Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

18 Universal Weekly February 20, 1926 Swedish Movie Star Engaged To Play Opposite La Plante EINAR HANSON, noted Swedish cinema star, has been placed under a five-year contract with Universal, according: to an announcement from Henry McRae, acting general manager of the West Coast Studios. Hanson’s first role in an American production will be as leading man in Laura La Plante’s first starring vehicle, “The Big Night,” which is also to be Mel Brown’s first directorial vehicle. The picture will start in two weeks. Following a screen test with American make-up, the actor who recently came to America to get in pictures, was placed under contract. He is the man who recently startled all Europe by his performance in “Piazza del Popolo,” made in Italy by the Scandinavian Film Company. So great was the popularity of this picture that it opened in Stockholm in four theatres simultaneously. For his work the Italian government awarded him a medal. Hanson is 23, a native of Stockholm and a graduate of Polytechnic University there. His thespian background includes six years on the stage in Sweden and Denmark either as leading man or star. His first photoplay experience was gained in 1922 in “The Tale of Gunnar Hede.” Another of his outstanding successes is “Johan Nefsteima.” Hanson’s experience has been with the Nordisk Film Co., Swedish Film Industry, Oswald Films and Sofar Film Company of Berlin. After a brief training in the technical end of American productions which he is expected to absorb while playing, he will be starred, according to present plans. Egyptian Fan Club Named in Honor Of Virginia Valli EGYPTIAN fans in the land of King Tut Ankh Amen have formed a club in honor of Virginia Valli, who is soon to be seen in “Watch Your Wife,” a Svend Gade Production. Word to this effect was received yesterday at Universal City from Ahmed Rifat Rachid, president of the club in Cairo, Egypt. The organization has been named “The Virginia Valli Club,” the letter stated. This is the first club in Egypt to be named after the Universal star. During the past few years clubs have Laura La Plante’s new leading man, Elinor Hanson, the noted Swedish cinema star, who will play opposite her “The Big Night.” Matt Moore Plays Featured Part In “Mystery Club” ATT MOORE is playing the featured leading role and Herbert Blache is directing “The Mystery Club,” a unique combination of comedy and mystery, written by Arthur Somers Roche. Moore, strangely enough, has made two of his biggest hits in this type of story, one Universal’s “White Tiger,” and the other in “The Unholy Three.” The unusual situation of a director as an assistant and a star playing the role of a butler, obtains in “The Mystery Club.” In such high esteem is Blache held that Victor Nordlinger, director of Westerns, volunteered to act as the assistant on the picture. Charles Puffy, who is starring in Universal’s Bluebird Comedies, is a friend of Blache’s and asked to play the butler’s role in order to be associated with the director. The combination is working out very well, as all who have seen the daily rushes will testify. Edith Roberts is playing the leading supporting role. Others of the allstar cast are Mildred Harris, Charles Lane, Warner Oland, Fred Hebert, Alphonse Martel, Finch Smiles, Earl Metcalfe, Nat Carr, Jed Prouty and Alfred Allen. Jackson Rose, A. S. C., is h^hind the camera. been formed in her honor in many American cities and in China, India, Japan, Australia and South Africa. Universal Assigns Jack Daugherty To Feature Role OLLOWING Universal’s avowed practice of elevating its own people to bigger roles, Jack Daugherty and Blanche Mehaffey have been assigned to play the leading parts in “The Runaway Express,” the smashing railroad feature which Edward Sedgwick has put into production. Daugherty is well known throughout the world as a serial star having recently completed “The Radio Detective.” The railroad picture will be his first Universal feature. Blanche Mehaffey is the girl who made such a sensational success in “His People,” the drama of East Side New York life directed by Edward Sloman. Sedgwick and a company of 60 people are leaving by special train for a two wreeks location trip to Caliente, Nevada, where railroad shots will be taken in the mountain division of the Union Pacific. “The Runaway Express,” is planned to be one of the most pretentious pictures on the Universal program for the coming eason. Edward Laemmle Starts Production Of Light Comedy DWARD LAEMMLE has started work on his next Universal Jewel, “The Whole Town’s Talking.” The story, adapted from the stage hit by John Emerson and Anita Loos, is young Laemmle’s first attempt at direction of light comedy. The play was adapted to the screen by Raymond Cannon, and has an allstar cast of comedians. Edward Everett Horton plays the featured role with Virginia Lee Corbin opposite him. Fred Humes Signs For Five Years As Universal Star FRED HUMES, has been signed by Universal under a five-year contract and made a full fledged western star, according to an announcement. He has just left for location at Lone Pine where exteriors of his first picture “Prowlers of the Night” are being filmed. Ernst Laemmle is directing and Barbara Kent, beautiful Hollywood school girl, is playing opposite him. f $3 “Hu