The Film Daily (1918)

Sunday. December 29, 1918 T»hj{j?fc DAIUV Gaby a la Parisienne Puts it Over Fairly Well in This Gaby Deslys in "INFATUATION" Eclipse — Pathe Dist. DIRECTOR Louis Mercanton AUTHOR Marcel L'Herbier CAMERAMAN Not credited AS A WHOLE Gaby pleasing in production typically foreign in technique as regards characterizations, but decidedly an improvement from production angles. STORY Elementary in theme but afforded adaptable role for star. DIRECTION Centered attention on Gaby by use of closeups, unusual in ordinary foreign production, and handled stage ensemble scenes very well indeed. PHOTOGRAPHY Rather good but marred by uniform lighting. LIGHTINGS Uniform throughout; frequently harsh on faces. CAMERA WORK Generally satisfactory. STAR Pretty and pleasing and very good dancer, but not an "actress." SUPPORT Signoret convinced tho' theatric; Maxudian impossible type of willun. Piker camera conscious. EXTERIORS Generally satisfactory. INTERIORS Some very fine; stage sets exceptionally good. DETAIL Frenchy. CHARACTER OF STORY ...Inoffensive. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 4700 feet. Judged according to the usual standard of productions made abroad, this does not suffer so decidedly the handicap of foreign technique. Despite the fact that the players' personalities are distinctly foreign, the production has been handled more after the American fashion. Instead of the usual system of shooting long scenes in a set, the action is frequently broken up by the use of closeups, medium shots and cut backs, giving the characterizations the necessary intimacy. This helps greatly in speeding the action and keeps things moving at a good tempo. fa Gaby is her own self in this and has plenty of chance to appear with her much-talked of aigrettes and pearls. Her part is well within the limited scope of her capability as a dramatic actress and more essentially provides that she look pretty and exhibit her ability as a dancer. She is shown at the beginning as a poor ragged "woiking gel" living in a tenement and earning a bare living by making artificial flowers. When willun landlord comes for hi9 rent, she aint got it. Noticing her beauty, he suggests an easy way out of her further struggles for which his answer is a right smart slap in the face. From thence onward, "the willun still pursued her." Our hero is introduced as a lovable author-actor, living very well indeed but with an avalanche of creditors on his mind and at his door. He first discovers Gaby asleep by the fireside, when as is usually his custom, he gives a festival for the kiddies of the neighborhood on Christmas eve. The two "get together" and after a scene or two they slipped us the title : "And love comes unannounced." Why waste time over details in the "fillums." The lapse of a year's time shows Gaby as the extravagant sweetheart of hero, who is staking every cent on starring her in his new play. It is here that Gaby is afforded the opportunity of displaying her Parisian gowns and feathery headdress and pearls. She is overwhelmed and spoiled by her sudden and rapid rise and gradually drifts from her husband encouraging the attentions of Harry Pilcer, who is presented as the son of an Earl. Towards the end, willun pulls some "doity woik" when, on the opening night of the play, he gets word to Gaby that Pilcer is dying as the result of an auto accident, and is calling for her. She leaves the show flat and loses no time in getting to him, only to be met with a very formal note thanking her for her trouble, and stating that hi9 mother wa9 caring for his very slight injuries. We find a very sorrowful and repentant shero returning to hero, in time to save him from going to pieces, as the result of a nervous collapse brought about by her unfaithfulness and the ilure of his play. The ending shows everybody happy. HOBART HENLEY ff "LAUGHING BILL HYDE The REXBEACH5»tory iii%^cKWILLPOGERS'(?tai't©e (You h.we i?ead the reviews?) Mow direcfcin^f aa&cMshe* RexBeactL^oi*y^»Gdld^yni