Universal Weekly (1924-1936)

30 .Universal Weekly YoL. 24, No. 11 The Critics Are All Rooting Foi "Her Big Night" By ROSCOE McGOWEN in the New York News IT is a pleasure to report that the Hippodrome feature picture this week is a well done and amusing bit of film broth, in which Laura La Plante and a generally competent supporting cast strive gaily and energetically to please — and succeed. Einar Hansen, the young Swedish actor, appears as the chosen lover of Miss La Plante, but he is not very much in the picture. A great deal of footage is appropriated by Tully Marshall, as a hardboiled reporter, Lee Moran, as an ingenious press agent. Mack Swain, as the film impresario, and Laura herself. Wins on Good Looks. The entire plot hinges upon Frances Norcross's marked resemblance to Daphne Dix, screen star, both played, of course, by Miss La Plante. Frances is a shopgirl who wants to marry Johnny Young (Hansen). He needs money to buy a business. "When Daphne goes away on the Harmon yacht and fails to reappear in time for a personal appearance at her picture's premiere, Mr. Myers and Mr. Barrett are, it may be said, fit to be tied. But Mr Barrett discovers Frances, offers her a thousand dollars to make the appearance, and she, with many misgivings, consents. She is not allowed to tell her lover, or anybody else. The Tangle Starts. Reporter Adams (Marshall), who is eternally tossing salted peanuts into his mouth, has a hunch Daphne will not show up and intends to print the story that she is with Harmon (Nat Carr) on his yacht. But when he sees Frances behind the footlights he concludes he has been wrong. However, he goes backstage to apologize (imagine that!) and his suspicions are aroused. Frances is taken to the Dix apartment by Barrett. Adams gets a cub reporter, Harold Crosby (Austin), to follow her there and pose as Miss Dix's husband. Since the pseudo Daphne doesn't know her hu.sband, the deception works. Harmon appears. Then Harmon's wife appears. Next Johnny appears and later the real Mr. Dix (John Roche) comes home. The confusion and the bouncing of indignant fists off various jaws may be imagined. Finally Daphne herself shows up and .slips into her bedroom unseen by her husband and the others. She is just in time to "be herself," go out and autograph a photograph for Mr. Adams and forever lull his reportorial suspicions. The scenes between Miss LaPlante and herself are well done. One touch in the picture will give all the boys and girls a giggle. It comes when Miss La Plante is about to enter Barrett's car to be taken to the theatre. She steps back, goes to the gas tank, and a closeup shows her finger rubbing the dirt off the glass top of the gas gauge. Need it be explained why she does this? I thought not. A jolly little picture. Go see it. (Footage: 7603) "Poker Faces" By JOHN JOSEPH in the Chicago Herald-Examiner ONE of the comic sights of the v/eek is that of Edward Everett Horton, clad in underwear and a leopard-skin jacket, running around in despair. If you attend the services at the Capitol, the Congress or the North Center, you can thus observe Mr. Horton. He is the hero of "Poker Faces," a first-rate farce. There is really only one poker face and that belongs to Mr. Horton. Under stress of any kind, business or marital, he has been known to keep a straight face. Also, he is rather a silent fellow. So, when his employer, angling for a large contract, wants a reliable fellow he puts Mr. Horton on the job. "If," he tells hia pokerfaced employe, "you get the contract I'll give you $1,000. Yes, I'll give you $2,000" What could be sweeter to a husband whose wife wants a new rug ? BUT things happen, as they must to make a farce. Mr. Horton's wife, handsomely acted by Laura La Plante, walks out on him. He still maintains somewhat of a poker face. Then even much worse things happen, the telling of w'nich would be dull. But to see them is, I think, to laugh. A good thing about "Poker Faces" is that there is a seeming logicality in many of the events. That makes Mr. Horton's plight all the more comic. "The Marriage Clause" By PEGGY PATTON in the . Milwaukee Wisconsin News IT IS said that Billie Dove's convincing work in "The Marriage Clause," now showing at the Alhambra, has made the beautiful star very much in demand. I can readily believe that. It has provided her with her biggest emotional role and how she has risen to the occasion! In fact, two women can lay just claims to the success of this production. Lois Weber directed the picture for Universal and she certainly has created a most dramatic picture of life behind the foot-lights. It is so human, so appealing, so deserving of high praise. Billie has injected so much pathos into her role, that your heart aches for the poor little misunderstood heroine throughout the complete production. "The Marriage Clause" is that agreement inserted in a contract to prevent stars from marrying and she becomes a victim of the unfortunate arrangement. BilHe was among the many trying to reach the top of the ladder and who, no doubt, would always have remained on the first rung, if the director of the show had not fallen in love with her. She returns his affections and they are about to be married, but she becomes a star over night, and the manager inserts the fatal clause in her contract. More than art, career or fame, Billie wants her man. But he will not allow her to make the sacrifice. He forces her to sign a three year's agreement, saying they will talk of marriage again at that time. Three years have brought many changes. She has reached the heights and he feels he no longer is necessarj' to her success. The balance of the picture portrays her earnest efforts to make him understand how essential he is to her happiness and his constant misunderstanding. Only when she is face to face with death and he alone is able to direct her back from the last journey, does he realize his mistake. Francis X. Bushman does some of the best work he has contributed since he staged his comeback. The supporting cast is excellent. (Footage: 7680) For this actor is an excellent farceur, and his role in the picture was born to be played by him. And IVl like to know who could be more charming a wife (save mv own) than Laura La Plante ? (Footage: 7808)