Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

REVIEWS mm jladys Walton and Jack Perrin in 'INK TIGHTS i"ive-part drama; Universal, directed by Reeves Eason. 'ublished in October. OPINION: A medley of smiles and firills with a soundly sensible lesson for elf-righteous church-goers comes to the creen in a clever way in the presentation f this story of a circus girl and a parson. Of somewhat the character of "Polly of le Circus," a picture that had wide popuirity, this romance is presented as a whole3me, lively-moving vehicle conveying two oung stars exceedingly good to look upon trough a series of highly entertaining and xciting episodes. Not the least of the thrills comes with a alloon ascension and parachute descent lat the girl takes. Another is presented 1 the burning of the village church while harbors the circus people as sleepers, and le rescue of a small boy by the same fear•ss young woman. The portrayal of types f the self-styled sanctimonious members f the pastor's flock and their narrowlinded judgment of the circus girl, is very ell achieved. The attitude of the young pastor, played y Jack Perrin, towards the circus girl hen chance brings her first to his home id her burns after the fire keep her there, a tender one of restrained affection and ipeal. There is an unexpected twist to le story that puts the girl into the arms f her circus manager lover rather than aving her in the home' of the minister, he little lady of the pink tights is very ell played by Gladys Walton, who is a ?ry pretty and youthful star. One of the high lights is the acting of reezy Eason, the little son of the director, the part of Johnny Bump, a village lad limited years. With his pal and with his iby sister and his dog some of the highly imorous and natural touches are created. The picture is thoroughly wholesome and lished and makes a pretty little bit of ntimental screen life that admirers of the nail town themes will particularly enjoy. There is a suggestion for exploitation in e circus trend of the picture, and an inresting and attractive feature could be ade of a ''kid" circus parade. SYNOPSIS: High winds drive the paraute of Mile. Gabrielle St. Simon, a high ire artist and acrobat with a circus stopng in a little New England town, into a See and her professional associates at first lieve her drowned. She falls, however, to the roof of the village rectory and is scued by the young minister residing ere. Remaining in his home until dark, avoid injuring his reputation by being en coming from there, she is discovered, all the glory of her pink tights, by the stor's flock who choose the inadvertent ne to give him a surprise party. Their orn of her is altered to affection when she scues a little boy from the burning church lich he and a pal have set afire by the np with which they were seeking ghosts the church belfry. The circus people, 10 had been given the use of the church r sleeping quarters when their wagons d tents were seized by the sheriff, and : circus girl, nursed to health in the home ■ the minister following her fire experi•ce, returns the affections of the manager the show who had long wooed her. Charles Ray in AN OLD FASHIONED BOY Five-part comedy-drama; Paramount. Directed by Jerome Storm Published in September OPINION: Charles Ray's wholesome boyishness and splendid farcical methods have a fine play in the role of David Warrington, a young man who believes in all kinds of old fashioned ideas regarding one's marriage, living in a real home, having babies and the like. The picture is one that will appeal to any normal-minded audience and will send your patrons away with a clean, wholesome frame of mind, feeling that the world is a pretty good old place to live in after all. Ethel Shannon plays the part of Charlie's more modern fiancee with charm and appeal, and throws her personality into the art of portraying an utterly irresponsible but entirely lovable sweetheart. Alfred Allen and Hal Cooley have the principal subordinate masculine roles, while Gloria Joy and little Frankie Lee play the kiddie roles in a manner that delights. The cast in all is an unusually strong supporting company for so well-known a star, and should be mentioned in the advertising. The picture is unusual in that it opens with the "clinch" usually reserved for the last few feet. SYNOPSIS: The story concerns David Warrington, an old fashioned boy with old fashioned ideas and ideals. He is engaged to a lovable young girl who believes in the more modern phases of life. The clash between his views and her opinions starts a series of complications that are not straightened out until the final fade-out. After many heartaches and numerous comical situations, things shape themselves so that the girl, Hetty, finds herself in her sweetheart's arms on the way to the minister's, having been convinced that the old fashioned way is the best after all. Chester Players in THE BIG SHOW Two-part comedy; Educational. Published in October OPINION: Comedies of the grade of "The Big Show" will redeem fun reels in the eyes of picturegoers opposed to slap-stick. High-grade fun meted out in a continual run of laugh-provoking episodes and with thrills that are real ones, stocked with one original sally after another make these contributions to comedy worthy of the best theatres the country over. It was a wise head that conceived the idea of originating funmakers of a baby, a chimpanzee, a collie dog and a pony, and it is a man adept in direction who is putting them through their screen paces. The quartet of players scored a great hit recently with the publication of their "Four Times Foiled" comedy. The thread of that story, fortune-hungry relatives seeking to make away with the baby, the heir, is carried through this late picture, but the episodes, for the most part, are entirely different. The greater part of the first reel is given to reproduction of a children's circus, a novelty that will "bring down the house" and win the enthusiasm of both children and adults. Snooky, the chimpanzee, as the inebriated pianist, presents a decidedly clever bit of playing. A parrot plays a part in the rescue this time and the whole works out logically and excitingly to the climax wherein the baby is rescued from a mine explosion in the water. One of the high points in "Pink Tights," Universal's production which deals with a circus girl and a parson.