Universal Weekly (1925-1933)

December 11, 1926 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY Canada and the United States are so pleased with "The Newlyweds and Their Baby" comedies that these repi-esentatives, I. Sourkes of the Auditorium Theatre, Quebec City, Canada, and Tom Brouyi, of the Strand Theatre, Iowa City, la., ovre here signing for the 1927-28 series in the Universal Home Office. In the group from left to right are: Julius Singer, sales director for Sho7't Product; Mr. Sourkes; E. W. Kramer, sales director, Eastern division; Beno Rubel, secretary, Stern Film Corporation; Mr. Brown, and Clair Hague, general manager, Canadian Universal Film Exchanges. Five Crack Stern Comedies On December Release Schedule FIVE high grade comedies are announced for December release by the Stern Brothers, makers of two-reel comedy series for Universal release. In addition to the five Stern Brothers Comedies, December will also see the release of "Buster's Prize Winner," a Buster Brown Comedy made by Stern Brothers and released as a Universal Junior Jewel. The five Stern Brothers releases include two "Newlyweds and Their Baby" comedies, a Comedy of "The Excuse Maker" series, a two-reeler of the "What Happened to Jane" series, and the latest "Let George Do It" comedy. The "Newlyweds" comedies, for release December 1st and 22nd, respectively, are "Snookum's Outing" and "Snookums' Merry Christmas." Both feature that great screen youngster, Sunny McKeen, and have pretty Ethlyne Clair as Mrs. Newlywed. In the former, Jed Dooley plays the role of Mr. Newlywed, and in the latter Sid Saylor has that important part. Charles King, another Stern Brothers star, has an important role in the Christmas picture. The December 22nd release is an innovation on the part of Stern Brothers. Realizing the demand for a two-reeler appropriate to the Christmas holidays, they decided to make a "Newlyweds" special. An excellent story was evolved and the full facilities of the studio were put behind the making of this picture. It is an ideal holiday offering, and is also good boxoffice entertainment for any time. Gus Meins, who is responsible for the excellent Buster Brown Comedies and the "Newlyweds and Their Baby" comedies, made "Snookums' Merry Christmas." The December 8th release is "A Second Hand Excuse," starring Charles King in one of "The Excuse Maker" pictures. Edna Marian is the heroine, and Leon Holmes and Frank Earl are in the cast. The director, Francis Corby, made a highly entertaining picture of this two-reeler, which will further boost the prestige of this series, already an accepted box-office bet. On December 15th, "Jane's Predicament," the latest "What Happened to Jane" comedy, starring Wanda Wiley, will be released. Earl McCarthy has the principal supporting role. Sam Neufield directed it. It is a worthy successor to "Jane's Inheritance" and the other "Jane" comedies which have reached the screen this fall. The last Stern Brothers release of the year is "And George Did," a "Let George Do It" comedy starring Sid Saylor, and adapted from the George McManus cartoon strip. Dorothy Gulliver, now popular as the heroine 27 Big Special Edition Heralds Opening Of Gillioz Theatre THE opening of a new theatre in any community is always an important event, and Bob Gary, Universal exploitation man attached to the Kansas City exchange, took full advantage of it when the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Mo., threw open its doors. Although Gary, himself, could not go to Springfield, he secured the co-operation of his friend, W. H. Brunkhorst, editor of the Springfield Republican, in getting out one of the finest special editions ever seen. Nineteen pages in the Sunday Republican were devoted to the new theatre. Mr. Brunkhorst put a special man on the job to handle the advertising and feature writing, and he turned out a splendid piece of work. The Gillioz was built by M. E. Gillioz, a well-known contractor in the community. It is being directed by the Universal Chain Theatrical Enterprises with A. H. Bachman as manager and Harry Wren as his assistant. The opening picture was Reginald Denny's hilarious first super comedy, "Take It From Me." Accessory Manager Visits Exchanges IN line with Universal's continuous desire to help exhibitors get the most out of the Universal product they use, Dave Bader, accessory sales manager, is visiting Eastern exchanges to help establish friendly relations between accessory managers of exchanges and exhibitors. Bader has just returned from a visit to Cleveland and Philadelphia. While in these cites he called on leading theatre men. Buffalo, Washington, New Haven, Albany, Pittsburgh, and perhaps Cincinnati and Indianapolis will follow. Sales meetings are being held by Bader with salesmen, sales managers, bookers and other exchange workers. New sales ideas are being introduced and prices on various items, as heralds and window cards, are being adjusted to help the smaller exhibitor. in Universal's "The Collegians," is the feminine lead in this "George" pic • ture. Others i<. the cast are Colin Chase and Maualynne Field. It includes some of Saylor's best comedy portrayals. Scott Pembroke directed it. The current Buster Brown comedy, "Buster's Prize Winner," which will be released December 6th, is the best yet, say those who have seen it.