The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

938 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 7, 1920 Latest Reviews and Comments Conducted by Edward Wei tzel, Associate Editor Sidelights and Reflections HARRY TODD, who plays Jeremy, in "Her Elephant Man," was a member of the first motion picture producing company to journey to Los Angeles. This was twelve years ago, and the company, under Frank Boggs, was from the Selig Chicago studio. Later Harry Todd was a member of the pioneer Essanay company under G. M. Anderson which made the first motion picture to be staged in Santa Monica. The name of this picture was "Tag Day." Others in the same cast were Augustus Carney ("Alkali Ike" of humorous memory), Arthur Mackley (the "Sheriflf"), Fred Church and William Russell, the latter of whom died several years ago. The present Jeremy was one of the best known of the earlier players, chiefly by reason of his long association with Essanay's "Broncho Bill" and "Alkali Ike" series. "Happy Endings" are still the favorite finish for most screen patrons ,and are likely to remain so until men and women no longer go to the moving picture theatres solely for amusement. That the story told on the screen squares absolutely with the facts of life is no recommendation for it with the "happy ending" worshipper. The characters may all be perfect types of humanity and their actions may keep this class of patron alternating between smiles and tears, but if there is no definite promise of wedding bells for the leading male and female at the finish the picture is "spoiled by a bad ending." A picture released this season had an unhappy ending, and, although the. story was written by a celebrated author and the whole theme demanded such a finish, the old cry for wedding bells was wrung loudly in the ears of the exhibitors that ran it. The most popular fiction the world over are fairy tales. The writer of them is endowed with a magic wand and can set stern reality at defiance. By applying the same method to the every day struggle of normal human beings every searcher for the pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow can return crowned with success to lay his treasures at the feet of his best girl, have the swellest of weddings and come to the end of all his earthly troubles. This is the sort of fairy tale beloved by those who go to the movies for mental relaxation only. So many of us there are who refuse to grow up! What's in a name anyhow? Wid's gravely announces that Edward E. Rose, author of "Cappy Ricks" and "Penrod," has sold one of his original works to Joseph Menchen. Why not give the author's names of the two stories mentioned in place of the stage adaptor? Peter B. Kyne and Booth Tarkington are fairly well known to the public at large; and, anyway, they wrote the original stories. WEITZEL. 1\" THIS ISSl'E. The Wnlk-OfTs (Sletro). The XiiiTht of the Dub (Pnrnmonnt) Respectable by Proxy (Pathe). Two Week.s (First National). Pinto (Goldivyn). Elmo the Fearless (liuversal). Her Flephant Man (Fox). The .Six Best Cellars (Paramonnt) The Forged Bride (Universal). Sadie Love ( Paramount-Artcraft), Save Me Sadie (Christie). Too Much Johnson (Paramount) The Beffjirar Prince (Robertson-Cole) Shepherd of the Hills (Harold Bell Wright). The Midnight Bride (Vitagrapb). Double Speed (Paramount). "The Walk-offs" Metro Screen Classic Starring May Allison is Smart Production of Rather Ordinary Society Story. Reviewed by Edward Weitzel. BUILT upon one of the stage comedies written by Frederic and Fanny Hatton, "The Walk-offs" was first produced by Oliver Morosco. The Metro screen version starring May Allison turns out to be a smart production of a rather ordinary society story. The meaning of the title is explained by an old negro, the servant of the hero from Kentucky. Originally, a "Walk-ofT" was one of several persons created after .\dam and Eve in the Garden of Eden who walked off before being supplied with brains. As used in the picture the term designates a man or woman who tries to put on style without either money or brains. Kathleen Rutherford, the heroine, is put down as a "Walkoff" by the young man from Kentucky, and the interest of the comedy is centered in the method Kathleen takes to make him change his mind. The situations are not startlingly new, but the scenes in society aiid high-class Bohemia are handled skillfully and with lavish pictorial effect. May Allison bestows an engaging personality upon Kathleen and, in a "Society Circus" episode, appears as an amateur bareback rider in a fetching professional short skirt. The incident where the hero invades her dressing tent armed with a whip and a determination to win her by an exhibition of "caveman stuff" does not speak well for the young man's sense of propriety; but Emery Johnson, who plays the part of Robert Winston, contrives to surmount the bad impression of the scene. Joseph Kilgour is excellent as Murry Van Allan. Herbert Blache's direction, and special art settings by John Holden contribute largely to the success of the picture. Cast. Kathleen Rutherford May Allison Robert Shirley Winston ..Emory Johnson Caroline Rutherford Effie Conley Schuyler Rutherford Darrell Foss Murry Van Allan Joseph Kilgour Mrs. Elliott Claire Du Brey Stage Play by Frederic and Fanny Hatton. Adapted by June Mathls and A. P. Younger. Directed by Herbert Blache. The Story. Kathleen Rutherford and her brother are the "Walk-offs" of the story. Of high social standing, but reduced to genteel poverty until Robert marries a rich wife, they both live off of her large income. Driven to resentment by her husband's flirtations with other women, Mrs. Rutherford divorces him. and Kathleen Is forced to look for work or marry Murry Van Allan, an elderly man of wealth, whose suit is urged by Mary Carter, a successful sculptress and a close friend to the charming, but Irresponsible Miss Rutherford. As Kathleen has no desire to become Mrs. Van Allan, she Is glad to accept the position of companion to Miss Carter. While she is living in the Carter studio apartment, Robert Winston, Miss Carter's rich nephew from Kentucky, arrives, and Kathleen overhears him denounce her and her brother for being "Walk-offs." She also overhears him say he is in need of a secretary. Determined to get even with him for his remarks, Kathleen has Mary Carter introduce her under another name and recommend her for the position. It Is her intention to fascinate the young Kentucklan and then refuse him, after letting him know who she really is. The plan works out as she Intended. Winston falls madly In love with her and refuses to be discouraged when he learns of the bad beginning he has made in the affair. Winston's attitude effects Kathleen, but she will not listen to the promptings of her heart and becomes engaged to Van Allan, to show the younger man that his case Is hopeless. While taking part in a society circus Kathleen so fires Winston's love for her that he walks into her dressing tent and tells her he Is going to make her his wife In spite of everything. His unconventional act gives Kathleen's maid a chance to trick Van Allan into embracing her when he had hired the girl to compromise Winston by embracing him. Convinced at last that she is only standing in the light of her own happiness, Kathleen Jilts Van Allan and agrees to let Winston take her back to Kentucky as his wife. Program and Kxploltntton Catchllneat May Allison Starred in Smart Society Story. Story of a Girl Formerly of High Social Standing Who Is Forced to Work or Else Marry an Elderly Suitor, See the Society Circus In This Entertaining Drama. "The Walk-offs" — A Lavish Society Drama with May Allison as Its Star. E-xploitntion .\ngles: Make Miss Allison the star, but don't forget that this story IS by the authors of "Lombardl, Ltd." Whoop it up for the circus rider scenes and give emphasis to the fact that it Is a society circus. Play hard on the society angle and start off with teasers about the title, giving the explanation a couple of days before the opening show. Paper, as well as cut outs, should be used heavily for this.