Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

UNIVERSAL WEEKLY A Magazine for the Action Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulled '^-!Edi£o7~J Published, by the Motion Picture IdlelJy Publishing Co JdeckscherB'ldg . 7JO S^Ave.ABw Zirl^City Copyright lp21 UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION All rights reserved Vol. XXVI OCTOBER 15, 1927 No. 10 UNIVERSAL MOVIEGRAMS Veidt’s “A Man’s Past” Proves Winner at Broadway Premiere “A Tale Full of Suspense and Thrills of Nature New to Picture Audiences,” Writes Regina Cannon in N. Y. American. UPON the eve of his return to the studio from England with his father, Carl Laemmle. Jr., was elected a director in the European Motion Picture Company of London. The Universal officials will arrive in New York on the Berengaria on Friday. JUNE MARLOWE has been cast for the role of Gabriel le in “The Foreign Legion” which Edward Sloman is directing at Universal City with Norman Kerry and Lewis Stone. Crauford Kent plays Captain Arnaud. IN support of Laura La Plante in Mary Roberts Rinehart’s story, “Finders Keepers,” Universal has cast John Harron, Arthur Rankin and Edmund Breese. “Finders Keepers” will be started late this week by Wesley Ruggles. GEORGE HERRIMAN, creator of “Krazy Kat,” has been engaged to play the role of a fellow cartoonist opposite Glenn Tryon in “Meet the Prince,” a newspaper story written by William Craft and Jack Foley, which is now being made at Universal City with a cast including Marian Nixon, Raymond Keane, Bull Montana and Mario Carrillo. STUART HOLMES, who will play Lord Dirry-Moir, and Sam De Grasse have been added to the cast of “The Man Who Laughs,” which Paul Leni has started at Universal City after five months of intensive preparation. It will be one of Universal’s most pretentious pictures. << A MAN’S PAST,” Conrad Veidt’s first starring vehicle under the Universal banner, had its premiere this week in the Colony Theatre, New York City, under the direction of Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld. The picture made a great impression upon the New York public and critics and is hailed as one of the most unusual productions of the year. Veidt, according to all indications, definitely establishes himself as an American favorite by his work in this film. “A Man’s Past” is the strange tale of a French surgeon, his incarceration as the result of euthenasia death, his escape and his regeneration. It was written by Emerich Foeldes, noted Hungarian author and was a successful Continental play under the title “Diploma.” As the morose surgeon in the story, Veidt found a role exactly suited to his individual style of character portrayal. Universal entrusted the making of the picture to George Melford, who will be remembered as the director of “The Sheik.” The scenario was adapted by Emil Forst. To suoport Veidt in the principal role, Melford selected an unusual cast, made up cf players of the highest attainments and popularity. Among them were Arthur Edmund Carew, Ian Keith, George Siegmann, Barbara Bedford, Corliss Palmer and Charles Puffy. JULIA SWAYNE GORDON and Helen Foster complete the cast of “13 Washington Square,” bv L°rov Scott, starring •Ten-' Hersholt. ' l:c? Joyce, George Lew’s ami Zasu Pitts are the others in Ui.-, Universal-Jewel. “A Man’s Past” is one of Universal’s leading releases for the current Fall season. Its official release date is December 25th, but it will have various pre-release showings before that date. It is regarded as an excellent introduction for Veidt to the American public. His next role will be Gwynplaine, the strange hero of “The Man Who Laughs.” This picture is now being made from Victor Hugo’s novel by Paul Leni, the brilliant director of “The Cat and the Canary.” The foilwing excerpts from New York papers indicate the reception accorded “A Man’s Past” at its Colony opening: Regina Cannon in the N. Y. American : “Real gripping thriller. The tale is full of suspense and thrills of a natux-e new to pictui’e audiences. Conrad Veidt is excellent.” Harriette Underhill in the N. Y. Herald-Tribune: “Mr. Veidt has never done anything as good as his convict surgeon in ‘A Man’s Past.’ * * * George Melford belongs in the list of ten best dii'ectors for his work in this new picture. * * * Mr. Veidt is a magnificent actor. Whoever selected the cast knows his business.” Ii'ene Thirer in the N. Y. Daily News: “Absoibing film fare. * * * George Melford has directed it wall.” Rad’e Harris in He N. Y. Morning Telegraph : “Worthy of your prompt attention. Run — don’t walk — to the Colonv ‘his we°k.” Joseph M’F.liott in the N. Y. Daily Mirror: “Good cast headed by Con’ ad Veidt. * * * The picture is the superior of the other two openings on Broadway this week.”