Close Up (Oct 1920 - Sep 1923)

3 NIGHT LIFE IN L. A. (By “The Rounder”) LOEWS STATE — Last week Manager Bostick was kept overtime counting box office change due to the screen appearance of Wesley Barry in “Rags to Riches,” a Warner Bros, production. This is a very clever photoplay, but we think that although Wesley is a good actor, he is a bit in the awkward age and it is hard to grasp some of his actions. Jimmy Aubrey’s new comedy completes the bill. This comedy is a knockout and shows that this gentleman is coming up in the laugh business. ORPHEUM — After a really clever bill due to the fact that it was a third of a century anniversary, we now have just the usual thing. Karyl Norman as “The Creole Fashion Plate” is the headliner, and is better than ever this year. Ivan Bankoff comes in second for the honors. Smith and Strong were the hold-overs. The others, including “Senator” Ford, were just the usual thing. But one thing unusual about this theater is Mr. Perry, tnc “Doug” Fairbanks of the box office. He always has a smile for everyone while holding down two jobs. MOROSCO — “Abie’s Irish Rose,” now in its 355th and 356th performances, wins the grand prize as the great Los Angeles run. Otto Lederer is still holding down the laughing part of the show. We give him credit for the “sold out” sign which is never out of use. GRAUMAN’S— It might be a poor bill — IF it weren't for Larry Semon in “Golf.” This comedy alone places Mr. Semon among the ranks of the best comedians, and also gives him an excellent chance to be a winner. “The Cowboy and the Lady” with Tom Moore and Mary Miles Minter is all right as far as Clyde Fitch’s stories go. Larry made a personal appearance last Monday night, which added greatly to his large collection of comedy fans. MAJESTIC — “The Rear Car" is still traveling at a high rate of speed, so we sec by the box office line every day. Now in its fourteenth week and no repairs are needed; pretty good, eh? Nana Bryant and her clever husband, . Cliff Thompson, arc the leading favorites in the stock race just now. HILL STREET— What a great bill for this theater! Fanchon and Marco with their successful proteges, Madame Vannessi and Frances Williams, are taking the theatergoers by storm. The rest of the bill — most of ’em headliners — is truly better than the “big house" on Broadway. Carl Laemmle’s “In the Days of Buffalo Bill” is causing considerable comment among the patrons. The other picture, Corine Griffith in “Divorce Coupons,” is very poor — -a mere time killer. CALIFORNIA — “The Sin Flood" should be billed as “Not a Sea Picture.” With a remarkable cast of five well known male players and one female, it is really a photoplay of some merit. Helene Chadwick is the woman and proves that she is an actress. James Kirkwood is very good. Richard Dix and Otto Hoffman are clever. L. H. King and Ralph Lewis fine. Frank Lloyd directed the picture for Goldwyn and shows that he knows how to handle a remarkable group of players. MILLER’S — Tom Mix has run out of titles, so it seems, after viewing "Do and Dare.” In this he tries to be unusual by wearing a monocle, but doesn't succeed. “Tony,” his horse, is also in this. It reminds us of an old-time "Doug” Fairbanks picture in South America. KINEMA— M aurice Tourneur’s production of "Lorna Doone” was given its Los Angeles premiere with unusual success. No wonder, it is truly a good picture. And Madge Bellamy, who plays the leading role, displays real acting ability. John Bowers is also very clever in his part. The wedding scene rivals that of a Rex Ingram production, which was supposed to be the greatest. ALHAMBRA — "The Hound of the Rackervilles, another Sherlock Holmes story, which is only getting over on account of John Barrymore’s remarkable work in the real production. There have been a number of inferior productions placed on the market since the release of the good production. May this serve as a notice to those who are about to be fooled by clever advertising. RIALTO — Although “When Knighthood Was in Flower” is starring Marion Davies, she is not the star. Lyn Harding steals the picture with the assistance of Forrest Stanley. Marion is merely posing and filling in to make it historically correct. The sudden raise in prices has shortened the usual line every evening. MISSION — “What’s Wrong With the Woman?” This title alone has been good for the two-week run at this theater. However, many patrons are disappointed; it doesn’t answer the question. What could one expect for 55 cents? The picture is far from being good. The sets are rather clever, but Constance Bennett is a bit careless about her clothes. They exposed a little more than was necessary. CLUNE’S — “The Queen of the Moulin Rouge,” which is having a second Broadway run in this theater, might as well be passed up. It is slow moving, not realistic, lighting poor, directing poor and the players have been miscast. What more could be the matter with a picture? A lot more — and that goes for this picture. Martha Mansfield was the star, but was very unconvincing of the fact. “I AM ASKING THE VOTERS In the Motion Picture Industry to vote for — the man who had this picture taken!” HOWARD R. HINSHAW Justice of the Peace He has had EXPERIENCE, has had a LEGAL EDUCATION, is COURTEOUS, and deals out FAIRNESS to rich and poor alike. His platform is built on “FAIR TREATMENT and a SQUARE DEAL to everyone.” (This space is given Justice Hinshaw as a compliment, without cost, bv the Publisher. “He will get my VOTE— HOW ABOUT YOURS?”)