Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

12 Universal Weekly Vol. 24, No. 11 Laemmle Receive Mr. Laemmle, between R. H. Cochrane and Will Hays, poses with the reception committee, the Floiver Girls and Universal officials at the Universal Home Office. (Continued from Page 10) down to a hushed stillness. Then there was a shriek of joy from the prow of the Riverside. Carl Laemmle had appeared at the rail and his broad smile — the old Laemmle smile was clearly seen — as bright as ever. The cheer that went up brought the other six or seven hundred passengers of the Berengaria to the rails or to half-shielded port-holes. The Riverside nosed in and kissed a welcome on the cheek of the big overseas craft under the spot where Laemmle and his family returned the salutes of the crowd below. The band played "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here" and then "Home Sweet Home," and even from their bobbing craft many feet below the Berengaria's rails the Universal family could see Carl Laemmle's appreciation of the music and what it meant to him this time. Big Demonstration as Laemmle Steps off Boat After escorting the Berengaria up into the North River, the Mayor's boat discharged its rollicking, riotous crew at the Battery, where busses, special cars and motor-cycle escorts awaited them for an ear-splitting parade up to the Cunard pier and a second heartfelt welcome to the returning chief. , ^ , t • As a special honor to Laemmle, the Cunard Lme arranged debarkation so that he would be the first person to leave the ship. There was a wild shout as R. H. Cochrane and P. D. Cochrane, his two chief associates, dashed up the gangway and escorted Laemmle to the pier, while cameras clicked and the huge crowd assembled to meet other voyagers caught the enthusiasm and vied with the Universalites in giving to Laemmle a rousing welcome. With the Universal chief was Julius Stern, his brotherin-law and president of the Stern Film Corporation, and Abe Stern, vice-president of that company. They have been associated with Laemmle during most of his career. They shared in his home-coming even as they watched by his bedside. , , , , Then the parade formed again and, led by the car containing Laemmle, rolled merrily up Fifth Avenue to the Universal home office at 730 Fifth Avenue, with traffic halted along the entire length of the great metropolitan sirtery. At the curb Laemmle was met by a bevy of Universal beauties, their arms full of flowers and with Welcome Home ribbons. They mobbed the little chief. He was showered with kisses of welcome. The famous Laemmle smile outdid itself. A bystander was heard say: "When Laemmle smiles it's not a politician's smile. It is a heartfelt one." No wonder. Banners, flowers and more confetti greeted the Universal head in the home offices. The warmness of the welcome went straight to his heart. There was something about the welcome this time that differed from other times. He sensed it, and he knew what it was. They didn't think he was coming back. They were expressing their joy over his being spared. Hays Delivers Eloquent Welcome Then came the climax to his homecoming. As soon as the handshaking and the congratulations were over, Mr. Hays took Mr. Laemmle by the hand and before some four hundred eager employees and friends welcomed him home most eloquently. "Mr. Laemmle, you have been through a great many experiences in a long an useful life," began Mi-. Hays. "You have seen much indeed of those things that are to be seen in the world. You have had most of the experiences that are given to men, some not altogether happy, as every man experiences, but nearly all very happy. You must have a great satisfaction indeed in your heart because of the material accomplishments which you have covered; the big things you have done in business and for Society must bring you comfort and satisfaction as the years go on. "But you have never been in a situation, believe me I don't care what your experiences have been, you have never been in a situation subjectively where objectively there was as much brought to you in real heart tribute as there is at this moment. To those who are of your organization and to these of the Committee, which honors itself in this reception to you, to those of us who are here — to us, you come back, my friend, in a way different than you have ever come back to us before. You have had many homecomings. A homecoming is a thing in itself that cannot be treated lightly. The welcome is significant— the welcome in this situation is significant, and welcome home is still the best welcome of all. because that