Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

18 Universal Weekly Vol. 24, No. 13 "Her Big Night" Clicks Universal House Signs At N. Y, Hippodrome For Pantages Vaudeville ER BIG NIGHT," Laura La Plante's latest Universal Jewel production, and the initial big-time offering of Melville W. Brown, Universal's new farce-comedy director, had its New York premiere in the New York Hippodrome recently. It was a decided hit, keeping the audiences in gale.s of laughter, and getting very favorable write-ups at the hands of the New York leviewers. "Her Big Night" was adapted from a hilarious story by Peggy Gaddis, entitled "Doubling for Lora." Mel Brown, the director, made his own adaptation. The story forces Miss La Plante to play a double role, and the completeness with which she handled the two parts won much praise for her. The picture is really Miss La Plante's first big starring vehicle, in which she alone is starred. Her former successes have been pictures in which she was co-featured with Reginald Denny or other popular comedians. In the opinion of those who visited the Hippodrome last week, the film establishes Mis.^ La Plante as a comedienne of the first water. Zasu Pitts, Nat Carr, .John Roche and Einar Hansen play featured roles in the production, while Tully Marshall, Mack Swain, Cissy Fitzgei-ald, Lee Moran and William Austin each have distinct parts giving them ample opportunity for well conceived character portrayals. An indication of how "Her Big Night" struck the newspaper reviewers may be had from the following comment by Louella 0. Parsons, in the Neiv York American : " 'Her Big Night' has all the gaiety of a naughty farce and all the complications of an intricate French drama. It bubbles, it sparkles anci it amuses. Will H. Hays should mention it in his list of comedies that entertain without being suggestive. There are boudoir scenes but no beds. There are bathroom scenes but no more than a broken bottle of smelling salts. . . . How Laura can troop in comedy! She never misses a trick:" The youthful dirtctor of "The Collegians," Carl Laemmle, Jr., who is an ardent tennis player, poses with Jack Dempsey and Merle Johnson, chamjnon of the Film Tennis League. Dempsey has just presented Johnson with the Daily Review Clip. ARRANGEMENTS have just been completed between the bniversal Chain Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., and the Pantages vaudeville organization whereby the big new million dollar Candler Theatre in Atlanta will run Pantages vaudeville in connection with Universal pictures. The deal was closed for Universal by Dan Michalove assistant general sales manager for Universal in the Southeast and also supervisor of Universal theatres in that section. At present, the nearest Pantages house to Atlanta is in Memphis. Under the new arrangements, Pantages acts will jump from Memphis to Atlanta. The Pantages organization is one of the strongest vaudeville chains in the country, but with its strength mostly in the middle west and on the west coast. The Candler Theatre, upon which Universal has a long term lease, is being constructed as a part of a big building jrroject inaugurated by Asa G. Candler, the Coca-Cola millionaire. In connection with the theatre there will be a big Macy store and an office building. The theatre soon will be ready for interior decoration and furnishings. Michalove was recently in New York to close with various firms for decorations and fittings. He handled the painting, the seats, the decorations, the floor coverings, the scenery, the pipe organ, the projection equipment, the refrigerating system and other miscellaneous necessities. The Candler, which is to be the diadem of the Universal chain of theatres, will be the finest house in the South and rank with the best in the coun try. Palmer Smith of the Neiv York Evening World hails Miss La Plante as a "rival of Constance Talmadge." "Her Big Night" will be released December 5th. Its showing in the Hippodrome was in the nature of a prerelease presentation. It has also been shown pre-release in several other cities. Crandall Circuit and Big House Book "Collegians'' SALES officials at the Universal home office are elated over the lead-off success of "The Collegians," the new two-reel series being made from stories by Carl Laemmle, Jr. After looking at the first of the series, both the managements of the big Circle Theatre in Indianapolis and the Crandall circuit in Washington, D. C, booked the entire series of ten. The Circle is one of the best known houses in the country, having been brought to prominence by S. Barret McCormick and having since forged ahead as one of the leading first-runs in the United States. The Crandall circuit comprises nine theatres, operated by Harry M. Crandall. Four of "The Collegians" have already been completed. The first three were directed by Harry Edwards. Wesley Ruggles is completing the series, which is regarded so highly by Universal that it is being marketed as Universal Junior Jewels series. Lou B. Metzger, sales manager for Universal, predicts the series will be a bigger money maker than "The Leather Pushers," the series which started Reginald Denny an the road to fame.