Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

9 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY A Magazine for the Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulick^ JEdi to Vol. XXVI SEPTEMBER 4, 1926 No. 4 UNIVERSAL MOVIE GRAMS “Alias the Deacon” Bought By Universal for Jean Hersholt Huntley Gordon was recently reproached by a wellwisher for undertaking to play his first “heavy” role in Lois Weber’s production, “The Sensation Seekers.” Gordon admitted the accusation hut qualified the error by saying that it wasn’t too heavy a heavy role, sort of “light heavyweight division,” as he expressed it. But to make sure, he stipulated that he was to be cofeatured with Billie Dove. THIS week Samuel Van Ronkel, producer of “Andy Gump” comedies, started a new series of twelve pictures at Universal City under the direction of Francis Corby. No changes in the Gump family, but this new comedy will deal with their vacation in the Alps. MARION ORTH has arrived at Universal City to prepare the continuity for “Beware of Widows,” the Owen Davis stage play which Universal purchased for Laura LaPlante. It will he directed by Millard Webb, whose most recent work is the direction of John Barrymore in “The Sea Beast.” No male lead for the La Plante picture has been chosen as yet. THE technical staff chosen for Richard Talmadge’s first Univerpicture consists of Irvin Willat, borrowed especially for this picture, director; Grover Jones, scenarist and gag man; Eugene McMurtrie, technical advisor, and Doane Harrison, film editor. Universal has not as yet chosen its final releasing title for “The Black Rider,” a magazine story by Max Brand, which will be used for this production. FOLLOWING hard on the heels of “The Cat and the Canary,” Universal Pictures Corporation announces the purchase of the popular stage play, “Alias the Deacon,” the Sam Wallach production which just closed an eight months’ run in the Hudson Theatre, New York City. The purchase followed a very spirited bidding on the part of four other moving picture producers. The one consideration demanded, outside of a very fat purchase price, is that Universal shall make no picture from this play until July 1, 1927. The reason for this consideration is the stage RALPH LEWIS, who has just finished a featured role under the direction of Emory Johnson in “The Fourth Commandment,” has been added to the cast of Bayard Veiller’s story, “Held by the Law,” which Edward Laemmle is directing at Universal City. OCTOBER will see quite a realignment of star and director affiliations at Universal City. After making six pictures with Reginald Denny, William A. Seiter will, temporarily at least, give up this pleasant and profitable association. And for what? Ah, for Laura La Plante. Seiter will direct his brideto-be in a picture with the auspicious title, “Brides Will Be Brides.” Melville Brown, in the meantime, who made “Her Big Night” with Miss LaPlante, and “Taxi! Taxi!” with Edward Everett Horton and Marion Nixon, will assume the direction of Reginald Denny in “The Four Flusher,” the play by Caesar Dunn. engagements already entered into. For instance, “Alias the Deacon” will open in Chicago in October with Burton Churchill and is expected to have very bit as long a run there as in New York. A number of other engagements must also be protected. Jean Hersholt will be featured in the principal role, that of the reformed crook who takes the part of the “deacon” in the stage piece. A strong supporting cast will be chosen, and one of Universal’s most successful comedy directors will be assigned to the task of making the play into a picture. “Alias the Deacon” was written by John B. Hymer and Leroy Clemens. Hymer is remembered as the coauthor of “East Is West” with Fay Bainter, and also the author of “Come on Red,” and other popular playlets which are playing the Keith and Orpheum circuits. Arrangements will be made this week whereby Universal will acquire the right to film Earl Derr Biggers’ latest novel, “The Chinese Parrot.” Bobbs-Merrill is releasing the novel the first of September. Its appearance serially in the Saturday Evening Post caused very spirited bidding among the picture companies. It is an absorbing mystery story, and there seems to be a trend toward mystery stories since Universal bought “The Cat and the Canary,” “Alias the Deacon” and “Held by the Law” and since success of “The Bat” in the picture houses. It is expected that “The Chinese Parrot” will be one of Universal’s big pictures for 1927-28.