Exhibitor's Trade Review (Sep-Nov 1924)

Page 48 Exhibitors Trade Review "Easy Pickin's" A Christy Comedy 2 Reels The boy is in love with a sweet debutante, but the girl is not so sure, so she consults a fortune teller to determine whether she is making any mistake. What she sees in the crystal decides her. The future with her intended would be no bed of roses, future with her intended would be no bed of roses it is all the bunk, he consults the seer. The tangle which ensues cannot be analyzed in so many words, but is one long howl. This comedy is not only a comedy in name but in reality. It is lively film entertainment with Neal Burns as the chief funmaker. "Easy Pickin's" will go over with any audience, and will be particularly appreciated where the feature picture is of a serious or depressing nature. After consulting a fortune teller to make sure that the future with her prospective husband will be happy, the girl decided not to get in a matrimonial tangle just yet. Her father, who is anxious to see his daughter happily wedded, tells her that this fortune telling business is all the bunk. He promises to prove to her that the man is a charlatan, and with this in mind goes to consult the seer. He is beaten to it, however, by the disappointed bridegroom-to-be. He and the fakir enter into an agreement that will work out for the benefit of both, the crystal gazer promising to win back the girl for him if he will help the fortune teller to make his predictions come true. With the aid of Neal Burns, all that the father has been told comes true, but Neal has a larger order on his hands than he imagined. One of the funniest shots of all is where Neal "takes on" a local champion prizefighter in order to fulfill one of the seer's prophecies. The champ has been "fixed" not to "bear down" on Neal, in turn is doing his best to be knocked out. As a result the fight resembles the exhibition of a couple of toe dancers, and at one time they are both counted out. * * * How the young district attorney brings the activities of a band of criminals to an untimely end, and wins the girl in the bargain holds the interest ot the onlooker throughout. Leslie Austin as a redoubtable hero gives a fine performance, while Nellie Burt is an attractive and capable heroine. Ed Roseman is inclined to overact as the hynotist-criminal, and the remainder of the cast have little to do. The direction is good, and the film will find particular favor with a juvenile audience. In your exploitation mention the fact that these stories are taken from life. It would be a good idea to book them on a Saturday when there is a big turn out of children for the matinee. "Alice and the Three Bears" This is one of the series of cartoon and live character subjects. Cartoonist Walt Dinsay has conceived a method of A splendid interpretation of the Boston Tea Party, the outstanding episodes in American History, as sh "Chronicles of America" a. Pathe production, "Out of the Storm" Pathe A young district attorney is in his going over the papers in a case against 2 Reels bungalow, famous criminal, when a young woman comes out of the storm. The girl taints, and while the attorney' is bending over her, he is attacked from behind. When he wakes us he is in a robber's den and the girl with him. The papers have been stolen, and the attorney finds himself the prisoner of the criminal. However, with the aid of the girl who turns out to be an arm of the law, they both affect an escape and all ends well. "Out of The Storm" is the third of the True Detective Stories series based on personal experiences and data gathered by Major Ross D. Whytock, war correspondent and police reporter. The picture is one of those short thrillers well stocked with adventure from beginning to end, and provides entertainment that will prove especially suitable where a light feature is the order of the day. having a little girl act in conjunction with his cartoon animals and the results are amazing. In this picture the story of the Three Bears is followed more or less closely. A cat figures as the hero and protects the little girl from harm by the bears. There is a terrific battle staged between the cat and the bears in which the cat is victorious. The cartoonist has the range of his imagination to work with and some of the results are not only extremely funny but at the same time cause the audience to wonder how it is all done. If your audience are partial to cartoon comedies, this one will fit in nicely on your program. It is well worth booking. • * * * "Vernon and Hiers Bobby Vernon's third comedy to be released through Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., will be "French Pastry," following "High Gear," which will be released during November. In "French Pastry," which is about finished, Ann Cornwall returns to the Christie lot as leading lady with Vernon. During the production of "High Gear," in which Marion Harlan played the leading feminine role, Miss Cornwall was loaned to Douglas McLean, and she will be seen as leading lady to this star in his new feature production. "French Pastry" will be a comedy laid in France and Germany with the Army of Occupation. Walter Hiers has finished his second Walter Hiers Comedy, "A Fat Chance," which will reach the screen in the latter part of November. Under his contract with Educational, Hiers will be allowed to appear in feature productions, and has been cast in a big picture to go into production. Duane Thompson is his leading lady in "A Fat Chance," which was produced under the title of "Slim Chance." * * * Buster Brown Julius Stern, president of Century Comedies, sends word from Hollywood where he is supervising production activities, that his company will shortly start production on a series of two-reel comedies based on Buster Brown, the famous comic strip by R. F. Outcault. Arthur Trimble, who has played in many Century Comedies, and who is one of the most popular and promising of the five-year-old screen players, will most likely be selected for the title role in this new series from Century's studios. The director and supporting cast will be announced later. These comedies will be released through Universal. one of own in Watson to Direct for Century William Watson has been engaged by Century Comedies to direct Wanda Wiley in her latest picture "What's The Use?" Watson directed comedies for Century years ago and for the last three years has been on the Universal lot directing and supervising their comedy productions of one of two reels. During this time Watson has been called to direct comedv relief sequences in many of the big feature films made in and around Hollywood. His latest work of this kind was for Reginald Barker in "Dixie." Harry McCoy, Century's star comedian will play opposite Miss Wiley in "What's The Use?" which is the second of the new series from the stories by George Fouret, noted French humorist.