Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

18 Universal Weekly Vol. 24, No. 26 Trade Press Lauds Laemml CARL LAEMMLE must be a very happy man. If he never before realized the affection in which he is held by the entire motion picture industry, the celebration of his sixtieth birthday must have shown him that he iS its most beloved fi^re. Editors of the national trade press, who know him personally, devoted their editorials to the Laemmle tion and to Laemmle, They pointed out that "Films' Biggest Tribute" Says Variety of Laemmle Banquet leading celebrathe man. ^ it is not only hi's remarkable business ability but the straightforward, honest character of the man which has brought him to his position as one of the great leaders of the films. Newspapers throughout the country carried news stories and photographs of the big banquet which was tendered Mr. Laemmle by the Universal "alumni" at the Hotel Biltmore, Los Angeles, on the night of January 17th. Of this Variety reported: Carl Laemmle Gets Films' Biggest Tribute Los Angeles, Jan. 18. The biggest tribute ever paid a producer here was tendered to Carl Laemmle last night (Monday) when 600 picture executives, directors, actors and writers attended a Universal Alumni dinner held at the Hotel Biltmore. The occasion was Laemmle's 60th birthday anniversary. Mary Pickford, U graduate, shared the guest of honor role with Laemmle and spoke on her early days before the camera. Rupert Hughes was toastmaster with other speakers including Marcus Loew, Jesse Lasky, Douglas Fairbanks, Jack Warner, Donald 0. Stewart, Irving Thalberg, Louis Mayer, Rabbi Magnus, District Attorney Keyes, Samuel Goldwyn and Will Hays, who paid a masterful tribute to Laemmle. Voicing the sentiments of all who know Laemmle are the comments which follow. They were written by the editors of the national trade press who see, from their lookout towers commanding the entire industry, just what Laemmle has meant to motion pictures. "Herb" Cruikshank in the New York Telegraph IN HOLLYWOOD the other day Carl Laemmle celebrated his sixtieth anniversary in this world, and liis twenty-first in the world of motion pictures. He was acclaimed by the greatest personalities in the greatest of all industries. Men and women in every branch of the mirac ulous sphere of motion pictures irendered homage to this pioneer who quit the management of a clothing store at early middle-age to carve a niche in the Cinema Hall of Fame. Those whom business has made his competitors shouldered one another to extend the right hand of fellowship in congratulation. The great Paramount organization the brilliant Samuel Goldwyn, the Gibralter-like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer forces dofted their hats to Universal's president. What, I wonder, is "the secret" of his success? For, after all, although we laugh at this "secrets of success" stuff, the secrets actually do exist in the form of certain qualities which have enabled their possessors to attain the heights of eminence. In Laemmle I think perhaps these qualities are a certain thoroughness that has come to be specially characteristic in the Germans; a brain that grasps one idea and clings to it; a steadiness of purpose; and perhaps, most of all, the ability to pick men. Laemmle has proven his pre-eminent ability to select and surround himself with the right men. And once he makes his choice he puts every .possible confidence in them. Unlike some others, he trusts his lieutenants, and he has the essential ability of the great marshall to delegate authority. I hope to be able to congratulate Mr. Laemmle on his eightieth birthday as heartily as I do now. By then the long record of his accomplishments will have grown to still more marvelous proportions. Meantime there are characteristics of Mr. Laemmle which may well be pondered by others aspiring to his high estate. Maurice Kann in the Film Daily Milestones {JT tNCLE CARL," term of endearI J ment for genial Carl Laemmle, arrives at the third decade of a colorful career today. His associates rightfully hold the occassion to be triply auspicious. Laemmle will be sixty years old. The day significantly enough marks the twenty-first milestone in an active and important career in the industry. Next he will have rounded out ten years of Straight from the Shoulder Talks. No one phrase is more indelibly linked with Laemmle's name than this. It has been his slogan through hectic and more quiescent periods. So it stands today. Coast Plans Tribute It, therefore, comes to pass that at the Biltmore, Los Angeles, tonight an interesting function will take place. Former employees of "Uncle Carl" have set aside the evening to pay their respects. They will indicate by hearty handclasps something of the esteem in which they hold him. The motion picture's struggle toward the light has always found Laemmle in the forefront of fighting ranks. Twenty-one years in this industry might well be likened to many times that number in any other. So very much happens from year to year. Pride and satisfaction must course through Laemmle's mind. He has seen the Universal structure grow from a mere nothing in 1906 to an organization which operates 148 offices in all civilized lands; which counts its 1926 turnover in figures close to $30,000,000; which controls and operates 253 theatres in the United States alone. Leaders to Attend The Laemmle personality is admired and liked in broad manner throughout the industry. And so, around the banquet board tonight will be many whose names are known wherever motion pictures are shown. It will be a unique and different, but entirely fitting sort of tribute to one of the real pioneers. From the Motion Picture News Laemmle Celebration TWENTY-ONE years ago, Carl Laemmle entered the film business as the proprietor of a small store show. Last Monday night, in Los Angeles, at a dinner attended by a host of filmdom's elite, he was feted on his sixtieth birthday — the head of a great corporation. And there is still another milestone: he rounds out at this time ten years of "Straight from the Shoulder Talks." The Laemmle career is interesting from many angles. It is glowing testimony to the truism that opportunity is wide-open in America for character and brains. It testifies also to this: that a hard fighter can be a straightforward and successful business man; and, what is perhaps still more impressive, can be beloved by all. The affectionate phrase. "Uncle Carl," is eloquent evidence of that last assertion. Carl Laemmle is one of the great