Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

96 EXHIBITORS HERALD June 24, 1922 SHIRLEY MASON in a scene from "Lights of the Desert,' (Fox) a story of the oil fields. VIOLA DANA IX THEY LIKE 'EM ROUGH (METRO) As light comedy-drama this is a good example. Those interested in Miss Dana's work will find it pleasing with its variety of emotions. It has its humorous as well as dramatic moments. Directed by Harry Beaumont. Six reels. There is very little characterization to "They Like 'Em Rough" nor is the story a convincing one nor very original. Shakespeare beat Metro to it by a few hundred years in picturing a lady who objected to being "bossed," who has a mean disposition, and whose first name was Katherine. That's the plot of Miss Dana's latest vehicle, while it has its inconsistencies, such as the marriage license incident, it nevertheless is good entertainment. Appearing opposite the tempestuous Viola, there are Hardee Kirkland, as Richard Wells, her husband; Knute Erickson, as Dr. Curtis; W. Bradley Ward, as Pete, a guide; Elsa Lorimer, as Mrs. Curtis and Colin Kenny as "Waddie." The shots around a lumber mill and in the deep woods give the proper atmosphere to the Northwoods scenes, while the interiors are correct in every detail. There is a certain mechanical touch to the production but it is well done and above the average of its type. Katherine goes away to school, as does her childhood sweetheart, Richard Ward, and they do not see each other for seven years. Katherine has written him once each year, but Dick has kept up a steady correspondence. Finally she becomes ' iu;.n" 'I and is about In marry W'aildic. a friend of the family. Dick decides to attend the wedding and arrives from the lumber camp where he is superintendent a few hours before the ceremony. He is accosted by Katherine in an auto mobile as she is running away from the house, and she offers him $100 if he will marry her at once. He agrees, not disclosing his identity (he is wearing a beard) until after the ceremony is performed. Then he rushes her off to his camp and there makes her cook his meals and do the housework. Finally, when he is seriously injured by striking employes, Katherine comes to her senses and there is a happy family reunion when Dr. and Mrs. Curtis, her guardians, arrive upon the scene. SHIRLEY MASON IN LIGHTS OF THE DESERT (FOX) This is a love romance of the oil fields with the pleasing Miss Mason at her best. A very capable cast appears in support, headed by Allen Forrest. The climax is well handled and worth waiting for. Directed by Harry Beaumont. Five reels. From a very conventional beginning this story works up to a fine climax in the final reel and out of rather thin material Director Beaumont has evolved a first-rate little comedy-drama. Shirley Mason appears in the role of Yvonne Laraby, member of "Merrie Blue Belles" company, which is stranded in Colt City, an oil centre. The troupe raises money and returns to San Francisco, all but Yvonne, who is persuaded to remain behind by Andrew Reed, who has fallen in love with her. She secures work in the office of Clay Truxall, an oil magnate, and there develops the usual triangle love affair. Workmen become dissatisfied with Truxall's methods and are about to tar and feather him and run him out of town. Yvonne learns of the plot, escapes from the embraces of an unwelcome visitor at her home, and saves Clay from the mob long enough for the sheriff to arrive and disperse the crowd. She then declares her love for Clay. Allen Forrest is well cast as Clay Truxall and puts spirit into his work and the others of the company were capable. The scenes around a small town gave the proper atmosphere and there was good character drawing. Altogether a pleasing little romance. SPECIAL CAST IN GOLDEN DREAMS (GOLDWYN) In "Golden Dreams" a thrilling romantic picturization of one of Zane Grey's red blooded stories, Benjamin B. Hampton has produced a program picture away above the average, and one that should prove a good box office attraction. Beauty in distress, rescued from sinister villains by a likable hero, is not a new theme by many thousands, but so interestingly is the story put over in "Golden Dreams" as to make the spectators almost forget that they had seen the like before. The scene is laid in a mythical Spanish state in America, where the Countess de Elberca, a Spanish lady of the old school, owns a large royal grant of land upon which oil has been found. Mercedes McDonald, niece of the countess, who has been reared in American schools, returns to her aunt's home and falls in love with Sand} Buchanan, a dashing young Scotchman, who is developing the aunt's oil fields. Don Felipe, a neighbor, conspires with his nephew, the Duke of Othomo, for the latter to wed the niece, and by inheriting the oil lands, ward off discovery of the fact that he has misappropriated funds and is in imminent danger of arrest and consequent disgrace. The aunt approves the Duke's suit, and uncle and nephew decide to get rid of the girl's accepted lover by arranging his demise. In the first attempt on his life a mistake almost proves fatal to Mercedes' brother Enrique, who is seriously injured. Don Felipe skilfully makes it appear that Buchanan is responsible for Enrique's injury and inflames the Spaniards against him. In the meantime the aunt has locked Mercedes in a tower of the castle from which she is rescued in a thrilling manner by the Scotchman, who, chased by a mob of Don Felipe's raising, seeks refuge with the girl in an old inn. Here another attempt is made to kill the Scotchman, and after a fierce fight in which the lovers are aided by a traveling American circus, the attackers are worsted. During the battle the circus animals are turned loose on the mob, the villains are killed and everything ends happily. As the heroine, Claire Adams is all that could be desired, and Carl Gantvoort is a sufficiently dashing hero to satisfy the most captious admirers of dashing and hard-fighting heroes. The remainder of I he cast, which includes Rose Dione, Audrey Chapman, Ida Ward, Norn's McKay, Bertram Grassby. Frank Leigh, Pomery Cannon and little Mary Jane Irving, are all good. The direction shows careful work and the photography is exceptionally good. All in all, "Golden Dreams" is more than entertaining and will undoubtedly prove a good hot-weather attraction.