Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

UNIVERSAL WEEKLY A Magazine far the Action Picture Exhihitors Paul Gzilickj-^ Editor-' Published hy the MotionPicture UieJ^ly Puhlishing Co.HecischsrB'ldg. 230~S^Ave.A/cwySr^Citt/ Copyright ipieZmn^RSAL PICTURES COJiPOJiATWNAllHghts reserved Vol. XXIV OCTOBER 23, 1926 No. 11 Laemmle Receives Royal Welcome UNIVERSAL MOVIEGRAMS ''T^HE CHEERFUL FRAUD," the second of Reginald Denny's Bigger and Better features, has just been completed at Universal City. "The Cheerful Fraud" is adapted from the novel by K. R. G. Browne and was directed by William A. Seiter. Gertrude Olmstead plays opposite Denny. * * * THE first big spectacular scene of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" has been shot at Universal City. If the entire accumulation on this picture to date, after Harry Pollard had been engaged for nearly nine months, counting the long period of his illness, had been allocated to this one scene, it would undoubtedly have been the most expensive ever made in pictures. It is the wedding of George Harris and Eliza in the happy days of the couple before their persecution by Simon Legree. * * 4: JUST as soon as King Baggot had finished the shooting on "Down the Stretch," Marion Nixon took the first train to New York. She anticipated a week of sight seeing and shopping but a wire from the coast put her to work on a picture the very next day. * * * TWO of Universal's younger players have shown so much promise that it has been decided to develop them intensively in small parts. They are Barbara Worth and Barbara Kent. The Mayor's Boat, Bands, Busses, Banners, Streamers and Cheering Paraders Welcome the Universal Chief, Rejoicing Over His Safe Return After Almost Fatal Illness — Heads of the Industry Gather to Greet Him. FROM Lower New York Bay to the Battery, and from the Battery to Broadway, gaily bedecked boats, bands, bus-loads of cheering Universalites and other vociferous evidences of enthusiasm and sincere joy gave a royal welcome to Carl Laemmle recently when he arrived in New York aboard the S. S. Berengaria from the European tour which threatened to be his last. Heads of the motion picture industry, led by Will H. Hays, joined with the Universal hosts in grasping the famous little president of Universal by the hand and in welcoming him home. It was the greatest celebration in the history of Universal ; in fact, the occasion was unique in the history of the entire motion picture industry. When Carl Laemmle started for Europe last June there was nothing to distinguish the trip from any of his annual pilgrimages to his birthplace in Laupheim, Germany, to Carlsbad and to the various Universal exchanges in Europe. From mid-Atlantic, however, there flashed a message which caused the whole film world to pause. Laemmle had been stricken. His life was in the balance. As the great ship neared England, he was kept alive by radio treatment — constant clinical advice between his physician in New York and the ship. Once in London, the Universal chief underwent a severe appendicitis operation. But danger still remained, and for more than a week his life hung by a thread, while newspapers all over the world watched his progress and thousands speculated upon his chances. Many despaired, but they failed to reckon with the Laemmle grit and the Laemmle fighting record. He literally fought his way back to health. Those who saw him upon his return, as he heard Will Hays and other notables thank Heaven for his recovery and return, saw in his face the fighting spirit which had pulled him through — the same fighting face which has pulled Universal over the rough spots and up to the heights. Up with the dawn and beribonned with streamers, horns, rattlers and other things to sound a welcome to their incoming chief, more than 200 officials, executives and employees of Universal boarded the official boat of Mayor Walker at the Battery and steamed into the sunrise to be the first to bring "Home" to Carl Laemmle, then aboard the Berenqwria headed for Quarantine. The Riverside, the Mayor's boat, reached the Berengaria shortly after the big vessel had moored temporarily at Quarantine. With whistles blowing, foghorns tooting, bands playing "Hail to the Chief" and two hundred throats vieing with the harbor orchestration, the Riverside steamed slowly around the Berengaria once — twice — three times — while eyes were strained for the first view of Uncle Carl. A peculiar note crept into the cheering voices, and a look of fear passed over the upturned faces when no sign of the Universal chieftain could be seen. "Can he be too ill to come on deck? Has he had a relapse? Do you suppose he's ?" These and other questions leaped from li^ to lip and the noisy enthusiasm almost died (Continued on Page 12)