Universal Weekly (1927-1930)

Vol. XXX AUGUST 17, 1929 No. 2 UN I VERSAL MOV1EGRAMS FOR some time, in fact ever since music began to play such an important part in moving pictures, Universal has contemplated making a musical romantic drama of a subject written around the life of Rouget de l’lsle who was the composer of “La Marseillaise.” With the signing of John Boles as one of its premier stars, the production of the story by Houston Branch and George Manker Watters became practical. Special music to surround “La Marseillaise” is being written by Charles Wakefield Cadman. Universal will, of course, call the story “La Marseillaise.” JAMES MURRAY and Wheeler Oakman have been signed to support Mary Nolan in “The Shanghai Lady” by John Colton. This alltalking adaptation of his stage play will go into production at Universal City next week under the direction of John Robertson. TOM REED, who did the adapting, continuity and dialoguing of Peter B. Kyne’s “The Three Godfathers” which Universal will make as a great outdoor talking picture, has been promoted. Carl Laemmle, Jr., general manager at Universal City, announces that he will be assistant to C. Gardner Sullivan, supervising scenario chief of Universal pictures. UNIVERSAL’S lead-off picture for the season of 1929-30 has been chosen. It will be “The Drake Case” by Charles A. Logue directed by Edward Laemmle. Its official release date is September 1, 1929. Carl Laemmle Awards Prizes In “Alluring Woman” Contest Staged for “Man Who Laughs” WINNERS in the $2,000 cash prize contest for the best letter answering the intriguing question, “Why do alluring women love homely men?” conducted throughout the United States and Canada by Universal Pictures Corporation in connection with “The Man Who Laughs,” were announced today by Carl Laemmle, Jr., general manager of the Universal west coast studios at Los Angeles. The first prize of $1,000 was awarded to Miss Louise Michel, 37 West 8th Street, New York. It was chosen by the judges, Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation, Dr. W. M. Marston, head of the Universal public relations department, and Prof. W. B. Pitkin, noted short story authority, now associated with Universal, out of more than 10,000 answers. Second prize, of $250, was awarded Rebecca J. Gredwohl, of 1499 Sutter Street, San Francisco, and the third prize of $100 was awarded Prof. PROF. W. M. MARSTON as originator of the unique contest “Why Do Alluring Women Love Homely Men” has announced the prize winners from 10,000 answers which were submitted in the contest. The test was conducted in connection with the Universal picture, “The Man Who Laughs.” The first prize winner was Miss Louise Michel, of New York City. The second prize was awarded to Rebecca J. Gredwohl of San Francisco and the third prize was awarded to Prof. Kenneth R. Close of the University of Miami. Kenneth R. Close, of the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. Five-dollar prizes were awarded to Miss R. Amony, Box 3469 Ferry Street, San Francisco; Madeline Archer, 1636 Trestle Glen Road, Oakland, Calif.; John Edward Barnett, P. O. Box 251, Cumberland, Md.; William Black, 945 Redhill Avenue, San Anselmo, Calif.; Ella Bondy, 164 East 89th Street, New York City; Samuel Bowes, 1403 Octavia Street, San Francisco; Anna Brand, basement, City Hall, El Paso, Texas; Aaron L. Carthage, Box 791 City Hall Post Office, N. Y. C.; Miss Marie Clements, 1134 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco; Miss Eleanor DeRose, Belwood, 111.; Victoria Drazich, 6070 Fourteenth Street, Detroit; Mrs. Frances Fair, 801 Midland Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.; Harold C. Firanze, 76 S. River Street, San Jose, Calif.; Mrs. Virginia Hahn, Bovill Theatre, Bovill, Idaho; Mary Handzus, Box 377, Linesville, Pa.; May Huskin, Nugent route, Abilene, Texas; Louise S. Leland, Box 685, Eureka, Calif.; W. D. Long, Biltmore, N. C.; Miss Bessie Piner, Sherman, Texas; Tacy E. Ruppe, 132 Collins Street, Hartford, Conn.; Morganthall Rush, 378 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco; Mrs. F. A. Schmidt, 1329 North Parkway, Memphis, Tenn.; Ralph Schubert, 127 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, Calif.; Virginia E. Simpson, 1424 “D” Street, Eureka, Calif.; Anna deR. Smith, 401 College Street, Marshall, Mo.; Mrs. D. H. Squires, P. O. Box 773, Akron, Ohio; Mary H. Strader, 1519 Union Street, Schnectady, N. Y.; F. M. Wagner, 3901 N. Richmond Street, Chicago, 111.; Constance Wain, 5800 Carlton Way, ( Continued on page 26) i