Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

September 4, 1926 Universal Weekly 11 “Marriage Clause” Hailed by Picture Critics As Work of Genius at Los Angeles Premiere ft'T'HE MARRIAGE CLAUSE,” one of Universal’s : lead-off pictures for the 1926-1927 season, and which has been hailed by the National Board of Review and by film critics as one of the outstanding pictures of the season, had a colorful premiere last week in the Forum Theatre, Los Angeles, at which many prominent personages of the film world were present and which called forth high praise on the part of the Los Angeles newspaper reviewers. The production is a Universal Jewel and is to be released as a part of Universal’s Greater Movie List. It was directed by Lois Weber, the industry’s only woman director, and is said to be the greatest of her many box-office hits. It was adapted from “Technic,” a Saturday Evening Post story by Dana Burnett. Billie Dove, Francis X. Bushman, Warner Oland and Grace Darmond head the cast. On the strength of her good work with this picture Miss Weber was immediately signed up by Universal for another big special. Miss Dove also was reengaged. The picture is hailed as an example of a new style of direction — a style that seeks simplicity and avoids cut-backs, slap-stick, rambling titles, and more-rambling action. In a published interview concerning this production, Elinor Glyn, author and film producer, gives praise to Miss Weber for her courage in flying in the face of film convention in the making of this picture. She labels it a departure in directorial technique as epochmaking as “The Woman of Paris” or “Variety.” An indication of the high favor with which the new Lois Weber production was received in Los Angeles may be had from the following excerpts of reviews appearing in Los Angeles newspapers the next day : Louella Parsons, in the Examiner: “ ‘The Marriage Clause’ builds and builds until it reaches a tremendous climax. The production is well executed. The titles are above the average and the splendid photography and direction are deserving of the warmest praise. The picture achieves a real degree of excellence.” Herbert Moulton, in the Times: “Those who attended the premiere carried away a vivid impression of Miss Weber’s genius. The picture was given commendable treatment.” Mabel Brundage, in the Express : “Miss Weber hits the bull’s eye in her latest release. It has one of the strongest finales ever seen in a picture. It is a great drama.” Jimmy Starr, in the Record: “Lois Weber, the only feminine director, does remarkable work. The little bits of life are reproduced with a deft directorial hand.” Edwin Schallert in the Times: “The characters are well drawn and the situations are quite pat. Miss Weber has been unusually successful.” Guy Price in the Herald: “The picture is not only interestingly delineated but gives that added touch with which Miss Weber made herself famous.” All paid high tribute to the acting of Billie Dove and Francis X. Bushman. Reports from Hollywood indicate that their work is the talk of the film colony as a result of this premiere. Miss Dove has been selected as the feminine lead in Miss Weber’s next Universal Jewel, “The Sensation Seekers,” adapted from a new story by (Continued on Page 35) Carl Laemmle, Jr., is telling his father, recuperating in London, of the $2,500 radio message he has just sent to Universal City — the scenario for one of his “Collegians" series. The result of that message in publicity may be seen on Pages 24 and 25. Saenger and Dent-Musselman Circuits To Show All 1926-27 Universal Product In Their Houses RALPH B. WILLIAMS, Southern Sales Director for Universal, has just returned to New York from New Orleans, where the biggest deal ever consummated between Universal and the Saenger Amusement Company was closed. The deal involves 63 towns and cities in the New Orleans and Dallas territories, and insures the showing of Universal pictures during 1926-1927 in all situations covered by the Saenger circuit of New Orleans and its affiliated organization, the Dent-Musselman circuit of Dallas. W. M. Richardson, Universal manager in New Orleans, and R. C. Mcllheran, “U” manager in Dallas, engineered the arrangement, which puts Universal in an enviable position in that section of the country. W. H. Gueringer, vice-president and assistant general manager of the Saenger interests, Gaston Dureau, buyer for the Saengers, and Louis Dent, manager of the Dent-Musselman organization, represented the theatre men in the transaction. Involving 100 percent of the situations in those territories, the arrangement covers the presentation of such Universal super pictures as “The Midnight Sun” and “The Flaming Frontier,” the new Denny special, “Take It From Me,” all the new Universal Jewel productions, the Universal Western features, the Buster Brown Comedies, “The Newlyweds and Their Baby” comedies and other Stern Brothers series, the Gump comedies, the Bluebird comedies, the two-reel Mustang Westerns, the Famous Authors Five (serials) and the International Newsreel.