Universal Weekly (1925-1930)

VoL. 23, No. 11 Universal Weekly 31 Little Arthur Trimble atid wee Doreen Turner are making friends by the thousands in their Buster Brown escapades for Century Comedies. Two Big Chapter Plays Started by Universal Two big serial picture plays have been put into production by Universal. They are “Strings of Steel,” starring William Desmond and Eileen Sedgwick, directed by Henry McRae, and “The Radio Detective,” starring Jack Daugherty with William Crinley directing. “Strings of Steel” is built around the development of the telephone, the action taking place just after Alexander Graham Bell had invented the telephone. It deals with the historic fight between the Bell interests and their rivals. Some of its most thrilling scenes are staged in the Allegheny Mountains east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Strings of Steel” was written by Philip Dutton Hum and Oscar Lund, and was adapted to the screen by George Morgan and Arthur Henrj* Gooden. Supporting are Albert J. Smith and George Ovey. “The Radio Detective” was adapted to the screen by Karl Krusada from the novel by Arthur B. Reeve. Radio, college life and the Boy Scouts all play a prominent part in the picture. Margaret Quimby is cast in the feminine lead with Jack Mower playing the “heavy.” Florence Allen, Chicago beauty contest winner, plays the feminine “heavy.” Others in the cast are John T. Prince, Sammy Gervon, Wallace Baldwin and Howard Enstedt. Production on this serial was held up more than a week on account of Margaret Quimby’s wisdom teeth, two of which became infected and caused her much pain. Musical Comedy Star Signs With Universal Marian warren, well-known in theatriacl circles, recently signed a contract wTth Universal, according to Fred Schuessler, casting director at Universal City. This is Miss Warren’s first venture into pictures, her work on the stage attracting the attention of Universal which made her an attractive offer. She will shortly be cast in one of Universal’s forthcoming big productions. Miss Warren is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and is equally well-known in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been on the stage since she was 14 years of age, beginning her career with a stock company in Philadelphia. After quitting stock she went into vaudeville and from that into musical comedy, in all of which she has been most successful. Century Comedy Year Starts With Big Week The new Century Comedies, the groups of star series two-reelers being put out by the Century Film Corporation for the 1925-1926 season, have definitely gone over the top with exhibitors, according to reports reaching the Universal home office as to the opening week’s business. It is a record-breaker and gives ample proof that Centuries are being played in more and better houses than ever before. This condition bears out the new Century policy, announced several months ago by Julius and Abe Stern, officials of the comedy company, who promised that the new season’s output would far eclipse Century’s past successes. In carrying out Century improvements, the principal step was the acquisition of screen rights to the celebrated Buster Brown cartoons by R. F. Outcault. These are being made into straight comedies, with little Arthur Trimble, Doreen Turner and Pete, the dog comedian, in the roles of Buster, Mary Jane and Tige, respectively. These comedies have proven to be exceptional and are heralded as one of the best comedy buys in the market this fall. The big first run houses which pre-released them unanimously hailed them as box-office pullers. In addition to the series of twelve Buster Brown comedies scheduled for the coming year. Century’s new out-, put includes a series of twelve comedies starring Wanda Wiley, a series of twelve starring Edna Marian, and other comedies featuring Eddie Gordon, A1 Alt and Charles King respectively. H. M. Herbel, sales manager for Centui-y, reporting from Chicago on the new outlook for Century Comedies, sends word that in every exchange visited by him during the past several weeks, Century business has been soaring as a result of the new releases. “Century Comedies are definitely taking their place in the first-run this Fall,” he says. “In every city and to^\Ti they are being put over in a bigger way. The new Buster Comedies are regarded as one of the best bets in the comedy market. Wanda Wiley has become a definite box-office personage and I find many exhibitors featuring her in their lobbies, ads and electric signs. The same is true of Edna Marian, who has risen rapidly during the last few months as a comedy star. When her new comedies reach the screen I predict she will be in even greater demand.”