Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

50 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 30, 1922 ROY STEWART in a scene from "The Radio King," a new Universal educational serial, which is timely and ought to interest radio fans. WALLACE REID IN THE GHOST BREAKER (PARAMOUNT) Chief value of this production to exhibitors is the drawing power of the star's name. While it is fairly entertaining it is far from being one of Reid's best. Weird and uncanny effects and spooky story may put it over. Directed by Alfred Green. Length 5,130 feet. Ably aided by Walter Hiers and Lila Lee, Wallace Reid fails to make "The Ghost Breaker" a picture which will add much lustre to his crown of stardom. Lacking much of the fast action which marked many of the former pictures of this popular actor, "The Ghost Breaker" tries hard but fails to really get anywhere. Its dragginess is at times illuminated by pleasing situations and good >ctting effects, in spite of a story which stretches the credulity almost to the breaking point. The story opens in a feudal castle in Spain and then shifts across the world to a feud in Kentucky Senorita Maria, sorely in need of money, tries to find treasure believed hidden in a deserted castle. She goes to a New York museum for plans telling the location of the treasure. There she meets Warren Jarvis. who is fleeing the police after having been involved in a Kentucky feud. Learning that the castle is haunted, Jarvis (Wallace Reid) joins forces with the senorita. They go to Spain and Jarvis soon learns that the senorita's cousin, Duke D'Alva, is responsible for the ghostly visitations. In an encounter with the spooks, the duke is wounded by Jarvis. He then confesses and, the ghosts having been laid, Jarvis and the senorita continue the search for the treasure, which they fail to find. They do, however, find love and the moral is that love is a greater treasure than riches, so presumably every one is happy. Lila Lee does her usual good work as the senorita, in this having a role delightfully suited to her. As the negro valet Walter Hiers injects a lot of good and much needed comedy. ALICE CALHOUN IN LITTLE WILDCAT (VITAGRAPH) Miss Calhoun's best vehicle to date. An old, old plot, that of the kindly gentleman trying to prove that environment is everything and proving it, but a pleasing fivepart feature. Directed by David Divad. "The Little Wildcat" starts out well, then sags in the middle and again picks up speed toward the end. Miss Calhoun is cast in a female Jackie Coogan role, an urchin of the tenement district, who i arrested for stealing a watch from "Bull" Mulligan, cafe proprietor. She is saved from the reformatory by Robert Ware, a philanthropic gentleman, just as she is being committed by Judge Arnold. In a_ short time she tires oi being a lady but is won back by the kTndly old gentleman. Next she appears as a red cross nurse in Belgium, and succeeds in helping Arnold, an American • soldier and an escaped prisoner, through the lines. After the war is over she meets Arnold again in the Ware home and there is a happy ending. Miss Calhoun appears in many beau tiful gowns and acts with considerably more spirit than in her former pictures. Ramsey Wallace was excellent as Judge Arnold and Herbert Fortier a fine Robert Wade. WILLIAM RUSSELL IN THE CRUSADER (FOX) A hectic melodrama of the West which will no doubt please Russell followers and suit the tastes of audiences that like plenty of action and who do not trouble about dramatic artistry. Directed by Howard C. Mitchell. Five reels. This Fox production is made strictly according to plan, with honest hero, villainy villain and a pretty bobbed-hair mountain girl, all performing according to Hoyle. The story gets off to a rather draggy start and in one respect the direction is poorly handled— where the villain in a canoe passes another boat, according to the story, but in the picture they appear close together and going in the same direction. William Russell appears as Peter Brent, honest farmer, who refuses to become a party to a scheme to cheat the townspeople out of their money. Helen Ferguson plays Marjorie Dart, with her usual appeal and Fritzi Brunette is the mountain girl, Alice. George Webb is the villain, and Carl Cantvoort a civil engineer. Brent discovers a silver mine and asks his friend in town to help him finance its development. Jim, the friend, conceives a plan to form a million dollar concern and sell stock, but the mine proves a "bloomer" and Brent decides to return home. Jim hires a Canadian to blow up the mine, and imprisons Peter and his men. He rushes back to town and is selling the stock when Peter walks in and compels him to return the money. The civil engineer marries Marjorie and it looks like wedding bells for Peter and the mountain girl. GLADYS WALTON IN THE GIRL WHO RAN WILD (UNIVERSAL) "M'liss," Bret Hart's story, forms the basis for this picture. It provides an excellent vehicle for Miss Walton and is a quite human and convincing little story of its kind. Directed by Rupert Julian. Five parts. Set amid picturesque backgrounds, with good characterization, this latest Gladys Walton production should prove a good bet, especially where the star is popular. While the story was made once before, under its original title by Mary Pickford, some years ago, it is the type of tale that appeals to many and therefore is ever new. The cheerful atmosphere, the wellwritten titles and the brisk, snappy action hold the interest. Miss Walton's portrayal of M'liss Smith is excellent. She puts pep into her part and wins the sympathy of her spectators. The other characters are well drawn and the lighting and photography are excellent. M'liss, upon the death of "Bummer" Smith, her father, is taken in charge by two old cronies, former gamblers, who send her to school and teach her to be a lady. She has a hard row to hoe but finds a ready champion in the rural school teacher and eventually blossoms into a real lady and marries the instructor. There are several exciting and amusing scenes, especially where her godfathers appear at the school meeting and threaten to shoot up the place. Altogether, a good production, story full of incident, and some clever ar :ng. THE RADIO KING (UNIVERSAL) Here is a subject which carries universal interest among grown-ups as well as children, in view of the recent popularity the radio has attained. This popularity,