Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

104 EXHIBITORS HERALD October 9, 1920 dramatic with a goodly proportion of comedy. The plot seems ordinary enough when it unfolds so far as to present an interfering factor in the love of Larry Burton for Jenny Carson when she is accused by his father of being the daughter of a thief. Then comes a twist of the sequence that gives it a surprise turn — the indictment of the accuser by the accused, a situation that throws the shadow from the girl's reputation to that of the man. There are laugh-provoking scenes when Jenny travels as a boy on a freight car and where she flees from an officer pursuing her for her part in a crap game to take refuge in the room of the young man who offers her lodging with him, believing that she is a boy. She indulges in a lively street scrap that is a high light in the comedy. Her vivaciousness and attractiveness well fit her for the role both in these parts and when she is transformed into a little lady of fashion, wearing pretty clothes and possessed of alluring little ways. Raymond McKee is well cast in the part of Larry. Edwin Booth Tilton plays the part of Burton, Larry's father, in uncommonly effective characterization. Romona Sharp as Helen and Cecil Van Auken as Carson, the girl's father, do creditable work. The picture could be exploited by a pretty girl who could be persuaded to parade in boy's clothes, and the identity of yellow journalism with the plot suggests effective newspaper advertising. SYNOPSIS: Pleading for a change from the journalistic spirit that keeps continually before the public the seamy side of life, Larry Burton is given opportunity -by his father to prove his contention that a criminal is the victim of his environment, not of his circumstances. To further this end Larry takes habitation in a mean district of the city. His friendship with Jenny Carson begins when she flees to his protection from the officer who has found her in a game of craps in which she sought to raise the price of a breakfast. He learns that she has been a wanderer since childhood when she was separated from her father, of whose whereabouts she is ignorant. Larry takes her to his home and falls in love with her. Their happiness is threatened when his father accuses her father, his former partner, of thieving from him. The father, whose acquaintance the girl made on her trip by freight car to the city, but whose identity she does not learn until it is revealed to her in the home of her. benefactors, proves that Burton was his ruin rather than what he professes to be. He insists upon taking Jenny from Larry, employing Burton's own objection, that she shall not marry a thief, but Larry's serious illness brings about the reconciliation of the lovers, the reunion of the partners and the place at the head of the paper to direct his own policy, for the boy. All-Star Cast in HELD BY THE ENEMY Five-part drama; Paramount. Directed by Donald Crisp. Published in September. OPINION : An array of screen stars of notable prestige in a stage play that made William Gillette famous as author, one of the big melodramas of Civil War setting, is a combination that offers herewith one of the most colorful and atmospherically artistic features of the season. Civil War plays have not ceased to hold their thrill for Americans, and the success of a drama of that nature is an assured certainty. There is impress of directorial talent in the close fidelity to the time of its setting, even in smallest detail. Historically and scenically it is a superior picture replete with admirable impersonations and convincing characterizations, with mystery, suspense and fascination. Much can be promised for this feature without disappointment of any patronage, and its historical value should be called to the attention of parents and teachers. Agnes Aycrs and Wanda Hawley are two of the most appealing young women coupled in this timely screen drama. Their attractiveness is one about which there is certain to be great enthusiasm and their artistry is noteworthy. Josephine Crowcll, who has popularized many such a part in dramas of this setting, gives meritorious interpretation of the part of the mother. Lillian Lcighton and Robert Browcr interpret a team of colored servants who lend an interesting character touch. Lewis Stone as Capt. Gordon Hayne and Jack Holt in the part of Col. Charles Prescott play excellently. Walter Hiers lends a refreshing item as a pestering war correspondent. The theme centers about the unexpected return of Gordon Wayne, believed killed in battle, after his young wife has given her heart to a Northern soldier, the while she is pursued by another Northern officer whose friendship she permits for aid of Southern fiphters. The climax is one graphic and gripping. SYNOPSIS: Rachel Hayne, whose husband, a Southern soldier, is believed to have been killed in battle, renews a former love affair with Colonel Prescott, a Northern fighter. She cultivates the friendship, also, of Brigade Surgeon Fielding, another Northerner, for the purposing of obtaining quinine from him to pass on to Southern soldiers. Prescott is about to avow his love when Gordon Hayne, the husband, returns. Whpn Hayne is recaptured as a spy. Fielding accuses Prescott of having trumped up the charge to dispose of the husband. Hayne escapes after imprisonment, but is recaptured. After several stirring incidents he commits suicide, leaving the love road free for the wife who never loved him and the man to whom she has given her heart. Conway Tearle in MAROONED HEARTS Five-part drama; National Picture Theatres. Directed by George Archainbaud. Published in September. OPINION: The familiar two-menand-a-girl-on-a-tropical-island formula, used this time with innovations that give it freshness, serves as the groundwork for a feature which owes much of its strength to the work of the star and the feminine lead, Zena Keefe. The production is standard entertainment and should give general satisfaction. Chiefly impressive because of the star's capable character portrayal, the story holds interest steadily throughout. There are two or three incidents that build considerable suspense, which is main tained skillfully. Opening in metropolitan surroundings the action leads to an uncharted island, where the big moments of the play trans pire. It is to the credit of the producing organization and the director that tht obvious incidents customarily consequent upon the establishment of this situation have been omitted, a fact that gains respect for all concerned and materiall) heightens the entertainment value of thr picture. Naturalness predominates throughout Even the shipwreck scene is presented in matter of fact manner and without the usual overdrawn .sensationalism. The fact that the leading character is a surgeon, and that the story presents him as torn between loyalty to his profession and love of a girl, offers a suggestion for exploitation. This in addition to the obvious tropical island angle The first National Picture Theatres production featuring Conway Tearlt gives promise for the series. Advertising done in its behalf should be vigorous, that it may be made to apply likewise to those that are to follow. SYNOPSIS: Dr. Carrington, a young surgeon looked to for great things, becomes engaged to a Miss Ainsworth, sincere but selfish daughter of wealth, whose failure to deliver to her fiance a message demanding his immediate return to the hospital as they are setting out for a day's boating, brings him into ill favor with his associates. He discovers her deception, and, shouldering the disgrace to shield her, goes to a tropical island to conduct his experiments in solitude. A year later she seeks to follow, a shipwreck resulting in her being cast upon the shore, where he finds her. He divides the island, promises to protect her, but orders her not to disturb him. A sailor who has also been thrown upon the island attacks her and Carrington comes to her rescue, finally declaring his love for her and stating that his experiments have been successful. The three return to civilization and happiness. LLOYD HUGHES And support In the artistic rural drama "Homespun Folks," written by Jullen Josepkaon, a Thomas H. Inee production mnde for Associated Producers, Inc.