Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 1923-Apr 1924)

TORONTO, CANADA. Digest Reviews Current Attractions [' the exhibitor would exercise the same good judgment in arranging entertainment for his year-aroundpatronage as he has shown in the selection of his Christmas holidays programs (chosen with a view to pleasing the children) there might be seen a new wave of interest ‘in the movies. We place this onus on the exhibitor because after all it is really very much up to him. We admit and applaud wildly when the exhibitor complains that there are a tremendous number of rotten pictures offered him; but we also must maintain that the producer has made a few good pictures during the past year, a few very good pictures and a very few excellent pictures. With these and the large number of average good pictures available the exhibitor can certainly avoid the “rot.” Don’t pull the old see about the public wanting this form” or that of perverted entertainment — give them good, wholesome pictures, and your audiences may change “caste” a little but it will be to your advantage and just the same to you if the money comes in. One of the most prominent independent exhibitors in Canada said to the Dicest recently, “The public is definite in its demand for wholesome entertainment. It is getting absolutely fed up on the lavish artificial studio sets, impossible stories, and the tricks of so-called stars. What is wanted is a real story with plenty of God’s outdoors for a background. Good photography and good direction will do for half the cost what the biggest star and the most costly studio sets can no longer do. ‘Your audience will stand any amount of “setting” in an imaginative or historical romance, and enjoy it just as a child loves a fairy story; but when it comes to modern drama the story must ring true,’ and the picture must be ¢ picture and not a cartoon.” * Ke kK “Holiday Programs” th The day after Christmas, T'oronto eed enjoyed a good old fashioned selec The Hippodrome with ee Coogan in “Long Live the tetion pegs effective photo pro° 0: a s ’ ieee roma ry Roberts Rinehart’s ample of the well ee Hai a ; presented imaginor story with make-believe historthe hone The children packed Catre, packed the lobbies and ' cam 4 nce, was a successful ex-_ spilled over into the street outside the entrances. They showed what it really meant to “stand them out.” At Pantages, the freckled-faced little imp, Wesley Barry, as “The Country Kid,” presented by Regal Films, registered with conviction in dollars and cents at the box office. The kiddies and their parents packed the huge house solid directly after luncheon and kept it jammed all day. Here was the successful outdoor story with a vengeance. The Picadilly, with its remarkably appealing dramatization of Dickens’ immortal story, “David Copperfield,” provided probably the most important treat—those who had not been children for a very long while as well as the little folks responded in record numbers to the greatest of all English novelists. Here was the example of the great story with its world renowned characters faithfully portrayed amid suitable and _ realistic surroundings. ° x Oe Ok OF “David Copperfield” Dominion Films, Limited, is responsible for bringing to Canada the beautiful European screen production of “David Copperfield,” the story which is said to be based on the life of the great author himself. “David Copperfield” has been produced by a man who is a lover of Dickens’ works— it is the most eloquently sympathetic bit of screen drama that you could wish to see. The dearly loved characters step into the scenes one by one with such natural effect that: the viewer would not be surprised in the least if they stepped right through the screen and out into the audience to greet their old friends. David as the little boy buffetted about by an ironical fate; David as the budding young author, the handsome lover, the devoted young husband; Aunt Betsy Trotwood; the fragile little girl-wife, Dora; faithful old Peggotty; Mr. Wickfield; Agnes, the gracious and loveable; Uriah Heep, the scheming, sneering, repellant cheat; Micawber, the well meaning but purposeless gambler with fate—clear as crystal are all the famous characterizations. The story, as depicted on the screen by a group of celebrated European actors under the banner of the Nordisk Film Company with A. W. Sandberg directing, is charming. It contrasts the tragedy and the humor Page Nine of David’s youth and maturity. It deals delightfully with the romance of his young manhood, it misses not one episode of “screen value” out of the remarkable story. It is one of the screen delights of the sea-_ son. Frequently the lighting is most. ineffective and really lovely scenes suffer through lack of light. Some. times the make-ups look poor as a result of the same deficiency; but the ideal of the story is so beautifully preserved one can afford to overlook minor technical weaknesses. * * * * “Long Live the King” Now in the Metro fantasy Jackie is the whole works. The children are simply wild about him, and the adults fall, too, though a few frozen hearts claim exemption. The hard-boiled critic maintains that Jackie without all the paraphanalia of a million dollar production would draw just the same; but it is amusing to see him this serio-comic role of a juvenile royalist who is the centre of attraction in the heart of a revolutionarydisposed principality. It is also interesting to note that the elaborately worked out story with its plots and counter plots, its romance, intrigue and political strife means nothing in comparison with a shake of Jackie’s leg or a roll of the big brown eye. Every time Jackie is off the screen the audience begins to get restless. Fortunately Jackie is much present most of the time and his work is amazing. As little Prince Otto, who gets fed up frequently with the regime in the castle, Jackie is a peach. His impersonations of the illustrious celebrities who surround him are priceless. His tears are shed by every child who sees him, and his smiles are greeted with shouts of happy laughter. “Long Live the King” is the safest bet ever. Yours will be a happy and prosperous New Year indeed if you can secure pictures that will hold the interest of your audi -ences as Jackie Coogan or Wesley Barry, Benny Alexander or Baby Peggy hold the esteem of their juvenile admirers. And Mr. Exhibtor, remember, too, that a juvenile fan well pleased means at least two steady patrons. Children never take their pleasure selfishly. Even the youngster who “plays hooky” to go to the movies has a “side-kick.” —H. M. B. | GOCE" Read The Digest Advertising Pages. a cr aa SA IO