Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

Dec. 10, 1932 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY 5 Monte Blue visits Luis Trenker on the set of “The Rebel,” which Universal is making in Europe with Vilma Banky and Victor Varconi also featured in its cast. Re-union in Berlin on "The Rebel” set. Left to right — Victor Varconi, Edwin Knopf, Luis Trenker, Joseph Hergesheimer, the novelist, and Paul Kohner, associate producer of “The Rebel.” Luis Trenker seems delighted at Vilma Banky' s return to the screen, although this is a scene still from the Universal picture, “The Rebel,” being made in the Berlin studios. Carl Laemmie Returns to Coast OLLOWINS three months in New York discussing the releasing plans for Universal pictures not only for this country but for the world, with the sales executives, Carl Laemmie, president of Universal, returned this week to Universal City. Mr. Laemmie was accompanied by his secretary. Jack Ross, and by Sam Jacobson, whom he recently promoted to an executive position in the production department at Universal City. For the last three years Mr. Jacobson has been executive editor of the Universal Newspaper Newsreel. In New York Mr. Laemmie left Frank R. Mastroly as his personal representative to continue and perfect these plans. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, Mr. Laemmie expressed confidence in the future not only for Universal, but for the industry as a whole. Confident of Future "Although the theatre business is now entering what is normally the worst season of the year," Mr. Laemmie stated "there is an indication in the East that business conditions are generally improving and that when spring comes the upturn will be marked. "So far as pictures are concerned," the veteran film executive believes, "a fine human interest picture will always gain respect and patronage. Producers must make every dollar invested in production show on the screen. The public has seen so many extremely fine pictures the past two years that keeping up the high quality standard is difficult but naturally imperative. Every new day adds new burdens to the producer's load but in this creative field there is no stopping, no resting and no turning back. Today the producer must deliver consistently improving product or close his studio. Universal believes it is delivering the finest group of pictures it has ever made and by virtue of these good pictures is building more outstanding stars than at any time in the past few years." The UNIVERSAL WEEKLY A Magazine for Motion Picture Exhibitors Paul Gulick, Editor Published weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Company, 730 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Copyright 1932, Universal Pictures Corp. (All rights reserved) Vol. 31 Dec. 10, 1932 No. 26 Mr. Laemmle's view about the upturn is shared by E. T. (Peck) Gomersall, who arrived back in New York from a swing over his western territory at the same time that Mr. Laemmie arrived in California. Mr. Gomersall is western sales manager for Universal. From his survey of six weeks, during which he visited Universal City and saw much of the new product in course of shooting, Mr. Gomersall is convinced that business is on the upgrade, at least in the east. It is his belief also that the better feeling east of Chicago will gradually seep through the west. The depression hit the east first, and so will recovery. The west followed the east, and it will inevitably follow in the upturn. Mr. Laemmie will remain in Hollywood until the celebration of the 27th year of his entry Into the business on February 24. The Universal president Is the oldest film producer and distributor, In point of experience, in the Industry. And he is still going strong. Next Week The next issue of the Universal Weekly will be devoted exclusively to the celebration of Mr. Laemmle's 27th business birthday. Don't miss it.