Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

38 Universal Weekly October 15, 1927 “THE LOVE THRILL” Universal Jewel Starring LAURA LA PLANTE (Length: 6038 ft.) JOYCE BRAGDON, a member of the insurance firm of Bragdon and Chadwick, sees poverty staring her in the face on Christmas Eve. As a last resort she attempts to break into the apartment of J. Anthony Creelman, a wealthy bachelor, who, for some reason, carries no insurance, and attempts to sell him a large policy. She fails to see him and returns to the office to face a group of angry creditors. She manages, however, to delay matters by telling them that she has just landed Creelman. Joyce reads in the newspapers that Jack Waller, a college chum of Creelman’s, is dead in Africa. She poses as his widow, wires Creelman to meet her at the dock. He meets her, tries to comfort her, and takes her to an apartment in the same building as his own that had been rented for Waller pending his return to New York. Meanwhile Waller, who is not dead, walks into the office of his publisher. His reported death, however, has so boomed the sale of his book, “Eaten Alive” that the publishers persuade him to take an assumed name. Joyce agrees to dine with Creelman in his apartment, plays the part of the bereaved widow who has been left no insurance by her late husband and persuades Creelman to take out a policy. Creelman, however becomes a trifle intoxicated and Joyce is repulsing his somewhat enthusiastic advances when Waller drops in to see his old chum. Creelman, although greatly surprised, manages to spirit Joyce to her own apartment without the two meeting. Waller later goes to his own apartment and is greatly surprised to find he has such a charming widow. Instead of informing her who he is, he pretends to be an old friend of Waller and gets great enjoyment by leading Joyce on in her entanglement. She accepts his invitation to accompany him to a cabaret to celebrate the beginning of the new year where they run across Creelman and his particular charmer of the evening, Paula. They are seated at the same table and naturally the conversation is somewhat strained as no explanation is forthcoming as to each person’s idea of who is who. As events are about to reach the breaking point, one of Joyce’s creditors sees her, tries to approach her and Joyce escapes by fainting. Joyce is carried to Waller’s apartment. Creelman and Waller compare notes and decide to find out what her game is. The next morning, Joyce is planning her getaway when a number of relatives of the supposedly dead Waller arrive to have the will read. Joyce realizes that she is in love with Waller, leaves a note explaining her object in posing as his widow, and drives away. Waller pursues her in a taxi-cab reveals his true identity and convinces her that she should take steps that would assure her of being a widow in case of his death. She accepts his proposal. “THE PRAIRIE KING” Universal Jewel Starring HOOT GIBSON (Length: 5685 ft.) THE story opens in a small Western town. Abner Ferrage, an old prospector, leaves his mine to three people, unknown to one another, who have befriended him. His lawyer summons the beneficiaries. The first to arrive is Murdock, a local character, who is determined to possess the mine at any cost. He immediately sends his henchmen out to the pass with orders to let no one proceed to the mine. The second proves to be a charming young girl from the next county. The lawyer advises her to take immediate possession, explaining that the final owner will have to meet certain conditions which will be explained later. Barden, a cowpuncher known as the “Prairie King,” who is the third beneficiary, arrives in town and gets in touch with the lawyer, learns of his good luck and also starts for the mine. As the girl and her aunt approach the pass the henchmen of Murdock open fire and try to scare them off. Barden and his old pal arrive and drive them off. Edna and her aunt proceed to the mine. Shortly Barden arrives and is astonished to find Edna in possession. He pretends to be looking for a job and agrees to stay and help her protect her interests. In the meantime Murdock’s hirelings return and tell him that Barden has interfered with their plans. Murdock decides to ask Edna and her aunt to go to the “fiesta,” which is to be given in the vicinity, and have his men take possession of the mine while they are away. When he arrives at the mine he is surprised to find Barden there. Murdock tells Edna that Barden is one of the contestants for the mine and is tricking her to get possession. Edna becomes enraged and dismisses Barden. She decides to go to the “fiesta” with Murdock. Barden, fearing trouble, follows them. At the “fiesta” he exposes Murdock, and they fight a duel in the old Spanish fashion, with feet tied and completely covered with a voluminous cloak. This makes it possible for Murdock to substitute a professional fighter in his place. Barden however wins the fight and exposes Murdock’s perfidy. Murdock escapes and dashes for the mine persued by Barden, Edna and the aunt. They arrive and find Murdock and his men in possession and Barden’s pal at the mercy of the intruders. Murdock proposes marriage to Edna as the solution of their rival claims. She spurns him and in a rage Murdock is Universa “THE HORSE TRADER” A Two Reel Mustang Picture Starring FRED GILMAN THE peculiar actions of Bruce Channing, a stranger, have arroused suspicion, and a posse headed by Mark Hodges and Red McDonough is pursuing him as a bandit. Channing falls from his horse, spraining his ankle, but he eludes his pursuers by hiding while they pass. He limps to a nearby house where he is received by Mary Gardner, Hodges’ ward. He tells her that they are after him, but his face appeals to her as being honest and she starts to look after his ankle just as the posse returns. She hides him in a clothes closet when the men come in to question her. They go away satisfied that she has seen no one, but McDonough returns alone to tell Mary that he is going to marry her. She tells him that she does not love him but he assures her that he has her guardian’s consent. When he is gone, Mary loans Channing one of her horses and he rides away. Hodges returns with McDonough and induces Mary, against her judgement, to marry the man of his choice out of gratitude to him for bringing her up. On the following day, Hodges orders the gang to get a cache of stolen goods on a truck and be prepared to run it across the border the moment Mary and McDonough are married. Channing overhears, follows and arrests the men red handed with the loot. Placing them in charge of the sheriff, he rides to Mary’s house, interrupts the wedding and places Hodges and McDonough under arrest. When he displays his ranger badge they jump him, but he overcomes them both in a terrific fight before the sheriff returns to take them away, leaving Channing alone with Mary to sell himself as a husband. about to send Barden and his pal to certain death in the mine when the lawyer arrives. Murdock claims the mine, Barden says he will withdraw in favor of the girl. The lawyer explains that the condition attached to the final deed to the mine is that it go to the one who shows generosity, so Barden has won. Unfortunately Ferridge had filed no record so the mine would go to the first one to reach the recorder’s office after having filed a claim. This announcement causes a wild dash by every one. Barden snatches Edna up on his saddle and makes a mad ride for the recorder’s office. In a fierce battle at the door he succeeds in keeping the others out while Edna, who has fallen in love with him, files her claim in the name of Andy and Edna Barden.