Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

ROBERT BENCHLEl The Humorist UNIVERSAL WEEKLY Pollard Returns to Universal Harry pollard, one of the best and most successful directors in the motion picture business, was engaged this week by Carl Laemmie, Jr. to direct Universal's forthcoming picturiiation of Mary Synon's novel, "The Good Red Bricks" which, at the moment, is being whipped into scenario form by Earl Snell. It will be one of the first productions to go before the cameras at Universal City when the studio reopens. Pollard's past work has been largely identified with Universal productions, two of the most notable which he brought to the screen being "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the memorable "Show Boat." He also piloted to success for Universal such silent screen triumphs as "K, The Unknown," "Ch, Doctor," "California Straight Ahead," and the original "Cohens and Kellys." SONNIE HALE The Comic in “Be Mine Tonight’ Boh Benchley Short ^ow Ready for Release ONE of the foremost humorists of our times is Robert Benchley whose latest short screen comedy, a one-reeler entitled "Your Technocracy and Mine," in which he laughs off a timely subject in the inimitable Benchley fashion is now ready for immediate distribution. At one time editor of Life and at another dramatic critic for The New Yorker, Benchley, for years, has reigned over New York's literary and theatrical world as its foremost wit and ranconteur, and has become nationally famous through his excrutiatlngly funny pieces in Liberty and other magazines. In recent years, since the advent of sound, the humorist has turned his comedy talents to pictures and has been eminently successful as a screen buffoon. His comedies, "The Sex Life of a Polyp" and "The Treasurer's Report" were received by the public with such tumultuous laughter that in many sections of the country they were billed over the feature. + + + Lew Ayres to Star in “/n The Money” N THE MONEY," by Howard I Emmett Rogers and Murray Roth, has been chosen as Lew Ayres' first vehicle in the new program of films to be produced by Carl Laemmie, Jr. for 1933-34 release. Roth, former production head of the Brooklyn Vitaphone studios, also will direct the Ayres' picture. Camera work on the screenplay will get underway within the next week or two, as soon as production is resumed at Universal. The President Receives First Print “The Fighting President” dedicated by Carl Laemmie to President Roosevelt. BEFCRE Universal this week unmasked its unusual and timely feature, "The Fighting President," a special print was prepared for the President and was delivered to him as a tribute from Carl Laemmie. It was also seen by the President's daughter at the pre-release showing in New York at the Rialto Theatre. With the print Carl Laemmie sent the followiijg message to President Roosevelt: IT IS MY HAPPY PRIVILEGE TC PRESENT TC YCU FCR YCUR PERSCNAL FILES PRINT NUMBER CNE CF THE NEW UNIVERSAL MCTICN PICTURE "THE FIGHTING PRESIDENT" BASED UPCN YCUR LIFE WHICH HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATICN TC ME AND TC A HUNDRED MILLICN CTHER AMERICANS. CARL LAEMMLE UNIVERSAL A Magailn* for Motion PIcfura Exhibitor! Paul Gutick, Editor Publlthad Waakly by tha Motion Pictura Waakly Publishing Co. ’ 739 Fifth Avanua, Naw York City ] Copyright 1933 Univarsal PIcturai Corp. (AU Rights Aararvad) April 15, 1933 ^Vol. 32— No. 18^ Consider the Case of Lucky Sonnie Hale EVERYCNE in New York who knew Evelyn Laye wondered what kind of a guy Sonnie Hale was. Sonnie Hale is the very funny comedian of "Be Mine Tonight" and New York is going to have a very good impression of him when that picture opens at the Paramount Theatre, which it does this week. The reason people wanted to know about Sonnie Hale is this: he was married to Evelyn Laye, most beautiful legitimate actress in England and star of "Bitter Sweet" in New York. He divorced her. Then he married Jessie Mathews, an obscure British chorus girl. Now Jessie Mathews is the leading feminine screen star of England. Jessie is a brunette while Evelyn is a blonde. Can it be that he is the great exception? Incidently, the songs of "Be Mine Tonight" are getting a tremendous radio plug throughout the United States. See article on page 18. + + + “^^Salt Water,^^ New Title Next Summer ville-Pitts ALT WATER" will be the release w title of Universal's next Slim Summerville ZaSu Pitts co-starring feature comedy. Decision to use the original title of the John Golden-Dan Jarrett Broadway stage success was reached upon completion of the scenario this week by H. M. Walker, Earle Snell and Clarence Marks. Production is slated to begin May 1st. The film version of the famous stage hit will take full advantage of the increased production latitude motion pictures affords. i