Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

vol. 26, No. 10 Universal Weekly 23 High School Pupils Crowd Matinees Of “Les Miserables” “U” Considering Publication Of “Fallen Angels” as Novel A CANVAS taken by David L. Werner, manager of the Central Theatre, where Universal’s French production of “Les Miserables” is on view, revealed that the greater part of the capacity attendance at matinee performances is composed of high school pupils. This is traced directly to the wide interest created by the Carl LaemmleVictor Hugo Scholarship Awards to encourage familiarity with the works of Hugo. Through the cooperation of the principals of the high schools here, and throughout the country, the pupils were advised at the opening session of the conditions under which the awards would be made. Briefly — there are sixteen awards, totalling $9,000. These will be presented to the high school students of either sex submitting the best essays not exceeding five hundred words on the question, “What Ideals in life do you find in ‘Les Miserables’?” The essay can be written after reading the novel or seeing the picture, which is a faithful version of the famous story. Manuscripts should be addressed to the editor, Carl LaemmleVictor Hugo Scholarship Awards, 730 Fifth Avenue, New York. The awards, ranging from $1,000 to $500, will be made following December 31, 1928, when the contest closes, by a committee headed by Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University. The only stipulation is that the money will be devoted to the purposes of higher education. UNIVERSAL is seriously considering an entry into the publishing field in connection with the Arthur Somers Roche serial story “Fallen Angels,” which recently ap Bride and Gruen Off on Honeymoon In British Columbia ANOTHER of the “marry in haste and honeymoon at leisure” couples of the movie colony started on their belated honeymoon this week. They are Mr. and Mrs. James Gruen, both members of the Universal scenario department, who were married several months ago, but were unable to depart for the open spaces amid a shower of rice and old shoes because of pressing work. The bride and groom will spend two weeks in British Columbia, dividing their time between honeymooning and working on future screen stories. Mrs. Gruen was Beatrice Van. *%E — He may be a kid but he certainly knows his horse tricks — Newton House, Universal’s 16-year-old cowboy star. Shadur Promoted To Supervisor Of Production Arthur shadur, for the past several years studio manager at Universal City and one of the best known executives of the film industry, has been promoted to the position of supervisor of production at peared in chaptered form in the Red Book Magazine, and which is to be made into a Universal picture during the coming season. The Carl Laemmle organization is considering the acquisition of book publishing rights to the story, so as to launch a special and elaborately gotten out edition of the book simultaneously with the picture’s release. This move, if carried through by Universal, will be a distinct departure in the motion picture ^ industry. Whether it presages a further incursion into the publishing field by the big film company is not known. The present day parallelism between the stage and the screen and between the screen and the literary world as regards stories, book rights and timed publication and release, is pointed out by Universal executives as ample reason for such a move. Edward Montagne, scenario editor for Universal, who arrived in New York from Los Angeles several days ago, ostensibly to confer with the home office officials and with literary sources regarding Universal’s line-up of picture-rights for the 1928-1929 season, would not go into details concerning the “Fallen Angels” book, but admitted that the plan is under discussion. He stated that Charles Logue recently completed a splendid adaptation of the story, which was concluded in the September Red Book. Edward Laemmle will direct it. The association of Logue and Laemmle as script adapter and director has been a fortunate one for Universal, resulting in such successes as “Cheating Cheaters,” “The Thirteenth Juror,” and “Held by the Law.” Both are especially good when dealing with crook themes. “Fallen Angels” is of this type. It is also reported that settings already are being put up at Universal City for the picturization of the Roche story, and that camerawork will begin in a few weeks. As yet, the principals for the cast have not been selected, although available talent is now being considered. Universal, it was announced this week by Universal. Several months ago Shadur, in addition to his other duties, supervised the production of “The Count of Ten,” starring Charles Ray, said to be one of the best pictures of the year. The success of this picture prompted Shadur’s promotion. He is at present engaged in selecting a suitable screen story, the name of which will be announced within the week.