Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 16, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 315 Striking scenes from the Vitagraph-Bluc Ribbon feature, "The Wooing of Princess Pat," with Gladys Leslie and J. Frank Glendon. Praise Mable Normand in New Film Newspaper Critics of New York, Chicago and Boston Also Commend the Picture, Goldwyn's "Dodging a Million." NEWSPAPER CRITICS throughout the country are according praise of extraordinary warmth to Mabel Normand, Goldwyn star, upon the occasion of her return to the screen after an absence of more than a year in George Loane Tucker's picturization of the Edgar Selwyn-A. M. Kennedy mysterydrama, "Dodging a Million." New York, Chicago and Boston lead in the laudatory chorus. The Neva York Globe calls "Dodging a Million" "one of the most entertaining pictures ever presented" and says Miss Normand's return to the screen is "a veritable triumph." "Miss Normand at once," the critic concludes, "resumes her place in the very foremost rank of motion picture actresses." Extracts from other reviews follow: Harriette Underhill in The New York Tribune: Once upon a time we may have seen a picture we liked better than "Dodging a Million" but we cannot recall what it was; and once upon a time we may have seen an actress prettier and more clever than little Mabel Normand. but we cannot recall her name if so. It is to be hoped that Mabel Normand will never see fit to stay away from the screen again. She is a beautiful, charming and finished actress. The only trouble with "Dodging a Million" is that it is going to make everyone dissatisfied with just ordinarily good pictures. New York Evening Telegram : "Dodging a Million" is an adroit combination of mystery and thrills. Mabel Normand is welcome. New York Evening Sun: Dodging a Million" presents Mabel Normand as an actress of unsuspected emotional range. Her good looks and natural vivacity combine to make this a photoplay that promises wide popularity. New York Herald : Why Mabel Normand's grace and beauty remained for three or four years concealed under grotesque comedy make-up is a puzzle to one who sees her in "Dodging a Million." . . . An up-to-date and extremely stylish comedy. W. K. Hollander in The Chicago Daily Arews: Mabel Normand's piquancy, vivaciousness and charm remain. She is still irresistible. The detail of "Dodging a Million" is typical of Goldwyn productions, which is another way of saying "excellent." Mae Tinee in the Chicago Tribune: Organists in motion picture theaters showing "Dodging a Million" are respectfully requested to play "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here," as accompaniment, for it is one of those sure-thing bets that the gang will be there — that sad and lonesome gang that for two years has mooned over old photographs and tired out pen-points writing the leading question, "Can you please tell us WHEN Mabel Normand will appear in pictures again?" With George Loane Tucker directing, Mabel Normand has a vehicle that suits her down to the ground and has come back with a flourish, the same captivating lady as when she disappeared. It's a nice, snappy picture. Hurrah for Mabel ! Oma Moody Lawrence in the Chicago Evening Post: Mabel Normand's return to the screen is an item of paramount interest. "Dodging a Million" is clever and entertaining. The entire cast is well chosen and most capably directed by George Loane Tucker. Louella Parsons in the Chicago Herald : "Dodging a Million," of George Loane Tucker's make, is as big a boost pictorially as the tag "Worth" was when applied to a Paris frock twenty-five years ago. Mabel Normand is the same vivacious favorite. Kitty Kelly in the Chicago Examiner: Mabel Normand's return to cinemaland is irresistible. "Dodging a Million" is cleverly devised and filled with complicating incidents. It's a thing of plot intricate and intriguing, and of people, welldressed and good looking. The Boston Transcript: Thousands crowded the Modern Theater to applaud Mabel Normand's return to the films. She is lovelier, more vivacious and more charming than ever. The Boston Post : The tell-tale long line at the box office attests to the popularity of Mabel Normand. Her first Goldwyn vehicle, "Dodging a Million," is a triumph for her and for George Loane Tucker, its director. Change Fox Release Dates Owing to the recent order of the United States fuel administrator it has been necessary to rearrange the schedule of releases of some of the 52-a-year Fox specials as follows: February 17, Gladys Brockwell in "The Moral Law;" February 24, Jewel Carmen in "The Girl with the Champagne Eyes"; March 3, Tom Mix in "Six Shooter And}'." Film Comedy in Desert Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and his company, engaged in productions of comedies for Paramount, journeyed recently to the Mojave Desert to make exterior scenes for the Paramount-Arbuckle comedy which will follow "A Country Hero," recently released.