Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

40 Universal Weekly January 26, 1924 Exploitation for “The Darling of New York” (Concluded, from page 37) In Seattle, Wash., Robert Bender, manager of the Columbia Theatre showing the picture, outdid himself in stunts for the engagement. He arranged for a Baby Peggy Christmas Club, the members of which pledged themselves to make somebody happy on Christmas. This club received lots of press comment and brought out many children and their families. A special showing was arranged for the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital the Friday before the opening. This caused much comment and received considerable newspaper space as this hospital is the city’s pet charity. Bender also arranged a little tots’ fashion show and had a child pianist on the program with the picture. Bender reports that he enjoyed the show and the results obtained so much he hated to change his program. Manager Bender’s sentiments were those of all the managers showing “The Darling of New York” throughout the country. They reported successful showings and claim the picture to be a wonderful audience picture as well as a fine box-office production. “THE GHOST CITY” Universal Chapter Play Featuring PETE MORRISON and MARGARET MORRIS with AL WILSON No. 10 — “The Frame-Up” THE girl pulled through the panel by Mort’s accomplices turns out to be Ginger — not Alice; and Alice and Larry escape, pursued by the others. The sheriff’s posse interrupts the chase and arrests Carley. At Mort’s trial, Larry presents as evidence of the plot, a warning written by Carley demanding $10,000 as a bribe to spare the ranchers’ water supply. He further testifies that Carley blew up the dam and opened the reservoir sluice gates. Carley, on the stand, apparently starts to turn state’s evidence, but accuses Larry of instigating the plot. A riot in the court is narrowly averted. Mort takes the sheriff to Larry’s bunkhouse and “finds” the map, “planted” by Ginger. Mort slips away, and Larry is put under arrest, but escapes, pursued by the rest. Larry overtakes Mort and they fight on a cliff overhanging a roaring torrent. During their struggle the ground gives way and they are hurled to the foaming rapids, hundreds of feet below. “QUIT KIDDING” Two-Reel Century Comedy Starring BUDDY MESSINGER BUDDY is a messenger boy. He is sent to deliver a wire to a famous pirate’s grandson. Several strange men stop Buddy enroute to this gentleman’s home, and exchange the message he is carrying for another one. This latter one is a warning, while the former was a message of cheer. Buddy, brilliantly dumb messenger that he is, reaches his destination. While he is in the home of the dapper gent, strange hands and figures are seen everywhere. Bud, naturally being somewhat human, is scared until the color of his face matches the purest white. He tries to escape from this house of shivers. The strangers try everything known to the art of “haunted-ness,” but Buddy, now scared beyond the pale of understanding, becomes daringly brave. He saves the secret papers, backs the intruders up against a wall — and does his work so well that before a person can say “Yes, we have no bananas,” they have been captured. Moral of this is “A message is as fast as the messenger boy’s wit.” “SONS-IN-LAW” Two-Reel Century Comedy Co-Starring JACK EARLE and HARRY McCOY JACK and Harry are pals, both in love with sisters. They are on their way to call on their “sweeties” via a moving van, in which they are playing pool; they are ejected from the van by the chauffeur. They agree the last one to arrive at the girls’ home must buy the supper. Naturally Jack arrives first and when the colored butler sees Jack he does a St. Vitus. Father objects strenuously to Jack and Harry and forbids them the home. They meet the girls out on the lawn and start to love. When Jack’s girl sees her father playing croquet she tells the boys if they will master the game they will get in right with the old man. They join the old man in a game of croquet and when the old man bends down to see if the ball goes through the hoops properly Jack slams the ball, accidentally, into the old man’s eye. Papa chases the boys. The boys jump over a hole in the ground, but Papa doesn’t! Father purchases a new car and is taking lessons in driving; he breaks everything but statues in the streets — running up and down telegraph poles. Harry goes to his rescue and is bumped off a cliff. Jack accuses Father of killing Harry. They take Harry to the girls’ home and Jack’s girl nurses him. Jack becomes jealous and forces Harry to get up and walk around on stilts, wearing Jack’s clothes; while Jack gets into bed so that his girl will pet him instead of Harry. Father discovers the deception and the boys take it on the run. They run into a baby carriage and Harry gets into the buggy. Jack puts on a maid’s outfit. Father starts to make love to the maid. He looks into the carriage, discovers baby smoking and recognizes Harry. A chase to the finish. International News No. 4 Washington, D. C. — Thousands pay New Year’s call at White House. Ordinary folk iand highest diplomats in huge throngs received by President and Mrs. Coolidge. Lake Placid, N. Y. — Champion barrel-jumper invents new ice stunts. Carl Milne beats his own record in dangerous jumps. Timely Snapshots from the News of Day: Colombes, France — Work progresses rapidly on huge stadium for 1924 Olympic games. Los Angeles, Cal. — A1 Barnes, circus king, introduces a new sport — hippo-motoring. North Island, San Diego, Cal. — The navy’s first ambulance plane proves a success. New York City — New arrivals at the Bide-a-Wee Home find a strange protector. Philadelphia, Pa. — Mummers’ greeting to 1924 a gorgeous spectacle. Costumes worth a fortune displayed in Quaker City’s unique Carnival. International News No. 3 Yokohama, Japan — Water rationed in Japan as famine threatens. Canal boats and street wagons take place of system destroyed by earthquake ancfl not yet rebuilt. ’ Dunning, III. — Appalling tragedy as state asylum burns. Seventeen patients perish when flames consume “tinder-box” fire trap. Washington, D. C. — Capital statesmen in real milking contest. Secretary of Agriculture Wallace and U. S. Senator Magnus Johnson (wearing glasses) prove they haven’t forgotten farming days. Washington, D. C. — Ex-President Wilson honored on 67th birthday. Admii’ers present former Chief of State with palatial motor-car. New York City — Roosters trained as stage performers. Louis Torcot, by years of patience, teaches barn-yard folks to do almost human stunts. Lake Placid, N. Y. — U. S. Olympic skaters hold final tryouts. American team shows encouraging form in last practice spins before sailing for Europe. New York City — Looping-the-loop over Manhattan skyscrapers. Skylarking aviator celebrates New Year’s with breathtaking stunts above the Great White Way.