Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD July 8, 1922 DIGES VPICTURES of tAeWEEK AT this season of the year, when there is an undoubted lull in business, the tired theatre man has plenty of opportunity to look over the Fall offerings of the various companies. And the array is quite alluring. For instance Associated First National is planning to issue between sixty and seventy productions during the twelve months beginning next September. Among these toe find: "The Bond Boy" with Richard Barthelmess starring; "East is West" with Constance Talmadge; "The Dangerous Age," a John M. Stahl production; "The Woman Conquers." and "White Shoulders," both Katherine MacDonald pictures. Then there is "Hurricane's Gal" with Dorothy Phillips ; "Infatuation" and "The Voice from Minaret" with Norma Talmadge ; "The Frozen North" with Buster Keaton as well as "The Electric House" and "Day Dreams." Mack Sennett will present Mabel Normand in "Suzanna" and Guy Bates Post has "The Masquerader" and "Omar the Tentmaker" completed. Marshall Neilan's next will be "Her Man" and Hope Hampton presents "The Light in the Dark." Paramount's long list plays already completed reads like the fiction list of the big libraries. Here are a few of the first six months' pictures : "The Dictator." "The Young Diana," "If You Believe It, It's So," "The Bonded Woman," "Top of New York," "Her Gilded Cage," "Nice People," "Blood and Sand," "The Siren Call," "Manslaughter," "While Satan Sleeps," "Mysteries of India," "Pink Gods," "Burning Sands," "To Have and To Hold," "Missing Millions," "Little Old New York." "Kick In." "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow" and "Anna Ascends." Among the Universal-Jewel productions announced for release next season are : "The Storm," with House Peters; "The Flame of Life," with Priscilla Dean; "Human Hearts," with House Peters; "LJnder Two Flags," with Priscilla Dean ; "The Kentucky Derby," with Reginald Denny ; "The Flirt," with Helen Jerome Eddy and Eileen Percy ; "Trimmed in Scarlet," with Priscilla Dean ; "Oats for the Woman," from a story by Fannie Hurst, and two pictures by Erich von Stroheim, the first of which, with Mr. von Stroheim in its leading role, has already been started. Metro Pictures corporation offers "The Prisoner of Zenda" with Alice Terry; "Broadway Rose", with Mae Murray; "The Five Dollar Baby" with Viola Dana ; "The Hands of Nara" with Clara Kimball Young; "Peg o' My Heart" with Laurette Taylor and "Quincy Adams Sawyer." Yitagraph, Pathe, Selznick, Goldwyn and Fox have equally pretentious lists, the Fox list including "Silver Wings," "Nero," "The Fast Mail," "A Fool There Was," "Lights of New York," "My Friend the Devil," "A Little Child Shall Lead Them" and "The Town that God Forgot."— J. R. M. "A FOOL THERE WAS" (Fox) again reaches the screen with new sets and new people enacting the various roles. Estelle Taylor has the role that made Theda Bara famous, and is a very attractive "vamp." Lewis Stone is an acceptable Schuyler, giving a very well balanced performance. An artistic and well modulated screen play. "DIVORCE COUPONS" (Vitagraph) is one of the best productions given Corinne Griffith as a starring vehicle. It is a society drama with a different twist and reaches a very high standard of excellence. It should prove a good drawing card and will bear extra exploitation. "THE TOP OF NEW YORK" (Paramount) is a slight, though smooth running melodrama of familiar type. It is frankly sentimental romance devoid of intent to convey a complex social problem and serves fairly well as a vehicle for the pretty and talented May McAvoy. The picture was directed by the late William D. Taylor. "A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE" (Selznick) adapted from Oscar Wilde's popular stage play, is an exceedingly strong drama of the betrayed woman type. It is very well acted by an entire English company, and well directed by Denison Clift. Unusual artistry is displayed in bringing out the high spots of the drama. "TRIMMED" (Universal) is the story of a dough "boy wdio is elected sheriff of his town and turns the tables on a lot of crooked politicians and bootleggers. Ed (Hoot) Gibson is the star and Patsy Ruth Miller furnishes the love interest. Very pleasing though light stuff. "THE HALF BREED" (First National) an adapted Oliver Morosco stage success affords good entertainment though it suffers by comparison with many other screen plays, written along similar lines. The early footage is without grip or punch, and the love interest not well worked up. However there is a thrill at the finish that is worth the money. "HER NIGHT OF NIGHTS" (Universal) presents Marie Prevost as a cloak model who assists her employers in entertaining out of town guests. An acceptable light comedy-drama, adapted from a "Snappy Stories" tale. Hobart Henley directed and made a fair job of it. He is used to having better material to work with. "UP IN THE AIR ABOUT MARY" (Pathe). A comedy-drama with a dash of slapstick, inconsequential as to story, but forming as a whole a light and pleasing program entertainment in five reels.