Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

8 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY Sept. 9. 1933 INDUSTRY STARTLED AT UNIVE STARBUYING SPREE No Reporter Monday Monday being Labor Day, the next issue of the Hollywood Reporter you receive will be that of Tuesday. September 5. Universal buying stars. Great stuff. Industry stands aghast at Carl Laemmle, Jr.’s closing for boxoffice names like John Barrymore. Above tee have been permitted to reproduce the story printed by the Hollywood Reporter when the news of Barrymore’s signing for the star role in ^"Counsellor at Latv” Signing of John Barrymore Ends NameBuying Week-Grainger Wants Top-Notchers Columbia Seeks Land! Columbta is after Elissa Landi for the starring role in "Let’s Fall in *'ve,"th»3 musical production which ^oung is supervising. Miss Lanover at Universal on a one* ’n "By Candlel^ht " Signing of John Barrymore yesterday by Universal at a reputed figure of $100,000 for "Counsellor-at-Law” is just another step in a vigorous name-buying campaign according to those who know the plans jimmy Grainger has set on the selling end of the Carl Laemmle organization. The acquisition of Barrymore climaxed a busy name grabbing week! for Universal. Elissa Landi and Wynne! Gibson were earlier contracts while al deal is hot with Fox for the retention! of John Boles for more pictures after i "Only Yesterday." Big league directorial strength so on the list of articles the studioj (Continued on/f*age on ‘Name’ Spree (Continued from Page 1 ) "Hitll committed itself to deliver to Grainger when he took the "U" sales post. This brought Lowell Sherman to the fold this week and started a deal which has Frank Berzage reading "Zest " Numerous players have been under consideratipn for the "Counsellor at Law" lead with sc^e such as Onslow Stevens standing tests with flying colors as far as acting ability but not measuring up to the exacting name demands of. the new deal at "U " ^ol. Deal leaked out in Hollywood. Coming on top of the closing of Elissa Landi, Lowell Sherman, JVynne Gibson, Edmund Lotve and the others closed last week, this proved a dramatic thunderbolt to the entire population of the volatile movie capital. And there arc several more big deals on the fire. ""SUE ME” SEW TITLE FOR SUMMERY ILLE-PITTS This week Universal changed the title of the play which will be either the first or second of the Slim Summerville-ZaSu Pitts productions released next season. The picture had been finished in the studio under the title "Oh, Promise Me." This was also the title under which this play by Bertram Robinson and Howard Lindsay played on Broadway. It then had Lee Tracy In the cast. After it was completed and cut, Universal decided to change the title to "Sue Me" which will be its releasing title. Eddie Buzzell directed. In addition to the stars, the cast Includes Veree Teasdale, Lucille Gleason, Purnell Pratt and George Barbler. EXPLOIT ATIOS IDEA FOR ""SUE ME” At its first preview in Hollywood, Joe Blair, reporting for Chick Lewis' Showman's Round Table, made some pertinent suggestions as to this production which he declares has many clever Incidents, a "different" story and a box-office team of stars. Here are his exploitation suggestions: Exploitation: Cash In on the increasing demand for this popular comedy team. Tie-up with florists and lingerie merchants for window displays. Ballyhoo this one, it will stand up to all you can give It as a laugh tonic served up as only the Summerville-Pitts team can do It. Joe Blair — Hollywood USIVERSAL SUMMONS EDMUND LOWE DREAKING in upon his extremely ^ successful personal appearance tour. Universal summoned Edmund Lowe this week to Universal City. Edmund Lowe is going to make two pictures for Universal this year. The first one is "Bombay Mail" which Universal is casting In the big way which Is extremely popular with theatre audiences this year. Important announcements as to the cast will be made next week. Also arrangements will then be made for the second picture which Edmund Lowe Is to be featured. In spite of booking complications at Salt Lake City, Lowe arrived in California on Saturday.