Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

December 16. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 55 R E V I E W S WESLEY BARRY IN HEROES OF THE STREET (WARNER BROS.) An excellent state right offering. A drama of life, enacted by a well chosen cast and given a good production. Adapted from the book by Lew Parker, the material is efficiently handled, the continuity good and the settings and lighting all that could be desired. Six parts. Directed by William Beaudine, This Harry Rapf production, starring Wesley Barry, supported by Marie Prevost, Jack Mulhall, Wilfred Lucas and a score of other excellent players, furnishes excellent and charming entertainment. It is the simple story of the vicissitudes of a poor boy. pictured with charm, humor and pathos and extremely well acted. It is peopled with ordinary folks, leading ordinary lives and any audience will become sympathetic with the young hero's ups and downs. It should be popular because of its varied appeal. •The cast is exceptionally capable. Wesley Barry, a little more grown-up than in "Penrod," acts with that spontaneous naturalness one likes to see in , juveniles but so seldom does. Marie Prevost, as the little chorus girl, is very attractive and gives a nice balance to Wesley's performance. Jack Mulhall is a reporter, and Wilfred Lucas, the villain of the piece. It is full of dramatic situations tinged with comedy. The picture shows the home life of a New York policeman. It is Christmas and everything is planned for a happy holiday, when tragedy enters the little flat — Michael Callahan, the father is killed by "the Shadow." a much sought after crook. Mickey Callahan takes up the duties of being the man of the house, and eventually traces the murderer to a country lodge, where he is killed by a disgruntled companion before the police can capture him. An interesting side story of a chorus girl, gives many scenes back staee and an attempted kidnaping that ended with the death of the crook. LOT O'BULL (UNIVERSAL) The first of Charlie Molina's comedies with his trick bull. It concerns an auto salesman in Mexico, who falls in love with a Mexican girl, who already has a husky sweetheart. The big Mexican makes life miserable for Charlie. He finally escapes in his flivver. The next day he enters the arena to fight the bull, and subdues it. after several narrow escapes in which he protects himself with a mattress. Finally he chases four bulls from the arena with a broom. Moderately funny. Old situations for the most part. Molina is a comedian, however, and with better stuff will make good. JANE NOVAK IN THELMA (FILM BOOKING OFFICES) A very entertaining and well made drama which will, with its variety of emotions, please most audiences. The atmosphere of Marie Corelli's famous book has been faithfully preserved and technically it is a finished piece of work. Splendid photography and good acting by a wonderful cast add immeasurably to its success. Six reels. Directed by Chester Bennett. As an adaptation of Marie Corelli's widely read novel this rilm will not disappoint the majority of her readers. Thomas Dixon, Jr., who wrote the scenario has handled the well worn plot and familiar situations in a manner that makes it a decidedly interesting picture. The story has a peculiar charm of its own which has been successfully retained upon the screen and the whole is enacted against a picturesque Norwegian background which added considerably to the book's popularity. Jane Novak is charming throughout and shows she is capable of good emotional acting in the more dramatic parts. She is ably supported by Vernon Steele as Phillip; Barbara Tennant as Britta; Bert Sproote as Olaf; June Elvidge as Lady Clara; Gordon Mullin as Lovissa; Virginia Novak as Little Thelma, and Wedgewood Nowell as Lennox. It was photographed by Jack MacKenzie. Thelma lives with Olaf. her father, a direct descendant from the Vikings, on the coast of Norway. Lord Phillip, cruising about in his yacht to escape marriage with Lady Clara, meets Thelma, falls in love with the beautiful, unaffected maiden and soon asks the consent of her father to the marriage. Because of the hatred of the villagers, because Olaf declares himself a believer in the Pagan God Odin, the father urges an immediate marriage. Phillip takes Thelma to London and his little Norwegian wife surprises his English friends and her beauty incurs the jealousy of Lady Clara. The latter attempts to discredit Phillio's love in Thelma's eyes because of his friendship with an actress, and she returns to Norway. Phillip follows, however, and the lovers are reunited. PEARL W HITE IN PLUNDER (PATHE; This newest chapter-plav, featuring the popular Pearl \\ nite starts off with a oang. Ihe first three episodes should assure continued interest on the part of an audience. The story concerns a treasure buried hundreds 01 years ago in a spot which is now underneath a huge New i ork skyscraper. Peail White, as Pearl Travers, is one of the stockholders in this building and learns of the hidden treasure. Seeking romance and adventure she refuses to dispose of her stock in the building and sets out to buy up the shares of other stockholders in competition with parties seeking to do the same thing. Efforts of her opponents to keep her from obtaining the stock and at the same time endeavoring to force her to dispose of her own forms the basis for a series of thrilling events in the first three episodes. Besides the thrills furnished in the various escapades there is a valuable element injected into the plot in the form of an unknown stranger whose actions are baffling. "Plunder" is from a story by Bertram M. Millhauser and was directed and produced by George B. Seitz. Jane Novak and support in a scene from "Thelma," the adapted Marie Corelli story. (F. B. O.)