Universal Weekly (1927-1930)

vol. 25, No. 22 Universal Weekly 13 A gripping crook drama, with Anna Q. Nilsson and Francis X. Bushman in the leading roles, is being made by Edward Laemmle from the Henry Irving Dodge stage play, “The Counsel for the Defense .” It will be known on the screen as “The Thirteenth Juror.” Three Exceptional Serials Completed And Two More Started at Universal City All to Be Ready for Previewing at the Beginning of New Season, Thereby Establishing a Record UNIVERSAL is breaking all records in serial production this year, three of the five chapter pictures for next season already having been completed and the other two are now entering production. It is expected that the entire line-up of serials will have been completed by the opening of the Fall season. The two serials just completed are “The Trail of the Tiger” starring Jack Daugherty in a story by Courtney Ryley Cooper, and “The Scarlet Arrow," starring Francis X. Bushman Jr., in a northwest mounted police story by Howard Clark. “Blake of Scotland Yard,” the first Universal serial on the current production schedule, was completed more than a month ago. The two serials now going into production are “Haunted Island,” another chapter picture starring Jack Daugherty, and “The Vanishing Rider,” in which William Desmond will be starred. “Blake of Scotland Yard,” although it is many weeks away from its release date, already has established a name for itself as one of the most unusual serials ever made. Directed by Robert F. Hill, it is dressed like a feature and is put out as a distinct first-run house offering. The Universal sales department reports that more first-runs have set this serial in for Fall showing than ever before in the history of Universal serials since the days when every house ran serials. It features Hayden Stevenson in a gripping detective drama of twelve chapters. It is regarded so highly by Universal that Carl Laemmle branded it as a Universal Junior Jewel, the rating given only by Universal to a super-short product. The Jack Daugherty serial just completed under the direction of Henry MacRae is a ten-chapter circus story of exceptional drama and appeal. Frances Teague and Jack Mower are in the cast. The production has been made with all the color and lure of the circus, as Courtney Ryley Cooper knows how to write it, and can be “circussed” to the limit by exhibitors who put high-powered exploitation behind their offerings. The new Daugherty serial, “Haunted Island” will be an alluring mystery picture from the pen of no less a thrill writer than Frank R. Adams. Robert Hill, who made “Blake of Scotland Yard,” is the director and he promises a serial on the same plane as his first. Work already has begun on this picture which will be in ten chapters and, it will be ready for previewing well before September 1st. Ray Taylor, the young director who did such wonderful work with the two current Universal chapter-nicture releases, “Whispering Smith Rides” and “Fighting with Buffalo Bill,” directed “The Scarlet Arrow,” the Francis X. Bushman, Jr., serial just completed. Young Bushman, who inherited his illustrious father’s good looks and acting ability, is supported by Hazel Keener, A1 Ferguson, Aileen Goodwin, Clark Comstock and others. Taylor also will direct the new William Desmond serial, “The Vanishing Rider,’’ Desmond went into vaudeville last winter as soon as he had completed “The Return of the Riddle Rider,” his 1926-1927 Universal serial release, and has had remarkable success on the stage in a western comedy drama act of his own. He has been the featured act in houses fromcoast to coast and had participated in civic functions and other popularizingactivities. He will wind up his tour next week in the Middle West and hurry to Universal City to begin camera-work on “The Vanishing Rider.” This story, by Val Cleveland, is a sequel to “The Riddle Rider” and “The Return of the Riddle Rider,”' and will portray Desmond in a character similar to that in which he has risen to such screen popularity during past seasons. Serial production at Universal City is under the supervision of William Lord Wright, one of the highest-rated serial experts on the West Coast. His policy this season has been the production of well-dressed serials fit for any screen. Universal’s group of five serials so far lives up to the mark set and promises to be the most outstanding group of chapter pictures ever turned out at Universal City.