Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

13 FILM REVIEWS .'S/A ' Man Without a Country Wiliiam Fox production made from Ed' ward Everett Ilale’s classic, “The MaJi Without a Country,” and adapted to the I screen by Robert N. Lee. Directed by i Rowland V., Lee. At. the Centxal, New I York. Feb. IL Lieutenant Nolan... Edward Hearn Arme Bissel),/. Pauline Starke Mrs. Nolan.....,., Lucy Beaumont Aaron Burrl’. , Richard Tucker Lieut. Riddle, .Earle Metcalf Lieut. Harper. Edward Coxen Major BIsself . Wilfred Lucas Col. Morgan%'4^ Francis Powers Peter . . ' ...Harvey Clark Capt Shaw William vyalling Capt. Keamey&’'/. Edward Piel Admiral Decatur., Edward Martlndel Capt. Danforth. William Conklin President Jefferson Albert Hart President Monroe Emmett King President LirJcoln George Billings i Mrs. Burke Pauline Neff In that long list of American historical pictures, and that list includes “The feirth of a Nation,” "America,” “The Covered Wagon," "The Iron Horse” and “Janice Meredith,” none is so rich in the vivid portrayal of convincing patriotism as. “The Man Without a Country.” For this picture is as inspiring as any ever jiroduced, its message is confined to no land or period, it neither preaches nor offers to teach, yet by its magnificently worked out story It delivers a crashing, thundering lesson that had Its opening night audience working the handkerchiefs overtime. And any film that jumps from the screen into an audience is “there.” The theme» sad and pathetic, is forceful but different frdm the usual patriotic drama. There are but two efforts for a big mass thrill — and those efforts go across with a wow. The rest of the time Is concerned with the story itself, and it's a great story. For a good many years it has been one of the 'classics of American literature. PrlmeH-ily. because the theme was something surefire. So is the production. I The story, v/hich is probably fa■mlliar everywhere, bears this .much | ? retelling. Lieut. Nolan, a promisI nys young officer in the American j i army, is attached to an army post I on the frontier around 1800. Before him his father was in th^ army* so patriotism is rife in the family. Along comes Aaron Burr with his dream of a great western empire. He wins the lad to his cause, and vyhen word comes frbnti President Jefferson t,hat Burr is to be apprehended, young Nolan is stiil firm in his belief that Burr Is a fereat man and worth following, ^o the deluded youth, firm' In a belief. Is court-martialed and, after his jurors have returned, he is 'asked if he wishes to recant. Then he utters the words: “Damn the United States. I hope that I may never hear of the United States again.” Then the sentence, he is sent aboard ship and word is given that he is never to hear the ' words “United States” again, nor is he to ever set foot in America. The long journey begins, a journey which carries him through the world and the administrations of 10 Presidents and during which time his faithful sweetheart, Anne Bissell, is untiring in hbr efforts to free him. But he Is A man without a country, the government knows little of him. Finally, however, Lieut. Nolan distinguishes himself in several heroisms at sea. In a fight with a pirate, vessel he saves the day, and Miss ^ssell, old and nearly dead, secures, a pardon from Lincoln. Word of the pardon comes to Lieut. Nolan. H© dfes. On the end of a ■pier his waiting sweetheart also I dies, but these deaths are gentlyI done.. After which comes the walI lop. From the. dead, gaunt spectre : of ^ once promising man the figure of bis youth arises, while down the cabin coines the spirit of his sweetheart In her youth. Around ..the shoulders of the lad she drapes the American flag and that Is the finish. It signifies all anyone could want. It meant that. at death Lieut. Nolan had absolved himself, that he had fought a hard fight and won. Commercially, where “The Msn Without a Country” has it over some of the others is that no conflicting nationalities are Involved. There is no fighting with either the French or the British .nations and the theme itself la as universal as music. Its one fault 4s that it starts slowly. Quite a few* elisions could be made and some of the subtitles could come out. However, it is be-» ing shown in two sections, so a little padding was probably neOessary. The production looks like money in spots. The thing about It is that the theme has been rigidly adhered to, no cheap or sensational stuff Is pulled nor is any effort made tq drag in a detrimental scene. In th© sea stuff a good storm is shown,' the classic of the big cannon loose in a storm is also used, and in the sea fight between the U. S. ship and the pirate vessel good direction is apparent. The cast Is okay. Pauline Starke is probably the best name in the list and her performance of “Miss Bissell” Is just as corking as that of Edward Hearn, a newcomer, who plays' the "Noland* role. Everybody else Is up to scratch, but It la the tremendous theme itself and the Innumerable opportunities' It offers for tieups of the finest type which make it something out of the ordinary. William Fox was born a Hungarian. He Is now a naturalized American and has to htS' everlasting credit the distinction, of having produced a dramatization of Americans greatest patriotic classic. It Is a production that in the picture houses, once pared and shortened, will stand up with the best of them. 8is1e* A NEW YORK SENSATION! At Central Theatre^ Broadway & 47th St. FOX FILM CORPORATION