Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1924 - Feb 1925)

January 10, 1925 Page 15 Monta Bell. Metro-Goldwyn director is not using tlie s:un to intimidate h.'s players. It is merely a prop and he has no occasion to use it. He is shown directing a scene from "The Snob" which has proven a box-office hit. Nation^s Press Unanimous In Praise For "Peter Pan" FOR the fij jt time in a long time screen critics of the daily press of the nation are unanimous in hailing a screen play as a triumph. Representing the opinions of the West, the Middle West, and the East are the unparalleled superlatives with which the reviewers en important papers in Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York and Philadelphia described their impressions of the Paramount production "Peter Pan," produced by Herbert Brenon with Betty Bronson in the title role. -In Los Angeles, where "Peter Pan," the picture was conceived and first saw the light of day, Albert A. Kaufman, managing director of the Million Dollar Theatre, wired the Paramount Home Office, " 'Peter Pan' opened at the Million Dollar Theatre tonight to the greatest enthusiasm in the history of the theatre. It is more than big, or great, or wonderful, it is the last word in screen entertainment. We counted thirty-one big situations that received big applause during the showing. It is the Bank of England for all exhibitors. A thousand congratulations." In corroboration of what this shrewd showman vouchsafed are the opinions of the critics on the Los Angeles dailies who were present at its world premiere. Mr. Edwin SchMert m Los Angeles Times : "A new highway to childhood land has been discovered. And this time it is motion pictures that have chartered the magic road. If you would venture into an enchanted domain you have only to behold 'Peter Pan.' It points a path so remarkably new and promising that it is to be heralded as one of the screens most remarkable and brilliant achievements." Harriette Underbill in the New York Herald-Tribune— "There is the inspiration of Darrie himself, there is the direction of Herbert Brenon amounting to positive genius. There is the fine acting, the perfect castmg, the splendid mechanism, the pictorial beauty. But there is a soul in 'Peter Pan' which is a thing apart from all its tangible perrectlon." Quinn Martin in the Nezt/ York Morning World.— ' 'Peter Pan' is one of the triumphs of the screen. And Famous Flayers-Lasky remind us once again that, although they also deal in quantity, quality is one of their specialties. Philadelphia Bulletin. — "It will be a hardboiled grownup who will not immensely enjoy 'Peter Pan.' " Philadelphia Record. — "It was a toughminded grownup who could resist its charm." Philadelphia N. American — "Never has been equaled on the screen. One needs a fresh vocabulary to describe 'Peter Pan.' " Philadelphia Public Ledger. — "Columns would hardly suffice to mention all the ad mirable things about the picture. Suould do much to raise the artistic standards of the movie industry." "LAST MAN" GETS GREAT RECEPTION nriHE GERMAN premiere of "The Last J[ Alan" occurred in Berlin on December 23. The picture took the audience by surprise with its originality of p.ct, acting, settings, direction and photography. An ovation lasting fifteen minutes followed the final fade-out. Emil Jannings, star of the picture, F. W. Murnau, the director, Carl iVIayer, the author, and Carl Freund, the photographer, who were present in the audience, received a personal ovation. The world premiere of "The Last Man", a UFA film, occurred in New York on December 5 at 11.30 p. m. at the Cri.erion Theatre before an invited audience. The trade press was unanimous in praise of the picture. It will be seen on Broadway in the near future. "The Last Man" was screened at the UFA studio in Neubabelsberg, near Berlin, "The Hollywood of Europe". The picture was directed by F. W. Murnau, one of the big German directors. He has introduced new ideas in this film worthy of notice. The photography of "The Last Man" was acclaimed one of its outstanding features by all who viewed this picture. whose ability in costume "Peter the Great", "Pas"Danton," etc.) establishas one of the greatest, if actor of Europe. Emil Jannings is well known here and has received high praise for his portrayal of leading characters in costume films. Playing the part of an ordinary, everyday mar he scores heavily in this latest L'FA production, even winning higher praise than lavished on him before. Carl Mayer, the author of "Caligari", the unique production which created a sensation when shown here some time ago, wrote the scenario for the film "The Last Man". "The Last Man" was shown entirely without titles. This production proves that it is possible to show films without the use of subtitles, an accomplishment establishing the director, F. W. Alurnau, among the leading directors of the motion picture world. Emil Jannings, films "Deception", sion,"' "PhT.raoh," ed his reputation not the greatest The above is one of the many thrilling scenes from Producers Distributing Corporation's "A Cafe in Cairo," in which Priscilla Dean is starred. This is one of the best pictures in which this well known star has ever appeared.