Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

/ “THE COMMON LAW,” AT LOEW’S STATE THEATRE, FROM THE FAMOUS NOVEL BY ROBERT W. CHAMBERS; DIRECTED BY GEORGE ARCHAINBAUD; PRODUCED BY SELZNICK. REVIEWED BY SAM SILVERMAN One of the most sumptuously staged pictures in months, characterized by photographic efficiency that is a bit shadowy or spotty in many of its aspects, yet abundantly alluring to justify a full measure of praise. As a story, it is without doubt one of the most inane, undemocratic, un-American and preposterous ever reviewed by this critic. It doesn’t belong— it is snobbish, libelous, piffling Consider: A great painter engages a model for the express purpose of perfecting his own cherished product. This model becomes part and parcel of the final creation; and because she poses with the feminine form divine as an aid and inspiration to his efforts, in the privacy of his studio (and not for the commonplace gaze of the public at large) she is rewarded for her efforts by the “thumbs down” attitude of the painter’s parents when he capitulates to her charms — damned, villified, ostracised, crucified on the cross of captious criticism. There is your story, in its primary motivity. That she consents to become his common law wife is equally illogical. It isn’t being done, nowadays. This reviewer happens to know a famous model, now residing in Los Angeles, who posed for such famous artists as James Montgomery Flagg, Frank Leyendecker, Harrison Fisher, Cole Phillips, etc., and when asked for her opinion of this theme, she turned aside with this rapier-like rejoinder: “It is too preposterous for serious consideration. It is my notion of zero in plot construction, and while it may have had a certain vogue as originally published, many years prior to the war, it surely is old fashioned, frazzled, frapped and all run down at the heels in this day and age of woman’s independence. Studio life, as I have lived it, is a serious and busi ness-like profession conducted on a dignified plane, sans salacious sentiments, devoid of tomfoolery, utterly divorced from the loosely amorous conduct usually attributed to it by those not qualified to judge, yet who persist in rendering a long-distance diagnosis of that which is beyond their immediate gaze. ‘Let him who is without sin cast the first stone’ is still a pretty good maxim — it goes on and on through the still lapse of the ages as the most wholesome philosophy ever handed down to posterity. And picture people ought to remember that; let them desist. Let them read proof on their themes, let them think that perhaps a good and wholesome girl is eking out an existence through the medium of expression provided by an all-wise Providence — and if there is inherent beauty and charm in the natural attributes with which she is endowed — why, where is the crime in having these accomplishments translated to canvas or satevepost cover page?” Miss Sunny Royal is the girl who delivered herself of the above opinion — she speaks from experience— soulfully, sincerely, emphatically, she spilled out the above without taking a second breath — and this reviewer subscribes to her sentiments without a second’s hesitation. Conway Tearle, as Louis Neville, the artist, was entirely too morose and somber — no pep, no vivacity, no ardent urge at all — especially when juxtaposed with Corinne Griffith as Valerie West, the model — whose radiant personality fairly jumped out at you through the silver sheet. Elliott Dexter, Doris May, Hobart Bosworth, B.ryant Washburn, Miss Dupont, Harry Myers, Wally Van and Dagmar Godowsky materiall assisted in elucidating the erroneous ethics of this screen effort. A Popular I. Miller Shoe The — It would seem untrue that one style in particular should have the ability, in loveliness and delicacy, to out-step any or many of the little models designed and made by I. Miller. — However, the “Scandal” here sketched is a successful captain. It has an odd and artistic forepart, three graceful straps and dainty perforations. Something to be seen and thought about. Patent Leather only. At the Ville — Fifth Floor, where I. Miller Footwear is carried exclusively in Los Angeles OWvru urn n> m ^ AT GUVS &H.DVAS CO.