Universal Weekly (1923-26)

12 Universal Weekly August 14, 1926 Fabian Circuit of Books Entire WC. HERRMANN, general sales manager of the Big U Exchange, Universale New York distribution centre, announces that an arrangement has been completed between Universal and the powerful Fabian Circuit of Northern New Jersey, whereby the entire Universal product will be shown in each of the seven important towns in that chain, which is the second biggest theatre circuit in the New York territory, being topped only by the U. B. 0. circuit. The arrangement was made by Hermann and Cy Fabian, son and business agent of Jacob Fabian, the head of the theatre corporation. The seven New Jersey towns included in their jurisdiction are Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth, Passaic, Ridgewood, Hackensack and the Oranges, in which they have a total of 21 theatres. The Universal pictures, including the super-productions such as "The Flaming Frontier," and "The Midnight Sun," the Reginald Denny productions,the Universal Jewels, Western features, and the unusual array of Universal short product, including the new Stern Brothers Comedy series, all will have first-run showings in each of these towns, and second and third runs in many cases over the Fabian circuit. The theatres involved are the Mosque, Branford, Capitol, Goodwin, Roosevelt and Hawthorne in Newark; the Fabian, Garden and Regent in Elizabeth; the Montauk and Capitol in Passaic; the Playhouse and the Opera House in Ridgewood; the Ontania, Lyric and Eureka in Hackensack, and the Embassy, Harrison and Strand in the Oranges. This is one of the biggest deals ever made in the New York territory by Universal and is considered to be striking evidence that Universal's Greater Movie List for the 1926-1927 season is looked upon as sure-money by leading exhibitors. New Jersey Irvin Willat Universal Product SiSned to Direct Richard Talmadge Metzger Announces Changes In Chicago LOU B. METZGER, general sales manager for the Universal Pictures Corporation, has returned to New York from a nine days' sales trip through the Great Lakes district, and announces an important change in Universal's sales direction policy for that district. Leroy Alexander, heretofore, Assistant Sales Director for that district, which includes the Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and other President Coolidge Sees Newsreel In Camp IN order that the President of the United States may be kept in touch with affairs of the world pictorially during his vacation in the Adirondacks, International Newsreel is sending a print of each of its issues to the summer White House. At all times when he is in Washington, a print of International Newsreel is sent to the White House for the President's personal use. When he departed for the Adirondacks a portable projecting machine was established in the President's cottage. Laura La Plante Highly Praised For Latest Film A PRIVATE screening of "Butterflies in the Rain," the Universal Jewel adaptation of Andrew Soutar's popular novel, which has just been completed by Universal with Laura La Plante in the starring role, was held yesterday at Universal City. Those who saw it left the projection room after the showing saying that Laura La Plante, by her work in this picture, will definitely establish herself as the greatest actress on the screen. "Butterflies in the Rain" is an Edward Sloman production. It is said to be one of the strongest pictures ever made. James Kirkwood is featured with Miss La Plante in the production, which will be one of the outstanding Jewels of Universal's Greater Movie List for the coming season. territories, has been appointed General Sales Manager of the Chicago territory, with headquarters there and jurisdiction over Universal's Chicago exchange. The post of assistant sales director for the middlewest division has been abolished. The general supervision over that section will be exercised by L. J. Schlaifer, Western Sales Director for Universal, with headquarters in the Home Office. WITH the signing of Irvin Willat to direct Richard Talmadge in his first production for Universal under the contract the athletic star recently signed with Carl Laemmle, it was disclosed that Talmadge has entered the ranks of the first class artists and hereafter will produce his pictures at a cost of approximately $200,000 apiece. For his first production Talmadge has purchased the rights of "The Black Rider" by Max Brand, a magazine story on the type of "The Mark of Zorro" in which Douglas Fairbanks achieved great distinction. Negotiations are now in progress with a noted scenarist to prepare the story for the screen. This week Talmadge will sign as his leading lady one of the feminine stars now free lancing. Talmadge signed the Universal contract following negotiations between Carl Laemmle and A. Carlos, pioneer producer associated with Talmadge, just before the Universal president left for Europe. The contract calls for six productions, the first of which will get under way in August. The cast will consist only of players of known merit with names of box-office value. Willat already has begun preparations for the filming of "The Black Rider." Talmadge has been a producer-star and the head of his own company for two years. Carlos arrived from New York last week to confer with Talmadge and to make arrangements for starting of the more costly and elaborate productions. Mr. Willat, now one of the screen's great directors, is a product of the old Universal Imp Company. He has always planned to do a picture for Calr Laemmle since he became a director, but this is the first time that the plans permitted. His most recent successes are "The Ancient Highway," "The Air Mail," "The Wanderer of the Wasteland," "The Heritage of the Desert," "North of 36" and "The Story Without a Name." Emory Johnson Signs Brady Kline BRADY KLINE has been added to the cast of "The Fourth Commandment" at Universal. Kline plays the role of Miller, husband of Mary Carr in the picture. The big drama is rapidly nearing completion under the direction of Emory Johnson. Belle Bennett is featured in a mother role.