Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 1922-Apr 1923)

Page Ten CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST RAY LEWIS REVIEWS “TROUBLE,” “THE GAME OF LIFE,” “JUST TONY” 66hINROUBLE,” an associated First National Coogan production, starring Jackie Coogan, again presents this little star in a story which gives him ample scope for his artistry. Such a little fellow and such a big artist. That is what one keeps saying to oneself while watching little Jackie. You have to keep saying it, for the child is so unusually clever, he impresses you so strongly with the fact that he is using his brains in his work, that you are more than likely to forget that he is just past the stage of being a baby and expect, not an ordinary man’s work from him, but the work of an adult finished player. When Film Daily said: ‘Please God, don’t let Jackie grow up,” this paper expressed the sentiment of not only the press generally, but the public. Not only would we desire to keep Jackie with his wistful baby appeal, but just a little boy, in stories where he can play just a little boy. “Trouble” is the right kind of a story. “Jackie” is in an orphanage which is obliged to close its doors through a lack of funds. Jackie 1s adopted by a plumber and his wife, the wife really does the adopting. It so develops that the plumber ts physically “too strong” to work; and the cupboard being bare, Jackie answers an emergency call for a plumber. He nearly precipitates a flood, and is rescued by the mistress of the house from the onslaught of the servants, who, having floundered about as fishes, pursue him with a vengeance. It later occurs that the plumber 1s imprisoned for beating his wife, and Jackie is the “star” witness. This gives the little fellow an opportunity for some forceful acting and Jackie rises to the occasion lke the true artist that he is. ‘The father and mother of the wife arrive to take their daughter home to the country; and Jackie is included, not forgetting his dog, in the home return. “Trouble is in the front row of box office attractions. It will make your audiences laugh and ery. Entertain them in your theatre and prove entertaining conversation for them in their home. What more can an exhibitor desire, what more can he give his patrons? The cast gave Jackie excellent support. ‘he wife being particularly appealing, while the judge furnished a fine character bit. 6OPPSHLE Game of Life.’ an Inglish e production, made by Samuelson, opened an engagement at Massey Music Hall, the day preceding Xmas. Judging it from the standard of lng lish productions it is the very best we have had, save with one exception, the Sherlock Holmes, two-reel series. As a full length feature production it is probably the best. The story deals with the birth of four children and follows the lives of these through a period of about fifty years. The periods include the coronation of Queen Victoria, who is one of the babies, her marriage to Prince Albert, the Crimean War, the advent of Florence Nightingale, the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Through these big scenes threads a story of a girl born blind, one who becomes blind. The first blind girl regains her sight, the second is blind for about ten years and then regains her sight again. The husband of the second blind girl becomes involved in a murder, committed by the knave of the story. He 1s imprisoned, and about to be hanged for this crime, when a fire at the prison enables him to escape. He is reputed to have perished. War finds htm in the regiment of the “‘knave” who tries to send him to his death by entrusting to his care certain dispatches which to deliver would lead Inm into the enemy’s ranks. The “knave’s” plans succeed. Our hero is made a prisoner. The comedy element is furnished by a “cockney” and his sweetheart, later his wife. This “cockney’s” vocation in life is peddling fish. He happens to rescue an eccentric Duke from some highwaymen and the Duke wills the “cockney” his estate. This part of the story would have been sufficient to have furnished a story on its own account, and is as funny as “The Better Ole,” which is saying a great deal. The sen of the “cockney” becomes “drummer boy,” is taken prisoner and meets with our hero,” who entrusts the delivery of the “important dispatches” to him. He ts again taken a prisoner and court-martialed. ‘Fhe news of his death and the appeal for funds with which to carry on the war, determines the “cockney” m his desire to give up the Duke’s Legacy and return to the streets to which he belongs. This is the barest outline of a story which involves the big scenes previously mentioned, and includes Derby Day, an old London Music Hall, processions, a prison fire, episodes and incidents almost too numerous to mention. ‘The picture abounds with patriotism; and such scenes as the coronation, ‘he Charge of the Light Brigade, the remnant of this brave regiment, after they had entered ‘’The Valley of Death,” the Queen’s Dia mond Jubilee are indeed patriotic thrillers. It is a big picture for Canada with unlimited exploitation possibilities. It should please generally and get big business. I must not forget to mention that the work of the various players was excellent and that all of the women in the cast were most good to look at, being more of the type of beauty we find in pictttres made on the American continent. This is important since a great number of English pictures have lost their appeal through the lack of a physical appeal in their heroines. Also commendable is the fact that the Censors wilt have no worry in connection with “The Game of Life.” There are no objectionable tmplications or combinations. 66 FUST Tony,” a Fox release starring Tom Mix, is undoubtedly the best Tom Mix picture I have ever seen; and those who follow Tom Mix religiously say that “Just Tony” is the best Tom Mix picture yet made. The story revolves around a horse, first in his wild state, and then in various stages of domestication. The horse used in this picture has net only horse-sense but human sense and intelligence as well. He is a beautiful as well as a wonderful beast. Lovers of horses will just “rave” over him; and even those who are not “horsey” in their tastes will do a little “raving” anyway. The moral is obvious. <A horse is an intelhgent, sensitive ammal. He reflects the treatment of his master. He is by instinct as much of a friend to man as is the dog. Injury only makes him destructive, man’s enemy. A thread of a love story, introducing the girl, the bad man, cowboys, ranch atmosphere, pads out the pteture when the horse is not in evidence. But the horse is It with a capital I, and ‘Tom Mix is generotts enough to give him the centre of the story, playing with him and around him. You cannot be neutral about “Just ‘Fony.” You will love it and so will your audiences. It should be exploited among the “unique and meritorious productions.” My congratulations to Lynn F. Reynolds, who wrote the scenario and directed the picture so splendidly ; and to the cameraman, Dan Clark, who must have been very much “on the job” to have secured such intimate flashes of Tony. Watch Out For A FRONT PAGE STORY THE TRUTH ABOUT GORHAM ¢ Busing Pi ee en ee Cr§ Geghee Pictures Read The Digest Advertising ages