Camera (April 1921-April 1922)

CAMERA ! "The Digest of the M Aioti I'tctiire liulustry' Page Five Current Reviews "THE CALL OF THE NORTH" A considerably more enthusiastic audience than is ordinarily collected in a Los Angeles showhouse greeted Paramount's "The Call of the North" at its Granada (San Francisco) opening this week. For lhat matter the picturesque northwoods story, taken from Stewart Edward White's "The Conjuror's House," should be well received, for it is as attractive an offering of its kind as has been released for some time. Presenting several different thrills and a pretty romance backgrounded against magnilicent scenery, the film story is carefully executed by an irreproachable cast which has at its head Jack Holt. This is the first individually foalureu Lasky picture that the dependable performer of "The Little American" and other days, has had. but his ability and following W'arrant the promotion. He is seen here as Ned Stewart, a young man who has masqueraded under an assumed name for many years that he might apprehend and punish the murderer of his father. Holt is a virile masculine type whose hero poise is just real enough to be romantic. The combination is fascinating, but wholesomely so. In the leading feminine role, Virginia Albret, is happily established Madge Bellamy. Her action is not involved, but it is dispatched with a simple artistry that would have occasioned special attention even had we not reviewed this actress' exceptional interpretation in "Hail the Woman." Miss Bellamy's youthful radiance is of rare and unforgettable sort. Noah Beery could not be more advantageously situated than he is in Albret, the ruthless Factor whose smallness of si)irit is displayed in his unreasonable jealousy and love of power. Beery always takes libeitieS In his characterizations. They are entirely justified here. Achillo, another exceptional FrenchCanadian, is done in this screen story by Francis MacDonald whose interpretations are invaiiably pleasing. Edward Martindel, Helen Ferguson, Will Jim Katton, Jack Herbert and Jane Keckley all play minor parts well. "The Call of the North" (inexcusably mistitled by the way) makes a picture far superior to the story. It is an adaptation that can't disappoint. Joseph Henabery directed it with Faxon IJean at the camera. Excellent work must be credited to each. "STRANGER THAN FICTlON" We greatly fear that Katherine MacDonald's latest starring production, "Stranger than Fiction," is going to prove loo altogether "strangely" incoherent to appeal to the ayerage picture patron. However, commendation should be placed where it is duo and therefore someone must be lauded for a radical idea that just missed taking on "Go and Get It" proportions, but besides a story lack sufficient to nairow its possibilities for entrance into big league stuff, it suffers strangulation in the way of a careless and incompetent production. We have always contended lhat the picture within a picture proposition was feasible and of no little value but we cannot point to its ever having been properly accomplished foi proof. Here the idea is unusually jumbled in an attempt at a surprise finish and then explained only unsatisfactorily. That the burlesque introduction has much clever humor only makes the eventual flop the more pitiable. To say that Miss MacDonald is much better than usual in Diane Drexel, the society belle heroine with a fad, would be too much; on the other hand she easily maintains her standard with a mediumly well L MARTHA MATTOX managed role. It is not so disastrous for actresses of her type to gain avoirdupois as it is in the case of the ingenue. David Winter, in the male lead, doesn't give a spirited portrayal by any manner of means, but for that matter the amateur detective, which he alternately neglects and ignores, is not in itself spirited. Wesley Barry is the one high light in the picture as Freckles, another quaint little Dinty, with, however, too greatly ©urtailed footage. Wade Boteler, in a "chew «p the scenery" heavy, the Black Heart, we refuse to take seriously, because we have seen and will again see him in countless worthwhile pieces of work. J. M. Dumont, in a satisfactorily handled part, completes the list of principals. J. M. Barry directed this First National attraction. CONTEMPORARY CRITICISMS • "THE BONNIE BRIAR CJSH" (Famous Players-British) "is one of the best of the foreign made Paramounts. It is an adroit picturization of Ian MacLaren's classic story of the same title , admirably directed by Donald Crisp, who also plays a leading role. It is an excellent story of Scotti.sh life of half a century ago, doubtless meriting more patronage than the modern public will accord it." — Exhibitors' Herald. "Just why 'The Bonnie Briar Bu.?h' was selected for screen presentation is hard to say unless it was because it makes such a pretty picture. It hasn't much of a story and what there is of it has been used witfi more or less regularity since the beginning of motion pictures. But the locale is Scotland, which provides opportunity for picturesque settings, kilties and bonnets, and what the picture lacks dramatically it possesses scenically." — N. Y. Morning 'lelegraph. "This story has reached the screen, and it seems awfully old-fashioned and conventional, for MacLaren's theme has served in a thousand and one patterns since the birth of the photoplay. The younger generation will probably not respond to it. One has to be a trifle old-fashioned with a leaning for (luaint sentiment and romance and atmosphere to appreciate it. — M. P. News. "THE LOTUS EATERS" (Neilan-First National) ' The personality of Jack Barrymore, a story that certainly is well out of the ordinary in dramatic ingredients, and direction that never misses an opportunity, all contribute in making 'The Lotus Eaters 'one of the most unusual and entertaining pictures of th eseason. It has all the sure-fire audience qualifications: thrills, comedy, suspense, love interest, beautiful scenic hcations ,plot and numberless likable characters played by a company of carefully selected types."— M. P. World. "John Barrymore, the Byronic, is there this week in 'The Lotus Eaters,' Marshall Neilan's screen translation of Albert Payson Terhune's story. It is one of the most divertingly satirical productions within memory. And most insidious propaganda for the South Pacific clime. As to the neurotic Jacques Lenoi, pere, the great Barrymore is beyond criticism. And as the lovable, poetic visionary, Jacques Lenois, fils, who never saw a woman until he was 25, he will be understood and applauded by the sophisticated, the tired business man and the effervescent matinee girl. Mr. Neilan's tropical ensemble is gorgeous and artistic." — N. Y .Morning Telegraph. "SCHOOL DAYS" (Warner Bros.) "has all the whimsical charm of "The Old Swimmin' Hole' and the exploitation possibilities of a 'Mickey.' It is seven reels of good clean fun, with Wesley Barry the chief fun maker, supported by a well chosen cast. In sets and direction 'School Days' measures up to any of the recent big productions along this line." — Exhibitors' Herald. "The eternal small boy to whom a bath is a punishment and a school oook an unnecessary evil has been so well portrayed by Wesley Barry in Gus Edwards's 'School Days,' produced by Harry Rapf for Warner Brothrrs. that this motion picture promi.ses to be a screen gold mine. It has been well done, so well, indeed, that big time and siiiall time audiences alike will find it full of delightful incidents, good acting and the eternal api)eal of unquenchable youth." — N. Y. Morning Telegraph. Walter Law has been asked by the American Legion to sing one of the roles -jn their all-star revival of "Pinafore" at the Philliaiinonic Auditorium December 19. Before starting picture work he was a member of the Jackson opera company. Hilly Joy, brother of Leatrice Jay, is writing the closing chapters of "Creole Blood," to be published in book form by Harper Bros.