Variety (April 1919)

m. B U Y B O N D S •^■iip.« . •■ ■■-;• ■ „ •.'.'*."ii.' ■■''.; '■'. ."'*.""""■"■* '*"'''■ '•'■' - '~ -y-'-.y ' ::y\ W.z A REGULAR FELLOW. Dallon Pemberton.............Taylor Holmes Virginia Christy.............. Mllllcent Fisher Lady Weatcott Edna Philips Holmes Count Eugenia Prank Leigh -. lira. Horatio Grimm .Alleen Manning Oiler Tom. Bert Apllng Mrs. Christy Lillian Langdon In this flve-reel - feature Triangle presents Taylor Holmes, In the role of a woman hater ■ who is late; converted Into a madly romantic . lover. It Is rather a humorous comedy with '... tbe hero showing an Inclination to burlesque I tbe role of Dallon Pemberton. The story and ' scenario was written by Daniel Carson Good- man. Christy Gabanne did tbe directing, and the latter has not wasted much film In Idle exploitation, but has made every Inch of It count In comic Incidents, the hero always pur- suing the girl of hla fancy and overcoming which for an Instant look like unsurmountable obstacles. A crook plot has been Interwoven through the story, and this gives It a certain amount '"' of holding power and keeps It from being al- together too flimsy. Mr. Holmes has a num- ber of charming young women supporting him ' who appear to enter Into the spirit of the farce and help to make It more enjoyable. The continuity of tbe yarn has been well pre- : served and the Incidents which follow each other In rapid succession are easy to follow. ■ .-. Tbe hero proves himself "A Regular Fel- low" when near the end of the story he over- comes a superior number in a good stiff fight at the head of a stairway, and be finds the girl be has been madly chasing all over the outh American continent, only to discover ■ - she Is tbe maiden he was originally running away from. .... "A Regular'Fellow" ts exceedingly amusing and should make ah excellent program fea- ture. 3 GREEN EYES. .........Carlyle Blackwell .Evelyn Greeley , .Montagu Love June Elvldge ....Johnny Hlnes Jack Drnmler Dorothy Dee .Matilda Brnndage .William Black Paul Arden....... Butanne Russell... Allen Granat Lucille Vale....... Johnnie Wlggan Thomas Wlggan Marion Vale Mrs. Vale Capt Arden Yamata ? Yustl Tama This Is a World comedy, and deserving of a much better title, or rather a more humorous one, as It Is one of tbe best features of Us kind that this producing company has put out in a long time. Tbe cast la an all-star one, headed by Carlyle Blackwell, and Includes the inimical Johnny Hlnes. "8 Green Byes," according to tbe announce- ment of. the producers, was filmed from a "famous play," the piece or the author la not mentioned, but It bears a Temarkable simi- larity to M. Sardleu's "Scrap of Paper." The adaption was made by Wallace 0. Clifton. Dell Henderson was the director. Both have done a clever bit of work. Most of tbe scenes were taken In Florida and are picturesque and pleasing. The In- teriors are bright and freBh, and altogether the production is above the average for fea- tures of this particular type. While the comedy element predominates throughout, there ts Just enough seriousness to keep up tbe suspense, which Is prolonged until the final scene. Montague Love takes the part of the Jealous husband, Allen Granat, wbo Is madly in love with his own wife and "Jealous* of her very thoughts." Mr. Love has never been seen to better advantage. He has tbe ap- Jienranco and dignity to make the role convlnc- ng. Mr. Blackwell makes a good looking Paul Arden, a young man who early In tbe story Is deeply smitten with Lucille Vale, later Mrs. Allen Granat (June Elvldge), and comes very near compromising her after she Is married. Paul ts a poor struggling architect, and when be goes to ask Mrs. Vale, for the hand of her daughter In marriage Is politely told to go and get the sir. Then the rich suitor comes along and Lucille falls Into his arms, after previously having declared her affection for the architect The laughs In tbe plcture.-and they are many, are furnished by Johnny Hlnes, wbo takes the Jiart of Johnnie Wlggan, the son of an entomo- oglst Mr. Hlnee Is a born comedian and he has but to look sideways to get one tittering. His "stuff" Is not of the slapstick order, but he appears to be always creating situations that are funny, and be bad the hardened re- viewers laughing. The women In the cast give a finished, per- formance. THE COURAGEOUS COWARD. Bukl Iota Sessue Hayakawa Rol Tsuru Aokl Boss Klrby Georgo Hernandez Tom Klrby ..Francis J. MacDonald Ha worth Picture, directed by William Worthington. Tbe photography, even, welt lighted and shaded except for the handling of the fade-ins, is by Dal ClawBon. Milton Men- asco Is listed as Art Dlreotor. Possibly he is the one responsible for those fade-Ins. Cer- tainly they are In use too constantly, and give often an unpleasant effect of abruptness. As tbe star, Hayakawa has to struggle with past Impressions be has created as an all too convincing villain, but it would be cavilling to say tbat be does not get away with his Job in a satisfactory manner. He la ably supported by Miss Aokl. The picture's chief defect seems tn He with her. Except in the restaurant scene, where she is shown at a distance. In an American girl's evening dress, Mlsi Aokl does no t suggest that clean, sw eet type of girl tab ■'■■■• "•• ;. .. beauty Justly popular with Ameriean audiences. ences. The story has to do with the young Japanese, Sukt, who, though born in this country and. outwardly American in clothes and manner,, nevertheless in his heart cherishes Japanese ideals when it comes to a girl. Tbe girl bo has Imagined appears in reality when Rel ar- rives from Toklo. She has a voice, and rapidly becomes known as the Japanese Nightingale. . While Suki is away studying law, she adopts American clothes and manners and begins playing around with young Tom Klrby. A re- assuring message is sent by her to Sukl by the novel form of a phonograph record. However, be la not reassured. Appointed As- sistant District Attorney by Boss Klrby, It falls to his lot to prosecute the gambler. Slick Davis. Threats do not deter blm, but when Tom Klrby confesses the killing to him, he Btops prosecuting, and, for Rel's sake, conceals bis reason. He becomes known as a coward. Eventually the truth Is told, he wins his girl and undertakes young Klrby's defense. The story ts only fairly well.constructed, but there are some good scenes In tbe Chinese quarter, and an excellent quick fight between the two gamblers. Hernandez as the boss gives tbe most convincing performance. "SPOTLIGHT SADIE." Sadie Sullivan .Mae Marsh Dick Carrlngton Wallace MacDonald Hazel Marrls....' Mary Thurman Dollle Delmar .»....♦......Beddy Schade Rev. John Page ...Alec B. Francis Jack Mills Walter Hlers Reggie Delmar P. M. McCullough O'Keefe Wellington Playter Nancy O'Keefe... Lou Salter In this picture. Mae Marsh works her old bag of tricks. This very ordinary story by Lewis Allen Browne, however, limits her, so far as attractive dressing is concerned, to a • nun's costume. This picture, a Qoldwyn of- fering, wse directed by Laurence Trimble and photographed by Edward W. Wlllatt. Coming to this country as an Irish Im- migrant, Sadie (Mae Marsh) finds her sister saddled to a no-good husband and a lot of children. Work tn a Sve and ten cent store proves unremuneratlve, and she goes on the stage as a chorus girl. There the fact that she is a religious youngster attracts the press agent's attention. He puts over a'number of stories about her, playing her up as tbe girl wbo reads the Bible between scenes, and she draws a part Eventually she draws a man in the person of Dick Carrlngton, who waa previously been attentive to the star of tbe play. There are the Usual complication* leading to a speedy conclusion, all tn Sadie's favor. The humor, variety and Interest of the piece are in the first three and a half parts. MacDonald's clothes (he is supposed to he a young clubman) prompt a question as to how soon moving picture actors will learn to dress in tbe garments of sensible, men. Effective dressing Is not achieved by outre means. The outlandish draws a laugh, and It Is time, directors attended to this detail, to the way the actor dresses. An actor dressed as-Mac- Donald would be assigned to the chorus with- out a moment's hesitation by any legitimate . manager. Walter Hlers Is amusing as the press agent and helps keep things moving fast, this pic- ture's chief recommendation to public approval. "FALSE EVIDENCE." Madelon MacTavlsh Viola Dana Burr Gordon: Wheeler Oakman Lot Gordon.... , Joe King Sandy MacTavlsh Edward J. Connelly Richard MacTavlsh ..Patrick O'Malley Dorothy Fair Peggy Pearce Samanthy Brown Virginia Ross This picture, a Metro production, opened at tbe New Tork Sunday night It Is an adapta- tion by Finis Fox from Mrs. Mary E. Wllklns Freeman's novel "Madelon." It is in five reels. The direction Is by Edwin Carewe, tbe photog- raphy by John Arnold. Both are excellent, and tbe star, Viola Dana, as the daughter of the old Scotchmen, Sandy MacTavlsh, gave one of her competent, solid performances. In her acting, however, there waa less of comedy than usual, for old Sandy was centalnly "ret in his ways," Just the type of person who creates unhappy conditions. In his daughter's youth, he betrothed her to Lot Gordon, but when Madelon grew up and learned how to play the violin, she developed temperament and the contrary notion that she wanted to marry not the wealthy Lot, hut his cousin, Burr, wbo was much tbe pleasanter person, but Lot held Madelon and her dad to tbe promise. Meanwhile, Burr's previous engagement to the village flirt rouses Mad- elon's Jealousy. In her rage, she leaves a dance and runs 'home through the woods, carrying a knife Ler brother has given her. Lot seizes her, attempts to kiss her, but she stabs blm. Burr comes to the rescue, and takes the blame. To save him from being lynched—and she Is Just in time to save blm—Madelon promises to marry Lot If he recovers. Lot recovers, but on their wadding day a falling redwood tree relieves blm of-nil life's troubles, and Madelon la at liberty to marry her true love. New and novel photographic effects create a charming plcturesqueness throughout tbe picture, but the actors playing the leading roles look too much silk*. This Is confuting. Owing to the had weather. "Fatty" Ar- buckle has stopped work on "The Bank Clerk" and will make a Western subject his next Paramount comedy release. im CHARGE IT TO ME. Winnie Davis Margarita Fisher Elmer Davis Emory Johnson Howard Weston Augustus Phillips Col. Godfrey Htbbard.......... .L. 8. McKee Arable Gunn Budd Poet "Corkscrew" McOann Bull Montana Hercules Strong... George Swan Hennessey J. Farrel MacDonald Maggie Sophie Todd Margarita Fisher Is starred In this Pa the release, a farcical comedy. The story and scenario was written by L. V. Jefferson, while Roy V. Nelll looked after the directing. The feature Is In Ave reels. There are several amusing scenes and some of tbe situations are rather humorous. Miss Fisher Is Winnie Davis, a young bride whose matrimonial experiences only extend over a, period of three weeks. Her husband will not give her any allowance, hut he tells her to have everything charged. 8he goes on many shopping orgies and buys everything she wants, but there are times she feels the need of ready cash. The story is built around her efforts to obtain enough money to bny a bathrobe for her husband on his birthday and surprise him with the present Rer method of ob- taining the necessary funds Is to act as a cfaauffeurette. She finds no difficulty In get- ting passengers (all men) and she asks the advice of each one about purchasing robes and smoking* Jackets. The passengers are so pleasing with her that each sends her the article aha Is so mucb In.need of as a present Miss Fisher appears to be an extremely versatile young person, and she hsndlss ber part In an intelligent manner. Tbe young star makes the most of every situation and scores many laughs. She ts supported by a well-balanced company, all of whom appear to enter Into tbe spirit of the fun. "Charge It to Me" should make an amusing program feature. • "WHITEWASHED WALLS." Larrv. William Desmond Concha Frltzl Brunette Rosa .Carmen Pbllllns Mendes Jack Richardson Dlnero Arthur Msllete Alias Patricio Cassldano Walter Perry . This ts a South American picture. The whitewashed wall? It Is tbe wall aralnst which tbe dictator stands the men he doesn't like, when he ordered them to be shot. Lurry, a young American sculntor, down there building a palace for the dictator, ruffles that strutting peacock's dlgnftv by slapplne htm on the back, and other familiarities. Eventually, during a Fourth of July celebration. Larry (roes too far. In an exuberance of natrlotlc fervor he knocks General Mendea cold. The General Is not really dead, but for reasons of her own. the vampire lady, who has the call on vamolng in that vicinity, conceals the General and spreads the Idea around tn«t he has passed out By kidding the dictator, who. wants his palace finished, and throueh the aid of the dictator's niece, Larry's life is temporarily spared. The Irishman, masqueradtnr; as a South American under the name of Cw«<ldnno, brings Mendez' whereabouts to light and saves Lsrry who Immediately wraps bis girl In hla arms and departs for God's country. This Is a fair picture of the cheaper sort. Frttzl Brunette Is attractive as the young srlrL but Desmond Is setting a little heavy around the Jaws. Yon guess, rather than ses. the out- lines of the American type he is supposed.to picture. If you Judge from the nlot. and your guess Is that he "sees himself In the part." your guess ts entirety correct. Walter Perry supplied some excellent comedy. The leaders were poorly worded, but tbe photog- raphy was excellent "THE PEST." Jlggs.........................Mabel Normand Gene Giles John Bowers John Harland Charles Gtrard Judge Fisher Alec B. Francis Blanche Fisher...... Leota Lorraine Aaher Blndgett Jack Curtis Amy Blortsett Pearl Elmore "Noisy" Wilson James Bradbury The story of 'The Pest" is concerned with an exchange of babies. The rich one is sllnned Into the place of the poor one. The picture Itself Is a good one, perhaps a little too much curtailed at times, but on the whole an ex- cellent example of what a conttnultv writer of brains and Ideas can do If he wants to. A writer, who builds up a picture logically, who rings In past happenings at the right time, and shows enough of them, ought to be encouraged. Mabel .^Normand, contrary to expectations, in this picture Isn't half as funny as she la dramatic. The dramatlo stuff she puts over excellently. Her comedy Is neither forced, nor unusual, but it Is always good enough and happens naturally. The story shows Jlggs, supposed daughter of the Asher family, at her dally chores which Include running the hand ferry. In- terested In the city guests of Judge Fisher, owner of Paradise Island, her antics bring her bu Invitation to a party at his house. To get ber in bad, the Judge's supposed daughter dresses her up and organizes the house party In a conslracy to make her ridiculous, This conspiracy partly sueceads, but in the end Jtggs is Instrumental in saving the Judge's Ufa from tha river gang, and a ring she has "borrowed" from her "motkar" helps apprise tha Judge that Jlggs is really bis daughter, and that tha girl he has reared eg his child Is tha offspring of tha Ashors. The story is by Melville W. Browa. Vf. Christy Cabanno directed. A competent can includes John Bowers, who, for some reason,' chooses to wear horn rimmed spectacles, Alas B. Francis, Goldwyn's old stand-by, Charles Gtrard. Leota Lorraine, Jack Curtis, Pearl Elmore and James Bradbury. THE DELICIOUS LITTLE DEVIL Mary McQuire. ....*......... Mae Murray Patrlok McGuiro ....Harry Rattenbury : Dncle Barney Richard Cummlntj jimmie Calhoun Rudolphp se Valentin* Percy Ivor MoPaddea • Duke de Sauterne... Bertram drasBby Michael Calhoun Edward Jobsoa Larry' • •..... i . •■■>•••■ • • » t ■•t• ♦«•• | .William Moag "The Delicious Little Devil" takes three reels to get started and lasts six. The story/ Itself, the handiwork of John B. Clymer and Harvey Thew, with the continuity done by thi latter, Is not so bad. It Is the story of a little girl of the tenements, wbo learned to dance to the muslo of the street organ, who later, when she needed a Job, proceeded to invent a lurid past for herself aad so caught the Imagination of a press agent who gay* '& her a Jon. Clymer himself Is* a iress agent and probably wrote the amusing Inserts to this film. They are better than Miss Murray's comedy. The directing was done by Robert Z. Leonard, who may be blamed for the too . great length of the picture. Apparently, the excuse for it Is the com. edy bits put in. Most tall to Robert Cum. mings who "-makes the best ot them, but It to ' a safe bet, people are Interested in the story and grow restless when the telling of it to obviously delayed. The story itself shows how Mary, masquers*. lng aa Gloria du Monde, found herself being mistaken for something shs waa not She was really a nice little girl, but tbe Duke d« Sauterne, who knew the real Gloria very well, guessed she wasn't and created complications from which she escapes in the end. In somt. ways the most welting moment was when Mae got out of her bathtub, but, luckily, a bathrobe was waiting for her. RIVOLL Why with a picture house, which has con- stant musical accompaniment to everything It offers on the program "vary" the monotony by employing an instrumental soloistT By what process of reasoning Is such an effect arrived at! Here we have a constant din ot brass by the Rlvoli orchestra and in. order that the attendance may have surcease then.' is presented a-female fiddler who plays tha Nacbez Gypsy Dance Indifferently. Tbe show opened with an overture, "Ca- gricclo Itallen," by Tschalkowsky, conducted y Erno Ranee, wbo makes frantic efforts to emulate the ecentrlcltles of Riesenfeld, a''.'-/ method strongly suggested to him by Samuel Rothapfel when he was In command. Rape* hasn't yet attained perfection in his imita- tion, but If he continues to abstain from hair- cuts he may in due time succeed. 7'7-" The Cloud, a one-reel scenic made by the Post company, Is a new Idea In scenlcs, bales. a picture Interpreting 8helley'a poem, "Tn* Cloud," with some remarkable photography by W. 8. VanScoy. ' Mary Ball, soprano, with scenlo accessories, renders "Ave Maria,'' aided by a violin obll- gato, played by a member of the orchestra. \', The news pictorial Is made up principally of Klnograms, with some Pathe, International and Gaumont scenes, with a "Mutt and Jeff" cartoon tacked onto the finish. Jj&j The featurer Is Elsie Ferguson In "Byes cf the Soul," reviewed In detail elsewhere. After which there Is a descriptive number by tte > orchestra "In a Bird Store," In which a num- ber of animals are Imitated. One of the Harold Lloyd comedies, "Young Mr. Jazz," fol- lows, tbe sbow concluding with an organ solo. Business light Sunday afternoon. JoU>. Society Not*. ' Chicago, April 23. The Greasy Vest" is going to move. This is Pott's place on Randolph street, patronized exclusively by actors, song- players et al. In Pott's place there are no tables, but at the counter one may secure sandwiches of salami, kosher ham, blutwurst, etc. The largest din- ner check on record at the Greasy Vest is 65 cents. It charmed the loophounds because it was open all night.' Next month it will move to Clark street, op- posite the Hotel Sherman, and when one o'clock strikes, the inmates of the College Inn need not sigh,'for they may adjourn to the Greasy Vest and continue their recitations. •: I JACK CUNNINGHAM Staff Writer Robert Brantom Studios, Log Angeles latent Masses for Berrlseale, Keenan, Slum and Kerrigan -■■■■v^-%; .' ;■-- ;,'■■.. ■ m i ."..•:. &i.'-& innMi'.'.i4.'i ■ ...:f . ;S ■- ... J.■.',,'.". ;:*■/.* ■,>■:■-.-. ....