Universal Weekly (1923-1926)

34 Universal Weekly September 26, 1925 Edna Marian learns a few tricks from the Century Follies Girls in “Stranded,” the first Century release in September. First Buster Brown Comedy To Be Released This Week UTTV DUCATING Buster” the first of the Buster Brown — Century Comedies, starring little Arthur Trimble in a screen adaptation of R. F. Outcault’s famous newspaper comics, is featured in the September releases of the Century Film Corporation. This comedy is the beginning of the long heralded Buster Brown Comedies, twelve of which are to be released by Century through Universal Exchanges during the coming year. This comedy has had pre-release showings in many important first run theatres throughout the country. It Is hailed as one of the best two-reel offerings of the current season, and a 'Very auspicious beginning for the Buster Brown series. Included in the big theatres where this comedy has been reported as very successful are the Granada Theatre. San Francisco, the Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, the Ohio Theatre in Indianapolis, the State Theatre in Minneapolis, the Picadilly Theatre in Rochester and Loew’s Circuit in New York City. The Buster Brown comedv was directed by Charles Lamont. Little Arthur Trimble, who plays Buster, is said to be an exact counterpart of the celebrated cartoon character. Tige is played by Pete the Dog. a real dog comedian. Mary Jane is played by Doreen Turner. Others in the cast are Charles King, Emily Gerdes, Hilliard Katr and a group of clever screen youngsters. The exact release date of “Educating Buster” is September 23d. Among the other Century releases for the month are “Stranded,” starring Edna Marian; “Officer 13,” starring Eddie Gordon; “Too Much Mother-in-Law,” starring Constance Darling, and “Cupid’s Victory,” starring Wanda Wiley. “Stranded” is a hilarious two-reeler directed by William Watson with Miss Marian supported by Hilliard Karr and the Century Follies Girls. It is said to be the best comedy by far ever made by Miss Marian. In it she portrays the role of a country girl who is bus driver, baggage tosser, cook and waitress and general utility girl for a country hotel. The action in the picture results from the arrival of a stranded theatrical troupe. “Officer 13,” Eddie Gordon’s latest comedy, is said to be especially good and filled with laughs. It was directed by Edward I. Luddy and has a strong supportiing cast including Frank Whitson and Betty Browne. Eddie Gordon as a comedy copper is good for laugh after laugh as the action of the comedy unrolls. This picture has been played in many houses and is hailed as Gordon’s best film work to date. “Too Much Mother-in-Law” brings a new Century star to the screen in the person of Constance Darling. Edgar Kennedy Signed To Direct 66 Sweet 16 99 Series Edgar Kennedy, well known actor and director, has discarded his makeup box for the megaphone once more. He has been signed by Universal to direct Arthur Lake and Eddie Clayton in the next series of “Sweet Sixteen” comedies, according to announcement from Scott Darling, Universal comedy supervisor. Kennedy started in his theatrical career as an actor on the stage, then came to Hollywood as a director of comedies, and for several years worked for various comedy companies. Recently he decided to return to acting, and played the villain in Lawrence Trimble’s Universal-Jewel production, “My Old Dutch.” Universal decided, however, that he was needed as a director no matter how good an actor he might be, and persuaded him to sign a contract to make the “Sweet Sixteen” comedies, from which unit Zion Myers has just resigned. The “Sweet Sixteen” comedies mark a new step in short subjects in that they are entirely devoid of “slapstick” and get their humor from the Tarkingtonion antics of the two youths, both of the high school age. Heretofore, Miss Darling has appeared in co-featured roles or in supporting parts, but her work has been so good and her improvement so consistent that Julius and Abe Stern, the officials of the Century Company, have decided to elevate her to stardom. This picture was directed by Noel Smith. The cast includes Blanche Payson, the screen’s amazonian heavy, as the mother-in-law, and Charles King, as the bridegroom. The picture is filled with good family comedy and is said to be an ideal picture for any house. The trials and tribulations of the young married couple have universal appeal and the strong-arm mother-in-law is good for continuous laughs. “Cupid’s Victory,” the Wanda Wiley comedy for September release is a two-reeler directed by Charles Lamont with Earl McCarthy and Tony Hayes as the chief supporting players. It shows Miss Wiley in a new type of role, that of a dignified bespectacled clerk in a law office. The humor is mostly situation comedy, punctuated with laughable gags, the action speeding to a whirl-wind finish with Wanda the life of a house party. It is an excellent Wanda Wiley comedy.