Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

Vol. 19, No. 23 Universal Weekly 37 Under The Spreading Century Planf^ ABE STERN TAKES VACATION ABROAD ANNOUNCING NEW PRODUCTION PLAN ABE STERN, vice-president of the Century Film Corporation, producers of Century Comedies, sailed Saturday, July 5th, on the Leviathan for an extended vacation in Europe. Before leaving Hollywood three weeks ago, Mr. Stern supervised the planning of his company's fall product and saw that production was well under way. Asked about his company's program Mr. Stern stated that Century Comedies will be produced in series from specially selected stories. There will be a series of American home life comedies, a series of kid comedies featuring the Century Kids, a series of follies girls comedies featuring the new edition of the famous Century Follies Girls, a series of animal comedies and a series starring Wanda Wiley, Century's new star comedienne, and Buddy Messinger, famed for his Century productions will be seen in a series in which he will be starred. There will also be five comedies starring Baby Peggy. Mr. Stern did not know just how long he would remain abroad, but expects to be gone at least six weeks. His brother, Julius Stern, president of the Century organization, sailed last week for a combined business and pleasure trip. Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, distributors of Century Comedies, also sailed on the Leviathan accompanied by his personal and confidential secretary, Harry Zehner, for his annual trip abroad. A LAUGH IN EVERY FOOT > J Scene from "Tired Business Men" JULIUS STERN GOES ABROAD JULIUS STERN, president of the Century Film Corporation, sailed on the Berengaria last Wednesday for Europe. He was accompanied by P. Alexander, assistant production manager at the Century studios. Mr. Stern says that he will make a careful survey of cinema conditions while abroad and, if possible, secure the services of one of the beauties of the Follies Bergere in Paris for his CAST WANDA WILEY IN SIX FOR CENTURY WANDA WILEY, new star of Century Comedies, will be seen in six productions under the Century banner this fall. The first of the series, "Her Face Value," has been changed to "Her Fortunate Face." The other five are "Sweet Dreams," "Snappy Eyes," "The Trouble Fixer," "The Cute Little Devil" and "Some Tomboy." The last named was formerly called "The Tomboy." Less than two years ago Miss Wiley had no thoughts of a motion picture new edition of the famous Century Follies Girls. He will also negotiate for story material for use in Century productions. For some time now Mr. Stern has insisted that all Century comedies must be real stories and not mere successions of unrelated incidents. He will look particularly for stories suitable for Wanda Wiley, newest Century star, as he believes she is the greatest box-office find he has made in his entire career as a producer. career. She was studying at a dental college in Texas when a movie company came to the city to take some scenes. The director of the company met the young student in a visit to the college and saw in her just the type he needed and had been unable to find. He engaged her for the part and her work was so successful she was advised to go to California and enter the work seriously. This she did and played in several large productions. Julius Stern, president of Century Comedies, noted her unusual ability as a comedienne and signed her up for a long term. SMITH DIRECTS WANDA'S NEXT NOEL SMITH, director of many Century Comedies, among which are numbered several in which Baby Peggy was starred, has returned to the Century lot after a long vacation. His first production will be "The Tomboy," starring Wanda Wiley, supported by Harry McCoy. Mary Lann, who played the mother part in "Sweet' Dreams," will be seen as McCoy's mother in "The Tomboy." ■« STERN ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN TITLES JULIUS STERN, president of Century Comedies, announces that the title of Al Herman's latest directoral effort for Century has been changed from "Pretty Flappers" to "Dancing Daisies." This production features Al Alt and the famous Century Follies Girls. The title of Wanda Wiley's latest starring vehicle under the Century banner has also been changed from "Her Bridegroom" to "Sweet Dreams." Harry McCoy plays opposite Miss Wiley in this picture. /'