Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1922 - Mar 1923)

56 K X II I 15 I TO R S II E R A L 1) February 3, 192.S DOUGLAS MACLEAN IN BELLBOY 13 (FIRST NATIONAL) Entertainment of a light order in this comedy, which, while not uproariously funny, will keep most audiences pleasantly amused. It was directed by William Seiter, from a story by Austin McCall. It is in five parts. This, as the posters state, is "a story of a wise cracking hellhoy whose life is just one pretty girl after another." It has a fairly well conceived plot that never gets beyond the bounds of plausibility and the story is fairly well worked out. However, it is not in a class with Thos. H. Ince's recent success "The Hottentot." The story concerns a young man in partnership with an irritaldc uncle. The uncle would have him attend to business, while he prefers love-making. He is ousted from th-c firm until he can make good at something. He becomes a bellboy in a large hotel, and it is here most of the fun, of a slap-stick variety, takes place with the uncle, the boy's swectIveart and the hotel guests all involved. The story does not leave a lasting impression but is quite amusing and has an air of general whimsicality that will get over with comedy-loving audiences. Mac Lean and the other players make the most of their opportunities. ALICE CALHOl'N I \ ONE STOLEN NIGHT (VITAGRAPH) Audiences who have not tired of "sheik" pictures will doubtless find amusement in this story of the desert, of an American girl in love with an officer in Arabia, and his novel manner of winning her love and confidence. Light but amusing entertainment. Directed by Robert Ensemble. Five reels. Although there are some points, such as attractive scenery and a charming star, to this tale of the desert country, it is not the best of Miss Calhoun's starring vehicles. The theme, that of an American society girl of Puritanical ancestry who falls in love with a man who rescues her from an Arab mob and becomes fired with the romance of the desert, is not very original, although there is an unexpected twist to the plot that partly saves it near the end. The story opens fairly well and succeeds in holding the interest until the "sheik" angle is introduced, thence it only creates mild curiosity as to how everything will end, until the hero, who proves to be the "sheik." comes on and declares his love. Alice Calhoun looks as attractive as ever and is given good support by a small but competent cast. The desert stuff is well done, the interiors are good and well lit and one or two night scenes particularly effective. Herbert Heyes appears opposite Miss Calhoun. There are interesting scenes of dance halls and bazaars, peopled with grotesque figures in flowing costumes, and the usual thrilling chase between outlaws of the desert and the hero on horseback. The dyed-in-the-wool Calhoun fans will doubtless like it but you can't promise them much in the way of novelty in this film. Douglas MacLean in a scene from the Thomas H. Ince co.-neiy "Bellboy 13" (First National) SPECIAL CAST IN AS A MAN LIVES (AMERICAN RELEASING; Another story of the regeneration type. Contains good action, thrills and some suspense. Story not over strong but told in interestholding manner. Paris underworld stuff well staged. Story by Bob Dexter. Direction by J. Searle Dawley. Length, six reels. There has been quite a run on regeneration stories and "As a Man Lives," made by the Achievement Films Inc. lor American Releasing Corp. measures up to the others in thrills, suspense and story interest. It skips around quite i bit, the action starting in New V'ork. thence moves to Paris and later to Utah in the mining district. Acting honors of the piece go to Robert Frazer. as a young man of wealth, who decides to drink himself to death When a little bookstore clerk refuses him, and Frank Losee. as an eccentric surgeon of Paris. Gladys Hulette was pleasing as the girl and Frazer adequate as the hero of the piece. J. Thornton Baston and Kate Manskv appear in important role-.. A thrilling climax is furnished when a youngster sets off a blast which blows up the gold mine and a mountain side. Another is thrown in for good measure where the girl is hanging from a rope in the mine shaft, is saved by the villain of the piece, who drops to the pit below when the rope is seen to be too weak to hold them both. The scenes in the cafe in Paris are particularly well handled, especially the Apache dance. Sherry Mason is sent to France by hi.-, father on a business deal and to forget Naida. a little girl in a book store with whom he has fallen in love. He becomes implicated in the death of a dancer and when he returns to America and goes to a mine belonging to his father in Utah, the Apache whose enmity he earned in Paris follows. Inspectors threaten to expose Mason's partner in the mine deal and they plan to blow it up. Sherry is saved from death by a kind hearted physician who befriended him in Paris and the happy ending follows. "HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?" the latest Equity special, has been purchased for the Southern New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania territory by Ben Amsterdam of Masterpiece Film Attractions. Mr. Amsterdam had an option on this second Daniel Carson Goodman production, and was also entitled to refuse it if it did not measure up to his approval as a special production. Apparently he is satisfied that it is everything Equity claimed for it as indicated by the purchase which followed its screening. GLORIA SWANSON IN MY AMERICAN WIFE (PARAMOUNT > An elaborate picturization of a firstrate story. Incidentally, a veritable fashion show. Action laid in South America, with prominent horse race element. Plot well knit and logical. Interest constant. Star and support good. By Monte, M. Katterjchn. Directed by Sam Wood. Six reels. Antonio Moreno, playing opposite Gloria Swanson, satisfies all expectations as the South American statesman layer in "My American Wife." He looks and acts the part well nigh perfectly. Josel Swickard, Erie Mayne, particularly good as the villain. Edythe Chapman, Walter Long, Loyal Underwood. Eileen 1'ringle and F. R. Butler are others who •contribute bright bits in support. The story is of a Kentucky girl, owner of a winning race horse, whose winning of a turf classic in a South American capital brings her into contact with a powerful but inactive young statesman of ancient lineage. Love follows, but the machination^ of his political and personal rival, together with the opposition of his mother to the match of his choice, precipitate complications. A duel with pistols, a race track sequence which will stand considerable advertising, some cafe passages with an unnamed extra dancing a la Valentino for atmosphere and an explosive denouement are big moments that punctuate an evenly spun narrative I hi dress,-, of the star represent what seems to be even more than the customary huge outlay. The feminine portion of an audience should be adequately en tertained by this phase alone, and th< investiture throughout is in keeping. Th< background is authoritative in mass am detail. The majority of the scenes revca crowds of cast members who know ho^ to act and look as required. As a whole the production register distinctly above the tenor of Glori; Swanson's starring vehicles. It has al that the best of them has had, plus stor value that all have not possessed in lik degree. TEA 'N TEA (EDUCATIONAL) A single reel comedy with enough actio to satisfy the most ardent slap-stick hounc It concerns a young engaged couple whoplans to give a birthday party are upsi by a rival. The rival gets the servants t quit. They hire a lanky negro who messi things up and the rival puts T. N. T. i the cake and when the candles are lit th T. N. T. destroys the house. "NANOOK OF THE NORTH," tl Eskimo picture distributed by Path apparently is assured of long exhibitio j having received endorsement from educ tors and exhibitors everywhere. The late to commend this picture is Roy S. Corw supervisor of extension of the public m • seum at Milwaukee. Says he: "Nearly ; films can be said to teach something other; but "Nanook of the North' is a ve superior teacher." + + + JULIUS STERN has engaged Jim Dav well known short subject director, handle the megaphone on Century coir dies. His first subject will be a come starring Brownie. Zion Myers, broth of Carmel. will assist Dav's.