Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

October 9. 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 107 Theodore Roberts. Gloria Swanson and Elliot Dexter in a scene from DeMille's production, '"Something to Think About" (Paramount) Cecil B. DeMille's SOMETHISG TO THINK ABOUT Eight-part drama; Paramount. Directed by Cecil B. De Mille. Published in September. OPIXIOX : Romance undiluted purveyed in a wholesome story" of countrypeople is brought to the screen in this special production of DeMille's. Its trend is the familiar one of a daughter defying her father's wishes and refusing to marry her benefactor, the misery of her life as an outcast and her rescue and restoration by her final marriage with the man of her father's choice, whose faithful devotion threatens to weaken only after he has made her happy. His stubborn stifling of his love in the suspicion that her ultimate affection for him is but gratitude, is the last obstacle to be removed from the path of their mutual happiness. Through the unfolding of events runs the religious fervor of an elderly housekeeper insistent in her plea, for a belief in divinity until it comes at last to the devoted love. Through his faith he wins a recovery from lameness which has crippled him all his life. The same faith breaks down a barrier of scorn by which he has prevented love from coming into its own. While there are occasional lapses from the superior grade of art and incident, these find their reason in the melodramatic character that the play trequently takes and are not offensive. Settings in the home of the crippled benefactor, a man of wealth, are charmingly effected. The two most startlingly dramatic moments come in the break of a subway wall and the drowning of the young husband with whom the little village girl ran away and in her attempt to end her own life by hanging. Contrasting comedy touches come with the buffoonery at a county fair, and there is a liveliness and gaiety about the playing of Gloria Swanson in the part of Ruth Anderson, the daughter, that gives much pleasure. Elliott Dexter as the crippled lover, David Markley, and Theodore Roberts, impersonating the father, Luke Anderson, give convincing performances. Monte Blue as the favored lover plays with a charming boyishness, although several times he is made to interpolate a bit of provincial mannerism that almost reaches the ludicrous. Little Micky Moore as Danny is a delightful small person. Others in the cast are Julia Faye. James Mason, Togo Yammamoto and Theodore Kosloff. Miss Swanson wears some beautiful gowns in the luxurious atmosphere of the later scenes and is more than attractive. Particular commendation is due the art titles, which are made with a superior artistry seldom so excellently achieved. Lighting is another charm of the whole. The flame of the forge is effectively used both in titles and scenes. The picture is certain to have general appeal, for its abundance of heart interest. Its high degree of screen artistrywill make it deeply admired, and the lesson that it brings home — the soul suffering that attends upon agnosticism — should be one of its strongest exploitation points. SYNOPSIS: David Markey's affection for Ruth Anderson followed her from childhood and deepened with her womanhood. He is a young man of means, but a cripple, while the latter is the daughter of a blacksmith. David persuades the girl's father to permit him to educate her. When she returns from school the father realizes David's attitude towards Ruth and plans the marriage of the two. Ruth, against his wishes, marries Jim Dirk, the young lover of her heart. A few years later Jim is killed in a subway accident. Ruth returns to her father for forgiveness but finds him blinded from sparks of his forge and on his way to the county poorhouse. He is stubborn in his unforgiveness of her. She is about to take her own life when David rescues her. offering the protection of his name for herself and for the child about to be born to her. As his wife she eventually realizes a great love for him. which he refuses to admit is anything but gratitude. The preachings of his housekeeper, a deeply religious woman, have an effect at last that brings about their reconciliation, and through the little boy Danny the grandfather becomes a member of the happy household. • Babe" Ruth in HE AD IN' HOME Six-part comedy-drama: Kessel & Baumann. Directed by L. C. Windom. Published in September. OPIXIOX: It was a stroke of showmanship to put "Babe" Ruth in pictures. He is a national hero, a worshipful personality. His followers are legion. Hundreds of thousands have clamored to see him perform over the American League circuit. Yet this number is but a part of his admirers. There are those who. living beyond the drawing radius of the American League cities, have veto see their hero for the first time. They could not go to the mountain, like Mohammed, so the mountain is to be brought to them. "Babe" Ruth in "Headin' Home" is an unalloyed box office attraction for any place where there are baseball fans. Which means that the offering should draw tremendously anywhere in America. The picture is mainly "Babe" Ruth. The star was not given a suspenseful dramatic story, but just a simple little tale which moves along as placidly as the surface of the lake on which some of the scenes are staged. Those who see it will leave the theatre with the satisfaction of having seen "Babe" Ruth — and with no recollection of the story in which he figured. For one to whom work before the camera is a new experience and of whom no great things are expected as an actor. Ruth does passably well. He is supported by a cast that also passes muster. L. C. Window has done fairly well In putting on the light inconsequential story and Ollie Leach's camera work is, on the whole, satisfactory. SYXOPSIS: At the Polo Grounds, just after "Babe" Ruth has clouted the ball over the stands for a home run. an old crony in one of the boxes tells his neighbor that Ruth is a fellow townsman. The neighbor is interested so the crony proceeds to tell the story of Ruth's life. This has to do with Ruth's kindly efforts which are always followed by disaster. The turning point comes when he is barred from his home team by the "heavy." who also loves Ruth's girl. Ruth plays on the opposing side and defeats his home town team. For this he is chased out of town. Later he saves the girl from eloping with the "heavy." brings back the girl's wayward brother, makes a name for himself as a baseball player and is then shown headin' home to claim his reward. DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES