Ten "Uncle Tom" Shows

Universal Will Road Show Big Production to Leading Cities by Mid-Spring

Universal has completed plans to send out ten road companies of Uncle Tom's Cabin by mid-Spring. They will visit important cities and towns from coast to coast. Three companies already are in operation and others will be pushed out as fast as they can be formed and prepared for tour, according to Wayne Pierson, head of Universal's road show department.

Decision to launch these touring units as early as possible is said to be because of the success of the two companies now showing. The first company is in New York presenting the picture in the Central theatre, where it is now in the sixteenth week.

The second road company started its tour last week, opening in the Academy theatre, Scranton, Pa., for a three-day stay, from where results were reported most satisfactory.

In addition to the New York and Pennsylvania showings the picture opened February 20th at the Regent theatre in Toronto, where the presentation is being handled by the theatre. Universal sent Leon Victor, special exploitation man and road show expert to Canada to aid in the advance work, however, and to form a road company to tour Canada following the Toronto run.

Uncle Tom's Cabin will be released for general showing on September 1st, according to Lou B. Metzger, general sales manager for Universal. this will give the company ample time to try the picture out in all sections of the country by road show engagements, which, at advanced prices, will exploit the picture in each territory without cutting materially into the patronage of the theatres which later show it at regular prices.

"Ten 'Uncle Tom' Shows," Motion Picture News, February 25, 1928, page 632.

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