Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

ALL STAR CAST IN THE ROSARY (FIRST NATIONAL) \ strong drama of love and sacrifice beautifully told in a manner that holds the attention. Its many fine features are dominated by an underlying appeal to the emotions as poignant as the famous song itself. Produced by SeligRork under the direction of Jerome Storm. Seven reels. Selig-Rork's first big production for 7irst National stands out as a photoplay >f numerous meritorious phases. "The Rosary" is from an original story by 3ernard McConville insp'ired by the heme of Edward E. Rose's stage play. Jnder the able direction of Jerome Storm t has been embellished with numerous ingles of emotional appeal. The scenes are laid in a quaint fishng village where plain people live in a simple manner, strictly adhering to the aws of righteousness. Three romances lold sway throughout the production, nto which is woven the story qi the Rosary. The spiritual angle is at no ime wrought in a manner that gives he play the appearance of a sermon but s deftly used to show the innermost :houghts governing the people of the nllage. An excellent cast has been selected or the various exacting roles. Promilently among these is Lewis S. Stone as Father Kelly. Jane Novak. Robert Gorlon, Wallace Beery, Eugenie Besserer. 3ore Davidson, Pomcroy Cannon. MilIred June and Harold Goodwin are >ther important characters. Kenward Wright, nephew of the founler of the village of Sandy Bay returns to he town expecting to inherit its chief nterprises. When the will is read it is liscovered he has been left out entirely nd the fish cannery goes to Bruce Wilon, foreman of the plant. Wright truggles between better judgment and he knowledge that he is not popular with hese plain folks. Wilton has also taken u's former sweetheart, Vera Mather, away rom him which adds to his embitterment. On some marsh land he plans to build rival plant. Father Kelly and other own inhabitants beseech him not to do o, but he refuses to abandon his plans. Vlice Wilton, Bruce's sister becomes inatuated with him and the two are seen ogether in his home by Vera, who goes o caution the girl. When Bruce disovers them his faith in Vera is shattered nd their engagement broken. Bruce's sister attempts suicide following her affairs .with Wright. Bruce learns ■f his sweetheart's efforts to shield his ister from shame when the act is comnitted. Wright in the meantime has onspired to wreck the fishery. The epple, headed by Father Kelly, make a ain attempt to save it, but it is blown p pieces. Angered, Bruce pursues Vright who meets his death when his utomobile crashes through a bridge. Vith the elimination of the last disturb ing element quiet is again restored in the little village and the people, headed by Father Kelly, set about to rebuild the industry. Vera and Bruce find happiness together and Bruce's sister finds her true love with Skeeters, who has been an awkward admirer of hers for a long time. CONWAY TEARLE IN A WIDE OPEN TOWN (SELZNICK) Pleasing five reel feature that compares favorably with the best of recent Tearle pictures. A Ralph Ince production, which moves swiftly to an interesting climax. Faire Binney enhances the play in the supporting cast. Five reels. It is readily apparent that Conway Tearle, as a gambler who later reforms, is particularly well suited to a role of this type. In "A Wide Open Town" an effective introduction with two poor boys as principals opens the story. Interest is well sustained through the events that lead to a pleasing finish. Conway Tearle followers will undoubtedly like this picture because of the pleasing vein of the story. Faire Binney, and the remainder of the supporting cast lend to its effectiveness. In the introduction Tearle is a small boy who supports his mother by selling newspapers. The mother befriends his chum, another newsboy who is an orphan, and gives him a home. The two boys are strong friends until the death of the mother when they become separated. Years later Tearle is known as "Literary "Bill" Cliff and is conducting a gambling house. On his visits to the public library he meets Helen Morely, whose influence leads him to expose the methods of the gambling den in its de ceptive methods of dealing faro. He is repulsed by the girl's father, who knows of his former connection with gambling activities. The girl's father, who is Mayor of the city, is heading a reform movement to rid the city of gambling institutions. A raid is planned on the house in which Cliff worked and whose methods he had exposed. Having seen Cliff with the mayor's daughter the proprietor plans revenge and also a coup to embarrass the reform movement. He is tipped off to the raid and kidnapping the the mayor's daughter he brings her to the gambling house. She is saved from the disgrace of being found there by Cliff who kills the proprietor in rescuing her from the building. For this he is condemned to life imprisonment, refusing to offer any testimony. After some time in jail his friend Tub takes it upon himself to present the true facts of the matter to the Mayor, who visits the governor and implores a pardon. The governor is impressed with Cliff's sacrifice to protect the good name of the girl and when he is brought before him the two men recognize each other as former pals of childhood days. CLYDE COOK IN THE CHAUFFEUR (FOX) This latest Cook comedy, directed by Jack Blystone, contains some sure fire stunts with a trick Ford and is well up to his former efforts. Clyde is a chauffeur trying to make a living running a taxi but his rivals in business grab off all his customers, a policeman shoves his auto out of the way and his best girl turns him down. Finally he becomes adept in maneuvering his machine from place to place, and bests his business ri/als. The business of the taxi running sideways gets the laughs. Conway Tearle in a scene from "A Wide Open Town" (Selznick)