Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

October 9. 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 109 New York Press Critics Unanimous In Praise of William Fox Feature ''Over the Hill to the Poorhouse" Pronounced One Of Finest Films of Year in Reviews Appearing In Metropolitan Daily Newspapers "Over the Hill to the Poorhouse," the William Fox presentation of the screen adaptation of the famous Will Carleton poem, not only received an amazing reception by a brilliant assemblage on the night of its premiere at the Astor theatre in New York, but, from the standpoint of press criticism, was accorded an unusual welcome. Without exception the newspapers of the metropolis pronounced the picture one of the best of the year. Frank Pope, writing in the Xew York Journal of Commerce, prefaces his criticism with the statement that he does not care especially for motion pictures, but, in speaking of the premiere of "Over the Hill to the Poorhouse," he adds: "Last night we saw Mary Carr, of whom we never heard before, play a mother as a mother probably never has been played, for the screen at least, before. Reviewers of pictures raved over the work of Vera Gordon in 'Humoresque,' and reviewers of plays did the same over Emma Dunn in 'Mother' and 'Old Lady 31,' but let thein see Mary Carr in this picture. It is safe to assert that the camera never has recorded a finer, more faithful piece of acting." Robert Welch suggests the acid test to which the picture was subjected when he says in his criticism in the Evening Telegram: "An audience which included many distinguished persons gave it the hearty welcome which it so richly deserves, and accorded not only the tribute of spontaneous laughter to the many delightful comedy scenes, but also paid that rarer tribute, the gift of sympathetic tears over the pathetic episodes in the story." Brings Tears and Cheers James Spearing, writing in the Xew York Times, declares: "Its capacity for tear-water and gallery cheers is unlimited— it is impressive — its assault upon the emotions is sweeping." Miss Agnes Smith of the New York Telegraph declared: "It is so true and so vividly yet simply told, that it impresses itself upon your memory as one of the high spots in film production." "It is a picture too . fine, too human and too tender to miss," says H. Z. Torres in the New York Commercial. "The wondrous depths of maternal love are sounded in this picture, which grips the heart and holds it for two solid hours." The opinion of Bide Dudley of the Evening World is summed up in the following crisp opening sentence: "It abounds with excellent humor and pathos and tells a story of genuine interest that is gripping." Brings Memories of Youth The Xew York American declares that "Over the Hill to the Poorhouse" is "a remarkable impersonation of motherdom. So keen a picturization that your eyes fill — made with a fine big spirit, a remembrance of youth, and appreciation of the eternal mother-soul, and excellent photography." In the Evening Journal it is stated that "a new Fox film scores at the Astor theatre," that "it brought tears even from the most unwilling eyes," and that "it is funny — humanly, riotously funny." Frank Vreeland in the Sun and Herald declares that the picture "draws tears — presses severe strain upon the handkerchief— will undoubtedly have a wide appeal." Patterson McXutt. writing, in the Evening Sun, says: "The applause was sincere and the comment, after the picture, was of the kind that ought to justify the management in expecting a long run." Close to Heart Strings P. F. Rainers of the Xew York Post insists "it is sort of play in which the battle is more than half won before it is started, because it comes pretty close to the heart strings of anyone who has a heart." Beauvbix Fox of the Tribune brings to mind the spellbound audience in the following comment: "Wonderful it was — brought tears and rapture — kept first night spectators in their seats after final curtain applauding." In the Evening Mail criticism. Mr. Rosenfield gives his opinion .of the future of "Over the Hill to the Poorhouse" in One of the dramatic momenta from "While New York Sleep*," the Fox feature with F»telle Taylor and Marc MaoDermott the following words: "'Over the Hill to the Poorhouse' entered the Hall of Screen Fame at the Astor theatre last night. It is a sure-fire hit" Lease of Park Theatre Adds to X. Y. Center NEW YORK— The Park theatre, once the old Majestic, on Columbus Circle, has been leased by Pease & Elliman for Mrs. Nellie Flake to John Cort, at an aggregate rental of close to $1,000,000 for a term of fifteen years. The theatre occupies a plot 120 by 100 feet on Fifty-eighth street with an entrance on the Circle. This lease and the projected theatre of the Shuberts at Seventh avenue and Fifty-ninth street promise a new theatre center in this neighb orhc-oc. South Side Theatre to Be Built New in South Bend SOUTH BEND, IND. — Plans for a new motion picture theatre to cost in the neighborhood of 550,000 and to b« located south of Sample street, in Michigan street, have been made public through an application made to the state for incorporation, promoters including several prominent local men. The house will be known as the South Side theatre. ALBERT E* SMITH presents TRUMPET ISLAND A TOM TERRISS PRODUCTION From the Sioru, GOUVERNEUR. MORRIS "Trumpet Island" is one of the big exhibitor pictures of the season. Excellently produced, at once strikingly unique and dramatically powerful, it merits the wide exploitation necessary at this time. Exhibitor's Herald of August 28