Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

56 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 11, 1922 SPECIAL CAST IN SHADOWS (AL LICHTMAN CORP.) This is an excellently made picture so filled with heart interest, romance and thrills as to make it a good attraction for any exhibitor. It abounds with exploitation angles and has an added value by being built on a widely read story. Directed by Tom Forman. T3 0X office values were evidently carefully considered by B. P. Schulberg in selecting story, cast and title for "Shadows," his second production for distribution by the AL Lichtman Corporation. The picture was given its premiere before a critical audience in New York last week and judging from the reception it received, will go more than well throughout the country. "Shadows" is a picturization of Wilbur Daniel Steele's famous story "Ching, Ching, Chinaman," appearing originally in Pictorial Review. The direction was given over to Tom Forman and he has completed a task that satisfies. The cast is unusually good and shows in selection the same care which marks the making of the picture. As a Chinese laundryman-philosopher, Lon Chancy is the outstanding figure and he gives to the character in keeping with his well recognized talents in such a role. Others in the cast who deserve special mention for excellence of portrayal are Marguerite de La Motte as Sympathy Gibbs; Walter Long as Sympathy's first husband; John Sainpolis as Xate Snow, and Buddy Messenger, who loves to eat. Harrison Ford, as John Maiden, the young minister, tries hard to put over his part but at times fails to be convincing. Daniel Gibbs, brutal admiral of Urkey's fishing fleet, is lost in a storm which casts on the shore an old Chinaman, Yen Sin. Soon after, the new minister, John Maiden, comes to Urkey and finds two consuming interests, the conversion of the heathen and the companionship of Gibbs' widow. Sympathy. Xate Snow, deacon of the church and richest man in town, whose hand Sympathy has refused, bravely hides his disappointment at her marriage to the minister with whom he has cemented a deep friendship. When Maiden and Snow attend the annual conference at Infield, Maiden is overwhelmed at receiving a note from Gibbs telling of his rescue and demanding money for his silence. Upon his return to L'rkey, the minister realizing he has no right to Sympathy's love, goes to live with Xate Snow, and the criticism of his narrow-minded parishioners precipitates his resignation of the pulpit. Marnueritr dp la Motlr and Ralph Craves in "The Jilt" (Universal) THE CAST Yen Sin Lon Chaney Sympathy Gibbs Marguerite de La Motte Rev. John Maiden Harrison Ford Nate Snow John Sainpolis Sea Rover Walter Long Mista Bad Boy Buddy Messenger Mary Brent Priscilla Bonner Emsy Nickerson Frances Raymond Directed by Tom Forman from Wilbur Steele's story "Ching, Ching Chinaman." Impoverished by Gibbs' demands, disgraced in the eyes of his people, Maiden gradually relinquishes his place in the village to the deacon. The conversion of Yen Sin is the only road of endeavor left him. When the Chinaman falls mortally ill he sends for the minister, but Nate Snow comes in his place. When Maiden arrives later it is here that the Chinese philosopher barters his own soul for those of his associates, forces confessions from the principals in the drama and untangles the difficulties in a manner that gives the story a sudden twist and a surprise climax. — J. S. S. SPECIAL CAST IN THE JILT (UNIVERSAL) Old-time triangle theme given good production, with a cast of unusual excellence. While there is nothing outstanding about "The Jilt" it should get over with audiences that like domestic dramas. Directed by Irving Cummings. Five reels. This is one of Universal's "prosperity nine," adapted from a story by R. Ramsey. The principal appeal is that of a three-cornered love story, with Marguerite de LaMotte, Ralph Graves and Matt Moore forming points of the triangle. The work of each is noteworthy, especially that of Matt Moore as the blind soldier. However, by an unusual twist in the plot at the end he loses whatever sympathy he has gained in the early footage. Ben Hewlett is the secretary: Harry DeVere the heroine's father and Eleanor Hancock her mother. The story revolves around Rose Trenton engaged to George Prothero. a returned soldier, who has become blind in France, and Sandy Sanderson, another American soldier, and buddy of Prothero's. Rose breaks her engagement when she realizes it is for the best and marries Sandy. George goes to Europe to visit an eye specialist and upon his return he accompanies Sandy upon his daily round of visits to patients. One day he returns without Sandy and reports that thugs have killed him. Rose receives a letter from the specialist informing her that George has recovered his eyesight. She accuses him of the murder and lie confesses, but the return of Sandy clears up the matter and frees (icorge. CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG IX ENTER MADAME (MERTO) Wallace Worsley has made a thoroughly satisfactory screen comedy out of the play "Enter Madame." Clara K's. "madame" is one of the best things she has ever done. The spirit of the play has been nicely retained with the final situation well put over. Seven reels of keen enjoyment. While "Enter Madame" gets off to a rather slow start it is soon rescued from the conventional situations and after the action is transferred from Paris to America, it moves along at a most pleasant pace. Miss Young handled the role of Madame deftly with the whimsical light touch it required. As the temperamental, vexing prima donna married to a matter of fact business man, she scores a distinct hit. Elliott Dexter was no less effective as the husband. The choice of Louise Dresser as the third member of the triangle was not a happy one. A younger woman would have made it more interesting. Lionel Belmore furnished the comedy relief and young Rankin made an especially fine son. The piece was lavishly mounted and nicely photographed. Altogether a very satisfactory comedy, and one that will be enjoyed by the discriminating. The story follows the play closely and concerns a prima donna who breaks her Parisian engagements to return to America, upon the receipt of a letter from her wealthy husband that he desires a divorce. She invites the other woman to her home and completely and effectively annihilates her by her ready wit. That evening her husband does not return to his club but remains with her and thus she wins him back. SPECIAL CAST IX BROADWAY MADONNA (F. B. O.) Renamed from "The Black Domino" this story holds but slight interest due principally to commonplace treatment of material offered. A tale of a blackmailing physician, a cabaret dancer, and a son of wealth. Directed by Harry Re/ier. Six reels. This is a melodramatic mystery story, the main appeal being that of the ordinary detective story. The unusual situation of a married woman trying to win the love of a wealthy young man, so that her husband can shake his parents down for a large sum of money, prepares you for the dramatic finish where the crooks are all rounded up and the young man finds happiness with a lady detective. There is little or no real love interest. A mystery element is introduced when one sees a murder committed by an unknown assailant and there follows a lengthy trial scene with the mother, who has confessed to save her son, whom she thinks committed the deed, confined in a narrow cell. The story has been given good production and the photography is generally good, although the lighting varies with one or two scenes rather dim. The acting throughout is fair.