Universal Weekly (1923-1926)

A Magazine for -the Motion Picture Exhibitors N PAUL CULICK s fTrimiPimuHmiirpnrmrmrmi _ editor ^^.i[nTfTTTiTTTTTwrmm»TTn^iwmfrt Published bythe Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co. Hecksc her Bldg. 7ZO-5th Avenue NewYork City Copyright, 1925 UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION All Rights Reserved SEPTEMBER 12, 1925 No. 6 The Phantom of the Opera” Is First Movie to Set Style PARIS decrees phantom red for fall! A motion picture has set the style for the first time. During the past few months the famous Parisian modistes have had a war in their midst. Bloodless but bitter. All over whether green or red should be the predominating color for fall. The shade that decided the battle is phantom red, the latest creation of the Textile Color Card Association, inspired by Universal’s motion picture “The Phantom of the Opera,” which opens in New York at the Astor Theatre, September 6th. Margaret Hayden Rorke, managing director of the Textile Color Card Association of the United States, who standardize the shades for the silk manufacturers, has advised the Universal Pictures Corporation by cable from Paris of her decision to name a shade of the triumphant color after this spectacular picture. While in Paris. Miss Rorke met Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Pictures Corporation, and Gaston Leroux, author of “The Phantom of the Opera,” and with them viewed the picture. Realizing the tremendous popularity which will greet the picture here and abroad, she conceived the idea that a shade named phantom red, which describes a soft, elusive shade, would meet with popular approval. The New York silk merchants, the manufacturers of toilet articles, stockings and women’s wear have greeted phantom red with enthusiasm and are preparing their wares in such a manner that will surpass the introduction of any other shade. Paris and New York say phantom red for the fall. Phantom red it will be. Vol. XXII UNIVERSAL MO VIEGRAMS AT last Zazu Pitts has explained the significance of her first name. Possibly her stay in the hospital where, by the way, she signed the contract to play in Reginald Denny’s picture, “What Happened to Jones,” had something to do with it. It seems that her father combined in Zazu’s name the two syllables from the names of his favorite sisters, Liza and Susan. JOSEPH WRIGHT, the well known American authority o n Napoleonic art, has been chosen as art director by Dimitri Buchowetzki for “The Midnight Sun,” Universal’s super Jewel which is now in course of production with Laura La Plante, Pat O’Malley, and Raymond Keane playing the principal roles. Inasmuch as the Russian nobilty speak the French language and surround themselves with French objects of art, the choice of an authority on French art seems to be a very logical one. IN addition to “Follow the Signs” by Dorothy Grundy, the Rutgers school girl, Universal has purchased for the use of Reginald Denny next year John Hunter Booth’s novel and play, “Rolling Home.” Under the title, “Like a King,” it will be produced in New York this year as a musical comedy. FIVE hundred Sioux Indians from from the Pine Ridge Agency, four hundred calvarymen from Fort Meade and around five thousand amateur Deadwood boosters are playing in Jack Hoxie’s pictures, “Dead wood Dick,” and “Red Hot Leather,” which A1 Rogell is making in Deadwood, S. D., in connection with the “Days of ’76” celebration there. CHARLES PUFFY, Universal’s three hundred pound comedian, has the biggest head in the movies, although he is the most modest among men. A comedy demanding the use of a standard American derby was being made and it was discovered that there wasn’t a derby in the Universal City wardrobe department that would fit it. Upon measurement, the comedian’s head was found to require a 7 7-8 size. All the Los Angeles hat shops were searched until finally one ancient derby of that size was discovered. UNIVERSAL’S zoo, the only zoo owned and operated by a motion picture company, has had an increase in its population. Seven leopards, five tigers and six lions are recent arrivals among the animal stars on the big lot. They were received with a welcoming chorus of growls from the old-timers with the exception of Minnie, the veteran elephant, who declined to make comment upon the addition to the zoo. Herman Ziegler has been named assistant to Charles S. Murphy, superintendent of Universal City Zoo.