Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

Dec. 10,1932 E UNIVERSAL WEEKLY 7 Verree Teasdale, beauty of cast of "They Just Had to Get Married” with Pitts and Summerville. Vilma Banky, the beauty of “The Rebel” being made abroad. Ruth Hall, the beauty with Tom Mix in "Flaming Guns” Just elected Baby Star Universal Acquires Sensational Picture ""Rome Express" UNIVERSAL on Tuesday signed a contract with Arthur Lee to distribute in the United States the Gaumont super picture, "Rome Express." This picture has been regarded in England as the greatest picture ever made on the other side of the Atlantic. Every effort was made by the Gaumont Company to surpass the great successes which have been made along similar lines in this country, such pictures as "Grand Hotel" and "Shanghai Express." Production, cast, direction, dialogue, were all pointed toward a world beater. Naturally, the competition for the distribution rights in this country was keen. Four companies were bidding against each other up to the very last minute when Universal won out. It is no wonder that Variety, in reporting on the opening of "Rome Express" at the Tivoli in London, England, said in the current issue: " 'Rome Express' is the first film from the new Gaumont British studios at Shepherd's Bush, London. It is one of the best pictures made in this country, and, all things considered, one of the best feature pictures ever made anywhere. The cast is impressive. No Hollywood all-star aggregation could have done better. The technique is Continental. Opened to smash business around $16,000, and good for at least eight weeks." "Rome Express" features Esther Ralston and Conrad Veidt with a cast which includes Joan Barry, Harold Huth, Gordon Harker, Cedric Hardwicke, Donald Cathrop, Hugh Williams, Eliot Makeham, Muriel Aked, Frank Vosper and Finlay Currie. In addition to the triumphant return of Esther Ralston to the screen, "Rome Express" presents another dazzling blonde in Joan Barry. When Samuel Goldwyn, who has a considerable reputation as a picker, saw "Rome Express," he immediately signed Joan Barry for United Artists on a longtime contract for picture work in America. The story is by Clifford Gray, who dialogued the piece in association with Frank Vosper and Ralph Stock, Walter Forde directed it from a scenario by S. Gilliat. "Rome Express" was conceived and executed as a dramatic novelty. The entire action takes place in a very limited time, and all of it on the de-luxe Express train from Paris to Rome. This train has been the scene of many real life dramas and romances. Its action races at sixty miles an hour from broad comedy to the most gripping and suspenseful drama. As Variety says, "it includes drama, crime and a modicum of comedy. Entire action takes place on train from Paris to Rome. No detail is lacking, and apparently no expense was spared. " 'Rome Express,' properly exploited, should be a tremendous success in America. It is a certain hit in England." Universal did not acquire "Rome Express" to take the place of anything on its announced list. It acquired the picture as a Special and it will be distributed as a Special, being released early in February. Lee Tracy Starts In "'Private Jones ' Lee Tracy began work this week on his starring role in "Private Jones," the Richard Schayer story now in production at Universal City. Gloria Stuart, who recently made a flying trip to New York to attend the opening of Laemmie, Jr.'s "Air Mail," has the feminine lead opposite Tracy, and the supporting cast includes Donald Cook, Russell Gleason, Berton Churchill, Shirley Gray, Emma Dunn, Wallis Clark, Ethel Clayton, Ralph Lewis, Edward Pell.