Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

58 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 29, 1921 Herbert Rawlinson in "The Man Under Cover." (Universal) HERBERT RAWLINSON IN MAN UNDER COVER (UNIVERSAL) &n unusually interesting crook i play, issued by Universal as a "special" and one that lives up to that classification. It was written by a convict serving a life sentence in the Arizona penitentiary. Tod Browning's direction is excellent all through. Five reels of logical suspenseful action. If you are in the market for a refrejhingly original crook play, hop out and get this one. Here is a good entertainment for any public. It has about everything the showman wants in the way of plot, sentiment and good swift action. The subtitles are very much to the point and the acting of the star and supporting cast are but one of its outstanding features. Real cleverness is displayed in developing the story on the screen and the value of the good story is fully realized by Director Browning. Rawlinson gives a careful and finished performance in the role of a crook who sets out to beat other crooks at their own game. Barbara Bedford is charmingly natural in the role of heroine, and a comedy touch is contributed by George Hernandez, as Rawlinson's fellow crook. William Courtwright appears at Mayor Harper; Eddie Tilton as "Coal Oil" Chase; George Webb as Wiley; Gerard Pring as Holt Langdon and Willis Marks as Col. Culpepper. There are several unusual advertising angles to "The Man Under Cover" that should not be overlooked. Perhaps the biggest of these is the fact that the story was written by Louis Victor Eytinge. a 'Tier" in Arizona state penitentiary, who, after fourteen years in prison has astonished the literally world with his pen pictures of underworld life. The story was written for a magazine under the title "The Man Who Knows." Eytinge gives a surprising insight into the workings of crooks and confidence men in this story. Paul Porter, and his pal Dad Moffat, two crooks, arrive at Paul's home town to find that Holt Langdon, cashier in the local bank and an old comrade of Paul's is in trouble. He needs $25,000. Paul and Dad decide to "crack" the local bank that night and help Langdon out. When they enter the bank they find Langdon there, a suicide. They find evidence he is short $25,000 in his cashier's account. Because of Holt's friendship and because of his sister Margaret, Paul's boyhood sweetheart, they "frame" the interior of the bank to look like a hold-up ((uring whirh Holt has lost his life defending the bank's funds. The circumstances impress Paul so deeply he determines to go straight. He saves Margaret from financial embarrassment by buying the little newspaper she is running. Paul and Moffat then discover that two confidence men are operating in the town, collecting thousands of dollars in a fake oil well scheme. They decide to outwit the crooks. With the aid of Col. Culpepper, a lawyer, they start a fake well themselves and reproduce a typical "gusher" blow-off. The crooks, fooled into thinking there actually is oil ir> the land, buy out their well at a high figure. Paul is able to return their savings to the various town-people mulcted by the foiled confidence men. He then goes to Margaret and tells her his whole story. She has learned of her brother's real tragedy, and forgives Paul for his past misdeeds. They find happiness together. MILDRED HARRIS IN THE FIRST WOMAN (R-C PICTURES) Very ordinary is this story of a chorus girl who tricks a wealthy playwright into giving her the leading role in his play. The comedy finish is all that saves it. Written and directed by Glen Lyon. Five reels. If it were not for the fine performances of Percy Marmont it would be difficult to find any excuse for turning this hackneyed story of a wealthy young author and poor chorus girl into a photoplay, although it is possible that this theme has not entirely out-worn its popularity in some localities. The acting, direction and general technique, like the plot, are, with the exception of Mr. Marmont's work, poor. Mildred Harris enacts the role of Billy Mayo, a Broadway chorus girl — star of "The Pink Pajama Girl" Company — whose agent decides to put her in the leading role of a heavy dramatic production written by Paul Marsh (Percy Marmont). Paul rebels and threatens to take his play to another agent. That night he finds a little burglar in the parlor of his magnificent home, as he returns from the opera with his sister, playing beautifully on a violin. The police arrive but Marsh saves her from jail and establishes her in his home. She makes love to Paul's sister's fiance and finally wins him away from the latter. Then she explains to the girl that years before Jack, under an assumed name, had betrayed her sister in Canada, and she is seeking revenge. She stabs Jack — Marsh comes upon the scene and demands that the law take its course — then everybody jumps up and Billy explains it was all staged by the agent to demonstrate to Paul that Billy could act dramatic parts. Previously, however, Billy has told Paul she is deeply in love with him and wjll marry him. The ridiculousness of the scene where the supposed lady burglar goes into ccstacies over a violin and starts playing the instrument, will tend to detract interest at the start, and this is not helped any by the blunt statement the chorus girl makes later to the author confessing her love for him. when previously she had played a frivolous, light-headed, pampered and very much spoiled child, without any love scenes to carry out the idea. Most audiences too, resent being tricked by five reels of melodrama ending in a comedy. The acting of the other members of the cast is too artificial to be convincing. Poor lighting and poor photography do not help it any. MABEL BALLIN IN OTHER WOMEN'S CLOTHES Very little that is new in story oi situations here. Its principa charm is in the completeh natural performance of Mis: Ballin and the splendid directior of Hugo Ballin. Some very ef fective touches in direction, ar tistic settings and unique lightins effects. Six reels. Hugo Ballin has chosen a moden story for his latest production, starrim the attractive and always charming Ma bel Ballin. He has assembled a cas of unusual strength too to appear oppo site her and it is rather unfortunate ; more original plot could not have beei provided. It was adapted from Ethc Donoher's story "Luxury Tax." There can be nothing but the highes praise for the acting of Miss Ballin. Sh. portrays the sweet and innocent hero ine, Jacqueline Lee, in a manner that en lists the sympathy at once and in thi emotional scenes is entirely adequate Raymond Bloomer, as Garrison, a phil anthropic young man, is well cast oppo site her, as is Crauford Kent, in the rof of Rupert Lewis, Garrison's friend, striking bit of acting was contributed b; Rose Burdick as a sickly, workroom girl Ellen Downe and Aggie LaField wa clever as Bessie Horowitz, a Jewish girl There is a melodramatic fire scene and : very unlikely accident which throws th heroine and hero together after a loni separation. Jacqueline Lee, a show girl, i stranded without friends or money, li New York she is befriended by two em ployes of a modiste's shop and soon is trusted employe of the fashionable ston She goes to get a dress from the home o a customer and while trying the gow on she meets Barker Garrison, a ric young man. Garrison is struck wit her innocence and beauty and wage with Rupert Lewis that he can prov that money will buy her happiness. T test his theory he has his lawyer tc Jacqueline that a wealthy old woman c South America, a customer, has left he a fortune. She is soon established in very luxurious apartment and is happ until she discover's Garrison's deceptiot Then she runs away. Garrison, who ha fallen in love with her, searches throug England, France and Italy for her, hi without success. He returns to Nc York and while passing a fire in a th< atre, h;s automobile strikes a girl rui ning from the stage entrance. He di: covers it is Jacqueline, who has becom a famous actress. The happy endin follows. Cr.niford Kent and Mabel Ballin in "Othci Wimro'i Clothes." (Hodkin»on)