Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

50 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 8, 1924 Cosmopolitan's Newest Is Sumptuous Costume Play "YOLANDA," a Cosmopolitsm production, starring Marion Davies in Charles Major's story adapted to the screen by Luther Reed and directed by Robert G. Vignola. with settings by Joseph Urban, Camermen. Ira H. Morgan and George Barnes. Ten reels. Reviewed by John S. Spargo pROM almost every viewpoint "Yolan"*■ da." the latest starring vehicle for Marion Davies, bears out the slogan "the picture of the century" adopted for it by is producers. Cosmopolitan Productions. In the matter of historical accuracy, gorgeous costumes and magnificent settings there will be no two opinions on "Yolanda" being the last word in motion picture making. "Yolanda" was given its premiere showing last week to a critical audience at the Cosmopolitan theatre, New York and accustomed as they are to expecting magnificent things in Hearst pictures, the concensus of opinion was that nothing so pretentious had ever before been attempted or carried out with such startling success. The genius of Joseph Urban and an absolute disregard for monetary considerations are plainly discernible in all of the wonderful settings which is really the outstanding feature of the entire production. Many times massive castles have been shown but never before has such a degree of realism been reached as in the sets shown in the castles of Charles the Bold. Duke of Burgundy; Louis XI, the king of France about which two sets much of the action of the story revolves. The castle of the French kind is especially realistic. The moat surrounding it and the drawbridge leading to the stronghold is used for the big scene. This coupled with majestic interiors, huge halls and winding stairways are as fine, if not finer than anything that has ever yet been photographed for the screen. The costuming which is being credited to Gretl Urban Thurlow is on a par with the magnificence of the settings. In the matter of cast "Yolanda" is also exceptional. Many names favorably known to both screen and stage appear on this list. Marion Davies in the dual role of Princess Mary of Burgundy and Yolanda, the Burgher maid, does probably the best work of her screen career. Second only to her work is Holbrook Blinn's portrayal of King Louis XI and Lyn Harding's work as the Duke of Burgundy, father of Princess Mary. Leon Errol. the innkeeper, gives to the screen for the first time, many of the funny antics which has made him one of the most popular of stage comedians. In the matter of comedy he is ably seconded by Johnny Dooley. as the half-wit son of the French king. The part of Maximilian of Styria, the heroic role, is given to Ralph Graves and as the bold dashing fighter and ardent lover of the Princess he acquits himself with no small amount of credit. Others in the cast are Gustav von Seyffertitz. Theresa Maxwell Conover, Paul McAllister and Mary Kennedy. The story of "Yolanda" revolves around the adventures of the beautiful daughter of the Duke of Burgundy who is bethrothed to the weak minded Dauphin of France, the son of King Louis XI. While disguised as Yolanda, a Burgher maid, she meets Maximilian and the two fall in love. Later she is turned over to the king of France by her father and the wedding with the imbecile Dauphin is about to take j>lace when she is rescued from the French King's castle by Maximilian who escapes with her, disguised as a man of arms, after a terrific battle on the drawbridge which is the big scene. The chief fault with the picture, if anything can be found with one built with such a degree of magnificence, is that too little attention has been paid to the story to keep it in perfect harmony with the really wonderful physical structure. The lack of suspense is noticeable to such an extent that the action drags and there is no real punch until near the end of the long entertainment. The Cast: Marion Davies. Lyn Harding, Holbrook Blinn. Maclyn Arbuckle, Jolinny Dooley, Ralph Graves, Ian MacLaren. Gustave von Seyflertitz. Theres'i Maxwell Conover, Paul McAllister, Leon Errol. Mary Kenned}', Thomas Findlay, Martin Faust, Arthur Donaldson and Roy Applegate. This Comedy-Drama Very Entertaining "THE YANKEE CONSUL," an Encore-Associated Exhibitors production starring Douglas MacLean. Written by Henry Blossom and Alfred G. Rolyn. Photographed by Max Dupont. Directed by James W. Home. Here is a snappy, fast-moving picture which shows MacLean in a little different type of picture than those in which he has appeared heretofore. The popular player does some good work and makes of the production a thoroughly enjoyable picture. Patsy Ruth Miller is a very appealing heroine. The picture follows the famous stage play closely and deals with a young man of too great wealth who is tricked into making a bet to the effect that there is nothing which can arouse his interest. His friends frame a great plan on him and get him aboard a boat bound for South .'\merica as the U. S. consul to Rio De Janiero. Through force of circumstances he has to go through with it and has an exciting time rescuing maidens in distress, guarding treasure chests arid fighting South American political intriguers until, when things get too hot lor him. he sends for the U. S. Navy. .•\t that his friends confess it is all a hoax but it begins to look as though he was facing federal prison for impersonating an American consul until it turns out that the Admiral is an uncle of the heroine so everything is smoothed out. He falls in love with the heroine and wins her so figures that he wins though he loses — the $5,000 bet. This picture should go far and while there is in spots a lack of the spontaneity which characterized his former productions, it will undoubtedly prove a big B. O. attraction. The Cast: Douglas MacLean, Patsy Ruth Miller, .\rthur Stuart Hull, Stanhope Wheatcroft. Eulalie Jensen, George Periolat, Fred Kelsey, Eric Mayne, L. C. Shunnvay and Bert Hadley. Scenes from Douglas McLean's latest laugh producer, "The Yankee Consul." An Associated Exhibitors' production. Billy Sullivan Has Pleasing Personality "THAT KID FROM MADRID, MICH.," the first picture of the fourth Universal-Jewel "Leather Pusher" series. From the stories by H. C. Witwer, directed by Edward Laemmle. Two reels. It was with some trepidation that we went to review this short subject. It didn't seem to us that anyone could fill the role created by Reginald Denny and we were afraid it was a good series gone wrong, but it didn't take Billy over a hundred feet of film to win us over completely. He has that indefinable something that makes every woman want to mother him, coupled with a physique and fistic ability which forever stamps him as a man's man. He looks something like the late Wally Reid — the same cleancut, likable kind of a chap. The story concerns the manager of a pugilistic champion who is on the lookout for some one else to put on the road to fame. He has just about decided on the "bouncer" of a cheap cafe when the Kid. who is broke and hungry comes in ;ind eats a meal and has no money to pay for it. He objects to the rough tactics nf the bouncer and shows him what a real fighter can do. The manager takes him, puts him in shape and he wins the championship from the title-holder "The .■Amazon Panther." The second story of the series "He Loops to Conquer." is equally well done and deals with a plot on the part of friends of "The -Amazon Panther" to put hini out of commission for the return match. He emerges victorious however .Ttu! wins the love of the lady in the case.