Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1923)

62 1£ X H I B 1 T O R S HE R A L D November 10, 1923 HOUSE PETERS IN HELD TO ANSWER (METRO) This story by Peter Clark MacFarlane is too inconsistent in regard to one character — the actress, who unable to win back her former leading man, plots his ruin because she loves him. It is well acted and well directed and presents a good program picture. Directed by Harold Shaw. Six reels. THE CAST Maid Robert Daly "Spider" Welch Charles West District Attorney Searle . . Charles Maile While there are several unconvincing angles to this story it is for the most part fairly interesting throughout. This is principally due to the splendid performances of House Peters, John Sainpolis and James Morrison. House Peters plays in his usual convincing manner the role of a minister in a small community who is unjustly accused of theft hut who finally clears his name. James Morrison was excellent as Rollie, the wayward youth, and Evelyn Brent adequate as his sister, Bessie. The picture is very well staged and lighted and wherever House Peters is popular it will prove a good attraction. The story revolves around John Hampstead, who founds a church in a small town. He falls in love with the daughter of one of the trustees of the church. Her brother steals money from the local bank where he is employed and asks the minister to help him out of his troubles. The Reverend promises to get the money for the boy's mother's sake. An actress. "DEFYING DESTINY" is a new offering by Selznick Distributing Corporation. It is a Louis William Chaudet production of the Grace Sanderson Michie story. Hampstead's former leading woman, comes to town and visits him at his church. She learns he is engaged and attempts at once to break it off, because she still loves him. She promises to aid Rollie Burbeck get enough money to pay back the bank's loss if he will get Hampstead to her rooms. Rollie steals a diamond necklace, and hides it in Hampstcad's safe. The detectives find it and he is tried for the theft. Rollie's confession saves the minister, the actress leaves town and Bessie is' made happy with her father's blessing. CHARLES JONES IN BIG DAN (FOX) One of the best pictures Charles (Buck) Jones has yet been presented in. It has "kid stuff" running through it which will delight any audience and enough punch to bring the fans out of their seats a half dozen times. Jones delivers in great shape and is backed up by a capable cast, able direction and a well selected locale. Directed by William Wellman. Story by Frederick and Fanny Hatton. Length six reels. THE CAST Dan O'Hara Charles Jones Mazie Williams Trilby O ark Nellie McGec Jackie Gladson Aunt Kate Walsh Lydia Yr-aman Titus Tom Walth Ophelia Jack Herrick Exhibitors, who know that "Buck" Jones is a drawing card, can safely make extravagant promises about "Big Dan" and be sure the picture will back them up. Exhibitors, who know that "Buck" Jones isn't a drawing card, will make a big mistake if they pass "Big Dan" by without asking for a screening. It is an out-of-the-ordinarv Jones picture which is entitled to consideration by any theatre owner who is attempting to please his audience. All through the picture, Jones is backed by a cast, two-thirds of which are juveniles and mighty capable little actors. If "Our Gang." or any of the other juvenile comedies, or the Leather Pushers or Fighting Blood series have appealed to your patronage, then "Big Dan" should. Tones appears in the title of "Big Dan" O'Hara, who has taken charge of a Big Brother camp in an effort to forget his wife, after she has deserted him for another. The antics of the children at the camp provide great entertainment. Aside from clever bits of by-plav. the plot is rather hackneved. Jones befriends an orphan girl after her father is killed in an accident: falls in love with her: his wife conveniently dies, and he is free to take his sweetheart in his arms at the final closeup. But all through the picture, Director Wellman has seen to it that the action moves rapidlv and there is plenty of human interest and pttneh. Marian Nixon is well cast in the role of the orphan Dora Allen. Lvdia Yea"ian Titus as Aunt Kate Walsh and Jack Herrick as Muggs Murphy dignify their "bits" as important roles. SPECIAL CAST IN DEFYING DESTINY (SELZNICK) This feature's popularity will depend upon the drawing power of the cast, headed by Monte Blue, Irene Rich and Tully Marshall. It is a conventional tale of a small town youth who sacrifices himself for his sweetheart. Written by Grace Sanderson Michie. Directed by Louis Wm. Chaudet. THE CAST Tully Marshall Z. Wall Covirurton Mr. WUkens Mr. Alden Jnck Fenton'a Aunt Promoter. Weatover Mff. Co George Rheema A good program picture is offered in this Chaudet-Selznick production, with an excellent cast as a talking point. Just where the title fits is not exactly clear, as anyone of a dozen other names would serve as well. Perhaps it is regarded as a box-office title. As to the story, it is familiar material, concerning a small town youth, Jack Fenton, whose life is just one fire after another. He rescues his sweetheart from a burning house and is terribly scarred in doing so. When the assistant teller of the bank steals the bank's funds, to satisfy an extravagant wife's tastes, Jack is accused because it shows up on his accounts. At the trial he is acquitted by handwriting experts, but public opinion drives him from town. He falls the victim of another fire, and a surgeon performs an operation on his face that clears un the old scars. Returning to Riverdale, his sweetheart and old friends do not recognize him and under an assumed name, he soon swings a big deal in real estate which will ruin the country club and his sweetheart's father's propcrtv. Finally his identity is disclosed and he is cleared of the bank robbery by Harris' confession. He also wins the hand of his former sweetheart. Monte Blue fulfills all requirements as the romantic hero, while Irene Rich was well cast as Beth Alden. Tully Marshall plays the doctor, and Z. Wall Covington the crafty Mr. Harris. It is well staged and the story moves along in a smooth, pleasing manner. The song "At Dawning" can be used effectively in putting it over, as it appears several times in the picture. Universal NANCY DEAVER. p'ayina the leadino feminine role in "Gold Digger Jones." is r -covering from an injury sustained when she fell from a horse during production. . . . James O. Spearing, former New York neifspaficr critic, his prepared the scenario for "The Sianal Tower," which will star Virginia J 'alii. + + + J. H. MAGOON, prominent Hawaiian exhibitor, was a recent visitor at Universal City, where he was entertained oil location by William Duncan and Edith Johnson during production of the serial "The Fast Express." . . . Clarence L. Brown and his company have gone to Fort Bragg, 150 miles north of San Francisco, to take scenes for "The Signal Tower."