Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Nov 1922-Apr 1923)

Page Ten OLDWYN’S production of Sir Hall Caine’s world-read book, “The Christian,” familiarized to the theatre public through the dramatic presentation with Viola Allen in the stellar role, has been given a faithful interpretation upon the screen. Maurice Tourneur, who directed, endeavored to obtain a story which built up its climaxes and carried the spectator on as did the book and drama, through a building up process of climaxes, each distinctive, each interestingly thrilling. The story deals with two characters principally, one the girl, fond of life and all its pleasures, responding to the call of youth, its impulses, its desires, and another character that of a man, swayed by the impulse of service to humanity and yet enthralled by the love he bears for the girl, who is so opposite to him in character, but who inspires him with such a raging, devotional and possessive quality of love. The girl, Gloria Quayle, appreciates the fine spirit of sacrifice John Storm, the man, possesses, and it is this quality in his character which makes her love him above all the other men who come into her life. But the call of the flesh, the quest for a full portion of life, is too much for Gloria to sacrifice, and as the loved idol of a London public, a music hall star, she gets the expression which her physical and temperamental nature desires. John Storm, beholding the strong hold a life of frivolity has upon Gloria Quayle, endeavors to forget her by secluding himself behind the walls of a monastery, but since stone walls have never been able to shut out a love which is not outside the walls, but rules over the heart and thoughts of the lover, John Storm leaves the seclusion of the monastery to be near to the woman whose power over him is greater than his power of renunciation. The big scene is when John Storm, convinced that the girl he loves has sold her body and soul for the tawdry baubles of life, is determined to save her soul by destroying her body. Gloria pleads with the lover who would kill her, pleads as a woman with all her charms can plead, pleads . with the allurement of herself physically, pleads through the love she has for this maddened lover and through his love for her, and love conquers the reformer, love instead of killing to possess, agrees to be swayed by love and to allow this love to express itself in a manner which will give mutual happiness. CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST RAY LEWIS REVIEWS “THE CHRISTIAN,’ AND ‘EXTRAY ‘EXTRA? COMEDY But since there is always a serpent in every Garden of Eden, the particular two-legged serpent in our story happens to be a titled personage who has an ulterior motive in providing Gloria Quayle with a theatre of her own and stardom. John Storm become the preacher of the streets and to enrage those who look upon him as a prophet this man of title spreads a report that Storm has foretold the end of the world. The superstitous mob gathers in Trafalgar Square to await the finish. And the world rolls on as ever, only that some of them have sold out their belongings, their homes, given up their positions, awaiting the grand finale, only to find that they are still alive and must now concern themselves with the proposition of living. love for the prophet turns to hate and John Storm is mobbed and very nearly lays down his life, but is saved by Gloria Quayle, who, aroused by the cries of his tormentors, appears upon ‘he scene to save the man she loves. The picture leaves John Storm in bed, so weak and bruised that he scarcely knows of the marriage ceremony which joins his love to Gloria’s. has With the exception of a few minor details, such as the question, “Where were the London police while the mob gathered and mobbed John Storm? and the uncertainty of the finish—it was difficult to know whether John Storm died or recovered—the picture is an exceptionally fine one and should be an universally liked attraction. Richard Dix as John Storm has probably given us the finest example of his screen work. He made the character most convincing and the struggle between his love for the woman and his love for devotion to humanity kept the interest of the story keyed up to a very high pitch. Mae Busch as Gloria Quayle looked the part. A newcomer, Phyllis Haver, new, in that as the nurse friend of Gloria Quayle she is playing her first important part, did some good work and shows excellent promise. Our titled villain was as smooth and polished a gentleman villain as one could wish. | You would have just loved to annihilate him. Exhibitors can present “The Christian’-to their patrons with -expanded. chest, which interpreted means that they can expand in the security of giving their patrons something in screen production which will reflect creditably upon the house which ‘presents it. LOYD HAMILTON, in his latest Educational comedy, “Extra, Extra,” is again seen at his best. Asa newspaper photographer and reporter, utilized. for his efficiency in photographing events ard persons in an emergency, you can imagine how “efficient” Hamilton is. When he is not falling over his camera he is falling over his feet, or detained giving the bird a bath, rescuing forlorn maidens from the pangs of hunger, acting mother and father to his. orphaned brother. What cares he, as he sits writing copy at an open window: in his apartment, what havoc his typewriter of wide dimensions causes. He is engrossed in the story he is relating, yet the end of his typewriter, reaching out like a mischevious hand, knocks off the silk hat of a venerable gentleman, picks up a doughnut from a passing baker’s pan, picks up an ink well and deposits the contents into the hat of a young and ardent lover, Lloyd remains oblivious, while all around him is amazement, confusion, anger, surprise. Even the explosion of a cannon cracker, which two urchins have placed upon his typewriter and from which his cigar has been removed, leaves him a blackened but undampened newspaper reporter. “Extra, Extra” is abundantly filled with all the little bits of nonsense which are so screamingly funny when seen but which defy your power to relate them. You know how funny Lloyd Hamilton can be; he fulfills your expectations in “Extra, Extra.” “More To Be Pitied,” “Only a Shop Girl,” Sold To Australia Australian rights were sold recently on two of the Six Box Office Winners already completed by C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation. According to arrangements made between C.B.C. and Australian Films Limited, these two pictures, “More to be Pitied,” and “Only a Shopgirl,” have been taken over by the latter company for Australian showing. Millard Johnston, American representative for the Australian firm, was greatly enthused over both these features, and said that the original stage plays of Blaney, from which they were picturized, have had a tremendous vogue in Australia for many years past, and that people there will be greatly interested in seeing the screen versions of them. In Canada these features are being distributed by Stephenson attractions. Famous Players are releasing “The Christian” in nine reels, at the Grand, Toronto, Feb. 26th. It is based on the well-known novel by Sir Hall Caine. AQ agile Pictures Read The Digest Advertising. Pages.