Universal Weekly (1925-1933)

10 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY Dec. 3, 1932 PRODUCTION REACHES PEAK AT UNIVERSAL CITY Six pictures to go before the cameras in the studios next week, while three now in work will he completed. PRODUCTION activity at Universal City will assume peak proportions next week when, in addition to the three features now in work, six brand new screenplays are scheduled to be placed before the cameras by Carl Laemmle, Jr. The giant sound stages will be crowded to capacity. First on the impressive list is "The Big Cage," a story by Edward Anthony which will star Clyde Beatty, world's greatest wild animal trainer. Three other writers have a hand also in this story. They are Dale Van Every, who has just signed a new contract at Universal City as assistant scenario head, Ferdinand de Reyher and Clarence Marks. The book, by Edward Anthony, will appear in March. Beatty arrived at Universal City Friday with forty odd lions and tigers from the winter quarters of Barnum & Bailey and Hagenbach-Wallace shows at Peru, Indiana. Beatty will put these denizens of the jungle through their paces before the cameras under the direction of Kurt Neuman. Andy Devine and Vince Barnett are included in the large supporting cast. Thoroughly pepped up after two months in New York, Director John Stahl will begin work on "Only Yesterday," based on the Frederick Lewis Allen best seller with dialogue by William Hurlbut, noted Broadway playwright who accompanied Stahl to Universal City from New York last week. Stahl was assisted on the story, which was developed in Charles Beahan's office by Arthur Richman and George O'Neill. The director is now engaged in selecting a suitable cast. The Third New Picture Laemmle, Jr. announced yesterday that Donald Cook, Berton Churchill and Russell Gleason had been added to the cast of "Private Jones," the Richard Schayer story which will co-feature Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart, Russell Mack directing, to go into production next week. Work on "Black Pearls" will be resumed at the studio within a few days. Irvin Willat returned from Tahiti last week where he has spent four months getting atmospheric shots for the South Sea Island drama. Instead of the usual "Cohens and Kelleys" feature, George Sidney and Charlie Murray are to resume work at Universal City in a feature entitled "Salt Air," by Homer Croy and Vernon Smith. Of late the comics have been appearing in a Los Angeles stage production of "Abie's Irish Rose." Preparations are being rushed also on the sixth picture, "Exile Express." A star and a big director are already engaged but no announcement will be made until next week. To Finish This Week Camera work on "Destination Unknown," which Tay Garnett is directing with a cast including Pat O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, Betty Compson, Alan Hale, and Noel Madison; "They Just Had to Get Married," co-starring Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville, and "Terror Trail," the new Tom Mix feature, will be concluded early next week. $ C 00 FOR A J CAPTION FIVE DOLLARS FOR A CAPTION T//£" above back belongs to Tala Birell, who ' is starred in "Nagano" with Melvyn Douglas. W e want a caption for this picture. We are willing to pay Five Dollars ( $5.00 J for it. Answers must be received by the Editor of the Weekly at its publication office, 730 Fifth Avenue, New York by noon or before, of December 24th. Caption may be any length up to fifteen words. No employee of Universal Pictures Corporation eligible. If we can't decide which caption is best we will give the full amount to the best two. Fair enough?