Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

28 Universal Weekly May 17, 1924 ^^Under the Spreading Century Plant** "TRAFFIC JAMS" AND "TAXI! TAXI!" BOOKED STRONG NEWS of three important bookings of Century Comedies is reported by the New York office of Century Film Corporation. Only two comedies figure in these deals: "Taxi! Taxi!" and "Traffic Jams"; although three nationally known motion picture theatres are showing them. "Traffic Jams," in which Harry McCoy and Al. Alt play the major parts, is due for a week's run at the Cameo, 42nd Street and Broadway. The fact that the Cameo is situated so near to Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, where the world's greatest "traffic jams" are known to be, may be influential in exploiting tlus subject. "Taxi! Taxi!" with Hilliard Karr and Harry McCoy in the stellar roles, was shown on the bill of the opening of Loew's Elsmere, at which function some twenty well-known motion picture stars made their appearance. This two-reel Century was chosen by Loew officials from "a track of eighteen unreleased comedies" submitted by six other producing companies. "Taxi! Taxi!" also is booked to play at Grauman's Los Angeles playhouse, the Metropolitan, for an indefinite run. These two Centuries are scheduled for extensive runs after they have finished at the Cameo, Elsmere and Metropolitan, WANDA WILEY, RUDY'S CHOICE WITH CENTURY WANDA WILEY, beautiful and talented Texan actress, is playing the leading ingenue role in Al. Herman's "Water Waves," in which Joe Bonner, William Irving and Betty Young play the featured roles. Miss Wiley was engaged by Stern Brothers after seeing her work in several of "The Leather Pushers" series, and Goldwyn productions. Her entering pictures followed when Rudolph Valentino chose her as the finest dancer, as well as one of the most beautiful girls, in the State of Texas. Later she won the Screen Beauty Contest of Hollywood. Miss Wiley is slated to head the second unit of Century Follies Girls the Century officials plan to organize this season. She appears opposite Bonner in "Water Waves," while Betty Young's role calls for her appearance with Irving. After "Water Waves," pending the forming of the new Follies unit, Wanda Wiley will appear with either Harry McCoy or Al. Alt. NEW CENTURY INGENUE Doris Stone, English star, now in Century Comedies. "CAMPING OUT" BUDDY'S NEXT CENTURY FILM HAVING completed his work in Universal's "Young Ideas," Buddy Messinger has returned to the Century Comedy "lot" and has commenced work on a new comedy for Julius and Abe Stem. The script title is "Camping Out," and this fits the action and general theme of the story so well that Century's production heads say that this title will remain. Arvid Gillstrom, who directed Messinger in some six comedies prior to directing features for independent release, has been engaged to handle the megaphone for this picture. Martha Sleeper again appears opposite Buddy as his leading lady, while "Bubbles," the colored boy comedian, is cast in an important part. Donald Hughes and Tommy Hicks also play in "Camping Out." "ARABY BOUND" OFFERS EARLE GREAT CHANCE A RABY BOUND" is the name 2l\^ of a new two-reel Century Comedy in which the giant star Jack Earle plays the leading part. The picture is now nearing the finish under the direction of Noel Smith, who has assembled one of the best-known comedy casts of his film career. The story is a burlesque, or a clever satire, as suggested by Dean Hawkins, a California newspaperman. It is based on the well-known Sheik theme, but is built-up with what is considered some of the fastest-moving desert sequences yet devised for tworeel work. Several days were spent on "location" outside of Death Valley in California to get the desert material. Besides Earle, the seven-foot giant, Al. Alt and Hilliard Karr play important comic roles. Joe Bonner, Tad Rose, Henry Murdock, Marjorie Marcel, Betty Young and Elizabeth Kavane also appear in this picture, for which Director Smith took special pains to make all-star. Elizabeth Kavane was recruited from the ranks of the Ambassador Hotel nightly revue especially for "Araby Bound." Mr. Hawkins, the author, collaborated with Noel Smith, and offered additional titles should Stern Brothers deem it necessary to change the name of the film. The storj' is particularly suited to Earle's unique personality and ability, according to Hawkins. SADIE CAMPBELL RETURNS TO "LOT" TWELVE YEAR OLD SADIE CAMPBELL, considered one of the most beautiful and versatile juvenile leading ladies on the Pacific Coast, has returned to the Century Comedy studio after an absence aggregating nearly six months. Little Miss Campbell's return gives Buddy Messinger his former leading lady once again. She had appeared in some fourteen Century Comedies with young Messinger up to and including the time when she left Century for important parts in independent features. The last comedy with Buddy that Sadie appeared in was "The Young Tenderfoot." After she left, Martha Sleeper, another clever little ingenue took her place in Messinger Century Comedies. Sadie Campbell makes her first reappearance in the Messinger story now being "built-up" by Century's scriptbuilding unit, and as yet unnamed.