Universal Weekly (1925-1933)

Vol. 21, No. 18 Universal Weekly 19 Jack Dempsey Aids English Exhibitors WHEN Jack Dempsey paid a visit to London recently the European Motion Picture Company put over a campaign that helped exhibitors to keep their S. R. 0. signs working overtime. Dempsey arrived at Southampton on the Berengaria where, following James V. Bryson's plans, Paul Perez, European's publicity chief, met the champion. With him were reporters frcm every London newspaper, including correspondents for American newspapers. The heavy-weight champion and star of Universal's "Fight and Win" series was entertained on the Cunarder, along with his wife, Estelle Taylor, and Jimmie Hussey, the stage star. Perez brought Dempsey and his small party back to London by car and all along the trip, provincial reporters met the car and Dempsey was photographed. The next day practically every English newspaper carried a story, and many of them ran photos of the "Fight and Win" star. Bryson, who was leaving for New York to obtain a print of "The Phantom" on the day of Dempsey's arrival, aranged with Perez to have the champion stay at the Savoy, where the following day reporters called on him again. Dempsey told the press that he had come over to London on his way to Berlin to appear in a bout for charity and make personal appearance on behalf of "Fight and Win" pictures. Meanwhile, Perez and his assistant Michae! L. Simmons, were losing no time in preparing for Dempsey's appearance the following night at the Rialto Theatre. At the Rialto, Dempsey gave a talk on his work in the "Fight and Win" series, of how he would probably produce another series for Universal, and how happy he was to hear that these films were going over so successfully in the United Kingdom. His wife, Estelle Tay Dempsey's appearance at the Rialto, London, was one of the greatest receptions ever accorded a celebrity, and blocked traffic in the West End for a full hour. Among the many exhibitors present at this gala showing of "Fight and Win" were George Smith, Jimmy McBride, R. A. Shipman and A. E. Pearce. Eugene Corri 'presents Jack Dempsey with a silver cup on behalf of cinema exhibitors and film C7ithusiasts of Great Britain as a token of their appreciation for his work in the Universal "Fight an Win" series. This photograph, taken at the Rialto Theatre, London, marks the world heavyweight champion's first appearance in connection with a film at any theatre in the world. In the group are Eugene Corri, Lee Moore, Jimmie Hussey, Jack Dempsey and Jack Bloomfield. lor, the movie sta:-, also was introduced to the audience, hundreds of whom were standing. Later Jimmy Wilde, an English ex-champion ; Tom Webster, famous cartoonist of the Daily Mail and many well-known exhibitors' officials, tendered a midnight supper to European's guests. During the week receptions, press dinners, banquets and other personal appearances were tendered Dempsey by European's efficient staff. Twenty-five sandwich men walked through busy streets, and several hundred half-sheets were plastered around the important highways. The mammoth "Phanton" hoardings, the largest in all England, were turned over to "Welcome, Jack Dempsey" signs, and banners and posters were strung across busy Wardour Street and in the window of the European company's headquarters. Later a solid silver loving-cup was presented to Dempsey to commemorate his stay in London and his interest in exhibitors who booked the "Fight ond Win" pictures. Eugene Corri, well-known in the Kingdom, did the honors of presenting the cup, with a great throng looking on. Dempsey, as a Universal star, was a huge success in the Kingdom. The press eulogized him, and movie-fans and the general public flocked around him wherever he went. The campaign was considered one of the outstanding ones in England.