Motography (Jan-Jun 1915)

March 27, 1915. MOTOGRAPHY 475 Formally Open Universal City HAVING GLORIOUS TIME Universal City, Calif., Mar. \S, via Los Angeles. MoTOGRAPHY, Monadnock Bldg., Chicago, III. The greatest make-believe place in America is very real and extraordinarily beautiful. Universal City was officially opened by President Carl Laemmle at 10:45 a. m., Monday, March IS, a solid gold key valued at $300, being used for the occasion. Twelve thousand people thronged the entrance during the ceremonies prior to the unlocking of the gates, the weather fitting into the occasion as though made to order. Gay in the splendor of white and green fluttered the flags of all nations and practically all nations were represented by the costumes . of the player folk. A gorgeous display of daylight fireworks was heartily applauded. The great outdoor stages were given over to permanent sets of the several producing companies and the directors and stock companies met the visitors in open house parties. More than a thousand automobiles were parked in Universal City at all times during the day. Thousands of spectators witnessed Turner's "Black Box," McRae's flood scene, Ford's battle scenes, Christie's court-room farce, Kurtis' "Kurius Kreatures" in the making and the day was concluded with a grand ball in the electrical studio. AS this issue of Motography goes to press, Carl Laemmle and his guests are taking in the sights at Universal City, and from reports which have drifted back all are having the time of their lives. Leaving Chicago the party proceeded to Kansas City, where it was met by a delegation of Universal boosters and both cordially welcomed and splendidly entertained. A daily newspaper published on the train, called the Laemmle Ledger, made its appearance ere the party pulled into Kansas City, and was greedily One of the "rubberneck busses" in Denver. purchased by everyone aboard. It is full of snappy items regarding the various "trippers," and the editor is sure to be congratulated on its newsiness. After leaving Kansas City the train wound its way toward Denver, where another big reception awaited the party. The special arrived in Denver at 6. a. m. Tuesday morning, March 9, and after the guests had breakfasted the party was taken for a sightseeing trip throughout the city, pausing at the Capitol building to call upon Lieutenant Governor Moses Lewis, and then being whisked away on a "rubberneck tour" of the parks and boulevards, returning to Ladies and children of party snapped at Kansas City. the Savoy Hotel in time for 1 o'clock luncheon. The early afternoon was spent in looking over the business section of Denver and at 3 :45 o'clock the special pulled out for the Grand Canyon of ArizonaIt is hopeless to even attempt to describe the beautiful scenery through which the Universal special passed on the next day, but Wednesday, needless to say, was filled with sight-seeing, and the next pause made was at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where an Indian band rallied around the train, this reception being arranged by D. G. Campbell, Albuquerque's Universal representative. The party paraded through the city's "white way" and was shown the sights in a royal manner, being introduced to notables without number and having: ^V££v^ * 1 WW ^^L ^^E ^B^ Ht«i 1 ^*^W3 %WwF***J'* 7 It • ^^■■■■■MB HM^ ' ^^^ 1 Cheering the Governor at the Capitol Building in Denver. an opportunity to invest in curios of Indian make and souvenirs of all sorts and descriptions. Once more on the way, the special headed for Hollywood, California, and Universal City, where on Saturday, March 13, a cavalcade of motion picture cowboys, pony riding heroines and real Indians gave a