Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

Sept. 23, 1 933 — Frank Borzage To Produce ‘‘Show Boar For Universal Arrangements have been completed between Universal and Frank Borzage whereby Borzage will make tor Universal release a screen version of the late Florenz Ziegfeld's greatest stage triumph, "Show Boat." The famous musical romance will be directed by Borzage with an all-star cast and will go before the cameras at Universal City sometime around October 15th as a Frank Borzage production. Written by Edna Ferber, originally produced by the master showman, Ziegfeld, and musically embellished by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd, "Show Boat" ran on Broadway for two solid years and another two years on the road. This last season it was revived both in New York and on the road with many of the original cast and with even greater success. It was "Show Boat" that skyrocketed Helen Morgan, Jules Bledsoe, Chas. Winniger, Aunt Jemima and Norma Terris, to fame. Jerome Kern's music for "Show Boat," "Ol' Man River," "Lonesome Road," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and Helen Morgan's ever popular number, "Bill" will live as long as opera. The revival of the colorful epic of the Mississipi Valley of last generation was Flo Ziegfeld's final contribution to the theatre, the great producer being stricken during the height of its run. "Show Boat" was filmed as a silent movie, plus a synchronized score, by Universal in 1929. Now it will be brought to the screen again, this time under the deft hand of Frank Borzage, whose most recent directorial triumphs were "Bad Girl," "Liliom," and "A Farewell to Arms." The new "Show Boat" will be prepared for the screen by William Anthony McGuire, famous stage and screen playwright, now under contract to Universal. UNIVERSAL WEEKLY A FEARLESS HEROINE LEM RIEFENSTAHL The only actress in the world who could have played the heroine in “S.O.S. Iceberg” is Leni Riefenstahl. Her cool courage in face of danger, her ability to undergo hardship and suffering, and her natural ability as an Alpinist and flyer, made her the ideal for the role. Carl Laemmle was fortunate indeed to be able to detach her for this six months location trip. “"S.O.S. Iceberg” without Leni Riefenstahl would have been unthinkable. Dr. Arnold Fanck undoubtedly would have refused to produce it without her. rA Magazine forMotionPicture Exhibitors Paul Gulick, Editor Published Weekly by the Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Co. 730 Fifth Avenue. New York City Copyrighted l?33 Universal Pictures Corp. {All Right* Reserved) Sept. 23, 1933 Wl DO OU* MKT 7 “S. O. S. Iceberg, ” Filmed On The Spot, Opens In New York Eight thousand miles for authentic realism — one million dollars for the real thing — untold risks for a picture that the movie world said could not be made! The realization of all of this came to fruition last night at the Criterion Theatre in New York when "S.O.S. Iceberg" was presented for the first time. There is no criticism of Hollywood's synthetic thrills in all this. But Hollywood could not make this picture. It could not be made anywhere except in Greenland. That is why Carl Laemmle took the greatest chance of his lifetime in sending a company of thirty-eight on a six-months' location trip in the most dangerous place to which a moving picture company was ever sent. And the result is the biggest thrill the screen has ever had. The premiere was the big, outstanding event of the fall season, the first big picture to open a two-a-day longrun engagement, and was accorded the honors of a society and moving picture turnout which looked like a localized N.R.A. parade in front of the Criterion Theatre. The premiere was honored by the presence of M. George Bech, Consul-General of Denmark, Greenland and Iceland, Mrs. Bech and a party of guests. The Consul-General and his friends attended the opening because of the intense interest the Danish government has shown since the filming of Universal's play of the Arctic. When Carl Laemmle planned the picture of the frozen north, it was first necessary to obtain the express permission of the Danish government which heretofore had placed a ban on expeditions into Greenland following the disastrous Nobile venture. The Danish authorities not only generously consented but placed at the disposal of the Universal expedition the services of Knud Rasmussen, noted explorer and author, as protector and guide of the filming unit. Through Rasmussen's friendly contacts with the natives. Universal was able to secure the participation of the Eskimos in "S.O.S. Iceberg," and one of the thrilling sequences in the film is a race of hundreds of kayaks through the icy seas.