Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr 1923-Apr 1924)

Page Twenty Ne CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Pictures in W “The Virginian” was the feature at the Province, Winnipeg, the week of February 11. In it, Kenneth Har lan and Florence Vidor take the leads in portraying a vivid story of bitter feud days on western ranches. Pat O’Malley gaves as fine a presentation of a cowboy as ever has been seen on the screen and he drew away from the starg when the work fell to his hands to develop the story. The beautiful photography, the unusual shots of gorgeous country, and the hard riding which go with the picture, was all that could be desired. He was a nervy catieraman and Miss Vidor had not the strong role which sometimes falls to her undoubted: abilities, but. as the Puritam school mistress she won sympathy without overdrawing, and gave good support to Harlan, who stands out as eminently suited to the work of living Owen Wister’s loveable southerner, the corraler of ranch rustlers. The story has been widely read and has been staged with tremendous opportunity for dramatic effect. “The Virginian” is as well done as any western picture and fur -mushes the height of enjoyment to all who hike the story. No one leaves until “The End” is flashed. * KOK The showing of Charlie Chaplin’s first serious drama, “A Woman of Paris (United Artists) at the Regent Theatre, Winnipeg, the week of February 11, attracted one of the biggest week’s business to that theatre since it opened. The more one sees of this splendid production the greater 1s one’s admiration for Chaplin. The detail is carefully and worthily developed; the dramatic moments are so carefully timed and so truthfully portrayed and the characters are so much a part of the story, that nothing has been left out to make it one of the outstanding features of the season. Beautiful gowns, daring situations, marvellously well handled to over-ride the strictest censorship, and the carefully conceived and well connected plot add to the charm and the virility of the story. “A Woman of Paris” has added greatly to Chaplin’s prestage and in it also Edna Purviance 1s seen in the best dramatic role of her long career. ‘The emotional parts added lustre to the actress’ reputation. -“A Woman of Paris” By JOHN J. CONKLIN (Exclusive to the Dicxst.) boldly, simply and powerfully presents a broad sex theme. * * * OX The Metropolitan Theatre did a very large business the week of February 18, featuring Gloria Swanson in “The Humming Bird.” This house topped the business of the city theatres that week with the fine production. It isa great picture in the sense that it is gripping in story and that the star does the best work she has ever been seen to do on the Winnipeg screen. Gloria has been noted for the way she wore beautiful gowns, but in “The Humming Bird” she had to rely on her native ability and thus proved herself an actress as_ well. There are no gowns to attract admiration. in the feature, which is well directed and the comments of the audiences going on indicated that it was about the best thing they had seen in the hands of Miss Swanson, even if the story is not a novel one. This Famous Lasky feature is bound to go over big in first-run houses. There is a compelling, spiritual touch in the drama, and the plot is finely sketched. Sidney Alcott, the director, is becoming very dependable. His treatment by suggestion creates an appealing atmosphere. The regeneration of a feminine crook never loses interest with the audience. * Ok Ok Ok “Richard the Lion-Hearted,’ an Associated Authors release, proved a splendid attraction at the Lyceum Theatre the week of February-25. It Is a vivid character sketch and there Forced To Break Single Week Policy By First Nationals For the first time since 1915, the Olympic Theatre of Boston held over a picture for a second week during the showing of Frank Lloyd’s “Black Oxen.” This record was equalled immediately by “Flaming Youth” and now “Anna Christie” is entering into its second week at the Boston house. ‘This makes three successive First National pictures to cause the Olympic to break its single week policy in force for eight years. a innipeg . are some rich “shots,” notably the armoured crusaders against Oriental backgrounds. Charles Gerrard as the sinister Saladin, does -exceptional work while Wallace Beery gives a vivid and vital performance in the title role. There is also some deft comedy revealed. Scott’s novel has been given excellent treatment with real action and suspense. There is no spectacular appeal but there is ac tion and incident innumerable. A’ bevy of fair ladies accompany their king and these give substance and color to the production. There are many outstanding names in the cast. No undue liberties have been taken with the. famous story, “The Talisman.” All Films Returned | | Night of Showing Special Night Porter on Duty At Allbee Building, Montreal. Montreal—A new regulation with a view to serving the interest of the exhibitor has come into force in Montreal in the form of a notice to exhibitors from Famous Lasky, Universal, Associated First National, Dominion Films, Fox Films, Regal, Canadian Educational, United Artists and Vitagraph Exchanges acting jointly, that all films shall be returned to these exchanges on the same night they are finished with. For this purpose a special night man: is engaged at the Allbee Building and will be on duty every night between 11 and I a. m., to whom such films will be sent. First thing next morning they will be sorted out and handed to thetr respective Exchanges, who will look through them in the morning for revision or any betterment that 1s ne cessary and in time for the showing at the next theatre due the same afternoon. The idea is to have the film in perfect condition for the next screening and it is one that commends itself to all business men. Another order issued by the exchanges in the interests of exhibitors is that in future no films will be issued to theatres unless the messenger calling for them is provided with proper containers. f fore Bilaz : , : ‘ | UIQ Ces Ste Pictures Read The Digest Advertising Pages: \ WH ce eee ee me