Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 1923-Apr 1924)

Page Hight ao CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST — “WITHIN THE LAW” A TRIUMPH — . “GO-GETTER” GOES TOO LONG Norma Talmadge in Bayard Veiller’s Story Scores a Home Run for First National—Paramount Picture Full of Action, but Too Much Footage for Subject. Bayard Veiller’s tremendously well known stage play ‘‘ Within the Law”’ has proven a triumph on the sereen. Perhaps the most satisfying feature in connection with this splendid pie ture is the faithfulness of the sereen story to the original ideal of the great cenius of melodrama. This is particularly gratifying with regard to ‘Within the Law’’ not only because of the wonderful construction of the play in the first place, but because the story is one so well known there is no question that too much liberty with the subject matter would have killed a very real simpathy. As it is, First National have a picture of which they may be justly proud, not only in general terms but specifically, which is more important. It is an amazingly handsome production—good all the way through—with what 1s vulgarly called ‘‘elass’’ showing in every foot of the film. The so-called incidentals are pretty well faultless, and the lighting, photography, sets, exteriors, convey an impression of infinite care. One almost imagines the hand of Griffith in the prison yard scene where ‘Mary Turner watches over a single rose in bloom, This, mentioned in passing, is meant as a genuine tribute to the director, Frank Lloyd, for with the exception of the monotony of the first few close ups of Miss Norma Talmage as Mary Turner waiting for sentence, the pieture was handled with masterly skill. These close-ups, referred to, seemed a bit unkind as an introduction for this talented star, whose work after the first few above mentioned shots wag absolutely splendid. The gradual rise of the remarkable little shop girl to a position of power and affluence was given the most delieate shading and made absolutely convineing by this able actress. There isn’t a showman but knows the story of ‘‘ Within the Law’’—how — Mary Turner is unjustly sent to the penitentiary for three years (convicted of the theft of merchandise in reality stolen by another little salesgirl), anl her determination to punish the millionaire store-owner who diseriminates between manied keleptomantacs and pale, starving little thieves—his customers and the sales girls in his store respectively. After her release Mary plans to ‘‘get back’’ through staying right “within the law.” With “Aggie Linch” (a bewitching ereature as Pokal ge Kilee Perey) black mail, by way of breach of promise suits, is resorted to and Mary proceeds to ‘‘bleed’’ wealthy old gaffers who are only too willing to fall for the charms and graces of the two lovely girls. Finally the adored son of Mary’s former employer becomes a victim. Love finally conquers revenge, but not before justice is meted out to the merciless head of the great emprorium. second only in importance to the genius displayed by Frank Lloyd is the remarkable wisdom evident in the choice of the star’s supporting company. It is said that Miss Talmadge herself chose Lew Cody for the role of Jov Garson, her confederate. If this is so Miss Talmadge not only deserves a gold medal but the silver one two. Her own work merits only praise in most glowing terms and the fact. that such discretion was used in filling the other characters of this great play warrants double honor to the Scherek forees. As Dick Gilder, Jack Mulhall is equally well east, while Eileen Perey as ‘‘Aggie’’ is quite irresistible. Joseph Kilgour a widely recognized artist was admirable as Edward Gilder, and Thomas Ricketts did a good bit of work as General Hastings, the cighty-year-old admirer of flapperdom. The fact that the police departments in various cities where ‘‘ Within the Law’’ has been shown, have commended the manner in which the seenes depicting the treatment of “suspects” are handled is interesting in view of the hallucinations cherished by the general publie with regard to the ‘‘third degree,’’ “THE GO-GETTER-? Peter B. Kyne has certainly stirred up a lot of fuss all over a mere ten cent blue vase, but he gets away with it and consequently the movie fans are going to like the “Go-Getter.” The “‘Go-Getter’’ is a spasm out of the life of the universally famous Cappy Ricks, and transeribed into _ Sereen entertainment loses very little under the well experienced hand of Ki. H. Griffith, directing for Cosmopolitan. In the Paramount picture seen at the Allen Theatre, Toronto, a group of well-known and widely popular stars are slightly in danger of wearing out their welcome, for while the ‘Go-Getter’’ is a fairly good picture i and crammed full of action it shrieks Buying Pictures Read The Digesii Advertising Pages. in spots for less footage. pietures with a good average theme he extended to the length that only outstanding productions — should achieve. If a good story is good ‘when its short tis a positive crime to stretch it. There is this to be said of the ‘“Go-Getter,’’ the thrills when they eome are real. Perhaps it is a bit brutal to put the hero to such a test when he has already come through the appalling realities of the great war, but human nature is that part of-us that wants to see a real fight if there is to be one, so the ‘‘Go-Getter’’ stoges a hum-din. ger of a fight—and, there you areThe serap over the little blue vase will get ’em. Well, there is a young returned soldier who determines to ‘‘eome back’’ in spite of the coolness that is said to be meeting the efforts of the soldier citizens eager for reestablishment—meaning chaps who want a chanee to get a job and make good. Bill Peck played spiritedly by Roy T. Barnes is one of these. Formerly a lumber salesman, Bill has the. tenancity to get what he goes after. When he gets a turn down in a big lumber concern he retraces his steps, and over. the head of the superintendent, at the instigation of said superintendent’s charming daughter (played by Seena Owen )he tackles the president—Cappy Ricks—and_ lands the job. Complications. The Go-Getter sells a huge consignment of lumber, which had proved a Jonah to all the other sulesmen, but he sells it to Cappy’s pet rival in the China trade. Bill is fired but with a grin re-hires himself and brings in flocks more orders.. Sueh a nature intrigues the diminutive Cappy and the blue vase enters the scene. As the final test of his worthiness to remain on the Sales Staff of Ricks and Company Bill is made to fight two very tough birds indeed, after an all day pilgrimage, for the blue vase which must be delivered at the right time and place to the exacting Cappy. Bill races a train to Santa Barhara in a lighted aeroplane with a former comrade as his pilot, and flages the train with his gasoline ignited coat. Of course he exchanges the blue yase for a beautiful bride and a steaily job. '’, Roy Barnes and Seena Owen are very acceptable leads, while William Norris as Cappy Ricks 1s irresistible. The picture is wholesome, meaning clean entertainment, and the little ae troductory plea for remembrance i those lads many whom are even ye in the military hospitals is in the | right key. However while the uae opens in a military hospital don't be a moment think that it is going to " a war picture in that sense for it re Tneidentally the titles are a om” * photography fair. Why must . Ye ™