The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD 525 "The White Black Sheep" Richard Barthelmess Stars in Picturesque and Colorful Stoiy of British Forces in Palestine December 18, 1926 CONTINUING WHAT APPEARS to be a fixed policy of making each of his pictures an entirely different type from its predecessors, Richard Barthelmess' newest production for First National. "The White Black Sheep" is a story of the British forces in Palestine, with the star in much of the footage appearing in Arabian costume. The story is really melodrama and concerns the rehabilitation of a young Englishman who accepts disgrace to shield a woman and eventually wins glory and his father's forgiveness by frustrating a revolutionary plot of the natives. There is also a FRED HUMES, WHO GAINED popularity as a star of two-reel westerns Carl Laemmle presents "ProvTlers of the Night" Starring Fred Humes Directed by Ernst Ijaemmle OAST Jneli Norton Fred Hume Anita Parsons Barbara Kent Al Foster Slim Cole George Moulton John, T. Prince Length — 4,390 feet. Jack, a sheriff is wounded and helped by Anita, who appears to be mixed up with the bandit gang. He finally trails them to their hide-out, rescues Anita, wTao has been forced to aid them, and captures the gang. Stirring action western. PATRONS who like exciting action and emotional melodrama will find it a-plenty in "Going Crooked," a WiUiam Fox production adapted from John Golden's successful stage play of the same title. The story concerns the romance of a girl crook and an assistant district attorney and the plot includes a clever pearl necklace robbery by the grirl disguised as an old woman, a daring holdup and theft of a valuabe diamond, the framing of an innocent lad for murder, the last minute proof of his innocence, resulting in his being literally snatched from electrocution. romance between the hero and a native girl who aids him all through his troubles, including imprisonment and torture when he is in the hands of the plotters and is posing as a deaf and dumb man. Director Sidney Olcott has given this story a large scale production with a number of big sets and several spectacular scenes in which large numbers of natives and soldiers are seen, such as the descent of hundreds of native horsemen on the fort and their capture through a ruse. Barthelmess gives a sincere performance but has had roles that suited him much better. Patsy Ruth Miller is excellent as the native girl, an unusual type for her. The production is colorful and picturesque and while the story is hot marked by any heights of drama or thrills with the exception of the torture scene which is somt makes his second appearance in the stellar role of features of this type in the Universal Blue S reak Western "Prowlers of the Night." As is usual with Westerns, the story follows along familiar lines with minor variations of well-known formulas th^t have proved their audience value, the appeal being dependent largely on action and thrills, of which there are a plentiful supply in this offering. There is gunplay, fist-fighting and an exciting if not an altogether plausible climax where the hero, posing as a bandit, enters the gangs' hangout and when discovered fights his way to freedom with a good thrill in a scene on a cliSf ledge with the girl. This picture goes the whole gamut of emotions from comedy relief to strong drama which a strongly pathetic mother love scene where the boy is sentenced. There is an oriental atmosphere to the thieves' den with regular serial trimmings including trick devices, sliding panels, etc., and a villain who is supposed to have a fake hand. There is plenty of excitement all the way through, with the action moving a fast pace and the suspense maintained at high pitch. Bessie Love gives a fine performance of the leading role with Oscar Shaw effectively handling the opposite role. Gustav Von Seffertitz is an exceptionally villainous villain whie Edwin Kennedy contributes comedy as the detective. "Going Crooked" is an exceptionally good picture of its type. what gruesome, it will probably find favor with the average audience and please Barthelmess fans. Inspiration Pictures presents Richard Barthelmess in "The White Black Sheep" Directed by Sidney Olcott A First National Picture CAST; Robert Kincaim Richard Barthelmess Zelie Patsy Rath Miller El Rahib Gino Corrado Kadir '. Albert Prisco Yasuf Erville Anderson Length — 6,798 feet. Accepting disgrace to save a woman, Robert, a young Englishman, joins the army in Palestine and aided by Zelie, a native, he succeeds in getting information that results in thwarting a native rebellion, and makes Zelie his wife. Colorful dramatic story with plenty of action. Humes gives a good account of himself and the story holds the interest. The leading lady, a newcomer, Barbara Kent, is attractive and gives a good performance. She has the marks of a real "find."' The supporting cast is entirely adequate with Slim Cole an effective villain, and there are some very attractive exteriors. Altogether, "Prowlers of the Night," should prove a satisfactory program attraction, with audiences that like Westerns. It has snap and plenty of action. William Fox presents "Going Croolted" Featuring Bessie Love Based on John Golden's play. Directed by George Melford. CAST: Marte Bessie Love Banning Oscar Shaw Mordannt Gnstav Von Seilerit* Detective Fdnin Kennedy Rogers Leslie Fenton Mother Lydin Knott Ct""!* Bernard Siegel Length — 5,425 feet. Marie, a girl crook, falls in love with Banning who has convicted Rogers of a murder. Believing him Innocent he sets a trap and finally catches the real murderer and hearing Marie's story forgives and marries her. Thrilling crook melodrama with strong human interest. "Prowlers of the Night" Fred Humes Makes Second Appearance as Star J of Universal Series of Blue Streak Westerns "Going Crooked^^ Exciting Crook Melodrama Has Well-Sustained Suspense and Abundance of Action and Thrills