Universal Weekly (1923-26)

12 Universal Weekly December 15, 1923 LICHTMAN JOINS UNIVERSAL AS EXECUTIVE; TAKINQ OVER "HUNCHBACK" PRESENTATION ONE of the most surprising and unexpected events in the motion picture industry occurred early this week when Al Lichtman, veteran film producer, promoter and distributer, signed up with the Universal Pictures Corporation. He was engaged by Carl Laemmle, the Universal chief, in an executive capacity, and his first job is the management of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Universal's spectacledrama now being presented under special arrangement in various American cities. Negotiations looking to Lichtman's affiliation with Universal have been under way for some time, but they were known only to Laemmle, Lichtman, and one or two others high up in the Laemmle organization. The Universal chief has always regarded Lichtman with admiration and approved of his keen knowledge and ability as a film executive. Concerning the new arrival in the Universal Home Office, Mr. Laemmle pays the following tribute: "I am highly gratified to announce Al Lichtman's affiliation with Universal. I have always admired his ability and his foresight. He brings to Universal a far-reaching perception of film conditions and a driving power almost unequalled in the industry." Lichtman is outspoken in his enthusiasm for Universal. "I consider my coming to Universal the greatest opportunity I ever had," he says. "It is the biggest thing I ever did. The Univer Veteran Film Promoter and Executive Now in Universal Home Office sal organization, with its remarkable stability, its great good will and its world-wide activities, affords unlimited possibilities for big achievements in the film industry. "My first job is to direct the presentation of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' I consider this picture the greatest I ever had anything to do with in all the years I have been in the film business, and that goes back almost to the beginning of the industry. "I am now concerned in making an exhaustive study of 'The Hunchback' and its possibilities. Whether or not there will be a change in the present method of presentation remains to be seen. That will be determined after I have studied the situation. Nothing will be arrived RADIO TRUCK STARTLES AUSTRALIANS at, in any event, for a week or so." "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is now playing in nine large cities, as follows: New York, Astor Theatre; London, the Empire Theatre; Chicago, the Harris Theatre; Washington, the ShubertBelasco Theatre; Boston, the Tremont Temple; Los Angeles, the Criterion Theatre; Cincinnati, the Cox Theatre; Seattle, the Heilig Theatre, and Oakland, Calif., the Lurie Theatre. The picture is in its thirteenth week in New York, its eleventh week in Boston and its fifth week in Chicago. Besides its present runs, it has played in the following cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and San Francisco, all runs of six weeks' duration with the exception of Baltimore, where it ran a month. Lichtman is one of the most picturesque and active figures in the motion picture world. He broke into the game in 1909 as a representative for The Exhibitor's Advertising Company, a film company owned by Charles Pyle and Martha Russell. He became New York representative for the company and later switched to the Powers Film Company. The new Universal executive was one of the pioneers in boosting the feature picture — the long picture based on high grade stories and enacted by a popular star. At that time, popular stage stars were just beginning to be drafted by the screen. Lichtman affiliated himself with Famous Players and was a ► | * » ' 1 The Shell Theatre put out the truck shown above to exploit "The Radio King," Universal chapterplay, throughout the Australian metropolis. • i i i ■ i • ■ i i ■ i ii in ii in i i ■ hi i hi in in in i ii in ii i i i i i i in ■ in in in i i prime factor in building up that organization in its pioneer days. The next move on Lichtman's part was the formation of his own company — the Alco Film Company, which was the forerunner of Metro. Lichtman later returned to Famous Players and assumed charge of tljeir sales organization, then became the president of Artcraft, a subsidiary concern. He severed connections with Famous Players to take over Associated Exhibitors. He remained with the latter concern until after the merger of that company he effected with First National. His most recent activities have been with the Al Lichtman Corporation, a distributing; organization, and with Preferred Pictures. Two Added to Cast of La Plante Feature GEORGE FISHER and Lon Poff have been added to the cast of "The Thrill Girl," Laura LaPlante's first feature under her new contract with Universal. Fisher will enact the role of a comedy "heavy" and Poff a straight comedy character role. "The Thrill Girl" is now in its second week of production at Universal City, being filmed under the direction of Robert Hill. Hill recently guided the making of "His Mystery Girl" and "Jack o' Clubs," both comedy-dramas, starring Herbert Rawlinson. The picture he is now making is a screen version of the magazine story by Crosby Gage. It was scenarized by Hugh Hoffman. In the cast are Edward Hearn, who plays the romantic lead opposite Miss LaPlante, William W^sh, Frances Raymond, Albert Hart, Fred De Silva, Margaret Cullington, Stanley Blystone, Bert Roach and Rolfe Sedan.