Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

30 Universal Weekly November 22, 1924 John Scanlon, manager of the Alhambra Theatre, Torrington, Conn., built this very attractive Notre Dame front for his theatre for the engagement of Univer sal's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Scanlon is the gentleman on the left and Jack Delaney, assistant manager, is the one on the right. BUILDS SPECIAL LOBBY ON "WOLVES OF THE NORTH" AKRON GIRL ADJUDGED CLARA BOW'S DOUBLE Mitchell Also Uses Big Balloon and Has Record Opening. M MITCHELL, of the Eagle Theatre, Hamilton, Ohio, assisted * by Charles Lowenberg, Universal exploiteer, did some extensive exploitation for Universal's serial, "Wolves of the North," and reported a record-breaking opening as a result. For his lobby he constructed a special front consisting of a log cabin around the box-office with six-sheet cut-outs of William Duncan, the star of the picture in front of it. Imitation snow was scattered about, giving a most realistic effect of a lone cabin in the north woods. A special screening for the Hamilton newsboys, previous to the opening, brought out a large crowd for the opening night as it was accorded considerable space in all the local papers. Another stunt which Mitchell used is the balloon stunt that Universal exploiteers are using all over the country with remarkable results. A huge colored balloon with the title of the picture and name of theatre on it in large letters is anchored to the roof of the theatre with a long rope and allowed to drift around during the day. This attracts considerable attention and is a very inexpensive proposition. "King," Police Dog In Century Comedy ttTT^ING," the famous police dog J\ owned by Charles Gee, who also owned the famous dog of the screen, "Brownie," is playing the stellar role in a new Century Comedy, "The Dog Watch," being made under the direction of Jess Robbins, with Al Alt, Century's famous comedian. Looks More Like "Wine" Star Than Any Girl in Ohio City. MISS GLADYS CARR, of Akron, Ohio, was awarded the first prize of fifty dollars in a contest conducted by the Akron Press and the Strand Theatre in connection with the showing of Universal's Jewel production of "Wine." The object of the contest was to find the Akron girl who looked most like Clara Bow, the featured player in "Wine," and to stimulate interest in the picture and the theatre. Andrew J. Sharick, Universal exploiteer, engineered the contest with the Press, and introduced a new feature for this variety of contest in the arrangements with Peck's studio, the local photographer, to take pictures of entrants free of charge. This feature secured some well merited publicity for the photographer and greatly heightened the interest in the contest. Several hundred girls entered and those who did not win cash prizes were given tickets to the Strand for the "Wine" engagement. The Akron Press devoted considerable space during the run of the contest to its progress and the photograph and story announcing the winner were placed on the front page. "Keep Fit" Next for Edna Marian EDWARD I. LUDDY, one of Century's star directors, having completed "Keep Cool," has just started production on a new "keep" picture, "Keep Fit." This picture will also star Edna Marian, who Julius Stem, president, has signed up for a long term to star in Century Comedies. WILLIAM WATSON TO DIRECT WANDA WILEY FOR CENTURY COMEDY WILLIAM WATSON, perhaps the best comedy expert in the film business, has been engaged by Century Comedies to direct Wanda Wiley in her latest picture, "What's the Use." Watson directed comedies for Century years ago and for the last three years has been on the Universal lot directing and supervising their comedy productions of one and two reels. During this time Watson has been called to direct comedy relief sequences in many of the big feature films made in and around Hollywood. His latest work of this kind was for Reginald Barker in "Dixie." Harry McCoy, Century's star comedian, will play opposite Miss Wiley in "What's the Use," which is the second of the new series from the stories by Georges Fouret, noted French humorist. THE GUMPS From the famous cartoon by Sidney Smith, featuring JOE MURPHY as "ANDY," FAY TINCHER as "MIN" and JACKIE MORGAN as "CHESTER." Samuel Van Ronkle Productions Distributed by Universal The illustration on the risht is a reprodution of the very attractive one-sheet and herald issued by Universal for these extraordinary popular tno-reelers. The herald is blue and white and the one-sheet is multi-colored. Your Iniversal Exchange will supply you with heralds at S3. 50 per thousand and one-sheets at the standard price.