Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

54 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 22, 1924 DiffisrmiuRES'f^'mEK Do the majority of picture-goers want to see life upon the screen as they know it and understand it. or do they want the artificial and the ever present happy ending? An English picture recently shown in this country through Selznick Distributing Corporation, "Woman to Woman," had an uphappy ending, although a logical one, and it was the cause of much more comment than many pictures far superior in technique and story interest. Another picture that has this unusual finish is "Thy Name Is Woman" (Metro), although an anti-climax gives it a semi-happy ending. The story held your interest, however, right up to the tragic death of the heroine and was entirely logical. The feelings of audiences are not stirred by false or banal endings, either in pictures or upon the speaking stage, and director who has made a study of public likes and dislikes is not swerved from his purpose by an unhappy ending to a story. The "happy ending" has made a mediocre picture of many an otherwise excellent story. Whatever satisfies the basic instincts and emotions of humanity, be it happy or sad, that will succeed. Likes and dislikes differ in diliferent localities and dififerent countries. There is no formula for the universal picture but the artistic is appreciated far and wide by the vast majority of picture patrons. "LILIES OF THE FIELD" (First National) is Corinne Griffith's second Associated First National attraction and again she scores a distinct hit. It is excellent in every way and should prove one of the season's strongest attractions. It has heart interest, love interest and much splendid acting. "WHY GET MARRIED" (Associated Exhibitors) is a pleasant little comedy-drama not without merit as screen entertainment. Andree Lafayette plays the leading role and is ably assisted by Helen Ferguson, Jack Perrin and other well known players. It is in six reels. "DRUMS OF JEOPARDY" (Truart) presents Elaine Hammerstein in a mystery tale, written by Harold MacGrath. The story is melodramatic concerning emeralds stolen in Russia, thence the story shifts to America and a murder mystery follows. Jack Mulhall, David Torrence, Wallace Beery and other well known actors assist Miss Hammerstein. "GEORGE WASHINGTON, JR." (Warner Bros.) presents a new Wesley Barry, a youth whose admiration for the first president gets him into innumerable scrapes. It is splendid entertainment and the kind that will delight the kiddies. An adaptation of George M. Cohan's popular stage play, made by Rex Taylor. "THE DARING YEARS" (Equity) is a Daniel Carson Goodman production with Mildred Harris, Charles Emmet Mack, Clara Bow and Mary Carr in the principal roles. It's the story of a weakling, his infatuation for a chorus girl, and his ultimate rescue from death in the electric chair. Fair entertainment. "DAUGHTERS OF TODAY" (Selznick), while along the lines of several other productions that have made more or less pronounced impression upon picture goers, is well worth one's time and money. There is a splendid cast, consisting of Patsy Ruth Miller, Ralph Graves, Edna Murphy. Philo McCuUough, George Nichols and others and it is very well directed and photographed. J. R. M. TWO SCENES from Goldwyn's "True As Steel," from the story by Rupert Aileen Pringle. Hughes, featuring Huntley Gordon and