Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

2456 M o I P i c t H r c X c IV s The Circus Ace Realistic Mixture of Western and Circus (Reviewed by E. G. Johnston) THE lure of a pretty trapeze artist in the person of Natalie Joyce is the reason for Tom Mix forsaking his usual ranch houses, canyons and outlaws ' dens in order to hang around the walls of a "big top"; a circus in a badly battered financial condition, and destined for more trouble through the efforts of a wealthy villain who has loaned the outfit money to get Millie Jane in his toils. The circus atmosphere is realistic and well done; as is the parachute descent when Tom first meets Millie through an unsought and unappreciated rescue. His next attempt to gain favor also ends disastrously; that is, when he playfully shoots up some toy balloons set adrift by Gus, guardian of Clarence, the Kangaroo boxer. The shooting alarms the elephant and again Tom has to rescue the lady from a runaway. About this time, the villain starts his dirty work of threatening to foreclose on the circus owner and also attempts to do away with Tom, who has become a dangerous rival. Oh dear, things do look black for Tom! Lots of action in the tent now; then the kidnajjping of Millie by a ruse, and her rescue in a far away mountain home by Tom. All is well. All of the cast do admirable work, including the kangaroo. Mix is as agile as ever; so is Tony. Natalie Joyce has a mighty attractive screen personality. The Cast : Tom Mix, Natalie Joyce, Jack Baston, Duke Lee, James Bradbury, Stanley Blystonc, Dudley Smith, Buster (j'iirdiicr, and Clarence the kangaroo. Director, Benjamin Stolotf'. THEME : Western melo final rescue and good work of drama with a lot of circus atmosphere and romance. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS : Parachute descent, rescue of heroine from runaway elephant, good circus atmosphere and stunts under tent, the cast. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Circus angle has great appeal. DRAWING POWER: All Tom Mix fans and others will enjoy this one. Produced and distributed b\ Fox Films. Length, 4810 feet. Released, June 26, 1927. Highlights from Warner Bros.' "Dearie" A Million Bid Moderately Entertaining; Lavish Production (Reviewed by Harold Flavin) THE excellent production values, acting of the principal players (when they are not restricted by direction) and a fair amount of interest aroused through the suspensive element augur a fair reception for this production by the fans. If memory serves correctly the story was filmed some years ago with Anita Stewart in the role now enacted by Dolores Costello, and, again from memory, it seems the former was the better production. However, we believe that the scenario writer and director, not the players, are responsible for the very slow development of the current picturization of the George Cameron novel. The star displays considerable emotional ability in her big scenes and is ably seconded by the featured members of the cast but the story is developed so slowly that one rather loses patience. The best thing about the production is the wonderment as to what will happen next or just how the complications are to be ironed out. The theme, that of the doctor committed to his work despite any personal sacrifice involved, has been used before but there is no complaint on that score; the fault lies in the old-fashioned treatment of the story. In an attempt to add a touch of novelty a number of trick camera shots are introduced but they mean little or nothing; some could easily be eliminated. The Cast: Dolores Costello, Warner Oland, Malcolm McGregor, Betty Blythe, William Demurest, Douglas Gerrard. Grace Gordon. Scenario by (Robert Dillon, directed by Michael Ciirtis. THEME : Melodrama. Girl is forced to marry millionaire she despises. He is lost at sea and she weds young brain specialist; millionaire returns, victim of aphasia, and specialist operates. Operation successful but patient pretends mind stiU blank, thus insuring happiness of couple. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS: Acting of star and supporting cast. Sumptuous production. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Bill star and tease title. DRAWING POWER: Good. Scenes from "What Every Girl Should Know," a Warner Bros.' picture Produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Length, 6,310 feet. Released, May 28, 1927.