Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

Vol. 19, No. 3 Universal Weekly 29 UNIVERSAL CHAPTER PICTURE, "THE RIDDLE RIDER”, FINISHED WORK has been completed on “The Riddle Rider,” William Desmond’s big Universal chapter play, co-starring Eileen Sedgwick, and held as one of the most elaborate western chapter plays in years. The play runs in fifteen episodes, relating a story of the modern West, with the oil derrick invading the land of the cattlemen. Desmond plays “The Riddle Rider,” a mystery figure somewhat suggestive of “Fra Diavolo” of the opera. It is his best characterization, Universal reports. The picture, directed by William H. Craft, and replete with thrills, was acted by what is said to be the strongest chapter play cast ever assembled at Universal City. Besides Desmond and Miss Sedgwick, the cast included Helen Holmes, famous star of railroad and timberland stories of a few years ago; Claude Payton, noted on the legitimate stage; William H. Gould, who is nationally known on the speaking stage and in vaudeville; Hughie Mack, the character comedian ; Yakima Canutt, the famous winner of the Roosevelt Trophy as the world’s champion all-round cowboy; Albert J. Smith, wellknown screen player, remembered in “Daniel Boone,” and who recently played in “The Fast Express,” and Margaret Royce, younger sister of Ruth Royce of “Beasts of Paradise” fame and recently adjudged by Photoplay Magazine as one of the most interesting possibilities of the year. As soon as the final camera-work was done on the serial, Craft, the director, was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Los Angeles, for a major operation. He had been in illhealth for several weeks, but stuck it out against his physician’s orders, until the picture was finished. The story of “The Riddle Rider” was written by Arthur Goodwin and scenarized by William Wing. Craft was chosen to direct it because of his good work in handling the megaphone for “Beasts of Paradise,” the previous Desmond-Sedgwick chapter picture. Craft will be remembered as a director of the final “thrills from history” serial put out by Universal, “In the Days of Daniel Boone.” Craft’s condition, while serious, is not causing great worry. He expects to be up in a few weeks, ready to tackle Desmond’s next serial. “The Riddle Rider,” the early episodes of which already have been received in New York, will be released beginning early in June. It will follow “The Fast Express,” William Duncan’s next serial, to be released next month. William Desmond and Eileen Sedgwick the Stars of Romantic Thriller USES PRESS BOOK STUNT ON “WHITE TIGER” Charles Feinsilver, manager of the Odeon Theatre, N. Y. C ., took advantage of an idea suggested in the press book for his run on the Dean-Jewel OJ3M3JSM3MSJ3M3J3I3I3J3J3J3J313J3I2M3M3M3M3M3M3JSM3M3J3MS Popular Saturday Evening Post Story "Clay of C’lina” Now Nearing Screen CAMERA work has just been completed at Universal City on Herbert Rawlinson’s April release, “Clay of C’lina,” a stirring story of high-class gamblers, written by Calvin Johnston and published last year in the Saturday Evening Post. It is an Irving Cummings production, and followed his direction of “Stolen Secrets” which now is nearing release. In it Rawlinson plays the role of a young South Carolinian who gets mixed up in the gambling game at Tia Juana. Alice Lake, one of the screen’s most popular leading women, was engaged by Universal to play opposite Rawlinson in the feature. Her work in this picture is said to be of unusual appeal. She has the role of a young girl, reared among crooks, who reforms herself by her love for the young and highminded Southerner. “Clay of C’lina” was adapted for the screen by Raymond L. Schrock. He and L. G. Rigby of the Universal scenario staff, scenarized it. In the story, the young Southerner’s lack of sophistication and his faith in “Poppy,” the part played by Miss Lake, is used by crooks to trap him and trim him. The hero has a master gambler as a friend. This friend and “Poppy” eventually outwit the crooks. The cast also includes Robert Walker, Joe Blackwell, Edwin J. Brady and Harmon MacGregor. Brady recently did an exceptional piece of work in “Fools Highway,” the Mary Philbin Jewel which Universal releases next month. “Clay of C’lina” is scheduled for release April 21st. It is now being cut and edited at Universal City. Camera Work Finished at “U” City on New Rawlinson Feature. — Alice Lake in Cast