Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

July 8, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 41 Mary Anderson and Hugh Thompson in a scene from the Morosco Production "The Half Breed," a new First National picture. CORINNE GRIFFITH IN DIVORCE COUPONS (VITAGRAPH) One of the best productions given this popular and pretty star. A society drama with a little different twist. It reaches a high standard of cleverness throughout in plot construction, artistic settings and consistent acting. Directed by Webster Campbell. Six parts. "Divorce Coupons" should prove a good drawing card. It has many of the elements of success — a pretty heroine, a pleasing love story, unusual settings and a puzzling, though perfectly logical murder mystery. Director Campbell has deftly established the proper atmosphere in the early footage, there is good character drawing and there is much artistic photography. The workmanlike quality of the production should put it over with most audiences. The story concerns a poor girl in a small town who wearies of life in humble quarters. Linda Catherton, thereupon, sells the family heirlooms to buy clothes tor Teddy Beaudine's wedding. There she meets Roland Bland, notoriously known as "the universal co-respondent." She disregards the advice of friends and marries him for she longs for pretty things and money, believing she will be able to get a divorce in a year and live on the alimony. However, Bland falls madly in love with her and she learns that she cannot live without him. Conrad Fontaine, Bland's friend, attempts to borrow money from Bland and when he cannot persuade him to loan it through LindVs interference, he sends Bland a letter written to Teddy by Linda before her marriage. It almost disrupts the household until Bland discovers Fontaine's object then he threatens to kill him. ■Fontaine is found dead by Linda, when she goes to warn him of Bland's threat. She thinks her husband killed him and assumes the guilt. However, a confession from another woman who actually killed him saves the happy couple. Miss Griffith wears many startling gowns and is a very appealing and sincere character throughout. The acting is good all around. Holmes Herbert made a manly and convincing Poland Bland; Mona Lisa gave a carefully balanced performance as Ishtar Lane; Diana Allen was pleasing as Teddy Beaudine and Cyril Ring natural as Conrad. A small role, Buddy, was assigned to Vincent Coleman, which he played well. SPECIAL CAST IN A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (SELZNICK) An exceedingly strong drama of the society type, adapted from Oscar Wilde's play and novel, and well acted by an entire English cast. Production shows careful thought and artistry in handling delicate scenes. Not a play for children. Five reels. Selznick has a good bet in "The Woman of No Importance." It is one of the best produced English plays that has thus far reached this country, and while it treats of a theme as old as the human race — the betrayal of an innocent girl — it is handled in a manner that commands one's attention and does not give offense. As a novel and a stage play it gave the English quite a shock, no doubt, due more to Wilde's satirical defense of an unmarried mother. Few of the author's epigrams have been used in the present version, which is well, as it would be difficut to convey the atmosphere that Oscar Wilde managed to weave about the most commonplace of tales. The best acting is contributed by Fay Compton, in the role of Rachael, the unmarried mother. Milton Rosmer, another capable player, is George Harford. M. Gray Murray is Sir Thomas Harford; Hetta Bartlett appears as Lady Cecelia and Gwen Carton as Elsie Farquhar. Daisy Campbell is Lady Hunstanton: Lillian Walker, Hester Worsley, and Ward McAllister appears as Rachael's son, Gerald Arbuthnot. Denison Clift directed. Rachael falls in love with George Harford, is betrayed and abandoned. She lives under an assumed name with her son. who grows to manhood. Years later she meets Harford, who is in a pos'tion to help her son. Because of his admiration for the boy he offers her marriage but she spurns him. The boy, learning of the tragedy of her life, refuses the commission and stands by his mother. BUSTER KEATON IN MY WIFE'S RELATIONS (FIRST NATIONAL) This latest Buster Keaton comedy kept the Chicago theatre audiences rocking in their seats with laughter for one solid week. The situations are well conceived and logically worked out. The contrast between the size of the comedian and the half dozen others in the cast each weighing over 200 pounds, furnishes a laugh at the start. Buster is the victim of an unwelcome and misunderstood wedding; he is taken home by the bride and for a considerable time treated rather rough by her knock-about father and five tough brothers. Then a letter is found on Buster's person and thinking he is about to inherit $100,000 they change their tactics, move to a better home and look up to their sister's husband. When it is found, however, that the letter was ad dressed to someone else, their visions of wealth vanish as does Buster. Keaton manages to space the laughs so well through this two reeler, the interest never lags for a moment. One of the best Keaton comedies thus far produced. Bussey, la. — C. S. Baltzby, of the Unique theatre, has purchased a building which he will remodel into a motion picture theatre. WRAY PHYSIOC WRAYPHYSIOCPROD., Inc. 8 W. 47th Street NEW YORK CITY 1907 1922 A Partial List of Past Productions: Hearts of Oak The Better Way The Dividing Line The Grip of Jealousy The Black Opal The Open Road Born Again Serge Panine The Spirit of Jealousy Hearts of Gold The Way Back The Fleur-de-lis Ring His Mother's Home Her Slumbering Conscience The Deacon's Son