Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

Vol. 19, No. 13 Universal Weekly 39 Under the Spreading Century Plante^^ CENTURY UNIT IS BACK FROM DEATH VALLEY THE Century Comedy unity in charge of Director Neal Smith has returned from location near Death Valley, where they went to make desert scenes for "Araby Bound," featuring: Jack Earle, the youthful giant, and Al. Alt. Final interiors will be shot this week and after passing through the usual careful inspection and titling given Century films, will be ready for Universal exchanges. Hilliard Karr, the fat comedian, and Elisabeth Kavane, the Ambassador Hotel dancer, and the Century Follies Girls also appear prominently in this production. This is, perhaps, one of very few two-reel comedies for which the company takes such a long and hazardous journey as the one Smith took to location near Death Valley, that the picture might be the best in short subject entertainment. STAR AND SHOWMAN Arthur Schoenstadt, prominent Chicago exhibitor, meets Buddy Messinger, Century star. Buddy Candidate For "Boy Mayor" Of Manhattan BUDDY MESSINGER, youthful star of Century Comedies and a featured player in many Universal productions, has thrown his hat in the ring and will run in the race for election as the Boy Mayor of New York City. This election is being held by the Thomas Jefferson Boys' Pilgrimage and Election and is to raise funds for the purchase and perpetual maintenance of Jefferson's home in Monticello. The New York World is carrying a list of candidates and information as to progress made. Julius Stem, president of Century Comedies, has appointed a committee to run Buddy's campaign and bring it to a successful conclusion. The young star is expected to make the trip to New York in order to head that city's delegation on the trip to Monticello, in the event that he wins the election. GUS EDWARDS' TRIO OF PROTEGES MAKE GOOD IN 2-REELERS THREE Gus Edwards' "proteges" are busily engaged in Century Comedies, while a fourth one is expected to return to the studio in a short time to once again appear as Buddy Messinger's twelve-year-old leading lady. The three now working are Harry McCoy, Hilliard Karr and Al. Alt. It was learned recently by Julius Stern, president of Century, that McCoy played in Gus Edwards' shows from the time he was ten until he went west with his parents at the age of eighteen. Karr played in an Edwards' all-kid show for two years, and Alt was introtuced to the footlights at a very early age by the sponsorer of clever children, Mr. Edwards. Sadie Campbell, who is known as one of the sweetest and talented children in Los Angeles, appeared as Messinger's little leading lady for nearly a whole year at the Century studio. She was called away to San Francisco on a big feature and is expected to retum in time to appear in Messinger's May or June productions. She makes the fourth protege under the Stern banner. Each one of the three now appearing in Centuries had an early schooling with Mr. Edwards. STERNS PROMOTE CHARLES LAMONT TO DIRECTORSHIP CHARLES LAMONT, who has been assisting Noel Smith in his directing of Century Comedies, has been assigned a complete producing unit by Julius and Abe Stem. This recognition comes to Lamont after faithful co-operation with several Century directors during the past months. Lamont came to Stern Brothers after producing several comedies for another company, but no units were free for him to direct. He assisted Herman for awhile. Later he co-directed with Smith. His first subject for Century is temporarily known as "The Farmyard Flapper," anil is Lament's own story. Harry McCoy and Hilliard Karr will be Lament's comedians, with Wanda Wiley appearing in the ingenue role. "Pinto" Colvig, famous cartoonist-gagman, has been tumed over to Lamont, so that his first picture will be outstanding in every way. Lamont has been given a month in which to complete his first two-reel Century, and Stern Brothers anticipate an A-1 comedy. The story deals with a farmyard Beau Brummel, his love for a city girl and the interference of the city slicker. The Century Follies Girls will he used for several sequences.