Universal Weekly (1927-1930)

6lt U N IVE R.SAL WE E KLY 3 3lac)azineJor 3 lotion 3icture oxtilitors (Paul Gulick^ Sditor PUBLISHED BY THE — MOTION PICTURE WEEKLY PUBLISHING COMPANY — HECKSCHER BUILDING 730-5rtAVE. — NEW YORK CITY Copyright 1929 ■ UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION St It lights Observed Vol. XXX OCTOBER 26, 1929 No. 12 FIRST DIALOGUE WESTERN ENTHUSIASTICALY RECEIVED Amazing Box-Office Success of “The Wagon Master,” Ken Maynard’s First Universal Release Made with Songs and Dialogue Presages Revival of Popular Interest in Westerns Long Debated Decision to Put Dialogue into Westerns Proves UNIVERSAL MOVIEGRAMS WILLIAM KENT, the musical comedy star, who has been signed up for “The King of Jazz Revue” by Universal, is treking westward. Another player to be placed under contract for this Paul Whiteman picture is Charles Irwin. Harry Ruskin, a well-known New York musical comedy interpolator, song writer and arranger, has already arrived at Universal City to assist John Murray Anderson. THE title of the Ken Maynard picture, “The Lost Canyon,” has been changed to ‘‘Senor Americano.” This all-talking western picture was written by Helmer Bergman under the title of “The Golden Bridle.” It was directed by Harry J. Brown with a cast including Kathryn Crawford, Gino Corrado, J. P. McGowan, Frank Yacconelli, Frank Beale and Tarzan. Kathryn crawford has just been announced by Universal as the lead opposite Glenn Tryon in “Anything Goes,” by Matt Taylor and Sherman Lowe. Production was started at Universal City on Monday under the direction of Emmett Flynn. George hackathorne has been added to the cast of “The College Racketeer,” which Reginald Barker is finishing as rapidly as possible at Universal City. The reason for his haste is to permit Kathryn Crawford to complete her role so that she can start with the Glenn Tryon company in “Anything Goes.” Inspired Stroke as Picture Tops SEVERAL months ago the question of putting sound and dialogue into Western pictures was seriously debated by Universal production and sales officials. The future of Western features was a moot subject at the time. Universal finally decided to take the plunge, and so Ken Maynard’s first Western for Universal, “The Wagon Master,” was fitted out with sound, songs and dialogue. The wisdom of that move has proved itself a hundred-fold. Reports, now filtering in from various sections of the country, tell of extraordinary success with this picture. The results offer definite proof that the Western picture has been reborn AURA LA PLANTE is expecting to complete her role in “The Marseillaise,” which Paul Fejos is producing as a suoer at Universal City, dramatizing the life of Roget de Lisle, author of the French National Anthem. This role is played by John Boles, who is costarred with Laura La Plante, playing the sensational role of The Torch. Miss La Plante’s next role will be in “The Behavior of Mrs. Crane.” REED HOWES has been signed by Universal to play the title role in its chapter-play, “Terry of the Times.” in Popularity Costlier Pictures — with dialogue, and that it bids fair to become again a first-run rival of the society sex picture and the crime drama. M. Van Praag, e-eneral sales manager for Universal, admits that “The Wagon Master” business has been phenomenal and that the picture has been in such demand since its first showing that it already has exceeded its quota. Universal officials are equally as enthusiastic over the first Hoot Gibson dialogue Western, “The Long Long Trail,” which has just arrived in New York from the Coast. Hoot is said to be a revelation as a talking star, with a pleasing voice and a fund of dry humor which keeps the audience in constant laughter. The picture is heralded by Universal as definitely of first-run entertainment value, marking, with “The Wagon Master,” a new era in Western pictures. The pictures are so well thought of that the Maynard and Gibson series are being included in Universal’s regular line-up of productions this season, instead of being marketed separately as program pictures. “The Wagon Master” was directed bv Harrv J. Brown from a story by Marion Jackson. Edith Roberts, Tom Santschi, A1 Ferguson and Jackie Hanlon are included in the cast. “The Long Long Trail” was directed by Arthur Rosson from a ( Continued on page 30)