Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

Vol. 19, No. 26 Universal Weekly 31 UNIVERSAL ENGAGES PA ULINE FREDERICKS PAULINE FREDERICKS is to be featured in one of Universal's big Jewel productions for the second half of the 1924-1925 season. The film will be "Smouldering Fires." It supplies Miss Fredericks with an unusual role of wide scope and one which will call upon her for the full vent of her screen ability. Miss Fredericks' appearance on the Universal lot is an innovation in the film industry. Her former success as a "vamp" brought to her a popularity equalled by few on the screen. Her recent determination to change her work on the screen to less exotic roles was received with great interest. In "Smouldering Fires" she will play the role of Jane Vale. "Smouldering Fires" will be a Clarence Brown production. Brown made "The Signal Tower," "The Acquittal' and "Butterfly," three of Universal's most outstanding pictures during the past twelve months. He is expected to make another knockout with "Smouldering Fires." The story was written by Sada Cowan and Howard Higgin. Miss Cowan is well known as a scenarist and playwright. In "Smouldering Fires" they are said to have done their best work. Determined that Brown should have the widest possible scope in making "Smouldering Fires," one of the biggest pictures of the Spring season, all limits were declared off in the selection of a cast to support Miss Fredericks. As a result, the following stars and players have been lined up in what Universal texTOS its Million Dollar Cast for the Brown production: Laura LaPlante, TuUy Marshall and Robert Ellis. Actual work on "Smouldering Fires" will begin this week, Tuesday being the official date of Miss Fredericks' appearance on the Brown set. Production will be pushed so that the film may be in the hands of the exchanges early in the fall. The picture is scheduled for release late in March or early in April. This means that it should be ready for pre-vlewing by the exhibitor at least six months before hand. Carl Laemmle is determined that Universal pictures shall be ready for pre-view well in advance, so that Universal's exhibitor-patrons may "look before they book." UNIVERSAL RELEASES SHORT FILM SUBJECTS (Concluded from Page 14) also marks the first release of the series of Century Comedies starring Wanda Wiley, the new "find" in the comedy field. Miss Wiley has been heralded as one of the most promising comediennes on the screen. Century has planned productions of the highest class for Miss Wiley. This means great care in production, better stories, expert gag men and a selected cast. She is supported by the Century Follies Girls of 1924, a hevy of shapely, good-looking bathing beauties. Her first picture, "Her Fortunate Face," is scheduled for release this week. Another Bert Roach Universal Comedy also will be released this week. It is "Fair and Windy," a one-reeler, well up to the standard set by this comedian. Chapter 8 of "The Iron Man," entitled "Shadowed," two reels of thrilling action with Albertini, the noted European stunt man, in the feature role, also is on the Universal release schedule. The week also will see the re-issue of "The Phantom Fugitive," a two-reeler staiTing Eddie Polo, two issues of the International News, Nos. 65 and 66, containing all the news of current interest and several subjects obtained exclusively by International, completes Universal's Short Subjects for the week. "Can be tabbed among the best of the onereelers." Motion Picture News "Clever farcical situations that will entertain." Moving Picture World "Good comedy and goes over big." C. V. Anderson, Mgr., OAK THEATRE, Oakdale, Neb. ''YOITLL BE SURPRISED Toor When you see what a hit these comedies make with your patrons I BERT ROACH NEELY EDWARDS ALICE HOWELL UNIVERSAL 1 -Reel COMEDIES