Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

SPECIAL CAST IN A FOOL THERE WAS (FOX) A new and modern version of Porter Emerson Browne's story and play, inspired by Kipling's poem "The Vampire." Artistic and successful attempt to revive old, drama and present it in new and refreshing form. The entire cast is good and it has been given a lavish production. Directed by Emmet J. Flynn. Eight parts. Just why William Fox decided to make another 'A Fool There Was" when he already had one in his vaults, and one which had met with unmeasured success and played almost every theatre in America, many of them several times, it is hard to say. But nevertheless he has made another, and while it does not boast the world's greatest "vamp," Theda Bara, it has many other things to recommend it. Artistically it is a much better production than the former film, showing the advance made in sets and lighting effects, and the acting throughout is well modulated and more convincing. There is less of the vampire's fawning over her victim in the present version and few if any really objectionable scenes. Lewis Stone makes a very capable Schuyler and his transition from a cleancut, successful business man to a brokendown, weak, nervous wreck, is very realistic. To Estelle Taylor, however, goes the honors of the piece. Here is a new vampire, indeed. She is always alluring and just can't make her eyes behave, and although it is difficult to believe she has been the cause of the downfall of the old white-haired man who opens her taxi door, and Rogers and others, she seems so young, her complete mastery over Schuyler is easy to understand. The picture will advertise itself and people will want to see this new version of the famous play. The story concerns Schuyler, head of a large New York concern, happily married. He is sent on an important mission to Russia to secure contracts for his firm. On board ship he learns of the suicide of a college boy over a famous beauty, sailing on the same boat She soon makes his acquaintance, and in London they renew their friendship. He visits her at Lake Como, then they go to Vienna, and finally return to New York, where he establishes himself in a separate home. He is persuaded to return to his wife and child and is about to do so when the lady arrives and he falls again. She leaves him finally "a thing more dead than alive," broken in health and spirit. Irene Rich lends conviction to the role of the wife; Mahlon Hamilton was capable as the friend; Wallace McDonald appears briefly as the college boy, who does a spectacular suicide from a yard arm; William V. Mong is Boggs, the butler; Harry Lonsdale is the secretary, and Muriel Frances Dana a cute and winsome child. Estelle Taylor and Lewis Stone in "A Fool There Was" (Fox) MAY McAVOY IN TOP OF NEW YORK (PARAMOUNT) This is a smooth running melodrama of the familiar type with plenty of pathos intermingled with a lot of good clean comedy. Should go well where this type of picture is liked. Directed by Wm. D. Taylor. Five reels. "The Top of New York," while a frankly sentimental romance, is devoid of intent to convey a complex social message, and for that reason alone divertingly entertaining. This picture, the last one directed by William D. Taylor, is a reversion to the old style of melodrama, which shows the poor but honest working girl struggling against the machinations of her rich employer, resisting the temptations of proffered luxury and steadfastly refusing to pay the price. As picture stories go now it is not of that kind that is usually termed elevating, but Miss McAvoy, by her beauty, fascination and histrionic ability, lifts her commonplace role to a high plane. As Hilda O'Shaughnessey, the poor tenement girl upon whose youthful shoulders is the care of an invalid brother, Miss McAvoy is always charming and convincing. The comedy part is given over to Carrie Clark Ward, who as Mrs. Brady, does her work cleverly. The remainder of the cast is good, as is everything else in the presentation even if all do not find this particular class of story agreeable. Hilda and her invalid brother are battling for everyday existence in a tenement, with the jirl clerking in the toy department of a store, and forlornly hoping to make enough money to send the invalid to a sanitarium. In the hope of benefitting him she keeps him on the roof of the tenement as much as possible. There he meets the little daughter of an artist who has built a bungalow on the roof of a nearby apartment house. Gray becomes interested in Hilda on account of her devotion to her brother. In the toy store Hilda is dressed in fancy costumes and acts the part of an animated doll. The proprietor of the store is attracted by her beauty, and after a number of advances, asks her what she desires for a Christmas present. With a full realization of the price she would be expected to pay, Hilda chooses an expensive fur coat. This she plans to sell for enough money to get the brother treatment at a sanitarium, and then commit suicide rather than yield to the wicked employer. The artist finds her on the roof in time to prevent the suicide, chastises the man who was trying to lead her from the path of virtue, and everything ends happily by him asking her to be his wife. HOOT GIBSON IN TRIMME'D (UNIVERSAL) Very pleasing little Western romance with Gibson in a somewhat different role. Plenty of comedy, plenty of action and some thrills. Of its type this film can be recommended highly. Directed by Harry Pollard from a story by Hasburg Liebe. Five reels. Those who like thrills, plenty of action, good clean fun and a love romance will find it in "Trimmed," Ed (Hoot) Gibson's latest Universal five-reeler. There is ample audience appeal and Gibson contrives to get a certain amount of personality and good acting into his role. The film suffers from too much padding in the early footage, but after this is once past, the changing situations and rapidity of action hold your attention to the finish. A splendid cast appears in the star's support and the camera work is wonderfully clear and distinct. Fred Kohler, Otto Hoffman, Alfred Hollingsworth and Patsy Ruth Miller have the principal roles opposite the star. Dale Garland returns from Europe in his A. E. F. outfit, a hero. The town band is at the station to meet him, but he disembarks at a town up the line and while riding home on a borrowed horse stops to enjoy some wild honey he finds in a tree. A stray bear trees him and chases him into his home town. The local sheriff is up for re-election and Dale runs against him, backed by crooked politicians and is elected. He then turns the tables on the politicians and in a stirring fight rounds them all up and locks them in jail. Of course he wins the hand of the former sheriff's daughter and the story ends with wedding bells.