Exhibitor's Trade Review (Aug-Nov 1925)

Page 38 Exhibitors Trade Review THE UNNAMED WOMAN Arrow Pictures Corporation Photoplay. Author, Charles E. Blaney. Director, Harry O. Hoyt. Length, 6,300 feet. CAST AND SYNOPSIS Flora Brookes Katherine MacDonald Donald Brookes Herbert Rawlinson Doris Gray Leah Baird Billie Norton Wanda Hawley Archie Wesson John Miljan Doris Gray, a gold digger, ensnares the worthless Archie Wesson into marriage. She discovers he has no money. Both are sick of their bargain. Flora Brookes spends the night with the Wessons during her husband's absence. Hearing a burglar she summons Archie to her room. Here they are discovered in a compromising position by Doris and her friend Billie. Doris plans a blackmail scheme, promising not to mention Flora as co-respondent for a sum of money. She selects Flora's husband as her attorney. When he refuses to handle her case she flies into a rage and tells Flora's name. Donald finds Archie and whips him. The chauffeur who had planned to burglarize the Wesson home confesses and clears Flora's name. She is reunited to Donald. Archie and Doris decide they really love one another and start life anew together. By "Herb" Cruikshank 'J'HIS looks like a good box-office bet. A strong cast of popular players handle all situations convincingly. There is an interesting story. The suspense is well maintained. Several ingenious directorial twists add materially to the value of the entertainment. There is a leavening of comedy that will bring out laughter in liberal quantities. One of the humorous situations depicts Flora in the act of mixing her first cocktails. She is at the home of the Wessons. Being unfamiliar with the art of concocting beverages, her product is high in alcoholic content. She tastes each ingredient with the result that might be expected. First she becomes quite hilarious. Later she has what may be termed a crying jag, and weepingly calls for her absent husband. The idea of having her summon Wesson to her room is logically and plausibly worked out. The chauffeur, discharged, has determined to burglarize the house. At the last minute he is discouraged from the attempt. Flora has seen him. However, it is impossible to convince anyone of the truth of her statement. Thus, although utterly innocent, she is placed in a bad position from which there seems no escape. A laughable sequence shows Donald chasing Archie about the house. Each time he gets within range he punches the fugitive. Each member of the cast does capable work. Katherine MacDonald appears as beautiful as ever. She is good in both comedy and dramatic situations. John Miljan contributes his share in the role of Archie Wesson, a villain who is not such a bad chap after all. The divorce ''theme makes the use of "summonses" possible as throwaways or door hangers. Stress the thought that appearances are often deceiving. Invite brides and grooms to see the film with the idea of having them avoid domestic entanglements through life. Play up the strong cast. DURANT OF THE BAD LANDS Fox Photoplay. Adapted from the novel by Maibelle Heikes Justice. Director, Lynn Reynolds. Length, 5,844 feet. CAST AND SYNOPSIS Dick Durant Buck Jones Molly Gore Marian Nixon Clem Allison Malcolm 13'=>ite Pete Garson Fred DeSilva Preacher Knapp Luke Cosgiove John Boyd George Lessley Jimmy Buck Black Clara Belle Seesel Ann Johnson Durant is wrongfully suspected of being a road agent, the depredations really being committed by Garson, an outlaw, and the crooked sheriff, Allison. Boyd ships gold from his mine. The Garson gang intercepts the shipment but the gold is saved by little Jimmy. Durant rescues the boy and takes him to Molly, whom he loves. Molly saves him from the posse. The Garson gang is discovered robbing a bank. They battle the posse and Garson escapes into the mine, using Boyd's daughter as a shield. Durant rides on the scene with the Federal marshal. He administers a fearful beating to Garson, breaks up the gang and marries Molly. By "Herb" Cruikshank RAPID action Western picture that will please where Buck Jones is popular in this type of tale. There are all the usual thrills. A great sufficiency of fast riding and equestrian stunts. The suspense is well sustained. The fight at the climax is won by the hero, the villain receiving a well-deserved drubbing. One of the big kicks in the picture shows Durant, played by Buck Jones, dashing after a runaway hand-car. Little Jimmy is aboard it. A speeding train on the same track makes a collision sure. Durant gallops at top speed and is able to seize the boy from the hand-car just in time to save his life. There are some good comedy touches. One shows Durant stealing a meal from a group of ranchers. He so arranged things that the disgruntled diners are convinced their food has been eaten by the dogs and cats they find grouped about the table. Another interesting sequence is that in which Durant stops at the poverty stricken shack occupied by Molly and her crippled father. There is scarcely food enough for them, and dinner guests are not entirely welcome. Durant produces the roast that he has stolen and invites the girl and the grouchy old man to dine with him. Later he contrives to leave a gift of gold, although the father orders him from the premises upon learning that he is a fugitive from justice. There are some beautiful scenes in the exterior shots. Wooded hills and pleasantly sunny valleys abound. The lighting and photography are all that can be desired. Any Western exploitation stunts will fit in well for this film. Cowboy ballyhoo, log cabin or mine front will help. Play up Buck Jones. Throwaways of small sacks of "gold" will attract attention. THE PLASTIC AGE Preferred Picture Corporation Photoplay. Adapted by Eve Unsell and Frederica Sagor from Percy Marks' novel. Director, Wesley Ruggles. Length, 6,488 feet. CAST AND SYNOPSIS Cynthia Day Clara Bow Hugh Carver Donald Keith Mrs. Carver Mary Alden Henry Carver Henry B. Walthall Carl Peters Gilbert Roland Norrie Parks J. Gordon Edwards, Jr. Merton Billings Felix Valle Coach Henry David Butler Hugh Carver, a champion runner in prep school, joins a dissipated set in college. His poor physical condition causes him to lose out in athletics. He incurs the wrath of his father. He is a constant companion of Cynthia Day, a wild flapper. At a roadhouse he indulges in a brawl with his former room mate, Carl. The place is raided, but he manages to escape with Cynthia, and also to rescue the unconscious Carl. Cynthia realizes the harm she is doing him and declines to see him. Hugh settles down to hard work In his senior year he wins athletic honors and the admiration of the students. His parents are proud of him. Cynthia comes back and it is intimated that they will marry after his graduation. By "Herb" Cruikshank 'JT-HIS is a colorful romance of college life that should prove a popular attraction. Percy Marks' novel has not been closely followed by the adaptors. But they have built a good story. One which seems more interesting than the original book. In addition to the love interest, there are some good comedy situations, fight thrills, and a corking good football game which is won by the hero. For humorous touches the director depicts the hazing of Hugh and other freshmen by the boys in the upper classes. They are thrust into a girls' dormitory clad in ridiculous disguises and are made to perform for the edification of the gathering. There is a big thrill in the football sequences. The sight of the hero winning the game in the last quarter should call forth a round of applause from any audience. The battles between the college men are actionful affairs. Wallops are exchanged with great gusto. Hugh's knockout of Carl is realistic. The transition of Hugh from a model athlete into a cigarette smoking victim of collegiate night life is well portrayed. His come back is also staged in a convincing manner. Clara Bow and Donald Keith do finely in the leading roles. They both look their parts and stay right in character throughout the production. Mary Alden and Henry B. Walthall play the proud parent parts in convincing manner. Gilbert Roland is Carl Peters, Donald's rival in all college activities and also in the wooing of Cynthia. David Butler is good in a bit as the athletic coach. Tie-up with the novel. Stress the college atmosphere. Make a special play for college and prep school patronage. Use pennants for lobby and front decorations. Invite local athletes to view the picture as your guests.