Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

64 EXHIBITORS HERALD August 12, 1922 DIGESTo/" PICTURES </ tAeWEEK WILL H. HAYS, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, speaking before the Los Angeles chamber of commerce and West Coast motion picture men, on July 24, said that one way for the public to help the producers make good pictures is for the public to support good pictures. Mr. Hays said he was not furnishing an alibi for the producers, for the motion picture business was going through on the highway which leads to better pictures, but he was emphasizing the fact that it was not a one-man job, nor the job of a group of people, — "It is the multitude's job, and in doing it there is work for all," he said. Mr. Hays said he was informed by one of the largest producers in the field that in his opinion the outstanding financial successes in the last eighteen months have been clean pictures. "I know thoroughly the American public and I know that its manhood and womanhood are sound,'' said Mr. Hays, "and will support clean films. And the American public is the real censor for the motion picture, just as it is for the press and the pulpit." Mr. Hays declared there could be no "overnight miracle," that "too much could not be expected too soon" either in the raising of the standards or in the development of the educational value of pictures. "FORGET ME NOT" (Metro) is a delightful bit of screen entertainment with Gareth Hughes and Bessie Love in the principal roles. The picture is very well made, carefully directed and should meet with the approval of picture fans generally. A good box office attraction. "ABOVE ALL LAW" (Paramount) another German importation that is not suited to American needs as screen material. It is a tedious and poorly directed story with only occasional flashes of originality and as compared with present day American-made films holds but little interest for audiences in this country. "MORE TO BE PITIED THAN SCORNED" (C. B. C.) is the old stage favorite written years ago by Charles E. Blaney, done into films. It is carefully directed, and well produced by Harry Cohn, with an exceptionally well chosen cast and should prove a pleasing attraction for those who like melodrama of this type. "BORDERLAND" (Paramount) is a fantastic and somewhat illogical story with an obvious moral, presenting Agnes Ayres in the leading role. It will doubtless please those who like their entertainment seasoned with a forceful lesson. A spiritualistic story on the order of "Smilin' Through." "UNDER OATH" (Selznick) stars Elaine Hammerstein and is without a doubt one of the finest pictures in which this star has appeared for some time. An absorbing story that holds interest from start to finish, with an excellent cast in support ably presented. "COLLEEN OF THE PINES" (F. B. O.) with Jane Novak in the first of a series of twelve pictures for this concern. A fairly interesting story of the Northwest with the ever present mounted policeman who goes out to "get his man." An odd mixture of tragedy and drama with beautiful scenic backgrounds working up to a conventional ending. "THE TOP O' THE MORNING" (Universal) is an adapted Ann Caldwell story, with the popular little Gladys Walton in the leading role. It is the story of a little Irish girl who is ill-treated by her stepmother, but eventually finds happiness in the home of a wealthy man. Harry Myers in support. Pleasing little comedy-drama. TWO BIG SCENES from "Rich Men's Wives," the Gasnier production made for Preferred Pictures, Inc., and distributed through AI. Lichtman Corporation.