Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

Vol. 18, No. 13 Universal Weekly 15 Exhibitors Praise "Tke Ramhlin* Kid** HOOT GIBSON, Universal's western star, has definitely placed himself in the forefront of western stars with his latest picture, "The Ramblin' Kid," judging from reports of this picture's success. It is hailed far and wide as one of the best western photo-dramas ever made. It is holding its own against super-pictures in numerous communities. Simultaneously with the reports of the picture's popularity comes the information that the book publishing firm, Grosset & Dunlap, has republished the story, with illustrations taken from the Gibson picture. The western romance ,is from the pen of Earl Wayland Bowman and was first published by Frank A. Munsey. This is one of the first instances on record where a photo-play edition has bfeen put out for any but a superpicture. It is a testimonial to the rapid climb in popularity of Hoot Gibson productions. Arrangements have been arrived at by Universal looking towards a nation-wide tieup with booksellers handling the photoplay edition of "The Ramblin' Kid," in connection with the exploitation of the picture. This exploitation is being participated in by the publishers, and promises excellent results to exhibitors who book the picture. Edward Sedgwick, who has made most of Gibson's successes during the past year, directed the picture. The cast included Laura La Plante, Harold Goodwin, William Welsh, G. Raymond Nye, Carol Holloway and others. The photographic effects are considered to be more artistic than any ever before shown in a "Western." Excellent editing and clever sub-titling help to make "The Ramblin' Kid" a 100 per cent box-office "knock-out." An indication of the box-office results various exhibitors are having with "The Ramblin' Kid" may be had from the following letter, just received at the Universal home office Publishing Firm Puts Out Photo-play EJition of Hoot Gibson Success. REGINALD DENNY'S • RECOVERY RAPID REGINALD DENNY, star of "The Leather Pushers," "The Abysmal Binite" and "The Spice of Life," who was seriously injured when his motor car turned over on Sunset boulevard in Hollywood, is reported to be recovering at a satisfactory rate. His injuries were severe and he will be in a cast for several weeks, but attending physicians state that his unusual strength and all-around fitness are making his recovery easy. from Robert Madigan, manager of the Standard Theatre, Cleveland, O.: "Universal is to be congratulated on 'The Ramblin' „, . . ^ , . , Kid.' It certainly is the best Western picture this house has ever shown. Hoot Gibson never was better than in this splendid production. "We opened at noon on Sunday and played to three thousand seven hundred and forty-seven (3,747) admissions, a new record for our house, which only has six hundred seats. It proved to be the largest single day attendance the house has enjoyed in the ten years we have been showing pictures. "This business is a wonderful testimonial to the drawing power of Hoot Gibson when vou consider that Harold Lloyd in 'Why Worry' and Pola Negri in 'The Spanish Dancer' opened the same day." "The Ramblin' Kid" is Hoot Gibson's third big production this season. His first fall release, "Blinky," also is breaking box office records, according to reports. Witness the following letter of praise from Max Rosing, manager of the Fillmore Theatre, Buffalo: "I played 'Blinky' on Oct. 12th and 13th and just want to advise you that I played the biggest business the house ever had for week end business. "As a matter of satisfaction to myself, I played a Tom Mix the previous week end, purposely put in Hoot Gibson the following week — and receipts were almost double. I am giving you this because I feel that Universal is tmthfully making pictures this year and I *feel safe that the balance of the star series will hold up as well." Hoot's following production was "Out o' Luck," also a big hit. It was this picture which caused a man in Indiana to laugh himself to death, as reported in the news columns of the day. riliiliilMlii|iililliililllllillIlljrilllilllll(lllllllllllllllllllillillillllllllllllllllllllllllirilllllllllMIIIIIIIJIIIII R* H* Cochrane Says Rawlinson^s Latest Adolph Zukor Is Right Picture Is Finished COMMENTING on the statement regarding the F. P. L. "shutdown" made by Adolph Zukor, R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal Pictures Corporation, issued the following statement: "Mr. Zukor is right. Production conditions are and have been outrageously abnormal. It would be a great thing if all studios could close their doors until the people who have been forcing costs skyward have a chance to wake up. "The only reason why the Universal has not closed its studios is because it would leave us with so many unfinished negatives on hand that we should risk a loss of over a million dollars. When these negatives are finished we intend to shut off production as close to the complete stopping point as our releasing contracts will permit." HERBERT RAWLINSON and Robert F. Hill have finished their first team product at Universal Citv, "His Mystery Girl." This is the first time that Hill has directed Rawlinson. The feature is predicted as a box office hit. "His Mystery Girl," a five reel dramatic feature with a story of love and adventure, was written for Rawlinson by Marion Orth of the Universal staff and scenarized by William Wing. Ruth Dwyer played opposite Rawlinson and Margaret Campbell, William Quinn, Jere Austin and Robert E. Homans handled the remaining principal roles. Rawlinson's next venture will be in the film version of the Saturday Evening Post story, "Clay of Ca'lina," which Calvin Johnson wrote. L. G. Rigby has prepared the continuity.