Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 20, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 55 Frank Mayo in BURNT WINGS Five-part drama; Universal. Directed by W. Christy Cabanne. Published by Universal. OPINION: Where the well-produced, well-directed, serious drama is appreciated, which is everywhere, "Burnt Wings" should be well received. It merits both descriptive phrases. It has, in addition to these qualities, no mean story value. Bayard Veiller, whose writings are widely known, has followed his usual bent in the selection of theme and narration. His story is one of human emotions of the sterner variety, and the cast delineate it effectually. Frank Mayo, an actor whose recent work has shown decided improvement, scores a satisfying characterization. Betty Blythe and Josephine Hill are the leading feminine players, both competent and good to look upon. The work of the trio is worthy of every commendation. The title is a significant one. It is one that will impress the public unmistakably. It is, furthermore, an exact index to the picture. It will draw to the theatre patrons who favor the type of drama indicated. The play should amply satisfy them. SYNOPSIS: Mrs. Ned Templeton. whose love for her husband, a poor artist, is stronger than all else, makes the greatest sacrifice to provide funds for his treatment during an illness and nurses him back to health. Some time later he becomes one of America's foremost artists and prosperity follows naturally. One, Cartwright, a millionaire, who has aided him in his upward struggle, learns that his daughter has fallen in love with him. Valuing her happiness above all else, but realizing that Mrs. Templeton stands between her and its consummation, he acquaints Ned with the truth regarding the source of the funds which saved his life in Paris. Templeton, instead of abandoning his wife as Cartwright had planned, looks upon the matter in the right light and takes her to his heart. Harold Lloyd in HAUNTED SPOOKS Two-part comedy; Pathe. Published in March. OPINION: Everybody likes to hear a ghost story — that is. most everybody. And most every person at some time or other has joined a fireside gathering where "spooky" tales were being told and when howling wind outside made you nervous and creepy. Shying at shadows and quickened steps, so they say, generally follow an evening of such entertainment. But to get real humor out of a ghost story, a person must see Harold Lloyd animate "Haunted Spooks." It is a typical Lloyd subject and measures up to the standard of the star's previous vehicles. One comedy situation follows another and Mr. Lloyd handles each with ingenuity. Xo exhibitor should overlook short subjects possessing such wholesome qualities as are obtained in the Lloyd pictures. They are an incentive to attendance and brighten a program to a marked degree. Mildred Davis, with her pretty curls and childish mannerisms, is very aggressive and is an able aid to Mr. Lloyd in keeping the action of the play steadily moving forward. Carlyle Blackwell in THE THIRD WOMAN Directed by Charles Swickard. Five-part drama; Robertson-Cole. Published in March. OPINION : This is another version of the barrier of Indian blood to the marriage of the hero to a white woman. It leads through the usual sequence of events, the first white woman spurning him, his refusing to marry an Indian woman who asks him, and finally marrying a white woman who was a playmate in childhood. Louise Lovely and Gloria Hope feature the cast supporting Blackwell. and faithfully portray the roles assigned them. Blackwell is well chosen to fill the part of the half-breed hero. The production, while not elaborate, is well made. Many interesting scenes of Indian life are introduced during that episode of the picture in which the hero tries to return to his mother's tribe. A punch is given the closing reel by having Blackwell avenge a slur on his parentage by engaging in a rough and tumble fight with a husky opponent. The picture is of the type which makes a stronger appeal to women than men, and the exploitation should be carefully directed along this line. SYNOPSIS: Luke Halliday, son of a wealthy miner, is astounded on the day he is to announc-e his engagement to Eleanor Steele, a young society woman, by learning that his mother was an Indian. He breaks the engagement without explanation, and attempts to return to his mother's tribe. He succeeds in forgetting civilization for a year, and is on the point of marrying an Indian girl, when the old longing for white associates overtakes him. Leaving the tribe, he wanders from town to town, finally meeting a sweetheart of his childhood days and marrying her. Stuart Holmes, Wilfred Lytell and Frankie Mann in TRAILED BY THREE Fifteen-episode serial; Pathe. Directed by Perry N. Vekrcff. Published on April 4. OPINION: This will introduce to lovers of motion pictures a new feminine Douglas Fairbanks. Meet Frankie Mann, whose activities in the first three episodes of this new Pathe serial are on a par in their feminine way with the vigorous antics which have made Fairbanks a household name. The first episodes of this new serial are replete with exciting incidents, which, if retained in every episode, should make a continued picture of unusual qualifications. The delineation of the story is in the hands of a most comnetent cast in which Stuart Holmes, Miss Mann and Wilfred Lytell carry the burden. And thus far in the picture each has handled his or her portraiture with utmost adeptness. Aiding the principals are William Welch. John Webb Dillion and John Wheeler. They are more than sufficient for they round out the cast thoroughly and eliminate any lull in the action which might result through incompetent handling. Locations have been well chosen. The continuity is good. The assembling shows the work of proficient hands, for the story develops logically. Trade reports indicate that the serial form of entertainment is meeting with greater response today than ever before. This means, necessarily, that higher requirements will be demanded so that this type of production, in its histrionic qualifications, its settings and its themes, will measure up to other program offerings. As a serial subject. "Trailed by Three" is entertaining and should appeal to the exhibitor. Frank Mayo and Josephine Hill in a dramatic scene from "Burnt Wings" (Universal).