Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

REVIEWS mm WILLIAM FARNUM IN DRAG HARLAN (FOX) William Farnum hits the sage brush trail with a riding and roping and shooting pack of pals who offer all the ingredients of Western drama peculiar to this star's vehicles. A lively story of ranch life with trouble over a mine and a girl. Shootings aplenty, and everything to please the patron who prefers Western pictures. Handling two guns expertly, William Farnum plays a typical Western role in abundant "wild and woolly" atmosphere. His faculty for gun-pulling gives him the name of "Drag," and about his efforts to play the good Samaritan to an orphaned girl ranch-owner center scenes of good riding, a great deal of shooting, roping and the like. Jackie Saunders as the leading lady is satisfying, and other members of the cast, all Western types, give capable support. The settings are excellent western exteriors with a minimum of interiors. The story is kept consistent and the action is rapid. As the hero of the story, Drag Harlan comes upon Lane Morgan, dying from an attack by members of Deveny's gang who are after his gold mine. Morgan dies with his daughter's protection promised by Harlan. Appearing on the Morgan ranch he is challenged by Haydon who poses as Morgan's friend, but whom, by identification of a bit of watch chain found in the dead man's hand, is proved the murderer. After this Harlan's plans work to quick and effective end. He escapes a near killing and rescues the kidnaped Barbara Morgan, restores peace in general and wins the girl. ENID BENNETT IN HER HUSBAND'S FRIEND (PARAMOUNT) Enid Bennett in one of the most attractive roles she has been given for some time. A domestic drama employing in a new and novel way the triangle twist to romance. Exteriors in woodland settings are unusually beautiful. There is an outstanding naturalness about the impersonations of Enid Bennett and other members of the cast in this feature, which make them live vividly and really. Throughout its greater part Miss Bennett is a captivating young widow. There are many things to recommend it, not the least of them the particularly charming outdoor settings, woodland brook haunts. The star's characteristic wistful and pensive appeal are admirably suited to her part of Judith Westover. She wears clever gowns and is altogether attractive. There are overtones of humor supplied in titles and in by-play that add . considerable to the worth of the picture. Two breath-taking automobile accidents supply excitement. The titles are well written and illustrJted. While the performance of Tom Chatterton as Princeton Hadley could be improved upon, there is a noteworthy excellence in those of Aileen Manning in the part of Dr. Henrietta Carter, and George Pierce as Dr. Ogilvy. The tale told is that of Princeton Hadley, who for the sake of favors shown in college days by Billy Westover, feels a moral obligation, upon the latter's sudden death, to hold to the responsibility of paying the widow alimony as her husband's bondsman, although the law does not require it. Shortly before Westover's death he had been divorced from his wife and has lost his fortune. Hadley meets the young widow and loves her, not knowing her identity. This is revealed when the two are brought together by their lawyer and the man convinces the maid that he desires to continue the obligation as her husband. MADGE KENNEDY IN the girl with the jazz heart (GOLDWYN) Madge Kennedy in a delightful dual role. Contrasting characterizations are the outstanding impressions of this splendid comedydrama. It is fresh of plot, smoothmoving and brisk of action. Star's work is excellent. A real surprise awaits Madge Kennedy admirers in this her latest picture. It presents her in a dual role in which contrasts are so very well effected that it is difficult to accept the fact that the same versatile person is playing them both. The one is frivolous, vampish, gum-chew ing Kitty Swasher, a telephone operator of "baby doll" affections, but withal large hearted and effectively executive; the other puritanical, shy-eyed and meek little Maud Smith, a Gideon, shocked almost to the point of perishing with shame at the exposure of a woman's back by the fashion of her evening clothes worn to a cabaret. Joe King plays the part of the leading man in an agreeable way. Others of the cast give good support. The excellence of photography, includes a number of closeups of the star that are charming. Miss Kennedy, as Maud Smith, revolts at the straight and narrow course of conduct outlined for her by the Gideon elders in the small village in which she lives, and when they attempt to coerce her into marriage with a detestable fellow citizen, she runs away. While at a city hotel, expecting to meet Miles Sprogget, who has made a fortune in oil and with whom she came into correspondence through a matrimonial paper, her courage oozes away. She appeals to Kitty Swasher to help her, and the dauntless Kitty manages the campaign from then on, donning the fashionable habiliments acquired for the meeting by Miss Smith, and appearing unto the man as his fiance. Miles, however, is impressed by the shy little "friend," Miss Smith. When officers appear at their dinner party and take the vagrant Maud back to the Gideon midst, Miles follows, rescues her and marries her. Kitty finds consolation in a lounge lizard patron of the cabaret and all ends romantically. WILLIAM FARM'S As the western hero in "Drag Harlan*' (Fox). MAN O' WAR IN RACE OF THE AGE (EDUCATIONAL) A picture certain to be one of the season's best bets in screen novelties and one that will be a knockout with fans of sporting blood. One of the notable achievements in cinema art, presenting the only pictures made of the winner of the world's most famous horse race. Should not be missed. A picture that promises to be one of the screen novelties heaviest in demand immediately and in weeks to come. All the world that loves a beautiful horse and thrills to the call of the race track (and that includes, all red-blooded Americans, male and female), will sit at the feet of the superb animal who won theworld's greatest race at Windsor track, Ontario, Canada, wresting laurels from the famed Sir Barton. The scientific preliminaries that go to fit a racer for the track are picturized. Its muscular movements and stretch of its stride are shown in the slow motion picture process, and the race laps are followed by the camera after a manner that will generate the same excitement and ardor that follows the personal presence on the turf. The owners of the horses, their wives and the jockeys who rode the two animals are shown. There are views of the crowds, the track, the paddock, stables, private cars, etc., all excellently photographed.