Universal Weekly (1923-26)

Vol. 18, No. 18 Universal Weekly 13 "Hunchback" A Hit In London REPORTS to the Universal Home Office from London indicate that "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has taken London by storm, and is hailed by critics and public in the British metropolis as a great picture and worthy of hearty support. It opened last week. . The London presentation was in the Empire Theatre, which Universal obtained for a run of considerable dura Army, Naval and Diplomatic celebrities and numerous oth British Premiere of Big Universal Picture A Gala Event. Long Record Breaking ^^elXfl Run Predicted in Empire Theatre seats were: Lord Birkenhead, Lord Annaly, Lord Bethell, Post Wheeler, Esq., American Embassy; Earl of Denbigh, C. V. 0., Earl of Aran, P. C. K. P., Dowager Countess of Antrim, The Lady Mayoress, The Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos, The Earl of Shaftesbury, K. P. K., C. V. O., C. B. E., Earl of Albemarle, tion The opening, according to cablegrams, was one of K. C. V. 0., C. B., A. D. C, Lord Askwith, K. P. K., K. C, the most outstanding premieres ever held in Great Britain. Lord William Cecil, C. V. 0L, Lord Blyth, His Excellency The first-night audience was composed mostly of distinguished Britishers, including an unusual representation from royal circles, and many from the nobility. The theatre was packed for the opening. The presentation followed along the lines set by the world's premiere in the Astor Theatre, New York City. Marc Lachmann, Universal exploiteer, went Demetrius Caclamanos, Rt. Hon. Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, P. C., Viscountess Torrington, Lady A'Beckett, Sir John Lavary, R. A., Rt. Hon, Lord Richard Fredk. Cavendish, P. C. C. B. C, M. G., Lady Carmichael, Rt. Hon. Lord Aberconway, P. C. Sir Percy Simmons, K. C. V. 0. Crowds turned aivay from London opening of "The Hunchback." Note "House Full" sign, -put out forty minutes before curtain time. from New York to London especially to present "The Hunchback." Following the initial screening, the London firstnighters gave the picture a remarkable ovation. London film men, astounded at the audience enthusiasm, predicted that "The Hunchback" will have the most successful run ever enjoyed by a picture in London. Cables were received from many celebrities asking the Empire to reserve seats. Among the famous dramatists and authors were the Brothers. Czapek, authors of "R. U. R." and "The Insect Play," who cabled from Prague; Jacinto Benavente, the Spanish author, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature; Flo Ziegfeld, of the famous Ziegfeld Follies, who cabled from New York, etc. There was also Stephen Donoghue, the rider of "Papyrus." The picture celebrities who were present included Betty Blythe, Mahlon Hamilton, Albert Grey, J. Parker Read, J. Hayes Hunter, J. D. Williams and Alice Terry. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has achieved a record in that for the first time in London the Libraries (Theatre Ticket Agents) are taking a personal interest in drawing the attention of the public by advertisement in the London dailies and by circular to the attractions of the Carl Laemmle classic. The event is unique, as hitherto the Libraries have not troubled to advise their clients of the "entertainment possibilities of a film masterpiece. This is a new departure for the British ticket agency, since this is the first deal in history in which the overseas agency has undertaken to take over ticket sales for a motion picture. The agency combination represents twohundred and fifty ticket offices and is considered to be the organization which makes or breaks attractions in London. The first performance of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," at the Empire Theatre, attracted probably the most distinguished audience ever known for a premiere of a photoplay. The list included eminent politicians, artists, members of the medical and theatrical professions, Rt. Hon. G. C. Roberts, , Sir Arthur Shirley Benn, K. B. E., M. P., Hon. Anthony Cecil Ashley, Sir Maurice Abbot Anderson, M. V. 0., M. B., B. S., M. R. C. S., Rt. Hon. Wm. Clive Bridgeman, P. C. M. P., Professor R. Anning Bell, R. A., Sir David Murray, R. A., Sir Arthur du Cros, Bart. J. P., Sir William Cospatrick Dunbar, Bart. C. B., Sir Patrick Blake, Bart., Lady Hughes Stanton, Capt. Sir Ion Hamilton Benn, Bart. C. B., D. S. 0., Lt. Col. George W. Badgerow, C. M. G. M. B. F. R. C. S., Sir Alan Anderson, Major Rt. Hon. Sir John Lawrence, Bart. P. C, C. M. G., D. S. O., M. P., Sir R. Shafto Adair, Bart., Sir Samuel Hoare, Sir Ernest Edward Wild, K. C, Sir George Frampton, R. A., Sir Reginald Brodie Dyke-Acland, K. C.j Sir Wm. JoynsonHicks, Bart., Sir Robert Aske, Bart. L. L. D., The Rt. Hon. Harold Trevor Baker, P. C, Sir Vincent Caillard, D. L. J. P., Brig. General Sir Alfred Balfour, K. B. E., C. B., Rt. Hon. Alexander M. Carlisle, Sir Frederick Bowater, K. B. E., Sir Thomas Vansittart Bowater, Bart., Hon. Sir Edward Acton, Sir Edward L. Lutyens, R. A., Sir John Leigh, Sir Arthur Boscawen, Lady Helena Acland-Hood, Brig. Gen. J. G. Austin, Major Gen. Hon. Sir Cecil E ..Bingham, K. C. M. G., C. B., C. V. O., Major Gen. Hon. Sir Newton James Moore, K. C. M. G., M. P., Brig. Gen. Wm. Alexander, K. B. E., C. B., C. M. G., D. S. O., Rt. Hon. Lord Barrymore, P. S., Brig. Gen. Montgomery Carleton, C. B. E., Lt. Col. Sir Alexander Bannerman, Bart., Major W. W. Grantham, Capt. Robert Abercromby, M. C, Major Cecil Hamilton Armitage, C. M. G., D. S. 0., Lt. Col. Assheton Pownall, M. P., Major E. L. Swinburne. Lt. Col. Arthur Agg-Gardner, Lt. Col. Francis Alston, C. M. G., D. S. 0., Major W. H. Alleyne, Rear Admiral Thomas Benjamin Adair, Commander James Bird, R. N. A. F., Capt. George Edward Wentworth Bowyer, M. P., Lady Parker, Max Pemberton, Esq., Lord Salisbury's Secretary, Mr. Philip Farrer, F. Cayley Robinson, Esq., A. R. A., R. B. A., Chas. L. Hartwell, Esq., A. R. A., C. R. W., Bevinson, Esq., W. Reid Dick, Esq., A. R. A., Cecil Ballantine, Esq., Horace Judge, Esq., Sydney Lee, Esq., A. R. C, and others.