Universal Weekly (1927-1930)

16 Universal Weekly July 9, 1927 Universal Pictures Voted Most Popular In Havana, Cuba UNIVERSAL Pictures Corporation was the winner of the Silver Cup offered in the La Prensa competition staged recently in Cuba in connection with the twentieth anniversary celebration of the Republic of Cuba. La Prensa is tbe leading daily newspaper in Havana and the contest was to indicate the motion picture company whose pictures and stars are most popular in the island republic. The winning of the cup also included a Diploma of Honor. Universal won a similar popularity contest in Cuba in 1923, run by another newspaper, El Mundo. Universal’s victory in the recent contest was a surprising plurality of votes, J. R. Carraminana, Universal’s manager in Cuba, reports to Carl Laemmle. Cast Being Chosen For “Man’s Past,” First Veidt Film A CAST is being chosen at Universal City for “A Man’s Past,” the lirst Universal picture starring Conrad Veidt. Arthur Edmund Carew has been engaged to play the role of Lieutenant Destin, Ian Keith, that of Dr. Henri and George Siegmann, the Governor. George Melford is to direct the picture, which is an adaptation of Emil Forst of the celebrated Hungarian play “Diploma.” Following this picture, Veidt will be starred in the title role of “The Man Who Laughs,” to be directed by Paul Leni from the famous Victor Hugo novel. Steamship Books Entire Program Of Short Subjects A NOVELTY in film bookings for steamships came to light with the departure of the S. S. President Ha/rding of the United States Lines June 22nd for Europe. An entire short subjects show was carried along to be featured on the transAtlantic trip. The ship carries a complete complement of Stern Brothers Comedies, including two-reelers from the following series, “Keeping Up With The Joneses,” “The Newlyweds and Their Baby,” “Mike and Ike, They Look Alike,” “Buster Brown,” “Let George Do It” and “The Excuse Maker.” C. J. Rush, Opera House, Millinocket, Me., who has just signed a 100 per cent Universal contract for the fourth consecutive year. C. J. Rush Signs 100% U Contract For Fourth Year WHEN an exhibitor who owns the town buys a producer’s product 100 per cent and pays a good, fair price for it, it is either an indication of splendid salesmanship or of splendid product, or both. C. J. Rush of the Opera House at Millinocket, Maine, has just contracted with J. H. Curran, manager of the American Feature Film Company’s Portland office, for the Universal product for 1927-1928, 100 per cent. This is evidence that he believes that this product is splendid product, but the fact that this is the fourth year that he has contracted 100 per cent proves that he knows from past experience that it is splendid product. Furthermore, this is the first contract which Mr. Rush has signed this year. Lake Completes Second Comedy (mY CORRESPONDENCE,” the ■"“^second of the series of one reel -*“*comedies starring Arthur Lake under the Universal banner, has been completed under the direction of Ansel Friedberger. The third of the series, which por Leading Theatres Want Early Dates On ‘Cat and Canary’ HM. HERBEL, sales director for Universal’s western division, •returned to New York this week after a trip of several weeks through the Middle West and including visits to the Chicago, Omaha and Kansas City exchanges. He reports that “The Cat and the Canary,” Paul Leni’s super-adaptation of the John Willard mystery play, in which Laura LaPlante is starred, is the most talked of picture of the year. “We have never had a picture more in demand,” he says. “We have received more propositions from key cities for immediate showings than on any other production I can remember. All over the territory, the big chains and the big independent houses are anxious to set in “The Cat and the Canary’ at the earliest possible date. “ ‘Alias the Deacon,’ which was shown in the Roxy Theatre, New York, also is very popular and is showing up as one of the demand pictures for the early fall season. With these two pictures and the others that are coming along, Universal is in an excellent position. Exhibitors everywhere are convinced that our product is a money-making line-up as far as they can judge.” Oswald Comedy Proves Sensation At First Showing OSWALD, Universal’s new cartoon rabbit, proved a “veritable sensation” at the Criterion Theatre, Los Angeles, when his first comedy was shown there recently. In a letter to Universal, Manager Ralph Allan writes: “Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit, cartoon ‘Trolley Troubles’ which we are using as the comedy attraction on our program with ‘Flesh and the Devil’ is apparently proving a veritable sensation with the audiences. “After reviewing this comedy before a packed house last night, who received the Oswald cartoon with great bursts of laughter and appreciation, it is my belief that you would be most interested in knowing, therefore the reason for this letter. “Although I did not at first believe the cartoon to be as good as it is, I am frank to state that after its presentation to the public I am more than willing to change my personal opinion of it.” trays Lake as a “drug store cowboy,” will be started immediately with Max Kimmich directing. “Bubbles” Steifel plays the leading feminine role.