Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

'JO EXHIBITORS HERALD October 23, 1920 whipped into >hape for its New York opening. Geoffrey returns on the day of the opening and finds Drina. or Adrienne, as he thinks, still repulsing him hut tenderer than before. He suggests that they dine and take in the theatre. They go to the theatre where Adrienne is playing under the name of Ruth Raye. hut arrive late and in the midst of one of her solo 'numbers. The sight of Adrienne on the stage when he thinks her seated at his side bewilders him. He is still in a daze when Adrienne spies him, collapses, and falls down a flight of stairs to the stage. The curtain is rung down and Geoffrey and Drina hurry to the dressing room where Adrienne, the "Broadway Bubble," passes away. With her going the electric lighted letters spelling Ruth Raye go out one by one, leaving Geoffrey with Drina. Katherine MacDonald in CURTAIN Five-part drama; First National. Directed by James Young. Published in October. OP J. XI OX : "Curtain" is a pictured story of stage life from the printed work of the same name by Rita Weiman as published in the Saturday Evening Post. Like all of Miss YVeiman's stories, "Curtain" is a slice of life. The plot of the picture might be said to have been taken from the headline;, of a daily newspaper, so true is it to life. Unfortunately, however, the amount of material in it is only a little more than that which could be crowded into a newspaper headline. A man about town, whose chief interest in life seems to be the winning of conquests over stage favorites, marries Nancy Bradshaw at the height of her career and induces her to leave the stage. She is happy in her home life until she learns that her husband is untrue, that he has gone to Mexico with a new love, another stage star, whereupon she resumes her interrupted career. The husband returns. There is a SUSpenseful moment, then arrangements for a divorce are made, leaving it clear thai N'ancy shall some day he free to marry tin worshipful author who is, as always, hanging back in the shadows. Scarcely enough material for even five reels. -Naturally the picture drags between its high lights. These high lights, however, are strongly scored. James Young has staged them splendidly. There is a general air of nicety about the production with its rich settings and its well-bred characters. The gowns are fetching. A most capable cast is another attraction. Katherine MacDonald is beautiful and charming and wins quick sympathy as N'ancy Bradshaw. Charles Richman is poseful in his vallainy. E. B. Tilton gives a well drawn characterization cf a theatrical manager, and Karl Whit lock plays nicely the role of an author. Florence Deshon, as the latest exploit of the man about town, and Ilelcne Sullivan, as a discarded flame, are competent. "Curtain" has considerable audience appeal because of its human characters and its natural atmosphere, but it lags in interest through a paucity of material and a consequent halting tendency in the action. SYXOPS1S: After the successful opening of her newest starring vehicle, Nancy Hradshaw. a child of the stage, meets Dick Cunningham, man about town. Cunningham presses an ardent suit and at a dinner given in his luxurious rooms over his private stables, announces that Nancy is to become his wife. Nancy wishes to continue her career but Cunningham prevails upon her to take up home life. She then induces Jerry Coghlan, her manager, to give the part intended for her in Ted Thome's new play to Lilla Grant, a member of her supporting cast. After four years, during which a child is born to them, Nancy hears from a Mrs. Bishop, a discarded flame of Cunningham's, that her husband has been making a conquest for Lilla. To cover himself Cunningham explains that his meeting with Lilla has been accidental. By accident Nancy later finds Cunningham with Lilla and again accepts his explanations. Her eyes arc opened, however, when circumstances show her that instead of being on a business trip Cunningham is in Mexico with Lilla. Thereupon she returns to the stage, playing the part that was meant for Lilla. When Cunningham returns he is enraged at Nancy's leaving him, but an arrangement for a divorce is effected. In the shadow stands Ted Thorne, who has always worshipped Nancy, ready to take the girl when she is free. Johnny Hines in TORCHY IN HIGH Two-part comedy; Educational. Published in October. Torchy herewith scores one over Vee Schuyler's foreign suitor, and, by mean, of his energetic brain and body "and a motor car, ultimately wins the favor oi the frosty aunt who would discourage his attentions to Vee. There is a freshness and wholesomeness about the Torchy comedies that makes them most desirable for the exhibitor who would win the favor of that patronage not approving the average short subject that savors of rough fun. Johnny Hines plays with a naturally youthful and spontaneous cleverness, constantly introducing little mannerisms and bits of side-play that are very good. There is strength to the thread of these comedies, and this one begins with the return of Vee from Europe with the foreign admirer in tow. Torchy soon finds a way to get around the snubs of the aunt, and succeeds in having the Englishman arrested as an automobile thief, the while gaining praise for himself as the finder of the lost motor. Some of the best laugh-provoking scenes are staged in an art museum where a near-sighted elderly patron of the arts mistakes a study of the nude for a building. There is a bit of original fun in Torchy's conversion of his desk top into an ouija board. Bobby Vernon in SEVEN BALD PATES Two-Part Comedy; Christie-Educational Published in October OPINION : Here is a comedy idea evolved with such brisk cleverness and action that it will take an unresponsive patron indeed to resist its inspiration to a succession of hearty laughs. Bobby Vernon appears herewith as a bridegroom who is being pursued by a bald headed man with a summons. His endeavors to evade that gentleman until, at least, after the knot is tied afford some of the most amusing situations imaginable. For one thing, he loses the license, and the pace that he leads the bald headed finder of it. believing it to be a summons, is a strenuous one. He enlists the aid of two home-town friends, instructing them to dispose in some way of any bald headed man who should attempt to interrupt the wedding. In consequence, believing it better to have too many suspects than too few, the three make a collection of gagged and bound bald headed men that includes the bride's father and the minister. The wedding over and the lovers about to depart on their trip, the real process server arrives upon the scene and the summons is served. Aywon Offers Suggestions For Feature Exploitation On "The Woman Above Reproach," the current publication of Aywon Film Corporation, Nathan Hirsh. president has had prepared a campaign book for exhibitors that promises usable ideas and suggestions, it is said. Hirsh reports that the many state rights buyers who have come to his office recently have been enthusiastic in their praise of "The Woman Above Reproach." The entire foreign rights have been disposed of. Katherine MacDonald thrills at the expression of appreciation extended her in "Curtain." (First National.) Dead Men Tell No Tales