Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

50 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 28, 1922 "Foolish Wives" Lavish Picture CAST OF CHARACTERS Andrew J. Hughes (U. S. Special-Envoy to Monaco) Rudolph Christians Helen, his wife Miss Dupont Her Highness, Princess Olgo Petschnikoff Maude George Her Cousin, Princess Vera Petschnikoff Mae Busch Their Cousin, Count Sergius Karamzin (Capt. 3rd Hussars, Imper. Russian Army) Erich von Stroheim Maruschka, a Maid Dale Fuller Pavel Pavlich, a butler Al Edmundsen Caesare Ventucci, a Counterfeiter Caesare Gravina Marietta, his half-witted daughter Mai vine Polo Dr. Judd I „_ , , I Louis K. Webb His Wife I The couple from home , Mrs Kent Albert I., Prince of Monaco C. J. Allen Secretary of State of Monaco Edw. Reinach WHATEVER else is said about "Foolish W ives," the Universal-Jewel production reported to have •cost over a million dollars, the general verdict will be that it sets a new mark in lavishness of sets and careful attention to details. The photography, too, is little less than marvelous. The chief criticism aimed at the von Stroheim production is its length and too much von Stroheim. We understand the picture is to be cut from fourteen reels to ten or eleven which will speed up the action and make a much stronger feature of it. The picture was a year and six months in the making and besides the regular players appearing in the cast, hundreds of others were hired for "atmosphere," thousands of feet of film were "shot" and much money spent on sets. These salient facts can all be used to advantage in advertising the picture and its exploitation angles are equally as numerous. It probably will set many new box-office records for attendance because of the publicity already given it.' The story is from the pen of Erich von Stroheim, who also directed it and acts the leading role. It is plainly evident in making "'Foolish Wives" for Universal, Mr. von Stroheim sought to advertise himself as well. No opportunity is lost to show himself in close-up or long shot. There are many Premiere of "Foolish Wives" Is Gala Event in New York (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 17.— The long-looked for premiere of Universal's million dollar "Foolish Wives" was the gala event of last week in Broadway entertainment. Despite the worst storm New York has experienced in a year, the Central theatre was crowded with the elite of society and motion picture circles, all anxious to see the production on which Carl Laemmle allowed Erich Von Stroheim to spend nearly two years and a fortune. It was a typical metropolitan first-night audience — a combination of society, the drama, and the screen, with a liberal admixture of bank officials and politicians. The length of the production — fourteen reels — precluded any attempt at creating atmospheric effects via a prologue. Incidental music had been especially composed by Sigmund Romberg, composer of many big Broadway successes. After all the stories of discord between Von Stroheim and Mr. Laemmle over the cutting of the picture it was interesting to note that all this appeared to have passed away when Laemmle and Von Stroheim enthusiastically congratulated Arthur D. Ripley, who did the final cutting of the production. other actors and actresses — and good ones, too — in the picture, but wherever it is possible to do so without ruining the production entirely, von Stroheim occupies the spotlight. * * * Von Stroheim's role is that of a heartless and mercenary Lothario. As a beast without one redeeming feature von Stroheim excels in beastliness any despicable villain yet seen on screen or stage. To many who saw the picture the advertised line "the man you will love to hate" is wrong. One can despise without taking the trpuhle to hate. Von Stroheim's conception of a jolly young titled rake whose leering advances are irresistable to women of all walks in life, leaves only a feeling of disgust. As a director von Stroheim is a distinct improvement over von Stroheim as an actor, although there are several points in his direction which will be provocative of no small amount of adverse criticism. This will be aimed most at his handling oi the character of the special envoy of the United States to. the (Continued on page 68) Two dramatic scenes from "Foolish Wives," the Universal-Jewel production, directed by Erich Von Stroheim, who also plays the principal role.