Exhibitor's Trade Review (Jun-Aug 1922)

876 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW Volume 12. Number 13 Illustrated Screen Reports FOR THE EXHIBITORS BOX-OFFICE EDITED BY GEORGE T. PARDY The Eyes of the Mummy Up and at Them U. F. A. Production Released by Paramount. Length 3800 Feet. CAST AND SYNOPSIS Maiah, Pola Negri ; Radu, Emil Jannings. While in Cairo Albert Vernon, an Englishman, hears weird stories regarding the shrine of Ug-Balak. He determines to go there and see for himself. After several days travel he reaches the shrine and is shown through by Radu the keeper. He discovers that Radu has captured a young Egyptian girl and is holding her as high priestess there. A fight between Vernon and the keeper takes place and Vernon rescues the girl Marah and takes her back to England with him. Here he has her educated and finally marries her. His friend Lord Bvertson returns from Egjpt, and while crossing the desert has saved a native who begs to be his slave. Vernon and his bride visit the Lord and Marah discovers that the servant is Radu. He continues to exert his hypnotic influence over her and she suffers a mental breakdown. After careful nursing she regains her health but R;idu persists in appearing before her. One day while Vernon is away he enters the house and plunges a knife into her and then does likewise to himself. Vernon returns and finds her body lying on the floor beside the dead form of Radu. She still breathes and with the fear of Radu gone they live happily. This picture at its best is far below the majority of former German films that have been shovsoi in this country. Usually one has stupendous settings at least to rely upon, but a total absence of any convincing atmosphere is conspicuously felt in The Eyes of the Mummy. The story is another one of the thoroughly unreal plots that carries no note of sympathic appeal along with any of the characters given and consequently shows little sign of interest in the development. It is not the sort of picture that appeals to the average American, first because of its exaggerated theme, and, second, on account of the inferior quality of the whole production. Points of Appeal. — There are a few shots of Oriental atmosphere that may attract attention. Some of the characters in the street scenes are good but it is like watching a three ringed circus to get anything out of it. The dance that Marah gives in the drawing room is all right if it gets by the local censors. Cast — Pola Negri emerges from this picture with considerably less praise than she usually receives. It is, however, entirely the fault of the material that has been used and not because of her own acting. Emil Jannings' reputation also suffers, but it is quite evident that in both cases this picture was made during the earliest stages of their screen careers. Photography, Lighting, Direction. — ^The photography is fairly good and lighting is generally sufficient. Very badly directed and a ridiculous conception of Englishmen and English ways. Exteriors look fakey and interiors are of the appearance of having had everything in the studio crowded before the camera. Film Booking Offices of America Photoplay in Five Parts. Authors, Wm. Seiter and Lewis Milestone. Scenario by Eve Unsell. Director, Wm. A. Seiter. Cameraman, Joseph Dubray. Running Time, Fifty-five Minutes. CAST AND SYNOPSIS Barbara Jackson, Doris May ; Supported by Hallam Cooley, J. Herbert Frank, Otis Harlan. Clarissa Selwynne, John Gough and H. Carter. Barbara Jackson, arrested for speeding in an auto during the absence of her father, who is an art collector, is rescued by her aunt who pays her fine, but as punishment for her scrape refuses to allow her to have the car to meet her father on a night when he returns from a business trip. But Barbara succeeds in bribing the chaufl'eur. dons his uniform and a false mustache and drives triumphantly away. As the train is late she decides to take a spin. A stranger, mistaking the car for a public conveyance, gets in and orders her to drive him to a house which proves to be the home of Bob Everett, another art collector and business rival of Barbara's father. Barbara enters into the spirit of the jest, but discovers that he and some otlwr crooks are bent on burglarizing Everett's house. She tries to escape but is forced to accompany the crooks, who break in, steal a valuable painting and lock her inside. The owner of the house finds her and concludes she is a thief, but later becomes aware of her identit.v. Barbara is determined to recover the painting and after a number of amusing adventures does so and marries Everett. This is a lively comedy, with plenty of adventure and romance thrown in for good measure, skilfully directed and without a dull moment in it. As a starring vehicle for pretty, piquant Doris May it thoroughly fulfills its object to keep an audience amused through five reels of fast action and humorous situations. The plot is, of course, a trifle farcical, and not to be taken too seriously, but nobody vdll feel inclined to be critical in that particular so long as it affords such excellent entertainment. Up and at Them possesses the double advantage from the exhibitor's standpoint of being the kind of film which willplease juvenile as well as adult patrons and is peculiarly well adapted to the hot weather period, when the heavier type of picture is apt to prove tiresome. Points of Appeal. — Although Uie comedy element holds principal sway, there are many well staged thrills introduced and the love interest is not neglected. The heroine's adventures in her self-imposed pursuit of the crooks who have stolen the painting are full of ginger and excitement land a very neat turn is given to the plot toward the close by means of which she and the hero are brought together. Cast. — There is something very magnetic about Doris May and she has never shown to better advantage than in the role of the slightly impish but altogether lovable Barbara. It Is a delightfully natural performance without a single false note to mar Miss May's artistic portrayal of this dashing little heroine and should add many recruits to her already large legion of admirers. Excellent support is given the star by tlie other players. Photography, Lighting, Direction, — There are many well filmed interiors, some prettv country shots and effective lighting is in evidence. The continuity is unbroken and high speed marks every foot of the film from start to finish.