Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

March 25, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 61 MIA MAY IN THE MISTRESS OF THE WORLD (PARAMOUNT) Under the title, "The Dragon's Claw," this is the first episode of a four-part melodrama which was tried with indifferent success, as an experiment, in making this variety of entertainment a Broadway feature. With proper exploitation it may do well in localities where serials with plenty of thrills have the call, it is to be shown in four episodes of six reels each. German producers have sent us many kinds of pictures, but it remained for Joseph May to send us, via Paramount, a real, old-fashioned melodrama in serial form, reminiscent of the "Perils of Pauline" period. "The Dragon's Claw," the first episode of the thriller, has little to recommend it over the old-time serial, except more elaborate settings and more people in the mob scenes. On the other hand, few if any of the old-time thrillers were built around more wildly improbable themes. During the showing of the first episode at two Broadway theatres, those in attendance were kept guessing all the time. When not guessing what thrill was next on the list, they were guessing as to whether or not it was all intended to be taken seriously, or whether it was a burlesque of a melodrama. Mia May, a newcomer to the American screen, is the featured player, and the only one named in the cast. The rather bovine beauty of the blonde Mia is not set off to advantage by the Psyche knot and curly bangs of a long bygone day, nor are her long, full skirts, high collars and high black shoes calculated to put Gloria Swanson off the map. They may appreciate that kind of a dashing heroine in Germany, but her chance of ousting Poli Negri from her pinnacle of popularity in brought-over films does not appear to be very promising. The story opens in Copenhagen, where Mia May as Helen Xielson, mistress of many languages and an authority on Chinese, discovers an old tale of China telling that one who is known as "The Hermit" of Huan Fu, believed to be living somewhere in the interior of China, has in his possession the secret of the hiding place of the fabulous treasures of the Queen of Sheba. With this as the start, Helen takes off for China and her adventures begin. For the remainder of the episode, poor Helen finds herself in more hair-raising, heartpalpitating and death-defying situations than ever Pauline or even Eddie Polo ever thought of. Being thrown into dark dungeons, given "water cures," captured by Chinese hordes, charged with witchcraft and threatened with terrible deaths are everyday occurrences with the pudgy heroine, and she meets them all without the quiver of an eyelash. Finally Helen's latest champion, Benson, finds the hermit among the stucco ruins of Kuan Fu. and the hermit at once tells him the story of Sheba's treasures, gives him the jewel containing the map to the hidden treasure trove. Here ends the first episode with the heroine hiding from the maddened Chinese in the home of the old priest, Benson making ineffectual efforts to climb over the stucco ruins, the jewel in his teeth, and Dr. Kien Lung, another friend of the heroine, about to start to the rescue. SPECIAL CAST IN THE MAN WITH TWO MOTHERS (GOLDWYX) Nothing originally startling or startlingly original about this tale of the "ould sod" and New York. Mary Alden, Cullen Landis, Hallam Cooley, Laura Lavarnie and Sylvia Breamer make the most of a weak story. Goldwyn has given it good production. Directed by Paul Bern. Six reels. Here is another example of what intelligent direction can make out of next to nothing. "The Man With Two Mothers" as a story, is about as weak as skimmed milk, but under the direction of Paul Bern its few humorous situations are played up to the full and it proved diverting screen fiction at the Chateau theatre, Chicago, where it opened a four days' run last Sunday. Cullen Landis was an excellent choice as the boy, Dennis; Mary Alden does good work as his mother, and Laura Lavarnie was capable as his adopted mother in America. Cooley was the villain, and Miss Breamer is Dennis' ulti mate sweetheart. The production will satisfy from the standpoint of beautiful sets and splendid photography and the New York atmosphere of the Alice Duer Miller story is well sustained. The story concerns one Dennis O'Neill, who comes to America with his mother, from Ballycoole, Ireland. He becomes a member of the Bryan family, who have made their money in junk, and when Mrs. O'Neill sees that she will interfere with her son's future, she decides to return to Ireland. Dennis establishes her in a nearby apartment house, however unknown to Mrs. Bryan. He discovers that Richey, Mrs. Bryan's manager at the junk yard, is stealing her funds, and proceeds to whip the dishonest superintendent and place himself in charge. Complications arise when Claire Mordaunt, who has fallen in love with Dennis, learns through a note that Richey has intercepted, that he has another woman in the neighborhood. They go to the apartment and discover his mother and all ends happily. LLOYD HAMILTON IN THE RAINMAKER (EDUCATIONAL) Hamilton scores a distinct hit in "The Rainmaker." It is good, clean, wholesome fun all the way through with a happy, snappy finish. The picture opens with our hero's leave-taking from home. He misses his train going East but nothing daunted grabs another going West and lands in a town that is badly in need of moisture. They are expecting a professional rainmaker and Lloyd, having appropriated his high hat and the professor's daughter enroute, is acclaimed their benefactor as he steps from the train. He sets off the sky-rocket that is to produce rain but it hits a snow cloud and the populace, dressed in bathing suits, is snowed under. Lloyd makes his escape after several comical experiences in a Pullman car in which he gets mixed up with an old maid's curling iron, dangling from an upper berth. New Mae Murray Film Completed for Metro Mae Murray has completed camera work on her new Tiffany production, "Fascination," which will be published by Metro on March 27. It is presented by Robert Z. Leonard. The picture is being cut by Mr. Leonard, who directed it. at Tiffany Studios, West Forty-fourth street, New York. "Fascination" is a Spanish story by Edmund Goulding. Two dramatic incidents from "The Mistress of the World," the Paramount production starring Mia May, made from the novel by Carl Figlor. These scenes are from the fourth episode, "The City of Gold."