Universal Weekly (1927-1930)

10 Universal Weekly August 17, 1929 “ La Marseillaise,” Musical Epic Drama To Be Made with John Boles by Universal Romantic Life Story of Rouget de l’lsle, Composer of French Anthem, Is Basis for Stirring Plot by George Manker Watters and Houston Branch Paris when anti-royalists fortunes were at low ebb. This will be the first John Boles starring vehicle under his new contract with Universal. No director has yet been announced. Universal studio authorities now are searching for a leading woman for the BranchWatters story, which calls for a girl with great histrionic talents. The story, which has been under consideration by Universal for some time, is filled with action and calls foe elaborate settings, in addition to its romantic ana musical angles. John Boles’ romantic flare and his rich, fine singing voice make him an excellent choice for the role of Rouget de l’lsle. So successful has Boles been as a musical star in “Desert Song” and “Rio Rita” that Universal will feature him in singing pictures exclusively for the coming season. “Moonlight Madness” and “The Song of Passion” have been selected as his vehicle for 1929-30. •JOHN BOLES llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllll “College Love” at Colony Theatre, N. Y. Smashes Week-End Box-Office Records Critics Pronounce Comedy Corking Example of Its Type Carl Laemmle, Jr., 100'& Talkie Opens to Full House UNIVERSAL has decided to put into early production a story written around the life of Rouget de l’lsle, composer of “La Marseillaise,’’ the French national anthem, by Houston Branch and George Manker Watters. It will be called “La Marseillaise,” and will be a musical romancedrama, John Boles will be starred in the role of de l’lsle. It will be a 100% dialogue picture, with dialogue supplied by Watters. Charles Wakefield Cadman is writing the music. The story is said to stick closely to de l’lsle’s actual life, which was colorful and romantic. The stirring strains of “La Marseillaise,” of course, will play an important part in the picture and will motivate the turning point of the plot. The famous march of the 1500 men of Marseilles to Paris singing the new battle song in June, 1792, will be colorfully reproduced, together with the momentous outcome of their entry into /COLLEGE LOVE” opened at I . the Colony Theatre in New York City on August 3rd, to a full and enthusiastic house that entered into the spirit of Carl Laemmle, Jr.’s feature length comedy of college life and love. The picture is a 100% talkie of the adventures of the famous “Collegians,” starring the same cast that have been so successful in the series of two-reelers for the past four years. The week-end business at the Coloney far exceeded any previous records of that house. First night critics fell under the infectious charm of the youthful comedy as the following reviews indicate : Morning Telegraph “College Love,” at the Colony Theatre, is a corking example of its particular type of film. It’s a jolly picture of college life as presented on the screen with college spirit, pep, rivalry and romance going strong. “College Love” is chock full of typical college fun, which injects pep into the most dramatic moments and it can boast of a thrilling football game that’s great. So keen was the suspense created that the Colony audience was almost cheering for Caldwell, the college that was losing the big game of the season just because Bob Wilson was off the team as a result of the big sacrifice he had made so that Caldwell’s captain could play. “The team needs Tom more than it needs me," said Bob nobly. This picture is all talking and singing. Plenty of harmony peals forth from the screen, but no one sang “Sweet Adeline.” Dorothy Gulliver, as the charming co-ed who supplied heart interest, sings a pretty number, “When I Dream of Some One, It’s You.” George Lewis turns in a good performance. As a matter of fact the entire cast entered into the spirit of the picture and a good time was had by all. including the audience. — M. F. O’F. Herald Tribune “College Love,” which is this week’s picture at the Colony Theatre . . . makes very good entertainment. With George Lewis as the sacrificial Bob (“Boob”) Wilson, halfback on the Caldwell University eleven, Dorothy Gulliver as the loving co-ed, Eddie Phillips as Eddie (“Flash”) Thomas, star all-American quarterback on Caldwell, the film abounds with the gayety, loves and hates of college life. J. D.