Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

EXHIBITORS HERALD has kept his pictures prominent upon the American screen. After all, screen athletics are only screen athletics. They appeal consistently to a certain class, intermittently to another and much greater one. It is the mixture of athletics and acting in proportions that please that make the present production satisfying. The story, like all Walsh stories, allows for ample display of the star's agility and physical cleverness. He is permitted to battle against the usual tremendous odds, to save the usual heroine in distress, pitting his strength and his moral rectitude against the greater strength and evil cunning of a number of antagonists. Cast as mate of a vessel ruled by an iron-fisted and unprincipled captain, he has plot justification for those brawny shoulders and that crashing right. Thus equipped he is at leisure to give thought to characterization, which has not always been the case, and the photoplay shows the benefits of the arrangement. SYNOPSIS: Shark Rawley, mate of the Aurora, goes ashore and to a waterfront cafe with his captain, a ruffian who has gained for his vessel an unsavory reputation. At the cafe he meets Doris Selby, daughter of wealth, who is piloting a slumming expedition. He wins her admiration by ousting a bully who misbehaves, but later precipitates a gen eral fight, in the course of which his superior officer abducts Doris and carries her to his ship. Shark follows and attempts to rescue her, the crew siding with their captain. Doris leaps into the sea and Shark follows, but they are both brought back aboard. He is then forced to set afire the oil cargo and, when the explosion occurs, he and Doris escape on floating wreckage. They are picked up in due time by fishermen and the happy ending follows. Constance Talmadge in TWO WEEKS Five-part comedy-drama; First National. Directed by S. A. FranklinPublished in January. OPINION : Conway Tearle and Constance Talmadge are ideal working companions. The gentleman's careful reserve and the lady's frank abandon, first contrasted with great success in "A Virtuous Vamp," work together for completely satisfying entertainment in the present publication. The story of the photoplay under discussion, which originally appeared in book form as "At the Barn," under Anthony Wharton's signature. is an intriguing, mildly daring recital of a better class chorus girl's romance. As a story it is engaging, pleasant entertainment. As a vehicle for Miss Talmadge, whose popularity is second to none, it is something more than that. All stories, when so picturized, must be considered less as stories than as expressional mediums. This one is admirably qualified for the purpose to which it has been put. In the supporting cast, upon which depends a great deal of the story telling, George Fawcett, Templar Saxe and Reginald Mason perform creditably. A trio of clever workmen, each scores a clean-cut, individual success. Sydney A. Franklin's direction is of the logical, business-like school. It is not brilliant. The man's work does not dominate the photoplay. It does deliver that photoplay in understandable, coherent form, permitting each actor and the cast as a whole to annex such honors as they merit. Exhibitors who used "A Virtuous Vamp" know the box office value of the star. This production is wholly in keeping with that great success. SYNOPSIS: Lillums Blair, chorus girl, seeks stardom. Upon his assurance that his motives are the best, she accepts the monetary and influential aid of Reginald Clonbarry, a spender. Upon a trip to the country he becomes intoxicated and discloses his real intentions, whereupon Lillums finds refuge at "The Barn." the country home of Kenneth Maxwell, author; Jimby Lewis, dramatic Constance Talmadge in five scenes from "Two Weeks," adapted from Anthony Wharton's play "At the Barn." It pictures a Broadway chorus girl's adventures with three bachelors. Conway Tearle appears to advantage in Miss Talmadge's support. 65