospital for further exam- ination fearing that in spite of the quick cauterization of the lion bites that the jungle cat's poisonous teeth might have had worse effect than at first believed.
Bickford, rugged, athletic six footer laughed at the danger of further complications but accepted his phy- sician's orders to remain at the hos- pital until pain from the wounds com- pletely stopped. Work on "East of Java" will not be completed until after Bickford's wounds are healed.
The actor was clawed by a black leopard three weeks ago in earlier scenes from the picfure which has provided constant thrills and dangers to all members of the cast and tech- nical staff because of the dramatic nature of the story and the fact that wild animals have been employed in rain storms, shipwrecks and unusual jungle situations.
Universal Product To Warner Theatres
Last Unit of Far Flung Deal Completes Big Booking Deal .
THE closing of the big Warner Bros, circuit in Philadelphia for the 1935-36 Universal products, as announced today by J. R. Grainger, general manager of distribution for Universal, which covers all the War- ner theatres in the Philadelphia dist- rict, as well as in the city, was the final link in the Warner deal which sets U product in Warner theatres from coast to coast. This contract provides major releases throughout Boston, New Haven, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Albany, Buf- falo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, Aberdeen, Portland and Chi- cago districts and the whole state of New Jersey.
This completes one of the most far reaching and important deals yet closed by Mr. Grainger.
+ + +
Praises Newsreel Cameraman
Columnist
SPEAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHERS . . .
The navy, actually if not officially, set up a new rank yesterday for Mer- vin ("The Bandit') Freeman, Universal Newsreel cameraman. Freeman was designated to speak for all the news- reel men aboard the Zane.
So in yesterday's navy he was Plus- Admiral Freeman. The battle line came down the coast doing 12 knots, and the Zane whooped along at 23, leaving a wake like a colicky snake at the behest of Plus-Admiral Freeman and overhauling ship after ship.
SHE NEVER ZIGGED WHEN SHE SHOULDA ZAGGED
"A little closer, please," Super- Admiral Freeman would murmur. "Mr. Freeman would like to be a little closer," would be the word over the telephone to the bridge, and the Zane would heel over and close up another 50 yards.
Bill Wright in San Diego Union Has the Following to Say of One of Universal’s Crack Cameramen, Mervin Freeman.
As close as you can across the bow of the Pennsy," Super-Admiral Free- man murmured twice, and each time the Zane slashed across in front of
the monstrous parade. An admiral probably couldn't get away with that.
But when you have a super-admiral aboard, you're lucky. The rest of us just sat back and enjoyed the fruits of Super-Admiral Freeman's strategy as the Zane did everything but loop the loop.
Next
Week's
Universal
Weekly
Will
Feature
YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IT!
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wwann
-f IRENE DUNNE and ROBERT TAYLOR in John M. Stahl s *• production "MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION" with CHARLES BUTTERWORTH and BETTY FURNESS. From the best seller by Lloyd C. Douglas. . . . (Now in production.)
^ MARGARET SULLAVAN and FRANCIS LEDERER in * "NEXT TIME WE LIVE" from Ursula Parrott's newest novel! . . . Directed by Edward H. Griffith.
WILLIAM POWELL in MY MAN GODFREY." A Carl Laemmle, Jr. production. From the Liberty Magazine serial by Eric Hatch.
m "SUTTER'S GOLD." From the epic novel by Blaise Cendrars. An Edmund Grainger production. Directed by James Cruze.
C IRENE DUNNE in "SHOW BOAT." Edna Ferbers Immortal Classic! . . . Music by Jerome Kern. ... A Carl Laemmle, Jr. production. . . . Directed by James Whale.
GuMetet Seojcx’s
g; A DIGEST OF THE BEST
^,r_ EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF THE WEEK
MB
Get set to hold your breath!
George W. Pittsley, Washington Theatre, Bay City, Mich, used his house curtain for a swell "DIAMOND JIM" trailer in- troduction. Flittered cut-out title and art work, lowered on drop was picked in darkened house by flickering colored spots immediately preceding trailer showing. Fine effect! ,
* * *
Harvey Cocks, Strand Theatre, Akron, dug up car of ancient vintage, which made striking "DIAMOND JIM" ballyhoo. Driver gave his spiel over radio loud speaker hook-up with mike at wheel.
. . . and now breathe deeply ’cause this one’s grand!
y/y ERE you ever in the Painted Desert? Have you ever awed to the grandeur of its majestic, rock-ribbed canyons? Have you ever filled your lungs with that glorious clean Arizona air which just shoots life bubbling through your veins? I have! And you'll get that same grand and glorious feeling of the great open spaces when you see STORMY, a simply swell outdoors picture which is going to make millions of people thrill to a new movie sensation.
* * *
Kenneth Childs, Granada Theatre, Streat- or, III., had the whole town buzzing over strange post cards received from sup- posed friends stopping at a New York hotel. Urgent message warned them not to miss "DIAMOND JIM" when it came to the Granada Theatre. Only one of fine stunts in Child's bang-up campaign.
V J
STORMY is great because its story is so all-powerfully human — a lad of the open country just "nuts" about a young colt that he mothers and protects at the risk of his own life. There's dandy young love interest in the story with a right pretty gal. There are
those famous Arizona Wranglers singing swel There’s a wild horse stampede with a thousand
sgant tunes in their own inimitable way. head on the rampage which out-tops any- thing of its kind you've ever seen. There's action all the way — and a remarkable performance by Noah Beery, Jr., that has, in a junior way, the human touch of one of those unforgettable Will Rogers characterizations. Yes, sir! STORMY is a picture you MUST SEE — one you ought to be proud to run!
w ERE you ever in an accident? Did you see it coming before it happened? Did you hold your breath — set your feet — stiffen your body for the crash? Have you ever seen death zinging right at you — making your blood run cold — and your heart almost stop?
That is how you are going to feel when you see CAMERA THRILLS — a really sensational picture that tears right into the jaws of death and keeps your blood pressure jumping for hours afterward! The poster doesn't lie when it says "it is a hurricane of wild sensation," and "the most daring cam- eramen on earth faced death to bring it to you." We call it "the billion dollar picture" because there is a billion rep- resented in the ravages of fire, famine, flood and destruction and death that sweeps so ferociously before your eyes.
CAMERA THRILLS is one of the biggest thrill shows the screen ever has offered. You cannot overstate no matter HOW you Barnum it; and it deserves Barnuming! It deserves be- ing played up as a feature on your marquee, in your ads and on lobby easels. It will be the talk of the town!
JOE WEIL
Sept. 28, 1935 -- —UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
31
McKENNA AND WALSH MAKE "DIAMOND JIM"
BOAST OF BUFFALO • — _ —
TED GAMBLES' FULL PAGE SOCKO!
A* HALK up another for George McKenna, Manager and Dick Welsh, Publicity Man- ager at Charles Hayman's New Lafayette Theatre, Buffalo on their great "Diamond Jim" showmanship. Variety, in campaign write-up, awarded it "best exploitation of the week."
And no wonder, with such a string of swell stuntsl Topping them was a tie-up with local Liberty Magazine distributors. When the six hundred Liberty carriers start- ed on their rounds the week before the picture opened, they wore badges and chest bands, and the thirty thousand mag- azines they were to deliver contained "Dia- mond Jim" heralds. The company's sixteen delivery trucks were also bannered. This swell boost continued throughout week and was climaxed Saturday morning, when the boys were gathered together, given hats and large banners, and led by band and police escort through main streets to the- atre for special "Diamond Jim" showing. Photo shows them on their way, creating beaucoup excitement.
McKenna and Walsh went after all the tie-up angles and between Garcia Grande cigars, Sunkist oranges, and Lux soap, got up over a thousand cards and window past- ers. Max Factor made up special counter cards and devoted two column ad space to Binnie Barnes cosmetic tie-up.
Around town they used a tandem bicycle and "Diamond Jim" rider ballyhoo. Another roving boost came in the form of front and back bumper banners, on two hundred taxi- cabs.
House built up special front with huge mirror diamond on figure of "Jim." Com- munity and foreign newspapers were used extensively. Het Manheim, Universal exploi- teer, assisted.
MOM BACOGE BOV TO MILLIONAIRE. HOB NOBBINC WITH ELEGANT LADIES' RAILROAD MAGNATES AND UN AN. CIERS' THE SENSATIONAL LEAR Of OIAMOND |IM” BRADY' THE MOST AMA2INC MAN Of A ROARING GUT- TERING OECADE'
EDWARD ARNOLD
JEAN ARTHUR * BINNIE BARNES
CESAR ROMERO A HUCH 0 CONNELL * CEORCE SIDNEY
ANO A MOST Of OTHERS— TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION
IXCREDIBLE . . . BI T TRIE! IMPOSSIBLE . . . BI T SO!
BLAZING WITH LIFE . . . GLEAMING WITH GEMS . . . GLORIOl S WITH GIRLS!
Across Hi* screen troops the whole glamorous pageant of Diamond |im’s days I Lillian Russell . the toast of a gay world Rector's , Bustanoby's Dclmonico's . . Cibso n Girts with hour-glass figures! Corgeous gas-lit cabarets . . one-lung buggies tandem bikes laughter song . . . bois- terous drama of those care-free days in Ciddy Gotham when "Diamond |im" flung his money to the winds. .
J. J.
PARKERS
BRDRDLURY
. . . TOMORROW
Western premiere showing of the new season's most talkcd-about picture. "Diamond Jbn ! Not since the advent of talkies has a show been so anxiously awaited! This Lnivcrsal sen- sation Is an appropriate curtain raiser for the J. J. PIRkER "Greater Show Season"!
Preceded by a three weeks publicity cam- paign, Ted Gamble topped his DIAMOND JIM premiere at the Broadway Theatre, Port- land, with full page ads, one of which is pictured above. All national tie- ups were used, resulting in scores of windows. Big radio plugging over three stations rounded out the showmanship which resulted in swell hold-over business. Con- grats Gamble! Finel!
go =UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION = Sept. 28, 1935
TWO BIG SHOWMANSHIP IDEAS FROM CINCY!
Cash for Best Letters in Diamond )im Brady Contest
Cash for Best Letters in Diamond |im Brady Contesl
Super-Salesmei
n; j , ' Le”ers in
Diamond Jim Brady Contest
. -...an Letters
Contest Ends Tuesday IS
ro $11,000,000/
t^ve million dollars to spend.
and LILLIAN RUSSELL FOR A PLAVMatc i
unique contest inspired by the Brady's life, based upon super-seles- : Times -Seer end RKO Pelece offer cesb our idee on the subject of salesmanship, eteils mey be found in today sTimes-Sur.
A Universal Picture with Edward Arnold, Binnic Barnet, Jean Arthur and Cetar Romero ttartt Friday at the RKO Palace
£.
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RUN ^'rn^\oV«eS'_ .ub\«
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T?ETTNT£snfp°WBUIMESSTAR F0R C°MPfETE t THE TIME5-STAR . RKO PALACE . "DIAMOND JIM'
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SEE HOW THE CINCINNATI TIMES STAR PLAYED UP THIS SALESMEN CONTEST!
angler.
INSPIRED by Dia- mond Jim's sales- manship powers, E.V. Dinerman and Jo- seph Alexander, alert and fast - stepping, free-space grabbing pair of showmen «t the Palace Theatre, Cincinnati conceived this Super-Salesman Contest as a great seat-seller.
The contest was co-sponsored by the Times-Star, who han- dled it a la Diamond Jim — big space and plenty flash. Illustrat- ed at left are six daily inserts. The giant ads, each four columns by fourteen inches, placed on the amusement pag- es, gives a rough idea of the cooper- ation.
The idea of the contest — "To list the ten requisites, in order of importance, which the master salesman must pos- sess and write a fifty word letter on 'What I Would Do With My First $12,- 000,000' " was just ripe for public atten- tion. Thousands of answers flooded the mails.
Another fine cam- paign feature of the comprehensive Pal- ace campaign, was tie-up with Post. Newspaper selected editorial commenta- tor Alfred Segal as local "Diamond Jim" and had him desig- nate city's three most needy families to re- ceive $15 each. Stunt was spread out over run of picture and resulted in fine news- paper stories daily. Duke Hickey, Uni- versal exploiteer as- sisted in campaign.
ANOTHER UNIVERSAL
■■
CLASSIC IN COLOR!
present
THE FOX AND THE RABBIT
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORr.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
CAMERAMEN ARE READY
FOR ANYTHING-ANYWHERE!
Printed in U. S. A.
REMEMBER?
He brought you those productions that brought you bankrolls big enough to choke the biggest box office: "All Quiet on the Western Front/ King of Jazz," "Broadway,""Dracula," "Spirit of Notre Dame," "Frankenstein," "Invisible Man," "Counsellor at Law," "Bride of Frankenstein."
Now he brings you . . .
REMEMBER LAST MIGHT?"
the finest of his productions to date!
While he is readying . . .
IRENE DUNNE in "SHOW BOAT"
with PAUL ROBESON and CHARLES WINNINGER
and
WILLIAM POWELL in the Liberty magazine
serial sensation, "MY MAN GODFREY
and
The phenomenal successor to his phenomenal "Dracula,
rt
DRACULAS
DAUGHTER"!
A WHALE OF A STORY DEMANDS A WHALE OF A DIRECTOR! . . .
I
DIRECTOR OF
Remember James Whale's direction of "Journey's End?" "Watei "The Old Dark House?" "The Invisible Man?" "One More River? The You'll never never forget "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" A CARL I Mm
REMEMBER?
Universal brought him into stardom for you as the memorable Diamond Jim"!
Now Diamond Jim becomes the world's greatest screen detective in
"REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?”
Your audiences will find him unforget- table in his new role of the cleverest and most lovable murder sleuth they've ever seen!
As Diamond Jim," EDWARD ARNOLD was
production of a thousand surprises, he's amazing!
glorious! As Danny Har- rison in this magnificent
CONSTANCE CUMMINGS,
leading actress of the stage and screen, in the unusual role of Carlotta, wife of Tony Milburn!
SALLY EILERS
talented and lovely, as Bette Huling, at whose home and “progressive” party amazing things happen!
Top Row: ROBERT ARMSTRONG as Flannagan, the chauffeur, and charm- ing LOUISE HENRY as the flirtatious Penny Whitridge.
Bottom Row: GREGORY RATOFF as the nightclub propri- etor, and REGINALD DENNY as Penny’s husband!
sgl*
: Ed Brophy as Maxie; Monroe Owsley as Billy Gustav von Seyffertitz as Professor Jones.
At the Bottom: Jack LaRue as Baptiste; George Meeker a Vic Huling; Arthur Treacher as the inimitable butler, Phelps
Oct. 5, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
11
J. R. Grainger Starts Sales & Studio Trip
JR. GRAINGER, general manager a of distribution for Universal Pic- tures, started on Monday on a trip which will take him to Universal City for a conference on production mat- ters and will bring him back to New York in about a month's time. His route lies through Chicago and in- cludes stops at San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He will return by way of the southern exchanges, hitting New Orleans about October 25th.
On leaving, Mr. Grainger declared that the advanced state of Universal sales as compared with last year, was indicative of two things, — first, the greater salability of Universal's prod- uct this season, and secondly, a read- ier response for early buying on the part of exhibitors in almost every ex- change territory.
“Great Impersonation”
Starts at Universal
The great impersonation"
with Edmund Lowe in the star- ring role now in second week of pro- duction at Universal City under the direction of Alan Crosland, bids fair to be one of Universal's greatest pro- ductions for the year. In the first place, "The Great Impersonation" has always been regarded by E. Phil- lips Oppenheim, who has written over 100 novels, as the best novel he ever wrote. Secondly, Edmund Lowe feels that the dual role of Everard Dominey and Leopold von Ragenstein, offers him the greatest opportunity he has ever had.
II niVERSfl L WEEKLY
A Magaxine for Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center. N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Rights Reserved)
OCT. 5, 1935 Vol. 37 No. 10
James Whale, seated at his desk in the studio he occupies at Universal City. Whale has always been regarded as a remarkable director, from the time he made “ Journey’s End.” Every picture that he has made since then, starting with “Waterloo Bridge,” has been not only a success, but a further rung in the ladder by which he has climbed to the very top. No one mentioning the five best directors of Hollywood could leave out the name of James Whale. All Hollytcood is talking about his direction of “ Remember Last Night?” the Carl Laemmle, Jr. production which he has just completed.
"Sweet Surrender" Released By Universal, November 11th
J'JST before leaving New York for the coast, J. R. Grainger announc- ed the release by Universal of the mu- sical Broadway Production, "Sweet Surrender." The release date is No- vember I Ith.
"Sweet Surrender" marks the debut in pictures of Tamara, the Russian actress and singer who made world famous the song, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," when she made such a great hit in "Roberta." Tamara plays three roles in "Sweet Surrender," which is written by Herbert Fields, author of "Hit the Deck," "Connecti- cut Yankees," "The Girl Friend" and "Fifty Million Frenchmen." It was directed by Monte Brice, who direct- ed "Moonlight and Pretzels." Fea- tured in the leading role is Frank Parker, ace radio tenor and star for the last five years of the A & P Gyp- sies.
The cast also includes Helen Lynd, well known Broadway comedienne and dancer, Russ Brown, the former part- ner of Bert Wheeler Arthur Pierson, Broadway actor, Jack Dempsey, Abe Lyman and his Californians. One of
the features of the production is the appearance of the Sara Mildred Strauss Dancers. The choruses are sung by the Nadon Singers, the Tune Twisters are also in several of the numbers. The music is by Dana Suesse, Mabel Wayne and Arthur Swanstrom, the lyrics by Edward H. Heyman, Melville Fleeson and James Hanley. Larry Ceballos directed the dances, the music was directed by Rosario Bourdon.
Irene Dunne On Hollywood Hour
I RENE DUNNE will be the featured I guest artist on the Hollywood Campbell Soup Hour over the Colum- bia-coast-to-coast network on Friday, October I Ith, at 9 P.M. Louella Par- sons will interview Irene Dunne and Miss Dunne is preparing a short scene from "Magnificent Obsession" in which she is working at the present time at Universal City, under the di- rection of John M. StahL
Oct. 5. 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
REIMBER LflJT fllGHTP
\
WHAT DID YOU DO?
I V'TH?
EVOU
DIDYOU Lt/WF?
OH/
y 'o ;
"n EMEMBER LAST NIGHT?"
I\ Where were you?
Wouldn't that be a tough proposition if you had been tight the night before and were suddenly hauled up and ac- cused of murdering a member of the gay party which had continued around the clock?
Twelve hours, and what happened?
"Remember Last Night?"
Well, here's some of it.
Merriment for supper.
Murder for breakfast.
And in between, twelve hours of gai- ety which masked a diabolical plot with guns popping, knives flashing through the air, with dancing and stolen kisses, masquerades and murder, kidnap threats written in Greek, false clues written in blood, bouncing checks and planted footprints, wine in tall glasses and blood on the moon, wise-cracking socialites and laughter turned to screams of horror, high finance and horrid hang-overs, a hazardous hypnotist, a gay progressive party that managed to progress from mirth to murder.
And three murders and thirteen alibis like this: —
"I DON'T REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?"
A group of socially prominent young people — the faster set on Long Island — wake up after staging a gay party to find that a murder has been committed. Chief among the players is Edward Ar- nold, who has scored so heavily in "Dia- mond Jim," while also in the star-stud- ded cast are Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers, Robert Young, Robert Arm-
strong, Gregory Ratoff, Reginald Denny, Monroe Owsley and a number of other stage and screen favorites.
The story opens with Constance Cum- mings, as Carlotta Milburn, and Robert Young, as her husband, Tony, awaking in a vast Long Island mansion to find that during a party given the night be- fore to celebrate the fact that they've been married six months — one of those progressive parties which goes f rom house to house — George Meeker, play- ing the role of the wealthy Vic Huling, has been shot in the heart.
They begin making their own investi- gation into the killing and discover that there are grounds for suspecting every- one, including themselves. First an ace detective, played by Edward Arnold, and his assistant, Edward Brophy, are called in. They are making some head- way when a hypnotist is summoned. But then new murders are committed and clues are lost and facts distorted. It is only through the clear deductions and herculean efforts of Arnold that the killer is apprehended under unusual circum- stances.
Universal has not only secured a splen- did cast for the production, but Carl Laemmle, Jr., has spared nothing in making the sets pretentious. He also se- cured James Whale, the man who did "Frankenstein," "Waterloo Bridge," "Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Invis- ible Man," to direct so that the story would not only have its full quota of hu- mor but would be eerie and chilling as well, at times. (Continued on Page 28)
)
u - = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— - — = Oct. 5, 1935
A MILLION
A MILLION
No. 832 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Picture Corporation
Thank you, Carl Laemmle, Jr., for your conception of the
picture "Remember Last Night?", made from a best-selling book formerly known as "Hangover Murders."
And thank you, James Whale, for one of the most bril- liant jobs of directing you ever did — and what a wonder- ful list you have to your credit!
Thank you, Adam Hobhouse, for writing such a clever
novel — even though you soaked us the extreme limit for the movie rights!
Thank you, too, Doris Malloy and Henry Clork and Dan Totheroh for adapting the original story to the screen and untying some of the knots we bought from the author.
Thank you, Charles Hall, for the original settings you gave this production.
Thank you, Joseph Valentine and Arthur Arling, for
jockeying so smartly with your cameras and giving us such delightful effects.
Thank you, Roman Freulich, for giving us still photo- graphs which will help the exhibitors portray the fine qualities of this production to the public.
And thank you, Ted Kent, for the brainy way in which you edited the miles of film which were "shot."
E CUMIilNoiS o SAIilf EII.EK5
IMSTROK1 ° LOUISE HEKRT
e IWUNIVERSAL'S *
IMSTRONG • LOUISE HENRY
OF A THOUSAND
LAR E
fTIAtfO
UM' NGI » SALLY
EILERS
UE
m finuumns . cii.it tiitdc
20— - =UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =~~ Oct. 5, 1935
CHARLES WINNINGER in "SHOW BOAT"
Charles Winninger selected by Carl Laemmle, Jr., as the tine and only Captain Andy for the role in Universal’s "Show Boat,” which he created in the Ziegfeld stage show. This photograph is one shotcing him as Captain Andy. Gov- ernor Ruby Laffoon of Kentucky has just made W'inninger a Kentucky Colonel. Today he is in Chicago seeing the world series.
ONE of the absolute naturals about the casting of "Show Boat" was Charles Winninger in the role of Captain Andy. Winninger is the son of an oldtime "Show Boat" captain, was brought up on a show boat and played the original role in the Ziegfeld show. On Monday Carl Laemmle, Jr. by long distance telephone to New York consummated an arrangement with Mr. Winninger for this important role. Winninger left New York Tuesday in his Packard and will drive leisurely to the coast. First he will take in the world series of baseball. Then he will visit some of his relatives and will fill several theatrical and radio engagements. He will arrive at the Coast on November 15.
The signing of Charles Winninger is the third important casting for "Show Boat." Carl Laemmle, Jr., already has Irene Dunne under contract to play Magnolia. Miss Dunne played the role in the original Ziegfeld musical comedy, succeeding Norma Terris and going on to Chicago, where she played the role for forty weeks.
The other selection is that of Paul Robeson, who ar- rived Tuesday from London and who has several radio engagements to fill. One of them was the Squibbs pro- gram Thursday night. He will report to Universal in No- vember. Robeson was also engaged by long distance tele- phone by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
James Whale, who has just completed directing the Carl Laemmle, Jr. production of "Remember Last Night?" is working with Oscar Hammerstein 3rd and Jerome Kern on new music and lyrics to accent the famous numbers of the stage show. No matter what new music, however, is written, "Show Boat" will of necessity include "Ol' Man River," "Why Do I Love You?" "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Bill," and "Make Believe."
* + +
Liszt and Strauss Songs
Adapted for Marta Eggerth
ALTHOUGH Marta Eggerth's first picture, "Song of Joy," will have four songs especially composed for it, it became known yesterday that two of the world's most famous compositions will be embodied in it. Franz Waxman is writing the lyrics and a coloratura soprano arrangement of Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody Number 2." He is also making an arrangement of Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube" for Miss Eggerth to use in "Song of Joy," in addition to the four new songs.
Although Edward Sutherland, who will direct Miss Eg- gerth's first picture, has arrived back in California, he has not as yet selected the cast. The story is now in the hands of Preston Sturges, author of "Strictly Dishonor- able" and the screenplay of "Diamond Jim."
+ + +
Rushing "Ivory Handled Gun
DUCK JONES is putting on an intensive drive to com- U plete his current western picture for Universal release so that he can join his wife and daughter on a world girdling trip. Mrs. "Buck" and her daughter are already in Honolulu on the first leg of the journey. In consequence, Buck is working night and day to complete "The Ivory Handled Gun," from the novel by Charles E. Barnes. The photography on this production will be finished by Satur- day night.
The cast of "The Ivory Handled Gun" includes Char- lotte Wynters as leading lady and a corps of western per- formers, including Walter Miller, Carl Stockdale, Frank Rice, Joseph Girard, Robert Kortman, Stan Blystone, Lafe McKee, Lee Shumway, Charles King, Ben Corbett, Eddie Phillips and Niles Welch.
On Monday, Buck will start production of "Sunset of Power" by J. E. Grenstead, for which Earl Snell has writ- ten the screenplay. Ray Taylor, who directed "The Ivory Handled Gun," will also direct "Sunset of Power." Upon completion of it, Jones will fly to Honolulu on the Yankee Clipper.
Oct. 5, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY:
Charles Bickford lying in the hospital in Los Angeles, from which he teas taken this week to the studio in an ambulance and under mdical care, to complete his scenes in “ East of Java.” Fortunately , the presence of bandages could be written into the script. After the scenes Bickford went back to the hospital. He will be confined there two more weeks.
Unusual shot taken a second after the supposedly “ friend- ly” lion, Tarzan, had attacked Bickford on the set. The mo- tion picture camera had started when an unusual movement on Bickford’s part resulted in the sudden attack which came within a inch of proving fatal. Lions instinctively know where to bite and Tarzan went straight for the nape of Bickford’s neck. The bite kept him out of another picture.
|
Charles Bickford f |
Has |
Narrow Escape in |
Film t |
Injured Bickford Completes East of Java"
ALTHOUGH Charles Bickford is still under the closest observa- tion and not out of danger by any means, he has completed his role in "East of Java." He did it in bandages and with a physician and a nurse con- stantly at his side. Bickford is proud of his he-man physique and courage and would under no circumstances permit "East of Java" to be delayed on his account, even though Universal was anxious to put the scenes over for two weeks.
Last week Bickford was severely injured by Tarzan, the lion born in captivity on the * Universal lot, and loaned to a Los Angeles museum when Universal gave up its zoo. For the picture, "East of Java," which has more than one hundred assorted wild animals in it, Universal took back its lion, who was supposedly as much attached as a lion can be, to Bickford It even followed him about the set and about the lot on occasion. This
Jack Holt Loaned by Universal to 20 th Century to Take the Place of the Injured Bickford
time, however, some primal instinct in the animal's brain made him jump from behind on Bickford, when the actor made an unusual and quick mo- tion which had not been rehearsed. Bickford went to the Universal City Hospital and after treatment there
$50 Reward
For Good Ideas
Whether you're an exhibitor or a projectionist — you can earn $50.00 with every good idea lor the im- provement of Universal pictures which I accept. You see pictures every day and you know what audiences think. Why not send in your suggestion.
CARL LAEMMLE
was transferred to the hospital in Los Angeles.
The next night Tarzan unaccount-, ably disappeared from his cage. He must have been full of remorse, be- cause he was found the next morning under a reproduction of a New Eng- land church in the permanent New England set on the Universal City back lot.
Th is week, however, Bickford in- sisted on completing his role in "East of Java." The picture was being rush- ed by George Melford in order to permit Bickford to take the role for which he was under contract to 20th Century in "The Litrlest Rebel." This picture would inevitably have been seriously held up. Universal therefore made arrangements to loan Jack Holt to take Bickford's place. In the mean- time, Holt's own picture, "Captain Commanding," will be held up at Uni- versal until October 28th or possibly a week later.
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96— -- = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY-- - - Oct. 5. 1935
The Roll of Honor
|
The Following |
Exhibitors in |
the St. Louis |
Territory |
|
have used Universal Pictures for 10 years |
or more |
||
|
TOWN & STATE |
THEATRE |
EXHIBITOR YEARS |
USED UNIVERSAL |
|
Abingdon, Ills. |
Bijou |
S. E. Pirtle |
20 Years |
|
Beardstown, Ills. |
Princess |
S. E. Pirtle |
20 Years |
|
Bushnell, Ills. |
Rialto |
S. E. Pirtle |
20 Years |
|
Jerseyville, Ills. |
Orpheum |
S. E. Pirtle |
20 Years |
|
McLeansboro, Ills. |
Capitol |
S. E. Pirtle |
20 Years |
|
Albion, Ills. |
Majestic |
Mitchell & Bowman |
10 Years |
|
Alton, Ills. |
Temple |
Al Critchlow |
1 1 Years |
|
Bardwell, Ky. |
Milwain |
J. A. Milwain |
15 Years |
|
Belleville, Ills. |
Rex |
Noah Bloomer |
15 Years |
|
Casey, Ills. |
Lyric |
Paul Musser |
10 Years |
|
Columbia, Mo. |
Missouri, Hall, Varsity |
Barrett & Woods |
24 Years |
|
Dexter, Mo. |
Weeks |
C. H. Weeks |
25 Years |
|
E. Prairie, Mo. |
Lyric |
T. R. DeField |
15 Years |
|
E. St. Louis, Ills. |
Columbia, State |
Lou Menges |
15 Years |
|
E. St. Louis, Ills. |
Home |
W. B. Davis |
21 Years |
|
E. St. Louis, Ills. |
Liberty |
Oscar Dane |
10 Years |
|
E. St. Louis, Ills. |
St. Clair |
Fred Ditzenberg |
20 Years |
|
E. St. Louis, Ills. |
L. Broadway |
Geo. Danieis |
14 Years |
|
Hannibal, Mo. |
Orpheum, Star |
H. E. Schneidker |
27 Years |
|
Herman, Mo. |
Huxall |
R. L. Huxall |
25 Years |
|
Marion, Ky. |
Kentucky |
Gray & Runyon |
10 Years |
|
Mounds, Ills. |
Roxy |
Herschel Eichhorn |
10 Years |
|
Mt. Carmel, Ills. |
Palace, American |
Theo. Coleman |
10 Years |
|
New Haven, Mo. |
New Haven |
Ben Zeitzman |
5 Years |
|
O'Fallon, Ills. |
Opera House |
L. T. Hiles |
10 Years |
|
Richland, Mo. |
Gem |
R. L. Parsons |
12 Years |
|
Robinson, Ills. |
Lincoln, Strand |
J. C. Hewitt |
27 Years |
|
Roodhouse, Ills. |
State |
Clarence Denny |
10 Years |
|
St. Charles, Mo. |
Strand |
R. Stempel |
20 Years |
|
St. Johns Station, Mo. |
Gem |
H. Halloway |
10 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Hollywood, Rivoli, Senate Chas. Goldman |
16 Years |
|
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Movie |
Tom Williamson |
10 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Star |
Chris. Efthian |
18 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Criterion |
Geo. Plaikos |
24 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Marquette |
Frank Spero |
20 Years |
|
(Continued on Page 28) |
READY! AIM!
FIRE!
Fire your booker or assistant manager if he doesn't get this newest OSWALD car- toon right away! It means a great, big chunk of extra business for you!
"THE QUAIL HUNT
9fl- = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =
REMEMBER LAST
(Continued from Page 13)
Mr. Laemmle selected the novel, "The Hangover Murders," a best- seller by Adam Hobhouse, as a basis for the screenplay, which was written
by Harry Clork, Doris Malloy and Dan Totheroh and later at the sug- gestion of almost a thousand showmen throughout he country, who were
Oct. 5, 1935
NIGHT?
asked, it was called "Remember Last Night?" It is a great title. One of the reasons is that it is impossible for anyone seeing it to forget it.
WATCH!
For the Year ’s Greatest Surprise
3 Kids and A Queen
May Robson The Lady For A Day, Becomes A Queen in the Surprise Picture of the New Season
|
Roll of Honor — St. Louis ( Continued from Page 26) |
|||
|
TOWN & STATE |
THEATRE |
EXHIBITOR YEARS |
USED UNIVERSAL |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Montgomery |
Henry Koplar |
25 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Bremen, O'Fallon |
Clarence Kaimann |
26 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Salisbury, Baden |
Clarence Kaimann |
26 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Ashland, Queens |
Tom Curley |
12 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Pauline |
Chas. Kalbfeld |
25 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Wellston |
Fred Robinson |
18 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Macklind |
B. J. Lueken |
21 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Whiteway |
Alex Papand |
20 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Merry Widow |
J. Murphy |
18 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Cinderella, Melba |
Fred Wehrenberg |
26 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Michigan, Virginia |
Fred Wehrenberg |
26 Years |
|
St. Louis, Mo. |
Melvin |
Christ Zotos |
12 Years |
|
Sparta, Ills. |
Grand |
Chas. Wells |
10 Years |
|
Springfield, lils. |
Capitol, Empress |
Leo Burnstine |
15 Years |
|
Springfield, Ills. |
Pantheon |
Tony Serra |
10 Years |
|
Springfield, Ills. |
Savoy, Senate, Strand |
Kerasotes Bros. |
20 Years |
|
Valley Park, Mo. Park |
John Mound J. |
12 Years E. GARRISON, Mgr. |
SHOWMANSHIP!
THE PICTURE OF A THOUSAND Ju
polished to perfection!
CARL JftfTlES UJHALEf (fwitiAt
EDM RRHQLD * OONSTRNCF CUIRfMNGS SULLY El LEM - ROIIRT VOUH!
CARL LAEMMLE, Jr. is putting the finishing touches on what he has aimed to be the “perfect” motion picture. We have not seen it, as yet; but we are convinced that if brains, cleverness, perfect story, fine acting, masterful pho- tography, absorbing plot, crispy dialogue and fast-stepping action — all beauti- fully merged through brilliant direction, can make the perfect picture — then REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? will be “it!”
Mr. Laemmle, Jr. wisely has thrown aside the duties of mass manufacture, to concentrate on class production of a group of hand-picked pictures. The young dynamo who gave you ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, BACK STREET, the FRAN KEN STEIN S and IMITATION OF LIFE, is being darn right particular over his first new season offering. To that end he searched far and wide for a story of universal interest, of high society glamour, of robust action and tingly suspense, pointed with peppy-plus type box-office hokum that shoots chuckles twixt its tli rills. He found all these qualities in the Adam Hob- house novel on which REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? is based. His ace scenarists caught the spirit for the script.
James >Vbale, whose every picture is a hit, set out to top all his previous achievements. The “rush” reports tell us he has done a whale of a job.
REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? should be a perfect showmanship picture as well as a photoplay pace-setter. It is polished to perfection from the box-office angle. Edward Arnold, fresh from his triumph as DIAMOND JIM, leads as brilliantly talented a cast as ever graced a picture. Its gay parties, polo-play- ing, auto-racing, fast-stepping men and charming women will lead you a scream- ing race on the screen!
These lines are written so that you will be moved to start the wheels roll- ing right away on another of your famous bigger and better campaigns — the kind that are drawing greater crowds to theatres today than have been seen around box-offices in the last five years.
It is good showmar.ship to point REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? for thai kind of business! S)
30
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION=~ " Oct. 5, 1935
BIG THREE WAY REMEMBER" TIE-UP THAT NETS WIDESPREAD PLUGGING!
Contest Keeps Listeners Tuned In On Single Station — Gets Window Displays — Radio Mention — and Co-op Ad Space!
|_| ERE'S a stunt that if plugged properly will be an important 1 1 feature of your campaign. The idea, a "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" Radio Program Contest, offers prizes to radio listeners remembering details of last night's program and features a mer- chants' co-op ad page.
Contact the Progiam Director of your local radio station and soli him on the idea of lining up sponsors of programs on between 5:?0 and 7:30 and 10:30 and 11:30 each night to cooperate. The raJio station and the sponsors should go big for this idea because it is a good means of keeping the public tuned in on the station every night. Get the station to build up the stunt with advance radio announcements and the merchants with a co-op ad page.
On the first night of the stunt, have the radio announcer intro- duce the contest to the public, telling them to listen carefully to all the details of the programs broadcast during the hours men- tioned. Some of the questions can be, "How many times was 'RE- MEMBER LAST NIGHT?' mentioned," "What song was sung at 7 o'clock and who sang it?" "What merchant advertised a sale of dresses?", etc. Announcement should explain the tie-up with the picture. He can also mention that on each night for the rest of the week the same procedure will be followed. Offer cash and ticket prizes for the best answers to each night's set of questions and a grand prize for the best of the week.
Your payoff is in frequent radio plugging of catchlines each night, displays in cooperating merchants' windows and extra space in newspaper co-op ad.
HERE'S A SWELL NEWSPAPER CONTEST
•Mi
■ &
V,r DREAM CONTEST^ *
( Sample Set-Up )
Courier-Star Offers Daily Cash and Movie Ticket Prizes For Wild Nightmares!
In "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?", the exciting pic- ture opening at the Capitol Theatre, next Friday, a party of pleasure bent society playboys and lassies spend the night in wild revelry. When they come out of their fog in the morning they find one of their number murdered. The other participants can't Re- member Last Night. They have but a faint recollection of weird nightmares. They tell them. Can you top them? Have you ever had a ghastly dream? The Courier-Star is offering $50 in prizes for your weirdest nightmare. The contest will close next Tuesday at midnight. All entries must bear a postmark not later than that time. Tell them in 100 words. Address all entries to the "Remember Last Night?" Contest Man.
And Just To
Prove It We Are Offering Five $5 Prizes to Exhibitors For Their Best Wild Nightmares
THEATRE MEN! Here's a practical news- paper contest that offers general and amusing competitive interest. To prove it to you we're offering $25 in prizes for the five best weird nightmares. Get into the contest and at the same time that you are thinking of smart answers to send us you can be making plans for planting the con- test with a newspaper in your city when you run "Remember Last NigM?" Send on your dreams to the EXPLOITATION DEPT., UNI- VERSAL PICTURES, ROCKEFELLER CEN- TER, NEW YORK CITY. Watch the next five issues of the Universal Weekly for an- nouncements of the winners. One wi II be published each week and $5 paid for each dream used. Contest closes October 15th. First winner will be published next week. Winners will be chosen by Universal Home Office Committee. For your local cam- paign, get your newspaper to sponsor the contest, offering tickets and cash prizes to the winners. Two column mat of the illus- trated heading is available at Universal Branches. Request service mat R.L.N. No. I.
Oct. 5. 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
31
DETECTIVE CLASS FOR CROWD STOPPER
DETAIL
CROSS Section
THE trick magnifying glass carried by the prop "Sherlock" is explained in the detail of cross sec- tion at the right. The idea is to have the ballyhoo man parade the streets apparently looking for clues. At frequent intervals he presses the flash light switch illuminating the blank "glass" and revealing the title of the picture.
Street Sweeper Comedy Ballyhoo
THE figure in the sweeper's refuse cart is a dummy borrowed from a local depart- ment store and dressed in even- ing clothes. The face is made up so as to be unmistakably that of a gay young blade who has just had a big night. The man pushing the cart is a house attache or a local bally- hoo artist dressed in costume similar to that worn by the local sanitation department. Use sign as shown. Such a bal- lyhoo is bound to draw plenty of laughs and arouse a lot of curiosity about the picture. Keep the stunt on the main streets and have him pass the theatre at frequent intervals.
Sell The Girls With Teaser Throwaways
P RINTED up on inexpensive colored paper " this little gag will have all the girls in town talking about "Remember Last Night?" — And all the boy friends, too. Give them a wide distribution to the ladies only — they'll do the rest for vou.
DETACH CARD BELOW AND HAND IT TO YOUR SWEETHEART. ASK HIM " DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?" HE'LL SAY, "NO, DO YOU ?"THEN YOU SAY ."WILL YOU TAKE ME TO "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT"IF I TELL YOU?” HE'LL AGREE, YOU SAY " THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS !"
WYTMTRLNIITY
REMEMBER LAST NIGHT ?' STRANO THEATRE — NOW
LAND STORE WINDOWS THROUGH BOOK TIE-UP
UP EMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" is based on the fast-selling book "HANGOVER MURDERS." Contact all book stores, cir- culating and public libraries and arrange for them to display the book during your showing of fhe picture. Use a special card telling the public to read the book then see it on the screen as "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?"
Test For Amateur Detectives
TO attract the mystery and detective story lovers use this test stunt. Use the illus- trated sketch to imprint throw-aways or
backs of roto- gravure her- alds, or by landing it as a newspaper stunt. The map carries important clues of this murder mys- tery story, and supplies de- tails to in- trigue interest in the solution of the picture. R.L.N. 3 at U Branches.
Auto-Dummy Figures To Sell Revelry
^HE sketch here- with is self-ex- planatory. Borrow dummy figures from a department store and dress them as shown. Strap them securely to car. Use plenty of balloons, streamers, noisemak- ers, and other party atmosphere. Get the title on both sides and on front and rear.
32
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION1
Oct. 5, 1935
OPTICAL ILLUSION LOBBY DISPLAY STUNT
| N the picture a hypnotist is called in to work on the members of the party in an effort to make them recall the happenings of the night and there- by solve the mystery of who killed Vic Huling. One of the hypnotist's gags is the rotating mirrors shown in the sketch at the left. Plug this angle with a lobby display that features several different types of optical illusions. A local optician or physics class teacher can assist you in fixing them up. He may also be able to give you information on other interesting illusions. Give the display a weird, supernatural background atmosphere, with banners as shown in the sketch. Have an attendant to draw the crowds, ask questions and tell about "Remember Last Night?"
IT S CREEK TO YOU BUT IT'LL CET EM GUESSING
ONE of the clues which helps to solve the murders in "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" is a Greek message which when translated reads: MEET ME IN THE WINE CELLAR AT SIX. Illustrated below is the message as it was found by the detective and the title for picture identification.
Contact the local newspaper and suggest to the editor that he run a contest offering ticket prizes to readers who can correctly translate the message which will help solve the mystery of "REMEMBER LAST NIGHT?" Also good for card throwaway. Two col- umn mat R. L. N. No. 2 is available at all Universal Exchanges.
Na p 5vr.avxn61/ stf xt\y ' . otrWo^nun*. e/fiarf ejn
0vp6£ Znr xiEGivnv fyaiya’
— * — ^ ^ :
"REMEMBER" COCKTAIL FOR BAR TIE-UP
The sketch is a suggestion for a tie-up card that will land the title of this picture in every restaurant, hotel, cafe and night club in town. Have your artist make up a supply or let the local printer make them up for use on bars, counters and in windows.
.V . TRY A V
'zj f EMEMBEK
V iA$I MGttT?
VsociKOAoa-
/ J AnO YOo'u. STIU / HAVE TttO/E ftfAJfaT (
y mnom To«e**ow
Sfe THAT <j?AN# PlfTuRE AT r»C R
Moving Heads In Shadow- Boxed Cocktail Glass
THE shadow box shown in the ac- companying sketch plays up the wild party mystery angle with plenty of animation and flash. The bowl and stem of the cocktail glass are cut out and the space covered with a trans- parency. The large circles above it are similarly treated, as is the title below. A large disc is placed behind the frame in such a position as to bring the circumference level with the bottom of the bowl of the glass. Cut-out heads mounted on disc all around, so that when the disc is revolved by the small motor the heads will appear to be rising from the glass like bubbles. By placing separate lights behind the large circles over the glass, and working them on flashers, so that they light up one after the other, you will get an extra smash to display.
FOUR MYSTERY GIRLS For STREET BALLYHOO
THIS ballyhoo of four girls in red or green cloaks and hoods should cause plenty of talk and excitement, to say nothing of curiosity, around town. The sketch is self- explanatory. Any costumer or dressmaker should be able to supply the cloaks and head pieces cheaply. The question marks can be pasted on. The last girl can hand out heralds whenever a large crowd collects.
Get This Shadow
Box Working Now!
CAMERA THRILLS"
IS GREAT ENOUGH FOR THE CENTER THEATRE REOPENING!
i
Universal’s two-reel hurricane of wild sensation...selected by the Music Hall management from all available short product as the most outstand- ing, most unusual and skin- raising release. ..for the grand reopening of the beautiful Center Theatre in Radio City on October 2nd with a new, extended -run policy!
Presented by Carl Laemmle Produced by Charles E. Ford Dramatized by Graham McNamee
Musical accompaniment by Hilton Schwortzwcld
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
E E KL Y
NOV. 9, 19 35
— 3*?^
UXXISJBLE
OBSESSION MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION MAGNIFICENT
OBSESSION MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
The Supreme Triumph of JOHN M. STAHL, who gave you such memorable productions as ‘ Only T esterday,” ‘ Back Street and “ Imitation of Life!” Watch this page every week!
LN3OHIN0VAI N0ISS3S90 lNBOIdlNOVA
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
MARGARET SULLAVAN and JAMES STEWART in NEXT TIME WE LOVE from Ursula Parrott's newest novel . . . with Wallace Ford . . . Directed by Edward H. Griffith. (In Production)
WILLIAM POWELL in "MY MAN GODFREY." A Carl Laemmle, Jr. Production. From the Liberty Magazine serial by Erich Hatch.
EDWARD ARNOLD in "SUTTER'S COLD." From the epic novel by Blaise Cendrars . . . An Edmund Grainger production. Directed by James Cruze. (In Production)
IRENE DUNNE in SHOWBOAT." Edna Ferber's Immortal Classic!... With PAUL ROBESON and CHARLES WINN INCER . . . New music and lyrics by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, III ... A Carl Laemmle, Jr. production... Directed by James Whale.
W shows eahth!
oBbEi
4 - UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = — Nov. 9, 1935
TREMENDOUS
No. 837 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
Universal's elaborate production called "Stormy" is one of hundreds of proofs of Universal's willingness to contrib-
ute something new to the screen.
"Stormy" is intended for exhibitors and for movie fans who want something different — for folks who like heart-
throbs, rather than cold, cynical sophistication.
"Stormy" is not done in a ballroom, nor in a bedroom, nor in a boudoir.
"Stormy" (perhaps I should whisper this) is gorgeously clean. It is a direct appeal to all that is decent in a decent human being. It contains no dirty Broadway wise-cracks. It does not spue any mental filth out to the millions of young movie-goers.
"Stormy" is a challenge to all who sincerely think that clean-ness cannot be heart-warming and entertaining.
The title role in "Stormy" is played by Noah Beery, Jr.
He is a homely or homey sort of boy with a tremendous human appeal.
He is a polished actor in spite of his extreme youth.
I don't know, and I don't care, whether he got this pec- uliar art from his father or from his uncle, Wallace Beery.
Nov. 9, 1935 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY : 5
SIMPLICITY!
But he is a comer! Much will be expected of him because he is a Beery — but if i know anything about this business, I say he will become a great world favorite in his own right. The Beery family wilt never have to apologize for him. They will brag about him.
I don't believe I will ever find a better story for Noah Beery, Jr. than "Stormy."
So far, you have a fine, clean, outdoor story and a fine, clean boy to play the leading part.
But in "Stormy" you will have even more. You will have a new type of movie — made under the most exquisitely beautiful natural surroundings — made, in fact, in the famous Painted Desert.
The scenic beauty of the picture is so breath-taking that I wont even try to describe it. I don't own enough words.
So let's add it up: — In "Stormy" you will get beauty, power, drama, the kind of cleanliness which is next to Godliness, fine acting and superb entertainment, — and tremendous simplicity!
I am so proud to present "Stormy" that I can hardly wait until you see it!
TAKE THEIR W
HERE’S SOMETHING BRAND NEW IN THE LINE OF MURDER MYSTERY ENTER- TAINMENT...DIS- TINCTIVELY UNIQUE ...SPICY, THRILLING AND SOMETIME DARING . . . WILL SEND THEM OUT OF THE THEATRE TALK- ING IN SUCH A MANNER THAT WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISING WILL BRING IN MUCH ADDITIONAL BUSI- NESS .
. . . Motion Picture Herald
NO EXPENSE HAS BEEN SPARED IN PROVIDING THIS PICTURE WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST DRAW CASTS AS- SEMBLED IN ONE PRODUCTION, NOR HAS THERE BEEN A LIMIT TO THE BUDG- ET FOR LAVISH SETS AND RICH MOUNT- INGS. IT REPRE- SENTS THE LIMIT IN PRODUCTION VALUE SPLENDOR... CAST MATCHLESS . ...Showmen’s Trade Review
JUNIOR LAEMMLE AGAIN DEMON- STRATES HIS SHOW- MANSHIP PRECI- SION IN PRODUC- ING THIS MURDER MYSTERY-MELO- D RAMA.. .GAY AND FULL OF FUN .
. . . Motion Picture Daily
A RIOT OF COMEDY SPOTS SUPERIM- POSED ON A RIOT OF CRIME DETECT- ING... MURDER IS PROMPTLY CAPPED
REMEMBER I
Carl Laemmle presents a Universal Picture. A Janies Whale Triumi with EDWARD ARNOLD • CONSTANCE CUMMINGS . SALLY EILERS • ROBERT Y<
ORDS FOR IT!
BY A WISECRACK OR A COMEDY BIT ...FAST SUCCESSION OF EFFECTIVELY AMUSING COMEDY BITS. THE CAST IS HEADED BY FOUR GOOD NAMES, ALL OF WHOM SHOULD SELL AT THE BOX- OFFICE. EDWARD ARNOLD, FRESH FROM HIS SUCCESS AS DIAMOND JIM BRADY, IS A CRIME SPECIALIST WHO SUAVELY AND SKILLFULLY CAP- TAINS THE DETECT-
ING.CARL LAEMMLE JR.’S PRODUCTION STANDS UP AS SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY ATTHE BOX-OFFICE .
. . . Hollywood Reporter
GOOD NEWS FOR BOX OFFICES... GOOD ENTERTAIN- MENT AND BOX- OFFICE . . . PICTURE HAS BEEN SMARTLY MOUNTED WITH PLENTY FLASH
. . . Doily Variety
BOTH COMEDY AND MURDER MYS- TERY, AND MUCH ABOVE AVERAGE FOR BOTH . . . REC- OMMENDED . . . AMONG THE MOST ENTERTAINING AND BEST DRESSED SERIES OF MURDERS TO BE FOUND IN MANY A PROWL THROUGH CELLU- LOID CRIME. IT HAS A KIND OF INSANE FASCINATION .
. . . Screen & Radio Weekly
produced by Carl LaemmleJr. From the novel by Adam Hobhouse. G • ROBERT ARMSTRONG • LOUISE HENRY • REGINALD DENNY • GREGORY RATOFF
8
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Nov. 9, 1935
Grainger Enthuses Over New Pictures
JAMES R. GRAINGER, general manager of distribution for Uni- versal, on returning to his office on Monday, had an enthusiastic report to make on production at Universal City studios. In last week's Universal Weekly there was a resume of what he thinks about "Magnificent Obses- sion." Mr. Grainger also saw several other pictures in rough cut. He saw "East of Java," which cannot be en- tirely completed until Charles Bick- ford recovers from the wounds made by the supposedly tame lion while the picture was being filmed. How- ever, it has a greater thrill and au- dience appeal than "Storm Over the Andes," which is making an enviable audience record wherever it is being played.
Mr. Grainger saw more than hait of "The Invisible Ray" with Karloff and Bela Lugosi, while the entire stu- dio is under compulsion not to di- vulge the secrets back of the photo- graphic discoveries which will make ( Continued on Page 28)
+ + +
Robert Young Praises Remember Last Night?”
ROBERT YOUNG, accompanied by his wife, arrived from the coast last Saturday to spend a week's vaca- tion in New York prior to leaving for London to appear in a British film. Young has just completed the leading juvenile role in Carl Laemmle, Jr.'s latest Universal production, "Remem- ber Last Night?", mystery comedy- drama from Adam Hobhouse's thrill- er, "Hangover Murders" and direct- ed by James Whale with a cast in- cluding Edward Arnold, Sally Eilers, Constance Cummings and twenty well known principals and over a hundred extras.
Although he had only seen the rushes of "Remember Last Night?" everyone in the cast had the feeling that the production was pointed for important honors and great success in the theatre, Young said. The sets were the most magnificent ever built in Hollywood, in his opinion, and the tempo and unusual character of the story marked it out as a unique and unusual and highly exciting addition to the winter's film fare.
Robert Young, handsome actor who plays the romantic lead in “ Remember Last Night?”, arrived in Neiv York Saturday for interviews, a radio ap- pearance, and a relaxation before go- ing to England, where he is making a picture and possibly appearing in con- nection with his Universal picture at the London trade show.
WEEKLY
A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulicls, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Universal Pictures Corp. Copyrighted l?35 (All Rights Reserved)
NOV. 9, 1933 Vol. 37 No. 15
Liberty Gives “ Stormy ”
Three Big Fat Stars
“ The Films Present a Swift and Thrilling Comedy about a Horse'” Says Two Million Circulation W eekly Magazine in Current Issue.
UNIVERSAL studio has made something quite appealing and quite touching out of Stormy. Fairly oozing with sentiment, Stormy con- trives, with admirable consistency, to keep its people in the background. And this story of a wild horse, set against the stunning Painted Desert of Arizona, satisfies both as a scenic excursion and as an effective tear jerker.
Noah Beery, Jr., performing with pleasing naturalness, is the wayward young vagabond who falls in love with a colt. Young Beery acquires the horse after a train wreck, and, build- ing a hidden corral, he cares for the motherless animal until it is old enough to be set free on the wild range.
From then on Stormy concerns Fred Kohler, a dastardly rancher who plans to kill all the wild horses on the range and convert the land to cattle grazing. Kohler's kindly brother, J. Farrell MacDonald, gives the story a righteous element. And the horses themselves work out a revenge for the mercenary Mr. Kohler.
The elusive qualities that make Stormy the distinctive little picture it is cannot be recreated on paper. Full of photographic gems and set in a country that lends itself beautifully to the camera, the picture is best remembered for those bits that have nothing to do with the plot. The wild stampede scene alone makes Stormy a worth-while risk.
VITAL STATISTICS: Horse operas are coming back, all plants scram- bling to haul chaps, spurs, and pizen- critter phrases from moth balls . . . Rex, the wild horse who Elinor Glyn said had It some years back, is still his vicious old self. Has never been broken to the love and service of man. Belong to Mons. Doyle, Arizona rancher and movie-location spotter, and responds to the crack of trainer (Continued on Page 28)
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY:
Three New Faces
For Universal Pictures
Beautiful Shaindel Kalisli, Chicago stage star.
MOVING pictures owe a debt of gratitude to youth. Universal is paying its part of the debt. Universal has just placed a number of young ambitious and promising actresses and actors under contract and will give them oppor- tunities and important roles as fast as they show their aptitude. Among the new players signed are Shaindel Kalish, whose picture is just above. Miss Kalish is twenty, weighs less than a hundred pounds, has dark hair and dark brown eyes, and made a sensational success in the Chicago pro- duction of "Maedchen in Uniform" which was her debut while attending the Goodman Theatre School of Drama in Chicago. She was born in Chicago and is a recognized drawing power on the N. B. C. network.
Another newcomer is Diana Gibson, a Chi- cago girl who came to Los Angeles as a prize winner in a Balaban & Katz beauty contest. She has just been given her first role.
Another pictured on this page is Priscilla Lawson, an Indianapolis girl, who made a success in New York as a model. Her face was brought to Universal attention in a Universal Newsreel.
Priscilla Lawson, discovered by the llniversal Newsreel while posing for fashions, had a part as one of the Milgrim fashion mannequins in the fashion pa- rade of “ Sweet Surrender.” They give her a close-up, too.
TODAY starts a new chapter in the life of Diana Gibson, whose French-lrish parentage has already showered her with such names as Malloy, Agapette, and LaBie. Universal thought that Di- ana Gibson was a little more screenable than any of these. It was on a vacation trip, the result of a beauty contest, that Diana Gibson came to Los Angeles three months ago. Carl Laemmle, Jr. saw her dancing in a night club. A test followed and Diana turned in her return ticket. Today she is one of the leads in "Dangerous Waters," in support of Jack Holt, which went into production today under the direction of Lam- bert Hillyer.
Though she is delighted, Diana Gibson isn't much surprised at all this. It seems that Carl Laemmle himself once ordered a screen test of this twenty-year-old girl when she was only thirteen. She was big for her age at that time, and a friend of her family sent a photo- graph to Carl Laemmle as a re- sponse to his Saturday Evening Post appeal for new faces.
Diana Gibson, who was born Rosemary LaBie in Chicago, has just been , given her first role in “ Dangerous Waters.” in support of Jack Holt and under the direction of Lambert Hillyer.
14— — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Nov. 9. 1935
Boston Roll of Honor
The following exhibitors in the Boston Territory have used Universal Pictures continuously for
|
EXHIBITOR |
CIRCUIT OF |
|
|
E. M. Loew |
20 houses in Mass., Maine and R. 1. |
10 years |
|
Fred Sharby |
5 houses in N. H. and Vt. |
10 years |
|
R. K. 0. |
Boston, Lowell, Providence |
10 years |
|
Me. & N. H. |
1 5 houses in Me., N. H., Vt., Mass. |
10 years |
|
Phil Smith |
4 houses in Mass. |
5 years |
|
J. M. Levenson |
5 houses in Mass, and N. H. |
5 years |
|
G. A. Giles Co. |
5 years |
|
|
Warner Bros. |
1 2 houses in Mass. |
5 years |
|
Samuel Kurson |
1 1 houses in Me., N. H. and Vt. |
10 years |
|
Charles Morse |
1 2 houses in Mass. |
10 years |
|
A. M. Graves |
5 houses in Vt. and N. H. |
5 years |
|
Louis Cohn |
5 houses in Springfield, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Frank Hawes |
Puritan Theatre, Baston, Mass. |
iO years |
|
Frank Lvdon |
Hamilton Theatre, Dorchester, Mass. |
10 years |
|
K. H. Forkey |
Magnet Theatre, Dorchester, Mass. |
5 years |
|
George Ramsdell |
Granada Theatre, Malden, Mass. |
10 years |
|
George Hackett |
Medford Theatre, Medford, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Arthur Viano |
Broadway, Teele and Somerville Theatre, Somerville, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Charles Babb |
Princess Theatre, Bridgewater, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Nat Hochberg |
East Weymouth, Hingham & Scituate Mass. |
5 years |
|
Alfred Hall |
Playhouse, Edgartown, Mass. |
5 years |
|
Nathan Yamins |
Durfee, Capitol, Park and Strand Theatres, Fall River, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Oze Tessier |
3 houses in New Bedford, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Simon Beserosky |
Allen's Theatre, New Bedford, Mass. |
10 years |
|
Al Worrall |
Onset & Wareham, Mass. |
5 years |
|
Samuel Bomes |
Liberty, Providence, R. 1. |
10 years |
|
Lon Vail |
Bristol & Warren, R. 1. |
10 years |
|
J. B. Findlay |
2 houses in Westerly, R. 1. |
10 years |
W. P. KELLY, Mgr.
PPLAUDIENCE
APPEAL
n
THANK YOU, WALTER WiNCHEU, FOR THE SMARTEST WORD YOU EVER COINED TO DESCRIBE A GREAT BOX- OFFICE PICTURE.
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Walter Winched
Universal’s Knockout
THREE KIDS AND A QUEEN
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TIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY *««
HAS~DRAW. THE SCENICALLY AND
-Showman's Trod. Review
Carl Laemmle presents
A Universal Picture with
NOAH BEERY, JR. JEAN ROGERS
iiimi ■*«««“»
Fred Kohler • Raymond Motion
^ tST HORSE STA EVER
FILMED!
Thundering herds of thou- *°nd* of wild mustangs stampeding— to freedom or destruction-in the lost wil- derness of Arizona’s mesas I It’s one of the biggest thrills in this picture, and one you’ll talk about for months I
PRAISED BY MOTION PICTURE EXPERTS
JT* DISTINCTIVE AND DlSft
_ Tied production has de
HEART APPEAL THE SCENERY ON THE PAINTED DESERT IS USED TO THE LIMIT AND THE PHOTOGRAPHY ATTAINS HEIGHTS SELDOM REACHED, PARTICULARLY IN THE STAMPEDE SEQUENCES IN WIJICH HUNDREDS OF HORSES ARE PICTURED GALLOPING IN CLOUDS OF DUST. AS A STRONG NOVELTY FEATURE, THIS LOOKS LIKE DEFINITE BOX-OFFICE, PARTICULARLY AFTER WORD AROUND." — Motion Picture Peaty
"YOUNG BEERY SEEMS A YOUTHFUL REINCARNATIOlf! THE LATE WILL ROGERS IN LOOKS, IN SPEECH AND .N MANNER. BUT THE FANS WILL TAKE HIM TO THEIR HEARTS ON HIS OWN MERITS."— Hollywood Reporter
CARILAEMMU presents "STORMY". A Universal Picture with
NOAH BEERY, JR., JEAN ROGERS, J. FARRELL MACDONALD
BIGGER THAN AN EPIC
YOU'LL LOVEI YOU'LL HATE I
«uuu>uo«,rr,v;t
YOU'LL WEEP! cent story of A : youth search*
ing for love and happi- ^ - i nen in the
!"• If last wilder-
flS» ness.
the FURORi
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1 HDUSTRYI
I "HE«f I AND k I EMC Ou: [ TOOAr.. Nor ONI s»«i ■ WITH A MAls, oi ScHTIM, IH* lUlun SU «£.f- t«Ao?
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£0£olo STC£
GRAPurn
THIS IS OUTDOOR DRAMA!
CARL LAEMMLE
presents
Thrill upon thrill amid scenic splendor! Heart- warming ro- mance tuned to Arizona musicl Thousands of horses in breath- taking stam- pedes across Arizona mesas I Don’t miss itl
ehoto.
r»m HAS *Ny House
°*afheo
Never BEEN. Sr“EE TO EQl
A Universal Picture with
L-en,mle treUMi
NOAH IEEIY, JR. JEAN ROGERS,
J. FARRELL MACDONALD
"•versa/
CARILAEMMLf presents
ROGERS
'A,,Hl MACDONALD
Roymend Horton fr*d Kohl"
A Universal Picture with
NOAH BEERY, JR JEAN ROGERS.
Carl Laemmle presents
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"‘♦A on Hi.
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< 4 Universal Picture with
NOAH IEERY, JR., JEAN ROGERS
Laemmle
presents
with
/^NOAH BEERY, JR. JEAN ROGERS
A Universal Picture
Carl Laemmle Presents
A Universal Picture with
A Umioersat Picture with
90 — — — UNIVERSAL WEEKLY= - - Nov. 9, 1935
Universal Newsreel Man on Spot
Painting the roof of the headquarters of the Red Cross in Addis Ababa to make it fool-proof for the Italian bombers. You will notice that the flag has only twenty stars, but even this number is a comfort to Howard W inner every time he looks at it. In the upper right-hand corner, a man is also painting the Red Cross sign on this same building, which is the largest hospital in the city.
HERE is a story sent out by the United Press and carried in a number of New York and metropoli- tan dailies throughout the country on November 3rd. It is the word-for-word cable sent to Charles Ford, editor of Universal Newsreel by Howard Win- ner, its long-suffering cameraman in Abyssinia.
"Howard Winner, newsreel camera- man in Addis Ababa, cabled his boss yesterday that the life of the white man in Ethiopia is not to be envied. He escaped being cut to bits by a detachment of black warriors who waved a variety of cutlery in his face, but pointed out that his 'hotel ac- commodations are lousy, the bugs
and fleas have me covered with bites and sores and the food is enough to poison a goat.' Winner's cable was released by the office of Carl Laem- mle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation. He said he had heard there was a camp of thousands of black warriors and, hiring mules and two natives, rode out.
"Well, I stepped into a hornet's nest," he said. "Naturally they were from the sticks and had nothing but hatred in their hearts for white people, and when I appeared on the scene with a camera, they let out a yell and immediately I was surround- ed by hundreds of warriors waving spears and knives and with blood in their eyes.
"They began to jostle me around and punch me until finally the chief, Ras Masheta, appeared on a little mound of dirt and demanded of my interpreter what I was doing there. My interpreter tried to explain that I was a newspaperman and showed him my official Ethiopian press pass- port, but they knew of no such thing and insisted I was an Italian spy and insisted that I stay there for the night that they might take me to the em- peror in the morning.
( Continued on Page 28 )
TWO SHOTS FROM UNIVERSAL NEWSREELS— How arc the mighty fallen! A shot from Newsreel No. 399 showing Tarzan, who nearly killed Charles Bickford, in “ East of Java," teamed with another three year old lion at the Cal- ifornia Zoological Gardens engaged in delivering food to the bears.
A shot from Saturday's Newsreel. Laura Roth of Thousand Oaks, California, an eighteen year old girl, has a Bengal tiger with which she wrestles. Mervyn Freeman, demon Uni- versal cameraman, tries his hand with this tiger, who weighs 450 pounds, while Laura waits to rescue him if her pet goes native.
Nov. 9, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
21
PAUL ROBESON is Concerting His Way to "Show Boat' Role
PAUL ROBESON, who was summoned by Carl Laemmle, Jr., from England fo appear in an important role in "Show Boat," gave a concert last night in Milwau- kee which had been promised to Milwau- kee music lovers for over two years. The same thing is true of two more concerts. Fortunately, Robeson was able to work them in on his trip to Universal City. One of them is in Portland, where he will ap- pear on November II, and the other, in Seattle, where he will give an Armistice Day recital, before his train leaves for Los Angeles, where he will arrive on the 15th.
Although "Show Boat" will get under way at Universal City on November 18th, Irene Dunne will have an extra week in New York, where she is putting in intensive work with ther voice coach and learning the new songs which Jerome Kern and Oscar Ham- merstein II have written for the production of "Show Boat." Naturally, all of the fa- mous songs of the Ziegfeld production will be retained.
Charles Winninger, who arrived at Uni- versal City last week, has already chosen his costumes and is advising with James Whale on "Show Boat" practice and pro- cedure.
DAILY MIRROR
ABOVE THE CROWD
By
Stookie Allen
f*AGE HORATIO ALGER .... HERE'S A COLORED BOy, THE SON OF A SLAVE, WHO FOUGHT HIS WAV TO THE TOP IN FOUR.
FIELDS/
- Athlete scholar actor SINGER
^At RUTGERS HE WON HIS R IN FOUR MAJOR SPORTS — AND WAS NAMED ALL- AMERICAN END FOR. TWO YEARS BV WALTER GAMP/
He also averaged over 'fu 90 IN ALL HIS STUDIES AND
■Rutgers awarded him a
MASTER'S DEGREE.'
His success as an
AeTOR AND SINGER IN
EMPEROR JONES WAS INTER- NATIONAL . HE HAS SUNG BEFORE J, eouLD . JSE. ROVALTY THE WORLD OVER. AND '
IS EVEN MORE POPULAR.
ABROAD THAN HE IS ,\\'
IN THIS COUNTRY /
He'S
KING GEORGE'S FAVORITE AfiTOR^
HIM BAGK AT ENO.NOW 1
Stookie Allen, the cartoonist of the Daily Mirror, pub- lished in that paper the above cartoon of Paul Robeson last Monday. Stookie Allen, who has a football build, is a great admirer of Robeson on a number of counts.
In the cut at the left of this page, this versatile artist is shown with his versatile wife, Gladys Parker, creator of “ Flapper Girl” and originator of many of Fifth Avenue’s fashions and fads. On occasion, the two of them team up in an act which should go well in vaudeville or in moving pic- tures. Someone is passing up a bet on Stookie Allen and Gladys Parker, if they could wean them away from their drawing boards and designing desks. Stookie is six feet tall and his wife is not quite five.
THE WILDEST ADVENTU
J K
NOTE: CHARLES BICKFORD, WHO NARROWLY ESCAPED
DEATH WHEN HE WAS SEVERELY BITTEN IN THE NECK BY A LION DURING THE FILMING OF THIS DARING THRILL- ER, IS NOW OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND COMPLETELY RECOVERED! TELL YOUR PATRONS ABOUT IT!
S r
BICKFORD
With ELIZABETH YOUNG • LESLIE FENTON, Frank Albertson, Clarence Muse, Siegfried Rumann, Jay Gilbuena
Carl Laemmle presents universal’s Amazing Adventure Drama
Directed by GEORGE MELFORD Produced by PAUL KOHNER
Adapted from the GOUVERNEUR MORRIS noveil, “Tiger island”
HE DRAMA EVER FILMED
ITS SONG HITS ALONE /
IE THE NATIONAL PAGE!
J1 HIT
sows
THE WORLD'S CH AMI
ON WESTERN STAR!
RINGS YOU HIS NEWEST ACTION AND iDVENTURE THRILLER -AND HIS BEST!
C^\vt C®*'*'^* CV'**X
^et'c^tXeW
28:
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Nov. 9, 1935
Grainger Enthuses Over New Pictures
(Continued from Page 8)
this picture as sensational as "The Invisible Man" was. The rushes have all of the ear-marks of a great nerve- tingling thrill picture.
Mr. Grainger also calls attention to Lowe's production of "The Great Impersonation" almost completed and feels that this spy picture of the Great War by E. Phillips Oppenheim will be one of the most satisfactory audience pictures of the winter sea- son.
Mr. Grainger also calls attention to the fact that the studio is starting this week on some of the biggest pic- tures of its forthcoming season. The Margaret Sullavan story, "Next Time We Love," by Ursula Parrott, went into production last Monday under the direction of Edward H. Griffith, and will be ready for release early in March. Carole Lombard goes into production with "Spinster Dinner" under the able direction of Wal- ter Lang, next week, with Melvyn Douglass and Kent Taylor, and it will be ready for release in February.
Jack Holt, whose first picture, "Storm Over the Andes," was ex- ceptionally well received, is starting this week on a second production which is finally entitled "Dangerous Waters." Its cast includes Robert Armstrong, Charlie Murray, Diana Gibson, one of Universal's newest and most promising ladies, Grace Bradley, Edward Maxwell, Guy Usher and Dewey Robinson. It is being directed by Lambert Hillyer.
Liberty Gives “ Stormy
(Continued from Page 8)
Jack Lindell's whip and voice. Lindell never strikes him. Commands are sharp spoken, because with Rex it isn't "Please step up for a left profile close-up, Rexie-wexie," and nobody but Lindell can get near him. The colt is Rex's own offspring, but sever weeks old, and tame as could be, ex- cept for a playful habit of leaving a big black-and-blue where it nipped petting players. Rex was terribly fatherlike to his babe, which, one
Exhibitor Gets $50.
M. L. Hart, manager of the Iris Theatre of Edgemont, South Da- kota, wins one of the fifty dollar prizes promised by Carl Laemmle to anyone who gave him a prac- t'cai idea which Universal was pre- pared to adopt.
Mr. Hart in his letter to Mr. Laemmle says:
"I am still in a daze. After mail- ing my letter of criticism, I felt a little afraid that I had been too harsh. I was afraid I might have hurt somebody's feelings, but your fine letter dispels all these fears, and I know now that you are too big a man to be hurt over a frank criticism of work which isn't en- tirely your fault. Much as I appre- ciate the fifty, I prize your letter even more."
This offer to exhibitors is still open. Fifty dollars doesn't grow on every bush. There is Fifty Dollars for any exhibitor who comes across with a swell idea.
“Magnificent Obsession 99 Players Call New York That
(Conitnued from Page 12) picture. I think John Stahl is finally cutting it — and I'm hoping he doesn't cut too much of me out, because it’s the finest chance I've yet had. Mr. Stahl intended to make the film in eight weeks, and we worked sixteen — which shows the care and pains which have gone into it."
It's an off-the-record secret that Director Stahl borrowed Baby Leroy from Paramount for the baby's part in the film. Leroy, however, proved so temperamental that at the last
moment his understudy had to be "shot" instead.
While Butterworth hurried back to the Coast, Miss Furness will stay here with her dad until she gets a call from her home lot. "Just because I'm hop- ing for a real vacation they'll prob- ably need me over the week end," she suspects. "But — well, honestly, I'll be glad to go, at that. I love my ca- reer, and nothing — no, not even ro- mance and she has been reported en- gaged to every eligible screen bach- elor— can stand in the way of my goal!"
” Three Big Fat Stars
night on location, broke from one canyon and found its way to its fa- ther's side to cuddle up with him the rest of the night. . . . Entire film made in Painted Desert country, 112 miles from Flagstaff. The company rose at 5.30 A. M., bumped thirty terrible miles over bad roads from Tuba City, Arizona to Blue Canyon, then worked in a 131° desert heat, water being scarce all day and make-up and des- ert grime impossible to remove till 9 P. M. It was after their first day's experience on this location the com- pany found out the Navajo considers the Hopi's dog the lowest thing on earth and the white man second low- est. ... It was so hot, a rattler, brought in for use by a Hopi, died of the heat. . . . Authoress Cherry Wilson, born at Mystic, Pennsylvania, settled in wildest section of old Ore- gon Trail cattle country at sixteen, married Bob Wilson, Westerner, and adventured, mined, ranched, trapped wild mustangs for four years. Then, homesteading on Colville Indian Res- ervation near British Columbia bord- er in Washington, her husband's health gave out and, in a bad way she wrote and sold a story an Okan- agan Indian had told her. Thus a Wild West writer was born. . . . Noah Beery, Jr., was born in New York City, August 10, 1913.
+ + +
Cameramans Grief
(Continued from Page 20)
"While standing there, out of the corner of my eye I could see these dopes making motions with their knives and it didn't feel very com- fortable.
"Just as they seized me, my inter- preter finally convinced them that I was only a newsreel man and meant no harm. The chief warned us not to return without a special letter from the emperor. So we mounted our mules and left, but not without get- ting a few more smacks in the face and other places from the natives and also our pockets picked.
"No one knows as yet what is going to happen here. One day it looks like a good war and the next all is calm. I hope something takes place one way or the other."
YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS THE MOST SENSATIONAL AND THRILLING PICTURE EVER BROUGHT TO THE SCREEN. IF YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WE
SUGGEST THAT YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES NOW, OR ELSE TAKE A 20 MIN- UTE INTERMISSION IN THE FOYER.
We suggest that you run this "Warning" as an advance trailer on
"CAMERA THRILLS"
and to precede the picture with it when you’re playing it; that you also include it in your ads, and display it in the lobby. It’s SURE to get you big extra business ! It did for Jack Gross at the Pantages and Hillstreet Theatres in Los Angeles.
King Solomon was a wise man, so, when Irving Sfein and Tony Burmek decided to send a local King Solomon out as a bally for the Strand Theatre, they had to select an exceptionally clever man, fast on the repartee. Each time a person would ask him a question, besides imparting his "wisdom" he interpolated a sales talk on the picture. Nice idea — and inexpensive, too!
* * *
Something To Remember
^our Memory May Win Prize In ‘Rememln'r' Contest
To the left is a nice two col- umn x 10 inch break in the Bal- timore News and Post on a "Re- member Last Night?" contest landed by J. Lawrence Schan- berger as part of his advance campaign at the Keiths Theatre. Newspaper of- fered prizes to readers for most interesting and amusing remem- brances of their life.
* * *
A cavalcade of new model Dodge cars accompanied by 1903 Pierce-Arrow for contrast, paraded through Scranton streets, selling the merits of "Diamond Jim" at the Strand Theatre. Sound truck in parade shot messages over its public address system boosting the picture to the crowds on the sidewalks. All a part of the tie-up arranged with local Dodge distributor by enterprising Manager Lloyd L. Hause.
V _ J
. . . cash in
on news!
THE SCENE: — Universal Studios. On the set. A thrill picture, EAST OF JAVA, is nearing completion. Dangerous fill-in shots, held for the last, are now being made. A giant lion slinks across the set. Guards watch his every move. Charles Bickford, scorning being doub- led, moves into scene. (After all — it is a well trained lion, isn’t it?) Soon the cameras are grinding. The lion, well trained, of course!) has one paw across Bickford’s shoulder. This is going to look great on the screen. Cameramen breathlessly keep on grinding. Then the unexpected happens! Someone makes a false move. The lion is startled! — On the defensive! Terrified — he be- comes jungle wild again — his fangs sink deep, deep into Bickford’s neck! Bickford’s face contorts in agony. It all happens in a flash. Before the horrified director can yell “Cut!”, the cameras have ground out the amaz- ing scene! Fadeout — hospital!
Within a few minutes the AP and UP wires are carrying the news to the world. Film fans everywhere are reading of Bickford’s miraculous escape from death!
The millions who have read this will ally is filmed with so many thrills anyway, seen, once-in-a-lifetime camera event.
vant to see the picture — which, incident- it did not really need this extra unfore-
Here is a fine opportunity for thcatremen every- where to capitalize on the flash news right in their lobby and their advertising. To this end, Universal hus prepared a special 1 sheet poster, shown above, as well as reproducing newspaper headlines on the bal- ance of the exciting posters for this picture.
EAST OF JAVA is a furious drama of derelicts shipwrecked off Simba Sao! Bickford is escaping from the law on a ship with a wild animal cargo when it is smashed on the rocks in a typhoon. Seven derelicts and one lone woman are washed ashore. The wild animal cargo breaks loose. Pan- demonium reigns. It is Fast, FAST and beaucoup exciting! Fine exploitation opportunities. Dandy, adventure sales lines! Read about them in the pressbook !
Nov. 9, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION
31
FOOTBALL TOGS HERALD WEN DELL S FIGHTING YOUTH"
USHERS AND TICKET TAKERS DON GRIDIRON UNIFORMS
V \ff ITH "Fighting Youth" playing the Empress Theatre, Decatur, III.
early in the football season. W. John Wendell, manager pepped up his lobby and front with pennants, emblems, banners, etc. in order
to cash in on the town's high foot- ball spirit and interest. Ushers and ticket takers were dressed in regula- tion uniforms. All easels and still panels were constructed in the shape of footballs. The pennants and colors used were of the neighboring col- leges.
As a special attraction for the youngsters, Wendell announced the distribution of football badges to the first one hundred attending the opening morning showing. Imprinted scorecards were given away at local high school games.
Crack Chicago Pilot Addresses "Tailspin Tommy" Audiences
AS a special treat to the young- sters attending showing of first chapter of "Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery" at the Maryland Theatre, Chicago, Manager Louis Machat invited the famous airmail pilot, Speed Westphall to greet them and speak from the stage. Announce- ment heralding his appearance was made on screen, in lobby and through Chicago Herald Examiner. Westphall spoke about the value of a serial like Tailspin Tommy in teaching the youngsters the princi- pals of aviation and the hardships the pilots have to undergo. Stunt was covered by reporter and pho- tographer from Examiner and broke nice space in their columns.
Scot Mystery Man Sells "Edwin Drood"
THEY do it across the water too!
W. Hinks of the Alex Theatre, Paisley N. B. Scotland, exploiting "Mystery of Edwin Drood" sent Mys- tery Men roaming about town. Local newspaper tied up and printed pic- ture and description of men. People carrying copy of the newspaper and tapping men on shoulder received pass to see "Mystery of Edwin Drood." Three hundred and fifty store windows and thousands of her- alds and posters around town also carried announcement and descrip- tion of the mystery men.
Main Floor to 6 and Balcony Alwaya, 25c Main Floor After 6. 40c
STARTS TODAY
IWi FIRST GREAT FOOT BALL ROMANCE
Laat Tlmoa Todayl
'Special Agent’
CHARLES FARRELL
JUNE MARTEL. ANDF DEVINE
10 caul* ALL-AMUlCAN FOOTIALL STARS ....
Something alwaya hap- pened on Broadway when he was around!
7 IptfAowjluli.
TONIGHT
GIANT
FOOTBALL RALLY
They'D All Be There . . .Teemi . Cheer Leaders. . .Football F««i FUN FOR EVERYONE I
yfORU)j^R|£j
\\ » DAI »-Y — .
"HUFFMAN
IRECTIQN OF HARR>
OKAY, DENVER
Our hats off to the ad man at Harry Huffman's Paramount Theatre, Denver for these fine flashes on "Fighting Youth,” "Storm Over the Andes" and "King Solomon of Broadway." Note the stress on the showmanship angles of each feature — the nicely balanced copy, the strong titles. Sorry we haven't the name of the ad man. We'll get it and tell you later. Nice work — Ad Man!
■ao ' —UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION= Nov. 9, 1935
USE THIS SNIPE SEXTET TO MAKE 'EM REMEMBER!
Great for Teasing Title
TO assist showmen in teasing the catchy title "Remember Last Night?"
Universal has made available a set of six snipes, size 1 2*/2 x 25 inches. Great for posting in the many small spots around town where a one sheet poster can’t be used. Printed in two colors. A grand flash, and reasonably priced at only 15c per set. Order in quantity from your Universal Branch and put them up well in advance of your "Remember Last Night?" playdate. Lots of "noise" for little cost!
Cocktails start" the exc itement-
DEATH turns
down the emptq qlasses/
IMPRINT SPACE
Wright Cops Final!
TO Dick Wright, District Manager, War- ner Bros. Circuit, Cleveland, goes the fifth and final $5 prize Universal offered in connection with the "Remember Last Night?" Nightmare Contest which closed October 15th. Exhibitors are urged to use this contest in local newspapers.
Last night after assisting with an amateur audition in one of the theatres in my district, I dreamed that I was one of the contest- ants. When I started to sing I suffered a bad case of stage fright and could only utter squawking noises. Some one called out, "You sound just like a chicken . . . Go cut yourself up." ike a reasonable suggestion to me and I proceeded to carry it out. I had sharpened my carving knife and took a good hold on my neck to start the slicing
»
&
Thi
jnded
when I awoke to find myself grabbing my throat. Remember Last Night? I’ll not for- get it for a long time! — DICK WRIGHT.
V STARS SET NEW HAIR STYLES
rHIS dignified post- er boosting six current and forth- coming Universal pic- tures is being featured by the country's lead- ing department stores in their main windows. The pictures and the featured stars are Sally Eilers in "Remember Last Night," Margaret Sul- lavan in "Next Time We Love," Helen Lynd in "Sweet Sur- render," Jean Rogers in "Stormy," Dorothy Page in "King Solo- mon of Broadway" and Binnie Barnes in "Diamond Jim." Cash in on this tie-up when you play these pic- tures by working to- gether with the store in your city that fea- tures it, arranging for additional d i s p lays and local ads. If no store in your city is able to assist you, contact Pro-phy-lac-tic Brush Co., Florence,
Massachusetts.
o
p\??V)ftES OF 77^
fOiiE
THE NEW COIFFURES ARE GLAMOROUS WITH SPARKLING BRUSH-SMOOTHED TOPS AND SOFT HALF-OPEN CURLS
THE SPY MASTER IS COMING!
A Universal Picture
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
The 3 col. x 10 inch follow-up ad with which 150 of America's biggest newspapers are now boosting UNIVERSAL NEWS- REEL and bringing you extra patrons with each release!
Printed in U. S. A.
VAUDEVILLE AT ITS BEST WAS NEVER LIKE THIS!
Look at these headliners:
C U S VAN ! PEGGY FLYNN! RAY SAX!
The Mountaineers! Seroy and Weaver!
The Randall Sisters!
ALL in
"CUS VAN S MUSIC SHOPPE"
CVMUf ICAL
Wftett? . . .
QjH)hett will ike greatest trade showing in motion picture history ke held?. . .QAniversal is Qeeping ike date a guarded secret until arrangements have keen com- pleted for every exhibitor to see
it at tli
te same time
time !
Wftete?, , .
cfimultaneous ly in 5<S of the biggest cities on ike continent — from fflorida to jfUasfca and from the iT^tlaniic coast to the
(^Pacific!
Watcfi! . . .
Q&atck these announcements for your most important date — for the names of all the cities, and for ike special theatres now being selected for ike massive occasion.
IRENE DUNNE and ROBERT TAYLOR in JOHN M. STAHL'S
With
CHARLES BUTTERWORTH BETTY FURNESS
From the read-by-millions novel by Lloyd C Douglas
Sara Haden » Ralph Morgan Henry Armetta
A Universal Picture Presented by Carl Laemmle
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4 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY = Nov. 30, 1935
TO EVERY MAN WH
No. 840 Straight-from-the-Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
If you are over 25 years of age. I've got something that will give you a terrific kick.
I've got news which will carry you back to the days when you wore knee pants — to the days when you had a pure heart— to the days when you experienced thrills which you will never get again if you live to be a hundred,
I am producing "The Adventures of Frank Merriwell" — and I am producing it much better than your imagination can possibly conceive.
I am bringing your idol of your youthful days to the screen — and he will be a living, breathing, human being.
I am putting the famous Frank Merriwell of your kid days on the screen in serial form.
I am giving you and your sons and even your grandsons the marvelous kick that you got out of Frank Merriwell's adventures. I am even using the sons of famous movie
stars in the cast. Just for example:
House Peters, JUNIOR.; Wallace Reid, JUNIOR; Edward Arnold, JUNIOFL; Bryant Washburn, JUNIOR; Jean Her- scholt, JUNIOR; Herschell Mayail, JUNIOR; Peter Cowland, JUNIOR; — and please notice the JUNIORS. Sons of famous
Nov. 30, 1935 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY 5
O WAS ONCE A BOY!
fathers. Kids who believe just as fully in Frank Merriwell as you did when you wore knee pants — I almost said diapers.
Most movies are made to please the women and the girls — but I am making a serial to hit the hearts of men
and boys.
I have wanted to do this for nearly thirty years. When I was a kid I read two classes of stories. One was called "Only a Boy” and it was filthy. I felt ashamed of myself when I read it. The other was "The Adventures of Frank Merriwell.” I felt uplifted when I read of the adventures
of Frank Merriwell.
I think you did, too.
I think millions of other boys had the same experience. So, I am putting Frank Merriwell on the screen. I am making Frank Merriwell just as much of a hero to the movie fans today as he was when you wore knee pants.
This is not an experiment. It is a cinch. It cannot go wrong. Just as the stories of Frank Merriwell appealed to the very best in your soul, so will this serial appeal to the best in everybody.
No matter what class of theatre you run — whether first, second or fiftieth run — give the Frank Merriwell of your youth a chance with your sons and your grandsons.
6 = UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =Nov. 3D. 1935
IRENE DUNNE ENTERTAINS THE NEW YORK PRESS
Left to right: Kate Cameron, motion picture critic of the Daily News, Thyra Sampter Winslow, novelist, Betty Furness, Irene Dunne, Radie Harris, radio interviewer and fan magazine writer, and Irene T hirer, motion picture editor of the
New York Evening Post.
CARL LAEMMLE’S 30th Year
STARTING on January 6th, Universal will celebrate the greatest anniversary in its entire career. It will be the Carl Laemmle 30th Anniversary Jubilee. No other com- pany is able now or ever will be able in the memory of this generation to celebrate such a jubilee. No other company has a president who has been in this business continuously as a president for thirty years.
Universal's celebration will take an unusual form and will be fully out- lined for exhibitor participation with- in the next three weeks. The details are being arranged by J. R. Grain- ger, general manager of distribution.
The Rolls of Honor which have been published recently showing the tre- mendous number of exhibitors who have been consistent users of Univer- sal product, many of them as long as Universal has been in business, are a tremendous tribute to the genius of Carl Laemmle and the fine standard of production quality which it has maintained through the years. These factors are well worth bearing in
mind in approaching a jubilee celebration which is unique in the short history of moving pictures and the moving picture art.
There is no man in the moving picture business who has a warmer place in the hearts of exhibitors and this ad- miration for the man and his accomplishments is shared equally by his competitors and com- patriots in business, all of whom have rejoiced with him in all the festivals which have milestoned the business life of this remarkable man, Carl Laemmle. This year is no excep- tion to the rule. Contracts for Univer- sal pictures have come in earlier to the Universal Exchanges than last year and in greater number than on the same date last year. A resume of some of the more important con- tracts signed will be interesting.
SPARKS CIRCUIT — 43 theatres in Florida.
Glenn W. Dickinson — 30 important towns in Kansas.
Hall Circuit in Texas — 24 towns.
(Continued on Page 24)
II HIV liRSil I,
A Megeiine for Motion Picture Exhibitor* Paul Gulicle, Editor Published Weekly by tho Motion Picture Wookly Publishing Co.
Rockefeller Center, N. Y. City Untverul Picture* Corp. Copyrighted 1935 (All Right* Reserved)
NOV. 30, 1935 IVol. 37 No. 18J
Nov. 30, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
7
Ed. Kuykendall, President of the Mo- lion Picture Theatre Owners Association was asked to Univer- sal City recently to discuss exhibitor re- quirements for pic- tures with the Uni- versal producers. He saw “ Next Time We Love ” in pro- duction and here he is talking with its star , Margaret Sullavan.
Flanagan Bursts Into Verse
TO MY FELLOW EXHIBITORS:
Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit,
Swell Cartoon, you better grab it. Love to see him do his stuff.
Sometimes timid, sometimes rough. He makes all my patrons roar,
And they yell for More and More. That’s one way exhibitors know,
Oswald is a right smart show!
By Fred Flanagan (Vona Theatre, Vona Colorado)
N. B. Thank you, Mr. Flan- agan, we think so tool You will be happy to know that Universal has just signed a new iron-clad contract with
Walter Lantz, to put the finishing touches on "Os- wald" for two more years. That is what Universal thinks of Oswald and his creator.
* CASE OF THE LOST SHEEP
REACH THOSE FEMINIh
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VALERIE HOBSON WERA ENGELS
From thenorrl by E. PhUllp.Opprnh.lm
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LERIE HOBSON WERA ENGELS
Henry Mollison • Murray Kinnell Spring Byinglon • Lumsden Hare From Um mhI by L PhUllp. Opp.nh.lm An Edmund Gnbpr Production Directed by Alan Cmaland
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SOMEWHERE THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON WHO LOOKS EXACTLY UKEXOUt ^
Would you be willing to change places with him and imperson* ate him for the rest of your life?
Carl Laemmle presents
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in Universal’s Master Mystery
THE FATE OF NATIONS HUNG ON jf ONE WOMAN’S LOVE!
‘ Only she possessed the means with which lo prove the impersonator’s true identity. Would she yield her heart and risk her hap* piness to do so?
Carl Laemmle prrarnl a
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E HEARTS WITH THESE!
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EDMUND LOWE IN THE GREATEST DUAL ROLE EVER PORTRAYED !
Carl Laemmle presents
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in Universal’s amazing adventure drama
VALERIE HOBSON -WERA ENGELS
HENRY MOLLISON . MURRAY KINNELL SPRING BYINGTON . LUMSDEN HARE
From the celebrated novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim An Edmund Grainger Production Directed by Alan Crosland
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12
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Nov. 30, 1935
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Beta Lugosi and Karloff in one of the dramatic moments of “ The Invisible Ray,'” when Lugosi refuses to return Karloff’s secret formula.
w Karloff convinces the doubtful Lugosi that he has talents which are great enough to warrant a scientific expedition to Africa.
ONE of the sound stages at Uni- versal studios stood in lonely isolation for several weeks recently, during the production of a motion picture so strange in its conception that it was thought wise to veil its filming in the utmost secrecy.
Watchmen were placed at every door, to bar entrance even to studio attaches who under ordinary circum- stances enjoyed the freedom of the entire plant. Only those actually
working on the picture were permit- ted to enter the stage, and on its completion no Hollywood preview was held. The first opportunity to see the film will come with its release to theatres in all parts of the country.
This mysterious picture is "Invisible Ray," co-starring Karloff and Bela Lugosi. The reason for the great se- crecy surrounding its production was that the action finds Karloff, imper- sonating a great scientist, conducting
Nov. 30, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
13
v Filmed “The Invisible Ray 99 Secretly
a series of fantastic experiments in the field of physics, and that the stu- dio wished to conceal the methods devised by the technical departments for producing the effects. Actually, science now finds itself on the thresh- old of these discoveries, but the pic- ture shows their fulfillment.
"The Invisible Ray" is decidedly not a horror picture, though the coupling of the names Karloff and
The young lovers, Frank Lawton and Frances Drake.
Lugosi as stars might give that im- pression.
Though differing entirely in sub- ject matter from "Invisible Man,' it partakes somewhat of the quality of the earlier picture. No character in the story is invisible, the word in this story referring to a ray developed through the discovery of Radium X, a substance a thousand times more powerful than radium, and by means of which Karloff is able to destroy at a distance any person or object to- ward which it is directed.
The picture shows the actual ac- complishment of experiments which science so far has only touched; but which are believed to be possibilities of the future. The date of the story is the year 1937. In an early sequence Karloff, by means of a telescopic de- vice which he has invented, fills the great glass dome of his labor- atory with an actual reproduc- tion of the battle of suns and stars in the nebula Andromeda as it oc- curred millions of years ago. This fiery spectacle is both beauti- ful and start- lingly real.
The advancing and inescapable menace of the story comes later, af- ter Karloff has been poisoned by Ra- dium X. Unless he administers an an- tidote at frequent intervals, his face and hands become luminous in the dark, and at the end of the picture the disease has taken such a hold on him that he literally bursts into flames and dies. During his periods of lum- inosity his mere touch brings instant death, and he kills Lugosi simply by shaking hands with him.
It will be seen that trick photog- raphy entered largely into the mak- ing of "Invisible Ray,1 and the effects obtained are filled with intense in- terest, both scenically and dramatic- ally. The action of the story moves successively from the Carpathian mountains to Africa and then to Paris.
"Invisible Ray" was directed by Lambert Hillyer. The picture was produced by Edmund Grainger. Story by Howard Higgin and Douglas Hodges.
Screenplay by John Colton who wrote "Rain."
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UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
Nov. 30, 1935
Frank merriwell
was designed by his creator to be the idol and objective of American boyhood. Gilbert Patten, who wrote under the name of Burt L. Standish, con- ceived him as the type of boy that every genuine, full blooded ambitious American boy would like to be. It was this concep- tion of youth, not preachy, not priggish, not too-good-to-be-true, that Universal chose as the subject of this serial, "The Adventures of Frank Merriwell."
FRANK MERRIWELL is a pretty good name.
It must have been a good name to live for forty years and to inspire two generations of young men to go and do likewise. For that rea- son, if for no other, it is interesting to know how the name arose. Here is the explanation of the author, Gilbert Patten, who wrote the stories under the name of Burt L. Standish, and who is still trying to prevent others using this pen name. Mr. Patten says:
Don Briggs "For my hero I took the given name of Frank
and to express one of his characteristics — open, on
Jean Rogers. the |eve| above-board, frank. Merriwell was
formed by a combination of two words, Merry — expressive of a jolly high- spirited lad — and well, suggesting abounding physical health. I've never heard of a person, living or dead, whose family name was Merriwell."
So it is plain that it isn't the resounding name of Merriwell which has made the Frank Merriwell sto- ries last until this present time. It seems a poetic justice that the one thing which actually killed Frank Merriwell as a literary feature is reviving him now in another medium of expression. It was a case of dog eat dog in survival of the fittest. The Frank Frank Merriwell settles an Merriwell and other sto-
argument in his own master- ries of the period SUC-
ful w ay.
Five of the Juniors watch a scrap. They are Wally Reid. Jr., Jean Her- sholt, Jr., Bryant Washburn, Jr., House Peters, Jr., and Hershell Mayall, Jr.
FRANK MERRIV
Nov. 30, 1935
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
15
ELL COMES TO LIFE
Frank disarms the half-faced man who had been trying to get the Merri- well ring.
Frank Merriwell in two athletic crises. One in lumber camp, and the other on baseball diamond.
Frank Merriwell and his great college chum, Bruce.
Chapter Headings
ceeded the dime novel and it was the movies which doomed Frank Merriwell as a literary figure, to the condition of a tremendously pleasant memory. The same people who had bought the Frank Merriwell stories could not get the same vicarious thrill in the movies and for the same price and without the exertion of reading.
Gilbert Patten wrote 900 complete 20,000 word novels about Frank Merri- well, each one complete and separ- ate in itself, but fitting nicely into a se- ries which took Frank through Fardale Prep School, through Yale, through his Don Briggs and Joan Rogers vacations abroad and then undertook to in intimate scene from picture, describe his younger brother Dick, and
finally his son, Frank Merriwell, Jr.
"THE COLLEGE HERO"
"THE DEATH PLUNGE"
"DEATH AT THE CROSS ROADS" 'WRECK OF THE VIKING" "CAPSIZED IN THE CATARACT" "DESCENDING DOOM" "MONSTER OF THE DEEP"
"THE TRAGIC VICTORY" "BETWEEN SAVAGE FOES" "IMPRISONED IN A DUNGEON" "THE CRASH IN THE CHASM" "THE WINNING PLAY"
1*-- UNIVERSAL WEEKLY • ■ = Nov. 30, 1935
He Wrote the Frank Merriwell Stories
[Photo by Ben Pinchot)
Gilbert Patten, who wrote the “ Frank Merriwell,, stories for eighteen years, under the name of Burt L. Standish. Mr. Patten seems to have had a complex on names. He was born George William Patten and sent his first story to a magazine under the name of William G. Patten. Before he got through with the Merriwell stories, he not only had Frank, but Dick Merriwell, and Frank Merriwell, Jr. in it.
By GILBERT PATTEN
//pVlD I have a model for Frank Merriwell?" Gilbert Patten smiled. "It's a question everybody asks. The answer is Yes, but not a living model. The model was a mental conception. As nearly as I could, I made Frank the kind of fellow I imagined any decent, self-respecting American boy would like to be — a clean, healthy square- shooter with both physical and moral courage but no sissy.
"It wasn't as easy as it sounds," he went on, "for I wanted the approval of parents as well as the boys and girls who would read the stories. Just try that on your typewriter if you ever write a juvenile yarn. It'll make you sweat some not to strike any sour notes.
"Frank had to be on the up-and-up and still he couldn't be the sort of a sweet child most well-meaning fathers and mothers would turn little Willie into, give them their
The Man who Wrote the Longest and Most Widely Read Series of Juvenile Adventures ever Printed, Answers a Few Questions which Millions of Young and Older Boys and Girls are Anxious to Learn from First-hand, about the Famous Frank Merri- well and how he got that Way.
way. He had to be a good mixer and command the re- spect of the gang. He had to fight but he couldn't carry a chip on his shoulder. He had to be modest and still have plenty of self-assurance and drive. Talk about doing stunts on a tight-rope, that was my job.
"But I've always hated liars and double-crossers and cheats of every brand, so it wasn't so hard to have him dislike them also. The hard part of it was not to make him seem too good to be true. So I gave him some weaknesses of his own to fight against and made him tolerant of the natural weaknesses and mistakes of others. I surrounded him with friends who often slipped a cog or two, as well as enemies who were bad actors. That's the set-up in real life as well as fiction.
"I made him athletic because I believe in sports of that nature. I made him a winner because more people love a fat man than a loser. And the fellow who lacks the will to win won't get anywhere either in sports or real life. I made him a square winner because a crooked win- ner is always a cheat, no matter how well he gets away with it.
"I wrote the Merriwell stories to please myself — and make a living. When I wrote the first one I was under contract to the publishers to turn out one 20,000-word story a week, with Frank as the hero, for three years. That was something! I didn't believe I'd last that long, but I kept knocking them off regularly every week for almost eighteen years and wrote a dozen cloth-bound juvenile books at the same time, just to keep myself out of mischief.
"What surprises me, however, is the way Frank has re- fused to die. I never dreamed he would hang on so long. If I had — well, no, I guess I couldn't have written the stuff any better and found time to sleep and knock around a little.
"But I didn't pound the yarns out myself on a type- writer after the first year or so; I dictated them to an efficient secretary. And she became so efficient that many a story went to the publishers, after she had typed it from her notes, without being read over and corrected by me. I wish I could find another like her.
"Something that surprises me still more is the fact that I seldom meet a man today who was not a Merriwell reader in his youth, if he read juvenile fiction at all. And many of them can tell me more about the stories than I can remember myself. They tell me, too, that the influ- ence of Frank Merriwell has had a distinct bearing on their lives.
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SERIAL HISTORY!
PULL THIS PACE OP
12 THRILL-PACKED CHAPTERS based on the tremendously popular novels by Burt L. Standish. . . . Directed by Louis Friedlander. Produced by Henry McRae.
THE UNMATCHABLE, UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES OF THE GREATEST YOUNG HERO FICTION EVER CREATED!
Universal Smash Serial!
WHAT SERIAL EVER CAVE YOU A CAST SUCH AS THIS?
DON BRIGCS (as Frank Merriwell) * JEAN ROGERS Carla Laemmle ♦ John King + House Peters, Jr. ♦ Wallace Reid, Jr. ♦ Edward Arnold, Jr. ♦ Bryant Washburn, Jr. Herschell Mayall, Jr. ♦ Alan Hersholt, Jr. ♦ Peter Gowland, Jr. ♦ Sumner Getschell ♦ Fred Su turner ♦ Walter Law ♦ Ella Ethridge + Joseph DeGrasse ♦ Sam McDaniel ♦ Viola Callaghan ♦ Dickie Jones * Bentley Hewlett + Allan Bridge Dick Wessel ♦ Edmund Cobb ♦ Bud Osborne ♦ Monty Montague ♦ Jack Donovan.
FRANK MERRIWELL
"MOVES ALONG AT AN ENTER- TAINING CLIP WITH NOVELTY BITS NEVER BEFORE SCREENED!
"NEVER BEFORE SCREENED!'' In those words you have the reason why this reel is a real asset on any program. It's original, different, exclusive!
ITS DRAMA MADE NEWS- PAPER HEAD- LINES! ITS PAPER WILL MAKE BOX OFFICE HEADLINES!
«0— UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =Nov. 30, 1935
"Magnificent Obsession, ” Tenth World Wonder
John M. Stahl, maker of the tenth wonder of the world, “ Magnificent Obsession.”
ENOUGH time and labor to build a skyscraper, enough money to construct a zeppelin, enough people, work- ing on two continents, to populate a good sized town went into the making of Universal's giant production, "Magnificent Obsession" and the end is only beginning to draw near- Two years, one million dollars, six thousand actors, writers, technicians, research experts, doctors, lawyers, clergymen, extras and other workers collaborated in creating this gigantic work which features Irene Dunne, Robert Taylor, Betty Furness and Charles Butterworth. Director John M. Stahl is now editing the film and will have it ready for release with the New Year.
Almost a million feet of film were shot by Stahl during the sixteen weeks in which he had the cast of fifty prin- cipals before the cameras. Of that titanic footage, 467,- 000 feet, or more than 17,000 feet in excess of any pic- ture made in the last five years, were used for the "frames" or pictures of the action. An equal number of film feet carried the sound track. Laid end to end these reels would stretch 352 miles, a distance equal to that from New York to Rochester. Just watching them on the screen would take an observer four 24 hour days, or
The Movies Could Build Pyramids, and Have Done It, but the Men Who Made the Pyramids Couldn’t Make a Movie, and “Magnificent Obsession” Is a Pyramid Among Movies.
•
twelve 8 hour working days. Stahl expects nine weeks to elapse before he can finish cutting the film down to play- ing length of 10,000 feet, one fiftieth of its original ex- tent.
The first stage of making "Magnificent Obsession" began with the publication of the Lloyd C. Douglas novel. For 18 months this novel did not enter the best seller class. Then slowly and surely it forged into this select com- pany and remained there for three years, a modern lit- erary record. Its movie history duplicated this. Universal secured an option on the story in 1933. Nothing further was done for awhile. Then John M. Stahl visited New York and Miss Annie Laurie Williams interested him in the book. The story was purchased by Universal in April 1934.
Immediately 62 research specialists were set to work in France and America. Architectural drawings to the number of 80 were made to the fraction of an inch of an entire section of Paris. Plans of the giant S. S. Nor- mandie were secured. From these, reproductions were made at Universal City. Forty-one sets were built, includ- ing, hospitals, hotels and a gambling casino.
Four months before shooting began the scenarists, George O'Neil, Sarah Y. Mason and Victor Heerman, winners of the Academy statuette for their "It Hap- pened One Night" began on the screenplay. Irene Dunne had always been the choice for the feminine lead, but thirty six of the finest young actors were tested in New York and Hollywood before Robert Taylor was selected as her leading man. Miss Dunne herself had to take nu- merous tests. Tests were also given 12 of the 50 support- ing players in the cast. These tests used up more than 100,000 feet of film, all of which had to be scrutinized by Stahl.
Meanwhile the property, technical, and costume de- partments were busy. Thirty-eight different original styles were created for Irene Dunne by Vera West, studio de- signer, eighteen gowns for Betty Furness and twelve for Sara Haden. Chief cameraman John Mescall assembled I I different cameras from the giant crane, as big as a steam shovel to the tiny midget two feet high to film the production. He had six assistant camera men toiling for him when shooting began on July 12th.
Five thousand extras were employed by Stahl in the ensemble scenes of the picture. These were picked when- ever possible according to occupation by the director whose passion is intense realism. He picked carpenters to play carpenters, waiters to play waiters and so on right along the line. For a hospital scene he signed California physicians and surgeons in active practice. His marriage scene was performed by an actual clergman.
Virtually every profession and trade had been brought into play before the last camera had shot the last reel of "Magnificent Obsession."
Nov. 30. 1 935- ' 1 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY =21
THE REAL “EAST OF JAVA” ACCIDENT
Charles Bickford and Tarzan, the “ tame ” lion, in a Death Grip in “East of Java ” and, below, the same Charles Bickford in an entirely different grip with the nurse in Hollywood Hospital.
Charles Bickford Tells his own Story of how the Lion Attacked Him while he was Filming “East of Java” and his own Reaction to the Entire Business of Acting on the Screen with Wild Animals
By
CHARLES BICKFORD
F you were to ask me what my •1 reaction was when 'Tarzan,' the lion, attacked me during the filming of 'East of Java,' 1 would be forced to admit I expected it. I have always expected something like that to hap- pen. I had a premonition the cat was going to turn on me but it hap- pened so quickly I could do nothing to prevent the attack. All I remem- ber is that I heard a blood chilling snarl, saw a flash of tawny fur, felt the stabbing pain of the lion's teefh — and then Charles B. Murphy, Uni- versal City animal trainer, and Di- rector George Melford had cornered Tarzan and others were helping me off the set and to a chair. They rushed me to the Universal City Hos- pital immediately and from there to Hollywood Hospital. I spent last Sat- urday at the studio completing my work in the picture. Incidentally, this work was done of my own free will and against the doctor's orders and the studio's wishes.
"Although I know no wild animal can be trusted, whether it is cap- tured wild and tamed or whether it is born and raised in captivity, I must confess I was somewhat dis- appointed when Tarzan attacked me.
I had thought we were very good friends for the big cat seemed to like me and followed me everywhere on the set like a pet dog. Just before the attack he had rubbed cheeks with me for a close-up and we had appeared in many other intimate scenes to- gether. Undoubtedly I moved too quickly and startled him and that is why he snapped at me. Perhaps he was merely hungry and to test this theory I am going to buy him 50 pounds of raw meat as soon as I am able to watch him eat it.
"In all seriousness, Tarzan's killer instincts have now been aroused. Al- though he was born in captivity and worked as a cub with Clyde Beatty,
the famous wild animal trainer, in 'The Big Cage,' and has since then been at the Los Angeles Zoological Gardens where he has had daily con- tact with humans, Tarzan no longer can be trusted. He has tasted blood and enjoyed the thrill of the attack and I would advise anybody who has contact with him in the future to be constantly on his guard.
"Tarzan escaped the night he at- tacked me and the studio people spent some uneasy hours until he was found the next morning — hiding un- der a church set on the back lot!
"Naturally I experienced consider- able pain. The lion's bite severed the sterno mastoid muscle and germs on its teeth caused infection. Severing of the muscle caused my neck to stiffen so that I had to lay in one position and then, of course, there is the natural pain of such a wound in addition.
"But everybody has been very won- derful to me. My room has been filled with flowers, many of them from extras and studio workmen, and their interest has been very touching. Scores of fans in all parts of the coun- try have sent me telegrams and I am flattered that within an hour after I was admitted to the hospital wires
were received from London and Paris newspapers requesting full details of the accident and my condition.
"Just in case anybody harbors such a thought — there is nobody to blame for the accident. If I am prepared to work and court danger in wild animal pictures I am also prepared to take the consequences if anything goes wrong. If I didn't want to work with wild animals, no director or producer could induce me to do so. But I in- tend to do it."
THE CRITICS
RAVED!
Here’s why the N.Y. Roxy h<l against Broadway’s tou i
“THE FILM IS GRAND FUN. MUST BE CONSIDERED A DECIDED SUCCESS.”
—William Boehnel, WORLD-TELEGRAM
“DELIGHTFUL, BRINGING LAUGHTER AND TEARS . . . ‘THREE KIDS AND A QUEEN' WILL REACH THE HEARTSTRINGS OF THE VAST MASS OF PICTURE PATRONS.”
—Regina Crewe, N. Y. AMERICAN
“YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF LIKING IT IMMENSELY . . . IT’S WARM AND HUMAN, AND DOWN-TO-EARTH AND AMUSING, AND EVEN-IN ITS CLIMACTIC SEQUENCES —THRILLING.” —Irene Thirer, N.Y. POST
“AUDIENCES ARE AMIABLY LAUGHING AND THRILLING AT JUST THE EXPECTED MOMENTS. YESTERDAY NOON’S CROWDED HOUSE WAS ONE TO DO A DIRECTOR’S HEART GOOD.” Eileen Creelman, N. Y. SUN
ANOTHER UNIVERSAL
“THOROUGHLY GOOD FUN. THE STORY IS GAY AND TENDER. RICH WITH LAUGHS, SURPRISES, STRONG SITUATIONS AND TENDER MOODS, IT IS A COMPLETELY ENTERTAINING, REFRESHING, UNUSUAL FILM."
-Bland Johaneson, DAILY MIRROR
“THREE KIDS AND A QUEEN’ IS SENTIMENTAL, HOMELY, HUMAN."
—Marguerite Tazelaar, HERALD-TRIBUNE
* * * “MAY ROBSON SCORES IN KIDNAP COMEDY. IN HER BEST ROLE SINCE ‘LADY FOR A DAY,’ DEMONSTRATES THAT ALL SHE NEEDS IN THIS MOVIE WORLD IS ONE THING— A GOOD PICTURE." —Wanda Hale, DAILY NEWS
BOX-OFFICE WINNER!
24:
Edicard Everett Horton and Irene Hervey in “ Out All Night,’’ a picture ichich is receiving highest praise for comedy laughs throughout the country.
Nov. 30, 1935
“Out All Night” has been received in a way which has given William Nigh, its director, another of Universal’s important pic- tures. It is entitled “To- morrow Is A Better Day.”
Eilers and Dunn
Co-Starred Again in
New Universal Film
CARL LAEMMLE is reviving the former popular co-starring team of Jimmy Dunn and Sally Eilers for Universal's forthcoming production of "Tomorrow is a Better Day."
Teamed at Fox studios several years ago Mr. Dunn and Miss Eilers made screen history in "Bad Girl" which won Academy and Photoplay gold awards and later scored decid- edly with screen fans in "Dance Team" and a half dozen other films. Then Miss Eilers went to England and upon her return signed with Uni- versal. For over a year Universal has sought an opportunity to bring the
popular young stars together again and "Tomorrow is a Better Day" pro- vides such an opportunity.
David Diamond will produce the new film which George Wagner, Clarence Marks and Houston Branch have adapted from the story by Ed- mund Hartman and William Thiele. William Nigh will direct and produc- tion is slated for December 10.
+ + +
Real Gold in
“Sutter’s Gold”
TWO thousand dollars in gold made its appearance at Universal studios one day last week.
The money was required for close- up scenes of a high-powered power
game in the early days of California, an incident in the epic drama, "Sut- ter's Gold," starring Edward Arnold. After considerable pulling of wires Producer Edmund Grainger secured the almost forgotten coins from San Francisco, and the stacks of gleaming fives, tens and twenties attracted more interest than anything else seen at the studio within the past year.
After Director James Cruze had completed the scenes in which the money was seen, the $2,000 was boxed up and returned to San Fran- cisco.
"I enjoy collecting coins — especi- ally twenties," said Arnold, "but I knew there was no chance of adding those to my collection."
Celebrate Carl Laemmle’s 30th Year
(Continued from Page 6)
Tri-State — 13 major towns in Ne- braska and Iowa.
ESSANESS — 23 Chicago houses.
First run at Lafayette theatre — Buffalo, also includes first run at Niagara Falls.
Publix Great States — 63 situations in Illinois and Ind.
Interstate-Texas Consolidated — 32 theatres Robb-Rowley, 25 theatres in Texas and 3 in Oklahoma.
Maine & New Hampshire — 14 the- atres in Maine, Vermont and N. H.
Fred Sharby circuit — 7 theatres in Maine and Mass., Allard Graves cir- cuit— 5 theatres in New Hamp. and Vermont, Interstate circuit — 12 the- atres in Mass, and Conn.
Dubinsky Circuit — 5 theatres in- cluding St. Joseph, Mo., Leavenworth and Jefferson City, Kansas.
Milton Feld first run in Indianapo-
lis, Indiana and Circle theatres.
RKO Metropolitan — 33 ace houses — in New York.
Loew Metropolitan — 91 theatres in N. Y.
M. A. Lightman Circuit first run in Memphis and 25 towns in Tenessee and Arkansas.
With John Freidl of the Minnesota Amusement Co. — 24 theatres in Minn, and 8 in S. Da.
Balaban & Katz — 31 theatres Chi- cago.
Butterfield Circuit — 77 theatres in Michigan.
Schine Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., 47 keys in N. Y. and Ohio.
E. M. Lowe — 22 situations, Maine, Mass., R. I.
M. A. Shea — 20 theatres Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh.
Danz Circuit — 18 houses in Seattle.
Tri-State Circuit — 10 theatres in Portland.
Famous Players Canadian — 187
theatres in 80 of most important cities in Canada.
Midstates Theatres — 139 keys in Mich.
Ranforce Circuit — 39 theatres.
Publix-Wilby Circuit — 3 1 theatres.
Publix-Wilby Circuit — 52 theatres.
Fox Non-franchise towns in Omaha, Denver and St. Louis (67 theatres).
Warner Deal coast to coast — RKO deal coast to coast.
Century Circuit — 25 theatres — N. Y. City Metropolitan N. Y. area.
Hattam Circuit — 22 theatres Met. N. Y. area.
Popkin Circuit — 13 theatres. L. A.
Premiere Operations — 2 1 theatres in Toronto territory.
Shoenstadt Circuit — Chicago, 16 theatres.
Prudential Playhouses — 27 theatres Long Island.
Fox West Coast — 110 deals (Pa- cific Coast Div.)
TAKE YOUR PATRONS TO AFRICA!
TAKES THEM EVERYWHERE!
OR TO THE NORTH POLE!
With
LOWELL
THOMAS
OR TO THE SOUTH POLE!
28
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY
;Nov. 30, 1935
Old Regularity
Signs 20th Universal Contract
E. H. Cady and his projectionist Roy Haining in front of the Strand Theatre, Minto, /V. B.
'Stormy” Delightful
Report from the General Federation of Women's Clubs — Committee on Motion Pictures.
Western Vice-Chairman,
Mrs. Wm. A Burk,
359 N. Bronson Ave.,
Los Angeles
FAMILY AND JUNIOR MATINEE:
Against the magnificent sqenery of Arizona, with its great herds of wild horses, we have the human ap- pealing story of the struggle of a young, homeless boy to keep and raise a wild colt, that he feels belongs to him. While there is bitter conflict and gunplay as in all Westerns the fine understanding direction, the nat- ural and realistic acting of the leads, and the intelligent work of the beau- tiful horse, Rex, makes this a delight- fully interesting and entertaining pic- ture for all ages. (Oct. 9, 1935).
Universal Pictures Co. of Canada,
St. Johns, N. B.
Dear Mr. Sault:
It has given me great pleasure today to sign another contract for Universal films. This makes twentieth contract I have taken out with Uni- versal in as many years. As you know, Mr. Sault, this is a small mining town of 1300 people, but I still find your pictures extremely well suited to my patrons.
I have been in Minto for twenty-nine years and have always been treated with equitable rentals and excellent service from Universal. We had the pleasure of opening this new thatre with one of your outstand- ing productions five years ago, the first sound picture in the town, "The King of Jazz."
It is a pleasure I assure you, to realize that I can always rely on Universal, year after year, to give me the goods and the service. May the pleasant relations between the Strand Theatre management and Universal films go along for another twenty years, is the earnest wish of this exhibitor. To other exhibitors, I would say, — Be safe; play Uni versal 100%.
(Signed) E. H. Cady,
Manager, Strand Theatre, Minto, N. B., Canada.
66 Pinky 99 Tomlin Travels
TO assist various Community Chest campaigns in their drive for funds for 1936 charities "Pinky1 Tomlin, Uni- versal's versatile composer-crooner- actor-author, has gone to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Fort Worth and other Texas towns for a three weeks personal appearance tour.
PHILIP SEMELROTH
The Universal Weekly extends to Mr. and Mrs Philip Senielroth of Dayton, Ohio, sincerest sym- pathy in the loss they have sus- tained. Although their son Philip was only twenty-six years of age, he was general manager of the five theatres the Semelroths own and operate in Dayton and was extremely popular in Dayton social, civic and religious life.
$50.00 CASH for Each Good Idea!
•
How would you improve Uni- versal pictures, Mr. Exhibitor and Mr. Projectionist? You've seen hundreds of pictures. Perhaps you know what audiences would like to see. Send in your ideas. I wiil judge them personally and pay you $50.00 in cash for every one I accept.
CARL LAEMMLE.
A DIGEST OF THE BEST EXPLOITATION IDEAS OF THE WEEK
, m r w
CTion
hail the conquering hero comes . ... !
Make way for Merriwell!
Idol of the millions — great- est fiction hero of all time!
HE is the hero of over nine hundred books! They say he has had over five hundred million readers! Presidents, Governors,
Mayors, educators, leading citizens in every walk of life — the red- blooded youth of the land — all know Frank Merriwell and love him for his true sportsmanship, athletic prowess and daring exploits.
For years people have been suggesting that the terrifically popular Burt L. Standish stories would make fine screen material.
And now — again — Universal leads the parade by bringing this most famous of all fiction characters to your screen — in an action- crammed, thrill- jammed, youthful, peppy, power-packed, twelve episode chapter play.
“THE ADVENTURES OF FRANK MERRIWELL” is a serial over which you should make plenty of noise. The big men of your city all remember Merriwell and the influence the reading of the Merriwell books had on building their youthful characters. There is excellent newspaper material for you in these fond mem- ories. The Boy Scout organizations, the Big Brotherhood clubs, the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary members should help you celebrate the inaugural of Frank Merriwell Week.
As we write this, the Bell Syndicate is planning to issue a new Frank Merriwell serialization to leading newspapers. A big sponsor is considering launching the character on the radio waves. The Merriwell fame will blaze anew!
The Frank Merriwell name is a box-office property with great prestige potentialities. The pressbook now in preparation will point out the many fine possibilities for good showmanship on this chapter play. As a test, why not call up some of your local newspaper men and civic leaders and y,
ask them what they know about Frank Merriwell? Then spill the news that he is coming to your screen and get an earful of their fine reaction !
ROGERS
UPER
THE WORLD'S GREATEST TICTIQti
— •-=*■ - IN THE YEAltr
-- — «'r MIGHTICfT'V
CHAPTER PlAY^' •*
Clock - Calendar Lobby Board
D LACE a blackboard in your lobby and * surmount it with a cardboard clock and calendar as shown above to indicate date and hour of FRANK MERRIWELL'S chapter arrivals. Board is arranged so that time and catchlines can be changed for each episode.
ADVENTURES of FRANK MERRIWELL
THE RIP-ROARING ADVENTURES/ OF FICTION’S GREATEST HERO /
jhn week frank Merriweil
F16HTS AN j
OCTOPUS /
®%0NSTER v’«t DE£P" *
SAFETY CAMPAIGN
I ET Frank Merriwell be the inspiration “ for a safety week. This can cover safety in all its phases, with particular stress on safety in traffic. Boys and girls can be named as guards to watch at schools and busy street intersections, and to spread the PLAY SAFE propaganda. Distribute stickers for automobile windshields, store windows and other spots. Suggested sticker, shown here- with can also be made up as a badge and be worn by boys and girls.
GET WHOLE TOWN BEHIND FRANK MERRIWELL
YY/ITH over 120,000,000 Merriwell books sold, and perhaps four or five times that many ’’ readers, it is easy to understand how, in thousands of homes, FRANK MERRIWELL is a household name. For many years it has stood as the symbol of courageous, clean-living and right-thinking youth. FRANK MERRIWELL, the greatest herb in fiction, is a character that all worthwhile organizations and individuals will welcome on your screen.
Capitalize on this by organizing a FRANK MERRIWELL WEEK. Inaugurate the pre- miere with the backing of community clubs and societies. Contact city officials, organi- zation heads, school principals, athletic instructors, newspaper editors, heads of Mothers' Clubs, Parent-Teacher Associations, Welfare organizations and other prominent local per- sons and explain Frank Merriwell's well known high standards of good sportsmanship, hon- esty, courage, devotion to duty and high-mindedness. Tell them just what you are planning for your opening campaign and give them concrete suggestions as to how you would like them to assist. In addition to other special help which these clubs can give you, ask them to send letters to their memberships urging them to see the picture and give the Frank Merriwell Week full support.
Interview Leading Citizens
Q RESIDENTS, Governors, Mayors, Educators — all of them probably remember and love * Frank Merriwell. Many of them are outspoken in their praise of this famous fiction character. Your leading citizens will be just as ready to extol this hero. Arrange for local newspaper to send reporter to call on local celebrities and ask them for a statement about their memories of Frank Merriwell, fiction's greatest hero, and the advantages to be gained by modern youth in following his example on the screen.
Wind Up Week With Parade
P VERY one loves a parade and here's your chance to give them a knockout. It will stimu- late the kids and also act as a swell ballyhoo. Make an early announcement of this event and offer special inducements, pennants, club buttons or other souvenirs, for the boys and girls, to get a big turn out.
To add extra flash offer special inducements to athletic teams that show up in base- ball, football or other sport outfits. Provide pennants and banners, hangers and cut-outs mounted on laths for marchers to carry. Arrange with local boys’ band to provide music.
Poster Art Contest For Lobby
^^FFER prizes for best poster, one sheet size, sketched in the lobby each week. Con- testants should work around current chapter title and its high spots. Provide a one sheet easel and paper and invite local art students to compete. Exhibit the winners each week in a special lobby display.
Nov. 30, I935|
UNIVERSAL WEEKLY— SHOWMANSHIP SECTION;
:31
WORLDS GREATEST PICT10M HERO lh THE YEARS MIGHTIEST \ CHAPTER PLAV / 0 °
OH BoV/ fa THIS IS QREAT
Box-office
'FOR SHOWMEN WHO PUV IT RIQHT/
NEWSPAPER COOPERATION
AS this is being written, arrangements are being made to publish Frank Merriwell's Adventures through the Bell Syndicate, 247 W. 43rd St., New York City. Newspapers running this strip can materially boost their circulation by tying in with your run of the picture. Following are a few suggestions for newspaper tie-ups.
Pick Local Frank Merriwell
This should be the high spot of Frank Merriwell Week. Selection of the Merriwell coun- terpart can be made on the basis of closest physical measurements and best school, sport and health records. The newspaper can receive nominations with photographs and other necessary information for a stated period and then publish voting coupons with the en- trants' names and other data. A Frank Merriwell silver cup can be awarded the winner and arrangements made for him to make several public appearances, including your own theatre opening day.
Newsboys 9 Parties
Stage a special party for the newsboys of the cooperating paper, inviting them to see the first chapter as your guests. In return for this they will be glad to insert heralds in their papers and the newspaper will publish photos of the party and publicize the stunt generally.
Sport Stories
"A FRANK MERRIWELL" is a frequently used phrase for a last minute rally, or an outstanding feat in a game. See the sports editor and sell him on running a feature listing actual sports performances which were similar to those of fiction's greatest hero, tying them up, of course, with the picture. He can easily fashion a swell story of the reminiscent type on this idea.
Stage Merriwell Olympics
The sport pages will soon be plas- tered with stories about coming Olympics. Cash in on this by staging your own FRANK MERRI- WELL JUNIOR OLYMPICS in the athletic field nearest your the- atre. Have news- paper sponsor this and enlist prominent citizens and outstanding athletes to act as judges. Award prizes for winners of each event and Frank Merriwell cup as the grand prize. Banner field with ads for the serial. Boost the stunt in your lobby. The theatre can serve as starting and finish- ing spot for a cross country foot race and round the city bicycle race.
Have a decor- ated car escort these races.
ORGANIZE MERRIWELL ADVENTURE CLUB
T HE Merriwell serial club idea can be a * great help in putting over a campaign. Here are several suggestions: Prior to your opening announce the formation of a FRANK MERRIWELL CLUB, pledged to make Blank City a healthier and safer city. Issue membership cards similar to one shown. Your local Universal Branch will sup- ply you with a mat. On the back print whatever privileges you decide on. These might be, a free pass to first chapter of next serial to members attending every epi- sode of this one. Of a free pass for the member and his mother. Offer club buttons at first episode. Each week have local ath- letic coaches talk on a different sport and if possible, give demonstrations on your stage and introduce local athletes.
Award Frank Merriwell merit badges to youths selected by various schools each week.
If your local newspaper is running the Frank Merriwell serialization ask them to sponsor your club and follow through on all activities to give it a big send-off.
Sell Chapter Titles
Q KETCH suggests display to use in cap- ** italizing on the exploitation angles in each chapter title. Goal posts, crowd of cheering fans, pennants and football, form the basis for the set up. Chapter one sheet posters are used in the center below the cross-bar. On either side are stills from each chapter with the episode title, and a line or two about the chapter thrills. Here
are the twelve chapter titles: "The College Hero," "The Death Plunge," "Death at the Crossroads," "Wreck of the Viking," "Cap- sized in the Cataract," "Descending Doom," "Monster of the Deep," "The Tragic Vic- tory," "Between Savage Foes," "Imprisoned In A Dungeons" "The Crash in the Chasm," "The Winning Play."
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
Has subscribed to the ideals and prin- ciples of the club and is entitled to all the privileges and benefits thereof.
Parent or Teacher Manager
I ]2|3|4|5|6|7 8:9|I0|II pT
f IT WILL SWEEP AND PACK '
HEM INTO YOUR THEATRE!
IT WILL CAPTURE AND ASTOUND THE PUBLICS IMAGINATION WITH ENTERTAIN- MENT THRILLS A CENTURY AHEAD OF TIME!
Starring
The Great KARLOFF
and BELA LUGOSI with FRANCES DRAKE and FRANK LAWTON
An Edmund Grainger Production. Directed
by Lambert Hillyer Universal's Weird New
Romance presented by Carl Laemmle.
From
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORE.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK CITY
Sec. 562, P. L. & R, U. S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 949 New York, N. Y.
THE TEST OF A NEWSREEL
The only genuine test of a newsreel is to see it twice, under these conditions:
First, shut your ears and look at the picture purely for its . pictorial value.
Second, run it again, shut your eyes and listen to the most expensive and most colorful voice in the world as it describes each scene.
Third, if you have time enough, open both your eyes and ears and then run the picture again.
The Universal Newsreel is the only newsreel which can stand up against an acid test of this kind, because every blessed issue of it is conceived and edited not only for the eye but for the ear.
Our cameramen and our Graham McNamee are the best the world affords. Is the best any too good for you?
You buy good features and weak ones, but you can get a good newsreel CONSTANTLY if you buy the right one.
PrliHed in U. S. A.
Carl Laemmle.
Scanned from the collection of
Marc Wanamaker / Bison Archives
Coordinated by the Media History Digital Library www.mediahistoryproject.org
Funded by a donation from University of South Carolina Libraries and College of Arts and Sciences