The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

30 THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY Universal rilms Popular In Forelon Lands Exploitation Stunt for "The Moon Riders", devised by the "Cine Progreso", a theatre in Mexico City, Mexico pOREIGN countries book Universal films extensively and testimonial letters pour into the Universal offices daily from the furthest parts of the globe. Especially in Mexico, Universal films are well received. "The Moon Riders," for example, that excellent serial made by Al Russell and featturing that engaging cowboy, Art Acord, was especially liked by our neighbors to the south. They called the serial "Las Calaveras del Terror, which translated literally means The Skull of Terror, a pretty good title at that. The Mexicans, however, presented this thrilling serial in a different manner. They featured Beatriz Dominguez, not Art Acord. Miss Dominguez is the beautiful Spanish girl who plays one of the leading female roles in the serial and the Mexicans are so proud of her that they gave her name first place. "The Cine Progreso," the theatre in Mexico City where "The Moon Riders" met with such success, did some excellent exploitation work in connection with the serial. Pictured to the left is the ensemble dressed in the grotesque "moon rider" costumes which advertised the film for the theatre. It is interesting to note in this connection, that Art Acord, who so excellently portrays the virile hero of "The Moon Riders," has returned to the Universal studios after a protracted absence, and will in the near future be seen in another big western serial in which he will again be directed by the capable Al Russell. "The Moon Riders" is being very generally praised. In addition to the very excellent cast and the novel story, it is filled with such genuine and delightful western atmosphere, that it is a real treat to those who love the big west with all its wealth of free and rugged background. It has proven one of the most successful serials Universal has ever made and it shows conclusively that "the west" is just as interesting to people to-day as it ever was, despite all reports to the contrary. POLO TAKES CUBA BY STORM CDDIE POLO has taken Havana by storm. Universal reports. The serial star recently took a company to Cuba to film his next serial. Since his arrival there he has made personal appearances in many of the leading theatres on the island and causes a young riot each time he leaves his hotel, so popular is he with Cuban photoplay fans. Polo's first public appearance was at the Campoamor Theatre, one of the best theatres in Havana. The management had to call out the police to handle the crowds that attended, only a fraction of which could get into the theatre. Eddie's first experience with his horde of Havana admirers was almost aa exciting as some of his serial stuff. He and his company had arranged to take a ride around the city, shortly after their arrival, but when they started to leave the Hotel Sevilla, where they were stopping, they were greeted by a struggling, fighting, cheering mob of more thtin two thousands of men and boys, anxious to catch a glimpse of their cinema hero. Polo, besides being a doer of unusual and daring stunts for the camera, has gained fame as a circus acrobat and dare-devil, but he hesitated and decided not to force his way through the enthusiatic crowd. After a brief appearance and much hand-shaking, he went back into his hotel. Polo's visit to Cuba is regarded by photoplay fans as the most interesting event in the cinema world of that island. As in all other Latin American countries, Polo is a prime favorite, because of his dare-devil feats. The new Universal serial starring Polo will be of an entirely different nature than his present highly successful serial "King of the Circus." Most of it is being filmed in Cuba, in the West Indies and in Panama. Many of the historic points in Cuba and the West Indies will be used as settings for the action of the story, as, for instance, Morro Castle, San Juan Hill, Santiago harbor, the famous Buccaneer Bay and other spots. J. p. McGowan is directing tht serial, which was written by Anthony W. Coldeway. Among others in the company taken to Cuba were Cecil Myers and Jean Perkins, camera-men. Jay Marchant, McGowan's assistant, and David Brandman, business manager. Hundreds of Cubans will be used as "extras" in the serial.