Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

A NEARER POINT OF VIEW “CLOSE-UP” A MAGAZINE OF MOVIE-LAND | VOL. IX, NO. 7. LOS ANGELES, CALIF., APRIL 20TH, 1923 TEN CENTS | mi iiiiiiiiiiihii hiiiiiiiiiih THORNS AND ORANGE BLOSSOMS” Reviewed by EMM. ELL. Bertha M. Clay’s (IMMORTAL?) Love Story! Immortal W-H-A-T? That’s exactly what I am asking. It is so evident that B. P. Schulberg, who presents it, must have gotten this story very cheaply, and no doubt figured that he could keep up the good work and make it as cheaply as possible. He succeeded! For as the story proceeds through a horrible continuity you sense that INDICATIONS have taken the place of actual visualization. Forced attempts at humor are scattered throughout. Southern (?) gentlemen are shown playing poker, and to help you to realize that you’re in a Southern atmosphere, dark fluid is served in tall glasses with the straws clinging lovingly inside. In this picture you are also shown first, a city jail, where the hero, charged with attempted murder, is allowed to retain his jewelry and walking cane! Then “GUILTY” is flashed on the screen (no court room scene here, that would cost money), then the hero, Kenneth Harlan is shown in a very up-to-date penitentiary, where “STAYCOMB” or its like is allowed prisoners, for throughout his terrible ordeal as a convicted prisoner he maintains his immaculate gloss-haircut and shaved appearance. Also he is allowed to receive visitors, whom he is allowed to freely embrace! But perhaps this state of affairs had to be to help Director Louis Gasnier to get over the hurdles! If “Thorns and Orange Blossoms” didn’t do anything else, it served its purpose in bringing out two great features— the REAL STAR (who wasn’t billed as such), ESTELLE TAYLOR, and KARL STRAUS, the photographer. The latter presented you with some of the most exquisite photography seen in many a moon. Miss Taylor carried what action there was, and revealed herself as an amazing revelation of histrionism. She interpreted a most difficult character with a naturalism that stamped her as an ARTISTE of the first rank. Not only was she beautiful, but her fire, verve and spontaneousness in scenes where the balance of the picture was boring you to tears. She is a consummate actress and fully deserves an elevated spot in the picture world. Edith Roberts, in a blonde wig, was sadly miscast; she didn’t belong, in other words. Harlan used the same straw hat I’ve seen him use in three other pictures. His acting was stereotyped, you felt that you knew exactly what he was going to do next. Carl Stockdale looked more like a tin-horned gambler than a Southerner. Arthur Hull is a splendid natural actor, I’d like to see more of him. John Cossar fades from your memory as you think of him, while Evelyn Selbie didn’t reach expectations as a duenna, her part was colorless. In fact, this word describes the whole affair. Hope Loring adapted most miserably, while Gasnier never did anything quite so rotten. “We Must Be Brave — Life Waits.” This title concluded the performance. Martha Mattox arises to say — that Good Women should read Bad Books if necessary to keep Good, and Bad Women should read Good Books for a change. Edwin Baker is running for Council, it’s not the actor, but his father. The trouper is still with Hal E. Roach. “We Need Good Men!” Such a Man Is Recommended to the Voters in Movie-Land by CLOSE-UP GREELY KOLTS Is a CANDIDATE for City Council “LET’S STAND BY HIM” May Primary — June Election ETHEL BROADHURST SCREEN INGENUE Who is playing in Zeigfeld Follies in New York. She will shortly re turn to California. WASHINGTON’S REPRESENTATIVE Like the cat seeking its former abode, Dorothy Barrett, who used to be so decorative with her broken leg around the scenario department of the Universal lot, has come back just to say hello. She is only in Los Angeles for a few weeks to tell of the wonders and advantages of the Washington Hotel in San Francisco. During the past year so very many picture people have been in San Francisco on location that A1 Short, manager of the Washington, has decided that the convenience and other hotellic features of his house should become better known to the picture people who contemplate going north. It was only natural that he should pick Dorothy, a former “movieite,” for the job. While San Francisco has more hotels for its size than any other city in the country, nevertheless the Washington stands out as a house of good cheer and abiding place, and what more can a tired actor or actress ask after a hard day’s work.