Moving Picture World (Jun 1919)

June 7, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1529 REVIEWS AND ADVERTISING AIDS (Continued) "Rowdy Ann" Fay Tincher Uses Lariat, .44, Boxing Gloves and Boots in Laughing Christie Special. Reviewed by William J. Reilly. THE CHRISTIE SPECIAL, "Rowdy Ann," will stir up a rich vein of laughter and box office receipts. It is a sure-fire laugh and a special comedy in more ways than name alone. There isn't a dull moment in all its wild burlesque which develops from the fact that Fay Tincher is a wild Western damself, whom father sends to a fashionable Eastern seminary with a note saying: "Inclosed find $1,000 and my daughter. Keep the $1,000, and return my daughter a lady." He sent her to the school as a consequence of finding her laying out the villain cowboy of the ranch in a boxing bout. And Fay Tincher, besides being a good comedienne, is a good boxer. Previous to this, Fay shows a new way of bringing father home from the Liquid Bar Association by persuading him to hearken to the call of the lariat and a .44. There is some good comedy at the dancing classes at the seminary, to which sessions in the classical filmy costume, Fay persists in wearing her gun and boots. Fay Tincher's work throughout is breezy with a touch of extravagance that makes her impersonation new and original. The feature cast includes Patricia Palmer, Eddie Barry, Katharine Lewis and Harry Depp. Al E. Christie directed. "The Busher" Paramount Presents Charles Ray at His Best in a Live Story of the National Game. Reviewed by Louis Reeves Harrison. STRIKINGLY human, amusing and interesting is Charles Ray's impersonation of the title role in the Paramount picture, "The Busher." A farm hand who is by force of circumstances narrow, awkward and self-conscious to a degree that promises all sorts of trouble for him, the boy's native ingenuity and determination inspire hope that he may achieve something "in spite of all." As such, the role is one bound to lay hold on the spectator's sympathetic interest when it is as brightly interpreted as in the Paramount production. What furnishes Ray opportunity to be at his best is the fact that there is more than one interesting conversion of character, first from the Rube to the empty and pretentious idol of the baseball fans, so overpowered by his sudden, popularity that he does not know his old friends, then to the defeated and discredited pitcher, almost despised by those who applauded him, then back again to the modest sanity of the real man who has been tried out in the crucible of experience and survived his fragmentary egotism. This not only gives variety to the story itself, but lifts it far above the commonplace baseball narrative into a fascinating portrayal of human nature. This fine quality counted heavily with a crowded house at the Rialto, evoking one after another sympathetic outburst of laughter, and it should make "The Busher" a winner in small towns quite as much as in large ones. Added characterizations of beauty is that of the girl, by Colleen Moore, cheerful, modest and delicate and that of an enthusiastic old fan by Otto Hoffman, the whole a decided success. Cast. Ben Harding Charles Ray Mazie Palmer Colleen Moore Jim Blair Jack Gilbert Billy Palmer Jay Morley Deacon Nasby Otto Hoffman Story by Earl Snell. Directed by Jerome Strong. The Story. Ben Harding is "The Busher" who has a habit of pitching the local nine to success in the county tournaments. He practices in the leisure moments of a farm hand on an ingenious device of his own, the figure of a man holding a bat, the pitched balls returning automatically. His sweetheart, modest little Mazie Palmer, Is so proud of him that she desregards suitors of wealth, but she is destined to have a very trying experience. A train stalled in the town releases a band of professionals, the "Pink Sox" of Minneapolis, and they unmercifully guy the rube when he comes along and proposes a game in "the lot" near by. It is discovered by the manager, however, that his crack batsman can do nothing with the balls pitched by the Rube, and one day the village is excited by a telegram offering Ben a trial with the noted "Pink Sox." In spite of more guy CharleS Ray As the prodigal finds the old glove waiting for him in "The Busher." ing he makes good so rapidly that he becomes an idol of the fans and the victim of a designing young lady after ball players with fat contracts. Devotion to her causes his downfall in an important game, and the now dandified and self-important Ben, who disdained to recognize a home-town delegation, finds himself thrown out on the mercies of a cold and unappreciative world. In the course of time he gets back home by stealing a ride under a passenger car and returns to his old job as a farm hand through the kindly sympathies of Deacon Nasby, his former employer. He is a broken idol, determined never again to pitch a ball. Time comes, however, when the local nine is in sore straits during an important contest, and the brother of Mazie, who has bet more than his limit on the game, induces Ben to step into the pitcher's box, where he wins the game and the girl who has awaited his return to good common sense. Program and Advertising Phrases: Strikingly Human, Amusing and Interesting Baseball Story With Charles Ray. Star of "The Pinch Hitter" in Another Smashing Baseball Story. Of Course Tou Are a Baseball Fan, But Even If You Are Not, You Will Enjoy "The Busher." Sudden Popularity Gave "The Busher" a Swelled Head and Wrecked His Career, But When Opportunity Knocked Again He Made Good. Advertising Angles: This is a story of almost universal appeal. Go to it strong, playing up Ray, but hooking him to the baseball angle instead of looking to him to carry the story. Plan to get the local team as guests and if there Is no professional team, get after the amateur or semi-pro team strongest in your locality. Hook up with all stores selling baseball supplies and make special advertising efforts wherever, games are played on local fields. If you can, arrange a parade of the local teams the morning of the first showing or get up a game between two strong nines for the Charles Ray Trophy. Advertising Aids: Two each one, three and six-sheets. One 24-sheet. Lobby displays, 8x10, 11x14 and 22x28. Cuts from one to three columns on star and production. Advertising lay-out mats. Slides. "When Fate Decides" Sensational and Well Acted Fox Picture With Madlaine Traverse in the Lead. Reviewed by Hanford C. Judson. THE new Fox picture, "When Fate Decides," in five reels, with Madlaine Traverse in the leading role, tells a sensational "third degree" story in which the heroine to clear herself and a friend from the charge of murder wrings a confession from the real culprit. The characters stand out clear and convince the spectator of their reality in the setting of the story. "When Fate Decides" lays bare the matrimonial skeleton of a very rich family. Miss Traverse as Vera Loudon and William Conklin as her drunken and perverse husband, enact this not pretty tragedy with an art so perfect that their impersonations serve as a wholesome relief to the sordid angles of the husband's character. Claie DuBray is as able in her character drawing of the other woman. Alicia Carteret. Her husband, who really commits the murder, is portrayed by Henry J. Herbert and this, too, is a fortunate choice. The direction by Harry Milliard is excellent and brings out the dramatic story with full effect. There are some wonderful night scenes taken in rain and with flashes to simulate lightning that are certainly telling. The attraction stands up with other Fox pictures and that is praise truly. Cast. Vera Loudon Madlaine Traverse Herbert Loudon William .Conklin Donald Cavendish Clyde Fillmore Alicia Carteret Claire DuBrey Carteret Henry J. Herbert Egan John Cossar Mrs. Veriker Genevieve Blinn Mathilde Cordelia Callahan Story by Evelyn Campbell. Directed by Harry Millard. The Story. In "When Fate Decides," the opening scene shows the inside of the Loudon home. Loudon is very rich, but a brutal profligate, and poor Mrs. Loudon has to put (Continued from Page 1531.)