Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

Vol. 20, No. 15 Universal Weekly 19 CARL LAEMMLE DIRECTS DETAILS OF FIVE MILLION DOLLAR SCHEDULE New Stories in Production and Preparation and the Signing of New Artists and Directors Keeps Big Chief in Daily Conferences with Production and Editorial Heads at Universal City. WITH Carl Laemmle at the studio actively directing operations and in daily conferences with Julius Bernheim, general manager, and Ben Zeldman, his assistant, preparations for the new schedule of production at Universal City are actively under way. Preparatory work on seven big stories, just purchased, and production plans for a number of others mark the first step on the five million-doUar schedule to be gotten under way at once. The signing of several new artists on long term contracts is another feature of the plans. The first group of new stories on which production will start at an early date includes "The Plastic Age," Percy Marks' popular novel of college life, which will be presented with an all-star cast; "Siege," Samuel Hopkins Adams' celebrated story, chosen as the next starring vehicle for Virginia Valli with Svend Gade directing; "Head Winds," A. M. Sinclair's romance of the high seas, purchased as the third starring vehicle for House Peters; "A Somnambulist Scandal," original story by Beatrice Van, a Laura La Plante story which Herbert Blache will direct; Elmer J. Davis' lilting romance, "I'll Show You the Town," in which Erie Kenton will direct Reginald Denny; and "Folle-Farine,"' Ouida's classic, in which Clarence Brown will direct Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry. The recent signing of Marceline Day on a long term contract was followed by the signing of Georgia Grandee, Laura La Plante Sails for Honolulu With Company WILLIAM A. SEITER, Universal director is on his way to Honolulu with a Universal company of stars, players and technicians, to film "Dangerous Innocence," adapted from the popular Pamela Wynne novel, "Ann's an Idiot." The starring roles are taken by Laura La Plante and Eugene O'Brien. The company, on the longest trip made by a Universal production unit in several years, is aboard the S. S. Calawaii. Part of the story is being filmed aboard ship. The rest of it, with the exception of a few interiors, to be made at Universal City after the troupe returns, will be filmed in and around Honolulu. The story is laid in India, and it is said that the proper atmosphere for that country is to be found in the Hawaiian Islands. Included in the cast of "Dangerous Innocence" is Violet La Plante, a younger sister of the Universal star. Violet is a comparative newcomer in pictures. She started screen work a few months ago. In the Pamela Wynne picture she will play a minor role. Jean Hersholt is also in the cast, as well as Merritt Gerstadt and Lewis Milestone. The unit production manager of the overseas unit is Martin Murphy, while Nate Watt is Seiter's assistant director. The company numbers about fifty people. "Dangerous Innocence" is the first Universal picture in many years in which Eugene O'Brien has appeared. This popular leading man is being co-starred with Miss La Plante. Miss La Plante just recently completed work as the costar with Pauline Frederick in "Smouldering Fires." "Dangerous Innocence" is one of The White List, Universal's twenty-one high class pictures for 1925. It is scheduled for release late in the Spring. the vaudeville comedian, "discovered" as a picture possibility by William Desmond, who knew him on the stage. Grandee's first appearance on the screen was in a Desinond Universal feature. Joe Bonomo, the famous strong man, has also been signed for a period of years for serials and "stunt" pictures. The news of Svend Gade's engagement to direct Virginia Valli in "Siege" marks a new directorial discovery by Carl Laemmle. The famous Danish producer, known in Enrope for his stage spectacles, such as "Romeo and Juliet," was engaged to direct Mary Philbin in "Fifth Avenue Models" on advice from Mr. Laemmle during his recent European trip. Gade's handling of the story has created a furor. The work of Clarence Brown in "Butterfly," and "The Marrying Age" makes his assignment to direct Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry in "Folle-Farine" a not unexpected development. Brown in a brief space of time has come to the front as one of the most notable directors. The literary staff at Universal City has been augmented by the engagement of Ben De Casseres, the New York author, and the engagement of Tom Geraghty to scenarize the new Reginald Denny picture. Will M. Ritchie, Harvey Thew, E. T. Lowe, Jr., and Beatrice Van are among the notable writers engaged on the forthcoming stories. Desmond Starts New Big Western at City WORD has just come from Universal City that William Desmond is starting on a new big western picture for Universal. It is entitled "Red Clay," and is being directed by Ernst Laemmle, a newcomer among the directorial ranks of Universal features. Young Laemmle has won his spurs in short western dramas, however. "Red Clay" is from the pen of Sarah Saddoris, and tells a strong story of a modern Indian chief, who is educated and who becomes a hero during the war. How he falls in love with a Senator's daughter, but gives her up to marry a girl of his own tribe is told in stirring drama. The role of the Indian chief will be taken by Desmond, and is said to offer him one of the best parts of the long screen career. Desmond has made a number of highly successful pictures for Universal during the past twelve months. Among them are "Big Timber," "The Sunset Trail" and "The Breathless Moment." He also made "The Riddle Rider," Universal's current serial success. He has just completed "The Meddler," a five reel feature which is promised as a western picture of the highest type. Casting for "Red Clay" has been completed. Universal has taken pains to give Desmond strong supporting players. His leading woman will be Marcelaine Day, a Mack Sennett favorite, recently signed up by Universal on a long term contract. George Grandee, a vaudeville actor of great popularity, also has been signed up for this picture. This will mark Grandee's first screen appearance. "Red Clay" is slated as one of The White List, Universal's list of twenty-one best pictures for the first half of 1925.