Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

E X H 1 B I T O R S HERALD Douglas MacLean and Doris May in WHAT'S YOUR HUSBAND DOING? Five-part comedy; ParamountArtcraft. Directed by Lloyd Ingraham. Published in December. OPINION: Score two for the Thomas H. Ince 1910 stars. Douglas MacLean and Doris May. "What's Your Husband Doing?" contains its full quota of humorous situations and is a laugh producer far above the average of present day comedies. The entertaining qualities of this latest Paramount-Artcraft offering are many and while its general appeal will strike home more forcibly with the newlyweds, particularly those inclined to be unduly suspicious, it will teach an excellent lesson. It is based upon a logical plot and though perhaps a trifle overdrawn, it is more than mirth provoking, it is downright funny. MacLean is the unsuspecting husband and Miss May appears as the wife, a bride of one year, who finds time hanging heavily upon her hands. A well balanced cast appears in support of the two. The lighting effects and interior sets are deserving of special mention. SYNOPSIS: Beatrice Ridley, a young wife, possessing a devoted husband, spends her leisure time building up romances about her Robert, in which he figures as a gay Lothario and she the much wronged wife. Her suspicions are aroused when he receives each morning letters dated from "The Huneysuckle Inn" a roadhouse frequented by sportsmen. These letters Robert hastily conceals and offers no word of explanation. She suspects there is a woman in the case and finally consults attorneys. Widgast and Pidgeon, with a view of obtaining relief. Both lawyers are young men and have young wives who suffer torments of jealousy also. Mrs. Widgast and Mrs. Pidgeon are on the scent of possible infidelities on the part of their husbands. All clues lead to 'Huneysuckle Inn" and when all the characters meet there there is a general clearing up of complications and illfounded suspicions. William Desmond in THE PRINCE AND BETTY Five-part comedy-drama; HamptonPathe. Directed by Robert Thornby. Published December 21. OPINION : Though we are used to seeing William Desmond in heavy and more dramatic roles, he makes the most of his opportunities in "The Prince and Betty" and withal gets away with a blender tale in rather neat style. One has to enter into the spirit of the play to thoroughly enjoy it, as it is farce A scene from "What's Your Husband Doing," the second co-starring vehicle of the new "Ince Twin Twinklers,*' Douglas MacLean and Doris May. comedy of the lightest texture, and will not bear very close inspection. There are. however, sufficient amusing situations and well turned subtitles to make it worth while on almost any program. Desmond has the role of an ambitious but poor American who accepts a post to a small principality to appease another's desire to satisfy a dream of a wonderful advertising scheme. The part affords Mr. Desmond ample opportunity to display this genial personality and a very capable cast appears in support, consisting of Mary Thurman. Walter Perry and William Tylor. The story was written by P. G. Wodehouse and is staged with the usual Hampton care as to details. SYNOPSIS: Benjamine Scobel, possessed of the idea that he can make the principality of Merve more famous than Monte Carlo, if properly advertised, employs John Maude, an American, to impersonate a prince and start a revolution. Maude, anxious to marry the wealthy Betty Keith, but temporarily out of funds, accepts the assignment. Later he learns that Betty is the stepdaughter of Scobel and that she disapproves of Maude's method of obtaining a livlihood. which upsets his plans completely. When the plot begins to thicken, John and Betty make their escape from Merve to America, and Scobel, finding a resourceful young fellow in Maude, employes him to look after his vast estate. Ruth Roland in THE ADVENTURES OF RUTH Fifteen-part serial; Roland-Pathe. Supervising director Ruth Roland. Published in January. OPINION: With "The Adventures of Ruth," the first production of Miss Roland's own company, this versatile young actress steps into the lime light in the role of producer, author, director and 119 star. And if one may judge by the first three episodes, it must be recorded that she "delivers the goods." She, with the aid of Gilson Willets, who wrote the scenario, introduces many new and novel ideas in serial making and Pathe. "the house of serials," has in Ruth Roland Serials. Inc.. a valuable and substantial addition to it string of continued screen stories. The plot concerns thirteen keys, each of which will lead Ruth into a great adventure and will assist in establishing her true birthright. The various episodes are presented in masterful manner and the story's interest does not depend, as in so many of these continued-in-our-next thrillers, upon automobile chases, pursuits over housetops, hand-to-hand encounters, etc., but makes a straightforward appeal through its interesting story that will bring patrons to the theatre anxious to follow the play through to the end. The first three chapters deal with Daniel Robin, who has become mixed up with a band of criminals known as "the 13" and when he refuses to do their bidding, is shot. His daughter, Ruth, brought home from boarding school, reaches his bedside before he expires. Robin tells her she will be given thirteen keys. Directions will be given with each one and if she follows instructions she will eventually learn fully of her birthright. Many exciting adventures follow, the third episode ending when Ruth departs on a mission to recover a sum of money stolen by the band. Miss Roland's leading man is Herbert Heyes, who has quite a screen record and makes an excellent foil for her. Thomas G. Lingham who has appeared in many serials also, is the "heavy" of the piece. Others in the cast who do capable work are William Human, Charles Bennett and Helen Case. We predict big things for "The Adventures of Ruth" if succeeding chapters are as intensely interesting as the first three.