Universal Weekly (1922)

Vol. 16, No. 4 Universal Weekly 15 Biggest Pictures Ever Produced By Universal^ Laemmle's Claim CARL LAEMMLE has prepared to corner the fall market with the biggest pictures ever made by Universal. Eight Universal-Jewel Attractions of the most elaborate type, an unprecedented number of Specials to be made by one company, will deliver a broadside punch to the screen that will reawaken the exhibitor's faith in the producer and the public. Already before exhibitors and in some places released are "The Storm," Langdon McCormick's play directed by Reginald Barker and starring House Peters; "Human Hearts," another Peters starring special directed by King Baggot from the famous old play by Hal Reid; "The Flame of Life," an artistic version of "That Lass o' Lowrie's," starring Priscilla Dean, and "Under Two Flags," Ouida's immortal epic, starring Miss Dean. "The Kentucky Derby," an allstar Jewel with Reginald Denny, Lillian Rich, Lionel Belmore, Gertrude Astor and other celebrated artists, has been finished by King Baggot and is being edited. Hobart Henley is nearing completion of "The Flirt," Booth Tarkington's classic, giving roles to Helen Jerome Eddy, Eileen Percy, Lydia GOOD SUPER-JEWEL BALLYHOO Scene-Shooting Stunt Used by Tivoli Theatre, New York City, for "Foolish Wives." Knott, Edward Hearn, Lloyd Whitlock, William Welsh, Harold Goodwin, Nell Craig, Buddy Messenger and others. Jack Conway is more than half through with "The Long Chance," a virile story by Peter B. Kyne with Henry B. Walthall, Marjorie Daw, Ralph Graves and other really famous players in principal roles. Lambert Hillyer is making consistent progress with "Bitter Sweet," Lon Chaney's starring vehicle in which Virginia Valli and Jack Mower have supporting roles. Among Universal stellar attractions now or nearly ready are "Top o' the Morning," starring Gladys Walton; "Don't Shoot," starring Herbert Rawlinson; "The Loaded Door," Hoot Gibson's, and "Caught Bluffing," starring Frank Mayo. The scientific serial, "The Radio King," is making rapid progress under Robert Hill, with Roy Stewart and Louise Lorraine contributing dramatic characterizations. The chapter-play, "Perils of the Yukon," has been in production thirteen weeks, eleven weeks in the Truckee mountain neighborhood in California, where everlasting snows provide good background for Alaskan history. William Desmond is star and Laura LaPlante is leading woman. H "V ■*? w ■« UniversaVs Zoo Trainer Cheats Death In Bout with Blood -Crazed Lioness FIGHTING for his life with a blood-crazed lioness, A. C. Stecker, chief animal trainer of Universal City, but recently beat the animal off only after she had mangled his left hand and ripped his flesh. The lioness is "Ethel," world-famous as a film animal and noted for her docility and playful qualities. She was born in the Universal City arena and hundreds of celebrities who have visited the film capital have been photographed with her. Stecker opened the gate of a training cage and called her. She trotted into the enclosure, rolled at his feet, fumbled his shoes with tufted claws and purred like a big kitten. Beast Turns on Keeper Stecker stood erect and snapped his fingers. She put her paws on his shoulders and licked his face. Then like a flash she snapped at him, fell back and sprang with a spitty snarl that brought assistant trainers running from other parts of the arena. She sought his throat. Barbed claws flayed the air. Her jowls dripped. At the first fleck of blood from Stecker's hand she roared with fury and hurled her tawny, lithe body the entire distance across the cage. Stecker dodged. An assistant tossed a light buggy-whip into the cage. He lashed at the charging beast with the stinging thong. For twelve minutes he fought for his life while assistants tried to break open the lock of the 3£ f r^the^niSs "F«>lish Wives" Window fangs and her eyes flashing like fire opals she crouched for another death dealing spring. Stecker caught her across the nose with the butt of the whip. She fell back. At that instant the mind mastery of a man triumphed over the blind fury of a beast. The lioness was beaten. She knew it. Stecker was attended at the Universal City Hospital. Alarm Clock Tie-Up for UniEthel is snarling in a versal-Jewel Arranged by Emsolitary cage. pire Theatre, San Antonio, Tex.