Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

April 8. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 73 SPECIAL CAST IN THE CAVE GIRL (FIRST NATIONAL) The magnificent snow stuff of this picture puts it in a class by itself. Never have prettier out-ofdoor scenes been photographed. The story has some melodrama, with one or two thrills near the end. Adapted from a play by Guy Bolton and George Middleton. Five reels. While the plot of "The Cave Girl" is simplicity itself — concerning a mother who wishes her daughter to marry a wealthy young man in order to save the family's financial standing — it has a novel twist in that the mother, daughter and daughter's sweetheart are sojourning in the Northern woods at a hunting lodge, and are compelled to stay there because of the wealthy youth's infatuation for another girl. There are several amusing situations nicely intermingled with the tragic notes of the story. But the thing that will fascinate most audiences will be the remarkable photography, the long stretches of woodland covered with deep snow, the half frozen streams and the pretty and natural sunsets. These offer unusual background for the drama that is unfolded. Teddy Gerard enacts the role of Margot, the cave girl, with a freshness that is captivating. Charles Meredith plays Divvy, the wealthy young man, and Wilton Taylor is his father. Eleanor Hancock is Mrs. Chase, Lillian Tucker her daughter, Lillian, while Boris Karloff, Jake Abrahams, and John Beck round out the cast— an excellent one in every respect. The direction is by Joseph L. Franz. Margot Sperry lives with her guardian. Prof. Orlando Sperry, in the woods. Professor Sperry is trying to get data on primitive modes of living, for his book. J. T. Bates and his son. Divvy, have a house full of company near by, and Lillian Case and her mother are numbered among the guests. Lillian and Divvy become engaged, but when Divvy catches Margot pilfering from the Bates storehouse, he falls in love with the cave girl and against Lillian's command, lets her escape. Divvy, to prevent the party returning to town, burns the boats. Baptiste, a discharged cook, also burns the Bates winter camp and the whole crowd seek shelter in Sperry's humble abode. Here the engagement of young Bates is broken with Miss Case and the defeated and chagrined society lady returns to town with her mother, while Divvy finds happiness with Margot. Katherine Hilliker's subtitles give the story life and the desired atmosphere. SPECIAL CAST IX THE MAN WHO PAID (PRODUCERS SECURITY) For exhibitors whose patrons favor pictures of the trading p o s t — French trapper variety, "The Man Who Paid" should prove an acceptable attraction. It has a pleasing out-door atmosphere and in spite of rather choppy continuity, gets over the story. Five reels. In spite of many evidences of lack of attention to detail, and occasional poor direction, this picture has enough in the DOROTHY DEVORE. popular Christie Comedy star in "Nothing Like It," a new Educational program picture. way of attractive backgrounds, pretty locations and a good heart interest story to make it a pleasing entertainment. There is no departure from the oftendone trading post story where the French trapper falls in love with the pretty wife of the young man who has gone from the city to the woods after being convicted of a crime of which he is innocent. And, of course, it all ends happily, as such stories always do. Wilfred Lytell, as Oliver Thornton, proves an acceptable hero, while Norma Shearer does good work as his wife, the heroine. Miss Shearer's good looks are shown to advantage and she not only photographs extremely well, but shows no small amount of talent in the portrayal of her part. The story is rather hackneyed. Thornton, after serving a term on the false accusation of having embezzled bank funds, seeks to forget in the wilds and secures a position as agent for a far north trading company. There he falls in love with Jeanne, and marries her. A baby girl is born to the young couple. Louis Duclos. an unscrupulous trapper and former suitor for the hand of Jeanne, learns in some way of Thornton's prison record and attempts to estrange Jeanne from her husband. Failing in this he plans to put Thornton out of the way and kidnap the wife, also stealing the location papers of a silver mine Thornton and his brother have discovered. The brother has arrived with proof of Thornton's innocence of the embezzlement charge, and the two are on a fishing trip when Jeanne is kidnaped. Warned by an Indian, the brothers race to the assistance of Jeanne, and then follows a series of adventures during which Duclos is killed by an Indian he has injured, and Jeanne is rescued. Now rich through the silver mine, and his name cleared of the charge on which he served a prison sentence. Thornton is importuned by his brother to return to the city and again take up his business career. After a struggle with ambition. Thornton elects to remain in the woods, happy in the love of wife and child. SPECIAL CAST IN ISLE OF ZORDA (PATHE) A most splendid adaptation of Jules Verne's dramatic story "Mathias Sandorf." Interest is kept at a high pitch and the superb acting of the French cast commands attention throughout the nine reels. Careful editing and intelligent titling, good direction and picturesque photography make this a strong feature. Nine reels. This French production is far ahead of any recently offered foreign picture. It is based upon one of Jules Verne's best liked stories and at the hands of Director Henri Fescourt has received effective treatment. There is material enough for several screen plays and the dramatic incidents follow one another so closely your attention is held from beginning to end in a vice-like grip. Technically the production is very nearly perfect and the performances of Romuald Joube. as Count Mathias Sandorf. M. Yermoyal, as Sarcany, and Yvette Andreyor as Sava. reach the utmost in artistry. The photography is very good, and the shots of an old prison, the Monte Carlo scenes, and the island landscapes all are beautiful. Sarcany. an adventurer, finds a tried carrier pigeon, gets possession of a code message and joining hands with an unscrupulous banker, Torenthal. secures a position as secretary with Mathias Sandorf. Decoding the message he unearths a plot against the government. Under the la w. Torenthal and Sarcanv secure half of Sandorf's wealth. Sandorf and his two friends are imprisoned and about to be executed when Sandorf makes his escape by sliding down a cable near the cell window. He hides in a peasant's home. His presence is made known to the police, but by hiding among the rocks all night he finally escapes. Twenty years later he returns, having wandered over the Orient as a healer and been left a fortune, including the Isle of Zorda, bv a wealthy man. Sandorf's aim is to seek vengeance on the three who have betrayed him. His daughter, who was kidnaped, has been raised by Torenthal as his own child, and to keep her share of the fortune he seeks to marry her to Sarcany, but she is in love with the son of one of Sandorf's friends, and refuses. Sarcany has kidnaped and taken to Morocco. Sandorf gets the fisherman, who betrayed him. into his power, and also the banker who has lost his fortune at Monte Carlo. With Sava's sweetheart, who he has restored to health, they rescue Sava and get Sarcany in their power. Sandorf turns them over to the legal authorities, unites his daughter and her sweetheart, and all live happily on the Island of Zorda. "Its settings and atmosphere probably would satisfy The Sheik himself." — New York World on "The Sheik's Wife."