Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Apr 1924)

54 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 29, 1924 Fair Melodrama Of Nova Scotia "THE STRANGER OF THE NORTH," a North Star production. Distributed by Security Pictures. Directed by John Noble. Ned Van Buren, cameraman. Six reels. It has been said that the producers intended to make another "Mickey" of this picture. While it doesn't seem to come up to that, it is a picture with quite an entertainment value. Charles E. Graham as Donald McGregor gives a good characterization which is the outstanding feature of the play. Richard Travers is a bit too fond of posing and doesn't seem to have the physique for his part. Ruth Dwyer as the daughter is fair. Donald McGregor is the owner of large timber interests in Nova Scotia, and is about to lose them to a syndicate when Laddie Ferguson is sent over by his father to get a fresh start. He frees McGregor from the power of the syndicate, falls in love with his daughter, brings about a reconciliation between father and daughter when the latter plans to elope with one of the agents of the syndicate, and finally marries the daughter. No one will regret seeing this picture, though whether it will have the appeal to the Scotch it is supposed to have, is a matter for some discussion. The Cast: Richard C. Travers, Ruth Dwyer, Charles E. Graham, P. C. Hartigan, Decacia Mooers, James McDuff, Louis Dean. Jones Western Needs a Smile "THE VAGABOND TRAIL," a William Fox production, from George Owen Baxter's novel "Donnegan" directed by William Wellman, scenario by Doty Hobart. Six reels. The strongest impression gained from this picture is that if Charles Jones were to smile he would break something. The picture isn't bad at all except for the fact that there is absolutely no humor save that furnished by "Deuces" the colored valet, and that is grimly overshadowed by Jones' tragedy face. He looks as though he hated himself. It seems too bad to put Marian Nixon in a picture where she has so little chance to do anything. Her former pictures seemed to give evidence of some ability, but the only thing we remember her doing in this is playing her guitar at her father's knee. The story deals with one Donnegan who is searching for his long lost brother. He has a number of exciting adventures, during one of which he meets Lou Macon and her father. They are on the way to their mine which is in the care of Colonel Macon's partner. Donnegan finds the partner is crooked and in trying to make him settle with Colonel Macon he is shot. They then discover that the partner is the long lost brother, Lou Macon loves Donnegan, and it all ends happily. The Cast: Charles Jones, Marian Nixon, Charles Coleman, Frank Nelson, George Reed, L. C. Shumway, Virginia Warwick, George Romaine, Harry Lonsdale. TWO SCENES from the "Our Gang" comedy, "Big Business." Hal Roach for Pathe. Strong Heart Interest in Jack Pick ford's Latest "THE HILL BILLY," an Allied Producers & Distributors Production, starring Jack Pickford in a John Fox, Jr., story, directed by George Hill from an adaptation by Marion Jackson. Length 5,734 feet. This cleverly handled picturization of an interesting story of the Kentucky mountains is undoubtedly the best thing yet done with Jack Pickford, and, properly exploited, should prove a box office attraction of unusual merit. It is prolific in heart interest, splendidly mounted and much of the photography, which is credited to Dave Kesson and Allen Thompson, is of an unusually high order. The plot is developed rapidly and kept moving with logical sequences, Director Hill handling the action with rare skill. Jack Pickford's characterization of the ragged boy of the mountains is excellently done and in this he is ably seconded by a splendid cast. As the heroine Lucille Rickson is at all times charming and convincing. The love interest is built around Jed McCoy (Pickford) and Emmy Lou Spence (Miss Rickson) the niece of a mountaineer who had murdered Jed's father and then married the widow in order to gain possession of valuable coal lands. The son of this mountaineer forces Emmy Lou into a marriage and later is killed. Jed is charged with the murder but is later acquitted. The murderer of Jed's father, seeing exposure imminent, flees and is pursued by Jed. This leads up to the big punch scene, which is a battle between Jed and the murderer on a raft in the river. The raft collapses, the murderer is drowned and Jed is rescued by Emmy Lou, with the usual happy ending. The Cast: Jack Pickford, Lucille Ricksen, Frank Leigh, Ralph Yearsley. Jane Keckley. Snitz Edwards, Malcolm Waite, Maine Geary. Modern Domestic Drama First Rate Entertainment "WHY MEN LEAVE HOME" First National feature with Lewis Stone, Helene Chadwick and others. Written by Avery Hopwood. S. Palotoi, cameraman. Directed by John M. Stahl. Eight reels. No more delightful domestic problem drama than this has been produced in years. With a small but capable cast, beautiful sets, excellent photography and a splendid story John M. Stahl has delivered a clean-cut, thoroughly enjoyable play. The production was made by Louis B. Mayer for First National and for the better class trade will undoubtedly prove an excellent drawing card. While along the lines of that other classic "The Dangerous Age," it doesn't depend upon theatrics or melodramatic situations to put it over. The story concerns a happy married couple, of their estrangement when the husband steps out with his stenographer. The wife goes to Paris secures a divorce and the husband thinking he is in love with his office girl, marries her. The two wives are brought together later and he sees his mistake. He gets a divorce and remarries his first wife. This brief outline, however, does not give an idea of the many delicious situations and bright dialogue of the piece. It is extremely well acted by Lewis Stone, Helene Chadwick and Alma Bennett. Mary Alden and William V. Mong round out the small cast. The many beautiful sets and exteriors lend the proper atmosphere to the story and on the whole it is a most satisfying attraction. The Cast: Lewis Stone, Helene Chadwick, Alma Bennett, Mary Alden, Wm. V. Mong. Laura La Plante Deserves Stardom "EXCITEMENT," a Universal production featuring Laura LaPlante. Scenario by Hugh Hoffman. Camerman, Jack Rose. Directed by Robert H. Hill. Length, 4,800 feet. This is Laura LaPlante's first real starring vehicle and everyone will agree she has the looks and ability to entitle her to stellar honors. "Excitement" is a "comedy love drama" according to the Universal advertisements and Miss LaPlante is the centre of interest all the way through. In fact the few scenes without her are rather dull — the "King Tut's widow" sequence — which could easily have been left out and not missed. The story is a breezy affair about an extremely active young lady who has brought her distraught parents to a health resort. She is urged to get married and settle down and the business of picking a husband, takes up most of the footage. The free-for-all fight in the gymnasium where she takes all her suitors and promises to marry the victor is about as funny a scene as has been incorporated in any picture recently. It was the scream of "Excitement." The survivor of the fight, however, is knocked out by a young engineer and she marries the latter. Then there follows an amusing scene in the home, with a parrot, a cat and dog looking on while the family scraps. All in