Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1925-May 1926)

Page Two CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Compiled Class B Reviews of “The Spotlight’’—continued CLASS B—“GET BEHIND THESE”—Photoplays of real merit, but which require more or less bally-hoo in the way of exploitation to gain the deserved box-office results. CLASS B “THE SHOCK PUNCH” (Famous Players) Richard Dix out-safety lasts a certain begoggled comedian in this genuinely hair-raising thriller. It is the fast moving story of a strong armed young college grad who turns iron worker to win the heart of his lady fair. The story is thin to the point of emaciation; but is so replete with ACTION that this lack is not noticeable. The greater part of this action takes place on the structure of the new New York Telephone Company’s building in lower New York, the scenes of New York’s famous sky-line and harbor are remarkable, and will prove of great interest all over the country. Young and old will delight in the hero’s hazardous feats—though some of his hair-breadth escapes will be hard on those with hearts. Frances Howard is quite charming as the heroine, though we could not quite see why the hero should so constantly risk his life for her. Walter Long has seldom been so villainous; and while only a “movie,” it is such a darned entertaining movie as to fit into any class of program. * * * * CLASS B “FRIENDLY ENEMIES” (Producers Distributing) One of the very best screen adaptations of a stage success ever made. It features the world famous and well beloved Weber and Fields ; notwithstanding its theme of conditions attending the United States entrance into the World War, ought to prove an outstanding success—both artistic and Box Office. No better acting of a father’s grief has ever been done on the screen than Lew Fields does here. If any evidence was needed that he is a great actor it is furnished in this film story beyond all doubt. Though the story is heavily sentimental, it has the saving grace of flashes of humour, both in action and in clever captions. The two old friends—the friendly enemies—who quarrel violently over everything—the war, pinochle and what not—are a most lovable pair as portrayed by Lew Fields and Joe Weber and will live long in one’s memory. Eugenie Besserer, Jack Mulhall, Virginia Brown Faire, Lucille Lee Stewart and Stuart Holmes round out an almost perfect cast. This is entertainment of the very highest grade. ok x * * CLASS B “SOUL FIRE” (First National) Richard Barthelmess in a rather heavy romantic drama spells Box Office success. This story, adapted from Martin Brown’s “Great Music,” concerns a young composer who yearned to achieve a great work, and who felt that he must experience LOVE to be enabled to do so. In his erotic pilgrimage he wallowed successively in the mire of Paris, Port Said and a South Sea Island; having hectic love affairs with an Italian princess (admirably acted by Carlotta Monterey) a drab of Port Said (most wonderfully presented by Helen Ware—the same role she had in the play) and with a little English girl in the South Sea Island. Bessie Love was the latter, and proved to be the inspiration for his great effort. Barthelmess in this “heart interest’ character is intense and interesting, and while not an ideal type for a musician, is romantic and will register strongly. This will be a real Box Office bet. CLASS B “SPOOK RANCH” (Universal) The fast riding, ever smiling Hoot Gibson has never appeared to better advantage than in this story of a chap who gets “stung” trying to prospect for gold on the desert. The story is by no means a stereotyped Western, though it has its full quota of riding and fighting. It has been clearly built for entertainment values—i. e. Box Office values—even at the sacrifice of a slight amount of plausibility. ‘The comedy is especially infectious, and will be enjoyed equally by youngsters of 9 or 90. Helen Ferguson is charming in Hoot’s support, and the entire cast is capable. This is capital entertainment anyway you look at it, and is deserving of intensive exploitation. * * * * CLASS B “THE NIGHT CLUB” (Famous Players) A farce comedy which degenerates into slapstick in many spots but which is so genuinely laugh-provoking as to merit a high rating. Raymond Griffith is featured and is extremely deft and funny in the role of a chap left “waiting at the church,” who thereupon becomes a bitter woman hater. Louise [azenda is alluring, and as funny as can be imagined a3 a travesty Carmen, and Wallace Beery as a tough tamale again proves for the steenth time that he is just as supreme as a comedian as he is as a“bad” man—which is saying considerable. Vera Reynolds is the heroine — why? The picture is so genuinely funny and entertaining that it is well worth “getting behind” and boosting. * * * * CLASS B “THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS” (Warners) Not a great big picture but all the more attractive on that very account for it deals in an appealing manner wih everyday matters in an everyday manner. It is a story which will arouse sympathy anywhere, and while sad is not morbidly so. Ralph Lewis in the part of an unbending father is fine, and so is Alec Francis as the Father who is unjustly sent to jail. Creighton Hale is fair and surpisingly lacking in his native whimsical humor. Dorothy Mackaill contributes another fine portrait to her rapidly growing. gallery of screen characters. A fine title to draw to, and real good entertainment to offer after you have got them in. * * * 2 CLASS B “THE MAN IN BLUE” (Universal) Colorful atmosphere, fast action and good incident feature this romance of a cop and an Italian girl, The man in blue, splendidly played by Herbert Rawlinson, has his own troubles with sons of sunny Italy—to say nothing of a horde of politicians, but he wins out—of course he does, and you will have an enjoyable time watching him do so, for the story is full of real romance, honest humor and genuine heart interest. Madge Bellamy is a delight to the eyes as the Italian girl and does some capital acting. Boost this one, it will bring results. F. B. O.’s Ray Lewis Independence Week, Beginning March 14th. Google