Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

86 EXHIBITORS HERALD October 23, 1920 i i <.im: u iihii n Mnrthu >1jiiinIIi*IiI iti n scene from "The Wonderful I'hlincc*' I *cl%lllf*k I'lclurrN). Eugene O'Brien in THE WONDERFUL CHANCE Five-part drama; Selznick. Directed by George Archainbaud. Published in October. OPINION : Eugene < )T>ricn, who came dangerously near losing all popularity with men patrons of the theatres by being pictured too frequently in the role of a heart breaker, is given a chance to counteract this sentiment in his latest Selznick picture and has availed himself of it. The love interest is not lacking in "The Wonderful ( "hance," but the star is pictured as a man's man. His conquest is limited to one girl. There is no bevy of jealous, disappointed women crying out for him. The production has many points which should appeal to the astute showman. It is the story of a released convict who wants to go straight and finds a remarkable opportunity thrust upon him. Police, social workers, and women's clubs will undoubtedly give the picture an enthusiastic endorsement if an advance showing is arranged. The posters accompanying it are meritorious. The musical score has exceptional possibilities for the largest or smallest orchestra. O'Brien is cast in a dual role. Several of the scenes in which he appears as both the ex-convict and the English lord could be improved. The photography as a whole, however, is good. Martha Mansfield's beauty suffices, as the part given her does not tax her ability. SYNOPSIS: "Swagger" Barlow, an exconvict, is mistaken for Lord Birmingham and is feted and dined, while the nobleman is being held a prisoner by a scheming band of crooks. He falls in love with '*eggy Winton, the daughter of his host. Through Barlow, Lord Birmingham is released. Explanations follow and Peggy agrees to wait for Barlow to "come back." Pearl White in THE TIGER'S CUB Five part drama; Fox Directed by Charles Giblyn Published in October. OPINION: Pearl White toboganning down a snowy hillside, fishing through the ice in the Klondike, mothering a deserted baby and fighting a bullying lover, all for the happiness of other folks. leads activities of a good cast through this snow country screen tale. Introduced in a snow frolic, Miss White plays with a comradelv appeal and a liveliness and ztst that are characteristic of her best work and which have been in large part responsible for her universal popularity. She is pretty, not beautiful, but so alert and alive that it is a pleasure to watch her natural ease and tagcrness that makes the girl of the screen, "Tiger's Cub," live most really before the vision. While the play assumes proportions of the melodrama in its later scenes, it opens with speedily-moving presentations of episodes that wind about the girl a web of romance and intrigue. To shield another woman she professes to be the mother of a foundling and to save her mother >he marries a blackguardly bully and brute. This part, that of Bill Slark, J. Thornton Baston takes in able way, and a like part, that of the Tiger, a rascal of the same dye, is as capably > % i \ \-\\\ Pearl WfcltC in :i MCM from "The Titer's CuV (Fox). interpreted by Frank Evans. Thomas Carrigan carries the part of the wholesome, gentlemanly lover, David Summers, and John Davidson plays well as Lone Wolf. The part of the other woman is taken by Ruby Hoffman. Tinges of humor both in titles and byplay brighten the dramatic nature of the play's general character, and the scenes wherein the girl and Dave attempt to feed the baby is one certain to generate repeated laughs. Suspense is well sustained to the story's end although the trend of the tale is the familiar one of the wronged wife and scheming partner and a girl deceived as to her parenthood. Scenes in the snow lands, trails and dog teams and pine trees and birch are decidedly picturesque. Photography is highly meritable, closeups presented in artistic arrangement and with good lighting. The picture is one of the sort that audiences fond of the North country will admire for its beauty of setting and one which the patrons craving the excitement of melodrama will enjoy. It will hardly interest the high class patronage. An effective lobby setting with imitation snow banks, tree boughs and cabins is one exploitation suggestion. SYNOPSIS: "The Tiger" and his rascally partner in the Klondike — Bill Slark — dishonestly win the poker stake of the Golconda mine's owner-hip from Colonel Summers who is killed in the skirmish ensuing. The latter's son, Dave Summers, comes to the cabin of the partners during their absence and becomes good friends with "The Tiger's Cub," his daughter. The two care for an infant found deserted in the snow, and, to shield the real mother, the girl assumes the parentage of the baby Slark withholds his partner's share of the mine until he is given The Cub in marriage. Dave discovers the situation and goes to rescue the girl who has consented to the marriage with Slark to save her mother's life. Representativeof the law arrive on the scene at the same time to claim The Tiger for several crimes, among them the killing of t olonel Summers. A bullet fired by his deserted wife, Hilda, the mother of the baby, kills Slark, and the Cub, who proves to be a Mary Mackenzie and no kin of the Tiger, is given to Dave. Chester Players in A TRAY FULL OF TROUBLE Two-part comedy; Educational Published in October OPINION: A western restaurant seem introduces the Chester Players in this comedy, with Snooky energetically^ making bread with nimble feet, and the little girl a waitress. Eluding the plotting partner of evilintentioned relatives hack East, the two take the baby and "bum" their way back on a freight car, the little girl riding the bumpers. Snooky riding a number of things, including a mail crane. A rescue from an onrushing train that' threatens the destruction of the baby'hand car equipage makes an exciting climax. The whole is of the former high calibre of Chester comedies and is certain to score a hit wherever shown. Scene from "A Tray Fall of Trouble," i Chester comedy distributed l>> Kdurtitionnl Exchangepi,