Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

36 Universal Weekly March 29, 1924 Universal Will Film Kelland'8 "Miracle" NEGOTIATIONS have just been completed between Clarence Budington Kelland and Universal whereby the picture company secures the moving picture rights to Mr. Kelland's next serial novel, "Miracle." In literary form it will start in the August number of the Ladies' Home Journal. When concluded as a serial it will be published in book form by Harper's. . Inasmuch as its title in the theatrical field would undoubtedly be confusing. Universal is earnestly searching for an appropriate title which would be available not only for its moving picture use but for its use by the Ladies' Home Journal and for its appearance as a novel. Universal will produce it at Universal City as one of the thirty-six in next year's ambitious program. No star has been as yet selected. ^••Hunchback" Fills Stillman Theatre (Continioed from Page 33) such as his hunchback who rings the bells of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. (From the tale by Victor Hugo.) The scene, of course, is Paris. The period is 1482. For background there is the conflict between the under-class of thieves and beggars and the aristocracy, culminating in riot. The leader of the beggars is impersonated by Ernest Torrence, and the king by Tully Marshall, both of whom have well-remembered roles in "The Covered Wagon." The hunchback is impersonated as a man whose brain is as undeveloped as his body is misshapen. He lives in the cathedral and his one joy is to ring its bells. The jeers he has suffered have embittered him against mankind. His response to the kindness done him by the heroine is both convincing and pathetic. The climax finds him at the top of the cathedral throwing down molten lead on the rioters storming its doors. He dies at his bell-ringing just before the end of the movie. As evidence that the picture is effective, a young woman sitting two seats away cried out during a struggle on the roof of the cathedral, while a woman at the other side of the reviewer dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief. (The Cleveland Press) Get the Saturday Evening Post Readers Into Your Theatre— They're All Set for "U" Programs Watch This Column Will you be one of our assistants? The American public has become Assistant Manager of the Universal. Its many letters to me, telling what kind of pictures it likes, and offering suggestions as to old books and stories that would make good pictures, have in many cases proved of great practical value. We have dug up the stories, found many of them desirable and are producing them now at our Universal City (Gal.) studios. Have you any such suggestion to make? Do you recall any story or poem or song that you think would make a good picture? Please write me a personal letter and tell me. WILUAM DUNCAN By asking your opinion of Universal pictures which have appeared, I get a mighty good idea of your likes and dislikes. What do you think of the dashing drama, "Sporting Youth." starring REGINALD DENNY^he picturesque old-Bowery play, "Fooh Highway," starring MARY PHILBIN, heroine of "Merry Go Round," and the allstar production of the intense drama, "The Law Forbids" ? Those of you who enjoy exciting chapter plays are advised that "The Fast Express," written by the celebrated author, Courtney Ryley Cooper, and starring WILLIAM DUNCAN, is, in my opinion, the best chapter play we have ever produced. One reason for this is the excellence of the plot, but the action, the cast and settings are due to UNIVERSAL. Excuse me for this pat on our own back. Watch for "The Fast Express," then tell me what you think of it. I think we were mighty lucky to find a clever, good-looking actor like "BILLY" SULLIVAN to take the place of REGINALD DENNY in the fourth series of "The Leather Pushers." "BILLY" is a nephew of the redoubtable John L. and he has lots of talent. I'd like your opinion of him. Don't forget to see **The Hunchback of Notre Dame. " It is all over America now, and many of the smart people of the country have written to me that it is "astounding, magnificent and thrilling." Have you seen it? If so, what do you think of it? f* arl J^aemmle ^ ^ 'President UNIVERSAL PICTURES 1600 Broadway, New York City HUNCHBACK" SETS NEW MARK WHEN "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" opened at John Kunsky's Adams Theatre, Detroit, Mich., on Sunday, February 24th, it exceeded — by more than $1,200 — the biggest business for a single day that the house had ever known, reports to the Universal home office state. The following day, Monday, it ran far ahead of any other like day's business, while on "Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday it achieved new and remarkable records. New "highs" were hung up for every individual day of the week while the total business for the seven days was so great as to establish a record which the Adams Theatre people believe will stand for a considerable time to come. On Sunday, March 9th, the picture began the third week of its engagement. At this time it had grossed $64,637. Every indication points to a continued good business for the remaining weeks of the engagement. The advance sale is a record breaker, the picture was the recipient of unusually flattering newspaper notices and reviews, and, in conjunction with the word-of-mouth advertising it is receiving, is being painstakingly exploited. The picture is in the Adams Theatre for an indefinite run.