Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

June 3. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 51 REVIEWby Martin f.Otndl, and to afford a real delight. Jackie Coogan's '"Trouble" is just about as satisfactory entertainment as could be asked for. It is wholesome, refreshing, and will get a laugh out of anyone who has a laugh left in him. If this is not a success, then a lot of guide JACKIE COOGAN IX TROUBLE (LESSER PRODUCTION) There is a temptation to call this picture great when perhaps we only mean that it is good. But whether great or good is the word, the picture is really splendid entertainment and has an appeal that is just about as nearly universal as may be expected in any one picture. Jackie Coogan in "Trouble" is a distinct hit. Length, five reels. When a pictures comes along, which creates much argument as to whether one factor or another is chiefly responsible for the result, the producer may feel happy. A case in point is the Lesser production of Jackie Coogan's "Trouble." There will be those who will maintain that the juvenile star covers himself with glory almost to the exclusion of all of his associates in the production, while there will be others who will see in this fascinating medley of pathos, comedy and sentiment a signal triumph of the directorial art. However, Coogan is a fine little actor and an intriguing personality throughout and is entitled to the great credit that certainly will be his. But the able efforts of Director Albert Austin should not be overlooked. Austin has executed many situations and bits of action in this production that constitute real commercial screen art and just how nearly they hit the mark is going to be realized by the vast majority of exhibitors — if not every exhibitor — who shows the picture. There is just enough narrative in the picture. Little Coogan as the central figure is seen in a private orphanage where he is beset with much grief in his efforts to prevent the sending away of his pet dog. Then the orphanage is to be abandoned and its little charges are offered for adoption. Jackie finds a new home but it is far from a dream home. The wife-beating husband is finally put where he can work his excess energy off on a rock pile and Jackie, his foster mother and her parents, repair to the old farmhouse in the country and all is well. Light as the story may seem — and light it should be for the type of picture that is intended — it is nevertheless sufficiently weighed with flashes of real fun and touching sentiment to hold the interest Jackie Coogan in "Trouble." lines that have been unfailing in the past will have gone wrong in this case. Jackie is pretty much the whole show but the cast which surrounds him is of the first order. The wife-beating husband is done effectively by Wallace Beery and Gloria Hope is satisfactory as the wife. The production is done in the very best technical manner. Vitagraph Comedy Shown As Anniversary Feature ELAINE HAMMERSTEIX IX EVIDENCE (SELZNICK) An excellent production which has the combined advantage of a pleasing and convincing story, first class acting and many beautiful sets. Should prove universally popular. Made under the careful direction of George Archainbaud. Five reels. This new Elaine Hammerstein film shows the fallacy of believing circumitancial evidence and how a clever actress urns the tables on a judge who believed n it. The story is well told and admiribly acted and will hold the attention of .ny audience. The outstanding character in this little lomestic drama is .Miss Hammerstein. ihe is an artiste to her finger tips and jot only is she bounteously endowed by mature but she has a valuable sense of he dramatic and uses it in such a satisfacory and appealing manner that this prouction is assured of success with almost ny type of audience. Xiles Welch again ppears oposite her as Phillip Rowland wealthy youth, whom she marries; lolmes Herbert is the Judge, and Rowind's brother, who believes circumstan.al evidence is as good as direct evience. Constance Bennett appears as eannett, an actress who betrays Florette, le role assumed by Miss Hammerstein nd Ernest Hilliard is the villain, Paul tanley. Marie Burke appears briefly as Irs. Boscom, a society matron and MaIda Metevie .as Louise, her daughter, he piece is beautifully staged and well hotographed. Florette attracts Phillip Rowland, as le sings at the Apollo roof and he perlades her to desert the stage to become s wife. The match is opposed by Judge owland, Phillip's brother, but she con■nts when Jeannett recalls a previous igagement which proved a failure, fterwards Jeannett plans to wreck her ippiness by sending Stanley, a former iend, to Florette's home. He enters ;r bedroom and is discovered by the idge who is convinced of her wronging. Florette, however, turns the tables him by locking the door after Stanley ives and awaits the return of her husnd. The judge is thoroughly coniced that he is wrong in his theorv. d tells Phillip that he is a fool if he forces one as loyal and good as orette. HY MAYER'S TRAVELAUGHS (R-C PICTURES) 'Such is Life in Monte Carlo" was Dwn directly prior to "Such is Life in •lendam" at the screening attended, and were skeptical when it was promid that the second would surpass the 1 "t. To our mind it didn't, quite, but I certainly attained equal place. Both excellent stuff, entertaining thor < ?hly. . iy Mayer's agile pen is in evidence J t enough to break up the. monotony of if scenic, not enough to tire. His sub* es are sharply pointed, emphasizing ' meat of the scenes they intersperse, ^d the scenes, brilliantly photographed, <Uain much deserving of emphasis. Not cartoons, not travelogues in the s,ct sense, the "Travelaughs" stand ;irt from the short stuff into the class < which they fall. Thev merit inclusn in any program. Houses in Racing Zones Book "Queen O' the Turf" "Queen O' The Turf," the horse race drama published by R-C Pictures has been booked in several cities which are in or near a racing center. The Strand theatre, Lexington, Ky., has booked the feature for four days and in Jersey City and Hoboken, N. J. "Queen O' The Turf" will open with the inauguration of the Spring racing session at the Jamaica race track. The Blumenthal theatres in Jersey City will run the picture. R-C DeHaven Comedy Ready The second Carter DeHaven two-reel comedy for publication through R-C Pictures Corporation has been completed. It is called "Christmas." "Too Much Business," the Jess Robins comedy distributed by Vitagraph was the feature picture during the anniversary of Tally's theatre, Los Angeles. Enhanced by an excellent cast the film is meeting with a favorable reception throughout the country Vitagraph reports. Filming of "The Flirt" Started by Universal "The Flirt" has entered production at Universal City as an all star special composed of Helen Jerome Eddy, Eileen Percy, Lydia Knott, Dorothea Wolbert, George Xichols, Edward Hearn, Lloyd Whitlock and Buddy Messenger, directed by Hobart Henley. It is from Booth Tarkington's novel.