Universal Weekly (1925-1933)

26 Universal Weekly May 29, 1926 New Stern Brothers Comedy Series Has Hearty Reception At Colony KQHE'S MY COUSIN," the first of the 1926-1927 Stern Brothers Comedies to reach the screen, had its premiere in the Colony Theatre, New York, and proved a popular audience picture, drawing almost continuous laughter. It is the first of "The Excuse Maker" series, one of the high-class two-reel series being made by the Sterns for release by Universal next season. "The Excuse Maker" series features Charles King with various leading women, in stories dealing with the predicaments and escapades of a young lady-killer before and after marriage. In "She's My Cousin," the leading feminine role is playea by Constance Darling, long a favorite in Stern Brothers comedies. Although "She's My Cousin" is not due for release until next fall, the Colony presentation was arranged as a try-out for Broadway audiences. "The Excuse Maker" series is being produced as a comedy series for first-run houses. The reception this two-reeler received from the crowds filling the Colony was ample proof that the Stern Brothers have hit the ball on the nose for the first-run of the season. The picture was directed by Francis Corby. The cast also includes Roli Cfiarles King tries to dispose of one of his "cousins" in "She's My Cousin," the first of "The Excuse Maker" series, but his bride, in masculine disguise, catches him in the act. ■ •■■•■■■■■■■■■■■■■■iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Roxi and Al Ford. The story deals with a young Beau Brummell, who, acting as best man at a wedding, tries to warn the prospective bridegroom against marriage. He repudiates his own arguments by falling in love at first sight with the bridesmaid and making it a double wedding. He takes his new bride home to his apartment before having a chance to clean up the place with the result that at every turn she finds evidences of his former affairs. The tenderly inscribed portraits he explains as pictures of various cousins. This gets over until one of the former sweeties appears in person. There are many resulting complications before the newly married pair iron out their difficulties and accept status quo. U n i v e r sal executives feel that this comedy is a happy augury for next season, pointing the way to a two-reel product for 1926-1927 that will take its place along with the best. Other two-reelers in "The Excuse Maker" series are equally good, and the other three Stern Brothers comedy series, "The Newlyweds and Their Baby," "What Happened to Jane" and "Let George Do It," each to consist of 13 two-reelers, are coming in excellent shape. "Newlyweds" Series Now Under Way WORD was received this week by Abe Stern, vicepresident and eastern representative of the Stern Film Corporation, that camera-work has been started on the new Stern Brothers Comedy series, "The Newlyweds and Their Baby." This series is being adapted from the popular newspaper cartoons by George McManus and is expected to be the principal offering for the coming season from the Stern Brothers studios. Beginning of work on the new series was halted for several weeks by the illness of Jed Dooley, popular vaudeville star engaged to play the role of Newlywed. Dooley is a brother of Billy Dooley of Christie Comedies, and was drafted by the Sterns while playing a successful tour in vaudeville through the middle-west. He caught a bad cold on his way to Los Angeles, which developed into an attach of influenza. "The Newlyweds and Their Baby" also was delayed by the search of a baby to play the role of Snookums, the Newlywed son and heir. Julius Stern, president of the comedy corporation, searched high and low throughout Hollywood before finding the youngster he wanted. The exact identity of the youngster chosen has not yet been made public. He is called Sonny and is 15 months old. Advices from the Coast indicate that he is a screen "find" and that his work and cuteness will add greatiy to the value of the seiies. At his age, he is said to show more screen promise than any juvenile on record. The stern Brothers are confident that he will develop into a bigger screen bet than Baby Peggy was at the height of her success in Stern Brothers Comedies. High praise also is accoi-ded to Ethlyne Clair, the Southern beauty sent to Los Angeles to play Mrs. Newlywed in this series. While waiting for Dooley's recovery, Miss Clair was cast in several other Stern Brothers comedies. Her screen ability and flare for comedy surprised the Sterns who now feel that she has great possibilities as a comedy star. Before entering the comedy field, Miss Clair played in a number of features in New York. Gus Meins, who directed most of the Buster Brown Comedies, is in charge of the Newlywed two-reelers. He is regarded as one of the best comedy directors in Hollywood, and at various times has been identified with several of the other big comedy production units. He is elated over the chance to direct the Newlyweds and says that the idea back of the cartoons and the material at hand assures a comedy series that will be an eye-opener to the industry.