Universal Weekly (1928-1930, 1933-1936)

Vol. 29, No. 22 Universal Weekly 23 ILT FOR BOX-OFFICE VALUES Jewish families cross the Atlantic Ocean for the second time to play in Scotland, the result will be as laughably incongruous as their Paris adventure. “Men in Her Life” Universal believes so firmly in the drawing power of the blonde and seductive Mary Nolan that one of the six Laemmle Specials is an original story written especially for the star. The author is Warner Fabian, who wrote “The Wild Party,” “Flaming Youth” and “Summer Bachelors.” The story, called “The Men in Her Life,” will first appear in the September issue of Romance Magazine in serial form. Subsequently, it will be published by Boni and Liveright. It will probably appear in book form some time in November. Warner Fabian has not only written an appealing and sophisticated love story for serial publication, but in addition, a vehicle particularly designed to do justice to the histrionic talents of Mary Nolan. Miss Nolan has more than her share of “It,” which, coupled with a fragile and blonde beauty, spells box office. Mary Nolan’s charm is not the typical movie “vamp” sort; it is infinitely more finished and subtle. Fans will remember her remarkable performance in “The Foreign Legion” as a blending of unconscious magnetism and deliberate yet well bred seduction. She wears clothes divinely (a factor not to be overlooked from an audience angle) and has built-up fan appeal that is growing by leaps and bounds. “The Last Performance” “The Last Performance” is at once a powerful play and an excellent vehicle for Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. The picture is an adaptation of a play by James Creelman who ranks among the younger brilliant playwrights. As in “The Man Who Laughs” Veidt is cast in a role that evokes sympathy. This time he is an exponent of black magic who falls desperately in love with his young assistant. Mary Philbin as the assistant is as lovely and fragile and young as she was in the Hugo film. Her very youth is the stumbling block to Conrad Veidt’s happiness, for though he woos her successfully he cannot retain her love against the importunities of a much younger man. Jealousy, the baseness of an enemy of sulky, vicious enemy, Gustave Partos, William H. Turner, Anders Randolph, Sam De Grasse and George Irving complete the cast. In addition to the powerful drama, “The Last Performance” is interesting in its revelation of “black magic.” The climax of the picture involves the construction of the box which Mary Philbin disappears in the sword trick. Showmen do not need to be told of the ever-present appeal of the mysterious and uncanny. Paul Whiteman Is Insured for Million by Universal NE million dollars insurance has been placed on Paul Whiteman, jazz king, by Universal for protection during the production of Universal’s super production “The King of Jazz” starring Whiteman and his orchestra. E. Walter Mayer, of the firm of Behrendt and Levy, Hollywood insurance agents, flew to San Francisco by Maddux air line to meet Whiteman there and arrange for the insurance before Whiteman returns to Los Angeles for the picture. Five hundred thousand dollars of the insurance is on Whiteman’s life while the other five hundred thousand is with Lloyd’s, of London, for protection against injury or other mishaps to Whiteman during the production of the picture. “The Shannons of Broadway” to Go into Production Shortly with James Gleason and Wife WITH the announcement that Agnes Christine Johnston is now at work on the adaptation of the hilarious comedy “The Shannons of Broadway,” recently purchased by the Universal Pictures Corporation, it is understood that the picture will shortly be placed in production. Both James and Lucille Webster Gleason, the playwrights, will play the same roles in the movietone version that they played upon the stage of the Martin Beck Theatre where it enjoyed a long and successful run. “The Shannons of Broadway” is one of the special productions that Universal will release during the coming season. No director has as yet been selected. Veidt’s, a mysterious murder and a thrilling courtroom scene are some of the tangled threads of the plot. Veidt, more stunning than ever with graying temples, makes a tragic figure as the middle-aged man who renounces his fiancee. Fred MacKaye as the more fortunate rival, Leslie Fenton as the Owen Davis, the genial playwright who is responsible for “To-night at Twelve.” Photo by White. One of the tense moments in ‘ To-night at Twelve,” Owen Davis’ sophisticated society comedy which Universal is transferring to the talkies for next season. »