Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

SPECIAL CAST IN REMEMBRANCE (GOLDWYN) This bears all the earmarks of a sure fire box office hit. The story of a plain old fashioned business man with a family gone foolish over the accumulation of a fortune has many homely touches which make it intensely human. Direction, story and scenario by Rupert Hughes. Length 5,650 feet. If the consensus of opinion of a couple of hundred hard boiled exhibitors is a criterion. Goldwyn Pictures have a good money maker in "Remembrance." This excellent Rupert Hughes feature was shown last week to the entire membership of the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce of New York, and the reception accorded it was exceptionally flattering. "Remembrance" is an interest gripping sequence of rapidly moving events, many of them pathetic but with sufficient number of humorous situations to well sustain the reputation of Mr. Hughes for deft directorial ability in bringing out all there is to the story. The bulk of the work is given to Claude Gillingwater, and as the old fashioned business man who has accumulated a fortune and an extravagant family, this Until the completed film of "Remembrance" was run off at the Goldwyn studio it was not known that Rupert Hughes, who wrote the original story and the scenario and then directed the production, had also played an "extra" part in his picture. In one scene he walks before the camera and lifts his hat. This started an outburst of cheering on the part of the studio officials as soon as they recognized the author. There is only one thing left for Mr. Hughes to do in the matter of picture making, and that is to star in one of his own personally written-adapteddirected stories. excellent actor is at his best. He portrays the role of J. P. Grout, a prosperous merchant who by hard work has become wealthy and is looked upon by his wife and children simply as a source of supply. The youngest of three daughters has no social aspirations and falls in love with one of her father's clerks, greatly to the chagrin of the mother and other sisters. Much of the old man's affection falls on her and it is his effort to aid her and the young man she wants to marry which bring about many of the interesting situations. The old man's health fails under the strain of trying to provide for the family's extravagant tastes, and this illness brings to his wife and children the realization of a situation which has become almost a tragedy. This realization brings about changed conditions, the family is happily reunited, the young lovers wed and the old merchant recovers health and contentment. Special Review A review of "When Knighthood Was in Flower," the CosmopolitanParamount production starring Marion. Davies will be found on page 30. SPECIAL CAST IN BURNING SANDS (PARAMOUNT) Here is a picture that should do well for any exhibitor. It is an exceptionally well done melodrama with rapid action staged in magnificent settings and with a cast of players whose names are good drawing cards. Directed by George Melford. 6,900 feet long. "Burning Sands," the George Melford production made for Paramount from the Arthur Weigall novel, is well made and well acted. With its cast — Milton Sills, Wanda Hawley, Jacqueline Logan, Louise Dresser, Robert Cain, Winter Hall, Cecil Holland, Fenwick Oliver, Joe Ray and Albert Roscoe — it should prove a drawing card in any theatre. And once they are attracted to it they will leave entirely satisfied with an entertainment that has almost every element necessary to thorough enjoyment of a picture. The production is melodrama, pure and simple, but it is done with a magnificent setting and to the accompaniment of Arabs, fast riding, soft moonlight on desert sands, weird tents and ominous dark causeways and bewildering passes in dimly lighted places. It is colorful, with many scenes of impressiveness and abiding charm. The acting honors are due to Jacqueline Logan, Milton Sills, Robert Cain and Albert Roscoe. Wanda Hawley is good to look upon, giving an adequate portrayal of her role. The story is a holding one. Daniel Lane (Milton Sills) lives among the Arabs and is beloved by them. He is especially the idol of old Sheik Ali, Arab leader whose son, Ibrahim, is plotting against his father for possession of the paternal power. Lane is called to Cairo on business and while there meets the governor's daughter, Muriel. She is attracted to him at once and Robert Barthampton, the governor's secretary, seeing the danger of Muriel getting away from him in favor of Lane, tells Muriel that Lane has become infatuated with a cafe dancer named Lizette and is at the moment receiving her privately at his headquarters outside the city's gates. Muriel, not knowing Lizette is with Lane for the purpose of warning him against a plot on his life, visits the headquarters and discovers the two together. She is crushed by her discovery, but still believes in Lane and again visits him to proclaim her faith, when Lane's bivouac is attacked by renegade Arabs led by Barthampton. Lane is taken prisoner and Muriel is seized. Later she is rescued by Lane, whom little Lizette has released at the cost of her own life. The governor, having learned of the attack, arrives with troops and rescues Lane and Muriel from the hands of Barthampton and his allies. It is then that Muriel learns how faithful the little dancer has been and that she gave her life to save Lane. Throughout the telling of the story there are many admirably handled scenes, and the principal players enact their parts in a thoroughly finished and convincing manner. The backgrounds of fashionable cafes, exquisite gardens and seemingly endless stretches of desert sands form a framework as attractive as the story itself, adding materially to the appreciation of the picture as a composite work of art. KATHERIXE MacDOXALD IX WHITE SHOULDERS (FIRST NATIONAL) Altogether pleasing society drama with the beautiful Katherine MacDonald well cast. Adapted "Saturday Evening Post" story by George Kibbe Turner makes acceptable screen vehicle. Bryant Washburn and Tom Forman in cast. Six parts. This Preferred Pictures, Inc., production was directed by Tom Forman who also enacts one of the principal roles. It is a wholesome and thoroughly convincing story of the South, of a mother's pride and the complications arising through her trying to put up a "front" with an empty pocketbook. Its appeal is heightened by some very beautiful exteriors, excellent photography and general excellent finish. Miss MacDonald gives a splendid performance as Virginia Pitman; Tom Forman plays Robert Lee Pitman, the brother very well and Bryant Washburn, as Cole Hawkins, was well cast. The story concerns the Pitmans, an old Southern family, with a beautiful daughter Virginia. Col. Singleton, a wealthy old gentleman, is desirous of marrying Virginia and because poverty has overtaken them, Mrs. Pitman urges her daughter to consent. The Colonel pays for some gowns Mrs. Pitman orders but cannot pay for. At a party Robert overhears the Colonel tell friends of this and shoots him when he refuses to apologize. The cost of the trial eats into the family exchequer and Virginia becomes engaged to a wealthy young man. However, before she marries him, she has a change of heart and turns to Cole Hawkins, who proves to be a millionaire in his own right and marries him. Buys Cartoon for Screen "Buster Brown," newspaper cartoon, has been bought for the screen by Herman J. Garfield, producer.