Universal Weekly (1923-1925)

Vol. 20, No. 10 Universal Weekly 19 News and Notes on Century Comedies JULIUS STERN ON WAY TO CALIFORNIA JULIUS STERN, president of Century Comedies, left New York on Thursday for Hollywood to supervise production for next year. Abe Stem will remain in New York to look after the releasing end and also to WONDERFUL WANDA Wanda Wiley, Century star comedienne, who is to be seen in a special series of two-reelers written by Georges Fouret, noted French humorist. look over the market for possible story material. With Julius Stern, when he left New York, was Max Alexander, production aide, who accompanied the Sterns on their recent trip abroad. It was while on this trip, in France, that Mr. Stern purchased a series of short stories, which he will have translated for a special two-reel series of pictures starring Wanda Wiley. The stories are from the pen of Georges Fouret, a noted French humorist. Mr. Stern is going to California sooner than he originally intended in order to get these productions under way. Wanda Wiley has made rapid strides to popularity since she was first starred in Century Comedies and Mr. Stern is anxious to give exhibitors the opportunity to get the benefit of his new star's clever work on the screen. "SAHARA BLUES" CURRENT CENTURY COMEDY OUTPUT Two-Reeler Has All-Star Cast ««QAHARA BLUES," the Century 1^ Comedy for release October 15th, has a real all-star cast. In it are such well-known and popular comedians as Al Alt, Hilliard Karr, Jack Earle, the giant; Bartine Burkett and the Century Follies Girls. The story is of two Egyptologists, who become lost on the desert and, after wandering for many days, have visions of water, food and beautiful dancing girls. Later, however, they come to the edge of the desei-t and find romance and adventure. The excitement takes place in a harem and the court of an Arab sheik. They nearly lose their lives, but come out victorious in the end and are given the pick of the harem for wives. This story is said to be one of the best from the Century studios, having the continuity of a feature length picture and having been made with the same attention to details and cast as a feature length production. It was made under the direction of Al Herman, veteran of the comedy school and long associated with Century productions. CENTURY ISSUES HANDSOME FOLDER CENTURY COMEDIES this week mailed to all exhibitors a handsome folder describing in detail that company's product and stars. This folder will make a handy reference sheet for the many thousands of exhibitors who run Century Comedies as a regular part of their programs. It is done in black and red on heavy stock and shows views of Century's Hollywood studio, portraits of all their stars and has many little sketches made from action stills of productions. These show the many ingenious stunts employed to make Century Comedies the best that can be had. The folder was produced by the advertising department of Universal, distributors of Century product. TITLE CHANGE JULIUS STERN, president of Century Comedies, yesterday announced the change in title of the two-reeler, featuring Bert Roach, from "Be Yourself" to "Harem Follies." In addition to Bert Roach, the cast includes Al Alt, Lucille Hutton and the Century Follies Girls, "THE WOOLY WEST" NEXT CENTURY FOR BUDDY MESSINGER BUDDY MESSINGER'S next starring vehicle for Century Comedies will be "The Wooly West," a satire on the popular western screen feature. Production has already started on this at the Century studios un FACETIOUS AL Al Alt, who will be co-starred with Hilliard Ka/rr in a number of Century Comedies and will also be seen in support of Wanda Wiley. der the direction of Edward I. Luddy,. In the cast supporting Buddy aremany names well known to screen comedies. Dolores Brinkman, the beautiful blonde child actress who has played opposite Buddy in many of his Century Comedies, will play the leading feminine role opposite him in "The Wooly West." Lois Boyd, popular engenue of the screen, will play opposite Hilliard Karr, who will play the leading comedy role in support of Buddy. Joe Bonner, who has been seen in many Century Comedies and is noted for hisclever portrayals, will play the part of a western sheriff in "The Wooly West." Luddy promises lots of trick ridings and a bunch of real thrills in addition to a thousand laughs. This production will be on the early 1925 release schedule of Century Comedies.