Universal Weekly (1922)

36 Universal Weekly August 19, 1922 Phenomenal Advance Bookings For Don't Shoot", Universal Attraction u «"pvONT SHOOT," Herbert Rawlinson's latest Uni it versal Attraction, has met with widespread popu larity among exhibitors, Universal asserts. Al though it is not to be released until late in August, jt already has received an unusual amount of advanced booking. The latest contract signed up for this picture gives it an extended run over the entire circuit of the United Booking Office. After seeing a preview of "Don't Shoot," Arthur White, an official of the U. B. 0., characterized it as a super-production, says Dave Brill, sales manager of the "Big U" Echange, Universal's New York office. "The excellence of this picture prompts me to book it extensively," White is quoted as saying. "If the rest of Universal's 'Winning Nine' Features maintain the standard set by 'Don't Shoot' Universal can be assured of our whole-hearted support." "Don't Shoot," is from a gripping reformed crook story by George Bronson Howard. It was directed by Jack Conway. T HIS story was filmed by Universal four years ago with the same star, and made by the same director. It then was known as "Come Through," and proved to be one of the biggest screen hits of the year. It established Rawlinson in popular favor throughout the country. The current version of the Howard story is said to be far better than the original version, in action, direction and photography. In "Don't Shoot," Rawlinson was supported by Edna Murphy, Wade Boteler, George Fisher, Duke Lee and others. "Don't Shoot" is Universal's first Fall release. It is the first of a series of nine star pictures called "The Winning Nine," which Universal officials say is the best group of pictures ever put out by that company. The features include pictures by such stars as Gladys Walton, Hoot Gibson, Frank Mayo, Gladys Brockwell, Stuart Holmes, Henry B. Walthall, Marjorie Daw and many other popular favorites, each with his or her own following of motion picture enthusiasts. *8 •8 « *8 *8 H « Qeo. Bronson Howard Engaged by "U" GEORGE BRONSON HOWARD, well known author and playwright, has been engaged by Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, as a member of the Scenario Staff at Universal City. The author already has left New York for the Coast, where he will be engaged in the preparation of original manuscripts for Universal stars, and in the doctoring of photoplay plots. In signing Howard, the Universal chief has taken a long step in the direction of his announced policy of supplying Universal stars with the best possible stories and scenarios. It is the latest move in making the Universal Scenario Department one of the best in the moving picture world. Howard, upon reaching Universal City, will take his place along with George Randolph Chester, creator of the Wallingford stories, and Charles Kenyon, author of "Kindling," one of America's outstanding dramas. Chester and Kenyon each are story and scenario supervisors for groups of Universal production units. The latest addition to the Universal scenario staff is well known in the field of letters. As a newspaper man, a soldier-of -fortune, a war correspondent, and later a magazine writer, novelist and playwright, George Bronson Howard has become one of the best known figures in the American literary world. Many short stories and novelettes, a number of novels iand several popular plays are credited to him. Among his plays were "The Only Law," "The Double Cross," "Snobs," "Springtime," "The Passing Show of 1912," "Broadway to Paris" and "Easy Money." Noted Writer to Join Scenario Staff at Universal City A' MONG his best known magazine series were "Master Francois Villon of Paris," published in Century Magazine, and adapted to the screen as "The Adventures of Francois Villon," by Universal; and "Norry, Diplomatic Agent," also made into a Universal series of short reelers. Howard was the author of "Come Through," Herbert Rawlinson's first big success. Universal has just remade thin picture with the same star, and Jack Conway, the same director. It will be released next week under the title of "Don't Shoot." The author entered the photoplay field in 1915, writing "The Social Pirates," a series for Kalem, and later joining the Lasky forces, where he put his play "Snobs" into screen form and also adapted several of his other plays. Following the writing of a big war film, "The Spy," for Fox, he joined Universal as a director, taking several three and four-reelers. From Universal City he went into the British Ambulance service, and was severely wounded in the Vosges. Since the war Howard has been writing for the Munsey publications and for Doubleday-Page. His return to the screen world was prompted by his extreme interest in moving pictures. It is his opinion that the rapid progress of the screen is due to the willingness of screen producers to accept ideas and to change their minds. He contends that the screen has progressed more in fifteen years than the stage has progressed in fifty years, as a result.